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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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PARISH OF ST . MARYLEBONE . * - . INTERFERENCE Br THE POOR LAW COMMISSIONERS TO PREVENT OT 7 T-DOOR RELIEF . O& Tuesday , a general meeting of tbe directors and guardians of tke poor of the pariah of St . Maryleboue took place at the workhouse in the New-road , to consider the propriety of confirming or not confirming a a minute pissed on the preTious Friday of a resolution to be sent to the Poor Law Commissioners declaratory of a determination of that board to resist any attempt on the part of the Commissioners to interfere in any Tray with the administration of parochial relief in the parish of St . Marylebone . Mr . Culley having been appointed to the chair , called upon Mr . Tharne , the secretary , to read the communication from the Poor Law Commissioners , which was as fallows : — " Poor Law Commission-office , " Somerset-house , Aug . 26 . _
Sir , —I am directed by the Poor Law ComnriBBoners to inform you , that they hare tinder their consideration the case of Thomas Phillips and his family , as detailed in a letter of ' the 29 ih of July , from the Bioester Board of Guardians ( of which a copy was transmitted to the directors and guardians of the poor of Marylebone ) and in the letter of the Maryle ' r-ono directors and guardians of the 13 th inst . ; and the Poor Liw Commissioners feel bound to point out to the directors and guardians , that the course " which they adopted in reference to Thomas Phillips and his Jamiiy was illegal and otherwise improper . The facts
of the case appear to be as follows : —On or previous t » the 16 th of last May , Thomas Phillips applied for relief in Marylebone parish , and as it Eeemed to result from his statement that Bicester King ' s Bad was his place of settlement , a letter was written on the subject to the Bioeater Board of Guardians , who re turned an answer , That Bicester King ' s End would not be willing to accept Jhoaus Phillips and his family without orders of remoTal , as they were not at all satisfied about his settlement , and that no relief granted by the Marylebone authorities could be repaid by the Bicaster Union . '
" Subsequently , on the 5 th of July last Thomas Phillips applied to Mr . Collet , one of the inspectors cf the out-door poor of St . Marylebone , for relief , which was administered to him casually . On his examination being taken , his settlement was ascertained to be Bieester King ' s Knd , to which parish it was proposed he should be remoTed under orders . He alleged that if be eould only get to Bicester , where he had friends and connexions , he was sure of obtaining employ , and should stand in no further need of parochial relief Hia iraggon fare was paid by order of tha directors and guardians ; not , it is alleged , with a view of irregularly passing him to the place of his settlement , for the purpose of becoming chargeable , but with a view to enable him to migrate fron a place where hs could obtain no employ , to one where , through the medium of bis connexions , he alleged he was sure of obtain- ' ng it , and by which he could prevent himself and family from being further psuperizrd .
" On this statement of facts the Poor Liw Commisrionera desire to point out , in the first place , that the relief afforded in this case haTing been advanced with a Tiew of enabling the pauper and his family to travel to some other place , seems to hare been illegally given . It was not merely a relief of tha present necessity of the ponper , but money was placed into his hands for the purpose of travelling—an object which is not within any of the provisions of the Pi > or Laws , except in pursuance of an order made by justices in the regular form .
" The Poor Law Commissioners likewise deeire to observe , that this morfe of relief is other srise » p 3 n to serious objections . When a sum of money for travelling is intrusted to an individual in the situation of Th » mas Phillips , he has it in his power to misapply it by expending the greater part of it in liquor , and then throwing himself for support on some other parish , so that the tendency of this mode of relief is to afford facilities for vagrancy . « ' The aixr observations apply generally to any case in which mo ^ y for travelling expenses is granted to any pauper , « ven althcngh the effect of it , in some peculiar cases , might not be to make a pauper chargeable to any other parish ; but in the instance now under consideration the Poor Law Commissioners cannot refrain from pointing out that the directors and guardians of Marylebene acted unfairly in supplying Thomas
Phillips and his family with money to proceed to tha parish of Bicesier King's-end , when the Bicester Boa d of Guardians had so expressly stated that the parish was not satisfied about his settlement , and when the obvions tendency of supplying him with money to go tbere was to make him chargeable to it . Tot aithongh it seems that Thomas Phillips had alleged that if he could only get to Bicester he was sure of obtaining employment , the Poor Law Commissioners do not collect that tie directors and guardiams of Marylebene took any steps to ascertain whether his statement was tree or probable ; and the Po « r Law Commissioners think that no reliance ought to have been placed on the unsupported statement of the pauper himself ; and the effect of the course followed fey the directors and guardians has been to make Thomas Phillip * and his family chargpabie to the parish ef Bicester King ' s : cd .
" The Poor Law Commissioners , in conclusion , desire to remark , that if boards of guardians generally ¦ were to act on the same principle as was adopted by the directors and guardians in the present instance , the effect would often be to deprive parishes of the protection now efforded them by the law of removals . For although the Poor Law Commksiocers do not dispute that the directors and guardians acted houa fide in giving credence to the apparently unsupponed and tas the event proved . ) untrue statement of the pauper , that he was sore of finding employmsnt at Bicester ; yet they cannot disguise from themselves , that if such evidence were generally acted upon in a similar manner , it would be possible in numerous instances to evade altogether the law respecting removals , and parishes might be able clandestinely to shift the burden of maintaining paupers upon distant parishes from which paupers , from any particular reason , might be desirous of receiving relief- " 1 have the honour to be , Sir ,
" Ycur most obedient servant , " W- G . LUMLY , Assistant Secretary . " The Clerk to the Directors and Guardians of St . Marylebone . " Mr . Thorpe then read the report of a committee appointed by the beard to draw up a resolutions in answer t » the foregoing commonication , which was as follows : — " That the communication of the Poor Law Commissioners be acknowledged , and that they be infurmtd that this board having dealt with the case of Thomas Piillips and family , with a view to their moral a- ; vintage , and that utwn reconsidering all the circumsti :: cr 3 as detailed , this board differs with the Commissioners as to the illegality or Impropriety of the course pursued ; independently of which , from exptrience , numercu * instances could be adduced whereby a timely administratien cf casual relief , deserving families have been preserved frcm protracted pauperism .
" The Board farther tafce occasion to observe , that say interference with their decisions by the Poor Law Commissioners is uncalled for , and calculated to subvert their independence . " ( L ? ud cries of " Hear , hear . " ) The CH 1 IBMB . N having put this resolution for confirmation , Mr . W . Etee said , he should nsove that this resolution be non-confirmed . Ee did so on the ground that the Poor Law CommiiEiuners , finding tbe Board had committed an illegal act ( cries of " No , no , ") had , in a very courteous and proper manner , communicated with them , in order to set them right ( Laugh
ter . ) Mr . Perbt would second the non-confirmation . It ¦ was dear that the board , in the case of Thomas Pnillips and hiBfamily , had acted in defiance of all law . ' . "Oh , oh ! " ) They had no rieht to remove any pauper without an order of removal , by which he might become ehargeable to another parish . He thought the Commissioners , possessing the power t ^ ay din , had acted most courteously to the board in calling their attention to the subject ; and the Board , instead of Eending such an iHjpertin&nt answer , was bound to act with equal ourtesy .
Mr . ErsHiLL must express his utter astonishment that Mr . Perry should second the motion for non-confirmation , seeing that he was one of the committee of three who had drawn up the resolution just read—( cries of " Hstt . " ) Mr . Perry agreed in the general principle of the answer which had been drawn up to the communicati-: n of the Poor Law Commissioners . It -was not considered necessary to go into all the details of the case for the reformation of the gentlemen of Somerset-house , and that answer which bad been drawn up was quite sufficient to indicate to them the spirit of that board— { hear , hear . ) the motion
Mr Bathbose was well aware that would Indicate to the Poor Law Commissioners the spirit of the board , but it would not refute the declaration which the Commissioners had made , that the course the board bad adopted was an illegal one— icnes of " Oh oh . " ) It mattered not whether Marylebone was a Poor Law Union or not , there was a certain law for the relief of the poor affecting certaincaaes which applied to all parishes , and which the Poor Law Commissioners bad declared that board bad infringed . Since the decision of Lord Denman with Tegard to the operation of the New Poor Law generally , be thought the board ought not , if they wished to preserve their independence , do anything to provoke She Poor Law Commis sionas to send an assistant commissioner to take his seat at that board—( loud laughter . ) Gentlemen would not ptftfeeod to eay that they would have the power or the courage to eject him . Mr . BB 3 HILL—But we would eject ourselves—( cries
of " Hew , hear . ") Mr . Rathbone would put it to the board if they were to adopt such a course of resistance to the Poor Law Comm ^ ioMrs , in what a state the administration of the Poor Law in the parish would be . I * ™*!** perfectly at a stand-still , and the poor would be starring --rob , oh . ") He implored the board , if they had any wish to preserve their independence , to treat the commanication of the Poor Law CenuaiffiiaoeM respectfully — 'laughter . )
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Mr . Soden aaid , it was really laughable to expect to maintain the independence of the board by succumbing to the dictation of che Poor Law Commissioners . ( Loud cries of Hear . ) The course proposed by the movers of the non-confirmation was just the very one to help tha three kings of Somerset-house in their attempt to get the thin edge « f their wedge into Marylebone , which they were seeking to do at every opportunity—( hear , bear . ) Was it not sufficient for them to carry out their most inhuman laws and orders in their own union , but thsy must attempt to introduce them into parishes over which they had no control ?—( hear , hear ) . Because that Board had acted in the case of Phillips with the proper feelings of humanity , and had used th « ir endeavours to prevent the reduction of a distressed family to
a permanent state of pauperism , tha Poor Law Commissioners forsooth declare the act cf the board illegal and improper —\ hear ) . What right had they to Interfere in any way with the adminis ration of out-door relitf by that board ?—( hear , hear ) . What had the boird really done ? Instead of pauperizing Phillips and bis family for twenty-one days in tLe workhouse , which would have cost the parish the sum of £ 6 , they had committed the monstrous crime of paying 36 s . to pass him to a place where heJiad no doubt « f getting employment himself , and his wife and children a respectable asylum amongst her friends—( hear ) . The latter had really been done , but this proceeding did not please the Poor Liw Commissioners . They did net do that in the unions under their cor . trol , but they did that which vr : s infinitely worse —( hear )—they delighted in paupfr ieir . g families and getting tbem into union houses Tbe poor creatures and their fauiilieB are Induced to
make their way mt # the manufacturing districts , not with 36 s . to assist them in their progress , but without a siugle farthing in their pockets , and they were forced to big to alleviate the pangs of starvation— ( hear , hear ) . Thtse were the men who dared to call that board to account for committing an act of humanity—( hear ) . He was Eure that the course they had pursuad met with the suppcrt of the rate-payers , and he cared not bow soon the Poor Law Commissioners tried their strength , for it was high time it should be known whether they had the power to interfere with an independent board—( hear . bear ) . Lst the beard assert its independence , anri if the Poor Law Commissioners ventured to interfere by walking in , let the board as a body walk out—( hear , hear ) . Ho should be happy to see this , for he brtieTed that ths Poor Law Commissioners by their arbitrary conduct would eoob less even the favour of the few members of the board who now supported th ° m—( hear , hear ) .
Mr . GRANGE . said , they were either an independent board , or they were under the controul of the Poor Law Comsmsionera . If tbe board allowed the letter , ihe dictatorial letter of those gentry , to pass without remonstrance , it would appear that the latter was the case . ( Hear , hear . ) The object -was to aim a blow at the system of out-door relief . ( Hear . ) If the syBtem f > f out-door relief were abolished , to that workhouse , large as it was , three more acres of land must be added . ( Hear . ) The Rev . Mr . Scobels thought the board were not called upon to argue the legality or illegality of the
coarse which had esen pursued with the Poor Law Commissioners . The question he though * was , had they the right to interfere with the board in the manner they had done ? He would he one of tbe last U throw away a jot of the independence of that board , but he locked upon the Poor Law Commissioners as a euperior authority , and as such they had merely infermed the j&ird that the course they had pursued was illegal . i' -Oh , oh ! " ) He thought that at all events the latter portion of the resolution , declaring the interference of tha Commissioners uncalled for , might be omitted .
Mr . Potteb considered that the course proposed by those who moved the rejection of the answer to the Poor Law Commissioners was , to call upon the Board to kis 3 the hand that held the scourge . "Hear . ) The Poor Law Commissioners told them they had acted illegally . Ha would deny the assertion , as if so , they , the Poor Law Cemmissioners , them&elves were acting ilierally by making paupers emigrate into over populated districts . ( Hear . ) He would maintain that the act of the Board in this instance was not only legal but strictly moral ( Hear . )
Mr . Anderson said , there wns a wilful misreprese--tits on of this case by the Poor Law Commissioners , Phillips had not the money placed at his own disposal , Uu-. bis waggon expenses were paid by the officer of the beard . It was infinitely better that the man ' s wife and three children should bavs an asylum amongst her own friends than that the course suggested by the P » ""or Law Commissioners should be carried out—( Hear , hear . ) ilr . Giusox was deliehted that the Board would not
ennrent to pauperize whole funilies or suffer them to starve as the Poor Law Commissioners did . He could cniy say , that in every such case that came before the rcta , when it came to his turn to sit there , he sheold act in precisely the same manner as hid been dene in the case of Phillips , in dtSance of any order of the Poor Law Commissioners to tha contrary . — iHear , hear . ) Mr . Eyre having replied , The question was put from the Chair , and the nonconSrmation declared to be negatived .
A division was demanded , when there appeared—For the confirmation of the resolution ... 21 For the non-confirmation 4 Majority declaring the interference of the Poor Law Commissioners uncalled for , aEd tending to subvert the independence of the board —17 The announcement of the numbers was received with cheers , and the board broke up . . _ - _ _ . . _ ^
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which , be it remembered , was at first supported by the Whigs , and , to tke moment of its « nactmsnt , was opposed more in form than in reality by them . The result of these proceedings was the Act 57 Gee . III . c , 19 . It enacts that every society ( political ) shall be comprehended under the provisions of 39 Geo . 3 , before recited . The enactments are in the following words , namely , 1 . " £ very society or club that shall elect , nominate , or employ , any committee , delegate , representative , or missionary , to meet , confer , or communicate with any other society or club , or with any committee or delegate , or induce or persuade uiy other person to become a member thereof , shall be liable to the penalties of the 39 G « o . Ill , cap 79 , "—namely , fine , imprisonment , and transportation for seven years .
2 . " Every person who shall become a member of any such society or club , or shall act as a member thereto —every pGrsen who shall directly or indirectly maintain correspondence or intercourse with any such society or Cub , or with any committee , delegate , representative , or missionary , or with any officer or member thereof as such , shall be liable to the same penalties and panishmeuts . " 3 . " Every p : rson who shall by contribution of money or otherwise aid , abet , or support any such society or club , or any officer or member thereof as such , shall be liable to the same penalties and punishment . " Such is the law . It has , however , no relation to public meetings , or tbe appointment of delegates at such meetings . It relates solely to societies or clubs ; and , therefore , whatever could be done before the 39 Geo . 3 , by public meetings , can be done now .
Every administration for a century past has , whenever it suited any purpose , employed spies to get up societies , clubs , && , to induce the cominisaioa of illegal acts , and then to imprison , transport , and put to death , those among the offenders who were most obnoxious . What has been done , it may be concluded , may be done again . -
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Mr . Hewitt , Mr . Wbitty , and the men under tbair command exerted themselves with all tbe daring » nd skill for which they have become celebrated , in order to arrert the progress of the destnwtivaelement ; but it nevertheless gradually descended into the lower apartments , and begaa to assume a terrific , tboogb magnificent aspect Men were briefly employed in emptying the stores to those rooms to whiob the flames had not penetrated , and a good deal of cotton and other artioleswere g $ t out , and deposited in an adjoining street Whilst engaged in this work , some of the bricks forming the arch of Hie uppermost doorway fell down upon one of the poor and toiling labourers , who was crushed to the earth , apparently lifeless . Ha was quickly taken up by some of hU companions , and , though severely bruised and crushed about the lower patt of the body , hia head escaped with a Blight contuaion , and he is , we believe , not fatally iDJured .
Tbe roef of the warehoase fell ia about half-past eight o ' clock , and from that time the prospect of saving the lower part of the building seamed almost hopeless . The fire police , howover , mounted on tall ladders to the npper doow and windows , and directed the hose of the variona engines to those parta where the conflagration wa * the fiercest . The vast mass of water thus Bteadily directed upon the blazing pile seemed at one time ( about ten o'clock ) to be slowly obtaining the mastery over the fiery element , and a confident expectation was entertained that it woald be prevented from progressing below the thhd or fourth Btory . At one time the mass of flime emittad from the glowing pile extended nearly across Galton-Btreet , and some fear was entertained for the safoty of one or two of the houses on the southern side of the street . A report , in fact w&s circulated that one bouse had actually taken fire ; but this was not correct . The
sheet or wane of flame speedily became contracted in volume , and all fear of the 8 i > uth « rn side of Galfconstreet was at an end . The inhabitants of the houses on the north aide of Galt « n-street , adjoining the burning warehouse , naturally became Boon alarmed , and removed the whole of their effects . In the midst of the awful and solemnly imposing scene , a circumstance of an almost ludicrous character took place . A considerable quantity of the half consumed coffee wa 3 ejected into the street ; the heated water thrown back from the glowing walls of the filming interior , poured into the channels , and , carrying with it the wgated coffee and quantities of melted sugar formed a beverage which some portion of the vast crowd of spectators were eagerly employed in scooping up in the hollow of their hands , and drinking . — Liverpool Times .
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" 27 th . At twelve o'clookv p . m ., commenced light winds and pleasant weather ; aiade all possible sail , plying to windward . At four o ' clock , Her Majsrty ' s brig Fantoma apoka the captain , kindly offered us assistance , and sent a boat aboard , with one ? lientenant and Burgeon to inspect the state of the snip , and there were no symptoms of the fire to be asen . The Fantome ' a boat left the ship . At eight o ' clock light winds and dear weather ; no appsaranca of fire ; employed throwing water over the burnts part of the ship . Midnight , ditto weather ; threw mere water over the ship . At four o ' clock a . n ., a moderate breeza from W . S . W . running along the land ; set all atudding-sails . no cf
At noo ^ i appearance fire . " 28 th . Lat observed 23 30 , long . 28 , commenced with a fine breeze an * pleasant weather . At three o ' clock , p . m . fonnd the wool to be on flro in the bold ia the same place as before . All hands were immediately ordered to pour water on the fire , and to take the burning wool on deck . At four o ' clock p . m . there was no fire to be seen bnt some of the wool was still very hot . At eight o'clock light wind and cloudy I no appearance of fire ; set a watch in tbe bold to watch for the fire breaking out again . At daj light saw the entrance to Bio harbour , bearing N . E by E . At noon appearance of fire . Lat . 23 9 3 ., at four o'clock p . m ., anchored in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro . ' *
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PERSECUTION OF MR . JOHN DUNCAN . AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN . Brothers and Sisters . —We adopt this method of appealing to your sympathies , and love of justice , and fixing yonr attention upon a most Important cass , in the hapa that your desire to protect the innocent and defend the good , will operate bo strongly upon your minds that you will b « induced , from the purest motives , to sacrifice self-comforts in order to save a friend . Many of you are already aware of the fact , that that man and patriot , John Duncan , has been arrested by the authorities of Dundee ; that he has been confined eleven days in gaol ere he was permitted to get out upon bail . He is charged with offences which we not only believe , bnt from a thorough knowledge of all the circumstances , ure prepared to prove that he is altogether and entirely innocent of .
At the three meetings of the unemployed , held on the Magdalen Green , at which Mr . Dancan spoke—we maintain that he never condescended to appeal to tke passions of mankind , but addressed hltusslf altogether to the intellectual faculties of the people ; he advised them to crucify every passion , and to let reason and mind only rule . By arguments plain , but pointed , he reprobated a . 'I wars aod tumults—taught the duties of the ruled as well as of the rulers—showed the majesty and power of the law—the rights of property—the sacredntsa of human life— -vindicated the character of
tha Dundee magistrates from charges made against them . He ailvised the people to consult the proper authorities as to the legality of any step , btfore they ventured to take that step ; and by all the tender ties of children and parents , and the holy and Bocred spirit of tbe Christian religion , he appealed to all to be wise , prudent , cautious , sober , temperate , while energetically persevering for the attainment of their rights . Brothers and Sisters , —We assure you the above Is the true and real spirit which breathed in all Mr . Duncan said at these meetings ; and it is acknowledged by all , except - — —— , that he acted a wise and
a prudent -pitt at these meetings . The spirit and disposition of the people themselves is clearly proved from the fact , that afjer all the noise that has been made about riets and such like , we are not aware of a single pane of glass having being broken by them in Dundee . We have facts which t ? e could detail , that would prove that the success attending Mr . Duncan ' s labours as a Christian teacher is at the bottom of much of his persecution . These we will make known at the proper time . Brothers and Sisters , —Shall the innocent be left undefended—shall the shepherd be torn from his flockshall our church doors be bolted—shall our Christian union be broken up—stull the voice of him who has
proved himself a practical Christian be made muteshall his person be confined in the coldand lonely cellshall virtue and truth be treated like felony and crime , and we be heedless ?—No ! it shall not b % ; yf& love him as we love ourselves , and shall prove it by our works . We shall do our duty . Friends and countrymen , we claim your assistance to provide for him the most eminent Counsel at the Scottish bar . Scotland r . ow makes her first appeal . Englishmen , Irishmen , Welshmen , listen to her call , lend us your aid , contribute your mites , that we may be able to bring forward a powerful array of wltness ? a and able council , to prove the real character , and secure the liberty of our common friend . John Duncan .
A few weeks will bring round the day of trialhasten then—send your communications and contributions to Robert Lindsay , secretary , Jackson ' s Lmd , Scouringbum ; or , to Robert Kidd , No . 7 , Wellgate , Dundee , treasurer . Signed . in [ namo of the Christian Chartist Congregation , Robert Kidd , Isaac Peterkin . ; ¦ ' ¦ ' Robert Linsay , &c ... ^»— : .
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trifling breacu of cuauu / iiue—for everylittb tc 1 vn -. iiu . ri 17 in the routine of their puppet- ifo . What ouubt to prove still more galling to a generous spirit , they ar « bought and sold by their officers or drivers like a gang of negroes ; and it matters not what merit a man pas * sess even in that abominable calling , nor what the length of bia services , he censtantiy aetB younger aad leasable men preferred over his head , just as birth , interest , or flattery happens to promote them . Men who , can enter such a way of life , who can submit to all its debasing requisitions , its degrading duties , arc- joafi the jnen , ' ont of a desperate spite agcinst hnman na ' . iire itself , to do such things aa these men , thes-j murderous machinesara set to do ; bat all the bad passions of oar
nature are fostered in them , are incited by method and rewards to fit them for encb-Seadishness . It cont < i not else , be that we sbonldbear of these men firing at their brethren , whom they ought rathe * to soothe—to succour , firing at them by the command of tho ^ e v ? bo isflict the miseries which drive the people to madness —miseries which they themselves once knew , since . felt , and were refused redress , relief : firing at them not constrainedly , but willingly , and afterwards boa ting of it , even exceeding tbe bloody instructions which they hate been taught . Why , if they were men , they vould rather turn and execute those orders on the monsters who can issue them—who alose deserve to suffer by them .
Soldiewbave generally been complimented with one virtue in the absence or at the expence of all Giberswith bravery—but what bravery is there in men going armed and accoutred on horseback—confident with impunity and concert—agaiuBt an unarmed , a defenceless , a naked crowd on foot , fainting with famine ? Surely the bravery is on the opposite side—the bravery is on the side of the poor starving but p . aient men , women , and children who boldly fsce the gallant warriors that attack them . The fact is , it is nevei courage , it is invariably cowardice that prompt these attacks and can be no other . Certain timid old men
culled magistrates , hear halloea and are alarmtu—they get pasta-struck—they lose all preeeuca of mind—they Bend for soldiers , the riot act is read , and under cover of that the soldiers fire ; for cowardice is always craol —it dare not trust rtself—it dare not trust othors -the timid , the terrified are always suspicious and vindictive . But all men ( ire net alike—some eren among the soMierg revolt against th « duty assigned them—sicken m itthey refuse to fire upon their unarmed , unofii-ading fellow-countrymen . One hundred and fifty , it is said , grounded their arms , and they are to be punished for their humanity—for their true bravery—they have been lodged , heavily ironed in the Tower , and wii ) probably be shot for refusing to ehoot tbelr own sisters and brothers ; their own fathers and mothers , whose sole crime was the madness of despair . Bat the people will boBbur these clement men—tbe people I trust wilt save them .
These soldiers have shewn themselves worthy of a better lot—pity it is that their freebom limbs . ihoold ever have been cased in the hellish livery of tyrautathat they should ever have worn the tinselled sanguinary garb of war—that they should ever have suffered the image of God in their persons to be strapped , buckled , bedizened , and thus befoooled . In ancient Rome tbe soldier who saved a cit ' zdn ' s life was rewarded with a crown—these saved by sparing the lives * f many citizens—let tbem be crowned with glory—may they be crowned immortally .
But the police have no such scruples of consciencethey feel no such compuaotioos visltingB—they bave said , and I heard many of them avow it , that > 'f the soldiers refuse to fire oa the people , we'll smash their beads for them . The police are paid by thu middle classes , and Ibis may make the difference in their sentiments , for tbe sehliers probably remembered that th&y are kept in idleness by the labour of the working classes , and could they shoot theme who had burked to feed and clothe them , and would still have been working had not oppression made them mad ? But for that oppression , this blood would not have been shed —the Isle would not have been " frightened . ' remits propriety "—and while that oppression continues , who can ensure the chantry from a recurrence of these horrors—from a constant recurrence of Uium , or tbe more fearful horrors of assassination and incendiarism ?
Before we quit this part of our subject , it mny not be amiss to stats what are the real duties of soldiers and police . Soldiers should be raised for tha protec tion of the people , not for their reduction—to shed the blood not of their countrymen , but of their country ' s foes—they are to preserve as from foreign invasion and domestic tyranny , to fight in defence of liberty—not on behalf of tyranny , for then they cease to fce soldiera , they become mercenaries , cat-throats . They are properly the servants of the state , not of the Que ^ n , ox of
Government—they are supported by the people , although our cunniug tyrants have constituted themselves their paymasters , and thus make it appear that the pay comes out of their pockets , when in reality it comes from tbe pockets of the people . BpMsh soldiers formerly knew their duty better—they know their duty wall , and did it , too , when in the reign of James the Second they sided with the people against that bigottcd king , and forced him to abdicate tke throneaye , expelled the tyrannical race of Stuarts for ever , even as the Tarquins were expelled from Rome .
As for the police—no one would object to the won if they kept within their proper bounds—if they c&atuntsd themselves with being the guards of life . and property , but when they provoke the pfcople to break the psace , in order that they may have a pretext for breaking their beads and bringing them before the bench for committal to prison , that they may shew their leal and obtain pre ferment—they clearly overstep the legitimate hue of their duty and are themselves the criminals , deserving of the severest punishment So far from doing injustice , they Bhould see that cone i . is done—bo fa * from interfering with the people when peaceably met to dfacuss their grievances , they should tee that none else interfere with them , and should always guard those liberties which , alas , they too often violate .
Blood has been shed—blood that calls I will - \ ot say for more blood , bat for tears . For who were the victims—what was the crime—why did tbey rise—where fore did they i riot ? They rose that they might not be entirely pressed to earth—ground to dust Thoy were provoked to it—forced to it Onoe risen tbey took tbe fuoci which they conld not earn—they committed some outrages—somo acts of vengeance not indiscriu inateacts of retaliation , of retribution . Far less outrages were committed by tbe men on their mastt-TB , than the musters bad previously committed on the id en ; for the people are always more ready to forgive tban to punish , and . are seldom vindictive , often goodbumoured . — Though they bad taken the law in their own bands , they exercised their irresistible power with justice .
with mercy . Will the middle-class juries be so forgiving ? will the judge on bis jotigmcnteaal ; be bo merciful ? Will be in cold blood be bo sparing as tbey fa hot blood were ? I am afraid not . Tbe men struck for liberty , and Government can least forgive a strike for freedom . The civil authorities will finkh the work began by tbe military . The blood that has besa shed will not be deemed sufficient to atone for the off « ncea of the people ; there will be imprisonments and transportations . Oh ! should not our hearts bleed for those who have bled ? It is our duty to consider their cases seriously , solemnly . The most worthy have fallen —the warmest-hearted , the bravest , tbe foremost have been marked—weie singled out and shot—shot through
the brains , through the bowels , through the heart , through tbe liver , through the lungs—horriblj shot ! The poor fellows writhing in the agonies of d . iath are born 0 borne . What an increase to the dilations of a pinicg family already overwhelmed by misery ! They went out for bread for . a brokenspirited wife and squalid children , and are brought back to them wounded , bleeding , expiring!—their blood flows and cannot be stanched . They die , cursing the demons who had shot them , while their bereaved and destitutefaroiliesmourn , bat tbe legislators , whose class-laws—the millowners , whose selfidh love of lucre caused this pretty work , should be there to witness it If they weie , would they not be touuhtJ -witb pity ?
• ' Yea , as rocks are ; f * or when the widow ' s cries assails their ears And undone orphans wash with tears their threca jlds , They only think what 'tis to be Styled Honourable , and 'tis a powerful charm Makes them insensible to remorse or the Least touch of pity . " Now what were tbe crimes of those poor people : bua suddenly sent to an untimely grave , wrapped in . a bloody shroud ? They were affectionate to tneirv . lves , whom they wished to make more comfortable ; tuey loved their children , and wished for the mw \ h of educating them and setting tuem forward virtuou :. '; y iu the world ; they wished for a , furnished homo « -iiha stored cupboard ; to ba docentiy clothed , to iivatsvcectably ; and for these good wishes , for being good fathers , good hnsbands , good citizens , they were ruthlessly
shoton end was put to their wants , to their miseries , by a violent , a dreadful death . Will Government provide for their widows and orphans—Government that barbarously deprived them of their national protectors ? It would be well for the soldiers to know thai not one of the victims thus Bbot for wishing to have wages that he could live by , but would have assisted those soldiers had they been in similar distress ; would have given tbem alms bad tbey been disbanded and sent about the country a-begging , after being crippled or disabled in the service of Government ; a parallel case . It would ba well for Prince George , of the blood royal , who thirsted to dye bis sword in their blood , to know that any one of them would have been too foolishly loyal had he wanted their services ; See what erimes it costs to impport injustice 1 These are its results , and these results will happen again and again , until the accursed system is reformed by tht People ' s Charter . .. . ¦
; . „__ What allegiance is doe to a Government who , after reducing a people to this pass , ends them thus horribly ? Society is dissolved by it Say that the interests of tho aristocracy require these Woody sacrifices * Oa , surely the interests pi humanity Bbould take precedency over every other interest Perish the aristocracy , if its splendours can be maintained only by shedding the blood of the unfortunate and the mis « rabla—which they call justifiable homicide I ; f To be concluded in our next . J
Untitled Article
On hondat morning the body of a vfell-dressed woman , with several rings on her fingers , was taken out of the river , off Cuckold's PoiEt , Rotherfliibe , and convoyed to the dcad-hooBe .
Untitled Article
A BRUTE IN OFFICE . On Friday , a poor m oman named Catherine Fillts , with three children , one of them an infant in arms , applied to Mr . Henry , at Lambeth-street , for his assistance under the following circumstances s—The applicant , who was labouring under serious indisposition , stated , that about twelve months ago , in consequence of
the desertion of her huaband , she was compelled to apply to tbe parish » f Whiu-chapel for relief , and was taken into the workhouse . Her two children were removed to tbe Spital 3 cld 3 house , which formed a part of the union , and she herseif , with her infant , was placed in tbe receiving ward , which is underground , and kept tbere from that time to the present The dampneag of the place and tbe want of proper air had such an efftct upon her that she felt her health gradually declining , and she had latterly become so excessively ill that the infant at her breast was affected , and she begged that some assistance might be afforded her to wean her child , but this was refused to her . She also begged of the parish doctor , Mr . Foster , to have her
removed to tha sick ward , where she would have the benefit of pure air , but he paid no attention whatever to her request , She further begged of both the doctor and Sirs . Mursell , the matron ef the house , to ba allowed a little tea or something to drink , as she could not take water- £ ruel . Mrs . Mursell said she considered water-gruel quits good enough for h ' er , and that she wcnld not get so good In Ireland ( the applicant being an Irishwoman ) . The applicant further said , that finding her health get daily worse , and feeling confident that if she remained much longer in the bouse , her death must be the consequence , she made tip her mind to leave it , and , on mentioning her intention , she was obliged to tike her two children with her out of the Spitalflelda workhouse .
In reply to tbe question of Mr . Henry , the poor woman said the father of her infant was her second husband , snd an Englishman . Mr . Henry perceiving the f oor woman was really bo ill that it was with some difficulty &he could speak , desired Saunders , one of the summoning officers , to go to Whitechapel workhouse , and direct the attendance of Mursell , the master . In about an hour be made his appearance , and , upon being informed of the nature of the application and complaint of the female , he at once commenced an attack upon her about her Iszy habits while in the workhouse , and her not doing any work . Mr . Henry , to MurBell . — D : > you think Bbe is in a fit state to work now ? Any ono must see that she Is very ill , and , whatever may b ; ive been her conduct heretofore , this is not a proper time to abuse her for what she may have been guilty of . She ia evidently very ill , and requires some extraordinary care .
Mureeli . —The fact , Sis , is , that ths is a very troublesome person , and I understand from the doctor that she has had the modesty to ask for tea , poiter , arrowroot , and even port wine . Mr . Henry . —Well , suppose Eho did ask for these things ; tasre can ba no doubt ot her extreme illness , and I suppose tbe parochial medical attendant has the power of ordering thesa things iu cases of illness like hers . Mursoll—Oh , yes , your worship , it is the doctor ' s business to order it , and he has not ordered anything for this woman . Mr . Henry—Bat I suppose yon have some discretionary power as master of tbe workhouse ? For instance , in cases of illness , kavo you not the power to order tea to the afflicted pauper ? Mursell—Ob yes , Sir , plenty of It , and this woman was allowed plenty of milk .
Applicant—Yes , I got a little milk , but what was the use of that when there was ne fire allowed In the ward , and I could not wean a child with cold ailk . Mursell—Well , it was the doctor ' s business to attend to you , and he has done bo ; bat the fact ia , you are a very troublesome persen . llr . Henry—Mr . Mursell , persons in your situation oncht to act kindly to those poor persons . Depend upon it , by treating them wish kindness you will acquire much more than by harsh treatment Yon should also make some allowance for persons in a state of illness like the applicant , and not take offence at what they aiay utter while labouring under effliction of body and mind .
The applicant said , all she wanted was to be moved to the sick ward , and to be allowed tea or something else to drink besides water-gruel , which Mrs . Mursell had told her was quite good enough for her , and better than she could get in her own country . Mursell here laughed aloud , upon which Mr . Henry told him such condnct was anything bufc decorous , and that he ( Mr . Henry ) did not sae anything inr the matter to laugh at The poor womnn was very ill , and he must say there was some ground for her complaint , Mr . Mursell begged pardon , bnt said he conld not help laughing at such a charge made against one who was the kindest woman in existence . ' Mr . Heniy observed , he had not the power , by law , to compel Mursell or the parish oificerB to treat the poor woman as she required , but he wou'd ask it as a personal favour to himself that such should be done .
The poor woman poured forth a thousand blessings on his worship , and was told to go back to tbe house cgain . Mursell , when about to leave the court , saul , he was sorry his time should have been so taken up ; upon which Mr . Henry expressed some surprise at such conduct , telling him if he had not attended he should have written to the Poor Law Commissioners on the subject
Untitled Article
THE LATE STORM—LOSS OF LIVES OFF THE COAST . From the various accounts received from different parts of the kingdom we regret to state that the storia which visited the metropolis on Wednesday night , and the hurricane of the following day , have been felt throughout the kingdom , particularly a ' . ong the coast , and have been attended with the loss of a vast deal of property , besides hnman life . During the whole of Wednesday and Thursday tha wind blow a cale from the
W . aW . to S . W ., which did considerable damage amongst tho shipping on the Eastern oast , savernl having their whole salts of aaiia , rigging , anchors , and cables carried away , and were obliged to put back in the Yarmouth Roads , Margate , and Harwich , being unable from the damage sustained to proceed on their destination . Off Melford , On Thursday , Captain Rees , of the Fair Hope , of Aberavon , passed a smtick on uboro in Ramsey Sound , and a schooner on the rocks of Skoiner Island , both deserted ; and also tbe mast and part of the hull of a smack . N E . of the North BiHhop , which ifl supposed to have foundered , and the crew perished .
So violent was the gale that tbe Plcanix coasting vessel , belonging to Cotton'a-yrhutt , while off Folkestone , lost one of her men of the name of John Button . The poor fellow was reefing the mainsail , when he . was blown over and lost , the mate nearly experiencing the same fate , he being washed overboard , and saved with considerable difficulty . Between tbe night of tbe 8 th and the morning of the 9 th the Halcyon , loaded with Fait , from Glecester , was wrecked on the weat end of the Gore Sands , and the whole of the crew , supposed to be nine in number , met with a watery grave . In the course of the day two of the bodies wore picked ap on Blenheim Strand .
On the Welsh coast the loss of life has been considerable . The Milford packet lost a man of tbe name of Williams , a native of St . Divid ' a , Pembrokeshire , when the vessel was about four miles west of the Smalls . In consequence of the terrific violence of the gale , the poor fellow was blown from the crosstrees , and although several spars and ropes were thrown out , these exertions were ineffectual . From the state of the sea , arising from the fury of the gild , it was found impossible to lower the boat ; within a few minutes after the accident the poor fellow disappeared . Off Cardiff , the De Esteping , bound from Amsterdam , had a seaman washed overboard ; and at Madoc , the following melancholy event occurred :-Ia t . Vo morning of the 8 th a boat left the port , containing three young lads , amongst them was the son of Mr . Rees Jones , for the purpose ef
mackerel fishing , in which the party were very successful , havirg , in the course of two hours , loaded their boat On returning with the boat a Budden Equill arose , which caught the boat and turned her over . Assistance immediately put off , but only two of the youths were saved—the son of Mr . Jones met a watery grave ; the other two were completely exhausted when rescued from their perilous situation . Along the Scotch coast the same calamitous results took place , a number of vessels were damaged ; and at Bade a large vesssi laden with grain was wrecked near Sharp's Nose , and with one exception the whole of the crew were lost ; the poor fellow who was washed ashore was in 00 exhausted a condition as to be nnuble at the time to give any information as to the name of the vessel or number of the crew .
Untitled Article
A SHIP OF FIRE—PERILOUS SITUATION . ( From ihe Liverpool Albion J The following extract from the log-book of the ship Ranown , Captain Hosken , on her passage from Syduey , New South Wales , to this port , with a cargo ef wool , gives an account of the breaking out of a firo in the hold , from the spontaneous combustion , it is supposed , of the wcol ; of the perilous situation of the crew and the passengers ; and of the skilful and persevering manner in which the parties on board subdued the Sillies , thereby saving the vessel and her cargo , as well as their own lives . The narrative is highly interesting : —
" June 24 . —At eight o ' clock , am ., moved the spars on the larboard aide , and ia so doing perceived a curious smell . At nine o ' clock , a . m ., remarked the same kind of smell in the cabin . Overhauled all the ship , but discovered nothing . At noon , a similar smell . Latitude obtained 25 26 S ., long . 38 43 . " 25 th . At half-paat twelve o ' clock , p . m ., cleared the sail-cu'iin , store-room , and everything out of the berths , and ia so doing found the smell proceeded from the hold , between the bulk-heads cf tbe cabin and quarter-deck . The smell increased , having every symptom of the wool being on fire . Pressed the people to woik to get part of the provislons on deck , all the spirits , oil , rope , &e ; closed all down , and made all as air-tight as possible , and kept the ship before the wind for Rio . Pumps duly attended to , and all . possible sail set to advantage . Cleared away the longboat and pinimce , got the tackle rove , and all ready for getting the boats out Latitude 24 , 20 , long , — .
" 26 th—At 12 o ' clock , p . m ., commenced moderate breeze aud cloudy , all sail set to advantage , standing towards the laad . At four o ' clock p . m ., smoke was observed coming through tho break of the second deck , and smelling like the smoke of wool . At six o ' clock p . m ., tho smell Increasing very much , and every aymptom of the ship being on fire , the captain ordered the longboat and pinnace to be hoisted overboard , with mast 3 and sails , and sent the most useless of the passengers In them . The boats baing ready , were put netern of the ship , with a cask of water , some provisions and spirits , two chronometers , and what was required for navigating the boats to land . At this time tha brass of the sky-light and wood of tbe companion appeared red-hot Covered the coats
of the masts , skylights and companion with bifliiketa and sails which were constantly kept wet . At half past eleven P . M ., fire was discovered bursting through the sUrbo&rA Bide , a little before tbe ' main chains ; water was thrown in to stop the flames . The boats wera now ordered alongside the ship for the remainder of the passengers , and Borne of the crew sent into them , except two of the passengers , who txerted themselves in a most able manner for the safety of the ship , namely . Dr . Hampton , R . N ., and Mr . Joseph Lane , the captain having determined to remain by the ship , in hopes of savins her and eargo , keeping the mate and cevan of the crew on board , who were employed pouring water into the holes made by tho fire , at the same time constantly keeping the companion , skylights ,
and coats of the masts and deck wet At midnight , light br : ez » s and fine weather : towing the boats astern with passengers , tbe fire still increasing from midnight to four o ' clock turn ., when the crew that were in the boats were ordered to come on board to relieve those that had been working all night . At ddylight , being hi sight of land , the Captain determined to break into the ship , by catting away the covering board where the fire appeared to be most rapid . Clot some casks of water filled on d « ck . At six o ' clock a . m ., all ready , and the ship ' s company all en the spot , also Dr . Hampton and Mr . Joseph Lane to assist , commenced cutting away with the broad adze , and pouring water into the bold . At eight o ' clock am . the fire appeared to be abated , and the half-deck hatches were broken open to find the extent of the fire . Tbe hatches being broken
open , water was thrown down as fast as possible . Cleared away the half-deck , and found nearly all the sails were burnt aud tbe ship ' s stores and provisions all spoiled by the fire . At nine o'clock a . m ., tbe fire Kf peared to be extinguished . A sail in sight in shore sent away by Mr . Lane and five men in the ship's gig to provide a passage for some of the passengers , tbe ladies having appeared to suffer much from alarm and being in the boats all night At eleven o ' clock a . m ., letaraed , and reported tbe vessel was bound to Rio , and that the captain would take abont six passengers . Captain Hosken then put on board Mr . and Mrs . Bradley , Mrs . Rose , Mr . Garrett , Mr . Perry , and two sailors . At noon the captain returned to the Bhip , hoisted ap thepinnance and giu , towing the longboat astern of th « ahip . Pumps duly ^ attended to .
Untitled Article
EXTENSIVE FIRE AT LIVERPOOL .
The promptitude , energy , and fearless activity of out admirably organized police force have made fires of an extensive and destructive character of but rare occurrence in this town for several years past . On Monday evening , however , a fire took place near the Prince ' s Dock which for a long time baffled all their skill , energy , and courage , and occasioned , we are sorry to say , the destruction of a largo amount of valuable property . The fire in question took place at a large bonded warehouse situate in Galton-street , Dondee-street , end Glasgow-street , a « d is , we believe , the property of Sir John Tobin . It is called Tobin ' s bonded warehouse , No . 212 . The frent , or gable end , which looks to the west of the warehouse , is in a narrow street called , we believe , Glasgow-street The south side of the warehouse is in a rather broad street , now called Galtonstreet , but better known by Its former name of Robertstreet North . Tha north side of the warehouse is in a
narrow street called Dundee-street , on the opposite side of which is a long range of lofty warehouses . On the eastern * nd , tbe warehouse adjoins private dwelling-houses . The upper stories of this extensive warehouse were filled with cotton , coffee , sugar , rice , &c . The vaults , we believe , are stored with materials of a still more inflammable character , such as palm oil , turpentine , and rum . The warehouse , we understand , was closed at the usual hour , four o ' clock , and all was then safe , as usual In little more than an hour after , or about twenty minutes past five o'clock , smoke was observed to issue from the door ef the jigger loft , and very speedily the flames became observable , and spread with remarkable rapidity . Information of tbi * was promptly communicated to the nearest police station , and at halfpast five , Mr . Wbitty , Superintendent Leverett , and
other officers were on the spot Engine * quickly followed , and though the fire had then gained considerable head , it might probably have been subdued before it had penetrated to tbe story underneath , had there been an abundant and ready supply of water . But this was not obtainable . In the course of time , however , the watermen arrived , plugs wore opened , water carts , and the huge tank belonging to tbe fire police , drawn by seven hones , were put into requisition , and a plentiful supply of fresh and salt water was obtained . The tank and carts drew th « lr sapply frenv the dock , the tide being nearly oufc , and the basin almost empty . Three engines were also placed at the dock , to furnish a supply for the working engines , of which there were , ineluding one or two belonging to insurance companies , no less than fourteen o « fifteen at work within an hour or so after the commencement of the fire .
Untitled Article
LAWS AGAIXST POLITICAL SOCIETIES WHICH 3 JAY BE CONSIDERED AS ON THE POINT OF BEING REYIYED . ( From ihe Enflish Charlisi Circu l ar . ) Political societies are regulated and controlled by two acts of Parliaments , namely , 39 Gso . 3 , cap . 79 , passed in July , 1799 ; and 57 Geo . 3 , cap . 12 , passed in March , 1 S 17 .
The act 39 Geo . 3 , Is "An Act for the more effectual Suppression of Societies established for seditious and treasonable Purposes , and for better preventing seditious and treasonable Practices . " " It tnaets that every society ( political ) shall ba dtemedan unlawful combination and confederacy in any of the cases following : — 1 . "If any member take any oa ' . h or test , subseribe any declaration or engagement not required by law . " 2 . " If the names of any members be kept secret from the society at large . " 3 . " If it have any committee or select body , the members of which are not known to the society at large to be members of such committoo er select body . " 4 . " If it hive any President , Treasurer , Secretary , Haleg 5 . ie , or other liBccrs , whose election shall not be known to the society at large . "
0 " If any of the names of tbe committee , select body , President , Treasurer , and other officer , be not entered in a cook or books open to the inspection of all the members . " Tiis act specially named the " London Corresponding Society , " as one of the societies to be put down . This i- 'ckty had no secret proceedings , and might therefore hive ccatinued in existence under another name : but it had " Di ?» s * ! onB , " or branches , and held intercourse with other societies as thus connected , in various parts of the country . Its purpose was to obtain Annual Parliaments , Universal Suffrage , and Ballot It was therefore to be extinguished by law , and for this purpose was add- _ d—
6 . " Any society composed of different divisions or br-ircbes , or of different parts , acting in any manner Btpsj-ately or distict from each other , or of which any part shall have any distinct President , Secretary , Treasurer , Delegate or other Officer , elected or app 3 inted by or for such part , or to act in any office for such part . " Having declared the cases in which political societies shall be deemed unlawful combinations and eoafederacies , it farther enact ? , . 7 . " That fevtry member of every such society , and every person who shall directly or indirectly maintain correspondence or intercourse with any such society , or ¦^ ith any division , branch , committee , or other select body , president , treasurer , secretiry , delegate , or other officer or member thereof as such ; or who shall , by contribution of money or otherwise , aid , abet , or support Each society , or any member thereof as such , shall incur certain penalties . " The penalties are of two kindB , viz .
1 . " By summary prccess or information before one Justice of the Peaca , on conviction , a fine of twenty ponnds , or three months imprisonment in ths common gaol . " 2 . " By indictment , on conviction , transportation for seven years . " It wiil be seen that this Act prohibited , 1 . All societies having oaths of any kind , or any test cr declaration , or engagement—which the law does net direct to be taken or subscribed . 2 . All societies having branches or divisions , or parts . 3 . All deputations to or from such societies . 4 . All contributions of money or other assistance of any kind . 5 . All correspondence with any such societies or any member thereof as such . This Act had—first—no relation to separate and distinct societies which had no secret proceedings .
2 . It did B . ot prohibit the appointment of delegates , &c , by mch societies . 3 . It did not prohibit correspondence between or with such societies . Thus the law remained until 1817 . It had become convenient to tho Castlereagh Administration to promote and encourage riots and conspiracies , andCaBtles , Olivers , Edwards , and others , were employed in consequence . Prosecutions became common ; men were transported , hanged , and dismembered ; green bsgs , secret committees , contrived attacks upon the Piince Regent , Tcports to both Houses of Parliament ware resorted to in aid .
These contrivances frightened and stultified the nation as it tt&s intended they Bhould , and gave the thea administration the power to introduce tbe Act of 1817 ,
Untitled Article
THE LATE STRIKE , ITS CAUSES AND EFFECTS . BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF A LECTURE DELIVERED IN LONDON BY JOHN WATKINS . PART II . "He that will not work shall net eat , " says the Scripture , but man has reversed this ordinance of God . Our Lords and Dukes toil not , neither do they spin , aud yet Solomon in all his glory w&s not arrayed like one of these . The working men who dig—who weave—are unfed , unclothed , and could not be worse off were they indeed the idle and disorderly persons that Government , to aerve a factious purpose , says they are . While there is bread enough and to spare , tbey ought not to perish with hunger .
It was noble of tbe turn-oats to elevate their Strike from a Strike for wages to a strike for freedom . Had they succeeded in their object , posterity vould have hailed them as the saviours of their country . That Strike was tantamount to a declaration of war against the Government , and who will say that such a war would not be just—la not necessary ? When any foreign power injures or insults this country it is the duty of Government to demand redress or apology , and if refused to declare war . Government did bo with respect to the Emperor of China , who , in his fatherly care for his people , having caused a quantity of poison which certain English merchants bad sent to kis Empire for sale , to be destroyed , thereby to prevent the destruction of Mb subjects by it , compensation was
demanded by the British Government , which being refused by the Chinese , was was straightway declared against them , aud tbe British tioopa are now ravagiDg their country with fire and sword , doiiig tbe work which the poison was prevented from doing . Surely , if our Government deems such a war jvwtifi : ble , well may the people , who have time after time petitioned for radress in vain , who have been answered only by additional oppression aud insult , well may they think themselves justified in proclaiming war against tyranny and monopoly . Such a war is more than just , it is glorious . But in declaring war it is not only necessary that we have a just , cause , but also that we have the means of carrying it on to a successful issue ; else , instead of exterminating tyrants , we shall bat
give them fresh scope and greater power . The ChartiBt Executive appointed to direct the movements of the people do rig . it in encouraging a spirit of freedom , bat they did wrong in encouraging a Btrike at this particular time when prudence saw no likelihood of its success . For let us just look at the result of their advice—they must have known that a people off work are off wages—when off wages they are off fo >< 1 , and bow can tbey obtain it except by force ; this briDgs them into collision with the military , and not having tbe means of defence , much less of attack , they are slaughtered at ease , while all the while their injudicious advisers are ensconced behind their own unsigned and irresponsible document , leading not , acting not , sharintr not .
Tbe people were out , without leaders and without provisions . What had Government provided for them —Government that had driven them to the distress and desperation had provided for their destruction , by sabres and carbines , bindgeons , pistols , and bayonets , and , more than all , by artillery to sweep them from off the face of tbe earth in numbers together . At eight o ? the villanous tools of tyranny—the human butcbera sent to slaughter tbem , the p 9 ople utter a volley of execrations—they cannot contain their indignationthey cast stoneB—the riot act is rea *—the soldiers aro ordered to fire , fin or ^ er which they gladly obeymany of the peeple are wounded—they drop—they expire—the rest disperse to avoid a similar fate .
And who are the soluiera , —what manner of men are they , —what are tbey made of ? ' The muj ^ rity of them are from the people ; they were once In similar distressed circumstances , and regarded it as a dire alternative that they must either become the victims or the tools of their oppressors . Men of a rightly-constituted mind would not have hesitated a moment in their choice ; or if tbey did list iato the army they would Btill remember they were ense working men ; tbey woald remember the brethren they had left , and they woald never suffer themsslves to become the willing instruments of the tyrants who had cursed them with the necessity of such a state ; tbey would sever willingly identify themselves with those whom they bad been accastomed to regard with scorn , nor do the very deeds which they had once abhorred others for doing .
Bat every painB is taken to fit them for tbe bloody nees for which they are designed ; they are separated from their fellow men—distinguished by their dresstrained in arts of butchery—taught to regard brutality as their duty—the will of their commanders ( howevet revolting to justice ) as law , which , if disobeyed , will subject them to the severest punishment ; in short * they are transformed from men to monsters , and become homicides , fratricides , and even parricides at tbe bidding of their officers . Now , no consideration on earth ought to induce men to engage in a line of life that requires these things to be done ; and what is the paltry consideration which induoes these men?—a shilling per day—mere subsistence—the fare of a wild beast , and the dress of a showman I And they are liable to have their flesh flogged off their bones for every
Untitled Article
- . THE NORTHERN S 1 A ^ LT ^ . ; '¦ . ¦/¦ ¦ , ¦ V" , ; / - : ' . . . .. / 7 _
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 17, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct448/page/7/
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