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Northern Star (1837-1852), 27th February 1841, Edition 3 of 3, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1841.
    • 3Emjmal ^arltemm
    • A workman at the new factory in the dockyard,
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      Untitled Article

      GREAT PUBLIC MEETING ON BEHALF . OP HENRY HETHERINGTON . A most important meeting was held at the Social Institution , John- * treet , Tottenham Court Road , on Xhunday -week , for the purpose of petitioning both Hooks of Parliament fox the immediate release of Mr . HetberiogtoB , and also to take into consideration—• that undefined thing , blasphemy , " fer which he ia imprisoned . At a quarter to nine precUely ,

      W . D . Saell , Esq . took the chair . After having tated th « object for which they had assembled , and he ¦ was proud to see so many present , as it shewed their abhorrence of such persecutions , he obserred that it was their intention to petition both Houses of Parliament for Mr . Hetherington ' i release ; and though their petitions might be slighted , as he feared they would be , ail , however , it would be the means of proving to the Government that fifteen hundred persons , at least , had expressed their disgust at their iniquitous proceedings . ( Cheers . ) -

      Mr . Skkltos mored the first resolution , expressive of the disapprobation of that meeting against Mr . Hetherington's impriarament , which being seconded , was carried unanimously . The petition hiring been read , a show of hands was taken for iU adoption , and carried without ene single dissentient- A youth , however , on the platform , begged leave to more an amendment , which was , that the words " bigotted clergy" be omitted , as the Spiritual * tn the House of Lords , to -whom it tnz to be sent , would consider it an insult , and treat the petition accordingly . ( A Toioe from the gallery , " No , no ; they are bigotted . " Laughter . ) The Chairmak—I trust no remarks Trill be made ; it any one has anything to say , he must corns on the platform .

      Mr . Llotd Jones came forward , and in an energetic manner said ( addressing the Chairman )—Sir , I would hare the words remain as they are . They ( the clergy } are bigotted—( applause )—and I think it is high time we tell them what they are . ( Loud applause . ) A shsw of hands was then taken against the amendment , when it was declared lost , and the petition was about to be carried in its original form , when A young Chartist , named Goodfellow , came forward to more an amendment that the word " demand " Mr . Hetherington ' s release , be substituted for " humbly F * J . " A Worxisg Has , in tiie gallery ,- seconded the amendment

      The Chairman—Then , all I can say is , that this petition cannot be sent , as it will not be receiTed unless the word " humble" is inserted in it , —( laughter;—and bow odd it would be to see " humbly demand . " ( Koara ot laughter . ) [ Turning to Mr ^ Goodfellow . ] " Will 70 a withdraw your amendment ?" Goodfellow—( laughing )—Why , yes , Sir , 1 see I must . ( Laughter . ) A show of hands was then taken for the petition in Its original form , when a great number were held up ( or it On the contrary—none .

      SeTenl Socialists ( amongst whom were Messrs . Lloyd Jones , Bailey , Edwards , Gregory , Fleming , 4 c . ) addressed the meeting in the course of the eTening , and were loudly applauded . It appeared , from their several speeches , that so determined was Mr . Hmkm to promulgate his opinions , that he had purchased a press of his own , —( tremendous cheers , ;—and that he was resolved that no Government prosecutions -whatever should put such opinions down . That Henry Hether ington was not imprisoned for selling blasphemy , but for advocating the equal rights of the poor ; that the definition of blasphemy was " to hurt the reputation of God !"—( loudlaughter followed this absurdity );—that ther « was no rational , or even legal grounds , for such prosecutions ; and that the people ought to exert themselves to obtain Mr . Hetberington ' s release , and contribute to a subscription , proposed by the Chairman , and which it is intended shortly to get up .

      Yarieus resolutions were then passed ; bnt upon the petition being again put to the meeting , there were some dissents against it A rote of thanks ha-ring been carried for the Chairman , the meeting broke up at about half-put eleven . Those who were in favour of petitioning remained to sign the petition sheets , which irere placed on two desks in the body of the halL A collection was made at the doors for Mr . Hetherington , nose having been required to defray the expences ; the free use of the hall having been given by Mr . Finch .

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      THE WALBEGB-VYE AND DUFF AFFAIR . — BRUTAL ASSAULT OF A POLICEMAN . The proceedings in the Court of Queen's Bench on Saturday , the 13 th rust ., are certainly disgraceful to the country , almost to a point of incredibility . We have often felt it to be our imperious duty to point out the very slovenly manner in which justice , or rather gross injustice , is administered in our inferior Courts , aui we are incessantly put to the p&iuful necessity of exposing the shameful ignorance of our stipendiary Magistrates , not only with respect to the law itself , but in regard to the principles of the . law whatever . These characteristics of our police-offices are easily accounted for , upon the ground that the appointment of a Magistrate is invariably the result of patronage and political jobbing , but the case is much aggravated , when

      we find even in the Queen ' s Bench itself , ignorance as gross as we ever traced in a police-court Lord Penman , in screening the Earl of Waldegrave on Saturday , the 13 th inst , has betrayed a disregard of jurisprudence , almost incredible in a Squire Justice , or a stipendiary Magistrate , and his conduct lays him open to suspicions which we should be sorry to name against any high judicial authority , much more against a ~ man who , in despite of wkat his . equals now say against him , . and moreover in despite of public opinion , we still recollect for his manly character at the Bar , and for his independence and spirit in resisting Tory corruptions and tyranny throughout his political career . What are the facts of this case ? The Earl of Waldegrave is notorionslyamost criminal pest to society . As the companion of a certain infamous Marquis he has often been exposed

      for his most brutal outrages against the peace of society , and against all decency whatever , not only in London , but in other places . At last he and some of bis companions , after many disgusting infamies at Hampton-court Races , exceed all their former excesses by , amongst other things , almost murdering a policeman in the most cowardly manner , attended with every aggravated circumstance , because the policeman attempted to do his duty , in preventing the ruffianly outrages against the poorer classes of the town . A more impudent and unmanly assault , a more dastardly attack ot a peat many on an almost defenceless man we never beard , of , and the victim , moreover , was a public officer , who , in the discreet , temperate , and difficult execution of his duty , deserved all the protection of the law . Lord Waldegr&ve and a Captain Duff are captured , but their

      companion * , much richer than themselves , are allowed to escape fer reasons which we need not mention . Mark the conduct of the Commissioners of Police . Alarmed at public indignation they make a parade of doing their duty , by indicting Lord Waldegrave and Captain J > uS , the former a pusillanimous , weak , and silly young man , and the other not mnch better , and both the dupes of certain aristocratic scoundrels who are allowed to escape with impunity . After this -ostentation of doing their duty as public functionaries , what is the result ? Brought into Court , the delinquent * first plead oot guilty ; then , en a private understanding between Counsel , they withdraw the plea , and acknowledge their guilt In this Lord Denman is not to blame , he could not interfere . The delinquents , by the usages of the Court , had a right to pursue such

      a course , and now comes the only function remaining to Lord Denman , namely , to pas 3 the sentence of the Court It was not an action at law—not a case between individuals , —but a criminal case between criminal and public justice ; and in utter disregard of the character of the Court , he allows the delinquents to covert the case into one of private compromise , or , in « ther terms , into downright open bribery and corruption , and this under the sanction of our highest Court of Criminal Justice . The case was specific , and not one of degree . There was bat one case before the Court—an indictment—a case between the public and a public criminal , and the Court converts it into a case specifically different , one of a nature between two individuals , in which the public had no interest . The parties are allowed to retire and patch up the affair upon

      a private compromise . What can be more thoroughly disgraceful to the Government and to the Lord Chief Justice , and what can be more prejudicial to the public character and safety f Is not this compromise a declaration under the authority ef the Court of Queen ' s Beach , that any man may commit violent and even atrocious crimes , and , moreover , against public functionaries , provided they have two points is their favour—rank , to excite the respect and sympathies of the Ceort , and money enough " to patch up the affair . " If the ruffians had been of a lower class of lite they would have been amenable to the law , and most severely peaisbed ; bat , beisg titled and rich , the Lord Chief Jmstiee permitted them to set the law at defiance , and to laugh all public decency to scorn . This is bringing back the first law court , the great judicial authority of fl » j * r » i * to somewhat like its sute in the reign of Cbarka the Second , when bribes paid to the Judges wwe almost offered in open . Court There is no moneybribery of the Judge in this case , bat tke dereliction of

      prixdpie is equal How the annuity settled on the ynUcnTM may mortgage L ird WaJiegrave's estate , or Bow auKb the Marquis of Waterford , or any other persob , may contribute to it , or how much the lawyers Bay sake rat of the iafamoo * j » b , we cannot state , atthovgh some of the ease is sufficiently known to as , sai start probably to masy others , but we only y *\ geaaral asd known principle * . The Police Oamisuooen hereby proclaim to all the Force , which s a * 4 opposed te be the most immac&Ute in the irocid , that ruffianism up » n them , by titled and rich veopU , is a matter of private compromise ; whilst , by WMMt , ruffianism by them on the poor is a ground for KCM&isg the officer from public justice , and inftjetisf the severity of the law upon the poorer vie-Man . How much better it would be for the Court of Qsea * * Beach at once to publish a table ot the ranks mod . . title * which privilege men to commit certain sjViirra . and to state the turns at which they may fee empromiaed . The subsequent proceedings of the Gevtk ca the mum day , are carious In themselves , but

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      are made by far more curious by juxta position . Mr . Hethsrington moved his proceedings against three eminent publishers , Moxon , Fraser , and Otley , fer publishing blasphemous works . Not a special Jury could be formed . Special Jurymen were not to be hod , and the cue went off . Let Special Jurymen be retained as a system , or let it be abolished , as , perhaps , in London , it ought to be ; but , at present , when an entirely Special Jury is wanted for certain purposes , and cannot be empanneiled , Lord Denman , in a furious passion , fines the absentees to the utmost extent in his power . When the absence of Special Jurymen is more convenient , we hear nothing of

      fining the absentees . We like not the lea talionis , but there are cases in which there is no other remedy against even the vilest oppression . The principle taken up by the Government is , that what is called blasphemy , a vulgar word , without any meaning attached to it , may be published to infinity , provided the book is sold at a price which confines it to the perusal of the rich , and the blasphemy becomes a crime only when it is accessible to the poor . We like not monopolies , whether they be » f rum , sugar , or corn , but of all monopolies the vilest of those are the monopolies of gospel and blasphemy . Either of the latter is bad enough , bnt a monopoly of both is intolerable . —Weekly Dispatch .

      [ We bad selected for insertion in our last , the disgraceful proceedings respecting Lord Walrtegrave and Captain Duff , two aristocratic bUekgn&rds , as they occurred in the Court by which O'Connor was sentenced to aeTenty-eigat weeks imprisonment for libel , but , like many other matter * , it was obliged to give way to Chartist intelligence , which is the breath of our nostrils . We have , however , well supplied the omi «* ion this week by the above comment on the case , from that uncompromising exposer of aristocratic abuse and supporter of the poor man's rights , the Weekly Dispatch Let every working man who hu not read it in the original , now read it in the Star , and then say whether their prisoners shall longer remain victims in the hands of the enemy . —Ed . ]

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      The Damnable Pobb Law Acain . —A Man famished to Dkath . —Sir , —You will oblige by allowing this tale of suffering humanity to appear in your columns . This ca- « came under my notice a few weeks ago . John Cooks , gardener , Manningtree , advanced in age , long out of employment , honest , sober , bearing a good character , called ou the Relievbsg Officer for some allowance for himself and wife . The reply was , we cannot relieve you , but you may go into the house . When be told his partner , she said , I cannot bear the thoughts of being dragged from oar little cot , and separated , after having toiled so long through life together ; we shall Bee what the Lord will do for us in a few days . On the Saturday , tkey had bat one half-quartern

      loaf for Sunday and Monday morning ; they took a small slice each , and wept while they gazed at each other , through the falling tears that trickled down the furrowed cheeks of the pallid and starving pair . When he left hiB cheerless home on Monday , he told his wile that he would go to his old master , Mr . Green , and ask for a job . He was seen to eat a raw pot a toe in the forenoon , and while in the act of digging a stick of radish , he fell , for want of food . He-was put into a cart , brought home , and died . Alas , poor man , he died for want , in a land of plenty ; and will it be believed , in bappy England—in Christian England 1 God ' s image lay until he became offensive , from Tuesday until Sunday , before the Bastile shell was sent . Ho was put in , and hurried to his kinder parent , earth .

      Han , these are scenes well worth thy noting . ' Be tyrants and bastiles forgotten ; Starved , dead , mourned for , earth'd and rotten , And all is o'er . A life put out , a man entombed , Will cry for food no more . With these facts , will the peeple ' s representatives , as they are termed , allow or assist Lord John Rnssell to grant a lease often years to the Poor Law Commissioners of refined tyranny , unconstitutional , and at variance with the laws of God and the rights of man ! if they do , lei them take the consequences . This is the finishing touch to the blackest picture ever produced in any nation bearing the name of Christian . Our rulers are still adding insult to injury—the working classes have every degradation of slaves , bnt the name . O , for a pencil , dipp'd in eternal night , To paint the fetters that my country wears . '

      Will the brave , intelligent freemen of Britain , whose valour has elevated , and whose arms have conquered every foreign foe , tamely submit to this unconstitutional inroad on their rights , their liberties , and their happiness , by a band of domestic tyrants 1 No ; the people have both the will and the power to carry conviction to every monster in the land who will not listen to the voice of reason and justice . Oar rulers have forfeited every claim which they had on the people ; they have been tried at a nation ' s

      bar , and found guilty ; they have taxed , and starved the people ; they have spread devastation and death throughout the world ; they have erected monuments to their name , which will outlive their little day , and posterity will blush at their names ; the withering curse of a mighty and brave people , made desperate by oppression , outrage , and insult , will follow them like a mighty torrent through life , and will inscribe this epitaph on their tomb— " Here lies the Bordid tyrant ' s dust , who violated the laws of G » d , the rights of man and of nations . "—D . M'Pherson .

      The Northern Star Saturday, February 27, 1841.

      THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 27 , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      THE PEOPLE'S DELEGATES ; THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ; AND THE PROSPECTS OF THE CHARTER . Elsewhere we give a record of the doings of the most important meeting that has been bolden in this country for a long period of time;—the National Meeting of Delegates , which commenced its sittings at Manchester oa Saturday morning last , and continued them by various adjournments until Tuesday night . At this collection of the wisdom and patriotism of the nation , the scheme of organisation , about which so many pop-guns have been lately fired , was most fully and patiently considered , with a view to the removal of all pretence , on the part of the timid or the crafty , for Btanding aloof from the General Association on the plea of illegality .

      Our readers -will perceive , from the report , that we are specially called on by the delegates to point their attention to the invaluable labours of their delegates in this respect , a task which we shall have great pleasure in performing . For the present we can do nothing more than call the attention of every good Chartist to the plan of organisation now published —entreat them to read and study , and familiarise themselves with every one of its provisions , and affirm our belief that the delegates have succeeded in doing that which we believed the jealous watchfulness of lynx-eyed faction had rendered

      impossible—laving down a system of national organisation for the attainment of a political object , which does not in any respect violate the law . It will be necessary for the most vigorous and careful attention to be paid to the several clauses of this plan in working , to insure the benefits resulting from it ; but we pledge ourselves to shew that the whole may be worked in defiance of all the arts of all the Whig and Tory lawyers in the kingdom : provided there be any virtue in the plain words of any Act of Parliament . Of course , we know that whenever ic may suit the factions to declare ast act illegal , "

      they will do so , though it should only be the act of breathing through a man ' s own nostrils . There is no positive safety for the people but in the power of legislation . But in order to their obtaining that power , it is necessary that they should manifest a oneness of determination ; to this a universal confidence is necessary ; and to this confidence is necessary the knowledge that as much safety aa can be had hasbeen provided for . This we believe the present plan doesprovide for—and hence we reiterate the language of the Delegates in their address , " Tho most timid Chartist need have no fears ; while the boldest will necessarily acquire increased vigour . " We shall take up the subject in detail next week .

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      JAMES BRONTERRE O'BRIEN

      We trust that it will be merely necessary to recall the attention of our numerous readers , and of O * Brikk ' s numerous , devoted , and intelligent disciples , to the resolution passed by the Leeds Chartists , and published in onr last , whereby it is proposed to prepare some of the right sort of anas for the moral and physical defence of one of England ' s earliest and most consistent instructors . O'Biuzx cannot work with spade , shovel , trowel , or shuttle ; but it his tools are more expensive , in the first instance , we imagine that his manufacture is not less required by , or less beneficial to , mankind in general , and to the poor in particular .

      Let it be borne in mind that O'Brien is not in durance vile for any thing with which he stood charged , any more than O'Connor . No ; his was an old score—a deadly hostility and opposition to the

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      perpetration of those iniquities by the Whig 3 , which he as loudly denounced when pmctlsed ^ by the Tories and yet , even by them , ha was not treated as a common ruffian , or even prosecuted . Again , let it be further recollected , that what a man writes , he writes deliberately ; and it is deliberately read by thousands , and tens of thousands ; and yet has not O'Brien been charged with a single line written ia violation ot the most searching law ; neither do we believe O'Brien to have ottered anything like what was sworn to ; and if he had , it was neither treason , sedition , riot , nor conspiracy ;

      while by a action of Jaw , he was found guilty of the three latter . O'Brien may now , if he thinks proper , move the Queen ' s Bench upon the invalidity of the indictment upon which he was found guilty , and upon the law as admitted by the Attornet-General , and acted upon , opon the honour of the Peers ; and he must still be released , as we contend far it that the indictment was faulty . However , he has now Buffered nearly twelve months of his long and weary confinement , therefore let every Bboulder be put to the wheel , to get him out ; and , ia the mean time , let us prepare good tools for him to go to his trade with , when he does get Out .

      Who , then , sets the example of a good lumping , sum to begin with t Col . Thompson said , he wonld give £ \ fiQt to retuniv a working man , Williak Lovktt , to Parliament . It would be worth £ 10 , 000 to let the pigmy wretches see such a speoimen of a working man adorning their emaoiated assembly ; for though they have nearly killed the poor fellow ho has yet the bones , muscles , nerve , eye , gait , and look of a gentleman . But let Col . Thompson and his wealthy friends take up the question of tools for O'Brien , and we shall think them in earnest . Will they undertake to cover every guinea sent to , our office , guinea for guinea !

      We cannot withhold our thanks from the Leeds Chartists for this thoughtful , wise , and proderit step . Let it be well followed up . We shall have much pleasure in inserting the several amounts which shall be received by the Committee from time to time .

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      DISSOLUTION OP PARLIAMENT . There is much talk of a dissolution of Parliament , and there can be no harm in being prepared for the worst : but we have strong notions that theunpleasant and increasing differences between Sir Robekt Peel and his party may protract the event . Peel is no longer a leader ; be will , ere long , become a " cocked tailed ginger , " and we should not be at all surprised to find the Right Honourable Gentleman forming an alliance with any party which had for its object the release of the Ministry from the fangs of the Beggarmau . We beg leave to direct

      attention a the letter from Feakgl's O'Connor , published so long ago as September , 1839 , and which we republiah to-day , thinking that it contains all that can be Eaid upon the subject , and a feasible Let it be understood that between O'Connor and O'Brien there is no jealousy as to who was the originator of this plan ; O ' Connor has before given the credit to O'Brien . We merely republish the document as the most practical advice given upon the subject for the publio guidance in our present position ; and be it understood that O'Connok acted upon this , and did address the electors and non-electors of Yorkshire , both by address and

      canvass . Stanlet and Peel agree like cat and dog ; the Duke is sick ; Ltndhurst is crotchetty ; Brougham won ' t work in the shifts ; Earl Spknceb , who alone could form a strong administration , has forgotten his politics in the sheep-fold ; Richmond has not confidence in himself ; Melbourne is gorged ; Stanlet is too testy as yet : therefore the only hope is Russell , Peel , and Melbourne , sinking all minor differences ; Russell , Premier ; Melbourne brought to bed at the Palace ; Peel , Chancellor of the Exchequer , and all the young fry to draw lots for the first chop at the mess ; and then , hurrah ! for two hundred Chartists in the House !

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      IRELAND , FRANCE , AND O'CONNELL . The " Establishment" has been most windy in denouncing the Olterver t a paper which they call " contemptible , " and say " nobody reads , " for having blown a very harmless bubble , which , if let alone , would have burst , and vanished into air ; and we should have heard no more about it . But no , the very denouncers themselves make a balloon of it , and keep it in full swing before the public gaze .

      Never was there a more harmless piece of balderdash thwXhe Observer ' s remark and Dan ' s reply to it , if it had not been caught at by the drowning Whigs . Ireland become a province of France , indeed ! Why , no man knows better than Dan , that though France is a Catholic country , yet it is not a politically Catholic country ; and Dan , who has fostered prejudice , and kept religious animosities alive , would be the very first man seized and strangled by the new victors .

      The French would not allow a religious mountain to stand between them and a mole-hill of civil right , while the poor Irish allow a mountain of civil iniquity to be obscured by a mole-hill of religious fanaticism . Eren if the Tories were in power to-morrow , with Wellington Lord Lieutenant of Ireland , and Stanley his Secretary , every priest and every working man in Ireland would rally to the cry of " The French have landed ! " and , as Ehmett

      said , " would only allow them to gain footing over their lifeless bodies . " The Irish priesthood would not like to hold the plough ; the Irish farmers would not like to contribute to Parisian grandeur . The Irish gentleman , be he Whig or Tory , would not wish to grace the pageant of the conqueror , and the Irish labourer would not like to be chosen by lot or by fitness to fight French battles all over the world ; and Irishwomen would , of all things , dislike being ravished by a French soldiery .

      Bat how miserable must be that state of things when Ministerial prints will direct attention to such gasconade , as a means of supporting a corrupt administration . Nations do not conquer countries for the benefit of the conquered . We are sick of such disgusting humbug . The Chartists could , and weuld , lend two millions to save the Irish from such an infliction . ( The man who has lived and fattened for thirty years upon religious dissention , would not survive one month ' s establishment of civil equality . The very air would choke him—would crack his lungsand send him into a galloppiag consumption .

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      OMISSIONS . THE STAMP RETURNS , Our circle of Radical acquaintance continues to increase so rapidly and so cheeringly , that we are compelled , upon tho present , as upon many previous occasions , to send new matter before our readers without Editorial comment ; but every working man in the kingdom can sow read politics without chart , key , or compass .

      We should have offered some observations upon the important agricultural meeting , lately held in Dublin , and of which we give a mere » uttine for the present , intending to return to the subject next week , but for the crowded state of our columns . For the present , let it be read in connection with the letter from the correspondent of the London Times , which we have elsewhere inserted , and we may augur well from the new feara created in the minds of old monopolists .

      As to murders , rapes , crim . cons ., seductions suicides , rojal amtocmtio gambols , gambling , duelling , pugilism , dog-fighting , bear baiting , drunkenness , and Iewdness , and such like fashionable propensities , we make 00 apology for their omission from our columns ; we must really leave all such aristocratic intelligence to that portion of the "Establishment" who cater for aristocratic taste , refinement , and enjoyment . We have not eren space for more than a word upon the Stamp Returns which have been just ( published , ( and which place

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      the Star in the proudest position ever occupied by newapap ^ . ; ; ' n U : J In passing , as wo may wish to say a word , or two next week , will our friend of the Mercury have tho kindness , in the meantime , to inform us by what process of arithmetic he acquires a total of fortyseven thousand from twelve thousand five hundred , twelve thousand , and twelve thousand five hundred , which are the numbers given to the Leeds Times for the first quarter of the period included in the return ,

      and which the Mercury contrives to multiply into forty seven thousand ; while , for our liveB , we can make but thirty-seven thousand of the number . The Mercury , we admit , has been quiltt of a bit of modesty by deducting ten thousand from its own number for the same period . Forty-eight thousand , forty-two thousand , and thirty-six thousand , which are given to the Mercury in the return , we add into one hundred and twenty-six thousand ; the Mercury makes them only one hundred and sixteen thousand . Bat these are but two little white lies , fibs ; and now for the thumper , which they were , no doubt ,

      intended to cover . The Mercury , in the beginning of January , assured advertisers that the result of the Stamp Returns , for the whole of the year 1840 , gave that paper a circulation of more than 10 , 000 weekly upon the whole period . Here the Mercury has told 27 , 000 fibs in a bunch , as the circulation upon the whole period is only 9 , 461 weekly , and is 27 > 0 W short of the Mercury ' s assurance . Now , thiB was a downright , palpable , wilful , and malicious thumper , with the very facts , all , all , every one of them , before the author ; and we say that the article above alluded to would b « a good plea in . answer to an action for the recovery of advertisement charge . Thus is the publio hoaxed by the old catchpenny— " ADVERTISERS WOULD DO

      WELL TO LOOK HERE !" Tbe Mercury , in making nice distinctions with the Intelligencer , who does not appear to have got his stock quite so artfully as the old fox , refuses , therefore , to make any weekly average for that paper . But does the Mercury forget that in December , 1839 , he had 58 , 000 stamps , that being , for a four weeks' circulation , 14 , 500 weekly ! while in January , 1840 , our friend had but 19 , 000 stamps , thereby showing a circulation of not more than 4 , 750 weekly ; or , by his nice distinction , a falling off of 9 , 750 from one month to another . We may have time tor another word upon this subject next week .

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      THE CARDIGAN JUSTICE JOB . The Queen was played , the King revoked , And then took back his Card-a-gain . Bow , row , do row . Comic song . The farce is over—but we have paid pretty highly for . its representation . Yes ! the downs and pantaloons have performed their parts ; the curtain is

      dowa ; and we are left , like Bomeot the disappointed audience , who have not only paid their entrance money for a mere delusion , but have also had their pockets picked into the bargain . Poor John Bull ! he is sadly maltreated ! many a time has he been jostled in a crowd , and had his hat knocked over his eyes , while the confederates have eased his pockets of their contents , but never before in so barefaced a manner has he been duped and made a fool of .

      Let us briefly review the chief incidents of the late play , and we shall find the sublime and the ridiculous , the lamentable and the ludicrous , so closely mixed up , that whether it was intended for a tragedy with a oomio conclusion , or a pantomime with a touch of the melo-drama , it will be difficult to Bay . A certain Lord Cardigan moved and sednced by the instigation of the devil , " ( which is a convenient term for a bad heart , ice . &c ., ) did fire at and wound a certain opponent rejeicing in the four-fold and euphoniouB name of Harvkt Garnett Phipps Tuckett . This , all the world knows ; and therefore one would think it was clear and simple enough . The killing of a man in a duel being declared to be

      wilful murder , and therefore the firing at a man ia a duel being a firing with intent to murder , i t is declared a felony , and subject to the punishment of transportation for life , or a period not leu than fifteen years , or imprisonment for not more than three years . Lord Cardigan , therefore , is tried for felony ; but as he is a great man , he is not to be put at the vulgar bar of the Old Bailey . O dear , no ! he is to be tried by his peers or equals—as the poor penniless man is said to be when he is brought before twelve men worth his weight in gold . The preparations for the trial of such a splendid hero as his C ' ardship , must be very splendid . Such hammering , such knocking , such putting up of seatt and benches , and platforms and thrones , j and

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      galleries ! The Lords are kind enough to adjourn for some days , but when they da appear , they make up for lost time ; they come out as good as new , with all the finery and tinsel of England . The Lord High Steward enters ; the peers in their pompons robes take their seats ; they ait in judgment on a fellow peer . The highest tribunal npon earth is assembled : the Law Officers of the Crown and the prisoner ' s counsel are in attendance ; the prisoner is placed at the bar ; the ArroRNETf-General now addresses their Lordships ; witnesses are examined , and it is brought home to the prisoner that he did

      fire at and wound Captain Tuckett . Poor prisoner ! then there is no hope for him ! the ladies weep and the sternest Peer is moved ! " But stop a bit , my old boys , not so fast , " says Sir William Follett . M True it ia yon have shown the Earl fired at a Captain Tuckett , but you have not shown that he fired at ihjs Captain " Harvet Garnett Phipps TucicecT . " M Dear me , I never thought of that , " replies the Attorney-General . *• What ' s to be done ?" . ' O , " puts in the High Steward , " our course is

      very plain—how say you , my Lords , is the prisoner guilty or not guilty ! " " 'Pon honour , not guilty /' says each Lord—putting hiB hand on his heart . " Prisoner , you are acquitted , " says the Lord High Steward . Ont tumble the Lords , off cuts the prisoner , away go the ladies , down come the scaffoldings , all of which become the property of the Lord Chamberlain as his perquisites , and the people outsida are presented with a feetfebill of £ 4 , 000 for the entertainment thus afforded to them !!

      " TheKing of France , with twenty thousand men , Marched up the h ill , and then marched down again . " The Lords , after all , are their own greatest enemies , for anything their worst foes may do can never bring them into so great disrepute , as this action . We laugh at the folly of the transaction , but we pity the weakness and despise the folly . of those who take part in it . The present is so striking and flagrant an instance , that many of our contemporaries , who are in general too ready to support aristocratio freaks , and to decry like gambols when performed by more vulgar

      individuals , have actually well trimmed their favourites on this occasion . Thus the Times , in an able leading article , shows that , if it had been the trial of some tailor at the Old Bailey , no such slip would have occurred j but that the indictment would probably have run thus ;— - " Fox that the Eaid Simon Snooks did , on or about the maliciously shoot at , and wound , John Thomas Richard Titmouse , otherwise John Thomas Titmouse , otherwise John Titmouse , otherwise Thomas Richard Titmouse , " &o ., — and thus they wonld have managed to trap the " mouse" though they can let the big rat escape .

      Above all , what does Mr . Attorney-General meant If the omission of this link in the evidence were wilful upon his part , no censure can be too strong for so shameful a violation of his duty ; if it were through negligence , what excuse can be offered ; if through ignorance , he is incompetent for his post . Why , a briefless , beardless boy , would have managed better J The insertion of one count in th » indictment , charging the prisoner with firing at " some person unknown , " or the summoning of the proper witnesses ia order to identify the party wounded with the party named ia the indictment , would have obviated every difficulty .

      But , whatever may be our idea of " plain John ' s " tactics , we cannot refrain from expressing our extreme wonder and disgust at the specimen of a speech ( if it deserves the name ) made on the opening of the " solemn and imposing trial . " It was absolutely in favour of the barbarous and sanguinary custom and crime of duelling , and rather for , than against , the prisoner . The Attorney-General's most extraordinary remark was this : — " The charge against the prisoner does not imply any degree of moral turpitude , but an infringement of the statute law of the realm ! " Now , what was

      the charge ! The firing at a fellow-being , with the intent of murdering him;—and this is perfectly moral 2 perfectly Christian 1 It does not violate any moral principle ! it is merely against the sections of a statute ! You may murder as many men as you like ; and if you are a lord it shall only be illegal ( and not that ) , but never immoral 1 O Johnny , Johnny ! where did you pick up your morals ! Have you not a soul that can soar beyond the mere statute book , and look into a wider field of ethics and philosophy f Is your mind so bound within a law-book , and so hot-pressed within calf skin covers ! Or are you endeavouring to become one of the aristocracy in manners , and to adopt their lax code of morality , and

      barefaced mode of expressing it t Or were you afraid of Lord Cardigan calling you out 1 Whether it waB one of these , or whether all three combined you have made a sad mess of it ! With regard to the event of Captain Tuckett ' s death , this proseouting officer of the Crown again observed , " If death had ensued , it would have been considered a great calamity , but not a great crime . " Now , we really do not see what great calamity to the nation , the tumbling out of it by " Harvet Garnett Phipps Tuckett , " or any other officer of Her Majesty's service , would have inflicted ; but we can understand that it is a very great crime to send a bullet through the body of a human being , and dismiss him , " with all his imperfections on his head , " from this terrestrial sphere .

      One fact , however , is certain ; Lord Cardigan was to be acquitted ; and the stupid quibble of a senseless rule of law was caught hold of , as affording an easy mode of letting his Lordship off . What , then , is the conclusion to be drawn from thiB determination to evade justice f Why , that whiih we have drawn over and over again , namely , that there is one law for the rich , and another for the poor ; one for the peer , and another for the peasant . It required , however , no such trial as this , with its great expence , to convince us of this awful and lamentable truth . We have it before our eyes every

      day . Among other instances , we may notice that of Lord Waldegravb , who was lately prosecuted for a murderous attack on a policeman . The noble prisoner appeared at the Queen's Bench , and his counsel observed that he wished to plead guilty . Th « prosecuting counsel could not oppose this course ; and Lord Desman , without further ceremony , suggested that it might be a fit case for private compensation . And so it ended 1 The case , " so fit for private compensation , " involved the most disgraceful conduct towards a defenceless man . Lord Waldeqrave and others were out on a " spree ; " and , after having wrenched off knockers

      innumerable , were merely spoken to by a policeman ; they instantly seized him , thrashed and kicked him , ran away with hiB hat , and left him senseless on the ground . The poor man has not yet recovered , and it is said by medical men that the event will probably be the loss of his reason ! I Had an indigent wretch thns behaved , he wonld have been indicted for feloniously stealing the man ' s hat , and for assaulting with intent to murder . He would have heard a long lecture on his offence against the public peace , ( bnt nothing about private compensation ) , and have been transported for life ! Faugh 1 we are tick of thesb things ; when are they to end !

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      MR . BURNS AND THE H-O-U-S-E-HOLD PARTY . Wx have no doubt that the veritable Chartists of Hull will mutter their strength on Monday night , to give the H-o-u-a-e-hold gods and their new ally euoh a reception as the nature of the case merits .

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      TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENT Bradford Fbost Bbstohatiow Cohmiiteb —us , have received a balance-sheet , which Ke ' canruL publish in full . It sett / orift the reciptsafn : tea and ball to have been ... ... 19 7-jj ' . Collected by various parties ... 1 17 31 21 4 ~" li While the expence * of various kinds amount to 20 1 4 }

      Leaving a balance of ... ... £ 1 3 q The Committee state : — Any party wishing * . examine the bills may do so by applying & £ Chartist Chapel , Longeroj ' t-place , between th hours of eight and ten o ' clock , every Saturfam evening . " \ ** John Martin wishes to acknowledge the receipt ** £ 1 from Carlisle , and Ids . 6 d . from Nevic ^ for the sufferers at the Castle Douglas accident * "Haters of Oppression , " Yeovil , have sent * an awful tale of tyranny and suffering , dulal must have it authenticated before we pui&I

      W . M . Stott . —We do not know Mr . Vincent ^ address ; but any letter addressed to him , com of Mr . John Cleave , 1 , Shoe-lane , London , uiquu find him . James Mahont . —TT

      James Richards . —We never received the report from Kidderminster . Frostiana . —We have not lost sight of it . H . B . asks , very foolishly , a question that we ho already answered . J . P . — We have no room . Mrs . Frost . —The Newport list of monies neat week . Hbnry Carter strongly recommends CharUi-Infe Associations as the only efficient means 0 ] fcHnjing into operation the powers of the whok people . A . M ., Edinburgh . —The letter was forgotten fat week . It was in type for this week ' s impremn before his note was received . The other klttr has been received , and shall have inser tion n

      our next . William Pomfret . —We cannot undertake to $ * legal advice . The rascals have robbed the poor of that privilege by locking up Mr . O'Connor . The Northampton Chartists strongly urge mat working men the moral , physical , andpUHital advantages of total abstinence . E . P . Mead must excuse us : we have not r < m for his "Scriptural Chartism" this week . G . Styles wishes for the address of the tcu / ow qf John Clayton . W . H . —The report of the meeting against the P < w

      Law , at Cheltenham , is out of date . J . Millar . —The price of cards of membership fa the National Charter Association of Great Britain is twopence plain , and sixpence ornamented . They may be had of the Secretary t $ the Provisional Executive , Mr . William Tilman , No . 2 , Colliers' -street , Stretford-road , Manchester The address alluded to was intended to be tigted only by influential Chartists . A Birmingham Chartist . — We don't know . S . Green . —Not unless your daughter becmtt chargeable to the parish on account oj the child ; and even then the matter is doubtful .

      Peter Anderson , Edinburgh . —Certainly . itwevB be unfair else . John Brown . —Address Mr . Lowery , care of Mr . France , News Agent , Newcastle . Joseph Thornton , Huddersfield . —In- answer It ¦ tb » request contained in the resolution h $ transmits , we have to say , the omissions arist from both causes . Sometimes the news it net sent at all ; sometimes it is too late ; and same times , when it does arrive in time , ordinarily , other pressing subjects supersede it . Thit might be , in some measure , obviated , did our Lotal Correspondents observe a very plain nk we hate oftiimes laid down- —that oj sending * packet in the beginning of the week , and another

      at the usual latest day . Scarcely one of lim adheres to this rule . The Northallerton Hell and Poor Curm—We have received the letter from the primcompanion of poor Clayton , and shall make Hm public acquainted with its horrible revelations * our next . The late hour it was received pitvents its appearance this week . The " Fleet Papers . "— We have received Nt . ttf the series , and are much gratified with iu contents . It is the best number that has appeared . In our next we shall notice it more at length . Mr . Pitkethly . — We regret that we cannotgivtUt , - favour in our present number . The same post that brought it , brought us ninety-four other

      communications , all pressing for insertion . Bad v * received his on the Monday , it should hm ap * peared . It is a long one—one that willnotkar curtailment—and therefore must stand over . Oub London Correspondent . — We are reluctantly compelled to withhold the entire of his Wednesdays letter . John Collins must excuse us this week : our spots is fulL His letter shall appear next week . We shall feel obliged if he could arrange for m future communications reaching us on the Tawday . Our Birmingham Correspondent . —We are wig ™ to withhold the whole of his second letter . Mr . Ashton , WakefieldHouse of Correction , de sff » a letter from George White immediately .

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      Darken , Norwich . —The mistake occurred at <«* office . J . M'Clintock . —His papers were sent as usual . FOR THE COMMITTEE FOR SUPERINTENDS » AJf . » CHARTIST WELCOME TO LEEDS . £ s . d . From a few Chartists at Biggar ... 0 2 6 FOR THE WIVES AND FAMILIES OF THE INCAKCBBATD > CHARTISTS . From A . Stratton , Leeds 0 0 4 „ East Brierly , near Bradford ... 0 12 6 „ Three Friends at Preston , per G . Halton 9 2 6 for Clayton ' s funeral . From Leeds , per James Womenley 9 2 _ a few Chartists at Barkisland 0 3 0 FOR MRS . CLAYTON . v From Edinburgh , per W . Lennie , being part profits on Star .. 060

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      Communications not inserted on noticed . - ^ puua of valuable Chartist , local , and general «»• tetiigence , together with many interesting communications from Birmingham , Kidderminster * Worcester , London , Newcastle , Swil ? * Oidham , Bradford , Barnsky , Notlmg ham , Tillicouitry , and many other places , <" . ' " out for want of room . As many as possible oj them shall either be inserted or replied to m enr next . We must repeat our earnest solicitamh that persons desirous of having their cammuncations inserted , will send them in the eans part of the week , if possible . The mass % , matter alluded to in this notice , has been v * received by this day ' s ( Thursday ' s J post ; < " » « great part of it has relation to matleTs wr f * occurred on Saturday , Sunday , and Monaast and which ought to have been here £ . ' r Tuesday . Our friends must remember " »<" «»• paper can only be filled ; that we must go < £ fitting it the whole week ; and that our Jtrs * edition goes to press on Thursday etenxng .

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      HOUSE OF LORDS , Mondat , Feb . 22 . The Earl of Ripon , alter a speech of some ^^ respecting the present state of our relations with ? ef * " * said he could scarcely think that her Majesty ' s Q «»«^ ment would refuse to give full information on a m » R « » o interetting to our commercial interests in nlI T ' respects , and bo important to our political infl ° f " ' | 7 that part of the world at any time , but wpeo * / , " the present moment , when it was « o desirable to !»» tain peace both in Asia and Europe . The NoWe . ~ Lr concluded by moving for copies of , or extracts «^ communication * between the British <* OTenun ^; J o r the Court of Persia , upon the aubjert of the <**» t «» Y the diplomatic mission at the Court of Per ««» ^ T queutto the date of the last paper * laid before **

      -liament ^^ Viscount Melbourne said , he could not ** JT , any detriment could be done to the public •^^ L laying all the papers before their Lordships , tao . pvu » the fuUert information on the subject that wss « »* mana . Nobody could feel more than he did tneF"T importance of this subject being arranged so ai > to > »*¦* peace and tranquillity in CentralA * & . and fie ^ J ^ Si reason for saying that he hoped the Sohab ol *« " £ waa actuated by the same feeling . He iMj " " slighted objection to the production of the p » P ** The motion was then agreed to . Adjourned . Tuesday , February 23 . ^ Lord Brougham presented a report of the c"P 7 enfrahchifleaient committee , which stated ""? , _ - committee had thrown the two Bills , which & »* ? £ , sent to them , into one . and that they had made v » r »«*

      alterations and additions . nftan of The Bishop of Exeter again drew the at " r ° <» their Lordships to the delays which had Uken pi » w the printing of the ordinances from Canada , »» o replied to by

      3emjmal ^Arltemm

      3 Emjmal ^ arltemm

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      CHARTISM AT YORK . The ugly thing is even smelt within the perfumed precincts of the odoriferous Minster , and under the very nose of the strong-hold of pugnacious churchmen . We give the following , not from our own correspondent , ( whose account will be found elsewhere , ) but from the Whig York Herald , the leading journal of that party in the old city .

      "SECOND MEETING . " Yesterday evening , a meeting of the Ward Associations of Monk , Bootham , and Guildhall , was held in the Merchant ' s Hall , to promote the objects contemplated at the previous meeting . The Recorder was called to the chair ; and , after spirited addresses had been delivered by the Chairman , H . R . Yorke , Esq ., Mr . Smith , of College-street , Mr . W . Hardman , Mr . Leeman , Ac ., and after the petition against Lord Stanley ' s Bill had been read by Mr . Leeman , a Chartitt named Burnley , row from a bench in front of the Chairman , and proceeded to address the meeting . He s » id much had been said about the Suffrage and the

      Registration , when Mr . Leeman asked him , " Are you a member of this Association 1 " The speaker—Yes , sir . Mr . Leeman—Which Ward ? Mr . Burnley—Monk Ward . He then proposed an amendment to the petition t » the following effect , that it was the opinion ef this meeting that the Registration Bill for Ireland brought forward in Parliament by Lord Stanley is tyrannical in the extreme , and regrets that it is sanctioned by so many English Members , which fully demonstrates that there is no hope of justice to the people of this kingdom from the House of Commons as at present constituted , that therefore the people should have a just controul over its members by the extension of the suffrage to all men of 21 years of age , of sound mind , and unconvicted of

      crime , and pledge * itself not to test contented till the people are fully and fairly represented npon the aforesaid principles . ( Applause . ) The speaker then spoke against the policy of the present Government , the New Poor Laws , 4 c ., and he was followed by another Chartist , named Stewart , who seconded the amendment , and who made some lengthy observations upon it There sjemed to be a number of Chartists present , as some of the observations were received with much applause . The amendment was then handed up to the chairman , and on his putting it to the meeting it was carried . The meeting shortly afterwards separated , about ten o ' clock , previous to which the Chartists gave three cheers for Frost , Williams , and Jones , Feargua O'Connor , and the Charter , and three groans for the WhteB . —From the York Herald . "

      Let it be remembered that Mr . Red Head Yorke is the sham-Radical nominee of the Whig Dundas , when a dissolution takes place ; and , that the meeting , to whioh the report refers , was one of a series to advance his interest , and consequently made as stiong as strong could be , for fear of a defeat ; and yet we fiud the gallant Chartists , while they honestly reprobate that which the Whigs merely denounce as a clap-trap , moving and carrying their " whole hog" amendment , " bristles and all , " as our Shields friends have designated it , in the teeth of this pompous parade of Whig electioneering Btrength and juggle .

      This is certainly the most important meeting we have reported for some time ; but , although the Morninpk ^ hroniele takes the previous night ' s meeting , which was merely preliminary , from the Yorkshireman , yet it says not a word of the bit we give , which was the finale . Out upon such rascally tricksters ; do they hope to beat us by mere acts of omission t No , we know our strength too well ; and these are the very pianks which have made the old rags stink in the nostrils of every man . Thank God , the Morning Chronicle is falling into its grave .

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      Woolwich , where a longrevolving axle is constantly in operation , allowed the skirts of his coat to come in contact with it , and in a moment he waa suspended , and revolving with the same Telocity . Before the engine was stopped he had been turned round about sixteen times , but escaped without any material injury .

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      A THE NORTHER N S TAR . ^

      A Workman At The New Factory In The Dockyard,

      A workman at the new factory in the dockyard ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 27, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct538/page/4/