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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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FEAKGDS O'CONNOR ON THE . COMPLETE SUFFRAGE QUESflON . We . take the following from that prince of cheap periodicals , the English Chartist Circular : — «* TO THE WORKING PEOPLE . « MT deax Fkibxds;—If ever there -was a time when it behoved the industrious classes of these countries to bestir themselves about their own badness , it is now . v My space wBl not admit of much dreumlocnfcion , jnd , therefore , I come at once to the question ofto yon—the most vital importance—the question of the jufeaga '¦ - ¦ ¦ - - " Many converts have recently teen made to the principle—thi ± is , to * confession of-the abstract right One set of converts declaring in favour of the Charter , triSi certain icMtvuiums as to details . "Another 8 ei approriogof tie principle , but starting at-twenty-five years--of age" instead of twenty-one as the qualifying period . Another set speak of manhood
suffrage-Another set will giT » M Universal Suffrage , Equal Electoral Districts , and the Ballot ; -while another set talk of ' Complete Suffrage . ' Kow , it ia to the latter tribe of conYerte I Bhall first direct pnblic attention . TfaU Bection is headed by Mr , Sturge , of Birmingham , a most excellent , person—a man , as the world goes , a century befor « hia order in all the distinguishing qualities which mark progression , shewing that he is aware that the human mind will keep pace with civilisation and scientific improvement Nay , more , these may be the characteristics of art and cunning ; while I am free to confess that he is as far in advance of his companions in all those attributes -which should adorn my , as he is in the onward march of the science of politics . Thus I deal fairly and openly -with a political
opponent , giving to character and mind all those advantages Of -Which I nsre * desire to see them stripped . In fact , I declared at the outset , that I esteem and value Mr . Sturge more than the whole party with ¦ which he is mixed np ; but I do not esteem him as much as principle , neither » hftii i allow myself to be led from the true path by the fanciful light of his Imagination . In short , I aball deal with the question and not with the mas , well knowing that all men are not Sturgea , and that to his proposition many would be parties not influenced by the same no > lerjess 61 mind or good intention . What , then , does completeEuflrage mean ? If it is not intended as a false light to lead ns astray , must it not mean , firstly , the possession of the franchise , and secondly , the most
full , ample , beneficial , and complete application or use of it ? If it does not mean this , it is not the Charter , and should be denounced . If it does mean this , it means neither more nor less than the Charter , and should be declared so by the adoption of the Char ter . -An undefined political term Is pre-eminently calculated to lead men astray . Thus , the principle declared in the Reform BUI , that " taxation and representation should be coextensive , " was the principle for which , in 1832 , yon contended ; that contained the whole of the Charter principle ; in it was embodied the principle cf " complete sv $ rag& * and now mark you well the shape and form into which the Parliament that arranged the details of the Reform Bill has moulded the measure to class purposes . Let as now clearly
understand the value of what is called " complete suffrage , " as denned in the speeches and resolutions of those , working with Sir . Sturge . They say first , get the vote , and then a Parliament elected by the whole people must jlehasge the detail , let us , then , take Westminster , to wit , and see in how far the mere election by "Universal Suffrage would be " Complete Scppk ^ ge , " and whether without the very points of which they will not hear , namely , abolition o ? property qualification a > d patmekt of members , it would confer more than a mere possession of these rights , while it would withhold Its beneficial nse and complete application . Under such a Suffrage , is there one single man in Westminster commanding your confidence and esteem , who
would be qualified to represent you ? Not one—you may elect , bat it mutt be a man liaYing NOT I « ESS dan . £ 300 a-year . Mind , not l »* s , -while his only eb&nce would be having very much more . I wish to instrnefc yon well upon this point ; £ 600 a-year is the LEAST qualification for a county representative ,, and £ 309 a-year is the LEAST for a borough representative . Now mind , that is the XEAST ; so it is in the present House , and yet see how many , how very many , possess fifty , ninety , and more than one hundred times the amount of THE LOWEST qualification . This , then , iB my position . Firstly , deterred of the full right of free choice , the constituent body would be insifferent ; firstly , as to the attainment of the franchise ; and secondly , as to its application .
And instead of destroying bribery at elections , one of the evils now most eonplained cf , it would bat open a wider door for corruption , and thus throw a much greater weight into the golden sole , increasing by fivefold the present evils of class legislation . A man with £ 300 a-year in Wesminster would now have some chance , while a man under Universal Suffrage , and no more , -would have no chance whatever for Westminster . Each election would be a contest between the wealthiest and the merely qualified of the npper and middle classes ; and this is the proposed nostrum for the Abolition of Class Legislation . Now always bear in mind , my friends , that we are the Anti-Ciass Legislation Army of Chartisis . Suppose than a psrlisraent elected by "Cniversal Suffrage of qualified members . They are
there for seven years , and being all class supporters there , every session would be devoted to the destruction and annihilation of these other Chartist principles to the recognition of which they look for the overthrow of their rule . The Charter Sufirage would not rob any man , while it would protect and enrich all , while complete Suffrage would merely tantalize you with the possession of a thing which yon could not use , and would entirely prostrate labour to capital and speculation . The Charter Suffrage would , firstly , more than treble cm * prod-netion , now locked np , restricted and narrowed , while it would cause a more . equitable distribution of the increased production . Complete Suffrage would not increase the production , while it wonld monopolise all that was produced . Repeal of the Corn Laws
without the Charter wonld make one great hell of England , itTifi would only benefit steam producers , merchants , and bankers , without giving the slighest impetus to any trade , save the trade of slavery , while it would , from thB consequent improvement and multislicaiion of machinery , break every shop-keeper and starve one-half of our population . On the other hand , the Chxrter would in less than six months from the date of its enactment call forth all the industry , energy and power , of every class in the state . Every trade Would be at full work , every shor > -keepei would be in full business , and whatever price tlie loaf wag at , every belly would be full also . The two great things to be efectad by the Charter are these : firstly , the destruction of those restrictions by which mines , fisheries , and land are locked up ; and secondly the more equitable distribution of the consequently increased produce of
HOME ; and mind , after all , you must be great at home before yon can be great abroad . The political economists would make you dependent upon the foreigner for your three meals a-day , and in ease of scarcity would enable him te starve yon ; and all to leale moaey for the mest cruel , griping , heard-hearted set of slave-owners that ever lived ; whereas the Charter "srcmld make yon independent of the whole world . They -wish to make our movement auxiliary to their ffloTement ; it is for you now to decide whether or not , after ten years' trial of , and as many years of rfflcrtion ¦ under , one Reform Bill , you will now waste- your energies bj confirming the power in the hands of those who alone were benefitted by the former measure . The fact is that men who have made millions under the present system , note -wish for a gross medium of circulation to eiianee their gambling speculations , and they lock to the land of -the world as s mint too small to coin a
measure adequate to their capacious desires . " Working men , stand by your order—THE NOBLE Abjtt of Chaetists . "Ever your failhful friend , 'FEAB-GCS O CONSOB . "
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DK . M'DOUALL AND MB . DUNCAN , OF DUSDEE . xo the eoiior of the northern stab . Sir , —I regret to see the turn which Dr . M'Diuall , by Ms letter in the Northern Star of the 5 th iust , has given to my discussion with him regarding the Petition of the English Executive . I had hoped the letter I wrote you en the 21 st would have bean my last on the subject ; b * t the Doctor , having since chosen to misrepresent and falsify my sentiments , as well as to introduce charges and insinuations against myself personally , I cannot avoid again addressing yon , nor will you , I hope , refuse me the opportunity of doing so .
As the Doctor charges me with having introduced personalities into my former letter , it is psrhaps as well to cltar up thi 3 matter at the cutset . My first letter made no personal allusion of any kind , nor did my secend , with the exception of a single sentence , rendered necessary by the Doctor's own unjustifiable conduct The exception I allude to was this . Jn cis answer to my fixit letter , he thought proper to bring a charge against me , which , if true , ought at once to destroy my political character . He charges me in effect , with having knowingly and wilfully attempted to mislead the public on a subject cf vital importance to the
cause . In my rejoinder , I indignantly repelled the slander , as every honest man wonld do ; -while the Doctor ( as no honest man would do ) lias , in bis su ^ st-^ nent letter , neither apologised for his conduct , nor attempted to justify it , fcy proving the truth of hia charge He has passed over it without a single allusion l With this exception , my letter referred solely to the question at issue ; and , if the Doctor cuts but a sorry Sguie in it , the fault ia his own , not mine . I have , therefore , had no hand in introducing persoralitiES into the correspondence ; and it wonld , perhaps , have fared as well with the Doctor had he followed a siisDar course .
I bow proceed to notice Ms last letter : — Upon the merits of the English Petition he finds it prudent to say little or nothing ; but directs that part of his later h the right of protesting against it : in other -words , be endeavours t-j maintain his old ground thst the Seotiisb people nad z > o right to pursue a coarse different fcom lhat recommended by whathecalls "the majority . ' ,
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Such of your readers as may have read my former letters , will , perhaps remember , that I met this on two grounds , I maintained , first , that there were subjects upon which it was Incompetent for a majority to dictate to a minority ; and , secondly , that in this case no majority have ever declared for the English Petition in a way to debar the Scottish people from deciding upon its merit * . These were my positions , and I adhere to them . In support of the first I stated what appeared to me the legitimate power of the majority . It was , that their decisions were to be confined to matters that " did not interfere with the private opinions of members of our body on other subjects . '' Thejastiee and propriety of this is so evident , that I imagined none would he hardy enough to dispute it . Dr lTDonali seems to have felt
its force , for , instead of attempting to argue against it , be takes to the usual resort of foiled disputants / that is , calling n&nm , and fihataeUrlses It as " unsophisticated expediency ! " An easy way of overturning an unassailable truth , truly ! If be made use of the term in ignorance of its meaning , hia ignorance ia to be pitied , and his presumption in using words ke does not understand condemned .- bat if he did so , to impose upon the ignorance of ethers . in whose minds thB base *¦ expediency" practices ' cf the Whigs may have excited a dislike to the name without knowing its exact meaning , then his knavery is strongly to be reprobated . In either case , he has not met my argameot fairly . Nothing
can be farther removed from expediency than the rnle in question . Expediency involves an abandonment of all principle . The rule just quoted is sterling principle , and nothing else . The one is a paltry and crooked shift , had recourse to for the purpose of gaining a tempo , rary . party end ; the other is based upon a great truth , the observance of which is of the utmost importance to society in all ages and in all countries , and the neglect of which Is morally certain to break up any party , or convulse any community who may be so unwise as to contravene it . " TJnsophisticatfcd expediency" ! quoth the learned gentleman ! I should like to haar his difinition . pf the term .
The Doctor , having declared the voice of the majority omnipotent in all things—or at least , having made no exception , I put a case , with the view of testing the soundness of this sweeping doctrine . I asked whether , if the majority of our body had decided that we were all to join the Romish Church , he thought the minority should give in ? This , it will be observed , was calculated to bring him out If he answered in the affirmative , and said that they should , then the absurd nature of bis position became manifest : if he answered in the negative , it was tantamount to an admission that there were eases in which the majority had no right to dicUte to the minority ; and having admitted this , it would become necessary for him to define the powers of the majority—to draw the line to -which they might go , but no further , a task which , if he attempted , would bring him to the . sentiments he immediately afterwards repudiates as " unsophisticated expediency . " He " was in a corner , " as the phrase is , and he saw it , for his answer is this : —
Answer i ?)— " Speaking for myBelf , I would net be disposed , for expediency ' s sake , to take up the crucifix of the Irish Church to please the priests , any more than the creed of a Christian Chartist Church to conciliate the fanatics . " This " answer"Visno answer at all . The question was not what the Doctor individually , or ' speaking for himself , " thought of the scheme of joining the Irish Church , but what he held the duty of the minority to be , in the event of a majority deciding thai we were to join that Church . It was not whether the Doctor would join the Romish Church to please the priests , but whether the minority should do so to please the majority .
This is the question , and to this the Dactor gives no answer ! The sneer in the latter end of the " answer" is no doubt aimed at the body of Christians with whom I have the pleasure of being connected , and of course , at " myself also . Such sneers come with a very bad grace indeed from any professing Chartist ; for , to be consistent with his principles , he has no right to assume that his brother Chartists , in the exercise of their religion are otherwise than sincere , unless he can prove them so '; and it comes with a peculiarly bad grace from Dr . M' -Douall , who has himself , on more occasions than one , acted the part ef the priest " to conciliate the fanatics ; " as my " fanatical "' friends of Dnndee with their brother "fanatics" in Donfermline , Kilbarchan ,
and no doubt other places can testify i Ware this the proper place , I am willing to defend my congregation , and my connexion with them , from any charges the Doctor can prefer against na ; but as it is , I simply content myself with assuring the Dactor , that I had rather far " join a Chartist church to conciliate the fanatics " than enter into competition with " Old Parr , " " the immortal ilorifion , ' and other , to use the Doctor ' s own words , " professional and non-professional quacks , " to fill my o- * n pockets . I shall be glad to hear that , aft j a twelvemonths' trial , the Doctor ' s patients are as well pleased with his doses as 1 have reason to think the Dundee fanatics - are with my labours amongst them .
So much for my first position regarding the general power of the majority ; my second , namely , that in the present case no fair majority had « ver been ascertained , the Doctor also touches upon . On this Bttbject I Baid , fl The Petition was concocted by one or two individuals , and no proper means were taken to ascertain the sentiments or the Chaitist public concerning it ; " adding , "it Is contrary to the spirit of the Charter to pursue a certain line of conduct when they are not consulted in determining as to what line of conduct should be . " The Doctor suppreEses all this , with the exception of the words , " The Petition was concocted by one or two individuals , " which he quotes , and , by a word or two , insinuates that my objection aroseto the individuals and not to the course adopted ; than which nothing is mere fa ! se , as will be seen upon reference to that part of the sentence which the Doctor found it convenient te omit . [ We here omit a paragraph or two which might have led to farther controversy . —Ed . N . S . ] of It
I have little to notice in t ^ e rest letter . is entirely composed of either misrepresentations or a species of sm \ H wit ; which latter , however well it might be received from a tavern orator or a third-rate circus clown , is not the language we should expect to bear from one who is discussing matters of de * p interest to the . happiness of so many human beings . I therefore pass it over . But cf his misrepresentations I may cite an instance . In speaking of the difference existing among the Chartists as to the use to be made , I took occasion to express the sense I entertained of the great good done by Mr . O'Brien in this particular . The DoctoT quoted this part of my letter , and has
actually the audacity in the quotation to insert the words * ' asd myself his disciple" after Mr . O'Brien's name , thus attempting to make it appear that the encominmB I felt it my duty to make regarding Mr . O Brien were meant i qaally for myself He then sneers at this " mountain of modesty" and charges me with egotism and conceit , while the only passage from which the shadow of such a charge ctiuld be deduced , is the one fradulebtly introduced by himstlf . Upon such conduct I need make no remark , the reader -will no doubt duly estimate the strength of t ^ e Doctor ' s cause , as well as his mode of defending it , when such msans as these are rtBorted to .
B-fore conclnaing I have another small matter to settle with the Doctor . In a former lstter he talked very big of " . political trsffick , " " masked faces , " < fcc ., just as if these were pecnliar to Scotland . 1 took occasion ( in order to remove any impression which the Doctor ' s language might have conveyed > to express my opinion that there was as much of that 1 h England as in Scotland , and put the question to the Doctor whether it was not bo ? instead of answering he tells me coolly that I ino-w : my own friends and correspondents better thfen he dots , thus openly actu-sicg me of being a traitor . If he thinks I am one disposed tam ; ly to bear such slanderous imputations fiora him or from any one else ,
he has mistaken me . I tell Peter Murray M'Douali ttfti his charge is a false one , and that he has made it ¦ without a shadow of pronf . If it be tiue , the sooner he shows it the better . If ( as I main tain i it bo false , whit estimate are we to / ojtd of the man who made it , ¦ when he would thus allow factious feeling and -wounded vaniVy to carry him &o f ± r as v ' i . ially to slander a man who had never publicly attacked liiw , and from -whom in private life , he never experienced anght but friendship . As it is , he must either prove his charge or pass for a convicted Blandervr . Iu this position I leave him . I am , &c , John Dlwca . v . Dundee , March ISlh , 1842 .
[ As thi 3 corresponilence is now becoming merely TKis-jcal , it must itre ct ^ ise ; at -least i : i so fur as the columns of this pacer are concerned . Eu . j
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THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO THE MEM-5 ER 5 UF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Brother Chartists , —We have had the good fortune to sene jou many months -without the slightest accusation having been brought , a ^ a = rist us , as an Executive Council ; and , strengthened by your confidence , we have unanimously adapted tht- various addreeses ¦ which have been laid btf jr-j you , at each time receiving thanks from the people for uur services , and always having their j-npport in th" course which we recommtn- 'ed to be pursued by the meiubers cf the Association . "
It wonld not be natural if we did not feel mnca gratification in preserving the esteem and confidence of so many of our fellow men , and in the s une proportion we fsel extremely ten-itive -when the slightest doubt is raised as to onr political int egrity , because , lite CiBsar ' a wife , the Executive Counci : shcuM not only be virtuous , but free from an suspicion . We are responsible to the people f ; r every act and advice . We submit to no other authority ; and , when we advise with our constituents , we first deliberate on the best course to be pursued ; and , stctnrtly , lay our resolutions before the Association fur the adoption and appioval cf its members . Should the people return a favourable answer , we conceive it to be the teat of tie justice of our views ; bat should they ( which they have nut yet-done ) rt . tn .-n an answer ,, disapproving of our acts , -we are then bound to amend our acts , or give plac « to others -who are more capable cf conducting the business of au Executive .
Jn last -week's Star , we , in an address to the people , pointed out'the causes-which had inciuced many cf the middle classes to profess Chartist principles ; we alluded to the difliiUity of our position in as fax
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as we anticipated that many might be deceived with the professions of the middle class , and wander from the gra » d object of our agitation , the Charter , the - whole Charter , and nothing less ; we laid down the landmarks by which we should steer ; they were the Charter , as the polar star , and on either hand the Association and the National Petition . Oar advice regarding public arrangement , may be too strong for some , bat by no means unnecessary at this important criaiH . Onr advice as to public meetings in regard to resolutions , and particularly in reference to the returning of Chartist members to Parliament , has a ' so been generally approved of , with the exception of the Editor of th « Northern Star , who has entirely dissented from ns in respect to the iwo resolution * proposed in onr address . ' '
The Editor of the Northern Star , conducting an organ acknowledged * s the ergan of the movement , is in the right to criticise the productions of the Executive Council , ' and simply performs his duty when he points out anything which may be wrong or unadvised in the conduct , and proceedings of a public or responsible t » ody like the Executive Council . The Editor has our thanks for the support he has afforded ns in , the past , and for the opportunity he has afforded us now of explaining out reason for offering two resolutions to the people for their approval ; bnt while we thus amicably proceed to explain ourselves through the Editor to the country , we must , in the most friendly , but determined
manner , protest against the E litor associating the Executive Council withtfle humbug { rap and the Bath conference . We have the greatest possible respect f « r Mr . Hill , Mr . O'Connor , and Mr . O'Brien ; but -we most say taat the former is not justified in making the Executive answerable for aught save their own acts as a body , or in mixing them up , as a Council , with the private proceedings of Mr . Vincent , Mr . Philp , or any other man ; and although Mr . O'Connor and Mr . Hill ' s conjoint advice would influence the people to a greater extent than that of the Executive , we are not justified in acting upon their suggestions , except they reach us through the public voice , from which quarter we are ready to receive instruction without asking .
The members of the Association will excuse our bluntness of expression , and justify as in saying that we conceive ourselvts responsible only to those who elected us , and that we are determined to act independently , or cease to act altogether . We are resolved , as heretofore , to give our advice to the best of our ability . We throw ourselves entirely into the hands of the people , and the moment our ability to aot , or our sincerity in advising , is doubted , we shall not injure the future existence of an Executive Council , but instantly give place to bettar men , who can more earnestly support the character of a body responsible for their every act to the people alone . The Executive Council is the key-stone of the Association , without which all would be confusion , every one advising and no one obeying .
We leave Mr . Vincent and Mr . Philp , if they have done wrong , to answer to the people . We will do likewise , and Btate why we recommended the two resolutions to be adopted . We proposed the first because of its theoretical and practical justice . The second , because after the abolition of the monopoly of the suffrage , all men who are Chartists are resolved on the abolition of all other monopolies ; and no man who is n * t a Chartist weald consent to the other stringent rules and regtfations laid down , or believe in any benefit arising from the abolition of the Corn and Provision Laws , until the first resolution was carried .
There was a great want of unanimity of action throughout ; the country ; at MaryJebone meeting the resolution adopted declared , in the outset , its unqualified approval of the principles of free and unfettered trade . At Birmingham eutire representation was mixed up with the repeal of tbe Corn Law . At other places no representation whatever ; we therefore considered it to be part of our duty to advise at such a crisis , and recommended one resolution to be adopted as the first at all meetings , mixing up nothing with the Charter , but presenting one sntire principle , without alteration , mixture , or deduction . We were fully aware , also , that in various localities our strength
differed , and at Corn Law meetings especially , our amendments had to allude to the object of the meeting , therefore we gave a second resolution , which condemns all taxes on the necessaries of life , points to the monopoly of the suffrage as the cause of the Corn Laws , declares a want of confidence in all Governments appointed under the present system , and pronounces its conviction that the repeal of these obnoxious laws [ Which We snppose the meeting to be discussing ) can only be effected through a Parliament representing the whole people of Great Britain and Ireland . We cannot tuppose that this is a handle for the Repealers , and if any man believes we offered it as such , we repel the insinuation with the utmost indignation .
We might , it is true , have altered the terms of our resolution in the following manner : — " The total and entire repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws can never be beneficial except when made the act of a Parliament representing , " && As we gave it , and as it stands , we cannot for a moment suppose that any man wbo agreed in spirit and in principle to the first resolution , would be base enough or have the means to do injury through the second , and therefore is offering them to tbe pe&ple we gave them both out of a true desire to keep the association to the Charter first , and If they would have it , the repeal of the Corn Lawa or free and unfettered trade last We most earnestly request attention to the first resolution , and as each locality is fully aware of its own strength , let them on no account avoid an opportunity of passing it . and if they cannot , by all means have the Charter in first , the Corn law last .
We have laid an address before you , and it is for tbe members of the association to deliberate upon the instructions therein contained Let it be clearly understood that our resolutions have to be confirmed by the people , and should Mr . Hill , Mr . O'Connor , or any other men draw up better resolutions , we are ready , with the permission of the majority , to withdraw ours and give place to theirs ; but until we are duly informed of such a decision on the part of our constituents , we must abide by our deliberate resolution . We remain , Brother Chartists , Your faithful representatives , James Leach . P . M . M-Douall . R . K . Philp . Morgan Williams . J . Campbell , Secretary .
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THE STONE MASONS ON STRIKE , FB . 0 M THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT , AND -NELSON ' S MOKUMEXT , LONDON , AND THE WOOL"WICH DOCKYARD , To the Public and the Trades of Great Britain and Ireland . " When men lie dispersed without concert , order , or discipline , communication is uncertain , counsel difficult , and resibt&nce to oppression impracticable . Where men are not acquainted with each others '
principles , experienced in each others' talents , not practised in their mutual habitudes and dispositions , no personal confidence—no friendship—^ no common interest subsisting bttween them—it is evidently impossible thst their interest and rights Can be dtf ^ nded with uaifownily and effect . No TT » a . ri should natter himself that his single , unsupported , and unsystematic endeavours are sufficiently powerful to defeat tbe subtle designs and united cabals cf those who live on the vitals of his industry . "
Brethren , —We are now in the tweaty-seventh week cf our strike , struggling in an uphill fight against the combined efforts if a class-erected government , a class-chosen legislature , and an ungenerous , an unfeeling , and rapacious host of indolent capita . ists—men professing the precepts of Christianity , while practising the decrees of his Satanic majesty . . At the Ht-uses of Parliament , notwithstanding the report of the " Surveyor , Engineer , and Architect , " that "the works » f this splendid pile are now in active progress , " little , very little , is ptrceivable aa the progress made since our members left ; and on Saturday nignt stveral of their most efficient hands , from about Dundee , left tb 8 works . At the Monnment , -we cannot see any diffVrence since we last reported . The number now on strike from these ¦ works are one hundred and twelve .
The following passage occurs in a letter from our delegate at Penryn , in Cornwall , relative to this column : — . ' . ¦ " The Wi / . ns , who are at the Monument , have sent a k-ttei home , Btating they are tired of their job—tuat things in London are in a very disturbed state , and wishing themselves back again . " Tcese gents , wanted us to give them £ 10 each to take them home—tut it was " no go . " A respectable master builder of Per-zance , one of the intelligent , and consequently enfranchised class of that locality , has issued a manifesto , of which the following is a verbatim copy : — ' March eth , 1842 . " Gents ,, —This evening any Chartii-t Unionist of the Tradesmen ' s society in my employment shall no longer be in my service , and wind np all—all accousts next week !!! " A . BERimuN . "
in relation to our strike at Peuryn , our delegate writes : — " Mr . HoskiDS ( now our only opponent here ) is completely in a comer—he says , if he cannot get on better he rtust give it up . " Circumstances have not proved so fortunate as our delegate anticipated they would have done when he wrote last fortnight / consequently nine are yet on the funds in that place . .- ¦•¦ - ¦ From Dartmoor our delegate writes , — : " They will be forced to do something ; at the quarries they are in a miserable way . Frazier , G- & . P . ' s agent nt Woolwich , has been here , and condemned a great quantity of stone ; he declared he would not receive it—that it is not like the thing at all . Things never looked so xcell here as at the present . "—Number out litve , forty .
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From Woolwich we haye received the following iuformation , datedMarcbistte—¦ < ^' :. " f J *™**' 6 ti" * Wacis were ^ iacb ^ r ^ op syur , day last , principally for ifce want of atone ; and , to all appearances ; If there is not ainore plentiful snppjy the job mutt inevitably stop altogether . It la quite true respecting the piece work ; excepting two or three all are working task-work , and 1 feel conscious that at no very distant period the day will be our ? . Number out here , thirty-eight , " V ' . ' : ' A ¦ '; ' - . ' V-: > : :: . . " > . ' V . ¦'¦^ :: . : ¦ From Plymouth wahave received the following : — ^ _ A cargo of granite coping has been arot frdia Mr . Johnsen s to Her Majesty ' s I > o » ckyard , Plymouth ^ sixty atones in number , twenty of them dressed by , wtt members previous to striking ; the other forty by the blacks Binea . The forty djeswd > by the Wa « ks are ev ^ ry atone condemned by the dock-yard receiver . Number out hare fifteen . " . : ,. \
Such ia the position we at . present occupy , aad from which you will judge whether , with a continuance of yo » r pecuniary aid ; the aspect is not anfflciently healthy to warrant a steady prosecution of this all-important straggle—whether our minds shall rise superior to iany difiocaltles that may present themselves ; or crouch with obsequious subserviency .-to the iron hand of oppression . —submit ' ;; ¦ : ¦ - ¦ '¦ , - ¦ . \ ; ¦ ; ¦ . ''• : ' :- - . ,:. ' ¦ : ¦;; . : ¦ .. •¦' ¦ , :.. . . ¦> "To live a life half dead—a living death Among inhuman foes . " It is pretty clearly shown in the lineig placed at the head of this report , that in the want of an intimate and extensively organised anion-a reciprocity of feeling and of action amongst the working classes—may , be traced the cause of their present miserable and degraded position . / :. . - "•'¦ ¦' . " ; -- : ; / ¦ ¦ ; - . ¦;¦;¦ ¦ . ; " . ;/ , ; VV ';¦ ¦ . ' . •'¦ : ¦ .
All other classes , castes , and grades , ate united to a man in promoting and protecting their several interests at the expehce of the toiling million * . ' The priest , the doctor , and the lawyer by legalized act-cf-Parllament unions ; the landowner and the capitalist by corn bills and a monopoly of legislation ; but the interests of the working classes are not only not thui legally protected —not only preyed upon t > y a combination of all other classes—but , by internal diasension , by division amongst themselves , all but wholly neglected . The intensity of suffering manifestly existing amongst
the produoing portion of the community—the poverty , the wretchedness ,, and the misery to which existing usages of sooiety have subjected them—should arouse the most-. careless and apathetic to an immediate and calm consideration of the question , '' Whyare they subjected to such unmeasured and unmitigated ills ?" Why the sweat that flows ; from their brow should generate fortunes for tbe idle , the crafty , » nd the indolent , leaving no traces of improvement In the condition of its hapless and poverty-stricken producers ? ' ¦ ' - .-. ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ... ¦ . ' ¦ ¦ ¦ : v ¦ ; ¦ . ¦ ' ¦ " , .. ; ¦ ¦¦'¦ ..
The following quotation from an address by EH Moore ( late a member of Congress of the United States of America ) to the members of trades' societies in Ne w York , may not be inappropriate here : — -. "It has been averred , with great truth , that all Governments become cruel and aristberatical in their character and bearing in proportion as one part of the community is elevated and the other depressed ; and that misery and degradation to the many is the inevitable result of such a state of society . And we regard it ns equally true , that in proportion as the line of distinction between the employer and employed is widened , the condition of the latter inevitably verges towards a state of vassalage , while that of the fornier as certainly approximates towards supremacy , and that whatever system is cakulaViUto make the many dependant upon , or subject to , the few , not only tends to the subversion of the natural rights of man , but is hostile to the best interest of the community , as well as to the spirit and genius of our government . ¦ . ' ' : ¦ . ¦ ' ..-..
Fully persuaded that the foregoing positions are incontrovertible , we , in order to guard against the encroachmonta of aristocracy , to preserve » ur natural and political rights , to elevate our moral and intellectual condition , to promote our pecuniary interest , to narrow the Une ef distinction between the journey man and the employer , to establish the honour and safety of our respective vocations upon a more secure and permanent basis , and to alleviate the distresses of those suffering from want of employment , have deemed it expedient to form ourselves into a General Tradea ' Union . ' . :
"Itmay be asked , how these desirable objects aro to be achieved by ' a ' General Union « f Trades ? ' How the encroachments of aristocracy , for example , are to be arrested by onr plan ? We answer , by enabling the producer to enjoy the full benefit of his production , and thus diffuse tke stream of wealth niore generally , and consequently moie equally throughout all th © ramifications < f society . This point coticeded , aad conceded it must be , it is not requisite , we conceive , that the line of investigation should be dropt very deep , in order to bring it up tinged with proof that tke verity of our other positions necessarily follows . ' . ' ¦ ¦
These , fellow workmen , are the opinions of no mean authority , and are the result of practice and experience . •* . Why , " . again asks this author , ' should not those who have the toil have the enjoyment also ? and what better means can be devised for promoting a more equal distribution . of wealth than for the producing classea to claim , and by virtue of union and concert ; , secure their claims to their respective pottibris ! " : The strength of union is manifest in our poverty : by the union of other classes , which live on the vitals of our industry , we are made miserably " poor indeed ;" but by a compete and extensive union of the working classes—by a well-regulated system of co-operation amongst them—they could speedily relieve themselves from these unbearable burdens , and snap the chain of slavery asnnder . and for ever .
In once more thanking you f ) r the dignified manner in which , by your pecuniary aid to us , you have marked your disapprobation of the iuLumanity of our late employers , we are compelled from circumstances to call upon you at this momentous crisis to continue your beat and noblest energies in defending the rights of insulted labour , to still further assist us : in onr endeavours to annihilate that system of despotic rule which , admitted with impunity , would prostrate the noble&t faculties of the human edifice , and place the honest artizm in a worse position tban beasts of burden .
We beg to subscribe ourselves , Gratefully yours , The Masons ' Society , Thomas Shortt , Sec C , Agnes Street , Waterloo-toad , Lambeth , March 16 th , 1842 .
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Edinburgh , 3 rd March , 1842 . Sir , —From the indulgent manner in which you have inserted my former communication ^' respecting the treatment of Mr . Robert Peddie by the Whig Government I now beg leave to trouble you with a few notes taken front one of his last letters , which shews' that his complaints are not much mended- ^ -that he has only "go out of tho frying pan into the fire , " and that the tender mercies of the wicked are still cruel . Every petition sent / in his favour , either public 6 i
private , still receives the same ready-made lithographic answer from the Home-office ; so that it is evident , notwithstanding all the palliating circumstances that have been advanced in hia'faveur—^ notwithstanding that as « " proof of their moral virtue and veracity , some of the accredited spies / who inveighod against him , are in the hands of justice for dted 3 of crime that will not hide , it is still evident that he will have to serve out th © fall term of bis long three years' imprisonment , if his shattered constitution is " made meet for the burden . ¦ ¦ ¦ •¦ : ¦¦' ..
Had Mrs . Peddie not been a woman of the most coneumniate industry and propriety , she could never have kept herself and her family afloat in the respectable manner in -which she bus done—in a manner- which , notwithstanding her -misfortunes , -has excited tho envy of her neighbours . For I must confess , that in this hotbed of Whiggismi very little sympathy is shewn to persons in any -way connected with the persecuted Chartists . It is , therefore , tbe bounden duty of that boily to . administer every relief in their power to Mr . Peddieand his family . I should not have made these reflections , but from the silence of your contemporaries ; for were it not for the public notices which : have occasionally appeared ia your journal , it would be a matter of doubt whether or not such ; i man was still in
existence . ¦ , ' .. - •¦ ¦'• ¦¦ , ¦ ; ¦ ¦; •" . ¦ -. ¦ :-: . y . . - . -- r -- '¦¦ ¦; Mr . Peddie has also other just matters of complaint , for although he has been denied any intercourse with his friends , or the visits of a beloved wife and daughter , for these two years past , yet has he of ten been exposed to au idle curiosity , and exhibited to gratify the visitors of the establishment , from the liveried footnaan to the scullion of the kitchen—from the godly priest to the cher ami of the magistrate ! Such things , although perhaps trivial in themselves , must , to a man of his acute and sentimental mind , be in the bigb € st degree painful ; and , as a proof of which I shall only farther trouble you with a few vers ^ B , which mast prove interesting , from the remarkable circumstances " under which they were composed .,. ' Let me first premise that Mr . Peddie is occasionally indulged with a look of Ghambera's excellent Edinburgh Journal , through the goodness of the Governor . ; ' ..:
"What gave ri « e to the following trine , " Mr . P . observes , ' was from reading , in tne last part of Chambers' Journal ^ a few days ago , a poem , entitled ' Winter ' s no that far atvu , ' introduced as a production of merit by the Editor . I thought the day was passed for such tines passing for good poetry : but the rhyme pleased me , so my . muse , in the . course of half an hour , or thereabout , produced it . The original was said to ba written by a self-taught genius , under all the concomitant evils attending on poverty . ; but in regard to depressing circumstances , I think I have not been surpassed . Mine Was composed -when I was walking in the prison-yard , in a round ring , with some score of
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thieves , and a macft / e idle chield in tho midst of them , to keep the rascals from speaking to , or looking at each other . Let Will / Chambers' poeta beat thfs if they ¦ Cah ;" . , v ' , ' : [¦ ¦ ¦ ;¦ ;¦" . •¦ - . ' ;; . ] ' .,.- ' ¦ - "' v . ' " , "C ' . " . : \ " . ] . "¦ ¦? --:. ; '; SUJIMBR'S SYNE IJO FAS AWA \ Wnen'tbe sun clips short the gloanila ' , ' : ; And on the hill side melte the aiunr ; When yowikers thro * the glens ture warning , ; ¦ : ' ; eutnmer t syne n <> far awa' . ! When ^ toI the joy of ilka millet , Their dams ' .-dp feeltheilqoseningtip * , And their clappers ^ win them siller , . r :: Summer ' s syne-iaq > fa * awi ' . ''¦ ' ¦ ... Whea nae malrroond farmer ' s ingle , Lads and lassies merrily c& ' , Jestawi' merry pangs to mingle , ¦; ; Summer ' s then no far awa ' .
When oae mair baold Boreas . atorming , Threats to gie ' a a rooflesshiaV - And noiay Unus gia o ' er their foaming , Sominer ' a then no far awa . ., When Tod Lowrie leaves the planting , Sbuuning far the farmer ' a ha ' , Flying to the distant mountain , Summer ' a syne no far awa ' . When the Kobln leaves the biggia , The merlin leaves the ruin'd wa * , And sparrows build within the riggin , Summer ' s Byne no far awa' . When clear and pure ,-wi" gentle motion , Bumles tin , and the sea-maw Leaves the fresh loch for the ocean , Summer ' s syne no far awa ' .
When the trees put on new cledin * , And round them whurs the noisy eraw , When ewes upon the heights are bleating , Summer ' s syne no far awa * . When amang the woody bracken , Nae mair ye hear the woodcock ' s craw , But mavis' notes the shades are wakin ' , Summer ' s then no far awa ' . When te greet the early momin' , The lark doth hall day ' s gowdenba' , When drapa o' dew ilk leafs adomin ' , Summer ' s syne no far awa' . When the thorny hedge is fragrant , And on it hangs the ripening ha ' , When wanders wide the aged vagrant . Summer ' s Byne no far awa ' .
When the cuckoo ' s notes are booming Sown amang the birken shaw , When the yellow broom is blooming , Summer ' s syne no far awa' . When the hare-bell and the gowan , Makes our gleus and meadows braw , And rosea on the briars growing , Summer ' s syne no far awa ' . When the grieve struts up the furrow , An" wide abroad the seed does ca ' , When tha hind yokes to the harrows , Summer ' s Byne no far awa * . When the oats and bear are brairded , ' Tatoea in the ground an' a ' , And the drills frae craws are guarded , Summer ' s syne no far awa ' .
When high upon the lofty summit . Of North Berwick ' s lofty law , The mornin ' mist sits like a bonnet . Summer ' s syne no far awa' . ' -.... , Robebi Peddie . Beveiley House of Correction , 21 st Feb ., 1842 . In conoluaion , I need scarcely remark , wfeat a man capable of expressing such sentiments must feel when placed in such company , and how well deserving he is of bur sympathy for Wb unhappy fate , and that of every patriotic lover of his couhtry . I remain , Sir , Yours respectfully , WVB . S .
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THE OASTLER TESTIMONIAL . On Thursday week a meeting of the friends of Mr . Oastler was held a » the British Coffee . hoose , Coctspurstreet , for the purpose of promoting the subscription proposed to b » raised in commemoration of the exertions of Mr . Oaafcler ia the cause of the labouring classes . Amongst those present we observed tho Right Hon . Lord Feyersbam ; Mr , Ferrand , M . P ., Sir- Walter , Mr ^ J . Perclvai , Mr . Wing , the Ray . T . S . Cox , Mr . IJndej :-wood , Mr . Grant , ( from Manchestsr , ) &c . On the motion of Mr . Walter , Lord Feversham was called to tbe chair , and on assuming that position his Lordship said that it afforded him great . pleasure to have the honour of filling such a post on such an occasion . It would not be necessary for him to state at any length the object for which they
had assembled , because they were all fully aware of its character . They were also well aware of the situation in which their friend , Mr . Oastler , had been placed—he had been an inmate of the Fleet PriBon f or a period of sixteen months , for a debt due to Mr . Thornhill . During that time Mr . Oastler had undergone many hartships , and his health bad been considerably impaired . At the same time , however , he hadi received the visits of a number of his friends , and he epjoyed the sympathy of a large body of the public—two ; facts whfch had tended very much to alleviate that distress of mind which he would otherwise have undergone . ( Hear . ) The immediate object ef the present meeting was not merely to eflFect the liberation of Mr . Oastler , however desirable 'that object would of itBelf be , but to further a
subscription which had been instituted for the benefit and future comfort of that gentleman and his fimily . ( Hear ; hear . ) Of course it would be an after consideration am « ng 8 t the subscribers and contributors generally , as to the particular way in whfch the money collected sheuld be appropriated . If a fund could be raised sufficiently large to enable them , after having gained Mr . Oastler ' s liberation , to place him and his family in a comfortable and iniependent position , it would be extremely gratifying ; but , at all events , the first anxiety waa to rescue him from his prewnt confinement , an end which a very ^ large proportion of the people were most urgent to see accomplished . ( Hear , hear . )
He had known Mr . Oastler for many years , and it had been a B ^ urce of great regret to him that he Bhould have been placed in his present painfalBituatior ! . ( Hear , hear . ) He most sincerely hoped ^ however , that the day Was net far distant when they should have the satisfaction of accomplishing his liberation . In the meantime let him ( Lord Feveraham ) press upon the meeting , and upon all the friends of Mr . Oastler , the necessity of exertion in the obtainmerit of contributions , so aa to effect that object , ; and he trusted that the funds collected would , as he had already intimited , be so large as to enable them to place Mr . Oastler and his family la a position of comfort and independence . ( Hear , hoar . ) ' ¦ ¦ " ¦ ' ¦ - :: ' ¦ ¦ ' " '¦ ' . . . : ' ' ' . " ¦ - .- - . ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ' . ¦'¦ "
Mr . Atkinsow ( the honorary secretary ) having been called upon by the noble chairman to state what progress had been made in the business , said that early in the last year he had become personally acquainted with Mr . Oastler , arid during his visits ib . o ' tbat ^ . gc '' nUeihan- ' prison he had had occasion to obsepve his great exertions for the public good j and at the same time , unluckily , to remark that those exertions of mind had impaired , and made great inroads on , his health ; and eventually , in the month of July , he was confined with a seyete fever . It had also come within his knowledge thati he was suffering tbe greatest anxiety of mind upon the subject of the situation of his family , and of othars who were dependent on him for support . In consequence he had written to the noble Lord who that day so
kindly presided over them ; knowing that he hid been a friend of Mr . Oastler . Eventually the noble Lord and himself had had an interview , in the course of which it had been arranged that this scheme for accomplishing Mr . Oa * tler ' a liberation should be put in circulation among-g his old friends at the earliest memerit . But previously to that having been done , it was' deemed prudent that he should yiBit some of the chief manufacturing districts ; and accoidingly he had gone to Ciovetitry , Birraingbam , Liverpooli Manchester , Bradford , Huddersfield , Leedsi Sheffield , Nottingham , and Leicester , and in all these places he had met with the most cordial reception , all parties manifesting a warm anxiety for the success of the undertaking ; ( hear ) : and ,: moreover , each expressing a desire to
contribute towards the proposed subscription . ( Hear ) He must here say * that in the progress of the plan the public press had displayed an anxiety to further the cause , and most nobly and effectively had they supported it by tbeir writing ? . ( Hear . ) Oh his return to town , tbe first , step adopted was that of framing the scheme which was to be sent forth to the ^ Hrorldgenerally , as well as to the private friends and admirers of Mr . OastJer . The worthy speaker here readtte paper to which he referred , which has already appeared in onr colsmnp . He might add , that the Noble Chairman , Sir George Sinclair , Bart , Mr . Walter , Mr . Fiolden ,
M , P ., and Mr . W . Ferrand , M . P ., had accepted the offices of trustees—( hear , hear . ) The amount of subscriptions already received was ^ £ 558 ., and they had that day been favoured with a check for £ 50 from Mr . . Fouritayno Wilson- ^ - ( hear , bear . ) They , had also received £ 100 from Mr . Tatham , Nottingham , and jJ 25 from Mr . Will ! am Tatham , of the same place , and five guineas from the Courier newspaper— - ( bear , hear . ) He could assure the meeting that tbe country , especially the manufacturing districts , were quite alive to the subject , and , that being the case there could be no doubt of the speedy accomplishmeut of the object they had at heart- ^ lhear . ) ' ¦"''¦ < :.. " ¦ ' . ' ' : '¦ '¦' :. '¦ : ¦;"' ' -v : ' ¦ ¦ . ' . ¦ ¦' . '¦''" : ' - . ' " ¦ ; ; :.-.
-Mr . Wa ^ -TEB . said , that in recommending the resclution which had been intrusted to him to propose to the meeting h ^ i thought it would be annecessary for him to occupy the attention and the time of those around him by any lengthened obseivations . Such a course , indeed , was rendered the less requisite by thn candid and full statement which they had just heard from the Noble Lord who had done them the honour to preside over them on that occasion , and to whom he , in common with all the other friends of Mr . Oastler , felt extremely grateful for his kindness in taking
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the chair that day . With respect to Mr . Oastler , those whom he bad the pleasure of addreasing were aa well acquainted with that gentleman is ke ; was himself . They all fully appreciated bis merits and hi * worth ; many of thenii probably , bad 6 a * greater ppportunitles ofknowing him from the fectof having 5 resided in the neighbourhood In which he- had lived , and they were all equally earnest with himself in their d « dre to obtain his liberation from prisparrU » ear ) ' ] & * knew not of any better plan to accomplish tbat , object than tKat of a liberal subscription on : the part of Ids fiiendsand atfmifers-Hhear , hear );—and although the ¦ :.,-amount they had as yet received was not large , still
the sum waff highly respectable , inasmuch as It had aeatir reached £ 6 o »~( hear , ' heftr . j—and toatr twti without any efforts having been made in the manljfac » taring distrfci ^ whex ei j «» . OasUer wasfaj better known and esteemed . He sincerely trusted that the endeavour to raise a Bubscription would be attended with com * plete 8 uccess ^ - ( hear , hear ) . . They were masy in the room who were associated , with the manuficturiDg portions of the- kingdom , land he doubted , not but that they would exert themselves most stnnuousiy with a view to attain the object they had that day assembled to proinote- ^^ hear ^ hear ) . '" He would conclude by proposing the followingrisolution : — ¦ ; : :
"That in the opinion of this meeting Mr . ; R . Oasfler is entitled to sympathy and support on account of the unceasing and arduous efforts which he has made , and which he still continues to make , for the welfare of the labouringclassieR '' :: ; - ' .-V ' . . ¦; . ' - . ' :-. ' / ' : ' - ' . v .: ' - ' :, Mr . Wing seconded the proposition with the greatest satisfaction . Mr . Oastlei ; had beeeu one of the inoBt unflinching and zealous advocates of benevolence of his day : he was one whose whole life bad been ; signally marked by a strong feeling of sympathy for the misery and sufferings under which others had existed . Let 16 be remembered , too , that throughout hia exertions in the cause of benevolence Mr . Oastler ' s conduct had at all times been . diatinguiBhcd by a veneration for the institutions of the country —( bear ) . The resolution was then put . and unanimously agreed
The Rev . J . S , Cox moved ,, as the second resolution , " That this meeting approves of the scheme which has been proposed for raising a testimonial for the benefit of Mr . O&atler and hia family by ttieans of a pnblic subscription / ' and Baid that he had become acquainted with Mr . Oastler through the performance of his public duties , and if it were not deemed unbecoming in a minister of the established cburch to do so upon such an occasion as the present , he would say that that gentleman had gained his approbation originally by hia attachment to that church , and by the vast struggles he had made to alteviate the distresseB of others— ( hear , hear . ) He had derived the greatest pleasure in the intercourse he bad enjoyed with Mr . Oastler and his family . That Mr . Oastler ' s exertions had been invariably those of public benevolence it was impossible to doubt , and they bad . abundant evidence to prove that those exertions had been attended with very
considerable success —( hear , hear . ) > It was not a little atrange that the manufacturing districts of this country should have been so long left without some legislative check ; but auph bad been the fact , and many cirenmstancea which had come to light clearly showed how hecessary it was that some man like Mr . Oastler—a man possessed of a powerful mind , swayed by patriotism and hnma » nity of feeling , Bhould hava brought hia energies to bear on the subject—( hear . ) . The result of that gentleman ' s labours in the cause had tken that the manufacturing districts had at length become the object ef legislative enactment— ( hear , hear , ) The successful exeitionB of . Mr . Oastler on the factory question—his endeavours t # gain an alleviation of the miseries under which the poor factory children were labeuripg—were known to all the world —( hear , hear . ) That relief had been in a measure gained by the means of an enactment cf which many of the Biillownera themselves , he believed , were now ready to admit the beneflt—( hear , hear . )
Mr . ' KAMSAY , in a speech euologising the benevolent and powerful exertions of Mr . Oostler , seconded : the resolution , which was carried unanimously , Mr . J ; VknciYAL then proposed " That a committee , cemppsed of the fallowing gentlemen ¦ - —— - — , with power to add'to their number , be formed , for the purpose of assisting the undertaking in London ; and it is Btrongly recommended to Mr . Oastler's friends in the country to form similar committees , and that they communicate the results of their labours to the Secretary in London ; " and went on to remark that in a lengthened intercourse with Mr . Oastler , the only faults that he had had to find with him were , that his liberality was too unbounded , whilst his kindness of feeling had been tcofine— ( hear , hear . ) ; .
Mr . T 7 M > ERWQ 0 D seconded the resolution most cordially . He had been acquainted with Mr . Oastler upwards of seventeen years , and a more worthyj a more benevolent man , never existed- ^ - ( hear , hear . ) . ; He was beloved and esteemed , especially by the working classes , by all who knew him —( hear , hear . ) He was 8 atl 8 fled that his powerful opposition to the New Poor Law Bill bad been the Cause of the irritation of Mr . Thornhill , who thereupon had urged his claim against him . ; '¦ ¦¦ _ - . '¦¦ .. ¦ . -: . ' - ; ' -- - - ¦ ... - . ; : \ ' ¦ ' ¦ . ¦' . " . '" ¦ -. .. '' .. ' . -. ' ¦ ¦' ..: ¦ ¦ : The resolution was carried . ¦
Mr . Feerand begged to move a vote of thanks to the Noble Lord who had bo ably presided over them on tbat intereating occasion—( hear , hear . ) He was confident that every friend of Mr . Oastler ' s , as well as that gentleman himself , would feel most deeply grateful to the Noble Lord for his kindness in taking the chair - ^( hear , hear . j He had known Mr . O-istler for twelve years , and the first time he had become acquainted with him was on the day when he had ca . led a meeting in defence of the poor factory children , and , as a proof to what an extent had been the attachment of the working classes to the man , and the great coafidence they had reposed in him , he would inform the meeting that it waa the largest assembly that had ever been witnessed in Yorkshire . The vast masses of the country
had assembled that day for the purpose of being guided by Mr . Oastler—( hear , hear , and loud cheera ) In that county there appeared to be one feeling fur him ; he was beloved and respected by all , and the general opinion there was ; that in his conduct towards his master he had been a sincere , active , and faithful servant ( Hear , hear ) Like a previous speaker , he believed that Mr Oastier's powerful opposition to the Poor Law was the sole and only ground Which bad induced Mr . Thornhill to take any step against him- — { he ' ari * hear ) . . The whole of his life had been devotad to the cause of philanthropy , manifested by a restless
anxiety to alleviate the miseries of his Mlow eroatmes — - ( hear , bear ) r-andif his friends in the manufacturing districts , every man claiming to himself an interest in the welfare of the factory classes , exert « d themselveHV Mr . Oastler would , ere long , again come forth into the world a free man , unfettered by any claim which his iate master had had upon him—( hear , hear ) . The Hon . Gentleman then passed a very high eulogium on the Noble Lord , Whose-conduct through life had been marked by consideration for the humbler orders , and whose example he wished were more extensively followed . He concluded by moving a vote of thanks to his Lordship . ; : . :: : . -- - :
Mr . Grant , seconded the resolution , and stated that the liberation of Mr . Oastleri would : be bailed with loud expressions of deight throughout Lancashire as well as in Yorkshire . ; / : ; . ;¦' The Chairma ?? having , in the handsomest terms , acknowledged ; tae coinpliment , and urged that strong exertions Bhould be made to effect the object they had in view ,.-- '¦¦ . - ;¦ : . , ¦ ' '¦'¦ ¦ : : ' ;; - ; ¦'¦ - ¦ ' ; The meeting broke up .
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The BODY of a whale was receutly washed ashore , near Bastia , Corsica , which bore upon itaybo . dy .-the marks of a shark's jaws ^ and had no doubt quitted the open sea ta avoid this savage en ^ my . Cobn Law Repkalers' Mode of conducting Discussions . — A correspondent who gives his name , writeB us the following account of a set ; discussion in the Panorama Rooms , London , between the Chartists and an Anti-Corn Law lecturer named Haynes : — . ' ¦ * Jiist as the chair had been taken , Mr . Haynes went out 6 f ; the room , and the iChairman began to apologise for Mr . Haynes , who would be absent for about half an hour . About twenty minutes after forty or fifty Irishmen , from Sti Giles , came into tho
room , and in three minutes afterwards Mr . Haynes made his appearance , and said , he thought it would be better to adjourn to a ground floor , for he wa 3 afraid the floor of the room they were in ¦ would give way . The room at : tM time was not near full ; hoyvever , the mesting was adjourned ; to the Panorama , Leicpster-square , which is capabio of holding two hundred and fifty to three hundred persons , and it was about half full . Bebiad tha chairman stood an Irishman , who gave the signals to his men when to clap _ and cheer . It was quite laughable to see them , with their hands up and their mouths open , watching the fugleman for the signal , Does this not show that theae men were hired to attend' ?" '
Anti-Corn Law Vapocring—Nothing fits so ill the stomach of the "League "; spbuters as to be compelled to discuss the principles contained in their addresses , with any one likely to know any thing about them . Of this a remarkable instance was recently afforded by Mr * Knock-off hats Siduey , the " pTa ^ ue" man who infests the hoighb'jurhood of the Metropolis . This worthy , some few weeks ago delivered a lecture : ia the Western Institatiou , near Leicester'Square ,. Mr . Leader , M . P ., in the cha i ! r and the room . was moderately filled . After the spouter had delivered himself of his stock of cut and dry ; philippics against agriculturalists and a poor attempt at an attack on the principles of Home Colonies , a gentleman present , connected with tho John Btreefc InBtitution , rope , and requested
permission to--reply * . '; This was shuffled ; on the plea of " late hour , " and the Hon . Chairman suggested that the parties should discuss the question at another time . Mr . Smith , on being asked if he wa ^ willing to do S 0 j assented ( with great seeming cordiality . There the matter dropped for that night j and the nextjday the lecturer was vnritteii to and requested to meet the party and settle preliminaries . ¦ . ¦ ' ¦' ¦ answer being returneid , the request waa repeated after the lapse of several days . He was too busy preparing fop tho Anti-Corn Law Confererica . The Conference got over and the gentleman ' 3 memory , was again jogged j whenhe ^ ultimately backedout through the medium of a bullying blackguardly epistle , which , of necefisityj put an end to the correspondeaoe . ' -. ¦ ¦ . ' ¦'•"• ¦ • - . ' . ' : ; ~ - /¦ ¦ -. •'¦• : .- -:-.- - : ¦" . . - ' -
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' THE . . ilfcQ ^ TH ?^ ^ ¦¦" , : : . - - - , - ¦ : : - : . ' ¦ . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ : .. ;/ '; ; :: ; -U : - ¦^ T ¦¦^¦ f ¦^ f :: v "
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GROANS FROM BEVERLEY . " The flesh will quiver where the pincers tear , SuffaringsV by long continuance , grow on pain ; But these are foreign to the soul , not mine The groans that issue : on the rack I scorn , thee ! Were I not thus reduced , thou wouldst not know That thus reduced I dare defy tbee still !" ; Young ' s Revenge
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 26, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct423/page/7/
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