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€o <fl"EjiTe8p0nijnu0.
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THE NORTHERN STAB SATCKDAY, JTCARCIt 30, IS50.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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^ W ^~ *~ " ' i- i ¦ .- »—_—_—— - —¦__———— - —— — ...... - .-..-.. »¦ .. -. ¦¦ _ ¦ i ¦¦ -- _¦ . ,. ¦¦ " "'" I A T I 0 N A X BEN E SF I T S O * C IE T Y , " . Earolled / puHnant to « tatttte . 9 th : Mdl 0 thVitfada . ei 23 . ; ; THE ABOVE SOCIETY , as amende ^ and legalised ,- vu formerly faroira as the KA . TI 03 AL CO-OPERATIVE BENEFIT SOCIETSjlJie managers ofwhicfchare , long seen therawessity of legal pMtcetion for the security of its members . In frammg . tlie new rules , care hasAeen taken to wmUsetfus expenfi 5 ure % rith the receipts , so that the permanent success of the-bociety should be Iwyoad all doubts . - Ths Society is divided into' three sections , to meet the necessities aud requirements of all classes of mechanics and abourers , from eighteen years of age to forty . . " THE rotWWISO IS THE SCALE OF FEES TO BE MID AS WEEELX . A 1 L 0 WAXCE EJ SICUESS . SSTBASCE : — . . ¦ e .. 4 . Ace . Istsection . Sndsectioii . Sndsectioiu First Section .. .. .. 16 0 f- ^ " *•*• s . ^ . Second Saclion .. .. .. 10 0 FxomistoH 3 0 — 2 o .... i o Third Section « 0 _ 24—27 .... 6 0 .... i 0 .... 2 0-27—30 9 0 6 0 .... 3 0 HEXBHW DEATH . WEE '« DEATH . — SO—33 .... 12 0 .... 8 0 .... 4 9 ¦ £ s . d . £ «• d . — S 3—3 S .... 15 0 .... 10 0 .... 5 0 First Section ...... 15 0 0 ; Z M ¦ * — 3 G— 38 .... 18 0 .... 12 0 .... G 0 Second Section .... 10 0 0 5 0 0 — 38—40 .... 21 0 .... U 0 .... 7 0 Third Section & 0 0 SOU HOXTHII-CONTHBtinOSiS . First Section , 3 s . Cl Second Section , 2 s . 4 < L . Third Section , Is . Jfi . The Society meets every Monday evening , at the Two Chairmen , Wardonr-sireet , Solio , Middlesex , where every irrfoFinatwtt can oe had , and memW enrolled ! Country Mends , appljing for rules , can have them forwarded , by enclosing * ° Memberf ofa ^ tate Co-operative Benefit Society , who Have paid all dues and . demands up to the . 25 th December , 1949 , can atuiee be transfer ™ . ! to either section « f the ifarional Benefit Society , ^ without any extra charge . Agents and sub-secretaries of the late National Co-operative Benefit Socety , are requested to muuedutdy « fam the General Secretary of tlie number of members likely to transfer to the National Beneht Society ; and parties n ishmg to *^ 5 XSS to £ S ^ S ^» cfctt . «« b" supplied with e * ery information , on application to the Secretary , ht enclosing a postage-stamp for au answer . Jjl ^ s GaAsar , General Seeretary , 9 fl , Itegent-streel , Lambeth . ^
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THE CHEAPEST EDITION EVEB rCBUSHED . - Price Is . Gd ., 1 A new and elegant edition , with Steel Plate oftha Author , of , PAIHE'S POLITICAL WORKS . Ifow ltoanj , a 5 cw Edition of m . O'GOHHOH ' S WORK OH SMALL FA RMS Sold bv J . Watson , Queen ' s Head Passage , Paternoster row London ; A . lleywood , Oldham-street , Manchester , ana Love and Co ., d , Kelson-street , Glasgow . And b > aU Booksellers in Town and Country . -
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PORTRAIT OP JOHX 3 UTC 1 IEJU . This day is published , price One Penny , No . XXIL o ^ REYNOLDS'S POLITICAL IXSTllUCTOH . Epited bt G . W . SI . UEYXGLD 3 , Author of the First and Second Series of ' The MrsTEairs of London-, ' ' The JIisTraiES of the ConnT of London , ' ' Tise Days of Hogabto , ' 'Hobekt Macaike , ' Ajc , Ac , &c . This nnmherof the ihf Zructor contains a portrait of
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. Just Published , 16 pages , Svo ., price One Penny , THE FRENCHMAN ; Ok . THE EXPOSITOR OF TUB ORGANISATION OF LABOUR . Edited bv a FuEScn Gentleman . In direct communication wiOi the Propagandists of Paris . Contents or Jfo . I . Address to the Reader . —The Communism of the English Press Exposed . —Education on the Continent—Secrets of tlie Revolution of 1848 . — Co-operation , or the Power of Labour . The Proletarians of . Fiance to their Brothers in England . —Nonces to Correspondents , etc . London : W . Strange , and all Booksellers .
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On this day , the 30 th of March , will appear , 5 o . L of a SEW TTEEKLT JOURNAL , —Price 6 d . ENTITLED THE LEADEB . Its master principle will be , the right of every opi . niontoiisoivnfree utrerance . It mil seek to afford expression for tlie most advanced opinions on tlie questions of thedav Political , Economical , Social , and Religious . Contents of tke Paper : —The News of the Day , treated so as to expand the most interesting into full and animated narrative ; accurate Commercial Intelligence ; discussion of the stirring topics of the day . national and local ; an Open Department free to Correspondents on subjects in controversy ; a review of the Literature of the day : not only in books , but also in the events aud influences of the littrarv world at home ani abroad ; accounts of the progress of Science ; elucidation of the Arts of the day , in criticism and description ; Original Essays ; Fictiom , and occasionally Pictorial Illustrations . The LtJDEa will advocate the most complete forms of national and individual freedom , in action , industry , and thought . Earnest convictions ¦ will be told in language direi-t jnd unequivocal Published bv Joseph Clayton , Jun ., 2 C 5 , Strand , London .
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JTHE PEOPLE'S REVIEW OF J . LITERATURE AND POLITICS . Edited by Friends of' Order and Progress . ' Now ready , price Gd . Xo . 3 . f » r April , containing : — Art . 1 . Calculations of Progress . 2 . Literature of American Individuality . 3 . Foreign Colonisation Debated . 4 . Impwtaace of the Polish Question in the Politics ofEnraps . 5 . Ancient and Modern Notions of Democracy . B « b . Wn ' s concluding Cuts at the Times Tol . I . of The Pbopee'e Review , in an illustrated wrapper , price . Is . Gfl .. will be ready in a few dajs . C . JGtcheH , Rest Lion-court , Fleet-street
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BOROUGH OF FINSBURr . A PUBLIC MEETING , convened b y the PRQYISlQXMi COMMITTEE OF TBE XATIOSAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION , for the purpose of resnsitatint the Chartist Agitation in the borough of-Finsburv , wiU be held at the HALL OF SCIENCEj CITY ROAD , on Wednesday Evekixc . Apbil 3 aa . Messrs . G . W . IT . Reynolds , G . Julian ITarney , Samuel M . Kydd , asd Gerald Massey , will attend and address the meetiag . Chair to be taien at eight VclocB . ADMISSION FREE . John Absott , Gen . Sec .
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S OCIAL REFORM LEAGUE , Faningdon Hall , Ring ' s Arms Yard , Bottom of Snow HilL On ScsdayEvexkc , March 314 at Seven ; Mr . S . KYDD will lecture on the Organisation ot Labour , —Theories of Louis Blanc and VL Chevalier . —Condition et Britain , and what the Government should do to secure tbe Peace and Prosperity of the Empire . Admission , 2 d . Hesbt A . Ivort , Hon . Sec .
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PROCEEDIXGS IX PARLIAMEXT , A PUBLIC MEETING , Convened by the Provisiosal Cohhotee of the KATIOXAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION , will be held at the MTERARY AND SCresiTFIC INSTITUTE . JOHNSTREET . TOTTENHAM-COURT-ROAD , on TUESDAY EVENING NEXT , Anut 2 . \ t > , 1850 , for the purpose of Reviewing the Peoceedixcs is Pablujosct during the past ¦ week . ( J . Julian Tfarney , W . J . Yernon . Walter Cooper , Gerald ilassvy , s . Kjdd , and others , are expected to address the meeting . Chair to be taken at eipftt o ' clock . ADMISSION FREE .
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TDE FUND FOR TOE WIDOWS AND OUPUAXS OF WILLIAMS AXD SIIAIIP . A TEA MEETING IN AID OF THE aibovc f und land to celebrate the second annirersarj of the memorable lOtb . of April , 184 S ) , will take place in the NATIONAL HALL , 242 . HKHI HOLBORN , On WEDNESDAY , APRIL lOrn . After the Tea A PUBLIC MEETING "Win be held , at which the advocates of democratic and social progress are liereby invited to attend . Tea oa the table at Sis , and the Public Meeting to commence at Eight o ' clock . "William Davis in the Chair . Tickets for the Te ? , One Shilling each , may be had at Hevnolds ' s Political IssiKncrbE Office . 7 , Wellingtonstreet North , Strand ; Land Office , 14 * , High Ilolborn ; the several Metropolitan Localities : of Mr . Mills , at the National Uall ; of the Members of the Committee ; and of the Secretary , John J . Ferdinands , 18 , New Tyssen-street , Bethnal-greeh . . - Admission , to Pablic Meeting : —Hall , 24 . Gallery , 3 d .
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TYEAFNESS Important Notice . — Mr . \ J FKAXCIS , the eminent aurist , who has devoted his attention solely to DISEASES of the EAR , continues to effect the most astonishing cures in all those inveterate cases Trhicb . have long been considered hopeless , and of thirty or forty years standing , enabling the patient to hear a whisper , without pain or operation , effectually removing deafness , noises in the head , and all diseases of the aural canal . Mr . F . attends daily from 10 until 6 , at his consulting rooms , 6 , Beaufort-buildings , Strand , London . Persons at a distance can state their case by letter . Advice to the poor , Monday , Wednesday , and Friday , from 6 till 8 in the evening . ¦ - - -
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TO THE EMBARRASSED . / T 1 HERE are thousands of persons who have X loag struggled against the force of misfortune , but few are aware that , by very recent Acts , all small traders owing debts not exceeding £ 300 , formers , private and professional gentlemen , and all " others , owing fcrany amount ( the latter without any publicity ) , can be entirely raised fiom their difficulties at small expense , and without imprisonment or banfcruptoy . ' All-such Mir . Wktos begs will apply to film at 6 , Essex-street Strand , by letter , - or personally . ' " ' - Offieehours from 10 tiU 2 , and 6 till 8 . K . B . —The above Acts stay all Palace Court , County Court , and other proceedings . Clergymen neednot submit to Sequestrations .
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EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA . - m TAPSCOTT AND CO ., SHIPPING aeVteu ^ aafTsTp ^ ' »**«* . «»*»« * ° SxSS YORK-everf Five Days . ' ¦ sasffiasfesaja ^ , ^^ niTTrimnr , Ana occasionally to - anffioHs ! ' CHAHI ' ESTOy . SAVANNAH , QUEBEC , in ^? P ^ or §; Tna ^ e 1 ° XeW T «* « " « jSfiZEffggZ "' ™* ' - " ^ "ceiptof Sj ^ SSSSSS ^ tsa ^ SA
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Now ready , with tlie Magazines for April , No . XI . of rfHE DEMOCRATIC REVIEW X Of BRITISH and FOREIGN POLITICS , HISTORY and LITERATURE . Edited by <* . JULIAN HARNEY . CONTENTS ; 1 . The Stamp Tax oa Newspapers . 2 . March of the lted Republic . 3 . Revelations of tlie Building Trades . Part II . 4 . A Glance at History . Part III . 5 . The History of Socialism . By Louis Blane . Lecture II . C . Democracy defended in reply to the ' Latter-Day ' ravings of Thomas Carlyle . 7 . Tn-o Years of a Revolution . 1 S 4 S—1849 . 8 . The Fraternal Democrats . 9 . Poetry : TUe Red l'lag , ' &e . &c . 10 . Letter from France . 11 . Letter from America . 12 . Political Postscript . Poett Paoes ( in a coloured wrapper ) , Price THREEPENCE . . London : Published liy J . Watson , 3 , Queen's Headpassage , Paternoster-row .
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ARMAND BARBES . TIIE DEMOCRxVTIC AND SOCIAL REPUBLIC . & JULIAN HARNEY has the pleasure of announcing that he has received from Paris a number of copies of a superb portrait of the incorruptible aud suffering patriot Barbes . The engraving beautifully executed , and the likenrss warranted . Price Is .. 6 d . Qr . J . H . has also received copies of a series of lithograpic prints descriptire ot tlie foundation and progress of tlie Universal Democratic and Social Republic . Price 2 s . each . The immense superiority of French over English lithography is well known , aud these lithographies are perhaps the most beautiful ever published in Paris . To bt appreciated they must he ^ seen . Every democrat should possess thes » magnificent and invaluable compositions . To be had only of G . Julian Harney , 1 G . Great Windmill-street , Haymarket ; Mr . J . Watson , 3 , Queen ' s Head Passage , Paternsster Row ; Mr . Truelove , bookseller , John-street , Tottenliam Court Road ; and Mr . Packer , 53 , Great Jamesstreet , Lisson-grove .
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Nottingham . —J . Sweet acknowledges the receipt of the folloning sums , sent herewith , viz .: —Fok the O'Cesxon ISDEHsiTt Fond . —Mr . John Haddon , Is ; Mr . Carter , 6 ( 1 ; Mr . Hudson , 3 d ; Mr . Scrimshaw , Is ; Mr . Chippindale , Is ; Hyson-green district , third subscription , 7 s Sd ; Mr . Henson , 3 d ; Mr . Simplun , Od . Fob . Victim Fond . —Mr . T . Fox . 2 d ; Mr . \ V . Lees , Is Mo . vcmbst Fosd . —Mr . AV . Lees , 6 d . Mr . Cooper . Long Buckby , begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following snms for the Honesty Fund , viz . ; — Joseph Cooper , Is ; William Cooper , Is ; George O'Connor Netvitt . 6 d ; Charles Lay , fid ; John Bree . ( Jd ; Thos . Ilaynes , Gd ; Charles Newitt , Cd ; Thos . Ward , Is . J . SKEEHUT , Nottingham , begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following sums for the Honesty Fund , viz . : — New Basford , per Mr . Fletcher ' s Book , il 2 s ; Mr .
Ligett ' s Book , 3 s lOd ; Mr . Oldlcnow ' s Book , 9 d ; Mr . Mason ' s Took , Is Cd ; Mr . Wardlev ' s Book , 3 s Oil ¦ Mr . French ' s Book , Is ; Mr . Treece ' s Bosk , 2 s ; Mr . lloberts Book , 4 s 4 id ; Mr . Poyser ' s Book , 3 s . Mr . J . Brows , Preston . —The payment of the amount of your order for the Honesty Fund ( £ 3 ) is refused at the General Tost Office , in consequence of some error . Vou stated it to be obtained by you and made payable to me . It appears not to be the case . Will you " call at the Preston Post Office and inquire into the matter , and let me know the vesult . W . Rideb . HosESts Fcsd . —The sum total of monies received from Heywood and Johnstone by Mr . Hider , will be foiind in his list—Heiwooo , per J . Wholstenholme : —J . Hampson , Is ; James Key Taylor , Is ; John Ifaworth , 1 »; James Wholstcnholme , Gd ; James Key , Cd ; Amos Smith , 0 ( 1 ; Joseph Fitton , Cd ; John Chedwicfe , 3 d ; A Taylor , 3 d ; James Ashworth , 3 d ; Josiah Slater , 3 d ; James Livsey ,
3 d . Joiinstose , per John M'Phail : —David Moray , weaver . Rankin-street , Johnstone , Is ; John Caldwell , do .. Is Id ; John M'Phail , do ., 2 s lid ; Wm . Becket , do ., Gld ; Daniel AI'CauL do ., 64 d ; Archibald M'ChuI , jun ., do ., Cld ; James Love , do ., Eldersley , 6 Ad ; for the order 3 d , and Id for paper and a stamp Total , 6 s 4 Jd . Chatham . —Mr . J . Fleming begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following sums for the Honesty Fund , send herewith : —6 . Patdson , Cd ; C . Pattison , Is : Morrison , Is ; Butcher , 6 d : Iluntcr , fid ; Ivory . ( 5 d ; Fleming . 6 d ; narris , 3 d ; Gledall , 3 d ; Webb , 6 d ; Moss , Is 3 d ; T . B ., Is ; C , Cd ; D ., Cd ; R ., Gd ; S ., Gd ; D ., Cd ; B ., 3 d ; P ., Is . Foe Da . jsI'Douau' s Fajiilt . —Received by Andrew M'Fee , Liverpool , a post-office order for 5 s , from the Eagle Tavern Locality , Nottingham . Jons Peacock , Cork . —Received . Thanks . James Barrie , Ashford . —The friend named in your letter Of tllO 12 th , will attend on the conditions specified .
JulianHahxey has received the invitation < o Birstall , and ¦ will try to visit bis friends in that place in the eoursoof the ensuing summer . JcliasHabxet has received , and paid over to Mr . Hider , for the Honesty Fund : —Sheffield , per G . Cavil , 10 s . j Gorgie Mills , per Mr . Median , 15 s Cd ; Norwich , per Mr . Hurry , 20 s , and Mr . Matchett , 4 s ; Reading , per H . EIHs , 16 s 6 d . J . H . has also received , and paid over to Mr . Reynolds , for the Sharp and Williams Monument Fund : from Neweastle-on-Tyne , per Mr . Jude , 10 s ; also received , and paid over to Mr . Amott , for the Chartist Executive , from Sheffield , per Mr . G . Cavill , 5 s ; also , for the Fraternal Democrats , from Nottingham , per Mr . Radford , 13 s . Mr . T . Geee . v , Greasborougn . —Tour paper was posted on the evening on the 22 nd inst . We posted another on the J . F . —Nielstone . A number of communications have been received for ¦ which we have no room this week .
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THE SHORT TIME QUESTION . A more unanswerable and perfect case than that of the factory operatives , as represented by Lord Ashlet , was never laid before Parliament . By the somewhat stringent rule 3 and necessary formalities of such a body , many things are excluded in the consideration of questions which would be admitted elsewhereif not as valid arguments , at least as elements in forming an opinion . But the most rigid Parliamentary martinet and disciplinarian must confess , that the case was complete at all points f and , indeed , at the conclusion of Lord Ashley's speech , it puzzled us to conjecture upon what possible ground the shadow of an opposition could be raised .
In reviewing the decision of the Court of Exchequer , we recently took occasion to show that that decision was adverse to the spirit of the law , and the intention of the Legislature in passing it . The specific object of Lord Ashley , was to remedy the defect in the verbal construction of a particular clause , and to make the hours of labour continuous instead of intennitent . The omission of the term continuous or consecutive , was held by the Judges to vitiate the act , and render it null and void for the purposes intended . Lord ASHLEY , on behalf of the factory operatives , and a large portion of the factory owners , asked for a declaratory and specific enactment on that point ; Apart from all other considerations than the
single one of good faith , he had a right to call upon Parliament to do this . There was no more doubt as to what the Legislature meant , when it passed the Act of 1847 , than there is ; that the sun is above the horizon at noon-day . But Lord Ashley did not content himself ^ with merely calling upon the so-called representatives of the people to be honest he adduced a host of evidence a 3 to the moral , phy-¦ ioal , and intellectual advantages that had resulted from the law , wherever it had been carried out , of the most gratifying and conclusive description . Fortunately the law-breakers are in the minority , and , therefore , . its operation has been tested upon a large scale . * - : - The health of the operatives has decidedl y :
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improved under the restricted houre "< sf labour . The-bosks of the ; ' Sick and 1 B uiM Societies distinctly prove that fact . Under > $ he old system , many of them . were unable or barely able —ton" make both ends meet ;* ' ( the smaller demand upon their funds now leaves them a considerable balance at the « nd of the year . Here , then , is an immense advimtage to the wodcing man , and his famil y . To the wealthy , whose income does not depend . upon personal exertion- —who are enabled , by the cunuinglyc&ntrived machinery of soeiety , to set others to
work for their beuefit- ^ -a fit of sickness matters very little . The covnforts and enjoyments of their families are untouched . The fee of a , doctor is an innnitessinially-small per eentagO upon the annual income . But to tho-mail who has to depend upon the labour of . his hands , or of his head , for every shilling ho receives—who , by the very fact of his being so dependent , and having , at the same time , to competo with a host of others similarly situated , is always paid the very lowest pittance in return for his exertions , sickness is
svnonimous with poverty and want . The suflering 8 of the patient aro aggravated by the kuowledge that his cupboard is empty , and his table bare ; uuless , indeed , he can get credit ; and then when he recovers from his illness he finds what is , to him , a huge debt , to the huxter and the doctor , strapped upon his weakened ahoulders . Health—a prime blessing to allis , therefore , the first and most essential blessing to tlio working man ; and , so far as the Ten Hours Act has been tried , there is clear and distinct proof that it has greatly improved the health of the factory "hands . "
With health and greater leisure , cleanliness , comfort , and greater economy haye followed . Schools are more numerously attended : the women and g irls are now enabled to attend to- domestic and household duties . Homo is made attractive . It is . becoming almost for the first time in the history of "Mill hands , " Home in the true seuso ^ of that term ; a place wherein the kindly affections and sympathies which knit parents and children , brothers and sisters to each other , aro nurtured , and developed . Hundreds are engaged in learning to read and write , to
knit and sew , and make their own clothes , who , under the old system , u-ould have grown up utterly ignorant of all that pertains to the duties of a wife and a mother , and the mistress of a household , however humble . Fifty night schools have been opened in Leeda alone , since the passing of the Act and whereever we turn , we find that the operatives have eagerly seized upon the opportunity afforded by the law , of more leisure to acquire that knowledge which , after all , is the soundest basis of national greatness , and the best guarantee of its continuance .
Another consequence of the law may lie specially noticed : — " In many of the districts , " says Lord Ashley-, " The operatives have got small portions of land , and have cultivated thorn in their leisure hours , and : have in some instances , raised not only vegetables for themselves , but enough food for a cow ; and so eager arft thfiy in this work , that they frequently labour until twelve o ' clock at night . '' What a pity it is , that the selfishnsss and ingratitude of some , and the malignant opposition of others , should hare prevented the realisation of the Land
Plan ! God never intended that men should irear out life and strength , in the body-andmind-prostrating and enervating atmosphere of the factory . Under tho broad blue canopy of Hoaven , with its fresh breath fanning his cheek , and tho song of the lurk to cheer his toil , the labourer at once produces that which is of universal and intrinsic value to society , and wins health and longevity for himself . It appears from a letter of the Sub-Inspector to Mr . Sawders , that the district in which these small allotments are most numerous is—that of
Todmorden , where the extensive works of tho Messrs . Fielden are situated . The Son of the late excellent and amiable John Fieiden , is a worthy successor of his father , and to the fidelity with which the ; firm has carried out the law , which his father introduced , and had the high gratification of carrying through the Legislature , we , no doubt , owe many of the facts stated by tho Sub-Inspector . He says : " Three-fourths of the land which is now ap" propriated for garden purposes in this neigh" bourhood , have been called into existence by "tho factory labourer having more spare
" time . • • * Diverge from Tod" morden which way you please two and a-lialf " miles , and you will find plots of land , rail" way slopes , odd hits and ends which used to "be wtiste , now furnishing recreation , health , " andfood , to the cottager . " Similar evidence is given as to Keighley , and in Oldham , the Spinners' Association have made a step forward in a most important direction . They " have taken a considerable piece of land , and " whenever anyone of the body was out of work , "INSTEAD OF FEEDING HIM IN IDLENESS , they " put him on that piece of land , and the result " had been a saving in the rates of £ 15 last " year . " The whole of that passage from
Lord AsnLET ' s speech should be conned by heart , and bo thought over deeply . It contains the germ and the illustration on a small scale , of the principle through which the Labour class can alone effect their emancipation from tho fell and deadly gripe of capital . On the whole , never was there a single measure so manifestly and so speedily productive of the most valuable physical , intellectual , and moral advantages , as this law for which the people struggled hard in defiance of wealth , power , and political influence for nearly thirty years , and which a section of greedy and unprincipled mill-masters would now wrest from them , after they have barely entered in possession of their hard won victory .
When we turn to , the . contra side of tho account , the case of the opponents of the law is as weak and indefensible as that of the operatives is strong . Not one of their predictions has been realised . Every one of tho anticipations of the advocates of regulated labour have been fulfilled . We were told in 1844 and 1847 , that complete ruin would befal the manufacturing interest , if such an interference with the rights of capital was sanctioned ; What is the fact ? Why , that under an Eleven Hours Act for three years , and a Ten Hours Act for two years , we have the
admission of the opponents of the measure ( when boasting of the beneficial effects of Free Trade on manufactures , )— -that tho prosperity of that interest has been wonderful , notwithstanding the restriction as to hours , to which it has been subject . They must not be allowed to blow hot and cold on the subject . The language put into the mouth . ' the Sovereign by tho Ministry , at the opening of theseBsion , in which she congratulated , the country upon the great and general prosperity of tbe manufacturingdistricts must bepresximed to bo true . Of course nobody can ! believe that
for the purpose of bolstering up a favourite theory , even the Whigs would cause the Queen to tell a lie . And , of course , also Mr . Villieks , who moved the ' address to that Royal Speech , was well , assured that all the glowing pictures he drew / of the extraordinary prosperity of i the manufacturing interest were founded in fact The Ten Hours Sill has , therefore , not ruined it . False prediction number one . In the next place , capital was
to be withdrawn from factories in this country , and carried off to others , where no such interference existed . What is the fact ? Why , that a very great additional amount of capital has been invested since 1818 , either in additions to old mills , or in the construction of new ones . False prediction number two . Their . productionwaa to . be diminished one sixth , co-ordinately with the reduction of the hours of labour . ' The very opposite has been the case . ' In cotton goods the increased
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export has been twelve per cent ., instead of a decrease of sixteen per cent , as was . calculated ; while , in yarn and twist , tho production has been " also enormously increased . False prediction' number three . The case of the millowners mainly . iested upon , these grounds , and on every one of them it has utterly and totally broken down . They pretended also a great concern about the reduction of wages , which would , they asserted , inevitably follow a reduction of the hours of labour . Everybody that know anything of them , knew very well - ¦ ' _ . m * 1 A . !_« 4 MnJ . ^ wP «>
that this was a piece of pure hypocrisy on their part ; and it ' nas turned out to be as true as everything else they said in opposition to tho Bill , In the few cases where wages have been slightly—very slightly—reduced , it has been more than compensated by tho saving which the shorter hours of labour enabled the operatives to make at homo . In many— nay , inmost cases , the result has been , cither that wages havobeeh stationary , or have advanced ; and , under any aspect , the condition of the operative has been vastly improved .
The contrast between these different results raises some grave reflections as to wider and more universally interesting questions . We are constantly told , by tho organs of tho ruling and influential classes , that tho labour class , and their advocates , are ignorant of the principles of sound Political Economy , and that the industrious classes are not to bo intrusted with the selection of their representatives , or a voice in making of tho laws . Let us tost these assertions by facts . Here we have an Act of Parliament which Avas passed in the very teeth of ; xll our great Political Economists , which attacks their whole
system at its very foundation , and which they hare assailed , with their usual vituperation , as being Communistic and Socialist , They predict all kinds of mischief to arise from such fatal and such ignorant legislation ; and when time has tested the working of tho law , it is found that , in every instance—even by their own statements—they are in error ; while every anticipation of the " Communistic and Socialist" Economists is full y realised . Ought not this to convince the nation that , in following such blind leaders , we are certain ultimately to fall into an abyss of difficulty and adversity , which it may , perhaps , he impossible to extricate ourselves from ? We
solemnly avow our belief , that the predominant party in the Legislature have turned thenbacks upon the point' they profess to ; be inarching towards ,- and that every step they take leads them further from it . They have adopted an antagonistic and disorganising principle , instead of a combining and constructive one . . Repulsion and Selfishness are their motive power ' s , not Attraction and brotherly Lore . With such devil ' s doctrines to guide us , nothing but devilish passions and devilish actions can be expected . Our wise men , and sage legislators , turn the country iut 6 a Pandemonium , and then call upon us to admire their handiwork !
For their sakes , and for our own , it is time that such madmen should no longer have the power to abuse and pervert the magnificent resources of this great country . The infernal gospel of " every man for himself , and the Devil take the hindmost , ' must no longer be preached in high places , as the true salvation of nations , and the onl y rule of Governments . Ten Hours Acts are but the faint heralds of
a new social economy , and a new principle of legislation and government , in which the principle of regulation will supersede that of selfish and uncontrolled free action , for individual purposes . Society must not always bo divided into oppressors and oppressed—plunderers and plundered . It possesses the elements of better things , and despite the professors of the " Dismal-Science , " will yet use these elements aright .
Meantime , notwithstanding the mexprrasibly mean and disgusting equivocation of Sir Cr . GREY—despite the disgraceful peddling of the Government , as a whole—and the bolder opposition of Mr . Bright , and the lawbreakers , the new " Declaratory Act" has passed the second reading .
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-KILLING NO MURDER . It would seem that what is called justice in this country is dispensed , not upon any fixed principle , but according to the caprices of the presiding Judge for the time being . A case has just occurred , which must rouse universal indignation and disgust throughout the country , and tend more to weaken any sentiment of respect for the law and its administrators , than the most inflammable and seditious harangues . If it is to be set up as an example , the lives of the poor will in future be less protected than they were in tho " good old times " of villainage , when , for a fixed sum , members of-the privileged orders might indulge in the amusement of killing tho lower classes , " an it pleased them . "
A brief recital of the facts will he enough to place the monstrous nature of the case before our readers . Mary Anne Parsons , a girl between fourteen and fifteen years of age , was the daughter of a widow , both of whom poverty and misfortune had driven into the workhouse of the Bideford Union . The poor creatures , who are so placed , are saleable by the guardians as muclv as if they were slaves ; and this girl was sent out to service , from whence ,, in a short time , she was returned as not being strong enough . She was a cleanly girl when sent out , she returned suffering from itch and
ringworm , a decisive proof of the habits of the people she had been sent to be a slave to . Misery would appear to have been her lot front " the" beginning . After her return to the workhouse , Robert Bird , a farmer , and ' Sarah Bird his wife , applied for a servant , and Parsons was recommended to them . They took her to her now home , well and in perfect health , on the 29 th September . From that time she was subjected to such a continuous' and diabolical system of ill-usage from these two fiends as , probably , is without parallel . Blows ,
6 tripes , and kicks , and poor living , were the return for her labour . The application of a rough stick—of leathern thongs—of part of a prickly furze-bush—to her shoulders , and other parts of her porson , as well as to her head—for tho blood was seen trickling down her neck—was , in tho long-run , too much for a frame reduced b y semi-starvation ; and , at hist , she could not carry the pail which contained the pigs' victuals . Upon this , the inhuman monsters , who were thus remorselessly and surely murdering theinvretched victim , complained to the master of the
workhouse , and he advised " more stick to her back ! '' The torture and the ill-usage was too severe to last long . Happily for the helpleas child , death stepped in , and sent her " where the vicked cease to trouble , and the weary are at rest . " On the 4 th of January . three months after entering into this illfated service—she died . The circumstances attendant upon her death were in keeping with the horrible details throughout . Unable to move about , the poor girl had crawled to bed in a loft . Faint , thirsty , and dying , she cried for even a draught of water , to which her mistress replied , that " if she wanted water ,
she had . better come down for it , or keep a servant . " From her death-bed , the 'tortured g irl rose , crept ; down stairs in order to assuage the agonies of-thirst ; but ,, on reaching the kitchen , tottered and fell by the fire-place . It was evident death had commenced his work , Her mistress ordered : her to return to bed . Fear of the results of their cruelty induced them to visit her during the ni ght . Her extremities were already cold , and they applied hot bottles to them ; In vain . - "Nothing could harm 'her further . " On going to her bed in the morning , she was found dead / with ttsmileuponHer face ; , as though rejoiced to
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leave a world ia which sorrow , poverty , and cruelty : had : been her , -eonstant companions during her short pilgrimage . Threedays elapsed before these two wretches gave notice of the fate of their murdered victim to a surgeon . In the meantime , they had been endeavouring in every possible way to escape the consequences of their crime . The mother was sent for , and Mrs . Bird fell on her knees , and implored , her not to let the case go before a coroner's jury , but the poor woman refused to be a parly to hushing up tho murder of her daughter . At last the surgeon was sent foiyand this is the description of the results of his post mortem examination , as sworn to before Mr . Justice Talfoubd , at Exeter , on Sunday , the 22 ud inst .: — IDOVO O nrnnli ^ £ m — .. 1 . Z _!< . _ a . __ ^ .... . v . n «* A *« 4 « V It T 1 / 1
"On the legs and thighs I saw several wounds , varying in extent , and evidently inflicted by some irregular or rough weapon . It struck mo to have been by a birch . There was a UrHise on the chest . The fnco was discoloured , and the forehead , and some abscesses were on the arms and lingers . The skin over the bowels was discoloured . On the left arni there was an abscess , and the skin immediately round ifc was discoloured , as if it had been bruised sonic time , perhaps a fortnight . The abscess had burst below the clhow . There was another abscess just forming . Tho nails of the little and fore finger were gone , apparently some time . The two middle
finger nails were also gone , apparently more recently , and in one the bone protruded . On the right arm thoro was also an abscess that had also burst . On the right hip there was a large slough . On the postorinr part of tho hips were several wounds , apparently inflicted some time . They were covered with plaster , and appeared to be old sores . Uoiweon the shoulders wore two trivial bruises . There was also a mark on the face , from the temple down to the cheek . On removing the scalp I found another bruise on the back of the head , with considerable extravasation of blood , diffused between the scalp and the skull . " Then , after stating that he observed congestion of the membranes of the brain ,
and at tho base of the brain extravasation of blood , and thathc " found the cause of death inthe head . " Mr . Turner continued : — "In my judgment , death ivas the result of the external injuries . I could not form a judgment how that violence had been inflicted . I don't think the injuries I saw in tho head were produced from falls . The condition of the girl must have been extremely reduced before death , and the powers of-life weakened . The injuries I observed would have produced an effect on tho nervous sygcem , which is connected with the brain . " Another niodical witness , Mr . Edge , a surgeon to the hospital at Exeter , conceives that Mr . Turner is correct in the opinion that he formed , as to the time of death , and tho cause . ' .
Who inflicted these horrible injuries upon a young and helpless girl ? Three witnesses gave direct and positive evidence of having witnessed ill-usage both by Bird and his wife , and in the presence of both . The house was a loue one , but human eyes and para were not always absent when these floggings were inflicted . . ' One of the farm labourers distinctly deposed ; to having seen Mrs . Bird flog her across ths shoulders with a hazel stick , and upon another occasion Biud struck her twice with a "furze stub , " "the stick had sprag- ' g lesou each side of ifc , and the thongs were used to mend the harness with . " When produced in the Court , they " were dirty at the ends . " That " dirt" was the browned and
encrusted blood of Maiiy Anhe Parsons Besides this , an abundance of corroborative evidence , and the all but confession of the murderers themselves , was produced , for the purpose of fastening tho criminal act upon its perpetrators . If ever a clear case was presented , in a Court of Justice—this was one , Not so thought Mr . Justice Talfourd . To his mind there was no legal evidence . He required it to be distinctly proved who struck the blow that caused the injury upon the head , which was the immediate cause of death ; though the surgeon distinctly intimated the
previous wounds and injuries , aud the general injury to the nervous system , were the proximate cause . His second reason for directing an acquittal , was , that , even if the blow had been struck , there was no reason to fix it upon one of the parties more than another . If this is to be the law in future , Mr . Ewart need not trouble himself about the abolition of Capital Punishments . It will only be necessary to take care that nobody sees the blow struck ; and to show that it is possible , secondary causes may have been the immediate cause of death . The Mannings , however ,
seem to havebeen very badly treated by the Judge and jury who tried them , if this be so . Nobody saw which of them fired the pistol that killed O'Connor , yet that did not prevent their being hanged upon circumstantial evidence not a whit more conclusive than that adduced at Exeter , and which resulted in Mr . Justice Talfourd letting loose upon society two persons , who are morally , if not legally , murderers . ' Of the jury we say nothing , because they could not , after such a summing up , do other than they did . But
we again warn lawyors and Judges , that to play with life , and the most sacred feelings of the poor , in this way , is to sow- the country with Dragon ' s teeth . They will spring up armed men . Let but the conviction once spread that the life of the poor man , or the poor man ' s child , is as little protected as we all know his property—labour—is , and the fee-simple of the " Glorious British Constitution" will not be worth many years ' purchase .
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SALE OF THE GREAT DODFORD ESTATE . There are eighty acres , or / thereabouts , of the Dodford Estate yet unoccupied , which will be put up and sold by auction in Bromsgrove , and vrill be duly advertised in tbe local newspapers . The sale will taker . place on the loth of April . /
The Northern Stab Satckday, Jtcarcit 30, Is50.
THE NORTHERN STAB SATCKDAY , JTCARCIt 30 , IS 50 .
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PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW . St . Stephen ' s is closed , and our legislators rest from their labours . The cabmen , who for tho last eig ht weeks have thronged Palace Yard , hiive sought other " stands , " and the neighbourhood of the " New Palace of Westminster , " has relapsed into its usual quietude . It is well understood that the anti-Paschal sitting determines the character and results of the session . Measures brought in
afterwards are merely tor show or ventilation , not immediate use . Here and there , when a more than ordinarily tempting job has to be perpetrated , or something pressingly required for official convenience presents itself , an exceptional measure may be hurried or smuggled through ; but , generally speaking , we may predicate pretty accurately with the commencement of the Easter recess , what will be the product of the session at its close about the end of July or middle of August .
The present Ministry did not begin the Parliamentary season " with any very great promises ; their programme was meagre enough as to tho number of measures promised , and the -measures themselves only as large as was to bo expected from Whigs ; but , as far as we can see . it present , it appears as though the performance woifld be infinitely smaller . They have got into an inveterate habit of trifling with the public time and money , which is , Thomas Carlyle says , " curable by no hellebore'' According to their practice , it would seem as if they believed the highest art of statesmanship to consist in doing as little as possible at the greatest possible cost . Abuses of every kind , whether large or small , rom the maintenance of a mischievous
slave squadron at an annual cost of a million sterling , down to an encroachment by Lord Ellesmere on the . public rights in the Green Park , find in them congenial defenders . In foreign politics they can bully and swagger , and thrash small states like Greece , while they cringe and fawn to powerful despotisms , and receive insults with a meekness that ought to satisf y even the members of tho Peace Society . In domestic , affairs a similar policy is manifested . Powerful parliamentary
parties are conciliated , petted ami bribed '; weak ones insulted , cufled and despoiled . Having no inherent or intrinsic strength as a : party , they maintain an official existence simply by playing off oiie party against another , according to the exigencies of the movement , or when that fails , they , summon their retainers to Downing street , and frighten such simple souls as poor- Charles Lushingxon into hysterics by a threat of resigning . How we should like tcLcatch them jit that ? " We can see . "tho members of the Cabinet" who were present
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at that memorable interview , winking at oTl other , and laughing ' in their ' sleeves then ^? Premier threatened the country with the ? of their iaestimab ' le and peerless servi ces What are we . to - expect from the Dre 9 o . session ? ' On the . first night the . notice npresenteel a list of subjects which , if taken ^ er in good earnest , and treated in ariythincr l'l ? a comprehensive style , might have almost coiiciled us to the absence for a year or * * more of any organic reform .. The Gov ° ment promised to deal , among other thin " " with the questions , of Colonial Refo Savings Banks , Sanitary Improvement / - "I *' Parliamentary Reform : Wnnrfa ™* ¦ £ lIlsil A ^ 9 W % t \ T ™ rt t \ IVI At * I * W \ I rt in 4 / l * t ***« h _ . _ * ¦ ' ¦
Charitable Trusts , Law of Landlord J i Tenant , and similar matters . What hi . i , dono ? rtM ws been Colonial Reform has translated itsel f infn homcBpiithie dose of representative Govp ment , so exceedingly infinitesmal in i { s „ " ** portions that we suspect the patient will np know he has been Messed-with the r > 0 J ^[ self Government , In the Colonies , as at LTr , the great horror of our legislators is the «« /] ' mocratic element . " Unless that ba fU te , mid coutroljed by all manner of gyVcs * > manacles , everything will be turned ttDJS down , and perhaps the advocates of these r
strictions have an uncomfortable feeling ab them , that , if that was tho case , the % Uh 7 f tho Highland reiver would be realised an i " every honest man get his ain 9 gain . " Thn however , do not wish to see restitution made nor do they wish that labour should be in th ' Colonies other than what it is at home—the bond slavo of capital—tho sponge , whence power and cunning may squeeze wealth and luxury for the idle , and non-producin classes of the community . Henco in the new Constitutions which are to leaven
to our Uolonies in the . Southern Hemisphere everything is . carefully calculated , and ex ' prcssly . derived , for the purpose of rendering the subjugation of the labouring classes to the wealthy classes , as complete as possible . Not a small portion of the period during which Parliament has g at has been consumed in the discussions on this Bill , which will yet absorb a largo amount of time in the subsequent sittings ; and if passed in its present shape , will onl y be valuable because it gives—or professes
to give-r-tho Colonists the power of afterwards framing such institutions as they may think best fitted for their peculiar circumstances . We say professes to give , because we are not certain , in case of any of these Colonies availing themselves of this right , whether the final sanction of the Crown , or , in other words , of the Colonial Office , which is reserved , would be very easily obtained , should the Colonists give a predominance , or even an equal chance to the " democratic element . "
As to the Irish Parliamentary Reform Bill —which , like the Colonial Bill , has occupied some time , and will occupy more—we have only to say , that it is as paltry in conception a « it will be delusive in practice . It is a mere party M dodgo ' on the side of tho Whiga , to give them a preponderance over the Protectionists in case of a General Election . As to any intention of enfranchising the people of Ireland , they are at least honest enough not to
pretend they wish for such a thing . It is strictl y a party fight , and as such is opposed aud advocated . What have the people of Ireland to do with such a faction-fight ? Simply to let the belligerents fight it out , while they bestir themselves earnestly to create such an enlightened and powerful public opinion in Ireland , as will , nltimately , conquer both factions , and give the government of "Ireland to the Irish . "
Bills for the improvememont of the Mercantile Marine—with the view of elevating the standard of qualifications of commanders , and protecting the persons and interests of the seamen—have been introduced ; but there the matter rests . Mr . Labouciierb , like all the Members of the Cabinet , is dreadfully bold when he has got hold of a weak interest , but craven enough when he has to grapple with a strong one . The shipping interest threatens a strong opposition , because a higher standard for captains , and just and humane treatment to sailors , pre-supposes a pull at profit , and ( slightly to alter the well-known couplet ) : — " When per cent ia in the case ,
All other things of course give place ;" So the President of the Board of Trade , " willing to strike , but yet afraid to wound , " lets his bills stand on the notice paper a mere brutum fulmen . Perhaps at the end of the Session they will be found consigned to that limbo of " good intentions , '' which somehow or other seems to be tho destination of the great mass of Whig measures .
The great measures of Sanatory Reform have not yet made their appearance ; " Churchyards still yawn " for corpses in the middle of the metropolis , " and graves give up their dead , " to the mutilating spades and crushing rammers of sextons and their brutal assistants , in order to make room for more . The Cockney population are still doomed to driuk partially filtered sewer water , in order that shareholders in monopolising water companies may enjoy a , good dividend ; and large masses are doomed to die daily in districts undraiued , unventilated , and unsewered , while rival factions and engineers arc disputing about plans , and wasting tlio public money in their disgraceful
squabbles . A Public Health Bill for Scotland has been brought in , hut since its first introduction sub silentio , we have heard no more of it . In like manner the Woods and . Forests Reform Bill has not advanced < i single step since it was brought in . Charitable Trusts have not yet been touched ; and Savings Banks , after standing on the paper for weeks , disappeared atjast—thoug h iu that case we presume the ill health of Sir Ciiaules Wood was the cause of delay . Iu short , at the termination of the first two months of the Session , vo iind that absolutely nothing has been finished , save one or two merely routine bills , and sundry votes of good round sums of money .
As to the budget , which this year was presented earlier than usual with Whigs , it is almost certain , that the only part of it which enters into details , and requires business habits , namely—that relating to stamps on transfers , leases , conveyances , &c . —will have to be entirely withdrawn . Under the false pretouoe of reducing some 300 , 000 ? . of taxes , Sir Charles in reality proposes a very large in crease of the duties levied on these
transactions . Whatever may be the abstract propriety of such additional duties , and their extension to transactions at present unburdened with such taxes as , for instance , tfansfoi of stock and railway shares , now free—that is not the immediate point at issue . It is whether tlie Chancellor of the Exchequer , under the pretence of reducing , is justified in iucreasiug taxation ; aud if taxation is to be increased , what is he going to do with the surplus ? Are wo to have the duties on the windows taken off , or the tax upon soap , or upon paper ?
Positivel y then , it will be seon that Parliament up-to this time has done nothing—and farther , that when measures upon which they arc at present employed , and still unfinished , aro completed , they will be worth very litt le indeed . Negatively it has done a good deal . It has resolved that the people shall not be enfranchised , even to the extent of Mr . Hume ' s motion . Representative Reform is , as far , as Parliament is concerned , a dream of the distant future . Retrenchment to the
extent recommended by Mr . Cobden it will not have ; and a revision of taxation with the view of lightening tho burdens upon the working and industrious classes , as proposed by Mi ' i Drtjhmond , it . resolutely ignores . Such i stho account for the past . ' . , : Among the new topics on' the notice paper , for talking about when tlie Houses ' reassembles , we find the repeal . of the Window Duties , to
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4 THE itN ^ . RXH'E ; RN . « . 8 iFiA % nT ' , March / 30 ,, I 85 fr ^^ ^ * ¦* " " ^'* * ' ¦; * ' - * 1 ' * " v ¦ - *¦ " A ¦*¦ ; l _ lJ ________^_ -a-m « B" » W" ~»»^~«~ -a ~^"" "'"* " ' W ^~ *~ " ' i- i ¦ .- »—_—_—— - —¦__———— - —— — ...... - .-..-.. »¦ .. -. ¦¦ _ ¦ i ¦¦ -- _¦ . ,. ¦¦ ¦ - * -. ¦¦ ' ..
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 30, 1850, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1567/page/4/
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