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Northern Star (1837-1852), 30th August 1851, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1, nNE OF THE CAUSES OF LABOUR'S osta WRONGS.

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    • Cfjantst intelligence. ilHxwb - ai iru«^.ii^^w>A>
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    • nNE OF THE CAUSES OF LABOUR'S osta WRONGS.
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      « Publicity 1 « tie soul of Justice . "— Bkkthah . jfr . EDITOR , —The civilising agency of a f ree f ^ 89 is an accredited truth ; aad the Tfewspapet has become ao ueceseary to our Wdl-Boing » tbatit now received as part of the food of life , without which we die . A Free Press is , in a word , the perfection of humapjty ; for as men thirst for the possession of au unrestricted preBs , the closer do they approximate to ChriBtian love and Christian charity . ' . .

      _ But , aa respects the NewBpaper-sheei , the British Press is not a Free Press . They deceire tneaiBelves who pronounce it to be such . 3 . greater impediment to the growth of Political power , or a more effectual means of suppressing the distribution of Political knowledge , never could Have been devised than that which a British Government imposed on the nation , when they decreed that all 'News '

      should be printed upon a stamped sheet of paper . - Unable as the law officers of the Crown ever have been to define the meaning of this vrord News , * . they have arbitrarily ruled it as imperative in its application to all kinds of p iitical information . Thus , to publish the Debates in Parliament , or comments , in the form of leaders or addresses , thereon , or infor « mation , the nature of which relates to the

      events of the hour ; the Bankrupt List , and matter taken from the 'London Gazette ; all each particulars have been construed as evidence , proving that the medium through -which the same is disseminated should be taxed . - And the effect of such a ruling , and the operation of the Jaw itself , in stuffing the people frith a kind of mentalfood for winch they have no appetite , and , consequently , cannot digest , are before us in the number of daily papers the three kingdoms possesses , and the tone of Political Knowledge they respectively

      assume . Fornearlyeighteenmillions of souls , theEng-3 isb Daily Press consists of sis Morning and fire Evening Journals , viz . ;—The * Times , ' Morning Paper , The 'Daily News , ' „ The ' Morning Advertiser / The 'Morning Chronicle , ' The ' Morning Herald , ' The 'Morning Post , * The ' Globe , * EveningPaper , The « Shipping Gazette , ' „ The 'Standard , ' „ The ' Sun , ' „ The ' Express , ' „ which is a second edition only of the ' Daily NewB . '

      All these are published in the Metropolis . To this list there are to be added : —For Scotland , the ' North British Daily Mail , ' published in Glasgow ; and for Irelaud , two evening papers . In all , seven Morning and eeven Evening Journals , represent the Daily Press of the United Kingdom . With the Newspaper as with all other things that are bought and sold , price is a great element of their existence and success ; and for the diurnal journals tbe " magical sum of Ficepetice is the cost . Now , when we ob eervethe political bias of these organs , we are

      reminded that , without exception , all classes in the community are more or less represented , save one , and ( paradoxical as the statement nay appear , it is nevertheless true ) that class is the Labouring Class , in number five-sixths of che otherB , for which there is no daily organ that' pretends to give expression to their opinions , —that will give up its columns to the publication of their social wrongs , —or be their advocate , when heartlessly assailed , either by the inhuman tyranny of some grasping capitalist , or by that portion vf the said press whose motto is ' things as they are . ' The price of these papers has completely made

      them the representatives of the Commercial and Trading interests . For the oppressed working man they have only words of abuBe ; but for the capitalist , they have a soothing Ejrup and a healing balm . Test it ; and the youngest , and reputed to be the most liberal , of the London journals , will devote half a column to the report of a great meeting of four hours duration , and , in a few days afterwards give up four columns and a half to the publication of an ex parte statement by one of the most unscrupulous of masters that has ever been compelled , in cross-examination , to publish to the world his own double dealings and chicanery .

      It is literally true that the artizan and mechanic , factory and agricultural labourer , are as much unenfranchised , as respects the advantages of this mighty power , as too many of them are as pertains to their political rights . And the cause of this is , not that the working man does not appreciate the advantages in question , but because the Stamp and Excise Laws have , by their imposition , made Newspaper property the privileged trade of a few . Hence the worker must take what he

      can get ; there is no choice of viands offered to him j he is compelled to drink from fountains that axe as impure at their source—for the good their advocacy will do Mm—as our famed Thames is , in a more physical but not less objectionable sense . The daily press of this country ib the advocate of the idle , and the well-to-do orders of men ; the fundholder has no wanner friend ; the bullioniBt no more devoted admirer ; the merchant and the trader no truer exponents , than tbe London daily press ; and just as it ia the truthful expositor of their feelings , so is it the destructive enemy of those who , by accident of birth only , are beneath them .

      Look at the Weekly Press also , and again "we see evidences of the injurious operations of these unjust restriction ' s . Papers that are reputed to be liberal in their tendency are but the advocates of the same set of opinions , slightly modified in their grossness , but not a whit more advanced in the cause of progress . To speak of exceptions to this rule is but to admit its general correctness ; and whilst I am perfectly prepared to acknowledge that the "Weekly high-priced press has three or four talented and advancing journals , yet amongst them all I have to look for the advocacy of the people ' s rights—not to speak as propounded iu the Charter only , but in Manhood

      suffrage , and cannot find one that espouses that great principle , the •^ Northern Star' excepted . As we descend in price , so tbe opinions promulgated become increasingly popular ; * but , admitting another exception here , still the milk and water diet is alone prepared for the political nourishment of the people , and that too , of a most inferior quality . In the weekly as in the daily press , the money-holders have got almost exclusive possession ; and so long as the Stamp Laws allow them to hold on as they now do , the field of Newspaper thonght will be their own , and the labouring classeB will always be denied the right of common entry .

      I nave directed attention chiefly to the metropolitan papers , and my experience in various counties in England asiures me of the appositeness of my remarks to the majority of the provincial journals . I make no charge against any one of them—for whom they appear they doubtless are the . beau ideal of perfection— but simply say the cause of the working man is not indebted to , but has a long score against , them for any service hitherto rendered on his behalf .

      Why the working classes are without power in this , respect , is attributable greatly to the M'orldnggof the laws under notice . For a man to start a daily paper , he must be prepared to hazard some 50 , 0007 . ; for a weekly paper , not less than 10 , 0001 . The journal to be patroaiEed by the artisans of this country , as a dail y paper , must -not exceed in price threepence , "What vita the penny stamp and the

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      workings of the duty on paper , one half of this sum ( three halfpence out of three pence ) , will be clutched by the government officers ; the news-agent will then come in for twenty per cent , more , which , with , the fifty pes cent , just mentioned , leaveB but thirty per cent , for the discharge of the thousand . and one expenses incidental to its publication . But this is not all . There are but few men who , possessing the means , sympathise with the progress of popular opinions , whilst those who do , are comparatively poor in respect to the amount required . A threepenny daily paper to be workings of the dutv on nftnar nnfi half nf * Vi 5 o

      successful muBt sell 80 , 000 copies ; and to publish it , for one week only , according to our present arrangements , would require the proprietors to disburse—for stamps , close upon 2 , 0002 . ; for paper , l , 440 J . ; for printing , 120 / . ; making a total , for three items only , of 3 , 560 / . ; probably the total expenditure of such a paper , in the working department only , would not be less than 3 , 600 L . weekly . Here , then , I say is a sufficient reason why the Mechanic iB without a voice in the great struggle

      of party conflict . Such properly must fall into the hands of wealthy-and usurious nle ^ 'Sfid hence the interests of this class , only find support . But it must be apparent to all , that if the first item could be dispensed with , the 2 , 000 / . ; and the twenty per centi on the paper saved , or 284 / ., in all 2 . 2 &W ., out of 3 , 600 / ., not needed for the accomplishment of precisely the same ends , the remaining l , 416 i , would not assume so terrible a shape to risk , by persons prepared to help the people in the way proposed .

      The postal regulations are not desired to be disturbed , when they seek for the removal of this objectionable tax . What is required is only this—those who are resident out of the town where the paper is published would pay one penny more for their paper than those located in the district ; this extra payment being for Postage . This is the system already in practise with such papers as the 'Athenaeum , ' Builder , ' 'Punch , '&c . Stamped copies of these publications are fourpence , ^ unstamped threepence , an equitable arrangement , because a service iB rendered . But the London subscriber

      to the ' Northern Star' pays one penny to the Government , not because he has troubled its officers with the carriage of his paper , but simply because he may do ao if it suit his purpose , as the authorities always reply . But , Mr . Editor , your reader * in the large towns would get their copies at the unstamped price , it being ascertained that the cost of the carriage of each bale of paper , as made up by the London agents , would be so trifling in amount , that the reduced price of paper , consequent on the non-visitation of the exciseman , beyond the reduction of the one-penny-halfpenny per pound , would compensate for tbe railway charge .

      But here I must pause ; not that the proofs are wanting , if indeed they have ever been , showing the abomination of these laws , but because my space is exhausted . So , for the present , I close my letter with this observation , that the penny stamp is not imposed for postal purposes—that is the pretext , not the cause ; nor for revenue purposes ; but simply to keep the mighty engine of the press out of the hands of tbe labouring classes , that they may " bo kept politically ignorant of the rights which pertain to their order , and insensible to the wrongs which a grasping moneyocracy are hourly committing upon them . Censor .

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      The German Agitation Union or London . — Under this name a society haa been formed for tbe purpuse of " re-establishing tbe lawful rights of tbe German people , " by means of " agitation within the limits of the laws of England . " Dr . Karl Tauseraan , of Vienna , is certificated as its representative , and agent by the following names : —J . Pickler , Dr . G . Franck , A . Goegg , D . Hertte , J . Itonge , Dr . A . Ronge . F . Sigel . Dbbbtshibe SrocKiNGERs . —In Melbourne there ire twenty-one framework knitters , eleven silk glove hands , and three plain hose hands—the ribbed hand 3 are getting the lowest earnings I ever heard tell of—I found two of them making half hose socks , namely , one man making the plain foot part , the other man making the ribbed ancle part , at Is . 6 d . each a dozen ; they have to work very hard to make three dozen a week , which is 4 s . Od . a week each ( warehouse price ) , from which they are stopped aa follows : — Making three dozen at 1 b . 8 . each £ b . d . s . d . dozen ... ... ... ... 4 6

      DEDUCT . Frame rent eighteen gauge ... 0 0 10 Machine rent 0 0 1 Seaming ... ... ... ... 0 0 6 UeedlcB 0 0 2

      0 1 7 2 11 eaving only 2 s . lid . for a man ' s week work when fully employed ; when out of work he has to go to the parish , or tramp in the street a begging . W . Mason . Fxobekcb , August 19 th . —On Sunday night an Englishman , nimed Walker , and three or four Florentines , who met in bis bouse to read the B ble of Dio'lati , were arrested and conveyed to prison , Mr . Walker is a great friend of Count Gujccardini , who was exiled lrom Tuscany for a similar motive by

      order of the police . We shall see what the government will < jo , for Vhe c . ise cannot bo tried by the or * dinary tribunals , since tbe Tuscan code does not consider as an offence the fact of a few individuals meeting to read and comment on the Bible , eren though it be a Protestant translation . Hitherto everybody had been at liberty to follow tbe creed he thought proper , but since bigotry has crept into the policy of the government , matters have completly changed , and the inquisition no doubt will soon be re-established . — Qpinime , of

      Turin . Suppbessios of Beligious Libbrty in Germany . - Johannes Ronge , the greatGerman preacher , has addressed to the Daily Kewa " a letter on the great continental conspiracy of Jesuitism and Absolutism . Of the Protestant kingdom of Prussia hesays ; - " The worship of the large parishes having been m existence for more than six years , was not at once prohibited . Biots were apprehended . But there waB a police measure at haud . The government took away from them the chapeU which were lent to tbemby their Protestant fellow citizens . So it happened to the parishes at Berlin and at Breslau . To the small parishes the command of prohibition at once was handed over . The Lord's Supper of free

      parishes has been published in several towns by imprisonment . So it happened in Konisberg . Public officers , who were members of free churches , have been dismissed . Even the support of the poor children of those parishes ib forbidden , and tbe schools which the free churches had erected were shut up . In Breslau , where to the free parish belong 10 , 000 sauls , the Ladies ' Union proposed a public auction of objects , which they themselves had worked , for the benefit of poor children . The Berlin government prohibited it . At Breslau and at Hadhausen , the " children ' s" gardens ( Kinderpaerten ) of the "Ladies ' Union " are dissolved . What do you think these gardens are , that they Bhould frighten that warlike Prussian Government ? The Kindergaerten " are playing-rooms , and gardens for young children from three to seven years , in order to lie educat . tl

      thereby playing together under the superintendence of members of the " Ladies' Union " ( Frauen Yerin ) . Indeed , the Pope could find no better tool for his destructive purposes than this Protestant king and his abominable government . " He concludes with a " practical proposition : — "All free parishes of the European Continent , and of the "United States of Sorth America , have to submit to an " United Committee ' which resides at this moment in Londou , in order to pursuo the struggle against Jesuitism and religious oppression wftn combined and well- directed force . The United Gommittee appeals to the sympathy of the English people , and appeals to every one who is a friend of relig ious liberty and of the progress of humanity , to support their labour and to loin them . I am &c Johaksss Rosgb , Lo « er Mount Cottaee / Lower ifcatb , Hampstead . ?'

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      NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Office—14 , Southampton-street , Strand . The Executive Committee of this body held their usual weekly meeting , as above , on Wednesday evening lttBt . Present—Messrs . Arnott , Holyoake , Hunt , and Milne . ' A note waa read from . Mr . Reynolds , apologising for non-attendance through press of important business . Messrs . Harney , Jones , and O ' Connor , being out of town , were absent , as was also Mr . Grassby . John Milne was called to the chair , A . large mass of correspondence of a highly progressive tendency was read , including Ernest Jones ' s , weekly .

      BHPOBT . " On Tuesday I lectured again in Jfewtown ; the splendid Town-hall being crowded in all parts and a large enrolment of members-taking place-making about fifty in all , and twenty-four cards disposed of by the Council . ...:,,. | , ¦ ,-. ¦' " On Thursday , the 21 sb , I was in the Cprn-exchango at , Birmingham . Nothing can exceed the apathy and inertness of this large town , I was told it was the largest political audience that had assembled for a long time ; if so , all lean sav is , bad is the best . Trade is yet too brisk—when the panio crisis returns , all will doubtlessly be excitement . How strange ! that the people after such njanjjfold experience cannot see beyond the length of the present moment ! The temper of the meeting , itself was excellent ; eighteen members were

      enrolled , a fair proportion out of the number present . Such is democracy in Birmingham , I must however add that there were three or four unusual attractions open the same evening , in the shape of theatrical , juggling , and " pleasurable " exhibitions , and that Thursday is a bad day for a meeting io Birmingham . "On Friday , the 22 nd , I lectured in Walsall . The large room was crowded , and such were the numbers present that great numbers assembled in the space outside beneath the open windows , almost equal in amount to those within . The best spirit prevailed—and , on the chairman ' s invitation , at least 100 stepped forward to be enrolled , when some members of the Chartist body would not allow an enrolment to take place , or even take cards for

      future use . I invite particular attention to this fact . —On my asking 'the reason , ' the answer was Policy J '— 'they had been waiting on the leading middle-class men of tbe town , and hoped to win them over ; ' with a good deal more about' Baptists' Unitarians , ' &c , perfectly unintelligible to me . This miserable , pusillanimous spirit must be put an end to . No wonder Chartism has been at a low ebb in Walsall . By truckling to the middleclasses , by a -ortuous , servile twisting through the Crooked paths Of ' policy * no movement ever yet made headway . The Charter is a manly movement for a manly purpose , and not to be handled by the paralysed fingers of old women . Had a

      manly policy been pursued on Friday last at Walsall , there would not have been a flourishing locality of at least fifty members , that , with attention might soon amount to 500 , for nowhere than here have I found a better spirit to exist . I ma ; here observe that many gallant minds are to be found among the local leaders , and that all , even the timid , I feel convinced , are well-meaning and honest ; but , however honest , theirs is not the way to win the Charter . They want to please everybody , and will find that they please none . The way to carry a movement is , to do what is right , and let everybody think and say just what he likes about it .

      "On Sunday I was at Peterborough . An openair meeting had been called for two o ' clock . About one o ' clock a most violent and continuous storm broke over the old tower of the cathedral ( the parsons would say it was over the Chartists ); however , a considerable number bad congregated at the spot under an umbrageous old oak . The storm increasing in fury I moved the adjournment of the meeting till five . In the meantime the largest available room in the town was procured—and the Council dispersed to intimate the fact to the pub-10 . " At five o ' clock those who bad assembled

      under the oak , were brought to the room , and crowds flocked , together from all parts of the town . The concourse was very large , notwithstanding the clergy had been preaching that very forenoon against the meeting . Long before the time appointed , numbers could no longer gain admittance for vrant of room . It is calculated that five hundred congregated within doors , ; md a large crowd assembled under 1 he open windows . Mr . John Arnott was called to the chair , and can testify to the Democratic feeling of the audience . Thirty-two new members were enrolled , and since then there has been a considerable inquiry for cards .

      "Let these meetings in the Agricultural West ; and Midland be contrasted with . the deadness of Birmingham—let the Bpirit of the gallant men of Peterborough be contrasted with the pusillanimity Of some few in Walsall , and contrast the result also . Hero a flourishing locality—thirty-two new members—more seeking enrolment—and an impulse to the cause—a victory achieved over prejudice and ignorance .- —there , no realised result , but the middle class themselves laughing at the servility and folly of those who fawn upon them ! And let it not be lost sight of , that in WalsalJ , the working men have far greater facility—here in Peterborough they are comparatively few in numbers , and ground down beneath a powerful Earl with immense laud and patronage , a Bishop with immense revenues ,

      all the influence of a cathedral and its staff , of numerous mismanaged and perverted charities , landlordism , priestcraft , and a proud shopocracy . Let some of the leaders at Wakall learn a lesson from the gallant labourers in and around Peterborough I am more than ever convinced that the agricultural districts must be most diligently attended tothere the harvest lies—the manufacturing districts will reniaiu slumbering till awakened by the hand of commercial re-action . But the propects are good and great : —formerly the agricultural districts were always torpid , when the towns were upbecause they were comparatively ' well off , " Now the Case 19 just revei-sed . But the crisis is coming for the manufacturing world—and tbe distress of the agricultural population -will remain , undiminished—therefore the time will come when both

      the great industrial sections of the population will le in distress at the same period—a conjunction hitherto unknown ! Let the Executive look to it—let them prepare the agricultural mind , so that the labourers do not fall into the snares of the designing classes . The agricultural districts are thirsty for democracy —let them not be neglected , aB we value tbe future . But for this , the Executive must be supplied with funds—tho little agricultural villages ( and these are the most important ) , cannot bear the entire expense of meetings—and often there are none to take the responsibility of calling them—therefore the Executive must be supplied with funds—for they' are under no fear of bish ' ops , landlords , or others—they can take the initiative in the agricultural villagesand once hoist the banner , tens of thousands will soon be rallying around . " Ernest Jomes . "

      On the moiion of Messrs . Arnott and Holyoake , it waB agreed : —" That in order effectually to carry out the Tract Propaganda , the following instructions be issued ";—1 st . — "That those who have time and talent , and feel disposed to write Tracts , be requested to forthwith forward their names and addresses to the General Secretary . 2 nd . — " That the Tracts be brief , plain , and understandable , containing sound , political , and social information , calculated to instruct tho agricultural labourer , miner , sailor , &c , in the principles of Democracy , and to teach them their position as men , and their duties as citizens . formed in

      3 rd . —" That Tract Committees be every city , town , village , and hamlet throughout the country , on a similar plan to that adopted by theHoxtoulocality . " ¦ Collecting cards for the Tract Fund are now ready , and the General Secretary will be most happy to forward them to those friends who are desirous of aiding in the great and laudable undertaking . . . .. The Secretary was instructed to announce that fae meeting to be holden on Sunday afternoon , September the 7 th , in the Coffee Boom of . the John-street Institution , "was not to be a meeting 01 sub-secretaries and delegates only , but the nm 01 a series of monthly aggregate meetings 01 me whole of the Metropolitan members .

      I'UVIV V * -V" ** 1 I Tr I ¦ -- ««— - — — - — . . The Secretary was also instructed to state that the next Monthly Circular would be published on September the 1 st , and therefore that all agents , < fcc , be requested at once to send their orders for the same . ' ¦ , The Committee then adjourned to . Wednesday evening , Sep . 3 . ; ¦ Signed on behalf of the Committee , John Abmo ' tt ; Gen . Sec .

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      The Cbist ' al Cones House . —On Friday evening , Mr . "William "VYorseldine delivered a lecture on the " Life / Genius , and Philosophy of Aristotle . The lecturer , after expatiating upon the subject

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      » a ? mI extent ' / K » lded to . the inductm > system « . rtffiP 0 Unded inthe Nmm Or , whieh rit e Thfe * Cau 8 Gd b ? the Orgamm of tho Stag ! - Ift « Zl " - marked , that priests of eveey Srlnf ^^ P'form in their hatred of enlightenroenfc . and their love of lucre-hence the persfcuouLf \ " Ari 8 totle by a priest of the godde ** ?«™ ;« 1 ™ ' - works of Aristotle would con-Z uu be . admired and imitated so long as men 5 « ™ * . l eai > ch into" hidden thin | sfor the discovery of truth , and so long as they should de- ' velopo their facu ties nnd increase the aspirations of their mtndg , than whioh nothing was more calculated to raise them in the scale of civilisation , and to cast ahalo around general literature . ,

      FWSBuht Democratic Association . —A general meeting of members was held on Sunday evening , at the , Coffce-honse , 21 , Vine-street , North End of Hatton-garden . ~ Mr . Pool presided . —Mr . Johnson reported that the council had succeeded in securing competent conductors for the weekly Halfpenny De-< nu > craticJournal , and that several thousand copies of th ? first number would be published on Saturday , fgt h of September ; also , that a public meeting ld . be bold in the Teetotallers' Hall , Brick-lane , Luke ' s , on the 15 th of next month , to disseminate the principles of the association . Both re < ports were received with great pleasure , —Movei Mr . Cater , and seconded by Mr . Dindle : — " That in order to advance the principles of Democracy in this borough , we do now agree to establish

      auxiliary Democratic associations inthe following districts , by means of holding publfc meeting , 4 c , weekly—viz ., in the month of September in St . September , at St . Luke ' s ; in October , the east side of Finsbury-square ; in November , in Islington ; in December , Battle-bridge ; in January , Gray ' s-inn-lane ; in February , Clare-market j and in March , Bartholomew-close . " —On account of the lnteness of the night , the discussion was adjourned till nest Sunday evening . Bradford ( Yorkimire ) , —The Council held their usual weekly meeting on Sunday last , August 24 th , in thts Democratic School Room , Croft-street , when the Secretary read a letter from George Julian Harney , stating that he Bhould abide by the pledge

      he had previously given to the Secretary , Thomas WilcoeU . A letter from E . C . Jones , Esq ., vtas also read , stating that he would visit Bradford in tbe course of the next fortnight ; after whi <; h it was unanimously agreed that Mr . Isaac Clisset of Halifax , be invited to lecture on Sunday evening , September 7 th . A publio meeting took place in the above room , when Mr . Joseph Hudson was called to the chair , who read from the Northern Star " Notes of Travel and Talk , " by Thomas Cooper , which attracted great attention . After which W . Smith delivered a long address , stating as Us opinion , that Theology , as taught by the present professing Christians , was the greatest barrier to the liberty and happiness of the whole human family . NATIONAL LOAN 60 CIEIY .

      Tho attendance at this society was unusually large on Wednesday evening , owing to the near approach of the appointed time for nominations to be sent in for the appointment of an official manager . Mr , Siratton having been called to the chair , Mr . Wheeler reported relative to his interviews with Messrs . Gray , Torquand , and Angier , three of the candidates . He had also ascertained that various other persons were in the field , who were using active exertions ; but he had been unable to procure any information relative , to them . The allottees on the various estates were also

      nominating persons for the situation of local managers ; at som « of the locations , and likewise in London , an sifitivo canvass was . g oing on in favour of a Mr . Earnest , a nominee , he believed , of Mr . Bradshaw , of Nottingham . At O'Oonnorville they were supporting a gentleman of the name of Button , who had been reQouimoaded to them by Mr . ' Fellows , a solicitor of Rickmahsworth , which latter gentleman was also a candidate for the office of local rounder . He did n « t . however , think that BUphan officer would be appointed . After a lengthened discussion on the relative claims o \ the candidates , in which Mr . Beattie , of Minster L < m 0 , Mr . Fidge , a deputy from the Tower Uaml ts , and Mr Peircy , one of a deputation from B ^ rinondsey , took part , it was decided

      unanimously that the society should render their 8 U | iuovt to Mr . Grey , as the one most eligible person , one having the confidence of all parties , whilst the other candidates wore utterly unknown . Mr . Wheeler explained that Friday the 29 th , was the last day on which voting papers could be given in , which would deprive their country friends of an opportunity of recording their votes . On the last Wednesday he had been deceived as to the appointed time , which , according to rule , must be four clear days before the Master in Chancery hold his sitting . Several members expressed their opinion that che advertisement of the Master m Chancery did not give sufficient time for the operation of such a large company . The

      members present having recorded their votes , and steps having been taken to procure other signatures , Mr . Dowiing moved the following resolution : — " That the official manager bo requested to pledge himself not to employ any person in the winding up of the Land Company , who had been in the employ of the Directors , or any one of the Directors . After a few words of explanation from Mr . Wheeler , the resolution was carried without a dissentient . The usual Loan Society business was transacted , and at a late hour of the evening Mr . G . Wheeler , of O'Connorville , attended as a deputy from tli . it location , to state their views respecting the appointment of an official and local manager . Several friends from the provinces were present at the meeting .

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      The Kew Forest at Southampton . — An act of parliament was passed on the 7 th inst ., to entinguish the right of the crown to deer in the New Forest , and to give compensation in lieu thereof . Among the provisions ia the following— " That it shall be lawful for her Majesty , her heirs and successors by warrant , under , the royal sign manual , to give and grant licenses to any person or persons to hunt , hawk , fish , and fowl , upon and over thu said forest . " Persons who claim the right of common are to deliver their claims to the verderers , who are to held a meeting for the purpose . The claims may be objected to , and are to be deoided by the judge of the County Court of Southampton . A part of the forest is to be inclosed , and public roads are to be formed . The act is the li and 15 Viet ., cap . 76 .

      MitiTARy GrARD at Balmorel , —A detachment consisting of one captain , tw subalterns , two sergeants , and fifty rank' and file of the 42 d Royal Highlanders , were to march from Aberdeen to Ballater on Monday ; to act as guard of honour during her Majesty residence at'Bslmorali

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      AFFAIRS OF THE LAND COMPANY—/[ MEETING AT GLASGOW . a ^ S ^ S ^ meet nff w « s held here on Thursday , A «**' heai > a ! ecture from Jaraes Beattie , on . the affairs of the National Land Company W bill was headed " Feargus O ' Connor and the Great t . and ; Sw , iadle J—in whioh he professed to prove that SitW « - fl ? A" * " ? A elu 8 ion and aware , " and SJJ * k - •• t * " bo Leader" was dishonest Svfe ? l ? ? ' The m ^ ting was crowded , S ! tor " $ - revelations of a new chanf ^ t fe ^ ? was called to the chair , und , fntrodnrid " On tbe busine 8 s of tbe everiin *> r '

      rtf rw £ ? Bba ™ » we of the ejected allottees of ObAttesnUe estate . He Bpokefor an hour and » ^^ i 011 ^ Stances of the allottees , himaolf hftri - ! - Veu 8 a bistory of " PMMgeof ut % r £ ° S wmdln £ - "P the Company , through tho House of Commons ; he made some of the most extravagant statements , uv relation to the affairs of « ^ IBP ^ y' and w » 9 " <* spariug in his abuse of Mr . . O'Connor and the Directors . But when he conoluded , all : parties seemed awfully disappointed for it :: was ' , nothing but the old story over a « ainnothing new , although every one in the meeting expecteaVsometeHig-startling , from the flaming bill upon 4 he < £ tH } et 8 ; altpgethe * it waa » completa failure .-fWfien he ¦ had spun hisyar 0 o an end .

      . Mr . SHERRiNoidN-rose and Ba"i dJ > tha . fr-as only twenty , minutes were allowed him . to review the lengthened harangue they , had heard , he would be very brief on the several points touched upon by Mr . Beattie ; he said ho was prepared , if time permitted him , to prove that the speech just delivered was a tissue of falsehoods and erroneous statements of . the condition of the allottees , But he said , that before ho entered upon these subjects he had a few words to say regarding the lecturo himself . It was his opinion , that when a man stood forward to impeach another with dishonesty , he at least ought to be able to defend himself from a like charge . He then gave an outline of tho character of Beattie , and the practices that he had been guilty of to the shareholders .

      That he had let three acres of his land for £ 13 per year , and had the same paid hi * advance ; and , although he had received that money , he would not pay one farthing of rent ; also , that he had never cultivated the acre remaining in his own possession ; that although he had stated his stock was sufficient to consume all his produoe , he believed it was the case , as it would not take a great qunntUy to do so , as ho believed he never grew so much as would have fed one pig . That his time waa entirely taken up with creating discontent amongst the allottees , and giving forth the most villanous statements to tho press ; and by that means ho and his associates had depreciated the value of the estates at least fifty per cent . *; thereby robbing the

      shareholders of the sum of £ 50 , 000 . Was this the character to come before a meeting of those he had been the cause of injuring to such an extent , to complain of injustice ? Mr . Bherrington then read two letters—one from Mr . Price , and the other from Mr . WilliB—and asked the meeting whether tliey would rely upon the statements of men such as these ; who had proved theujselvoto he honest , industrious , and sober , or would they take the word of Boattie ;? He then gave him ( Beattio ) one of the most severe castigations for the conduct he had been guilty of . Mr . Beatiib rose to reply , and , iu doing so , craved mercy At the hands of the meeting , trusted that they would not be so severe , and re-asserted some of his former sayings .

      James Adams also came to his aid , but both failed in making any impression on the meeting . Mr . Bobbbt . B . URREU put a number of questions to Beatue , which made him truly ridiculous in tbe eyes of the meuting , and set the whole house in a roar of laughter at him . The discussion having ended , a number of resolution ^ amendmenta , and counter amendments were moved , but all ;* ere vrithdrawnin favour ofa vote of the fullest confidence in Mr . F . O'Connor ) - which was moved , by Mr . John Rice , a blind man , but one of the right sort . "When the Chairman was about to pat it , an amendment was moved by one of Beatie ' s friends "that he receive a vote of thanks for his address . "—Fourteen voted for it , and the whole of the rest of the meeting for the motion .

      A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , and the meeting separated , Beattie and his friends rereceivingjsuch a defeatas we trust they will receive in all other places they intends visiting . We trust that shareholders will be on their guard , as it is strongly suspected that he is a paid minion to assist in having Bradshaw ' s" agent in London appointed as the party to wind-up the affairs , Members ought Co be up and doing . If he be appointed by the Master in Chancery farewell to all dividend . Some one will receive a bargain ; as I rather doubt Ms intention is to have another stab at the character of Mr . O'Connor , by muRiug things look as dark at possible . ¦

      Untitled Article

      POLITICAL VICTIMS' ASSOCIATION . This body meb on Sunday evening at the Dog and Duck Tavern , Queen-street , Soho . Mr . Prouting in the chair . After some arrangements relative to tbe monetary business of the Association , . Mr , Martin proposed a string of resolutions relative to the future government and the admission of members to the Society , which were ultimately withdrawn until a future occasion . Mr . Fnssm . il moved that the Secretary bo instructed to draw up an address to the victims of the United Kingdom , founded upon the resolutions previously adopted by the Association . Mr . J . Shaw seconded the resolution , which was ultimately adopted .

      Mr , Fussbll spoko at Borne length in f&tbw of the objects of the Association , and expressed his opinion that it only needed publicity for all true democrats to rally round it , and render it that pecuniary support necessary to secure the objects they had in view . The Secrbtaby reported that they had been tendered the use of the Finsbury Literary Institution , and it was decided that a public meeting should be held at ( that place on Tuesday , September the 9 th . On the motion of Messrs . Fussell and Small , a vote of thanks was given to the •'• Northern Star , " for the publicity given to tho meetings of the body . . Mr . BRY . S 0 N then delivered an interesting lecture on the objeots of the Association , which was followed by a discussion , in which Messrs . B . O'Brien WUeeter , Shephard , and others took . part . Tue following resolution was then adopted . ;—

      " ADDRESS OF THE POLITICAL VICTIMS ' ASSOCIATION . " Brother Victims ahd Democratic Friends , — We , the victims of 1848 , now residing in the metropolis , having formed oureeheB into an association for tUe pariiosQ . ' . of calling tUe . Rtoutiou of tho House of Commons during the next Session of Parliament , to the illegal and unconstitutional treatment we received at our trials and during our imprisonment , consider it our duty to lay before you , in as brief a manner as possible , the objeots we have in view , and the steps that have already been taken to effect them .

      " For some years past , the prison authorities ( either with or without tbe sanction of government , have been gradually imposing restrictions contrary to law , upon political offenders committed to their custody—compelling them to labour—degrading them with tho felon ' s dress—restricting them in their communications—making them submit to the brutality of the silent system—confining them in unwholesome cells , and when they refused to comply with these abuses , feeding tnera upon bread aud water beyond the period that the law allows , even in cases of felony , " To prevent a repetition of these atrocities in future , Lord Dudley Stuart will , with the assistance of some of our other Parliamentary jpends , apply next session for tho appointment of a Committee of of the

      Inquiry , to investigate the conduct prison authorities from an early date , relative to these encroachments ; and thus , if possible , ascertain whether the visiting justices and gaolers acted feom private malice , or under the secret approbation of the-government . It is therefore the duty of every person who has suffered any kind of penalty at the instigation of the British government , lor any alleged political offence , to forward his name and address to the secretary , that he may be enrolled as a member of the Association ; and if , while in custody , either . before or after trial , he had to endure any illegal or tyrannical treatment ) he ia requested to forward a statement of it also , with'this nature of the evidence that is still available to prove' the truth of theallegations . •• ¦ . *• . . ¦ ¦ " To enable our Parliamentary frienda to induce the House of Commons to grant the required

      Committee , we , must assist them to the utmost of oa power , in collecting all the information we can upon tho subject , and place it in-their bandB as ourly af possible ; for winch puvpt . se the London Victims will , for the present ., act w < . u < i Committeo of the A » soi ! i : iMori , . inrl i ,, Pet wet-klj- ( see n ' oticeB in the ' in l t ro preoS " the util . ty ofour proceeUin ^ . ^ ith occasional pub . lio meetings m the metropolis / -to-show the peopla the necessity of rGHtramini / tKo ^ overnmeht offida als within the limits of tlu- Unr ; and as weare ' ali . personally interesti-d in the supceasful termination of the inquiry , and acting' gratuitously from a sense : of the wrongs we have endured , we trust thiB will be a sufficient guarantee to our briber victims , democratic friendi ? , and public supporters , that no unnecessary expenditure will take placie ; These are the primative but not tlie permanent-object ' 8 of the association , ^ •• ' "J . M : BBxsoif ,. seo . "

      Untitled Article

      IMPORTANT TO TP . ADE SOCIETIES . In consequence of an ob | eotion : hay . ina ; been » raised to the rules . of the Amalgamated iSociaty of Engineci-3 , &c , on the groupd . of . their ' illegalityinasmuch aa they empower , their district Committees and Executive Counbil , to advise members , when necessary , to refuse to work on ^ certain con- ' " ditions , and if discharged in consequence of such ' refusal , to be supported out of the common funS ' ¦ '•' : tho Society—it waa deemed advisable to take .-. the opinion of tho Attorney-Genet al » pon th <* bu& « ' > jeet ; and we are here enabled to aubTfiif both the case and opinion to our readers , for it is one to be valHeci by every member of a Trade Society in the •" country : — ' ; 1 In the matter of the Amalgamated Society oj \ - Engineers , Machinist ! , Smiths , Millwright * , tfie . ' CASK FOB " THE Ol'INION OP JUB ATIOHNET-OKSKtiil ,. ' ' "A number of societies of persons belonging ' ' , 0 tho abOye ^ mentioned ; trades have been iu ex- : istenoe for tho lastA tw «' ntyjaipe- 7 « ws » ; . ! and their object - haa been _ to afford mutual support in cases ' of acoidtnts , sickness , " superannuation , "fov the . £ burial of members and their wives ; and also for the assistance of member 8 who may be out of em- -, ployment . either for refusing to allow the encroachments to be made by the employer upon' their in « terests , or through a general depression of trade .

      "In September , 1850 , a delegate meeting Of these Societies was iieJd , and a code of rules adopted , which merged tho various Societies into one . { Copy of rules herewith left . ) "Aquestion haa nowariseuas to whether the members ( now numbering upwards of 8 , 000 , ) acting under the rules of the above-named Society , are liable to any prosecution or indictment for conspiracy or illegal and malicious combination , whether actively engaged or not . Counsel ' s attention is particularly directed to the 22 nd and 23 rd ruleB which entitle a committee in each district to advise and persuado any member ( who may apply to them for advifie , ) ' to resist any encroachment attempted , upon either his or their wages , or hours of labour ; and if either he or they nro discharged in

      consequence of following tho juivice given * tho Com * mittee have power to place ( Iti-u ' t on the funds Of tlio Society as recipients o ! ' lys . juji-week . " The Executive Council consider , by Goo . 4 , c . 129 , s . 4 , that the workmen have a right to combine , to fix the amount of wages and hours Ot labour , to assist one auotlier out of a common fund when out of work , &e ., and persuade their fellow-workmen to agree on these points , and not to work for employers who either reduce the amount of wages , increase the hours of labour , or adopt ' systematic overtime , ' and piece-work , ' and submit there cen be no such thing as an indictable conspiracy , unless the object is itself illegal , or it is & legal oUjoot . to be carried by illegal means . " Counsel will please to look through the minutes , rules ( the preface to whioh clearly shows

      the objects ) , and report of trial of ' Tho Queen on the prosecution of Jone- and Potts , against Solsby and others , ' particularly were marked at pages 03 05 , and G 6 ( as Mr . Hi > ron Rolfe ' s summing up was there clearly in farour ' cf the Society ) , herewith left numbered 1 , 2 , and 3 , and favour the Executive Council with his opinion as to whether" 1 st . —Is it legal for men to combine to resist re * duction of wages , increased hours of labour , or other encroachments on their , interested-and to persuade others to act With-them , provided-that neither violence to peraoiiis or property , threats , intimidation , or molestatffa ) , 18 used or intended . " 2 nd . —Whether the rules of the SdoHey are framed according to law * Tarticulavly the rules 22 and 23 ; and whether members of the Booioty strictly conforming to the rules , incur any and what liabilities . "

      A 8 SWSB . "We are of opinion , first , that it is legal for men to combine , to resist reduction of wages , increased hours of labour , or other encroachments on their interests ; and to per-uade others to act with them , provided there is no violence done to persons or property , and the parties avoid all threats , intimidation , and molestation whatsoever , vide Fee . 4 , G Geo . 4 , o . 129 . Secondly , wo tbiik 22 and 23 might have been framed with greater certainty ; but , notwithstanding , weareof opinion they are not objectionable in point of law ; and che membors of the Society will not incur any penalties in conforming to them , regard being always had to the law , as pointed out by us in answer to the first query . " A . B . Cockburn , Attorney-General . " Samuel Jotcb , Barrister-at-Law . " Temple , 8 th April , 1851 . "

      Untitled Article

      Lynch Law on a "Woman , — The San Francisco Picayune thus comments on the hanging of a woman at Downievillei in the mining district :-- ' What were the circumstances of tlw case ? A party of drunken men , reeling home after a debauch , forced the door of a Jprivate house , in which a woman resided , and insulted the inmates . The house was not a brothel , nor the woman a prostitute . Of this outrage no notice whs taken , but , on the party returning for the vilest of purposes , and insulting the woman with the grossest epithets , her southern Wood boiled over with indignation , and , in a moment of passion , she snatched a knife , and inflicted upon one of them a mortal wound . For this she was takan

      to the cross-roads and hanged ! Now we venture to say that had this woman been an American instead of a Mexican—had she boasted of white blood , aa they call it—as though the caste of the woman , if it affected her case at all , should not have tended to mjjke her executioners morelenient—had she been of the Anglo-Saxon race , instead of being hung for the deed , she would have been lauded for it ; and , instead of an account appearing ia the papers of a " horrible murder by a Mexican woman , '' every press in the state would have rune with acclamations for the lf hevoic

      conduct of a female , " or the " determined / defence of her virtue by a lady in the mines . ' It was not her guilt which condemned this unfortunate woman , but her caste and Mexican Wood . Qf her'trial we knew not how toapeak . We knowofaio terms which are capable of expressing the horrible- —the savage brutality of it , Of course the witnesses were not sworn ' , the men who tried her needed no testimony ; they thirsted for her blood , and . the form of trial was an impediment to their desires , which they cursed as they hurried through it . The judge—John Hose , of Rose's Kanch—let his name be remembered—stated

      to the witnesses that they must tell the truth , ' iust as if they had been sworn ; to which they assented-and lied ; a physician who testified in her behalf was beaten , a lawyer who endeavoured to get justice done her was threatened with hanging , and ordered to leave town , and amid the shouts of bloodthirsty monsters , whose rage could hardly be restrained even for one short hour , the upright , intelligent , and impartial jury brought in a verdict of " Murder , " and condemned her to be hanged in two hours , — which sentence was executed ! But one

      circumstance was wanting to make the murder of this woman unparalleled in atrocity . She was in a condition that would have made her life sacred , even in the , most barbarous ages > and under the bloodiest code that ever cursed the world . An unborn infant perished with its murdered mother before it saw the light !' Registration of Yoteiis tor ihe City . —We understand Mr . T . Y . M'Christie , the revising barrister for the City of London , has appointed Monday , the 22 nd of September , as the day on which be will this veav commence the important duty ot revising the various lists of voters for members to serve in Parliament for the city .

      It is an extraordinary fact , stated ^ ^™§ J that there are at the present « f America than population in the United States of Ameut there is in Ireland itseU . ,

      Cfjantst Intelligence. Ilhxwb - Ai Iru«^.Ii^^W&Gt;A&Gt;

      Cfjantst intelligence . ilHxwb - ai iru «^ . ii ^^ w > A >

      R: %\Mc Mcetim.

      R : % \ Mc Mcetim .

      Tforosjiottijettcc.

      tforosjiottijettcc .

      Untitled Article

      „ ,.. . ... - ¦ ,: . ; J . /^ ^ ua ^ t ^ u . AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOUliAL . ?

      Untitled Article

      TOL m . P . 721 LONDOK , SATURDAY , AUGUST 30 J 85 L rWJ £ ? iff ™* - ¦ - ¦¦ - ~~ . 1 L . y » y » ; ghtlHil 8 i ! i aad SUpe ^ t per < Jnnnn ;• -.:. aaid that th ^ rn m .-. . .. . _ . ¦ Tfff ' : ' '

      Nne Of The Causes Of Labour's Osta Wrongs.

      nNE OF THE CAUSES OF LABOUR'S osta WRONGS .

      Untitled Article

      Mb . G . 3 . HOLYOAKE IN SCOTLAND . ¥ 6 VttA EJMIVfe . 6 P THE NORTHERN STAB . Sib , — Mr . ilolyoake has been delivering lectures here , in wh ch he shows much folly , little logic , and no democratic wisdom . One of his lectures was headed , " Roman Ca holioiam—the type of all churches around us , all of which preserve its features , though they reject its name . " The battlefield of democracy is now the continent of Europe , where its sons and daughters languish by thousands in their loathsome dungeons , and none more so than those oi the Papacy ; and yet this man ,

      pretending to bo a democrat , comes forward as the auplogist and clumsy whitewasher of this Papal tyranny , by representing it as the only typo of V . British churches , " or , as he says , "Of all tho churches around us . " What church around us has , as Gavijzzi says , the bones of its impenitent broken bylrppeS ' and . screws , the flesh torn by torture , or burnt with fire , the blood falling through the filter drop by drop ? What church employs Bpioa under tho name ot confessors , and muke children accuse their . parents , and parents bring their children to the scaffold ? It is no church , but an impostor , and the ' vilest of despotism ! And although its chief has

      but lately reascended his throne over the trunkless bodies of his subjects , giving their murderers his blessing—his worthless'blessing . And although he and little Napoleon and all the despots of continental Europe are in league against tho people of Europe , this pretender to democracy cornea forward virtually as the apologist of lloman Catholicism . Democrat he cannot be—tool of Austria , of the Jesuits , or of Rome he cannot be—he is not worth their purchase . What he ib I neither know nor care , but the apologist of the Papacy can be no democrat . : I have the honour to be Your obedient servant , August 21 st . Osr op tub People .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 30, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1641/page/1/