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ifjt »»* w * ' ^ ^^ y ^™ ^^ ^^ js deleterious effects by . long habit . The ; foker suppVie 3 a substitute for bread composed of p laster of Paris , alum , potatoes , and other ingredi ents ; but the grocers are the princes of gfolterators . With them , adulteration has jisen to the dignity of an art , and is carried on openly , npon a grand and extensive scale , lx men who avow their practices , and « * Wear npon their face that kind of satisfaction ¦ jfhich men feel when they ' re done a virtuous action . " , - •™ ta deleterious effects by . long habit . The
Some of the revelations as to this new kind of trade , at recent meetings , are really very racy . We are indebted for them , in a great degree , to Sir Charles Wood ' s defence of xnSing chicory -with coffee . This , it appears , is , comparatively speaking , a recent practice j and we believe that real chicory is , in itself , not unwholesome ; while at the same time , in the estimation of many persons , it imparts a finer bitter to the breakfast beverage : Be that as it may , however , it was clearly a piece of dishonesty in the grocer to sell an article , professedl y all coffee , one half or
twothirds of which was composed of aa article ihat did not cost him quarter the price of the 4 hing he professed to sell . The consumer who wished to mix hia coffee with chicory , ought to have had the power of buying both in their pure state , and mixing them in such proportions as suited either his palate or his purse . But even adulteration by chicory was not enough . We are obliged to Mr . Coxder , whose firm has , " for the last fifteen years , roasted one-fiftieth part of all the coffee imported into this countrj , " for a history of the rise and progress of adulteration , related at a
London Tavern meeting : — Chicory bad gradually crept Into the trade , and in 1832 so much was the government convinced of this , that they allowed grocers to keep it on their premises . In 1849 they went farther , and allowed coffee and chicory to be xased . The public at large began ., to like , the taste of chicory . ( Laughter . ) Gentlemen might langh , but it was undeniable . Ha and his partner had resisted the introduction of chicur ? onto they saw that if they went further they would lose the half of their trade . If the adulteration of chicory could be prevented , a great benefit ¦ would be conferred ; for at present ic was sold at a price at which he well knew that it could not be produced . ( Cheers and uproar . )
Mr . Deaxe , another speaker , lets a little light in npon the somewhat mysterious process by which " chicory is sold at a price , " that it " could not lie produced ' * : — He produced a sample of stuff tor adulterating coffee , which had been brought to him the other day , and which consisted of burnt peas , dog biscuit , powdered earth , and other materials which he would not describe , as they were too horrid to mention . ( Cries of'Hear , hear . ' ) Anyone ¦ who wished could obtain this mixture ; for lie had been te&A there were fonr tons of it ready now . It was a substitute for chicory and snufE ( Great uproar . ) How could an honest man stand the competition of people who were grinding tons and tons of ft w , every week ! :
Thus the chicory with which coffee is adulterated is itself a subject of adulteration ; and Mr . Dease followed np his exhibition -with the significant hint , "they knew what trade was ; " meaning that the honest trader must follow the example of his dishonest competitors , or go to the wall . 2 Joris the adulteration confined to coffee : Mr . Payse , of Regent Street , aays— " The present state" of the
grocery trade in coffee , in arrowroot , and in cocoa , is such , that if the grocers of London do not mind the trade will be taken out of their hands "—by the adulterators . In other words , tfie trade in coffee , arrowroot , and cocoa , will cease—destroyed under the competition of the trade in burnt peas and other stuffs flavoured -with coffee , in potato starch , and in coloured flour , &c ., flavoured with cocoa .
Tea is a concoction of sloe-leaves , thornleaves , and otherindigenons andmanufactured substitutes for the fragrant produce of the flowery land . Sugar , according to the Lancet , is adulterated by materials which are some of them also "too horrid to mention . " In fact , by the admission of those engaged in the grocery trade themselves , it is a gigantic conspiracy of swindlers and plunderers .
Now , we are often told that competition is the great protector of the public against abuses . Will those who vaunt its virtues in this respect tell why it fails in this case ? Is it not , instead of a protector , the cause of the evil itself ? If so , is it not clear that society vanU some higher and more potent principle of action than that which is the basis of commercial morality , or rather immorality ?
The practical and immediate conclusion which we are desirous of drawing from these facts is , that the only way in which , the producing classes can protect themselves , is to become their own distributors , and to buy all their provisions through trustworthy and experienced agents , from the wholesale houses . By this means they will not only insure to themselves the advantage of the profits which now
go to the dishonest retauer , but the far higher benefit of reee ' iTing a pare article conducive to health and strength , instead of being slowly poisoned with the rascally and disgusting compounds now vended by the adulterators . This is a consideration which should give increased impetus to the Co-operative Movement , which we rejoice to see spreading in all directions among the industrious classes .
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PARLIAMENTARY . After an absence of two years from the political stage , Lord LtuKDHCust has come forth from his seclusion , for the purpose of hounding on the Government to a persecution of the Patriots who , driven from their native land , are suffering in exile and poverty , the penalty of labouring to promote the cause of freedom . AU the bitterness and Toryism of the Ex-Chancellor found vent in his attack on Mazzixi , and such men , on Thursday night ; and it would appear that , while Government is disinclined to interfere ou political grounds , yet the subject has been forced on its attention , and has been under the serious consideration both of the Home
and Foeeigx Seciietakt . With the principle laid down by Eakl GuEY . we cordially concur—namely , that our Government ought not to interfere , except in matters affecting the safety of this country . So long as it acts upon that principle the Refugees have nothing to fear , for whatever may be then * feelings with respect to other Government ? , they feel the deepest gratitude to the country which has gWen them shelter in the honr of their need The ineSaceable stigma that rests npon the
name of Sir James Gkaham , for becoming the spy and tool of foreign powers , and delivering over the noble brothers , Basdieba , to be butchered , and would be a warning to all future English Governments not to soil their hands with such dirty wort With one excep tion the debate on the anti-Papal BUI was dull and decorous enough , and WLe taken care that our readers should not be bored with the hackmed arguments , SLStimes toldplatitud ^ repeated in ^ earisomemonotonousnessby «; hon . andnght hon . gentlemen . " Ths exception was caused bv the centric and clever Member for We t
Surrey , who brote the guarded reserve wncj tharacterised other opponents of ^ Popery , ^ and attached , not the policy of the Papal Court , but the doctrines of * e Papal Eehg « . nSnch a scene of turmoil and excitement has not Tm witnessed in St . Stephen s for many _ a long year ; and on a subsequent evening , Mr . liLs , the new Member for Clonmel threatened Mr . Deummoot . wfli | the Mb : of Hayna * . if ever he showed himself mlreland . How far that threat was judicious or tamely , wemustleave to our readers . Certainly , if Mr . DnuMMOSD ' s attack showed » «~ £ polemical zeal , the menace of Mr . Lawless is StJrniSet . Thebelligerent propensities
of Mr . H . Giuttas * ere wondertuny exc » ea > and Jobs O'CossELL-th at small beer jj bsESfiSg
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thirty-eight to nmety . five , in favour of egislation . A clear preponderance of three hundred and forty-three Members must be ield decisive of the main question af issue ; but what shape the . measure will ultimately take , it is very difficult to , foresee . Its final > assing into a law is far off . Up to this time the second reading of this hotly contested Bill Srfc ¦ ha 3 been effected in the session < What 13 to be done with reference to other matters appears to be , as yet , undetermined ; though it is not possible that things can rub on much l onger in their present unsatisfactory state . and thirty-ei ght to ninety-five in fiwnm- of
The Bill for Chancery Reform , introduced by Lord John , on Thursday night , is very different from what was expected , and will leave all the real abuses of that Augean stable untouched , as -we shall endeavour to show in a future article .
HOME KEWS . But little news , under this heading , requires comment this week . The accidents to which the industrious population are liable , and which we noticed last week , have been followed by the explosion of a boiler at Manchester , by which nine lives were lost . The accident is supposed to have been caused by the drunkenness of the engineer , who is in custody , and the inquiry has been adjourned to Wednesday next , in order to obtain the opinions of scientific and practical men . Thomas Dborf and Sarah Cheshan
were executed on Tuesday , at Chelmsford , the former for the murder of Jael Denny , and the latter for poisoning her husband . Dboky confessed his guilt , but his companion " made no sign . " The usual disgusting behaviour of the crowd , on this , as on all similar occasions , shows the utter inefficiency of these legal murders , to put an e ' nd to this horrible crime , and the sooner such disgusting and brutal exhibitions are abolished , the better for society . So long as murders are legally perpetrated , ' so long will they be effected , to gratify vicious passions ; and every assize will furnish victims to this car of Juggernaut
Several Chartist localities have elected their delegates in the metropolis acd provinces to the forthcoming Conference , which will meet on Monday , in the Par theneum Assembly Rooms , 72 , St Martin ' s Lane , at which meetings discussions have arisen that may be of service to the members composing that body . We gladly notice the concluding portion of the Executive report , which states that the localities unable to send a delegate , are requested to forward then" opinions by letter .
We hope they will do so , and that the line of conduct pursued by the Conference will be dignified , but , at the same time , conciliatory , and that , without abating one iota of their just demands , they will respect the opinions of others , and adopt a line of policy which will put an end to the bickerings and party disputes that have too long divided the movement , and by their proceedings prove to the world the fitness of the working classes to the exercise of the rights of freemen .
FOREIGN AND COLONIAL . Continental affairs are not materially different in their aspect . Events are ripening , and a crisis in France , Germany , and Italy , is steadily approaching . In France , the repeated manifestations of strong Socialist feeling in various portions of the provinces , keep there-actionary party in constant terror . They Btand on the edge of a volcano , and know not when an explosion may overwhelm them . The intrigues with reference to the Presidential election , continue unabated , and up to this time the star of Louis Napoleon seems to be in the ascendant . How long it will continue , he would be a bold political prophet who would venture to predict .
In Italy , Mazzini ' s party continue their wonted activity ; the withdrawal or lessening of the French Army of Occupation at Rome , would be followed b y the immediate expulsion of the Pope and Cardinals , and the re-establishment of the Republic . Germany—or , at least , the ruling powers of Germany—continues to pursue a " steady and determined re-actionary policy . The re-establishment of the Old Frankfort Diet is the goal at which they aim . That will be the only tangible result of the hubbub which brought together such mighty armaments as lately traversed the German States . The real result is , that Russia , by its diplomacy ,
has got more power than it formerly had , and will be prepared on a fitting occasion to make use of its new acquisitions to gain more . The demonstration in Freemasons' Hall , to which we adverted the week before last , has smitten the despots with dismay , and it is aaid that applications have been made to Lord Palmerston to remove the political exiles , or otherwise impose restrictions upon the freedom they enjoy in this country . Lord Palmerston is not a " Liberal" of the very first water , but knowing the estimation in which the Absolutists hold him , he is not likely to give a very gratifying answer to their impudent request .
American news contain nothing specially worthy of notice . Fresh discoveries of gold continue to be made in California . The Fugitive Slave Bill vexes the population of the old States , and causes President Fillmore to give fresh and repeated illustrations of his affection for this specimen of Yankee Whig legislation . The West India and Pacific mails bring news from our colonies , upon the whole , of a favourable complexion . Governor Barkley finds himself with a financial surplus , and the power of recommending reductions on the most pressing burdens on the people of British Guiana . The colony -was healthy and weather favourable .
In Jamaica , a "brown man" called the " political cobbler , " has been elected a member of the Assembly , over two opponents , by a majority far exceeding the number polled by either of them , though both men of rank and wealth . Really , this democracy , is a very troublesome thing ! The cholera had ceased in the southern , but was still ravaging the northern parts of the island .
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MONIES RECEIVED For xbx Wkbk Endiks Thubsdat , MiacH 27 ih , 1851 . FOR TIE HOHESn FJJHD . BiCQVED BI W . RIDER . £ 8 . d . J . Turner , Rotherham .. .. < J J < j T . Stephenson , ' Liverpool Branch .. 0 0 6 T . Bannie , Tillicoultry .. .. H Nottingham , per J . Sweet .. .. 0 16 AFew Friends , Segtaill .. .. 0 2 0 _ £ 0 _ 5 6 Mountain , per John Bates ( omitted in the first edition of last week ) .. ., 0 10 0 BKCE 1 VED AT 1 AND OFFICE . D . Campbell .. .. .. 006 J . M'Intjre .. .. .. 006
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A MEETING AT THE LITERARY INSTITUTION , JOHN STREET , F 1 TZROY SQUARE . On Tuesday evening a public meeting was held at the above Institute , to take into consideration the address lately issued by the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association to the United Trades' Association . Mr . Bate , of the London trade , was called to the chair , and opened the proceedings by reading the address above referred to . Mr . I . 'Wilson (' also of the trade ) moved a reso . lution to the effect that the most efficient means of removing the evil effects of the present competitive social system would be found in tbe possession of political ri ghts , and that the meeting fully approved of the sentiments advanced in the address
issued by the Executive Committee . Mr . Wilson said that no man who reflected could doubt that all rents , rates , taxes , and profits arose from the differ ence between the price paid for labour and the real value of the produce of that labour . ( Hear , bear . ) All the men who lived by this regulation preached the doctrine that competition , by bringing down pnce » , was the greatest blessing which society could enjoy ; but in his opinion it was the cause of restricting production , by taking from men a principie which ought to animate tbem-namelv , a desire iq improve the condition of ^ their fellow ' men . If the principle of competition were extended to the army and navy ; if men were there allowed
tocompete with each other , and those who demanded the sroallett remuneration were permitted constantly to displace others , those pric-i would fall into disor . ganisation at once , just as society has fallen into ^ . organisa tion from the same cause . ( Cheers . ) Competition was the cause of slavery , miserv , degradation , and want , and could only be overcorae by a proper regulation of labour b y labourers them . Selves . ( Hear , hear . ) He resetted that the address took no notice of the position of agricultural labourers because until they congregated the miseries l ? ni r ' V / gaVe aI 1 a comiDOn »»« wfbr action , they could never take the position which SSJS'L * ?""¦«• ( HearLear ) The first
, , . object for which the peoplV ought to W , e w « theprov . sion of reproductive employment for the rrlT ' , ? . *» w » tof the « y through the cultivation of the waste and crown lands of which they bad plenty withiu reacb . ( Hear , hear . ) In conclusion , be expressed bis regret that Chartism had not , within the past , prospered as it ought to have done , principally through the people having been led astray b y the financial Reform and other movements , which he , trusted would no longer interfere in the same manner , for there was nothing with respect to the movement which he feared so much as small concessions to the people , [( sheers . ) .
Mr . Delaforcb , ( secretary to the Trades' Asio-Ciation , ) seconded the resolution . <¦ ¦ ¦¦ Mr . S . Kydp , in Bupport of tbe motion , said that the interests and existence of tbe country depended upon the steps to be taken with reference to tbe condition of the working classes during the next few years . . ( Hear , hear . ) AH recent research by political economists proved that the condition of tbe great bod y of the people had been in aci way improved by the great improvements which had taken place in machinery , and therefore it was plain th at that condition was an unsatisfac tory one . ( Hear , hear . ) The question at issue had never yet been really discussed in this country , but he rejoiced that the subject was now likely to be more generally diseased than hitherto . At the
same time he did not see his way out of the d'lemma . The mere possession of political power alone could never work out the regeneration of society . The people might have the Charter , they might have a republic , but their social position would never be permanently improved uutil they were alive to the fact that they were the producing agency , and ought as well to b « the consumptive agency of society . ( Cheers . ) What chance had the working classes , in connexion with the present House of Commons , wherein Lord John Russell held power by the support of the Free Traderg ? He told them that Free Trade was onl y a free lie , maintained for the benefit of landowners and
capitalists , manufacturers , and annuitants , while la . bourers of all countries were pitted against each olher , continually working harder and getting less in return , and one of the first practical lesBons which the working men of this country bad to learn was to work less . ( Loud cheers . ) The practical meaning of political economists , who taught the free-trade theory , was simply that the capitalists should grow richer while the labourers should grow poorer . The whole system was one in which profitmonger combined with profit-monger , cheat with cheat , and knave with knave—wherein the power of wealth was one system of concrete and centralised despotism . ( Cheers . ) It was thought b
y some , that there was hope for England—hope that Lord John Russell would soon give place to Graham , who , in a speech recentl y delivered , with one foot standing on the grave of Peel , and the other on the neck of Russell , bad pictured many advantages arising from Free Trade , but had at the same time been compelled to admit that the Carlisle bandloom weavers were engaged in a bopelest struggle between manual labour and machinery . This hopeless struggle existed far beyond the limits of Carlisle ; and the instincts of working men generally were afraid of the introduction of machinery , which ought to be made , in every improvement ,
subservient to a decrease of their labours . ( Hear , hear . ) Nothing but a complete change in the commercial and manufacturing system of the country could im . prove the condition of the working classes . If there were no chance of change for the better in that condition , he would sooner go back to barbarism than see society remain endlessl y in its present state . ( Cheers . ) The great hope of the people must be in themselves ; it was often said that they were intelligent ; but be thought they were not so , or they would soon find out the Becret of producing wealth for themselves . ( Loul and long continued cheers . ) Mr . Rogers wished to call in question the con . duct of the Executive of the National Charter As .
{ sociatton , who had exposed themselves to the charge of being spoliators , by advocating , in their programme , the nationalisation of land , without specifying any conditions by which that step ought to be accompanied . Then , in their first address , they advocated social rights , yet the second , then before the meeting , was silent upon the subject ; while they advocated public credit , without showing hpw it could be carried out .- He then attacked the programme and address . generally , which he thought ought to'be superseded by Mr . O'Brien ' s " Seven Propositions . " Mr . C . Murray gave full credit to the Executive for their motives , but said that their addresses had
not met the approbation of that branch of the Trades' Association to which he belonged , who thought that the object of the National Charter Association should only extend , in the first instance , to the People ' s Charter , or , going beyond that , should adopt Mr . O'Brien ' s " Seven Proposition ? . " Mr . Harney said that the Executive , as a body , were acting with all sincerity of heart and purpose i they beld their power from tbe people , and had no private ends to serve . He vindicated the conduct of the Executive Committee , and protested against any attempt to thrust particular doctrines upon that body , by those who were not disposed to net in harmony with them . With respect to Mr . O'Brien ' s " Seven Propositions / ' he approved of them generally , but did not think them sufficient alone to
rescue the people from wages' slavery , for which nationalisation of manufactures would be requir ed , as well as nationalisation of land and credi t ; ( Hear , hear . ) The present Executive was the first which had ventured to touch upon social questions , and , for that alone , deserved credit and support . ( Hear , hear . ) The great duty of the Executive was to keep the Charter prominentl y forward , to the exclusion of the particular doctrines of any man . ( Hear , bear . ) Tbe forthcoming convention would be comparatively limited in number and object ; but if the trades gave its Executive full support , they might shortly have a Convention which would be in reality , a parliament of the People , and an Exesutive , which would be in reality , tbe Ministry of the 1 unenfranchised . Mr . Harney resumed his seat amidst a tremendoM burst of cheering . The resolutiomwas agree * t&unanimou 35 y ,. and , « ter a vote of tiwala , the mestbg separated ; .
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NATIONAL C ONVENTION . ~~~ aUhffartToKfT 11 ^ ° Tuesday evening street , MaryCe for * h Prmce 83 n ° ^ ' CircU 8 " delegate for thenS * 2 ? }¦ purpose of electin S a Westminster . UD 1 ^ d district of Marylebone and opS ^ bSosI ^ f ? , 11 ^ t 0 th 0 « » «* watched ^ boBSnSl » iS ""^ T 1 l were upon their CO n £ ? h , enemie 3 ' . JH « P «»> ded would be juH wort . f 6 T ? hether they delegates to ZmZ & 1 * i " ^ e ! ectin « ^ aS ^ = sa A AaS ^ SSt ^ I ^^ - ™ t odcom . ^ rsSa ^ " ^ amendment . 7 . person could P ro se an Hu n ' ibSMn'L " ' ; - the ^ " " " nation of Mr . stl ^ psaa pedlar , BUch mea had too often ^^ ^ r
of ^ SS ^ to theTeni ? T J de £ aili"g h' 3 ™ Native vention ThV ° ° ? Pt ° d V the ensuing Con-2 . SiJST ° P th' 8 country , in his opi-Sr ' oiniJ ? /* *" ^ 8 P » $ relative to ardent de 9 i « S j ¥ y ^ id not entertain an thev would hf tlie » ttait > ment of the franchise , or £ 3 l * !! 1 u ™ tD ° uBand 8 instead of hun-SVrli h an . ortn"t oocaBion , and at such HwpH « , g e ? 0 C ^ ln their movement : He then int , m Z eadl of ^ clauses in t ^ executive piogramme , commencing with the People ' s Charter , and . shewing the fallacy of working man aeitatino lor
any le 33 measure of electoral reform . If they JS 2 W 1 ? 8 fronv the " 8 ht t 0 the raffra > o , » l \ t 'fvf ^ l moro hopeless state of slal very than that which they endured at the present time . The gradual abolition of the national debt was a question that must be entertained and manfully grappled wiih . Tho Law of partnership was a subject , well worthy of their serious attention . Uniter the present system every obstacle was thrown in the way of working men employing any capital whientney might be fortunate enough to acquire . The laws relative to combination wero translated in favour of the capitalists and in opposition to tbe interests of . tbe labouring man . Relative to the
army , he believed the clause in the programme was an improvement upon the present system . The time had not yet arrived when they could entirety abolish that institution . "When it arrived he wns in favour of every man being a soldier , and then no paid body of warriors would be necessary to the safety of the State . ¦ The Land and all the raw material given by Nature should , in his opinion , be considered to be the property of government , to be held by them in trust for the benefit of the whole nation . The moans of making it national property would bo a subject for mature and deliberate consideration , with the object of doing justice to all those who had beneficiall improved it in
y value . Taxation , as at present raised , fell heavv upon the poor producer ; it should be so levied as tb make the wealth of the nation bear the burthens of the State . Taxation waa ori ginall y levied solely upon landed property—upon real wealth-but it uad been cunningly diverted from the possessors of wealth to the producers thereof . He would levy it on a graduated scale upon the possessors of real and accumulated property , in proportion to the amount of wealth they had thus acquired . Under a good system of government a Poor Law would be entirely unnecessary . The rent arising to the State from the nationalisation of land would produce revenue sufficient for all desirable purposes .
Under the present system , if a man was driven out of employment by a false system of competition , or the working of machinery , he was entitled to a dependence from the resources of the State . He was in favour of National and Secular Education under proper arrangements , and also fer tho comp lete separation of Church and State , and the perfect freedom of religious opinion . Tho candidate then gave his views relative to a better mode for distributing the enormous wealth produced by working men . In his opinion , that was the great question of tho day ; compared with that , all the other schemes of amelioration were mere fractional and minute . The invention of ¦ machineryand tho
, aids of chemical science , had enormously raised their power of producing wealth , but had , at tho same time , crippled the energies and lowered the wages of those for whose benefit it was professedl y introduced , and by whose aid its enormous benefits were achieved . He then dwelt upon the Currency question , and the benefits to be ilerived from cooperation , and gave it aa his opinion' that such Institutions should receive loans from the State , to enable them to " combine ' for their own benefit . Until they were enabled beneficially to arrange a better Bystem for the distribution of wealth they
would remain serfs to the slavery of capital . While dilating upon those social questions he was opposed to their being mixed up with the organisation for political power , ao as to defeat tho unity and entirety of the agitation for that measure . They were measures which would follow as results on the attainment of the People ' s Charter , and as such were proper subjects for their discussion ; The speaker concluded by earnestl y urging that the agitation of the agricultural districts should be made a paramount consideration in any future plan of propagandist . He then sat down loudly cheered . '
Some questions were asked relative to . the nationalisation of land , - which were satisfactorily answered . Mr . Hunniball was then unanimousl y elected as delegate for the above district , and having briefly replied , a vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , and the meeting dissolved .
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES . T . S . Dcncombe , Esq ., M . P ., President . ' Established 1845 . 11 FIAT JUSTHIA . " ^ isias Frs ^ is § ttR « , sw 5 « a £ J , 33 £ SriMBT ilILL , As might have been anticipated , the . first result Of tho Perry ' s threatened prosecution has been to call forth the disgust and indignation of the working men of England . We
have . this week had the satisfimMmi ne ™ nave mis week had the satisfaction of . receiving many letters from bodies of men totally unconnected with this movement , proffering , us their sympath y and assistance in resisting this infamous attempt of a confederation ^ money-grubbers to crush and trample upon the rights of labour . Alread y are provisional committees forming in Manchester , Birmingham , Wolverliamptou , Kidderminster , London , &c , to agitate their respective localities , with the view of marshalling the pence of labour for the coming conflict with the pounds of capital . Law , in this country , is a costly commodity , and the longest purse has mighty odds in its favour . ;
If we could conceive that the interests involved in the forthcoming contest were merel y confined to the individuals more immediatel y concerned , we certainl y should not consider it of sufficient importance to justify us in appealing for any assistance beyond our own imperfect organisation . But we feel morall y assured . that in this case we are but tho instruments through whom it is attempted to make a deadly onslaught upon the statutory rights and privileges of the working classes of this country . :
The very existence of trades' combinations in any form or description , will bo in future virtuall y impracticable , if the Perrys are permitted to come out of this affair triumphant . We must have an unbiassed judge , an unprejudiced jury , and the highest legal talent which the British bar can furnish . We must have no local interests , or private oarwi ggings , to stand between us and justice . Give ub but a clear stage and no favour , and we have the most perfect conviction of a triumphant acquittal . Our crime—if , indeed , auy crimo we have committed—has been a faithful and honest'discharge of ' our duties to those who have for ao long a period given us their confidence , and entrusted their interests to our keeping .
We have endeavoured , during our administration of the affairs of this Association , to carry out the laws in their letter and spirit ; and the spirit of the laws of our association is decidedly inimical to strikes . But in the present state of imperfect organisation of the labour interest , it is not possible atonce to supersede the system of strikes , any moro than the Peace Society can supersede the necessity for wars . _ There are Emperors of Russia and Austria , and there are Edward and George Perry , to whom it were vain to offer reason or argument .
As longas the working classes choose to he disunited , strikes , with all their evil consequences , their wasteful extravagance , their demoralising influences , are inevitable . But when they choose to throw away their prejudices and selfishness , and to look into their position like men of common sense , then strikes will be no more—they will be impossible—for no combination of capital , which this country could produce , could or would dream of contending with a reall y National Organisation of Labour . Tho pence of the millions is more than a match for the pounds of the thousands . Oh ! how often have we urged this upon the attention of our fellow slaves . When will they throw off their stupid apathy ,
their ignorant prejudices , and lift themselves into that upright , erect position , which the great God of nature intended they should occupy ? Why should they submit to . be the slaves of the thing they create 1 . This capital ; what is it ? It is the accumulation of avarice and fraud , wrung from ignorance . It is , in most cases , an accumulation of the plunder of labour . And oh ! how painfully sickening is it to find men so base , so utterly destitute of all honourable feeling , either to themselves or to their fellow men , as to submit for a guzzle of beer , or for a paltry pecuniary bribe , to barter their own character for honour and honesty , and the discreet interests of their fellow men to men who , in their own hearts , they loathe and despise .
We know of but one remed y for this lamentable state of things ;—to make our union so perfect , so attractive ^ by pr oviding within its circle for all the contingencies to which the sons of toil are liable , that we should offer greater inducements for honesty than proud capital would offer for treachery and infamy . . The National Association , from its first foundation , was always a uon-political movement ; and it has always been the policy , and we hope it will continue to be the policy of its executive , to keep it clear and distinct from all
"isms , " political or social . Whatever may be any of pur . private opinions , wo are , one and all , decidedly opposed to all and every attempt to induce the working class to mix up their great question of labour with any other , whether political , social , or religious . Upon the question of labour we have a neutral ground , upon which m » n of all creeds or shades of opinion can meet ; and we deprecate , with all our souls , any and every attempt to cajole and wheedle the Trades of Great Britain , to blend their great cause with the speculations of political spouters , or literary adventurers . We are earnest friends to the cause of human
progression , politically and sociall y ; but we deprecate the mixing up of the labour question with either the onp " ism " or the other , because we know it is impossible to create , upon these speculative questions , a unity of feeling or of opinion . The great all-absorbing question of labour is the only one upon which we can hope to obtain a uniformity of opinion , but once get a thorough organisation of the . working classes , and out of that organisation all and every movement for either political or social reform , may find disciplined and earnest recruits . Wo believe this prosecution of the Perrys will very much assist our agitation . We hope to avail ourselves of the means of
publicity which they have so kindly and considerately placed at our disposal . Nothing so much assists a good cause , struggling for popularity , as persecution , It is sure to bring out the merits of a cauBe in high relief , and secure for its principles and objects a wide and extensive circulation through the Press , which no amount of money could purchase . We question if the " Times " would , for any money payment , give us so large a portion of its . columns as it will be compelle d to uO inHg report of . "The Great Perry ConsDiracv , . < pa *« » We dril very ^ L \ y 7 " 2 i BWftbb ^ f apy « ty , which the ob-
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taining such great auW . taSes mav entail upon us . Our recent correspondent with SW . 1 lester » Leed 8 » Crewe , Doncaster , sad other pW » presents a most gratifying proof of Che great Benefits to our cause which the pftsecMiott is calcul ated to produce . nl A a etter of the 17 th of March , tlre ' ebjfre * S 0 ?> half of the hammermen- and Smiths workmg in the great machine slbpof Sha !^ 0 ^ , Manchesterthe JL '
. , , says- : " Enclosed you will fia d the e ™« explained wh y at present a strike exi st * in Manchester and at the same time you will nnd the results which such and similar strikes are producing upon the minds of the Trades Unions . More power to the pressure , for it would seem that common precaution against difficulties and monopolies can onl y be provided when common danger is threatened , and the common interost becomes alarmed by the fearful pressure ui o : i it . "
In a letter from the same talented correspondent of the 24 th iust ., wo have tho fob lowing gratif ying intelligence : — " On Friday evening , in my lecture to the hammermen and smiths , I took the opportunity of explaining the conduct of the Perrys , and the conspiracy existing to destroy trades' unions . The meeting was a bumper , and , as 1 anticipated , quite startled by the announcement . The consequence ha 8 been that a special committee appointed b y them , sat on Sunday , for tho purpose of considering the propriety of jonimsc . the National Trades Union , and to provide steps for calling a public meeting . Resolutions in favour of both were carried unanimously . " - — o , an ^ j are gett i ,, up a provjgjOI , i com .
mittop , as a proceeding towards an agitation against the Perry conspiracy , and purpose to meet next Monday night to inaugurate and establish another monster northern movement . " . Another valued correspondent from the same impoxtanUvty , writes : _ » Tho rubicon is passed !" I duly received your favour of . yesterday ; I was not surprised at your information , nor can I say I regret it , to speak the truth , but 1 was indignant . Evil sometimes produces good . It shall do in this w- i a ce or * never s 0 mistaken in my life . Within forty-ei ght hours Manchester will arouse from its slumbers . We have hero several severe OOntestS ; SOmo h . iva been in existence several
months ; labour being almost able to cope with capital ; in fact , we have bayed capital . Foremost of these battles of labour are tbe hands of Sir E . Armitage , Thornton ' s weavers hammermen , and the novelty of a sailor ' s strike ; upwards of four hundred we have supported for several weeks . We snail iorm a provisional committee until such time as we have got up an agitation to arouse the trades , when we shall give up our power to aproperlv constituted committee . Be of good heart , we se e the object mvjew b y tho capitalists ; 'they have sown the storm , they shall reap the whirlwind , '—they have raised a power which was slumbering like the steam engine , but never again to be put out of existence
. It has given a stimulus to our darling object , for which they have the thanks of yours , truly , James Gouldin . " ' Yes , valued and respected friend , " we are of good heart , " mid hurl a scornful defiance at the unprincipled cli que which would pull down the noble edifice we have been struggling to construct . and bury us in its ruins . We rejoice exceedingly to find the spirit of union erecting i » , 9 head once more in the metropolis of labour . We have always sincerely regretted the unfortunate circumstances which caused the estrangement between the Trades of Manchester , and the National Association . The effectof mutual blunders , arising from mutual inexperience . Bub we look forwarifwith hopes and expectations which we have always cherished , that past differences
would , under the softening influences of time and reflection , yield to a happier state of things ; and we hail , therefore , with a deli ght we cannot express the noble attitude now assumed b y our Manchester inends . May their generous example prove extensively contagious-may tho Trades of England become dulyjimpressedwith theimportant interests at stake , and rall y round their threatened independence , and take Immediate and effective steps to erect a rampart of union against any future assaults from their never-slumbering enemies . Awake ! then , workers , from jour death-like lethargy . Tho foo is at the gates of the citadel ; sound the tocsin of alarm , and rush forward to the rescue I For your wives-for your children-for your homes , your liberties , and independence—to the rescue !! I o-o t , 4 . i . . t , " WlLLIAM Pebl > Secretary . 2 o 9 , Tottenham-court Road .
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TEE SAILORS' STttlKB . It will bo remembered that a fertile source of complaint among tbe seamen of the northern ports has existed with respect to the fees payable upon each voyage by the crew . It was argued tbat these fees were unequal in their bearing for while the seamen who made but short and frequent voyages had to pay their shillings on each engagement and discharge , those who proceeded on longer and more profitable voyages were exempted from paying more , perhaps , than once in the course of the year . The Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade have taken this point into consideration , and tho following notioe issued b y thorn has como into operation at Mull and the northern ports : — "For the purpose of reducing the fees payable by masters and owners of ships which make short and frequent voyagesand the deductions to
, be made from the wages of crews on account of such voyages , tho Lords of tho Committee of Privy Council for Trade have been pleased to direct that the fees payable upon the engagement and discharge of crews , under schedule B of the Mercantile Marine Act , shall not bo paid more than twice in one year in respect ot the same ship ; so that , after making tho ordinary payment on two voyagos , any further engagement or disobarge of tbe crew may be effected without further paymont . Tho year for the above purpose is to be taken as commencing on tho 1 st of January and ending on the 31 st of December . The above arrangement will have the effect of preventing any deduction being made from the wages of the crews of any ships which have already made two vojages in ono year . F . W Bbkcht , W . II . Waiker , T . h . Farrbr , Secretary . "
IIuu . —About sixty seamen belonging to Hull havo , during tho past week , paraded through most of the principal streets of the town , accompanied by music and flags , the latter of which bore upon , them inscriptions of various kinds . Their object is to obtain as muoh money as possible , so that they may be better enabled to carry on tho agitation of the Mercantile Marine Bill . LiVKnpooL . —The sailors on strike in Liverpool still continue to perambulate the streets in procession . On Saturday night List there -was a performance for their benefit at tho Amphitheatre . The house was well filled .
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Sheffield . —The eketion of Poor Law Huardians is likely to be oontested rather keenly , in consequence of the dislike of some Whig manufacturers to the farming principle , in connexion with our Parish Union . Tho Chartists , however , are not willing to let them have their own way ; they have sent in a liBt which , if successful in the election , I will stand pledged to maintain tho Hollow Meadows , Sheffield Union Farm , and destroy all chance of ever returning to the . Prison Pauper Treadmill principle . However , that vrill be the inevitable
consequence if the elcotors do not exert themselves to the utmost of their power . The Chartist Council have , on former occasions , filled up gratuitously voting papws . Those who wish it , can call at 33 , Queen-street , and the Council will g ive them attendance . A great interest is manifested in consequence of a discussion at the Theatre Royal , between Dr . Sliegh and'Mr . R . Otiey , on the authenticity of the Scriptures . Another discussion is being held by Dr . Kearns and others , on the same subject , in the Hall . of Science , llockingham-street . in the Theatre for three weeks , on Mondays and Tuesdays , and on Wednesdays in the Hall . ' -On Tuesday last , a public meeting was announced in the Hall of Science , to hear a deputation from the sailors ; however , in consequence of the other
meeting , it -was adjowneo . to lnnrsOay . On Tuesday the sailors out on strike made a public entry with band and banners , to the number of 103 ; they proceeded to the bouse of Councillor Trousides and partook of that gentleman ' s hospitality in the shape of one pound of bread , and a quarter of a pound of cheese , and three g , Is of beer per man , anda pouad of tobacco was divided between them . In the evening they assembled in the Hall of Science where a ffFile S SWaS he " 7 - Kirk secrltary to ! £ fh irI * - ' ¦ * , called u P ° to preside-when ¦ ma tf ^ Vi ? msetin « «! on 8 ' sted in billet-XSiw ?» lndlfferent , P arts ° f tbetown - B « eTllor u I ^ ^ T \? not lack aaprorb . Counfwu n £ : irth ' ™ 3 elected b > ' ^ e ''uKPSiS ?*" wh 0 i 8 again on our lisfc
Two gangs of brigands , said to be Americans , wk ? ° leaders h'P of men named Leman and » nite , are said to be ravaging the state of Chihuahua , m Mexico . They had a strong force , thirty in one party , and two pieces of artillery , and they uad WOmen and children among their prisoners . . South London Chartist IIau ,. — Mr . Ernest Jones lectured on Friday night last on " Peoples and Governments . " The lecture gave great satisfaction .
Mx Meesfo Ibtrror
mx meesfo iBtrror
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WIMG-UP OF THE LAND COMPANY . RECEIVED BI W . RIDES . £ 8 . d . Central Hossendale , per J . Ashworth .. 0 3 0 J . Turner , Rotherham .. .. 010 T . Stephenson , liverpool Branch ,, 0 0 6 From Manchester—Alice Heath .. 0 0 6 3 . Luke ... .. 006 T . Bannie , Ullicoultry .. .. 0 0 6 Nottingham , per J . Sweet .. .. 003 H . Wallis , Maidstone .. -. 010 _ fOU ~ 3 RECEIVED AT LAND OFFICE . D . Campbell •• .. 006 J . M'Intjre .. .. 006 D . M'Intyre .. .. 006 A . M « Aulay .. .. 006 E . Montgomery .. ¦• » 0 6 E . Hannah .. •• .. 006 CFreebarin .- '" 225 J . Scott •• ** ° ° 6
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NATIONAL CHARTER FUND . Beeei ? ea bs Johh AwoiT . -Wr . Barne ^ lfat T yler B « . rtae Greonrtttt ls-Slasgow , per i . DoSSs £ 1 as-Lamfi& SmSottth Londoa Hall ) , per E . Sfllw Ms-Gat
fccted at John ^ treet iji * Jd .-J . Hi ggs and Friendi Upper BBWsK&ESafe s * 3635 CONVENTION FUND . j « nfo Cei A T by i Jo HN Ab ' vott —V - B « luscombe 2 s 6 d-C . i ^ M'H'i " -tecobson , junr . lg-W . and E . & i d ^ D . Hoxton NewTOTO 2 « --W . B .. per 6 . J . ifS ? V ~? r "J" »™ ani Per ditto ls-Siron-f Shoe « eii 3 ' 10 ^ te 5 r - Ch I i 8 tma » 10 s-Koyton . per J ? B . Horsfull vSTna ? ' ? ' ? J't Sp « rsl 8-fj . G ., per ditto ls-A h ? w ^ L dltt S ^? L ' P « dilt ° Is M .- Becked Djr W . Kideb . —R Webb , Gravcsend U . " ¦ ¦'¦ ¦ FOR THE HUNGARIAN AND POLISH REFUGEES . „ fST 1 ? y W " , Rm EB—W- H- PocWington 6 d . ——Recwed by Jobs ABNorr . -Three Brewers' Servants , Lime-10 lie Locality , per Ernest Jones Is fid . Tniniin inim . ulll _< i Nil i ^^ '
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SOUTH L 0 KD 0 N CHAKTIST HALL . A public meeting was held on Wednesday evening , for the purpose of electing a delegate to tho Convention for the South London District . Tho attendance was larger than at any other similar gathering in the metropolis . Mr . E . Miles was called to the chair . ' S > nie routine regulations having been agreed to , Mr . Small reada series of resolutions , which were put to the meeting to be adopted , as instructions for their delegate . They included the People ' s Charter , the nationalisation of land , and the distribution of wealth among those onl y who produced it . These resolutions gave rise to some discussion , and were ultimately withdrawn until after the candidateg had been hoard :
Messrs . Stratton , Pearoy , Shell , G . J . Harney , and Edwards , were then put in nomination . Mr . Pearcy retired in favour of Mr . Harney . Mr . Edwards also retired . A rather angry discussion took place relative to the nomination of Mr . Harney . Mr . "Wheeler said lie felt convinced that if Mr . HarBey had been present , he would have resigned rather than any ill-feeling should be created . He ( Mr . "Wheeler ) bad been invited to stand ; and having been elected for that district by many thousand persons in 1848 , he thought he had as great a claimnpontheir . suffrages as [ any person who was not a member of their locality . He bad declined opposing the local candidates , and he felt convinced that the proposers of Mr . Harney were acting injuriously to that gentleman by not withdrawing his nomination . '
Mr . JonssoN opposed the nomination of Mr . Harney , on the ground that he was a member of the Executive ; and it was a principle of Democracy , that the executive power should not have a vote in a-Parliament or Conference . ,. The " . proposers of Mr . Harney declining to withdraw that gentleman , the candidates were then heard . Mr . Straiton - stated that all previous Conventions had been composed chiefly of speakers and writers , instead of practical business men , which , in his opinion , was one of the main causes why they had effected so little good ; They should now infuse the new blood of practical hard-working men-men who had endured the miseries for which they had hitherto , in vain , sought a remedy . Such men
would be enabled to bring before the Convention practical measures , on which laws might be enacted calculated to give beneficial employment to the whole Of the working classes . This would be far more conducive to their interests than any amount of clap-trap oratory . Mr . Harney and others had often told them that the land was theirs , and they ought to take it—this was all nonsense , they had not the power to take it . He then , laid down a plan for mortgaging the poor laws and reducing the army and nvry , to purchase the land to locate the people thereon . Mr . O'Connor ' s plan bad not been a failure-it was the unfitness of th . 030 located thereon that had caused it to appear so . The speaker illustrated his ' system by numerous statistics .
Mr . Shell was the next speaker . He dwelt upon the claims in the programme issued by the Executive . He did not fully agree with Borne of these clauses . He thought they were not of sufficient magnitude to cope with this evils they had to contend against . The monopoly of land , gold , and machinery would have been far better subjects for the Convention to discuss , than the flimsy patchwork subjects laid down in that programme . What was to beoorae of the- surplus population of this country , unless land and machinery were made national property ? The Currency question was also a very important one , and waa not dealt with mtheprogrammfr . He was in favour of first bb-• tammg the Chaster , and then iocial reforms would Lh&e&smy e&ma&into e&ct . He was sent to prison jror attending a- meeting in ; that Hall , whioh meeting yMr ; Harass haidaolinedi \» attend , He did . q « i
blame Mr . Harney fop not attend hT * . u ~] traps that » . ? laid to enSSS L \™ , t circumstances ^ would not have stood in «» tion to Mr . W , bur , having Suffered for 2 Bf ing Chartism in thai district , he thought ; SSSelf justified m coining forward as theircandidale Air . Small was then hoard a »? a re presentative of Mr . . Harn ey ,: a motion to that effect Jurin < r beon carried b y a small majority . . ° - ihe candidates' names were then put to the vote . £ t . , o n fa » ' a decision by show of hands thnta ? hl 5 * u Ok ' ! . lace i when Mr - SheI 1 wa 9 declared by me tellers to be elected by a considerable mniority . dockofirn . ^ T-i thankS - WllGn he J ( k lhe self I ? ,, ? u 2 . , ^ £ where he defen < kd WmconvSeWK ? ? x that thou * ™ 2 S . ^ his character would not be iniured
! riba 7 Z 7 IT ' 4 P elreleotin 2 llim tha ' night ThaW *?" VtlU retalned thcir confidence . tionof rt T ' br 0 U £ llt forward * early por-A Snff were then P ut and carried tb ? i ! ajtt ? : tothc ch ' ~ -
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- March 291851 _„_ . - ^ , y THE NOREHEttWsTAi , , ' 5 ¦ niTi , ' ., "' ' ' ' ; ' *
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 29, 1851, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1619/page/5/
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