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Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd June 1838, Edition 2 of 3, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      JUSTICE . ' JUSTICE !] JUSTICEJJ ] . 2 ^ London Democratic Mtociation to ^ Wu * O'Connor and the Democrat * of Greed Britain and Ireland . Follow CovTrnrnzs—We had intended that this , - « ur first address , should hare been an exposition of -onr principles—a statement of oar objects as an As-• sociarion —« nd the means whereby we hope : to .-achieve them . We were preparing tbo * to address yon , -when lo ! a cry of grief and horror resounds -through the land , calling upon us to at unce arouse trom out lethargy—to at once commence our labours , -and boldly grapple with the factions who are drenching ia blood the once happy cottages and peaceful : Sre ? ides of oar brethren , the labourers of Kent

      The dying groan of the slaughtered labourer hath -ascendrfd to his Maker—the trail of the "widow , and "the cry of the orphan ascends to heaven ; their cry is ' £ qt Justice—Justice for their nmrdered tuBbanas- ^ - ¦^ atbers—BOBB- ^ and—brothers?——Jnsti » e for tliejr 'iiomes , n . ade desolate for their heart ' s despair . On becoming acquainted witixtheKentish butchery . > sre Were aware , from sad experience , that not the 3 east dependence could be placed on the statements -of-the Daily Press ; we , therefore , at once , rejected -ithe disgusting fabrications of the alleged fanaticism * - « f the " people , and patiently , bnt anxiously , waited ^ or the comments of the Democratic Press , anticip * fr ' j \ g that there the troth would be found . We re-Sceaiat we hare not been disappointed . . Ye *! the afl-florions Northern Star hath shed its Tight upon this foul , this wicked deed , and every word -written by that Friend of . the People , BaosTERRZ , "Snds a heart-felt response within our breasts . Yes !

      -we re-echo the demand of the " Poor Man ' s Guar-< Jtdn , " \ fe demas p jfhat the viurderers qf our bre-Jirex be delivered over to the decrees of Justice . Accept , Sir . our grateful thanks for the insertion of "She glorious letterto which we have just alluded , and jiiewise for vonr editorial commenis on the same -subject . Happy "was tie day for our conn ' ry , wtuM your glorions Star first apppeared—the great cham' ^ i onof the Democratic cause—b ' nt however excellent , isdll the fact cannot be concealed , that beinga weekly paper , it is inadequate to straggle successfully with ihe faction *" . A dailv paper is required—a daily . ^ paper we miut hare . ' Prom the fast intelligence of ^ the Kentish tragedy reaching London , for upwards -of a week , the working men had no other guide to ihe di ^ cerery of the troth than the hireling writers of the Whig . Tory , and Sham-Radical factions . How different would have been the present state uf the pnbiic mind in the metropolis and the country generally , had tiie projected Evening Star been in

      ^ existenex :. - . But amid the general corruption of the press , it is - -cheering to humanity 10 witness honourable exceptions ; and foremost in the ranis of " the free—un-• iraminelled by party . Untainted by the oppressor ' s - ¦ gcM—we gladly recognise in our provincial press ¦ as next in importance to the Xortliern Star , that 'ijoDgsc Sni talented jovntrii the Xurlher / i Lileruior >• , ? u \ iuors of vbicli have shown themselves to be the » vorthv successors of our lamented friend , the vir-5 nous and immortal Beaumont . To reiarn 10 the sanguinary outrage , we deny Slavic was fanaticism t ' uit cause-i tins gatiwrlu « ot -Zie labourers—if was distress and misery . It h « i = - _> iens 3 id , ' The land's uespair , Cn * s out to Hpaven . anJto ^ iai ; e grows Too Lard for even the psor tjo ik- ; ir . "

      : \ nd the poor thus situated , their prayers unheeded , _ iie ; r petitions scorned , "have no alternative but to sxirtrt by fear wliat will uni be granted to them by pravc-r . - * So far from ih ^ . labourers being " brutally f gnorant , " they 'know too much fur their oppressors , -an-i hence this united yell about fanaticism ; aud tie object in view in enacting this preconcerted traceJy was to strike terror into the hearts of the peasarfri-; tlait without further rcsis ' arice they muy sidmii ( o tli £ infvmsus Poor Laic , and prepare tiie ¦ erevfor a rural pofice !

      TUe vile Whig press have 1 oe 2 threatened the w Anti-Poor Law Agitator * . " with ibe terrors of th : ~ : z .-x ; already lins tne reign of terror commenced ; an I those who adored the ealbrit Conrtenay while iivinjr dare not say a word ia his drfence now that ae is do more . The following extract from the lettt-r of the limes' correspondent will enable the working classes to see how deep is the hatred of the factions towards those who dare struf ^ j to emancip : rie their country and mankind—•• Tiie -village of Dunkirk , from which most of them ( the " rioters "' ) come , labours under a most - Ji . -eraceful reflation . The men are said to be jioachers . and of the women it- is enough to say , ^ Jitti titey laid their reasons for making Gourtenay ilieir farourite . "

      Will die men of England submit to tLis ? No ! it » t one burst of execration from the Tweed to the -L ^ cd ' s End repel-. this foul slander on our sisters ; iet one ? cry resound throngh oar father-laud , invoking justice on titf beads of those who bare mnrdere-i our brethren-For ourselvei i ^ we are unable to do all that we could desire ; we are-unable -to " , perform -all- that as an A ^ socvatira we hope speedily to be able to do . 5 iuweT .-r , we intend forthwith to petition the legislature , demanding an investigation into this wholesale assassination Situated as we at present are , Tsejiledge ourselves that all we can we will do—at least , i : shall nor . be said that when our . countrymen ^ r vi given over to militarr execution , we sanctioned - ; ne outrage by our apathy , or tacitly approved the iorri ' ii deed br our disgraceful silence .

      Your Fellow Labourers , the Members ' Of the London Democratic A ^ isociation . ( Signed on their behalf . ) JOHN TURNER , Chairman GEORGE JULIAN HARNEY , Secretary . London , Juce 12 , 3 S 3 S .

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      CiiNTEEBUPwY BUTCHERY . "Tee following Petition lias been forwa'ded to ^ k lr . iriELDEX , from the Losdox DrMOcaATic Association ; and a similar on ©^ to Ej . rl Stashope , ror presentation to the two Ileuses . Td l / ie Honourable the House -Gf CoTmnons of Great Briruitt . and Ireland in 1 ' arliammtassembled , Die 1 ' etKiou of the London Democratic Association , Humbly Sheytcte , That we , your Petitioners , nave heard , through . ie ine-iinwi ' of the public press , with feelings of the most } Hj " . snaut regret , of tae deplorable event which lias lately transpired in the neighbourhood of Canterbury . . Tnai from reading in the public papers the jarring * tnunnenx * , the contradictory evidence , and the un-% ast inferences deduced therefrom , we -have arrived

      at tLe c «> nciusion , that it is a matter so serions in its uatnre , so important in its relations , as to call fur the interference of your Honourable House . Tkut therefore , for the following reasons , deduced from ihe abore assertions , we your petitioners do ErDr > Jjy pray your Honourable House to appoint a rommiure to enquire into the facts connected with t " :. e above-mentioned lamentable catastrophe ; and , vaasrmica , that for the ebtaining the ends of justice , it Is necess-iry that the per > oas now imprisoned on the -ehcrge of murder be liberated , for the purpose of giving their nijcontronled etiJence before the comtiiiiure ? o appointed , vre implore your Honourable llo- ^ se ikat the said pardt-s be forthwith discharged . 'lii . it we submit to your Honourable House the fol !> iwhiz reasons z-

      —Firstly * it is alledged , that the unfortunate man known > y the name of Sir William Courteuay was a madman ; and various proofs have be « -n advanced zo substactiite this allegation : and yet , in conrra--dicfkin lo xhw , and in contravention to the law , . Taicb does not take cognisance of the acts of maniacs as beig criminal , the tmd individualis branded 3 sb murderer ; and his followers , who hare escaped : n . e trapcal end of their brethren , and of whom it Is slifiied , that they were afflicted with a species y f cental derangement , fanaticism , are committed lo prison as accessories to his crimes ; which crimes , - « usitiering the circumstances of alleged insanity , jour petitioners believe could only . have existence m < he iniaeinations ol those parties who are ever ready

      ro wreak vengeance npon the heads of all who dare -to sdvi cite the cause of the oppressed . That , secondly , it is admitted by all parties , that previous to the tiling of the T " ] XtcAolas Mears ^ who went in the assumed capacity of a constable , bat who , it has been proved , was not a constable , to arrest the said Sir WHEam Courtenay , no breach of the peace had been committed ; and consequently as was the fact , do magisterial authority had been delegated to the sajdindmdual to act as he attempted io act ; your petitioners are therefore oi an opinion , that tbe killing of the said individual on the part of -the said Sir William Courtenay , was in justifiably repelling the unlawful attempts of his assailant , ' seeing that the laws of our country authorise the

      resistance by force of illegal aggressions . That , thirdly , U is stated , that the said Sir 1 m . Counen 8 y and his . followers were rioters , and so = being , the military were called out to aid the mil power in quelling the alleged riot ; but your petitioners submit that no proofs , have been adduced to substantiate this statement ] but , on the contrary , it has been distinctly stated in evidence , that they , the alleged rioters , did not riotously assemble , while an obscure intimation is gratuitousl y Siven thiit •' they meant to be riotous : " but the facv that th % magutra 'tes present sot having done their duty , as nrescribed py the law , ; of reading the riot

      act , is to oer mind aufficient eridence that the said parties were . not riotoas , and we further think that in neglectiog ' tliis important part of their daty , the - znagistrate * have Tendered themselved justly respon-. siblt ; lot tbeewfol lesolU , particularly when we take : into eoBaderatton the rustrnctioas given to the nnaitMj ^ ypr . Poore , that + iihej were lo tale ^ Gbarfgmj dead or alive -j" coupled too with the fact ¦ ^> 0 « ed in « iadeBce by one of the witnesses at the inquest held on the body of Lieutenant Bennett . 'ihat , fttal officer had commenced the affray , which ^ tenninatedin the destruction of h » own life , and in rlh&t 61 tea of Ms unoffending countrymen .

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      That , moreover , we y » ur petitioners are of an opinion that it is not to " Fanaticism" oa the alleged " brutal ignorance" of the people that is to be attributed the gathering In this particular instance of the agricultural labourers , but on the contrar , it ia the consequence of unbearable distress , arising from the operation of bad law ? , mere especially of that unnatural law miscalled the " Poor Law Amendment Act . " ; ¦ ' ' We" your petitioners d © therefore most urgently call npon your Honourable Hou * e , to appoint a Committee of enquiry , to investigate the circumstances of thii deplorable event , and to cause all judicial proceedinjfs connected therewith te be stayed , nntil your Honourable House shall have received tiie Report of your Committee , aad have com « to a decision thereon . And your Petitioners , < fec . &c . Signed on behalf of the Association . THOMAS IRELAND , Chairman . GEORGE JUL 1 AN HARNEY , Secretary .

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      HAND LOOM "WEAVERS . The Rer . J . R . Stephens b ? ing requested by R . M . Mugeeridge , Esq ., the Assistant-Commissioner of the " Hand Loom Weavers Inquiry Commission , " to state his views of the question , mads tbe following observations , at the close of tiie examination on Friday , the 18 th of May , in the Court House , Ashton-under-Lyne : — Verbatim Report from Mr . Muggeridge ' s Notes . Mr . Stephens . — "I have found , Sir , the Hand Loom Weavers , in censeqnence of their abject porertyand distress , and feeiing at the same time the lull influence of the . ancient spirit of independence now , unhappily , so much weakened in this country ,

      rather than expose their dilapidated wretchedness to a public gaze , appear almost to withdraw them ^ lvej from all places of paDlic observation , especially on the Lurd ' s-day ! 1 believe very few of them , or their children , as compared with other sections of . the working classes , artead either church , chapel , or Sunday school . They are not irreligious or immoral people , but they choose rather to ¦ worshi p God at home in patient resignation , than to ia : x with their better-d'essed and more comfortable fellow operatives in public assembly . In " many instances I have iound tkeir children unbaptized , and on inquiring the reason , 1 have been told that they really could not afford to pay the baptismal fee .

      " I have heard the evidence of Mr . Owen , and of Mr . Clay , this morning ; and of Mr . Broadbent , Mr . Leech , and part of Mr . Stewan ' s eridence , yesterday ; audl cuu add my testimony to theirs , as : o the high moral character of the baud loom weavers . 1 believe there ^ s a higher Siaies of honesty amony tliviu than prevails ia i »» tiiiy other quarters ; they pay in-.-ir wi ; y , as it zs called , as far as they can ; they are very thrifty , very sober , very industrious , and Iiave a spirit of independence traditionally from their : atbers , who w ^ re e : nployedin the domestic branches ofiuiiu ^ ixy now extinct . I attribute this morality to t :-e fact of thfir ha > 1 ng their cliiLireu moreiiniutv-¦ -iniely under their owu eye . Father , mother , and uiVspnng- srillmalce np one hoiisfholo . Tiie imtura )

      iiiecuons and social sympathies , and the relative jatitfs of man to his neigiibour and his God , are implanted and clierislied iu this its native school '; - ji ; -i it is to ice , and to many , for 1 have conversed wiib hundreds of hind loom weavers , a matter of surprise aud regret that the L :-gislature should not only have allowed such a branch of iudusfry tu Iiave bec . 'nse so i ' ur impoverished , but should also have all ived this nursery of religion , morals , and loyalty to have been almost destroyed , whilst , at the s-. mu * time , it hus encoumgeJ , and still coutinues to fobtw b ' y artificial ani expensive means , tiiat system <> i ' maiiufactr . rf wijich impairs the health , injures the morals , au .-l destroys the soci-al character of our ln- 'Eie population . 1 mean tbe Jkctory . system !

      " ] Lave heard many baud-loom weavers object that they should beexp-xted to stud theirveryyoni ) g children to the factory , as a kind of . make-weight towards their scanty subsistence . They think it unreasonable and -unjust thus to be compelled . 1 iiave heard many of them say they would rather " tower on' and do the best they can than part with their children in such a way , and for sueh a purpose , br-cause they believe taa . t Uve K 3 •> lie ^ l way to destroy t :: e : r children , both body and soul , is to send them into a cotton factory . 1 have known -hand-loom wtMvers endeavour to emigrate , nud on asking them how they could bear ta leave the land o ! ' tkeir lathers , tley have said , that in England they bave nothing to Uve upon , and nothing to live for . ' 1 should wish

      iiirther to add that although the haud-loom weavers have been resigned , and * tili are patient , there is an opinion amomrst them . that forbearance has end < iUj : ht to have its limits . I have heari hundreds oi tb » .-m , and otlier operatives reduced to the . sai ; ie stp . ie of destitution , declare that it is bat right the Government of the country should be in possessiou of tbe fact , that unless the lepLslature ciai and will protect them . , they mu ^ t and Will pro : ect themselves . By protecting themselves , meaning that they are to be considered as beyond the pale of society—thrown back upon the original resources of nature , readv for : aiy thiDfr that cirenmstances or chaijce may throw in their way , and determined to avail themselves of it . I have also heard tbern sav , in

      reference to this conr-nssion , that it is with extreme Teiuctance , and under a species of protest , that they hijve consented to have tue veil removed from the sii-keuing > igbts thus disclosed from the recesses oi ibeir domestic pr ivacy ' . They do not lik < i to be asked where they live , and how they live;—how nmca they can get after working from before sunrise till after sun-set , and how much thrir wife can earn , in > tead of taking care of her cbildr .-u , and bow much their children can earn instead of being nurtured ; md educated as they were by their fati . ers ard KotLersin the olden tiaie of household labour , household happiness , and household independence ; and they think , and 1 think , this investigation unfair a-d incomplete , unless n parallel investigation be

      instituted into the income , expenditure , domestic arrangements , social habits , and private charact-r of the higher disses in society . If the country renst Icrsow how these men 'live , move , and have tbrir being . ' npon hard labour , and scarcely any wagei at all , tie country ougbc likewise to know how cobles , manufacturers , and niercba-nts 'liw , move , snd have their beinsr . ' out of the produce of the labour of ilie ~ industrious classes . It has further been a matter of complaint , thai wkilst the case of the hand-loom weavers has now for many ye are been in various ways under the notice of Parliament , whilst ir is apparently the object of the Commission , not so much , to asc-rtaiu or elucidate as to record anvsb the facts of tbeir case—whilst it was known to the Uoveniinent , never denied , I

      believe never questioned , that very many thousands of the hand-loom weavers , in thes ^ northern districts especially , were either altogether or in a great degree out of employment , and consequently , n a state of parrial destitution , tbe Government should have thought it necessary or politic to e :. ablisbin the veryheart of these districts , in the midst of all this misery on the spot , an ofiice lor the purpose of importing , either byJorce or fraud , numerous families from tae south of England . These importations have , amongst other causes , tended to depress the handloom weavers and oilier operatives in tbis district . They cannot undeistand -upon what principle , or vrhat autaoritv the ^ e wnigrations should have taken place . They kno-. v that infloential persons , especially Dr . Kav , of MancLw-. ster , have b ^ -en employed and ialariei by the Guvemuieat to miike the mo-l wicked r . nd wilful

      misreureseutations as to the state of the" labour market , and die condition of the labourers iu tliis district , there being ^ . t the time no want of workpeople beyond what lie neighbourhood itself could have more than supplied , and the condition of the labouring population being any thing but the paradise a .- ' ^ escribed hy'Di . Kay aid others ; and it is a fact wMca I know the hand-loom weavers and other operatives wish to have recorded , that these south country labourers were hired for terms of one , two , and three years , at prices below the average , of the

      same class of hands in the same kind of work . J wishto take this opportunity of stating , as the results of this inquiry naturally bear upon the labour question Et large , that the emigration system having come yery much under my own observation , has , in my opinion , not only injured the native population of tfae ^ e districts , but Las produced almost unqualified distress and misery amungst the poor creature * who were so brought over . Most of them that I have known have ' . found their last slate worse than their first . '

      _ "If is also the opinion of many Intelfc ' gent operatives , and my own , that no ultimate and permanent foo d can be effected until some legislative measure e adopted to specify what shnube the minimum the labourer shall receive in exchange for his labour . This has been donv before , —they think it oaglit to be done again . They are likewise of opinion that the old system of poor laws , if admiiiisrered according to the- spir it , would materiall y assistboth the Government and tee country in their endeavours to find out and fix this minimum .

      "It has also been found in these districts that the whole labouringpopulation ha » receired such a shock since the passing of the Poor Law Amendment Act , as they can never recover from , unless the principles on which that Act is founded be exploded , and the opposite principles—of the right of erery Englishman , uncharged with crime , to live in his own house , to have his wife hyliis side , and his children around him at home , and jn the enjoyment of [ ihe decent means of life , —be re-asserted , re-established , and

      generously acted upon throughout tLe laud . lean bear testimony to the peaceable and moral character of the hand-loom weavers , and of tiie otker operatives in tbis-district . 1 never yet heard any man utter a word which seemed to carry a feeling of ill-will , hatred , or intended injury to his richer neighbour . AH they want , all they ask , i * , a fear Jay ' s wages at the end of a full day's work . They know they have a right to that ; they wish , if possible , 'to have it at the hands of Government , under the laws and institutions of the country : they have waited long in patient expectation that the Government would lend

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      them iu protective am in the attainment of this j but , if the Government have not the power , or should the Goveramen t refuse to ^ exert the power , my opinion w , alter some yeans' acquaintance with the working classes , they will not wait much longer . : "At present the Government experiences very little annoyance ; the ; people "; . dp not even trouble ! them with petitions . They seldom meet in public to discuss tneir grievances . They appear to an inexperienced spectator very little concerned about any thing that takes place of a , public nature . They but Seldom express their sentiments in private , and that only to a very few . 1 have often heard men say that they had given over talking , - but they thought the morei—that nobod y shoulcT Know what

      they were until the time catae , and that when the time did come , they thought they could take care of tbemselve * . I can assure you ; Sir , ' that tiie la * burning classes of these districts considerthenujelved ia conscience , in equity , a . n& in law * released -from tie allegiance which they bwetb the Goverunient ; 1 think them so released . They are hot protected . They are allowed to starve , though working much harder than their blact slave brothers in the VVest Indies , for the amelioration of whose ' . 'condition / an additional burden of 20 , 000 , 000 / . sterling has been laid on their shoulders . They have long been in a state bordering on despair , and the threatened introduction of a law by which they are to be , perbaps , transported to the south , as their poor brethren of

      the south hare been transported to the nortlir-by which they are to be imprisoned and starved under a lock andkey , wearine a Mon ' s dress , nnd separated ' from their wives and children , —is rousing them from that state of despair into a state of frenzy and desperation . " As . ' a-loyal constitutional subject of her Majesty , having ,-lived nearly six years in the midst of this population , I would , with the greatest reverence and Utmost respect , and yet with great eairnestnets arid importunity , through thiu Commission , not © i » ly of the state ot the hand loom weavers , ]_ but of the state of the whole labouring population in this country ; because , I am convinced that unless provision is made whereby the labourer , -without- any processor sense of degradation , can obtain a comfortable and

      an independent maintenance for himself and his household , without , aa at present , being compelled to mortgagu his own life apd the life of his wite and his little children by exca sive and unremitting factory ' labour , it will be impossible to uphold much longer the existing institutions of the country . Ignorance , crime , want of natural affection , and vich of " every kind will first demoralize the population , and ' . hen jaad , as a necessary consequence , to revolution , anarchy , and it * inevitable but awful results . "I only wish to add tliat I have lrequently been called upon , as a minister , to visit the bouses of the uand-lo ' um weavers when they have been Hick . Lean ' coiifiim Mr . Clay ' s * . tufe ; n » ut , both of tueir-destitution and of their habits of cleanliness . "

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      Tii « Editors of "Tlte Northern Slur" triih to be distinctly untUrsiooU that in affording a ttkicle JOT the discussion U ! - —¦ eat Public Hueslions , i / ieif an liut lo be httHliJitd iriUl-t / ie Seiiyiineuis vrt ' uti Laiyuaijjot limir srverul Cunvsf ( indents .

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      TO THE ED . 'TORS OF THE NORTHERN BTAJl . Gjjntlemen , —A pam ^ rapb having nppoared in your paper of tbe 2 nd instant , retlectin | f on our ondnct as collectors of Easttr Dues , at IJavvoft / i , ior the Vicar-of Bradford , - and stigmatizing us as tyrannical extortioners of the pooY , we feel anxious , by a few plain facts , to clear ourselves fn > ih an iinpatation which we know will most readily be made bv those from wham " the" least has been extorted .

      Tbe writer of the ' paragraph aecu .-es us of liaving 11 dragged from tbeir fammliiug families !' ¦ -mm-* ' poor , " '' simple , " ' half-starveJ ; " ' hutiger-bitten " pt-ople , to enforce be : ore the Aiagistrates-payment of a sum e \ idi'iitly too enormous for tht-m to * bear . Such . expressions only admit of two interpretations , and a list of the persons summoned , with their occupations , and the sums for which , tbey were liable , will best determine whether their purport be trufn or falsehood . Tbis list gives

      us—£ s . d John Bramlpy ^ butcher , without family ... O 0 U William ParkVr , beerseller and butclu-r ... 0 0 U H . Newell , woolcoinber , with one young child . 0 Of 4

      Joseph lioyjjt , woolcoiuber , ( abusive wiu-n called on ) ................... 0 0 3 J . F&wturop , single man , ( paid nothing ) ... 0 0 0 It , GreenwooJ , woolsorter and grocer ...... I ) 0 71 Joseph Dean , farmer audfreeholder ......... 0 1 0 G . Mitchell , fanner , grocer , carrier , and master shoemaker ... 0 1 0 James llartlt-y , grocer ... 0 Oylj Total .. « ... 0 4 10 Really , the feelings of our accuser must be tremendously aristocratical , if they can persuade him that these men , all in better ^ circumstances , perhaps , than he is himself , are yet so low aud wretched , as to be incapable of clubbing n \ e » hillings for tbe payment of a legal deniaud ! But lest his high heart should swell against us to

      bursting , we beg to assure him that out of l , 00 <) cottiigrrs in tbe parish , liable to . the payment of Easter . Dues , only 310 have been called on , and these for a snm in the whole under J . 6 10 . s ., which will give an average of Jivepcnce per man ! If our princely-minded accuser still entertain doubts of our humanity , we bereiurite bim to an inspection of our books , which will perhaps prove to him that , " unenviable" though onr characters mav be , we still possess more kindly hearts , and are actuated by a more Christian charity than himself , when he , in so small a number of hues , could pen against us so ' many and sucb . groundless falsehoods . And we assure him that , despite his concluding sentences , he has done but poor justice to our generous aud respected Vicar , if i e fancies him capable of electing heartless servants , or authorising tyrannous

      deeds . ' Apolop . < ing for the space we have taken np on a subject of so local an -iuieresr , We remain ,-Sir , Your bumble obedient servants , WM . STANCLIFFE , A . WlHTliAM , THQS . WEST . H-aworth , June 13 , 1838 . P . S . Ko furtlier communication from our accusers will be attended to , unless authenticated by a real signature .

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      TO THE RT . HON . EARL F 1 TZW 1 LLIAM . My Lonn , —Since I wrote my last letter to your LonJ-hip , it would seem that you have been hard at work , re . idingand porideringover the greafoccKEE . " It is well , my Lord ; you will there learn -more of rrue legislatorial wisdom in five minutes , than by presiding over a Board of Guardians , as the grinding tool ol the three Commissioners , for five years , or by fox hunting the whole of your natural life . I rind , already , that you are fast progressing , aud that even now new lights are continually breaking in upon yoar inind . 1 st . ' You discovered , that "Me decree projntil ^ aicd immediately after ihe fall , " contained no clause empowering kin « s to receive taxes . That was good , — verv good , my Lord . Then ,

      2 d . lou found out that the same " Decree " prohibited the paupek from receiving any hemef . That w : is better , —still better , my Lord . And now , 3 j . You have satisfied yourself according to ( hat 14 JJeaxCi' that monarchs have no rigftt to be crowxed . This i « be ^ t of all , my Lord , —the very best . Whatfoolsbave we allhitherto been ! Blinded aud atupified hyprejudices in favour of the ridiculous , foolishandidle pagrantry , fitonlyforasernibarbarous age ! " But now that your Lordship has seriously betaken yourself to the study of your Bible , we shall soon get right . With the " Decree of the SUjrrethe . Governor o f the Universe " in your hand * you cannot lead us far astray . My Lord , I would noL how-.

      ever , have you deceive yourself . I do assjrre you that the people of England are a -thinking race . They have long'been reading their Bibles , and they will-not consent to stop , just where your Lordship may please , at kings and PAUPERS . Tlitjrfl are otlier nuisances , not ordained by the . " decree , " besides taxes and poor ratbb : — there are RENTS , my Lord . Do you hesitate ? Look over the " Decree *' once more , and you will there find not a single word from li ( Ae Supreme Governor of the Universe"'in support of rests . My Lord , this is no joke ; You have not blushed to question-the monarch ' s right to taxes , and to a crown ! You have been cowardly enough to deny the right of the pauper to remei- ' :

      and I will not shrink from boldly demanding of you , that you be consistent , and , by the same authority , proclaim , that you-have no right to receive " rent * if you hesitate , or refuse to abolish rents , you -iwill then prove that you are only a selfish , one-sided , interested , disloyal and tyrannical expounder of God ' s " decree . ' You will tltin demonstrate , that your apparent zeal for the honour of God , and of His " decree , " is neither more uor . lnssj than a most barefaced , pious-fraud , intended to rob King ' s aud Paupers , that , with the spoil thus impiously obtained , you iwy enrich " your oivn order \ Onwards ! my Lord , onwards ! abolish rents ^ or cease j for ever , to ennoble yourself by the name of MAV . " ¦¦ ' - ' . - . '• ¦ ¦ '• ¦ ' " ¦ " ' ¦ ¦'¦ ; , ' ' - ' ' ' .-

      My Lord , there are no "rests mentioned in the ' decree "—no coronets—no serrau t *—no race-horses —no hunters—no fox hounds—no mansions—no parks—no carriages ; and , above all , no seats tit the House of Lords . ¦ All these things are "innoyations of man's invention , " or , as your Lordghi p more properly has it , "idle pageants , which it would be wise tc ^ dispense with , Jit only for a semi-barbarous age . "' O . ' ray Lord , I do thank you right heartily , for teaching me that word ! . . " If you proceed in your investigation of Di \ ine truth , you will find that God has said , " Woe unto them that join house to house , that

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      lajitelAtofi&ty till there beno $ be placed alone in the middt of the earth ! " . And then he adds in another place , "ITieir inward thongbt is , ! that iheir houses snail continue for ever , and their dwelling ' -. places to all generations ; they call their lands after ( heir own names . " ' And again the Lord nays , *• Of a troth , many houses shall l > e desolate , even great &n& fair , without inhabitant , " You will have already pefceivedy miy ' -LprtlJ that I am not content , that yptir Lordship should take only your'own pickmgtfont of'the afec ? ' (?

      no tiling more to be desired in uents , thaii in tflxes and poorrates' J $ 6 thing more sacred ia noble lords , ; than : ^ -KiMQt . ' Biiid ? AT ^ n 9 .. 'ifyoiiwnV ' li&vei ' ndif < ia : ^ 8 ffii « f «<» itwidr : ' r « nte ^ ' T ^ -hy ^ 'e * i » 'i "insiat-tiipon .-it ,. tbit ybti ( shall have no reitts / If no crown , then down vrith your paltry coronets ! Ah ! my Lord , these tbinga m ? iy . be i 4 idle pageants ^ ' hiit , once persuade the people that ibey are sp , —uproot thpse oldfasbioned prejudices , whichi have taught them to value the baiibie ^ , which your Lordship affects to despise , and you may buro your title deedai From that time forward , they will avail you nothing * Look to '' your own pnler , '' and , as you wish to support it , learn to respect . the rights of yonr superiors and inferiors .

      Your contempt for the pageantry of the coronation , " may , or may not , be a proof ofyour " want of loyalty ; " that it is a propf of an entire absence of gallantry ^ no person can , for one moment , doubt . Your loyalty , ( forgive me if I smile at the thought of FitzwiHiam loyalty , iny Lord , ) has not been of mach value , since you proposed to pay his late Majesty no more taxes . You well observe , " that her Majesty is too much respected , and reigns too firmly in tbe hearts and affections of her subjects ; , to care muchabout the pompaud ceremony of a coronation . " As far as her Majesty is concemied , that is all wise

      find true enough . But , my Lord , if the npstEs . once begin to destroy our prejudices , and to wean us from our attachment to " the pomps , ceremonies and pageantry of a semi-barbarous age , '' . I can assure you , that they ( the Nobles ) are not at present " so much reKpeGtetl . and so firmly seated m the hearts , and affections of the people , " as long ^ to retain the more solid privileges of "their order . Ajid ,, my Lord , I herftate iiot to tell you , that if they continue to withhold from the people their rights , they will neither deserve , nor will they be able to keep their own . Look toil , my Lord , these "Me pageants" are of niucli more moment to you , than they are to me .

      I have hitherto . ' had very strong , old fashioned , English prejudices . I have been a great admirer oi the Aristocracy , 1 havehoped mucli for my country from their high bearing and their noble feeling . When some w » worthy members of " their order " have attempted to degrade them , in presence ot great ma . ' es of the people , I have , at great personal nacr ince , enaeavopred to re-seat the Aristocracy of England in the hearts of the people . But , my Lota , vfhen I see them bent upon plundering the poor , t am constrained to fear , that the spirit ol their ancestors is departed from them .

      Well might my Lord Ashley exclaim , "What a date we arc now in ! " I do assure you , my Lord , that thousands of sober minded , intelligent , reading , thinking Englishmen are \ beginning seriously to euijuire—^ are our Legislators isane ? Just put the two iir three following things together , and tell me , would an v men , preteHding to be legi . slatoFs , for a great empire , in ail enli ^ btened age , present thenisi'hvs before the people , entangled in' . such mazes of i' «) ll \ r , if they were not mad ? /' our years ago , our Legislators declared Enoland to be r / ti' / tcd ; and they asserted , that the cause of her ruin was the existence oi a . law ¦ •' tor the effectual niicfoi ' ilif poor ! " . Thisyear they declare Irei , a ; m > io be ruined ; and they assert , that the cause of her rui'i is the iton-existence of a law for thy effectual relint' of tht ! poor' ! '' They ' assert that the poverty 6 ' f Ex < ir , AXr > is only to be removed by repealing

      Poor Laws altogether : and , that , the poverty of irtKi . ANii can onl y be removed ^ by establishing an »>' effectual Poor Law !¦! " On these glaring and self-erident contradictions , they are now endeavouring to make the two countries viy-h and prosperous ! -To " this , end they are lej : isKit : ng for England , with a view ^ . 'tono Poor Law at all ; " and , for Ireland , they are at this- very moment , preparing a law " / or the more ejfechuil reli ef of the destitute Poor !! : " . Nay , with the JJfcree in your hand , you have the impious audacity to ' . aastfri that neither in Exulasv nor i ' KELA . Vb have "the able-bodied poor" a right to dwell in the land and . be . fed !' . ! You would make us' believe that you are more charitable than Almighiy God , because yon are willing to tax yourselves , in order to build Workhouses for the infirm ! H" : : ¦

      Now , my Lord > I defy you to contradict one word that 1 have stated . May it not be asked , seriously Juifaid , ake our Govt ; nNORs satve ? Have pur Aristocracy lost the stamina of their forefathers ? liut , my Lord , this is not alls You may well laugh at "idle pageants , " now a dnya . Ydii may well boast of "the march of intellect . " There is at present ou the table of the House of Commons , and I suppose you will very soon have it oil the table of yourLordslrips' House , a bill for tiie Ke ^ u / atiQn , ' of Factories . After having kept the country in " agitation" for twenty pr thirty yea , rs upon that question : after tbe expenditure of many hundreds of thoupands of pounds;—after the labours of many select Committees in Prtrliiunent , and an expensive R ^ yal Commission to boot \ ; after the establishment of a

      regular factory-inspection stafr , at an expense of about ten thousand a-year ; pur erudite governori true found a mare ' s nest , or at least they think so ; they have absolutely discovered the grand panacea for all the evils of the factory system ! and , virill your Lordsliip be pleased tp . guess what it is ? No , you cannot ; I am sure you cannot . You are not learned eiiougb ; but Lord John Russell can . He is very learned , my Lord . 1 will save you the trouble of iiiquiritig . I will tell you , on one condition ; which is ., that you do not laugh . I do assure your Lordship , most seriously , that there is at present a bill ( m the table of the Housd of Commons , Mr . Fox MAtrtElaidit there , ( and Lord Ashley sent me a copy of it , so icannotmakeainistakt ; , ) aciually containing a clause ^ advancing , not some village '

      pedagogue , bvit her Majesty s principal Secretary of State for the Home Department , the Right Honourable Lord John Russell , son of his Grace the Duke of BRnionn , to the high and important office of--what dou think , my Lord ? Now once more , I beg that yon will not laugh . If that bill pass into a law , little Lord 'John will be legally installed , —not the Oh an cellar of any of the Universities , —but Editor and Publisher o [ a little baby A . B . C . " Horn book " —a little . : " reading-made-easy , " for my little factory childen ! ! ! Now , I can assure you that it is thought by tiie 'Government , tliat the pretty tiflle pictures ther . 'iu to be contained , will make the little children forget all tln'ir ^ wMroubles , and that by means of this nice little Russell A . B , C . picture book , all the evils of the factory system wilt be removed !

      Tn ! 83 R , this is called legislation ! In" thesemibarbuiousnues" of r .-ur > g 7 l 6 r ' avt , unenlightened , and prejudiced forefathers , it would have been called toui-foolery . They would have laughed such legislators to scorn ; : —but they were fond of " idle pageants , " aud we live in the age of the triumphant " marcli of intellect ! ! " Ido not \ vonder at Lord AsirLEV vowi well might he exclaim , " What a state are we now in ' !" It is , indeed it is , my Lord , time "to cease from miin . " Your Lordship has at length wisely resolved to throw over board , all the useless , » idle pageahtry " and legislative lumber of theseuii-barbarons ages , " and no longer to be deluded by the unhallowed philosophy of the age of the march of intellect .

      You have estricutod yourself from the quagmire of a vain philosophy , you now enjoy that , freedom and enlargement of intellect , which is only to be found in the volume of inspiration . You ai-e disencunibered—'' yuu ' -. - . Uave- ' . ieu us to the fountain , of true wisdom and impartial i . ' ustice . You have appealed to t ! ie only unerring standard of truth , " The decree of the Supreme Governor of the Universe . " BY that , I am contented to abide . " Upon my word , my Lord , but "we are in an awful state . This moment I have received a newspaper ( the Champion ofto-day , ) containing an account of a blpoiy riot wear Canterbury , about the New Poor Law—of disturbances at Reading , about the sudden discharge ' pf » pumper ; of workmen , of an incendiary fire liear Melton Mowbray ,-r-pf another incendiary lire at ^ ilverston , in Nofthamptonsuire—of an incendiary fire near Epspm ; and of eight different incendiarvi ) lantation fires in the neighbourhood of

      SunniDghiil , Bagsnpty and Oakingham . " What an awidl state > ve are nowini " But , my Lprdjhpwis all this ? I Was in your Lordship ' s house notlong ago , and iker $ / . heard one Noble Lord after another rise in his place , and sdhmuly abjure their Lordghips , " that the agricultural labdurers wertidelighted with the eflects of the New Poor Law ; that they were very much improved iu their condition , circumstances , and behaviour ; thatiristjsad ofbeing idle andinsolenti andungovernablej aud ungrateful , they were now industrious and respectful , and obedient , &V& thankfuL" Ah , my Lord , whilst I lifltened , I knew that these Noble Lords " were speaking peace , peace , where there was no peace {'' put your ; Lprdship has often joined in their jubilant . I therefore , now ask , you right seriously , ; how dp you account for these nofc < v disturbanceg , aiidiires ? ¦ You wpnld not believe me , when I spokeidftheiMnoulderings of discontent ^ which I knew w&e burning under ^ the smooth facea of the ¦ ¦

      peasantry !; ; i ; - - ' --r . - ¦ : -. ¦ - .-. v . ; - ¦ -:.. I was laughed at % when ! warned the Gqv $ rameat of dagger . Whatsay you now , my Lord ? Do you blame " the agitatow ? - ' So far as I know , the districts where these fires , these disturbances , these riots have taken place , are ; entirely free froia tha curse of : "Anii ^ JPpor Law- Agitators / ' They are faintinK in the urpn embrace , pf the accursed Poor Liiw Cpmmis 8 ioner «! But , notwitbjtailding the absence of " agitetor ^ 'Vmy Lotd , % bti cwinot keep the surface even . Some few . sparks , it seems ; v ^ ill now and then be emitted from the smouldering fires beneath . ! These arebnt sparks , my Lord , awful a #

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      they are ^ they are but sparks- !! Once more , I warn ypu j if , in spite of heaven * our Governors ; are resolved to ENfOBCE the Devil ' s Law against God ' s ojvn " decree , " you will seen witness a blae ^ which will burn up , and for ever annihilate all « the idle ^ a- . geantry of the semi-birbarpus ages . " Oh , that our Governors might now be prevailed upon to forsake the vain philosophy of man , arid seek for true wisdb . ro , where alone ltw to be found s in * the decrees oftheSiipremeGov ^ orftfihe V ^ < Again , my Lord * I ask , why these firesf-r-vhy these riots ¦ •?—why these disturbancesf Nothing shall prevent me from telling you the truth . . There is a cause ! You have set yourselves up as wiser than God : you have dared to legislate against the

      " perfect Law of Love ! " You have oppressedth : e poor ; and that : oppres » on has : ¦ driven them mad f Vonr accursed system of immigtation is now producing ( as I always said it wouW ) its natural results . The agricultural labourers in the sptith , were driven from their native fields ; they ? ere falsely promised ^ plenty and comfort in the mantis jfacturing districts . But these northern ^ counties they found to be none otheT thaii ^' th e Valley ; of the Shadow of Death ' . ' ? , ' ' The bonesvpf niany of these outcast wanderers aw new mingled witn the clods of our valleys ! The few who "have escaped with their lives , " are now returning / , their ^ weeping and lamentation" are heard in their native villages ; Despair has seized on their inhabitants . They

      hare proved that * ' the tender mercies of ' their Go vernors are cruel ; " and they are now beginning to avenge tnemselves on their oppressors . ' ; " You have sown a storm , you are about tp reap a whirrwind ! All this I have long foreseen , aad nave forewarned the Government ; but , when I endeavoured to prer vent these awful evils , I was denounced as an ' * ihr cendiary . " " They were deaf , they would not hear they were blind , they would not See . " . Thank God , titese districts are not yet ih flames .-r Here , the peeple still hope—they hope , even against Hope . My Lortl , hearnie , I must speak . '/ -. We have petitioned by hundreds , and by thousands ,. and by bindreds of thousands . The people have been orderly and patient , nay , forbearing . They were told by

      "' the agitators , " that such conduct would ensure to their petitions the favourable attention of the legisla ture . Judge then , my Lord , of their disgust , when one pf her Majesty ' s Ministers , ( Lord Howick ) pointing to those very petitions , signed by or on behalf of a million of Englishmen , sneered- at them , became they were not backed by fires and murder ! treated them with contempt—because tiie districts , from which they came were not disturbed ! because their authors were orderly and peaceable ! My Lord , what can the people do more ? It is useless to talk of their submitting to the New Poor Law .

      The Law of nature—the natural affections ca ? z « o £ be extinguished by a parchment ' Statute' ! : Sincethe petitions of the people werefthus rejected , they have remonstrated ! Oh that God would open the eyes and soften the hearts of our lawmakers ! / Surely , your Lordships will now listen te the voice of millions of the people , still crying <• Repeal the accursed Lii . uv" , My Lord , it is quite possible to reduce . England to the miserable condition of Irelanp . But it is not possible to keep her so , Iuklax d is kept in subjection by means of the taxes raised in England . Strip RxGLANn , and " you have killed the hen ; which laid the golden eggs . " ¦ ¦ . ' ¦¦ ¦

      I am certain , that if ihe New Poor Law be enforced in these districts , in two years afterwards , life and property will be at a discount of 50 per cent . J It may be treason thus to speak the truth . I have no interest iu the mwttiir—but J do love my country and her institutions . I implore those , who have most at stuke , to bestir themselves . 1 know that the people will resist the accursed New Poor Law . They have been very still , very quiet : they have petitioned , and remonstrated , and waited with much patience , but their resolution is unshaken ! They are loyal to thnir Queen ; but they will kill and be killed-, rather than submit to tbe cruel despotism of the Thbee Traitor KrvfiS !! ] ¦

      Once more , before I leave this place , I solemnly warn the Governmeht-rthe possessors of wealthand especially da I warn the \ Vh \ gs , thui the enforce ? meutof the ISew Poor Law iu these districts will , most unquestionably , be a preclude to anarchy , burnin # s and murders ! ; j can have no interest in dficeiving . I know that I run great risks by speaking such unwelcome truths . It matters not— / intlrtin every riskrather than leave one effort untried , to sare a district , to which f am bound by so many ties , from , the ravages sfthat " madxess , " which , even in *' ime men , " is the offspring of" oppkession , " The Whigs have long sought my life—hitherto God has disappointed their hopes . He has now permitted them

      todeprivft me of my daily bread . And oh ! how they exult ! 'Tis a poor triumph after all , for the governors of a greatnation ! They have got a Gentleman ' s Steward discharged , and that is all ! All w'illj however , yet bo well . He , who for the good of-his country , has always one life to offer , can fear no evil . God will still provide for me , and I have no pleasure in the destruction of the Whigs . Oh ! that they would repent , and remember -.-those large promises which they formerly made to the poor ! I have the honour fo remain , my Lord , your Lordshi p > Most obedient Servant , RICHARD OAbTLER . Fixby Hall , near Hudderstield , June 2 nd , 1838 .

      P . S . —Since writing the above , my Lord , it appears that the representations made by the Ministerial Press , connecting the melancholy affray hear Cak-TEnBURV with the dissatisfaction which the people feel with regard to the New Poor Law , was only a fiction , invented by the disordered intellects of those editors , \ vb . o , no doubt , whenever tiieyhearof disturbances in any part of the kingdom , immediately imagine that it is the blood of the murderedpaupers , whichhascalled downthejust ' vengeance ' ofAlmighty (/ Of / . : - ¦¦'¦ ¦

      If your Lordship will seriously ponder upon this fact , you will leant that even those very editors , who are employed and paid by the Goverhmentv to-up- } hold the accursed New Poor Laic systein , perfoKJI THKTR OFFICE WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING . What madmen these hired , scribes / must be , to charge me with having connection with a religious fanatic ^ of whom J hadridver heard , hntwho seems to have been well known to their paymasters . No one can read the accounts of that bloody tragedy without weeping . The poor lunatic could not be blamed ; hut those persons * to whom the peace of that part of the country is confided , ought to have known , that the only proper way to secure a madman , is by stratagem . Had . that only rational plan been adopted , how many lives

      would have been spared . My Lord , you will have it , tliat the people of England are iu -love with , this wild , new fangled Treason-, called the New Poor Law Amendment Act I wish you could persuade all the Lords Lieutenant to call county meetings on the subject . Why not r Your Lordship used to be fond of appealing to the people , —why nangback now ? ¦ I perceive , however , that the Aristocracy are coming round . —A friend of mine , has just shewji me a letter from a nobleman ^ ( not one of those patriots who opposed the New Poor Law , ) in which he says " The manufacturing population is accustomed to vent its grievances at public meetings—but that is not tiie case with the agricultural labourers , whose

      resistance would be far more formidable , and far mote difficult to overcome . . I was informedj yesterday , that some London Policemen were now stationed at———— , but it is not known from whose orders , or what apprehensions are entertained , except , that in a parish of that Union , and some miles from it , 150 labourers are said to be provided with muskets and daggers , and to meditate an attack , but when , or where is uncertain . " As the labourers are sn very fond of the New Poor Lav ? , they arc no doubt intending to " attack " , those persons who wish for its . repeal ! Be that as it may ^ my LoTd , MvsK . ETs and Daggers" are no ^^ jokes . " Andyet it is the birthright of Freemen to carry arms . Will

      your Lordship oblige me by calling / or a return of the number of places , to which those London Police men have been sent to assist m ihe enforcenietii of the New Poor Law ; as well as those places where they have been requiredY 07 ««; dmon those , who arc endeavouring to oppose it , contrary to i / te -wishes of the ( uOouring population . We shall then know how the feeling of the labourers of England really standson this subject . Let us also hai-e -the ^^ numbers sent to each place—the expense and all about them j imd particularly whether they were sent at the request of the Magistrates , or of the Poor Law Commis sioners ; and whether the Lords' Lieutenant were consulted . Do , my Lord , let us know all about it . R . O .

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      TO TEE EDITORS OF THE NORTHERN STAB . ' RALAHINE , FOBMATroN of character . — 'Cantinxted . Prestm , AthJune i lS 3 & .. Gaming , of every kind , ¦ Was ; entirely : prohibited among the metnbers , and happy woold it nave been for this society if the law maker , hid not himself been the law ; breaker . No individuals was allowed to keep a . four footed beast , or poultry , of any kind , is private property , all these were t ! fie property of the society . Hence j no bull dogs , fighting ; or p ]» achiue dogs . figVkting cocks , &c ., could - be : introduced

      among them , and all the foolery , cruelty , vmany , and immorality , connected witii them , were effectually prevented . Tobacco , and snuff , - ware not kept in their store , nor allowed to be used on the premises . This put an end to » ome Wty . hatott , was a saving of moneys promoted the healtli ofthe members . , and prevented the danger of fire , ftpta carrying lighted tobacco among . the hay and 8 tra , w in \ hrhmm \ ana stablea , and ; if ' such , practice ? were ^^ Btrictly prohibited in Liverpool * I believe it would prevent the burning of many a : warehouse . Laws twenty six and ; twenty seven , guarantee perfect freedom of opinion , and of religious worship , to all , and the arrangements for the observance of the sabbath , secured to all , young

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      and old , married-andaingle , inale mi fthial ^ i& greatest Possible , facilitie * for this pnrpdse ; Su ? k greatmajerity of the membera were Cathplick ^ anl owing to the lnceasant , ^ advised , foolish ^ atenipS at . proselytMn ^ every where making by Protestanti inlxelzndytoopinion * equtdly as absurdiutAeirotan the Catholic , membera , most of them at first veS ignorant , were for a considerable ; toe , natu raUV snspiciouis , about the instruction given to their cW dren by Mr . Vandeleur ; and by Mr . Crai gineithtJ of them being Catholics . The infant school wa « If first taueht b ^ Mrs . O'Dea , from the Infant Mpdei School ^ pubto , she married Mr . Vandeleor ' s S * dener , whom Mr . V , wished theiociety to receive * t a member , but they knowing his temper' arid caara ? terbetter thaH hiamaiter , putnim to the haiw J ^ j

      he was rejected ; consequently , as by law provided , both were obliged , to leare / ttter society at this } nnc tnre . Mrs . Craig , a sensible ^ well informed woman * laUly married to pur worthy secretary , at M « yah ' deleur'a request , offered 'her services in * he Infant School , which were gladly acceptecfj but aearbe soon after , t ^ t 8 ome ; of the p iaren b w ere su 5 picioifs of her principTeif aaid dissatisfied witli " her instruct Uons , sne wrote the followinff letter to Mr . Vandtt leuiv ; dated Norefliber 3 d , 1833 ; Dear SuS—Asit is prpbablelshallnpthavea personal in temew ^ th you for some time , I take this mode of makinga fe * statements which I deem Becessary is I hk ^ e with drawnmyattentipnfrom the Infant School , havin H ascertained that an impression exists in the mindf

      oi some . pt tue parents , that I am disposed to teach the children doctrine * contrary to thpse professed bv themselves . / ISpw as I do not think that any person has a . right , to dictate or enforce hig own pecuuar rebgipu ^ opmions ubbn the child of another professmg a different creed , it would not be agreeable to iny feelings to attend the school , wMist the impression-above alluded to remains . When i came to Ralahine ,: X found the Iufant School-without anT suitable person to attend to the education or morau of those interesting little creatures , and , at yonr rejiues ^ I paid what attention my time would" periar wasl

      mu , ana so from interfering m this matter that I followed up the sameform of religious prayers and thauksgivings , which I found had been previously taught by Mrsi O'Dea . After making the above statement , and at the same time observing that T consider the proper education of tie childW as the most important feature in the society , I hepe you will not feel me disobliging , when I inform you of my intention to absent myself frpm the school altogether , unless the parents desire it otherwise , and _ although my services have been gratuitous , yet lean assure you , that I have felt considerable pleasure in doing the little I have done for them * I am , dear sir , yours respectfully , MARY CRAIG .

      This letter , r » ad . at a general meeting of the society , had thedesired effect , it rempved the dpubti of the parents , and Mrs . Craig was unanimously recalled to theschopL I . think I know Ireland , and the opinions of the Irish people , as well as most En glishme n , and I feel qmte sure , that no scheme for the improvement Of that country can succeed , that is in any way connected withthe religious mhsionary and Bible mania that is now raging , the circumstance T have just related confirms that opinion , and I now state what I know tobe a fact , thatgreat numbers of Protestant Bibles and Testament ^ that are sent over to Ireland and given to Catholics , areinimediately pawned for a few pence , and the money spent on whiskev ; thes « Bibles ari »

      packed upm boxes , sent back to England , and sold for half , or one third , of the price they cost the members of the bible Society . I have seen these boxes of Bibles from Ireland frequently in a bookseller ' s shop in Manchester , who told me that lie received a box from Dublin almost every week , and he offered me Bibles for Is ., Is . 6 d ., 2 s ., 2 s . 6 d ., 3 s . 6 d ., that must have cost the Bible Society from 3 s . ( id . to 8 * . The Irish are kind hearted , generous , industrious , and capable of great physical , viiellectual , and 7 itoral imjnvuemenf , only let their religious prejudices alone ; gii > e them ' ednca \ iony and [ give them employment , that will enable them to earn cinnfortable food , clothing , and lodging , and they will become the most merry , witty , contented , and happy peoke an earth .

      I must hot close this part of my subject , -without making a few more remarks , on the improved condilion , of females at Ralahine , and the effects ihtis produced on their characters . In allrespects , females were upon terms of equality with males , they received the same education , they engaged : in the same kind of labpur , Cbut the easier parts were allottedto them , ) every means was adopted to remove , or to lessen domestic drudgery , and the performance of such services belonged to tHe voiiias under seventeeo . ; The wages of the wife made her independent of her husband for support , and the Society was the parent , and amply prbrided for the educatfon and wants of all the childreri . The wife .

      therefore , was a help-mate , a companion ^ a friend , an eqaal ; and not a servant , cypher , or slave to her husband , as in the present irratiphakitate of society . There being no restraint upon the union of the sexes in marriage , a 3 all know each others talents and dispositions , and had no motive to influence them , but pure respect and love for eachother , all marriage * among the members were marriages of affection , aud the fear of expulsion , prevented them from forming imprudent alliances with those that were not members . If a young man said to a female , " Mary I lure you , " she had only to reply , « John , I have no objection to you for my husband if yon love me marry me . " Nothiiiff more was theiinecessriffT

      than to give notice to the Committee , tinder whose direciions the society . prepared ¦ for them a residence , the priest performed the ceremony according to law , and they become man and wife , each enjoying the same privileges , and the same independence as before . If married persons could not agree to live together , they had a very easy mode of separation , for as long , or as short a peribd , as they chose . Johnhad only to say to Marj ^ or Mary to say to John— "I cannot put up with your ill tempers , scolding tongne , dirty liabits , < fec ., if you do / nat behave yourself better , I will leave the cottage ^ eat mj meals in the public dining-room , and sleep in tht tne

      dormitory or single membera ; and a * ^ the children were kept and provided forin the schools , this could be done » t any time , witaput Bay incpnvenience or loss to the Bocie ^ or any bad effecto upon the condition or morals of their children ; Bnt the dread of a public disclosure of this kind , and of the taunts and ridicule that would attend such » circumstance , from their fellow membera , compellrf married persons to treat each other kindl y ^ ani caused them to live together like sweethearts . Ever ; motive for unchastity was thus removed , * and tie most powerful circumstances were created , to m « k « it both the duty , and the interest , of ; men and women , to love each othen , aud t « practice every moM

      and . every Christian virtue . If it be said that Christianity , in its present form , has done ninch , to improTe the condition of the : female sex , when it shall be purified from its ( corruptions , andennobledby ( hatgreatprinciple . "Thecharaclir of Tjlan is formed for him , " by the circumstances in whic / i he is placed , find the training he receives , i will do a thousand times more . Now let us compare the condition of females at Ralahine , with their general condition in society as it nowis . ' Women , under the present arrangements of society , are denied e ? ery political j and every social rightf not acknowledged by our laws , even »> rational human beings . Most means of independejt subsistence are closed against them , themselTes

      mere ad j uiic ts to their paren ts , or to their liusbanfe deprived of all their property at marriage ^ subject to chastisement like children j entitled by law ; - - * claim only a fraction of his effects at the death of the husband , an education forced , upon tl ^ ni among the wealthy , which is worse than ignorafleft andHts them for nothing , but to be the noisy , smirking , singing , musical , dancing'pnppeto , and pre *^ play things of their Lords . Among the poor ytW are generally , the most miserable drudges , andif ti ^ M ABTEp . 8 be drunken , idlej or vicious , as is too b « W the case , this condition of themselves , and their cMi * dren , is far worse than that of the West India ? Slave . But what slavery can be one huhdreth PS *

      so galKng , what tyranny could mvent any thj » fPD ? hundredth part so cruelj as the condition of $ && * sands of unfortunate females , in London ^ Manoi ^ teir , Liverpool , and in every other large &tf ?\ town ., in this eminently Christian country , ' <*? sednced from the paths of chastity , by the ctuBi » 5 wiles , and lying promises , of some wealthy , design ' ing * or dissolute ^ y oung Lpap of the CBEip ^ i id whom our laws havelately 'given impunity «» **• crwif , Jno ' rbitter tears of contrition , nor any , siwj ? r quent virtues can ever restore them to y& * former station pf society ,. but abandoned , scoroeflf abused ^ ahdilltreated . by :-aU , they we left to W out amiserable existence , unmtied .-victims ofpojertj '

      degradation , ^ ^ remorse , drankenne ^ prosutnttw disease , despair , arid a premt . ture dea ^ i . ^ J ** this sufferini : i * rn . pictea . 6 y a bible reading ^ " ¦ " ^ l people , upon the ; weaker , sex forsooth , for , »«**» only phce followed a natural propensity , " ^ rJL of the otheriseJL have . npt frequehtjjr indulged .. M »^ marriage ; And so prevalent is "th ^ -evil ,- " - tnat **^ ascertained not long sgo , th ^ M ^ . theu uyi&r note females dre living on ihe ^ ieciges of J ^^ TL ? mmestreetinLiverpool . Scribes , Samte , Pharisee Hypocrite 8 leariipfyPurmaster ; v Master , Ais ^ aiW ? was taken in adultery , in the very act ., now mo **

      m the law , cofflhianded tiiat such ahouldbeStoD ^ ¦ bntwhatsayektthbti ¦? ' ? Hegaid f " hethatisin ttr out sin among you , let him cast the fi » t 8 t 0 ^* t , ! J her . " Connoted by their own cooscimce , ^ went outone by one , till Jesus was left alone * » tbewpmaa tUmding ;' ui ^ the midst , and be ^ 5 ° b , er , > iwomapj . where are those tl )^^ eit * ccos « w , ^ ° |; ^ o-mtocPadeBaa t |» e > t" Sh ^ said ; " no P ^ j ^ g andhe sala , mVtorheKneittierdpIwo 4 ejn ° , ^ S « aMaix np ; more . Wamn oftyifl&i U < " ** £ yowrietoeslifciiilrt im ^ ^ ' inyaext I ihall give the t » W * i ^ 'J ^ JJjS Government « f the Society ^ tod tk * t wiU eompiew one of the best codeB of Law » everftamed . I am , reipectftilly , JOHtf FINCH .

      Original Corr£«Pondence.

      ORIGINAL CORR £ « PONDENCE .

      Untitled Article

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  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 23, 1838, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct350/page/6/