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" JUSTICE—IMMUTABLE , UNIVERSAL , ETERNAL . " FREEDOM ' S LEVY . "By their deeds ye shall know them . "—Freedom ' s friends as well as Freedom's foes . The latter take care that there shallhe no mistake as to their character , creed , and aim . They do not confine themselves to any mere theory of absolutism unaccompanied by practical illustrations ; on the contrary to the utmost of their ability and power they realize the fulness of their hateful ideas . They assume that fraud and force , clerical and military despotism , should of right govern the world ; and wherever possible they act up to their desestable theory . The censorship , the court-martial , the scourge , the sword ,
the political scaffold ,-and the Inquisition ( in fact if not in name ) , are ruthlessly employed to extirpate the very idea of Freedom ; and if for a moment the position of any one of the despotic powers is endangered , the forces of all unite against the common enemy . The blasphemously denominated " Holy Alliance ' of tyrants ^ is combined in one powerful phalanx , all but invincible—really invincible so long as the friends of freedom are not as united , energetic , self-sacrificing , and eager to work with , and , if need be , die for , each other and their common cause .
It would be unjust and ungenerous to under-estimate the holy zeal and devotedheroism manifested by vast numbers of Freedom ' s Mends . The multitude of exiles , the masses of captives , the everincreasing number of martyrs , attest the patriotic virtue and unyielding courage of the best o f Europe ' s sons ; but their part , for the moment , is rather to suffer than to act—at least their sphere of action must necessarily be restricted to the work of moral preparation and secret organization . Sere only , on the soil of England , the friends of freedom may , if they will , openly and avowedly aspire to guide the national opinion , and direct the national force against the powers of despotism .
Early in the present year , Mr . W . J . Linton , ( the " Spartacus " of the Democratic Press ) , conceived the idea of initiating a freewill offering to the great cause of European freedom , by means of a national Shilling Subscription . In his project he was aided by a young man of generous heart and noble ( sympathies , Mr . Cowan , of Blaydon-Burn , near Newcastle-on-Tyne ; and the two obtained the countenance and support of several persons more or less known for their democratic tendencies . More recently the active work of superintending the collecting of subscriptions has fallen into new hands . An address from the committee is given
in another column . In a recent number we published a letter addressed to the committee by Joseph Mazzini . It is intended to close the subscription on the anniversary of the proclamation of the Roman Republic , in the month of February next ; consequently , within a term of three months from the present time will be determined the question of , how many Englishmen , or men lorn on British soil , will be found willing to register their names on the side of liberty , and zealous enough to contribute each his mite to a fund designed to strengthen the hands of the leading and foremost combatants for European freedom .
To more fully elucidate and enforce this project , I take leave to quote a few words from certain documents before me . In the original address initiating the subscription , Mr . Linton writes : " Let us do something to show our sympathy is not mere * idle wind '; something to disprove the imputation that we are but a set ^ of selfish tra ders , with no abiding reverence for the Heroic and the True ; something in earnest protest against the cowardly and unprincipled dogma of non-intervention which is put forth as the sum and substance of our faith in God , as our best interpretation of duty to our neighbour . Let us make at least a beginning of real help for the struggling people of Europe . " In their most recent address the committee observe . " It is needful there should be a
protest , in the name of outraged humanity , in the name of all who feel and breathe for Liberty in England . It is time there should issue from- our land a word of comfort , of encouragement and of approval , for those who suffer a living martyrdom for their country ; that there should be a popular recognition of the sacredness and unity of the causes of all oppressed nations . " Joseph Mazzini , in a letter addressed in March last to the " collectors , " observed , " Your plan is a noble idea . It is really time , that in face
of the continual and successive encroachments of absolutism upon the continent of Europe , the men of England should manifest , by some means , more efficacious than mere words , their sympathy for truth and justice . It is time that against the solidarity now existing for Evil , there should be established a solidarity for Good ; that a sacred league should bo formed between all those men , to whatever country they may belong , who believe in the unity of the human race , in the liberty of man as a rational creature , in the duty of each towards all , in progress , and in love .
• s- * * % * A shilling is but a small sum ; . but it acquires incalculable value , when it represents a free man raising his hand , and bearing open testimony in the cause of the oppressed . " And , in a letter addressed to the secretary of the committee , written about a month ago , Mazzini thus sketches the utility and importance of the fund : —¦ " To help , wherever possible , political prisoners out of their dungeons—to provide additional strength for the first decisive movement of the impending unavoidable struggle between the the oppressed nations and their oppressors—to enable the proscribed , now scattered on distant foreign lands , to muster , once the
signal given by their own country , around the good nV—and more than all , to number the men of England who believe in the nna triumph of right against brutal force-to refute at once , by a mighty show of hands , the opinion gaining ground every day more m Europe since the formation of the Malmesbury cabinet , that England has joined the league of the absolutist powers-to raise a powerful F manifestation P for Liberty of Conscience against S f ? ? HtiGal Life a § ainst the Em P <*<* ¦ & his ^ sociates--. to protest by a pledge of genaral alliance between the Free , against the forthcoming Empire-to record the sympathies 'of England for the ponged nations-to enlist the sympathies of for S ^^* " " * ™* ° * **
iJ , 7 r r f i tlie claims of the refugee * had been included m the proposed subscription , believing that ° a greater sum could be ob amed for the two objects if united , than will be rea ™ S ? 5 n * T -7 ° sub T scn P tions ^ ot opposed in principle , « amate the two-a question I submit to the serious consideration some HZ " \ ^ y M regards tU refu S > but **> in some other respects , it appears to me that the Shffim * Subscrm mnnghthave been iived , had it been £ Z %£ ^ 2 S ? " ! ° J ? kunched before ^ P ^ Kc . But , be that as it may , it is before the public , ml it mmt not fail , fc
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failure would be a misfortune for the democratic cause , a snortification for our continental brethren , a disgrace to us , and a stigma upon our country . Its success , on the contrary , will impart new strength to the good cause , affjrd real help to the struggling nations , and win for England the sympathy and fraternal devotion of the suffering peoples of Europe . * I anticipate certain objections on the part of the readers af the Star of Freedom : 1 st . "The refugees may suffer , seeing that many who contribute to the European subscription , will not be able to also conribute to the refugee fund . "
2 ndly " The placing of . the proceeds of the subscription at the disposal of Kossuth and Mazzini , would seem to imply that the f und is really designed to subserve the cause of Hungarian and Italian freedom merely , rather than the freedom of Europe generally . " 3 rdly . " The collection of a certain number of shillings is but a poor substitute for that effective aid which England , as a nation , should render to the cause of European emancipation ; such a project carries on the front of it rather the cowardly evasion , than the bold performance of national duty . "
The first objection would at once be silenced , if the amalgama ^ tion of the European subscription and the refugee fund could be accomplished . But supposing the two subscriptions to proceed as heretofore , pari passu , surely it is not impossible for the friends of progress of all classes , to subscribe one shilling to the European fund , and something more to sustain the exiles , and keep them in life and hope for the great day of the future—the day when Liberty ' s trumpet , will summon them once more to the field of combat . There may be some who may be so unfortunate as to be
positively unable to contribute to both funds , or even to one ; just as in the day of a nation ' s peril , there may be some not wanting in will , but in power , incapacitated by age or sickness from taking their place with their country ' s defenders . But certain it is , that even as regards the great mass of the working classes , if the will is good , the way may be found for the performance of their duty to humanity . If one week a man contributes his . quota to the shilling fund , surely he may at some subsequent time , combine
with his friends and fellow-workers , to give positive evidence of " British hospitality . " One important consideration must not be overlooked : should the shilling subscription be successful , it would probably go far towards abridging the term of the exiles stay upon our shores . Supplied with " the sinews of war , " the leaders of the European democracy might materially hasten the hour of combat and revolution , and consequent restoration of the exiles to the soil of their respective countries ;
With reference to the second objection , I confess I think it was unwise to give the subscription a sectional appearance , by needlessly obtruding the names of Kossuth and Mazzini . But , in spite of any appearance to the contrary , the shilling subscription is really designed to subserve the great end of European freedom , not merely the freedom of any particular people or peoples . In the original address of the initiators , Mr . Linton wrote thess words : — " The subscription is to help the struggle for European freedom : not merely for Italy or Hungary . The money is not for any partial attempt : but for the European War , whenever and wherever that shall again break out . " I may add—without entering into particulars not to be entered into—that from the best
authority , 1 can guarantee the application of the fund in strict accordance with Mr . Linton ' s pledge . It is impossible to tell whwethe first blow will be struck in the Holy War , which ere long must ensue ; perhaps it will be where least looked for ; perhaps , on the contrary , it will be . on the soil of that country , whose harvest matured by the blood of martyrs , is even now ripe for the scythe of revolution . One thing is sure , that the martyrs of Sinigaglia , Lombardy , and Sicily , have not died in vain . It is not the less sure , that wherever the flames may burst forth , the conflagration will make the circuit of Europe .
The third objection is not without a certain force . ' A shilling for European Freedom" is , per se , a paltry , peddling offering a Liberty ' s altar . But let there te fifty thousand subscribers , ( and why not ?) and the demonstration of sympathy will assume a marked significance , and unquestionable importance . A raindrop is but a trifle , but a sufficient number may swell streams to rivers , rivers to seas , and transform the ordinary waters to a deluge before which
the mightiest embankments will crumble and perish . A solitary flake of snow is of less importance than the lightest and most diminutive of feathers ; but let the flakes fall thick enough and they will bury the ordinary soil , and accumulate the avalanche armed with terrific and irresistible force . These similes are not out of place ; the first mission of the Revolution is to destroy . The ground must be cleared of the noxious weeds implanted therein by Fraud , before the fruits and flowers of Truth can have room to
grow . The citadel of Tyranny must be razed to its foundations before the first stone of Liberty ' s temple can be laid . Twenty , or even ten thousand Englishmen sufficiently impressed with a sense of their duty to humanity to give evidence thereof by their contributions to the Shilling Subscription would be numerous enough to afford hope to-the nations , and uneasiness to their oppressors . But fift thousand would be a great fact . Fifty thousand volunteers standing up for European freedom would certainly influence home and foreign politics , might even dictate the conduct of our government towards other states , and , probably , determine the destiny o f Europe , annihilate the dream of Cossack supremacy , and establish Republican Freedom on an indestructible basis .
Were there choice of means , it would not be the slow , and , by itself , inefficient scheme of a mere subscription in aid of European freedom that would be advocated in the columns of the Star of Freedom . Cannon-balls are the only conclusive arguments for the conversion of Europe ' s oppressors . The scale will be turned by nothing short of the sword ; but the silver is not to be despised ; it may be the precursor of the steel . Before British arms can be brought to mingle in the fray and determine the contest in favour of Freedom , the public opinion in support of such a course must of necessity be formed ; and one of the best means towards the
formation of that opinion is this Shilling Subscription . Many of the readers of the Star of Freedom have already sent their contributions through other channels ; but many have not yet considered the subject . Let them reflect , determine , and act forthwith . The Star of Freedom will next week open its list of subscribers , and let me hope there will be a goodly muster to lead the yan . All subscriptions received will be regularly announced , and from time to time will be paid over to the Committee in accordance with its regulations .
The Shilling Subscription must not fail , for failure would stamp everlasting disgrace upon England , dishearten our friends and attord a triumph to their and our enemies .
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The Shilling Subscription must succeed , for its succeT ^" as necessary for Britain ' s honour as for the sake of suff S - Humanity . nerin £ Freedom ' s Levy will not fail if the truth be conveyed to tt , minds and hearts of the people . It will not fail if each tJ acquainted with the faets of Italy ' s agony , informed of Hun <> ar ^ sorrows , Poland ' s sufferings , and the wrongs of the Euroa people generally , will , each in his sphere , labour with apostolic h and patriot-zeal to lay bare the crimes of tyrants , and the mart dom of our brother men . ^ Indeed , over and above the question of international duty—fl ut to our own country commands that the people be enli ghtened a I the acts of our own rulers—the perfidy or cowardice of those \ yh °
preside over our Foreign office . How disgraceful , howhumiliat i I is the fact that " Sir" H . Bulwer should go cap in hand to th Vatican , with bated breath and wispering humbleness soliciting grace at the hands of the papal tool of France and Austria an ! after all , obtain nothing but the favour (?) of a commutation of the sentence passed upon Edward Murray . An innocent ma a " British subject , " is in the hands of Popish gaolers and torturers
and , with treasonable criminality , the British Governmen perm ' t the outrage , and hear unmoved the life-doom—the sentence of tier petual imprisonment in an Italian dungeon passed upon one who has the claim of blood and language upon that protection -which Britain ' s flag should accord to all her sons—must accord , or our country will be eternally dishonoured .
Did " Sir H . Bulwer know nothing of the executions intended to take place at Sinigaglia about the time of his departure from Rome ? Is British influence so contemptible that it cannot prevent such atrocities ? * Shall England be wronged , and Humanity outraged , and there be no redress ? no retribution ? Now is the time to make an earnest and vigorous effort to enlighten the British people and arouse them to action .
Now , or never , is the hour for good men and true to create the germ of that better life which England must be reborn to , or perish , Now , or never , may Englishmen win for their country the < rlory of duty fulfilled , and the lasting gratitude of the oppressed peoples ! A levy of shillings now , a "levy of bucklers" hereafter—individual effort must precede and prepare the nation ' s pronunciamenfa Deeds should be in proportion to means . Europe will jmke us by our acts . For us is the opportunity , if we have but the will courage , and resolution , to march at the head of the nations in the great and holy crusade for the attainment of Europe ' s liberation . L'AMI DU PEUPLE .
Notices To Correspondents
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS
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For the future , to prevent confusion , and to indicate the termination of finch ubseription , each quarterly subscriber will receive his thirteenth copy in a soloured . wrapper , by which he will understand that a renewal of his subscrip - cion is necessary , as No Credit can be given . t * * Our friends in the country would oblige by forwarding to us copies of local papers . Letters to the Editor . All communications intended for publication , or notice , in the Star of Fretdom , must be addressed to the Editor , 4 , Brunswick Bow , Queen ' s Square , Bloomsbury , London . Correspondents will oblige by writing on one side only of their letter paper , and by forwarding their communications as early as possible in the week .
THE REFUGEES . Thanks to Mr . Bramwell Dyson and the good men of Honley . Thanks to the friends at Greenwich , Cheltenham , Portsmouth , and other places . —G . J . H . Meltham , Yorkshire . —Sir , —I am sorry to see that the professed democrats of this country allow such a noble band of men ( as the exiles are ) to be in the deplorable state you have described . Men who have had the courage to defend their rights at the barricades ought not . to be neglected , because they hare been overpowered . When those men were defending their rights they were likewise defending ours ; and we , instead of giving our pence to erect monuments to
such haters of real freedom , as Peel and Wellington , should give them to men who have fought for liberty , and are now hungering in a foreign land . With these lines I enclose one shilling ' s worth of postage stamps , towards helping the brave men , until the time comes when they will be able to overthrow the tyrants of their respective countries ; which time , I hope , is not far distant . I hope that there are many more such subscriptions forwarded this week , as I think any man ( every single man in particular ) that is in regular work might do somethin g towards helping our brothers ; for where there ' s a will there '* always the way . j ty
Mr . 0 Consor and the Shefpield Democrats . —Mr . Geo . Cavill , Secrem rn ° i SheffieU Mannood Suffrage Association , has addressed a letter to Mr . T . S . Duncombe , M . P ., apprising that gentleman that a number of Mr . Q Connor s admirers in Sheffield have held a meeting , and determined toniak « an wort to raise a subscription for Mr . O'Connor . They have obtained the assent of Mr . I . Ironsides to act as local treasurer , and they solicit Mr . Duncombe to act as national treasurer . R . Reeb , Winlaton . —Many thanks for the kindness of yourself and other old friends at Winlaton . Your instructions shall be attended to . L . Hill , Davtford—We forwarded the letter to Mr . Jude . J . Sio th— Received . Each item will be inserted in next week ' s lists . J . Johnson . —Received . The order has been handed to Mr . Crantz . J . Wells , Keighley . —Thanks for your favour . Your wishes shall be attended to *
A . North Bkiton . —We are sorry that press of matter excludes the correspondence concerning Edward Murray from our present number . The subject shall nave our close attention ; and our earnest efforts shall be given to the good work of arousing the public to demand and enforce justice for our countryman . rf TH XILES - —We have received a translation of a speech delivered by citizen i > aaaua at a meeting held in London on Monday last , but of which no report
appears m our columns . Our friend Nadaud and others should understand SSi » ? i ° " ° report of the meetin ? appearing in the Star is not to be aunoutecl to any unfriendliness on our part to the Exiles or their cause . The pa es ot this journal weekly demonstrate the exertions we make to aid them , ihe fact is , we never heard of any such meeting until after it had been held , me intention to hold a meeting was-and we believe purposely-not notified to us un ( ier these circumstances , of course no report of the proceeding could appear in the Star op Freedom .
J . S .-Impossible to find room for your letter this week . Akxicles on .- The Land / , othei . gubjectgj aM unavoidabJy po 8 tponcd . EKQuikBR .-. The letters in The Times signed "An Englishman , " which have exuiea so much attention by their powerful denunciation of the French usurper , have been attributed to various persons ; among others to Mr . Gladstone , and a gentleman whose letters , under the signature of " Jacob Omnium " were so instrumental in bringing about the destruction of the Westminster Palace Court , The letters are certainly not Mr . Gladstone ' s . The other ifl tne more probable guess .
Orders tor the Stab op Freedom . All Agents and Subscribers remitting cash ( or stamps ) with their orders will be pleased to address them to John Phillip Crantz , Publisher , 2 , Shoe Lane . Fleet Street , London , to whom it is also requested all Post Office Orders on account of the " Star of Freedom , " may be made payable at the chief office , St , Martin's-Le-Grand .
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200 THrSTAlO ? MEBGir [ Novems ' l ' I- ¦¦¦ I ... —¦— ' ¦ I ¦¦!¦¦»¦ I II — I . II . 1 .. ¦ — . . ¦¦ ...,. ¦ ¦—¦¦ - ¦¦ " ' —!¦ ...,
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 6, 1852, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1703/page/8/
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