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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th October 1851, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1, Untitled Article

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    • Cijaiiist J-nMliQtnce.
    • «riil ttdatif rioog in H* boBntry'a right, . \ f.Oh-i« deliverer, sproneto ltfbt; i ««b nf brare HaHgarian sirashe led, £S£J55*. : A**i&'* w rtft Whose inborn spirit framed the gnoble fee, S hearts , scorned bondage-fbr their hand?
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      THEFEAJBS OF THE * TIMES . ' f ' Opea your mouth and shut your eyes , and see what Parliament ¦ will send you . " Mr . Editob , —The ' Thnnderer' is at his old work again . There are indications of a coming storm , and this Jore of Puddledock is especially anxious to make its effect a 8 unimportant as possible . 'We hardly see , ' says the ' Timea , ' of Monday last , speaking of the proposed enlargement of the Franchise , * the necessity for any precipitate pressure from

      "without . * Why ? Because ' Parliament , even as now constituted , has proved itself fully competent to exact further reforms . ' How ? TVhen ? In the adoption of Mr . Locke Ejxg ' s motion one night , and rejecting it on another ? la the approving of the Ballot by a small majority , and the negation subsequently of the principle by a large one ? Shown itself competent to exact further reforms ! Some one hundred men have , certainly , moved in this direction ; but the Parliament—the House of Commons—656 men—how have they signified ? For further reform , or for the

      perpetuation of the present system ? Answer , thou know-all of the daily press . You are as conscious in this instance , that you are again about to hoodwink the people by the publication of false generalities , as it has ever been your pride to chuckle over your mighty influence in -controlling the dispositions of a certain class of the community . You are a dangerous enemy —because you are a dishonourable one . More admired for yonr talent than for your wisdom

      or honesty , the public mind , it is to he hoped , is becoming nauseated with your political tru-« alence . Your game is now to suppress popular feeling by deluding the public into a false belief , that it has but to trust to Parliament , ' even as now constituted / and the work of reform Mill be well done for it in the ensuing session . » It will be time enough to complain , you say , ' when wo find ourselves dissatisfied . ' jtf ot so , Mr . Jove . It will then be loo late—the cards will have been shuffled—the honours

      counted—the game scored ; and the working classes must foe content with the result . "Well do you know this ; and so you say , in meaning , if not in words : —* Be quiet ^ you unenfranchised . The part for you to play dnring the interregnum is that of acquiescence . Follow your employment , you that have any to follow , and meddle not with agitation . Your interests are in safe keeping . Give unto those ¦ wh o govern you confidence ; and trust to them so to enlarge the basis of the representative

      pillar , that you may be included therein . ' This is the gratuitous advice of the ' Times , ' and I should aay the Cabinet feels itself very grateful that so learned a quack has thus prescribed for the nation's complaints . Heaven forbid that the people should swallow the dose ; or that they should regard such opinions , as here published , in any other way than the statements ofanimposter—one who pretends to he honest , but whose pretensions only serve as veil 3 to cover tbe deceit and fraud which lie imbedded beneath .

      The great gathering at Manchester has acted upon the * Times' as a strong aperient . Such a declaration as that made by the member for Bolton , of consigning the Czar of Russia and the King of the Two SicilieB to the merciful hands of 'Jack Ketch , ' has proved too much for its organisation . Of the tiro schools of Eeform , the ' leading journal ' is decidedly preferable to the Homosopathic .

      Where Mr . Fox would write grains , our diurnal hero would pen globules ; and as the * Unitarian Dissenter' is for an allopathic quantity &e l Times ' is determined to mix « p in it as much of the aquce vita as it well caii , to render tbe draught perfectly harmless , because powerless . There are men , however , The prefer the prescription of Mr . Fox to that oflcred to the nation by the ' Times ; ' and I

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      hoped they , had got would lead them to act in such a manner as would establish the true principles of democracy . He also reviewed the reform that Lord John Russell has promised in 1852 , and gave it as his opinion that no radical measure would be brought forward unless the people united and brought a powerful influence to bear upon the Government . He called upon the working classes not to be misled by any sham reform , but to stand firmly by the principles of the Charter , and persevere until the principles of freedom were made the basis of governments throughout the world . A v ote of thanks was given to Mr . Harney aud the chairman , and the meeting separated .

      Chabtist Organisation . — The second aggregate monthl y meeting of the Chartists Of . the metropolis was held on Sunday -afternoon , at the South London Chartist Hall , Webber-street ; Mr . Nicholls in the chair . The secretaries from the various localities gave in an account of the state of the organisation in their district . Mr . Foxwell , of Greenwich , complained of the omission of the ' mention of his locality from the Monthly J Circular ,. Avhich led to a protracted discussion , ^ h ^ syatem of propaga ndism by means of tracts , was strongly enforced , and funds- van * nounced to be collected for that purpose . A

      motion was made for the establishment of a Metropolitan Delegate Council , which was . Ultimately lost , aud the meeting adjourned . Manchester . — A meeting of members was held in tbe People ' s Institute , on Sunday last ; Mr , William Grocott in the chair . After the transaction of local business a resolution was unanimously agreed to , empowering the Council to call a Delegate Meeting , to be held in the People ' s Institute , on Sunday , the 26 th October , at one o'clock iu the forenoon , and to request the attendance of delegates from Oldham , Stockport , Droylesden , Ashton , Stalybridge , &c ., for the purpose of devising the best means of extending

      the Chartist organisation , and developing more fully the principles of Chartism . Instructions were also given to the Secretary to urge upon the localities the necessity of complying with the request of their brethren in Manchester , SO that advantage may be taken of tho present favourable opportunity , by an increased and determined agitation . The meeting then adjourned until Sunday , the 19 th Octobor . In the evening Mr . Thomas Cooper , of London , addressed a numerous audience in the same hall , on the 'Life and times of the late Sir Kobert Peel . ' Mr . Cooper handled bis subject in a masterly manner and after speaking for two hours , he eat down amidst considerable cheering .

      FiNSBDRY Locality . —A meeting was held on Sunday last ; Mr . Dicey in the chair . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Mr . Nicholls was nominated to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr . G . W . M . Reynolds from Ihe Executive . The financial affairs of the association were then considered ; aud after some discussion it was resolved—• That the Secretary keen a list for subscriptions towards

      liquidating the debt . Messrs . Newsome , Weedon , and Herbert were appointed to collect subscriptions . A report , was received from the monthly meeting . It was then agreed that a metropolitan delegate council be organised as soon as possible . Mr . Hawley was then elected as a delegate to the Kossuth Demonstration Committee , and tbe meeting adjourned to Octobor the 12 th . —Alfred Fennell , Sub-Secretary .

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      POLITICAL VICTIMS' ASSOCIATION . October 5 th . Mr . Young in the chair . After the confirmation of the minutes , it was agreed : — " That the Secretary . get a copy of the deposition ( if possible ) of the convict Radcliffo , or such information aa would lead to a knowledge of the nature of the evidence brought forward upon his trial , so as to ascertain whether the witnesses were policemen , or other government hirelings . " The Secretary was ordered to have the third address ready by next Sunday , for the approval of the members previous to publication . Mr . Martin gave notice of a motion for next Sunday , relative to the attendance of members ; and Mr . Jeffries also gave notice , relative to the resolutions of the 27 th of July . ___ Monday , October 6 th . —The Association gave a Democratic , Concert nt thoir place of meeting , the Two Chairmen , Wardour-street , Soho .

      Mr . Bezer in the chair ; Mr . Bryson vice-chairman When a number of the male and female democrats of tho metropolis attended to give mirth and beauty to the scene . The president gave original compositions , written for the occasion . Mr . Bezer , with his usual drollery , turning the Victims of ' 48 into " Tho King , God bless him ; " while the vice-chairman gave "Tulloch Gorum and tho Charter . " Messrs . Arnott and Leno gave appropriate recitations , and the Treasurer of the Association was not wanting in Hibernian democratic songs . Among the ladies , we mast not forget Mrs . Ash , -the founder of the Sheffield Female Chartist Assort tion , and Mrs . Martin , who , by thoir talents , added greatly to tho harmony of the evening : and the company found that " The wee short hour ayont the twal was an unwelcome intruder . "

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      LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE MINERS ' MEETING . On Monday morning , October , 6 th , the miners of A 8 hton-under-Lyno , Dukinfield , and neighbourhood walked in procession , preceded by a band of music and banners , to the " Tommy field , " Oldham , to meet r the miners of the Oldham and BiU'deBley districts . After the band bad been allowed half an hour for refreshments , tho procession was reformed , the Bardesley and Oldham districts now forming part of it , and returned to Hurst Brook , Ashton , to hold a public meeting , Mr . J . PriCO was called to the chair . Mr . A . Pbtlow wa 3 introduced to the meeting , and spoke above half an hour in an eloquent style , : pointing out the miners' grievances . He stated that their average earnings would not amount to 2 s . Gd , per day . Mr . Petlow proposed a resolution , pledging tbe meeting that they would memoralise her Majesty ' s government to increase the numbers of inspectors of tho coal mines .

      other resolutions were unanimously adopted , i . e . to petition parliament to restrict tho labours of miners to eight hours per day—to have all coal worked by weight , and not by measure ; and also to use their utmost exertions to obtain a rise of wages as Boon as possible . Mr . Swaliow spoke at considerable length , pointing out the necessity of more inspectors being appointed , there being only three at the present moment , Mr , Dickinson , tho inspector for this district , had not only all Lancashire and Cheshire , but all Staffordshire , Shropshire , 2 ? orth Wales , and parts of Worcestershire to look after ; which districts would take the inspector at least five years to inspect every pit in it , as it contains not less than 730 different collieries . The fatal accidents from 22 nd November , 1850 , to 30 th June , 1 S 51 , are 280 , in the short gpaco of seven mouths aud eight days .

      Messrs . H . Dennett , It . Whitworth , J . Gordon , and other friends addressed the meeting . The meeting was a truly glorious one—there coul not have been less than 5 , 000 people present . After a vote Of thanks to the chairman , tbe vast assembly gave three hearty cheers for the success of the union . A delegate meeting was afterwards held . Mr . James Taylor in the chair . Thirty-six delegates were present . It was agreed that each colliery should send a delegate to tho special delegate meeting , to be held at the Fleece Inn , Bradshawgato . Bolton , on Monday , October 20 th , to meet delegates from all the other parts of Lanohashire , and to fix a day when the statements are to be sent to tho masters , desiring aa advance of wages , also what amount is to be asked for . The delegates present were of opinion , that it would not be wise to a 3 k a greater ajsount than twopence to tho shilling at the present ia ' iaa ..

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      . , 'I— I : Frkedom from SaHPijiNTS . —Iieland is not tha only country supposed co be inimical to reptiles . I may , perhaps , be allowed to aild to the " Hote " of your correspondent as to Ireland , that the Maltese declare that St . Paul after his shipwreck cursed all the venomous reptiles of the island , and banished them for ever , just as St Patrick is said ' to have afterwards treated those of his favourite isle . Whatever be the cause of it , the fact ia alleged by travellers to be certain that there are no venomous animate in Malta . " They aBSttreii us , " aayg Brydone , in his " Tour through Sicily and Malta , " vol . ii . p . 35 , " that vipers have been broujjlit from Sicily , and died almost immediately on their arrival . " Although ,

      perhaps more strictly coming under the head of folk lore , I may here advert to the traditions found in se « veral parts of England , that venomous reptiles were banished by saints who came to live there . I have read that JCeynsham—the hermitage ot" Keynes , a Cambrian lady , A . D . 490—was . infested with serpents , which were converted by her prayers into the ¦ ' serpent stones "—the cornua ammonis—that now cover the land . A similar 8 tory is told at Whitby where these fine iWils of the lias are called "St Hilda ' s serpent stones ; " and so too St . Godric . tbe famous hernutof Finchale , near Durham , is said to have destroyed the native race of serpents .- ^ . « and Querhn .

      Thb National I £ kforM ' Association!—CoviN * try . —A me ; tin ? in furtherance of the views of Parliamentary and Financial Reform , vBeheld iu St .. Mary ' a Hall , Coventry , on Monday night , aid was tolerably well attended . Sir ' JoshiiaWnlmsley . M . P-, Mr . Thompson , M . P ., and Mr . - Kupert Aetrle ,. attended as a deputation from the National inform Association : and tho meeting was . presided over byhe May or , Mr . James Sibley Vyiiitham . ¦

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      TO THE ENGLISH PEOPLE . I ny-FBiEi ips—THe Times' of Thursday » , « a ferocious article abusing Kosstjth who I % T D 0 W about to arrive in » country , and Siom ' I hopVyou will receive with laudation ! . and cheers , as he contended for liberty in his ! ° The" * Time 3 ' is , no doubt , fearful lesf ^ ie ! earance ef s ? bme and independent

      app ' t oatriot should bave an effect upon the Ericfeh ; mini . The * Times' also reyiles O'Bvass , the Irish patriot , who has been tr ansported from bis country for attempting to secure liberty for his countrymen ; but I do h ope and trust that when Kossuth arrives in Eng land that the . people will , give him that jecep tion which he so justly deserves . Think « f the population of Ireland falling off front

      32 IGHT MILLIONS TO SIX MILLIONS £$ D A HALF since the last census . But the ' Times * careB for no country but ! jjiat which ; wiU support its owij paper . "When I was making over £ 15 , 000 a year of the JTorthern Star , ' I gave it allin charity , and if I were to make a million a year of the' Star j would give it ail in charity ; for , as I have etated ' toydu before , I would rather live upon one humble meal a day , and not gee a drankard , a criminal or a panperih the land , than

      have a HUNDEED MILLIONS A TEAR , and be emperor of the world , with drunkards , criminals , andpaopers in the land . I have told yon before , but I will tell it you * again , that in the daya of "Good King Alfred the twenty-four hours were ; divided into three parts—eighthon » forIafo % eSghtirouratfarrest , J » d eight hours for amusement ; and not a dog to watch the door , andnot a lock upon the door , as there was neither drunkard , criminal , or pauper in the land . However , I ' irnsi thai when Kossvtb and the brave men

      ¦ who have contended for liberty in that country arrive here , that you will give them that jseeption they deserve . ; Is it not enough to make your' blood boil when you know that you pay eight mil-! lions a year in this country , to support unwilling idlers , while , the whole Governmental I expenses of the United States of America , larger than all Europe , is only EIGHT JQLLIOUS A YEAR ? While yon are paying in this country , to support black Blugs , archbishops , bishops , and parson 3 TEN

      MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUI SJ ^ D A YEAR . But do you suppose that ¦ the manufacturers who coin your very sweat , \ blood , marrow , and bones into money , care ! \ rhat they pay for unwilling idlers , as long as \ they caa make profit of idleness ? i The * Times * and ftiher papers abused and ; reviled the English people for attacking that | ruffian Hatnau , who murdered so many poor i people ; Bat the papers -would praise you if you I were to murder Kossuth but I hope and I trust in God that he will receive that recep-| fion which all men deserve who contend for ! liberty for their country . ; Chartism ia now apathetic and dead , but , as I have always told you , I will rest upon my oars until it revives again ; and , although many who profess to be Chartists , are now catering for popularity by abusing me , yet I am resolved never to abandon Chartism , or any part of the PEOPLE'S CHARTER , out that I will struggle for the whole hog , bristles and all . [ No man in this world has ever suffered the persecution and prosecution that I have suffered , in endeavouring to elevate the working classes ; and , however I may be -abused I am resolved not to abandon the PEOPLE'S | CHARTER . Your Faithfal and Uncompromising ' Advocate , : \ Feargtjs O'Coiwok .

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      NATIONAL LOAN SOCIETY . This body met as usual on Wednesday evening , at 26 , Golden-lane , and transacted its usual routine business . Considerable discussion toofe place , relative to the Master in Chancery appointing Mr . Goodchap as interim Manager , and also as to the best means of forwarding the interests of the shareholders . The members resident in Westminster , Marylebone and Lambeth were requested to aid in the appointment of a Central Committee , and other businesses transacted .

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      am of that number . There are those who think that a people ' s indignation against the monster acts of kings should be expressed in words , purporting what is really meant ; and I think in consonance with them . And , though the honorable member for Bolton did not desire to feast his own or the eyes of the British people , with the spectacle of two dangling bodies , yet " lie , ' ^ ddjibtlesg , meant to convey that intense : "feeling of detestation , ( which the conduct of ^ K ©» X ? 0 Jereign 8 have deserved , ) breathed by ; &M&- people to a humane government against ; tbe acts of

      fiendish men , crying sham ? \ jpon tbe bloody deeds committed , and conBignmg those who committed them to the ignominious death of the hangman , fiat , in bo doing , Mr . Fox has incurred the displeasure of the < Times , ' and , as such expressions were loudly applauded by the audience , the impression made by them is destructive of that Russio-Austrian policy , which the ' * Thunderer' and its ' own correspondent ' have held up to the admiration of the world since the days of Jane , 1848 . Mr . Fox Bpoke too plain ; and the ' ineeting , by its approval of what was stated , obviously went too far a-head . As the pioneer , of many fcownJe gafchflsfegBVand great nubHc meetings , '

      this indication of the popular will was far too democratic . Both speakers and the cause must be silenced . The former by ridicule and logical disproof ; the latter , by showing that there is no necessity to follow the Manchester example . The leader of Monday last is one of the * Times'' peculiar pieces of writing ; which , while it says be quiet to the people , really means be slaves still longer of that home and foreign rule that has beggared the population , and made England , by its pasaiveness at continental wrongs , the Stock Exchange of Emperors and Kings , wherein they may contract their heavy loans , avowedly raised for the suppression of the liberty of their unfortunate subjects .

      Oh , Sir , for that day , when the men of England , and Scotland , aud Ireland , may bo able to array against this powerful organ a journal as well armed as that of the ' Times , ' to circulate by its side ; so that as the poison runs , the antidote might follow . Such a day will be a bright omen , prOpel-ly inaugurated , for the English people . Such a falsehood , as that which says , there is no occasion for the nation to bestir itself in

      the crisis fast approaching , would not dare be uttered then , —like facts prevailing . The defences which this paper has set up for the despots of the continent , would not have blackened paper , were ifc known that in these cities of despotic rule one truthful correspondent dwelt , whose duty was , as dictated from the 'home office , ' to write facts , and those only . It is because the working people of all European countries are powerless in the press , that their intentions are so maligned , their characters so inhumanly pourtrayed , the opinions

      they hold so miserably perverted . An unstamped press in England -would be to the people of this country a lever that would place their political rights within their grasp , in a brief space of a few years ; and do more to gain for all classes that true social equality , which would give to the meritorious reward , and to the undeserving disproval , than any parliamentary enactment can ever hope to accomplish . Such is the effect of concentrated power . The 'Times' presumes upon that which it knows it holds over the monied

      classes . This is its chief source of greatness . But the cause of Reform is to find a valuable servant in the person of Sir James Graham . This is the Minister in posse . As the mouth-piece of the Peel party , he is supposed to have meant , in his Address to the Burgesses of Aberdeen , ( but be did not say so , ) that he would vote for ' the electoral franchise being materially extended . ' This is the deduction of the 'Times . * Of course , very ambiguously put , yot sufficiently clear to be capable of two opposite renderings , should occasion call for so extreme a notice . I have , however , no word of

      favour to bestow upon tbe owner of Netherby Hall . His antecedents are extremely bad ; his tergiversation more than ordinarily faulty ; his post-office Paul Pry proceedings are despicable . He was a Minister—a Home Secretary when he thus violated the privacy of correspondence ; and whether as one , in esse or m fosse , auch . au un-English act would seem to say to the people— ' This man must not be officer of yours any more . * As a member of the opposition , so to speak of him , Sir James Graham may be a useful adjunct- —so are all men similarly capacitated . But that he is a friend of the people , anxious to bestow upon every man that right of suffrage which is inherent within him , not as a matter of time .

      but as one of principle , I say tbe evidence is wanting on the one side , but the proofs are many on the other , leading to such a conviction . Let ua not be deceived in the mere power of words . Some of our best speech-makers have been tbe worst enemies to the progress of humanity . I would rather count the vote of a member of Parliament as of sterling gold , than I would receive his wordy declaration on the hustings as of copper value . The Belfast constituency may find in Sir James Graham a talking aud serviceable man , but that the men of Belfast will deceive any political power , in consequence of his advocacy } Bpealcing of them in the aggregate , I have very sincere doubts .

      To every man who reads these lines I would press upon him the necessity of not only treating the advice of the ' Times' with disdain , but as a reason urging him to dp his duty upon the present occasion . The enemy is iu the field ; and whilst he is saying to the people agitate not , lie is likewise saying to tho Minister , the people want not Reform . You ( the working men ) must speak out , and that loudly , or you will certainly not be heard . The harvest is in your own hands now , if yo u will

      only show yourselves diligent in its gathering . Speak in your thousands , and you will be listened to . Complain by the wayside as a single grumbler , and you will be jeered at . The power of the people rests only in their unity ; and the strength of that portion of tbe people , called tho working classes , consists only in the advocacy , one and all , of a principle . It ia not Household nor Tenant Suffrage that will satisfy the country ; that is an expedient measure , at best ; it is Manhood

      Voting which the people require , and less than it will only prolong discontent , and assure tbe labouring orders that they have a great work of Agitation yet to accomplish , in the performance of which they have but few friends in the British House of Commons . Censor .

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      NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Offices—14 , Southampton-street , Strand . The Executive Committee of- ; this body held their usual weekly meeting , as above on Wednesday , evening last . Present . : Messrs . Arnott , Grassby , Jones , Milne , and O'Con « nor . Messrs . Harney and Holyoake , being in the country , were absent . Mr . Hunt was also absent through other unavoidable engagements . Mr . John Milne presided . Correspondence of a highl y encouraging character was read .

      On the motion of Messrs . Jones and Arnott , it was unanimously agreed : — ' That 500 subscription sheets be printed ; the same to be forwarded to the various localities and friends ; who felt an interest in collecting monies in aid of the National Charter Fund . ' Ernest Jones then read the Tract he had written , at the request of the Committee , for insertion in the October number of the ' Monthly Circular , ' which was highly approved of ; and the Secretary was instructed to announce that , in consequence of the peculiar position in which the Executive bad been placed , the publication of this month ' s circular was postponed until Wednesday , the 15 th inst

      . Other business having been disposed of , the Committee adjourned to Wednesday evening , October 15 th . Signed on behalf of the Committee , John Arnott , General Secretary . The following letter has been received from Mr . G . Julian Harney : —

      At Mr . G . Patrick's , Temple Hill , Troon , Ayrshire , October 7 th . My Dear Arnott , —On September 2 Gtb , I addressed a meeting at Dumbarton , at which place there is a steadily progressing association . The members of the Committee are intelligent , reading thinking men , and ia their moral conduct exhibit an example which must be advantageous to tho Democratic cause . September 27 th . I addressed a meeting at Alexandria , Tale of Leven . So association existed previous to my visit . At the conclusion of my address fourteen volunteers came forward and constituted themselves a Provisional Committee for the

      formation of an association . September 29 th , I addressed a numerously at > tended meeting at Hamilton , A number of the democrats of that place are organised . The leading men are a credit to their order—particularly Mr . Archibald Walker . I may add , as something uncommon , that a few men of the middle class iu Hamilton do not hesitate to avow their sympathy for the Democratic cause . September SOtb , I addressed a well-attended

      meeting at Wishair , a place situated in the midst of a populous colliery diatriot , and which hitherto has been unknown in the history of our movement . A strong Provisional Committee was formed at the close of the meeting to organise the friends in that district . I expect to be here for about a fortnight to come , and to be in Glasgow within three weeks on my way to England via Edinburgh , dec , &c . Health and Fraternity , G . Julian Harhet ,

      Cijaiiist J-Nmliqtnce.

      Cijaiiist J-nMliQtnce .

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      The Aggregate Monthly Meeting of the metropolitan members of tbe National Charter Association was held on . Sunday afternoon , October 5 th , at the South London Hall . Mr . G . F . Nicholls , of the Hoxton locality , haying been called to tbe chair , explained the objects of the meeting , and called on the secretaries present to report the present state of their localities , when Mr . Foxwell reported from Greenwich , Mr ; Baker from Bennondsey , Mr . Bush from Hoxton , Mr . Fennell from Finsbury , Messrs . Peltret and H . T . Holyoake from Victoria-park , Mr . Henry Nicholls from

      Chelsea , and Mr . Farrow from Cripplegate . The reports , taken as a whole , were of an encouraging and progressive character . The Chairman then read the address from the Executive , and strongly impressed on the meeting the necessity of responding thereto . Mr . Osborn moved , and Mr . Fennell seconded— ' That it is expedient that the Metropolitan Delegate Council be forthwith re-formed . ' After some discussion an amendment was agreed to , adjourning the question to Sunday , November the 2 nd , to which day the meeting adjourned , then to meet at the Literary and Scientific Institution , Leicester-place , Little

      Saffronhill . South London Hail . —A large attendance gathered in this hall , on Sunday evening last , to hear a lecture from Ernest Jones . A considerable collection for the National Charter Fund was made at the close of the meeting . Poplar . —The noble Lecture Hall in Hallstreet , Poplar , capable of holding 1 , 000 persons , was densely crowded on Tuesday night last , on the occasion of a lecture by Ernest Jones . Great numbers were unable to gain admission . The enthusiam of the audience , throughout the address , proves that the spirit of democracy is indeed awakened in this populous and important district .

      Sheffield . —At the weekly meeting of the Council , held in the Democratic Temperance Hotel , 33 , Queen-street , on Sunday evening , and by adjournment , on Monday evening , when the letter from our chief , Feargus O'Connor , was read from the 'Star , ' and likewise one from our friends at Nottingham ; a proposition was made and accorded that , in the event of Mr . O'Connor complying with

      our oft repeated invitation , that a soiree be got upon a magnificent scale , and . that several trusty friends be invited from tbe country to bo present on the occasion . A deputation was appointed to make the necessary inquiry for the largest building in the town ; and the Secretary was also instructed to write to the above gentleman upon the subject . The meeting was adjourned to next Sunday .

      Mr . Thomas Cooper delivered two lectures in the Athenaeum on Tuesday and Wednea ; day evening , for the benefit of the Polish arid Hungarian Refugees . Subject : * The History of Poland and Hungary , ' on Tuesday ; and 'Ballad Poetry , ' on Wednesday . Although the charge was 2 d ., 4 d ., and Cd . for admission , the plaee was well filled . Mr . Cooper openly declared that ' No half measures now must be entertained . '

      Hamilton . — On Monday evening , upwards of 300 persons assembled ia the Masons ' Hall , for the purpose of hearing a lecture by Mr . G . J . Harney . Mr . C . Forest , a staunch democrat , occupied the chair . After a few appropriate remarks , he introduced Mr . Harney , who was received with great applause , ilr . Harney said , tbe subject they had met to discuss vaa ' 1848 and 1852—Reform and Involutions—the Coming Struggle . ' He congratulated the people on the liberation of Kossuth , and spoke in terms of approbation of the inhabitants of Hamilton , successful

      who , along with others , had been in their efforts in procuring his liberation . The people of London would give KossutU a warm reception , which would prove to tho Governments of Europe that they honoured the patriot , and the cause of freedom for which he had suffered , The lecturer reviowed the struggles of 1848 , the successful efforts of the democrats on the Continent , and the fearful reaction that had taken place by the conduct of base traitorg . The signs of the- times indicated that the people of the Continent would renew their efforts for freedom , in . 1852 , and the lessons he

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      MINERS' AND SEAMENS' UNITED ASSOCIATION . . A public meeting of the seamen of Hartlepoo ] was held in tbe large Concert Room ( which was crowded , ) of the Dock Hotel , on Wednesday , Oct . lit . Mr . Hotman was called to the chair , and after delivering a Very effective address , introduced to tbe meeting Mr . W . Daniells , one of tneseamens ' and miners' missionaries , who spoke at great length on the grievances suffered by the above useful bodies of men , and evidently made a ' great impression on the meetiDg . The meeting was also addressed by Mr . G . T . Lockett , who moved a resolation in favour ot supporting the missionary fund , which was seconded by Mr . F . Walker , and carried nimdia . : :

      At the dose of the ¦ meeting an earnest appeal was made to the audience on behalf of the Wolverhampion Tin-plate Workers' trial , which was well responded to , and a handsome collection made , which will be forwarded by Mr . Holman , Beamens ' secretary , to the proper quarter . Meetings of the same kind have been likewise held lately at North ' and South Shields , BIyth , Bedlingbn , Seaham . Harbour , Haswell . * . New Durham , .-Seaton Delavel , CratnVington , Seaton Burn , &c ., and addressed by theseamens' delegates and missionaries , Aa a whole , the good cause wears a favourable , aspect .

      GREAT . B 3 MGNST&AT 10 N . OJ / SRAMEN ANJ ) MINERS ON NEWCASTLE TOWN MOOR . Tna important meeting of seamen and miners took place on Saturday last , on the Race Course , Town Moor , and it . is computed that at least four thousand were present ,- accompanied with numerous flags , banners , and bands of music . One affair , from Hartlepool , attracted much attention ; it was the English flag on the right , and the American flag on the left , with the significant motto , between of 'Which shall we take ? ' The seamen of Hartlepool , Sunderland , Seaham Harbour , North and South Shields , &c , came up the Tyne in steam vessels , forming a fleet of twelve sail , and . were met on the quay by the miners and the seamen of the port of Newcastle ; and the whole then formed into a procession ( which extended upwards of a half a mile ) through the VoYm On tO the Town Moor .

      Mr . J . Smith , of South Shields , was called to the chair , and opened the meeting with a few printed observations ; and then called on Mr . Jude to tnftVe the following resolution oa ¦ behalf of the miners- — That the different modes existing at present in ascertaining the wages of miners , some leing paid by weight and others by measure , necessarily leada to much uucer . talnty and consequent injury to tlio workmen . It ia therefore resolved to petition Parliament to pass a law whereby all miners' wages earned shall be ascertained b weight only . That the statute standard weight , viz .,

      20 Cwt . to the ton , and llSJlbs . to the cnt ., be the foundation of nucb enactment , ana that the workmen be paid for all good coals and iron-stone sent to bank . That whereas hoyg and young persons employed in conl mines are obliged to remain continuously ut work for twelve and fourteen hours each day , thereby preventing them obtaining a proper aha efficient education . Hence this meeting further resolves to embody in the said petition a prayer that the legislature will provide by an enactment that no boy or young person , under eighteen years of age , shall work longer iu any mine or coal pit than eight hours each day . . . ¦

      That the Legislature having recently passed a law providing an inspection of the mines of this country tbut AS only four inspectors have been appointed , the extensive nature of the districts they have to examine renders tho bill almost valueless as regards the saving of life and preventing : casualties . It is therefore resolved to memoralise her Majesty ' s government to augment the number ot inspectors and their power , and to appoint sub inspectors , so that tbe districts may be so arranged that no pit shall be longer than one month without personal examination by the inspectors or sub-inspectors of the district . - That the practice now becoming general in the collieries

      of putting in large tubs , carrying from nine to twelve cwt . each , and which so block up the air ways that the current of nir is considerably impeded in its progress , and thereby influences and leads to explosions and other casualties and dangers . That the practice of ( recently introduced ) uting so many ponies or galloway s clown tlie pits , is also highly injurious to the health of the workmen ; the air being so much vitiated and rendered uuwholesome where they are used . This meeting , therefore , resolves to memorialise her Majesty ' s government on this subject , that a commission may be issued to inquire into the evils thereby induced , and to report thereon to the said government .

      Mr . Jude , on coming forward , was loudly cheered , and explained , in forcible language , the evils and grievances under which tbe miners suffered , and sat down amid great applause . Mr . T . Pratt seconded the resolutions . The speaker entered into the spirit of the resolutions at some length . As to weight and measure , he be . lieved the tale in Northumberland and Durham wbb twenty cwt . to the ton , and 1121 bs . to tbe cwt . ; but there were sxceptions . He knew places where there were neither weights nor measures used . ( Hear , hear . ) He noticed Brancepeth Colliery , in the county of Durham , as one of them . The men , not being united , had no redress ; if they dared to complain they were turned off and kept

      out of employ , for there was an understanding among masters not to employ men who had the spirit to complain . If a poor miner should unfortunately send a portion of foul coal in his tub at New Durham Colliery , ( and no man could help it at times , ) he was fined 2 s . Gd ., so that for all his hard and dangerous labour , he could not average 2 $ . per day ( Shame , shame . ) As 10 the boys , lift could as sure the meeting , that at New Durham they hap to work from fourteen to fifteen hours per day , and bad full two miles to travel to and from their work , under ground , from tbe bottom of tbe shaft . ( Sensation . ) He had been thirty years a pitman , and though , from his grey hairs lie may be thought old , still he was only thirty-eight years of age ( Hear , hear . ) In fact , miners , from tbe exhausting nature of their employment , became prematurely

      old , and died one-third before their time . The speaker then went on to show the great necessity of better ventilation of mines , and more inspectors and ' sub-inspectors with extended power . There was greater necessity for this than ever , for ventilation was decidedly getting worse ; and though , in some parts of Durham , explosive gases did not abound , % \\\\ as they were in want of fresh air , being sometimes working 100 yards before or be yond the current of air ; so that if they were not burnt to death by hydrogen gas , still they were murdered , by slow degrees , for the want Of fresh air , ( Hear hear . ) He considered so many ponies down the pits as very injurious to health , and thought the legislature ought at once to interfere to protect the lives and health of the miners . Mr . Pratt concluded an able speech amid loud cheers-The Chairman * then called on

      Mr . Wm . Danieixs to move the petition founded on the above resolutions . Mr . Daniells was re . ceived with cheers and clapping of hands . —Heu \ i they had heard a great deal about the Great Exhibition that was about to close—theirs was just about to open . ( Cheers . ) Tbe former speaker had told them of some of the grievincea suffered by the northern miners , but he would tell them how the miners in the midland counties were used . The sailors were cursed with an official log-book , wherein all their actions were noted down at m , and'by which they vere fined as pleased the captain and mate ; but if the miners had not an official log-book they were flogged with a colliery fine-book . They knew what" laid oui" and " setoui" was . Why , he knew one colliery , of only about seventy-four men , that had £ 34 2 s . 4 d . stopped out of their wages , during the last fortnight ' s pay for" laid out "

      and " set out . " ( Hear . ) Twenty hundred weight was considered a ton , according ; to Cocker ; but it was not a coal miner ' s ton . ( Hear . ) Why , in Derbyshire a ton was 29 £ cwt . ( Shame . ) And not content to get 29 * cwt . to tha ' ton , the oirncrs cf Leng ' s colliery enforced 1201 bs . to the cwt ., and 29 J of these cwts . to the ton . ( Shame . ) In the midland counties , too , the yard , instead of being thirty-six inches had grown to forty-two and a half , and tbe half day in South Staffordshire was from nine to ten and a half hours ! The speaker then showed the evil effects of working long hours , and exhorted the meeting to unity of action and oneness of purpose , and concluded a pointed address by cordially moving the petition ; which was seconded by Mr . Andrew M'LtnghUn , and , with Vhe foregoing resolutions , carried unanimously with hearty chewing . Mr . R . Young was then called on to move the following resolutions : — ' •

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      / f hat this meeting resolve to petition parliamSht for tha repeal of all olauiei in the 7 th and 8 th Viet , cap . 112 , Bl relate * to Stamen ' s register tickets , for the total and an * conditioned repeal of the 13 th and 14 th Viet ,, cap . 93 . known as the Mercantile Marine Act , for the Removal of shipping Office * , and for an amendment of the present Navigation Law * . ihis meeting also , considering the dangers to which sea * men are exposed by nssels being sent to sea without being P P y manned , resolve to petition parliament to pass a law to compel » hip owners to Drouerly man their shins . ac « law to compel » hip owners to properly man their shipsac «

      probation of the meeting . Mr . R . Holman rose to second tbe resolution * , aud strongl y complained of ( he improper tray that vessels employed in the coaUrade were manned . During tbe storm last week , great loss of life had ta en place , and much valuable property destroyed ; through tbe culpable neglect of ship-owners ia not properly manning their vessels . Owners com * plained of the operation of the Navigation Laws $ but if they were sincere , why did they not come OU 9 and assist the seamen and miners , . not only to amend that law , but to get repealed all otber bad laws . ( Cheers . ) What caused tbe owners to have low freights ?—because , like the coal owners , they were underselling and underbidding each other in the market . ( Hear . ' Thats true . ' ) In fact , low freights for ships and low prices lor coals werff probation of the meeting .

      , «!! i g t 0 the Wowing scale-viz ., ships of si * keels , and ?»« l \ " "' tvro able-bodied seamen before the mast j m » n « ft' , . nder fiftecn keels » th « e able-bodied sea * ? m » V P 5 ?* . nkeel » » andundersoventeen and a half , four JDIe-bodied seamen : seventeen and a half keels , and £ fito rn y r ' ™ able-bodied «»« ne " . ' and so on , in like proportion , according to the tonnage of vessels . After reading the resolutions , Mr . Young e ** plained in an able manner the working of , and ths evils resulting from , the working of tbe Seamen'l Ticket Act ,. Shipping Offices , and » he infamom operations of the Mercantile Marine Act , to British Seamen . In relating the fact of sailors being fined for not being shaved on a Sunday morning , what ' ever wind or weather may prevail , also his being \ fined for smoking below , the speaker asked wherfl - he was to take his pipe ? was the sailor to hsweft rope tied round his middle , and be sluna over tho ships side to smoke ? ( Loud laughter . ) Thfl speaker concluded an eloquent speech amid the ap * —

      brought on by blackleg owners , who were encouraging foreigners to msa their ships allow wages against the Englishmen—their own countrymen * What did they caro for their country or countrymen . , AIL they cared-ipfr .. wa 8 :. tjfl get money any * . hOW . ( Hear / flhd > beers . ) y Tbe speaker thca alluded to the ruinous Railway monopoly , and insisted that that monopoly would e ^ flntually ruin the nursery for British seamen , —he meant the Northern Ports of England . ' He maintained that the government ought to interfere to prevent this national evil being carried out ; for if they had power to grant bills to open railways , they had power to restrict their operations , if they ' had a tendency to injure the country , which he contended

      they were doing . The speaker severely taxed Sir Charles Napier about his intended conscription bill , his heavy salary , &c , and hoped the seamen would exert themselves to prevent Sir Charles Napier ever again getting a seat in parliament . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Holman then earnestly entreated the meeting lo unite , in OTder to obtain their political rights . If they had the People ' s Charter they would not long be humbugged by such things , as the Mercantile Marine Act , shipping offices , and other shameful things . Let us go , said Hie speaker , at once foe the Charter . ( Loud cheers , and ' aye , that ' s it . ' ) Ha would sit down by seconding the resolutions . The resolutions were then put to the meeting by the chairman , and carried unanimous y .

      Mr . A . Hamilton came forward to propose the > petition founded on the foregoing resolutions , which , he did in a sensible speech . In allusion to the English sailors entering the American service , ho stated that Mr . Anderson , of South Shields , shipowner , had stilted that seamen were so fond ox England , that however bad they were used they would nevor leave it—that , like the dial to tho sun , its face was there whether the sun shone on it or not . Row he was convinced Mr . Anderson was here wrong , for if justice is not done to them ( ths seamen ) they would not only enter the American service , but tight for them if wanted . ( Hear . ) Seamen loved their country well , but loved justice / better , ( Cheers . ) British seamen did not want a

      Dutchman , like Laboucliere , to legislate for them ; they wanted Englishmen , who knew their wants and feelings , to make laws for them . He perfectly agreed with the foregoing speaker aa to what caused low freights ; aud it should be rer . -. embered that since the Navigation Laws were repealed that foreign tonnage had increased about eighteen per oent ., while English had decreased from seven to eight per cent . ( Hear . ) Labourcheru had stated that English ship-masters were a set of ignorant , useless men , and that seamen were a class of dissipated , drunken characters ; but he would sliortly find to his cost that they , both together , were wisa and sober enough to overthrow him and his un « worthy patrons . ( Loud cheers . ) He would con *

      elude by moving that the petition be adopted . Mr . ) j . Ghkensides would most willingly second the petition ; and in the name of justice and vruth he intreated thorn to gain information—to read the Pres 3 , and judge for themselves . The sneaker then took a rapid and eloquent view of the position of the" Seamens' and Miners' United Association , " and the grievances under which the seamen labour * The remedy , he contended , ' was to be found 1 Q union , and by spreading the principles of the assO « ciation to every port and mining district of tbe kingdom , and cntro .-ited the mcctitig to send in the means to tho Executive to curry out such object . They were there that day to effect such an union

      as tho world never had yet seen , and he , on beiialf of the seamen , pledged to the miners the right tiaud of fellowship . ( Here Mr . Grccnsidcs seized the hand of a miner and shook it heartily , the meeting cheering lustily ) . In reference to the American and English flags , and tho motto of which shall wetake , the speaker said he loved liis country , and the governors ought to be fathers of tbe people ; but if instead they became oppressors , he would leave his unnatural father and go over to his brother Jonathan . ( Loud cheers . ) He exhorted them to st . ind together lileo men and true British sailors , and nothing then could prevent thorn obtaining their liberty . ( Hear . ) He would sit down , trusting they would do cheir dutv .

      The Chairman put die petition to tho raeewngi which wa 9 carried unanimously . Mr . Thomas White moved the following resolu * tion : — That this rneetiag having heard read and explained the various grievances of the respective bodies of seamen and mineis , us specified in the resolutions and petitions adopted by tins meeting , resolve tq aid and assist each other by all legal and constitutional means , to obtain a redress of the said grievances , aud never to cease agitating until tlio said grievances of each body ure redressed . Tho Bpeaker said ho waa there to stand father to a wedding of the miners and seamen ; which was the

      wife he did not know , but he hoped and believed they would agree and make each other happy . Besides being father he should bo tho priost to the wedding , and as part of the ceremony , he should tie the union jack aud the colliery flag together . ( Immense cheering . ) Now , said Mr . White , the wedding is completed and may they never be separated , but keep firm together to uproot oppr . es * sion and keep tyrants in awe . ( Cheers . ) The resolution was ably aeconded by Mr . R . Armour in a sensible speed ) , and was supported by Mr . B . Emblktos , in a short address , and carried unanimously ,

      A vole of thanks was moved to tho Chairman by Mr . Ramimos seconded by Mr . Dasiells , and carried with three hearty clieers . The flags and banners were again unfurled , Ihe banda again began to discourse sweet music , " ani the immense assembly walked iu procession , with the tied flags , symbolic of union , through Newcastle . Thus ended this important meeting—a meeting not soon to be forgotten by the seamen , miners , and inhabitants of" Canny Newcastle ' and Coaly Tyne . "

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      AT ¦' •'¦ / g / < - / 4 S ^ — MB NATIONAL TRADES ' JOURNAL .

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      VOL . ! UT P . 727 . LOMQNJATJD ^ i * , £ 22 ESS % : *

      «Riil Ttdatif Rioog In H* Bobntry'a Right, . \ F.Oh-I« Deliverer, Sproneto Ltfbt; I ««B Nf Brare Hahgarian Sirashe Led, £S£J55*. : A**I&'* W Rtft Whose Inborn Spirit Framed The Gnoble Fee, S Hearts , Scorned Bondage-Fbr Their Hand?

      « riil ttdatif rioog in H * boBntry ' a right , . \ f . Oh-i « deliverer , sproneto ltfbt ; i «« b nf brare HaHgarian sirashe led , £ S £ J 55 * . A ** i&' * rtft Whose inborn spirit framed the gnoble fee , S hearts , scorned bondage-fbr their hand ?

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 11, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1647/page/1/