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Northern Star (1837-1852), 18th September 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 12, %mki

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      Untitled Article

      We have received several communications warmly responding-to Mr . Newton ' s letter in last Saturday ' s " Star of Freedom . " We give the following extracts : — Mk . Editok , —Sir , I hail Mr . Newton ' letter as the precursor of better days for the cause of the people . There are some points in it from which I differ , but , on the whole , I think it the base upon which may bs built a People's Party which shall successfully work out ' the great cause of political frw . fi om .

      w THOMAS WILLIAMS . Lyon Cottage , West Ham . P . S . —I may inform you that since I have seen the first number of the new series of the " Star of Freedom , " I have not only taken it myself , but have succeeded in inducing several of my friends in subscribing to it also . Mk . Editor , —Sir , seeing in your last impression a letter from Mr . Newton in favour of a National Party , allow me to tender my thanks to that gentlemen for the " able and lucid

      manner m winch he explains the necessity of such a party . The sooner the plan is put in action the better : depend upon it , we should have a union of the working men and the honest portion of the middle class in so good a cause . But , although I would give my support to such an agitation , I will not yield my belief of the Charter being the best reform document ever presented to the people ; and in the event of Manhood Suffrage being obtained , I am equally convinced that the details will be found positively necessary to the working of the principle

      Yours fraternally , Buxton-street , Spitalfields . A REPUBLICAN .

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      THE NEW MILITIA . To the Editor op the " Star op Fukeijom . ' Sib— So , then , there are to be fifty thousand more gun and bayonet men added to the armies of despotism—fifty thousand more to be trained to the use of arms;—not to fight for Liberty but to uphold tyranny—not to set men free , but to keep them m f avery-not to fight for the true , the pure , and the just , but to fight tor the false , the co / rupt , and the unjust-not to fijrht for those glorious principles , Liberty , Equality , ami Fka-TERN 1 TY , but tO fight for KlXGSPRIESTSaild NOHLF *

      , , And those fifty thousand tyr .-inny ' s-took are to be cot ( if possible ) by voluntary enlistment-fifty thousan d more voluntary slaves to do the dirty work of a band of usurping tyrants Think of this , 0 Englishmen ! think of it well , l ^ tl ^ lud more gun and bayonet men in this land of boasted liberty ! Placards arc posted about our streets , and bounties are offered Jo induce men to become volunteers-willing slaves to do the bidding of the tyrants who rule .

      m lhat a man is in duty bound to defend his country against invasion , none will deny ; but we are told that the English government is on the best of terms with the government , of surrounding countries ; and if our country is in dan ^ r wliv ' rot arm every man who is able to defend it ? But tyrants rule he pitp ? M ^^ t' ^ Oi get an army ot reserve under the name of a militia } While tyrants rule all but the tyrant-class must bo shvesand all the forces at the command of that tvrai- ekS tilWl ' ways he used for the suppression of liberty ? Ltoy « d tyramy am never exMt in any country ; itisL po ^ if A man is in duty bound to defend his countiy , but here is , Will theififty thousand mj ^ i t ™^ igt defenders of the true the pure , and the just ? will tW be em ployed m helping the brave Hungarians to throw off the horrible tyranny of the house of Austria ? will they be employed ha ftag flieglonous ^ tneir liberty , by destroying the papacy ? No ! but ? hey w I bf employed m upholding the tyranny of Austria ; in maintaining the papacy m alhts corruption and all its tyrannies S w U b employedm upholding tyranny everywhere ; they S be m ployed m upholding royalty in all its barbarous splendour tW will be employed m upholding our base , extravagant liber 7 hating aristocracy ; they will be employed in uphffir as ate toch whose corruption *» scarcely equall ^ ^ th ! papaty

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      in its worst days ; like all the other forces at the command of despots , they will be used for all the purposes for which tyrants may require them . And why should they not ? if they are willing tools of tyrants , let them do the dirty work of tyrants , even to the shooting of their own parents . But they are to be subject to the lash ; and why should they not ? if they are willing to be the tools of tyrants , surely they will not grumble at having a taste of the blessings of tyranny . But we are told now that peace reigns throughout the contitinent of Europe ; but how much longer will this sham peace continue ? Can any one tell ?

      Let usrest assured that the war which tyrants dread—the war for liberty—will again rage throughout the continent of Europe , sweeping away kings , priests , and nobles—let us hope for ever . It is for this war the tyrants are preparing . Doubt it not . It is to prevent this war , or render it useless , that the tyrants are increasing their armies . And what are we Englishmen doing to forward this holy war , and render it successful ? We who live in this land of boasted liberty , we whose hands and voices have so often been raised for liberty—what are we doing ?

      The tyrants ask for fifty thousand men , and they can have them . _ A committee of gentlemen—lovers of liberty—ask for subscriptions for European freedom , and not one thousand have as yet responded to their noble appeal . Oh ! shame on us Englishmen , if we remain passive during the war for liberty . If we do , we shall richly deserve the execrations of the people of other lands and all the evils the tyrants at home can inflict upon us . JOHN SKETCHLEY .

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      POLITICAL REFUGEE COMMITTEE . ? September 10 th . —Several communications were read , including correspondence from Bunbury , Farnham , and Edinburgh , respecting employment for the refugees . We are glad to know that there is some prospect of a few smiths and other workers obtaining , at least , temporary work . Monies received : —Announced to August 27 th , £ 1 6 s . 3 d . ; G . Payne , Abingdon , Is . 6 d . ; J . de Cogan , Liverpool , 6 d . ; Greenwich , per David Gibson , 14 s . ; C . Segrave , Is ; a Friend , Chippenham , 6 d . ; A . Cooper , Greenwich , 2 s . 6 d . ; Robert Wootton , 6 d .

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      STAR OF FREEDOM COMMITTEEOn Tuesday evening last the members of the committee assembled for the transaction of business . Many encouraging letters were read , some announcing the formation of other committees . A valuable communication was read from the secretary of one of the most powerful branches of the iron trade . Important business engaged the attention of the committee , the further consideration of which is adjourned till Tuesday evening next , upon which occasion all members of the committee are earnestly desired to attend . Friends desiring to co-operate with the central committee in promoting the circulation and usefulness of the Star of Freedom are earnestly requested to communicate with Mr . Walter Cooper , Secretary , at 4 , Brunswick-row , Queen-square , Bloomsbury , London . By order of the Committee , WALTER COOPER , Secretary .

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      A Bradford Floub Mill Society . —This Society was established in 1847 , and numbers at the present time upwards of 120 members ; the flour mill has been built by the members ; their business amounts , on the average , to about £ 250 per week ; the capital of the society was raised partly by loan , and partly in shares of 30 s . each , and they sell all articles at as near cost price as possible .

      Foiuwu . —There are seven co-operative stores in this town , doing business in the same way , though each independent of the other ; altogether there are upwards of 1250 heads of families who are shareholders , receiving their supplies of provisions , &c , from these stores , m a population of 9000 ; one of these stores was established in 1829 , and since its commencement has divided among the members upwards of £ 11 , 000 ; this shows what can be effected by a proper organization of consumption , although we think it would have been far wiser if our Scotch friends had allowed their profits to accumulate for provident purposes , or for the establishment of productive associations in some branch of manufactures .

      Dukshalt by Aughteumuciitz . —A . Co-operative Provision Society is also established in this town , numbering about 100 members in a village population of 800 , and doing a business of from 12 to £ 14 , 000 a year .

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      W Tlia Secretaries of Trades' Unions and other bodies associated to protect and advance the interests of Labour , will oblige by forwarding the reports of Trades' Meetings , Strikes , and other information affecting the social position of the Working Classes . NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES 259 , TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD , LONDON .

      VVk regret to find large and influential bodies of Worldne Men abandoning , in apparent despair , the principle of Trades Combination , as a corrective of the manifold wrongs they are subject to , and as a means of securing to them the full and free enjoyment of those rights , which , by the theory of the constitution , belong to them . From some imperfections in their organisation or policy , they have suffered defeat and disappointment , and protective union is consequently to be abandoned as useiess , if not injurious , and the employing classes are thus presented by the patriotic leaders of labour , with a corte Uanche for the future unrestricted exercise of their giant power in any manner which they may conceive beneficial to their interests , free from tue obstructions , molestations , or other impediments hitherto oftered to their encroachments , by the organised resistance of labour . Althoug h we are desirous of paying all due respect to the influential persons who are leading the way in this retrogade policy , we may yet be permitted to doubt , either its wisdom or practicability . The true wisdom , w 6 think , wouldUiave been to have probed deeply and unflinchingl y into the causes whieh led to such dis

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      astrous results ; to have thrown overboard all the usele • " of false pride and selfishness which has so long prev lllll V portion of working men from fraternising with theW i ° " and having parted company with these great obstruct" x national unity , to have set down with earnestness -u i s to faith to the construction and promulgation of the out ? ^ wide , liberal , and comprehensive plan for a national coM of tion of the trades of Great Britain ; a confederation whr ! ' and should be to meet

      expansive powers equal all contiC #° which might arise , a confederation of the labour iiite ^ C ^ C * this country , which , without attaching itself to any 1 ) a !? of party or creed , social or political , should , by the inf f ar simplicity of its principles , and by the universalit y of ft . . ^ pathies , be open and prepared to ally itself with every ft ) ' ? ^ " phase of progress . It need scarcely be said that such ? ^ federation would carry immense weight and influence * COll ~ cause or movement it connected itself with . Such a »] ° - an opportunity of extracting good out of evil , of converting V ^ defeat into proximate victory , has been most iinaccomin ? neglected , and the multitude , who ever think , even by are referred to emigration as their only available mea * '' escaping from the tyranny of capital . Buonaparte ' s Av ' ? V

      . defeat cry , paraphrased , — " sauve guipentf freely , th orn *] elegantly englished , " hook it , and the devil tah th himhno t ^ As we doubt the wisdom and patriotism of this policy !' also doubt its general adoption even by those to whom' it ] V * strongly and kindly recommended : that is , we doubt if th S ° lightened portion of the working classes will , upon a \[ m CU " flection , consent to the unconditional surrender of their rf J 5 / 6 " combination . We doubt whether a very brief experience -l \ not prove , to those who have either no resources , or no tast f uui vei uiuuu

      emigration—man wnu are wnn wQ yellow met iv epidemic , " and are therefore enforced or conten t still to stru"ll against the encroaching spirit of capital , — -that combinat union is essential and imperative in any trade , if it would ' ' ^ serve its wages from the continental level . So far from T T Unions being useless as a protective agent , we appeahvith fidence to the masons , and the building trades generally ° ' i numerous otherswhether unionswith all thfiiv imnn « r « : i . AvihV ivAa / ¦ ? f i

      , , -- — -w .. 'u v »»*/*^^ - . «< .-v > . v , » .. » . m , w » - » . VAt . ( A ** . Ull . Vj . 1 , 1 , iillllt . llM / lflf have not preserved their wages from depreciation . To cmi * " * ' tion as a means of relieving certain trades from a surah " labour , which they must either support by a self- inflicted noo " rates , or suffer to be constantly , by its competitive acn > " pulling down the value of labour , —though not the best , we m ' ' sider a very valuable collateral agent , and infinitel y prefer-hl " to the out of work in which

      pension system , so many thousands have been uselessly squandered . But we are still * of opinjo ] that combination is necessary for those who remain at home to enable them to take every advantage of the altered circnai ' stances produced by emigation , to ' enable them to protect tli ' eii industrial rights , and gradually to lift themselves politically and socially to the dignity of " an interest" in the state .

      We believe that our Trades' Unions must in future assume more of a political character . Labour , equally with lmid ail , i capital , must have its recognised position in ' the state . Tlii great bulk of the working classes do not seem to be conscious of this supreme necessity . Here is a noble field for action fo ! those who profess to lead the working class mind . HereV a reason not for abandoning union , but for consolidating and expanding it . We hope therefore that the enlightened friend' ! of labour will not persist in the ignominious policy of suvvciv

      denng the right of combination . If emigration , ' in its verv altered aspect , can be made a means conducive to our "cam ! purpose , that of improving the condition of British industry , by all means let us avail ourselves of its aid as a powerful ' ally but not as a substitute for National Union . We must desire to see this question discussed in a calm , free , and liberal spirit WILLIAM PEEL , Secretary .

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      MORNINGHAM WEAVERS' STRIKE . On Monday evening a public meeting of the weavers of Mr . J . Drummond of Momingham Mill took place in the large room adjoining the King ' s Arms Inn , Heaton , for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means of putting a stop to the two loom system which their employer seems de termined to carry ont . ' At half-past 7 o ' clock " Mr . Nathan Holmes , one of the weavers , was unanimously called to the chair . He introduced the business of the meeting in a iieal speech , showing the evils which the two loom system was likely to produce if carried into effect . He concluded by calling

      upon Mr . Alderson of Bradford , to move the following resolution : " That in the opinion of this meeting , the introduction of , or improvements in machinery which have , a tendency to supersede hand labour without a just recompence being given to the labourer for the loss of his employment , are unjust in principle , injurious in practice , and ought to be prevented . " Mr . Alison fully agreed with the sentiment of the resolution . He argued that the working man ' s labour was his property , and was as much entitled to protection at the hands of the Government as any other kind of property . He concluded bv moving the resolution .

      Mr . Summersquill seconded the resolution . The chairman next introduced Mr . Robinson , of Wilsden . w support the resolution . Mr . R . delivered a long and argmf tative speech , in the delivery of which lie was frequently interrupted b y the applause of his audience . He took up ^ arguments frequently made use of by ths defenders of tk }^ sent system of unlimited competition , —laid bare their

      rottenness in a masterly manner , showing the inevitable consequent of the murderous system of "buy cheap and soil dear , " &m he contended , which laid at the foundation of nearly all tw social miseries which the working classes endured . " Hc <* ' eluded by calling upon the meeting to awake from their m ^ tivity , and stem the torrent of oppression , whieh , if micliec ^ in its career , threatened to swamp every interest but its o « Mr . Robinson concluded a long { UKi ciCVer address amidst Wapplause . The resolution was carried unanimously . A vote of tl ^ j was given to the chairman for past and ' present services , " one to Mr . Robinson ; both gentlemen responded , ami the nit ing separated .

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      Antiquarian Discovery at Bath . —As sonic working , making excavations in this city on Saturday they Al * f ) w several massive stone coffins of extreme antiquity , conta > ^ rare coins , and bones , in some nearly the whole skeleton- ^ workmen , in their eagerness to discover more coins , un » ^ nately broke the coffins , but one or two still remain at > depth below the surface , and the utmost anxiety is if l } . ^ them taken out with the greatest care , and prcseiTedww ^ these interesting remains are obviously of great allt ! c'l " t lc it is supposed by some learned and erudite residents tluid ^ cality whence the excavation was made was the site oi - ancient temple or burial-ground of the Romans .

      Co-Omratik

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      Untitled Article

      92 THE STAR OF FREEDOM . September , 18 , 1852

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      To the Editor of the Star op Freedom . g _ I bave read with much pleasure Mr . William Newton ' s letter headed "A National Party , " and trust it will be fairly discussed in every town , village , and hamlet where the Star op Freedom circulates . Surely the first grand step is the admission of our manhood . Once in possession of universal manhood suffrage , should we not . have the power if we willed it , of enforcing the other " points , " in the very first session ol a universal suffrage parliament ? Property qualifications are

      condemned on all sides , and will be speedily abolished . I do not for one moment suppose that any one who has sincerely advocated the principles of the people ' s charter will ever relinquish a single right therein contained ; at the same time , it is absolutely necessary that when the parliament meets , the people ' s party should be organised to give voice to its claims ; and if Mr . Newton aids this object the least in the world he will have entitled himself to the thanks of every honest citizen , for moving what at present appears to be a mass of stagnant water , the more so as a contemporary has suggested to the people the propriety of agitating for " The Ballot " alone

      The editor of your contemporary is generally supposed to be honest and sincere in his opinions : surely he must have been dreaming when he penned this , or he never would have asked the people to allow their so-called trustees to perform their trusts in secret . No , sir ; when the suffrage becomes universal and every man votes , then , and not till then , will the ballot be just and right for the timid , who require it . 1 would surest that the friends in the several towns , wherever they inay " discuss Newton's suggestion , should send the result to the Staii of Freedom for publication , in order that , should it meet with general approval , a party may be at once formed to give it effect .

      I am , sir , &c , EDWARD STALL WOOD . 2 , Little Vale-place , Hammersmith road . September 13 th , 1852 .

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      a ?^ V ?' ~^ ir ' f by tllis weeVs " star of Freedom ' , that Mr . Newton has taken up the question of organization His letter has been highly spoken of wherever I have been ' and I doubt not will be responded to by the country at large Bradford . , w < wILCOCk ! '

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 18, 1852, page 12, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1696/page/12/