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THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1842.
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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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INQUEST ON THE MEN KILLED AT THE FIRE . Ouigin op the FiaE . —An inquest was held on Monday before P . F . Curry , Esq ., ceroner , touching the death « f John MaTtin , Luke Smith , aad James Bell , the thres men who , as has been previously mentioned , were killed by the falling of a ¦ wall , anil whose bodies are lying ct the Northern Hospital . Ths witnesses examined were Edward Knight , ¦ warehouse keeper ; Samuel Tack , police f ffieer ; Hugh Falkner , labourer ; JoEeph Maesey , inspector of police ; Michael Martin , labourtr ; Mr . Harris , surceon uf the Northern Hospital . Bnt the most interesting portion cf the evidence which had reference to the origin of the fir . i was given by the gervantcf Mr . Peniston , the bonc-tuerchaat , in whose premises it is slid the fire originated , and was to the" following effect : —
Jobs Cogclan—I am the engineer at Mr . Penistous , in Crocpton-Etreet , and have been in the employ of Kr . P .-niston for the last three years . I have the charge of the engine , have to" look after the fires , to lock up the place at night , and I have charge of everything ia t = e vird . Tde last time that flocked up the gates on Taursday night last was at ten minutes to ten . Before leaving the place I drew the red fire out of the stove , as uraal , and filled up the bars with slack , in onier ths : we mi-h : have a small fire ready for use on the foHuwing morning . Sometimes , when I have slacked the fire , it had been completely burnt out when I went next morning ; feut generally there was a little fire in the stoTe . I hare followed the practice of slacking the fire for the last frur months . The engine was set np with brickwork . The -smoke was carried off
throngh a flue which went under ground , the whole breadth of the yard . The engine-house was built of bricks and wood . The roof was cf wood , and the back was of wood . There was a sufficient brick wall aToocd the boiler , as ia the case ¦ with almost every engine , and thec there rra 3 a wooden partition between the ecgine-houss and the next yard . The furnace has an iron door , divided into two halves . It was not closed at night If we had closed it , there would have been no draught , and the fire would have gone out . It ¦ was always Itft open at night The engine-house is flagged . There were no chate in the engine-house , nor any seats of any kind . There was not a joiner ' s bench in it . There was a bit of a board temporarily fastened to the wall , and to which the vice was made fast . We used it to lay our toola upon , but sever as a seat .
Inspector Murray—That is the bench of which I spoke . It might have been used for laying tools on , and -also as a seat . John Coghlan , in continuation—I was rousea out of bed on Friday morning , at about a quarter before three o ' clock . The man who knocked at the door informed me that the yard was on fire . 1 first ran to my master ' s ' . house , told ilr . Peniston , and then went to the yard . I found the whole of the building belonging to my master on fire , and other pbces besides . There ¦ were two buildiDgs , one on each side , on fire . I have no idea where the fire originated- On Thursday night I ordered the lads to fill up tha slack , and they thraw their spades , three in ' number , into the fiie-hole . The spades were lying there next day , and the handles were not at all burnt . We left no light of any description in the place . We would not be allowed to do that We have a dark lantern' which was not lighted more than one night in twenty . We were very cautions about lights ; for if it had been known that I had had a candle about the building , I should have been turned cff .
The beadle mentioned that he had in waiting another witness , one of the boys in the empioy of M » . Ptrniston , who was also present when the place was locked up . He could corroborate the evidence of Coghlan . Mr . Curry remarked that he had no reason to doubt the truth of Cughlau's testimony , and that it w : ; s unnecessary to ciii the lad . He added , " Tho fact which the last witness has mentioned about the spades is scffi--cient to convince me that the fire did not originate from the stove . " Inspector Murray—When I went in , the fire was confined te the engine-house . I did not see anyth ? nif of the spades . They might have been there , though I did not see them . The Goroutr—Have-you any idea , Mr . Peniston , how this £ re originated ?
Mr , Peuiston—Not at all . I feel confident th&t it could not have originated in my yard- I feel very sorry , for I am a sufferer very much by it . I had not a farthing of my propsrty insured . I have examined all over , and there was nothing at the end of the yard that couM have ignited . The Coroner—It is now a question for yon , gentlemen of the jury , whether we sbould adjourn this inquest for further evidence as to the origin of the fire , or not Mr . Peniston—I should be very glad if any gentlemas wonld come and examine my premises , to see ¦ whether there is any proof of the fire having originated there . The boiler is ail good .
The Coroner—Bo yon think , Gentlemtn , there is any occasion to acj Durn , in order that we may have further evidence as to the origin of the fire ? Or , supposing that the premises were maliciously set on fire , would that have any effect on the verdict you would return ? I have not any doubt on my own mind ; but some persons have doubU , though they lean to my way of thinking . We are of opinion that though the place was maliciously set on fire , and these parties were killed in assisting to extinguish it , the only Terdict could be accidental deith . 1 have put the point to one or two , and they think that there is something in it : and
as this was such a melancholy event , and involved such a loss of property ( with which , however , you hare nothing to do ) , as well as of life , I think that it would be better to adjourn fur further information as to the origin of the fire . 1 sect a note to Mr . Shuitleworth , Mod he has returned me in answer , stating that the ; pofait to which I have alluded involves a very impor- ) ***** -question , and one he should not wish to decide j » poa in a harry . I shonld not myself hesitate to give ' my opinion on the la w of the case ; bnt it will no doubt \ &e more Bttis&etory to the public to have the case sif ted ES thoroughly as we can do so . What witnesses can J s get , beadie ?
-ia Beadle—There are several police officers whom I csn get , and the man who firit aw the fire . He can , perhaps , throw solas light npon ths origin . Then there i * M -s . Isaac ' s men . Fe was ia his mistress ' s place the kit , . hough alone .
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Mrs . Isaac was present , &nd stated that she could give no evidence which would at all tend to elucidate the origin of the fire . She added , " My place is an oil and colour store , and we have a boiler in it ; but the last fire we bad on the premises , and the last light , either candle , match , t > r anything else , was on Tuesday , when a Email fire was lighted to heat some water . " The Beadle— -There is some tar scattered about the yard , and that Is thought rather curious , as tar was more likely to burn than run about . A Juryman—It is quite necessary , I think , that fur ther evidence should be heard , if only for the sake of these two persons here , Mr . Peniiton and Mrs . Isaac , who are b !* med about the town . The J ury thonght it was very desirable that further evidence as to the origin of the fire should be obtained , and agreed to adjourn .
The Coroner remarked , " Snppose the premises had been maliciously set on fire , would it alter the verdict or nat ? I have no doubt about it ; but as one great legal authority holds a different opinion , I shall aooede to the wish of the jury , and adjourn the inqaesk " The inquiry was accordingly adjourned .
THE ADJOURNED IKQUEST . The inquest on the subject of the deaths of Martin , Smith , and Bell , was resumed on Taesday morning , principally for the purpose of hearing farther evidence respecting the origin of the fire . It may be as well to mention here , that Mr . Peniston , in whose shed the fire commenced , has received a curious epistle through the post It was addressed , " Mr . Peniston , Wood-street North , Liverpool . " It was not pre-paid , and bore the post-mark September 24 , 1842 . The following is a copy : —
Malus . Bonus . Behold Love Reason and Justice by Beauty for ashes where The Poor asked for bread but the rich gave stones . Behold the ctobs adore the crown . Now Christ casts guilty nations down In blood and fire millions rattle The Divil Bankrupt falls in battle . Great Babylon . " Beat your ploughs into swords and your scythes into spears . " Bead 3 Joel . Brule tont . Elias . The Coroner said there appeared to be no certainty as to the precise spot where , or the manner in which , the fire had commenced . He did not see any good which could arise by keeping the inquiry open for any lensrer period .
The Foreman announced the verdict of the Jury as fallows : — " We find that the three deceased parties were accidentally killed while they were employed in removing goods from a 'warehouse which was contiguous to one that was on fire , but how it became on fire no evidence doth appear ; and we wish , at the same time , to clear Mr . Peniston of the charge that his premises bad been purposely set en fire by himself , or by the neglect of any of his servants . " On Tuesday , Patrick Doran , who kept the marine store where originated the fire of Monday night , was taken into custody , on suspicion of having wilfully set fire to the same . He underwent a private examination on the same afternoon , in the presence of the Mayor , Mr . Rush ton , a large body of other magistrates , and the Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk . The event was , that he was remanded for further examination , which was to take place in open court , at one o ' clock , on Wednesday .
The Northern Star Saturday, October 1, 1842.
THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , OCTOBER 1 , 1842 .
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ANNUAL PARLIAMENTS . The following able dissertation appears in tho Evening Star , of Tuesday and Wednesday , in the present week . We leave out an article of our own that we may have room to present it to our readers entire : — So much importance do we attach to the question of Annual Parliameats , that if we were in a situation to make our election between Universal Suffrage , accompanied with Septennial Parliaments , or the Saffrage as at present settled with Annual Parliaments , we would much prefer the latter . Having
said so much , we snail now proceed to a consideration of the right to petition , and the effects of petitions in those times when elections were annual , and when they were triennial and septennial , distinguishing the relative effects which petitions had upon the Legislature under those three separate tenures . The delegation of representative power was in the first instance a great convenience to the community at largo , and could not be attended with any disadvantage to the whole people , so long as they had a controlling power vested in themselves . The right of petition in olden times , when Parliaments were
annually elected , was cherished as a certain appeal of the good sense of the majority of the people against the premature , iBjudiciouB , or hastily conceived projects of those to whom the right to legislate was delegated , and seldom or never failed of producing its legitimate effeot . Indeed , in those days when the people's representatives were obliged to return to their constituents at the close of each session , to receive their smiles as a Reward for virtue , or their frowns as a punishment for vice , the best title that the oandidate could plead was his observance of the popular will , and a
ready compliance with its commands . The time was so short between the commission of wrong and the certain punishment of the wrong-doer , that few were fouud hardy enough to resist the remonstrances of those who were so speedily to constitute his judges . Thus we find , that in the times when Parliaments were annual , the House of Commons in most instances anticipated the popular will , and was the first to sound the alarm when the royal prerogative or the power of the Lords threatened any abridgment of popular rights . The successive invasions upon the people which were commenced
by Henet VIII ., and which have been going on increasing in enormity from the period when the duration of Parliaments was extended from three to seven years , in the reign of Geobse I ., have one and all been direct oonsequences of the abrogation of the right of annual elections . When Henry ' s subservient Blaves abrogated Sessional Parliaments , and extended the tenure which their constituents had conferred upon them for only one year , to a period of three years the Constitution of England was virtually and actually annulled , and the people would have been
justified in falling back upon Magna Charta , in arming themselves , dethroning the tyrant , ejecting the Commons , and resuming again that trust , which in the hands of their delegates had been violated . From the days of Hekry the Eighth , to the expulsion of the Second Jahes , and the conferring of these realms upon a foreigner , the tyrannical and bloody acts which characterized each successive reign , were one and all consequences of the lost right of annual elections . The popular will lost all control over its elected servants ; while the partition of the plunder stolen from the people , among the slavish followers
of Haret , at once laid the foundation of a bribed , subservient , venal , and corrupt ' . oligarchy . From this period we date the establishment of our oligarchy , whose interests were bound up with those ot the reigning monarch , and separated in loto from those of the people . Protestants would not have waged deadly war against their Catholic fellow-oonntrymen in honour of God , had the people not lost the right of annual election . Charles would not have Io 3 t his head on the scaffold , had the good sense of the people been allowed to use its controlling influence for the correction of abuses ,
before they became magnified into a general charge of high treason against the monarch . Neither would the rightful King ( if we may use the frightful term as an illustration ) , James the Second , have been driven from the throne to make way for a foreigner , whose religious feelings were more congenial to the recipients of that property which Hakst had stolen from the people . Neither would the bloody murderer , Cromwell , have been allowed to lick up the remainder of the plunder , or
to murder , burn , shoot , transport , or otherwise destroy the brave Irish Catholics , had the English people not been first robbed of the right of annual election . Neither would a stranger ( William the Third ) have been allowed to establish the Bank of England , and to create a funded debt for the support of an oligarchy , and to be paid by the people , had the people ' s representatives been subjected to tho settlement which annual accounts were certain to produce . From the moment of the abrogation of the right to elect annual ser-
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vants , we hear no more of Hahpdens , Stdneys , Russells , and aristocratic opponents to royal encroachment . King and oligarchy from that period became one in interest , one in action , and one in principle : no more do we hear of stopping the supplies for the purposo of arresting invasions upon popular Tights . If the change from Annual to Triennial Parliameats worked so much evil , let us now enter upon the consideration of those results whioh have issued from a further extension from three to a seven years' tenure of office . A Parliament elected only for three years extended the right
to itself to sit for seven years , and the act would have justified the ejection of the Commons who passed it , and the dethroning of the Monarch who gave to it his assent . It was a violation of the compact of Magna Charta , of the Bill of Rights , and of the spirit of the Constitution ; and , as the Tory , Lord Bolikgbr 9 ke has well and truly said , it is , in such cases , as much the -duty—mind , the duty , not the mere right—of the people to rebel against a corrupt House of Commons as against a tyrannical prince . From that period , when the people ' s representatives had unconstitutionally
conferred upon themselves the right to hold their trust for seven years , we find the Iine 3 of demarcation between the electoral body and the unrepresented people become wider and wider ; and schisms , theretofore unknown , jealousies theretofore unheard of , and suspicion never before entertained , causing discord , disunion , strife , and discontent in the human family . Now we come to a vital portion of our subject . From that time when Parliaments were not elected annually , we find that the people ' s petitions were looked upon as mere waste paper , until at length it was reserved for a reformed House of
Commons to turn them into a mockery and port . The three great event 3 which have taken place in the world from the period when Parliaments were elected for seven years , are , the American war , the French Revolution , and the Irish insurrection of 1798 . And the first and . last of these two great events , whioh were more immediately consequences of British policy , we shall be able to trace distinctly and irrefutably to the Ios 3 of annual elections , and the consequent disregard of the people ' s petitions . As regards tho American war and the subsequent declaration of American Independence , much as we rejoice at the
glorious result , and although we can trace it . to the abrogation of Sessional Parliaments , yet the friends of American freedom cannot hail the change aa advantageous to them , because those grievances , of whioh they justly complained , never would have been allowed to exist by a Parliament annually elected , while the right ' of self-government would have been conceded to right and will , instead of waiting upon force and superior strength , by the same rightful authority of a Parliament , constitutionally elected , or rather constitutionally controlled by the appellate jurisdiction , whioh never failed of having its due effect upon annual servants .
We prove oar case thus : —When the Amenoans first complained of the injustice of their step-mother's rule , they couched their grievancos in the most modest language , embodied in what , even now , would be considered fulsome adulation of the monarch , and reprobation of the British oligarchy . They asked not for separation , nor yet for equality ; they merely petitioned , and that right loyally and humbly , for a remission of heavy taxation , which they considered injurious to the well-being of the country , and unjust in principle . Their petitions breathed the strongest sentiments of
loyalty to the Crown , affection to the laws , and respect for the Constitution , while they remonstrated against the unequal manner in which all were extended to their country . To these petitions , insulting answers were returned ; when remonstrance followed petition , and which being unheeded , were succeeded bv the freeman's last appeal—a recourse to arms for the defence of right and suppression of wrong , America succeeded ; and the very man who was spurned from the royal presence as a _ mediator , was shortly afterwards received by our mad monarch as an accredited
ambassador from free America . The achievement of American independence , and the French Revolution , which quickly followed that ever-glorious and memorable event , gave hope of justice to oppressed and unhappy Ireland , where the conquered Catholic was compelled to bow his proud neck beneath the yoke of the murdering Statechurch conqueror . The Irish Catholics also tried petitions for a mere remission of grievances , to their own subservient Parliament , and also to the
King in person ; but the Irish , as the Americans , were reminded of their weakness , laughed at for their audaoity , and mocked for their pains . And as in America , so in Ireland , disappointment broke out in revolution ; but , unfortunately for poor Ireland , her day of retribution had not arrived , and her hoar of freedom was delayed , but we trust is now near at hand , when that brave and generous people will rise in their majesty and glory , and throw the whole incubus of State-church , and oppressors of all shades , from them , and that for ever .
To the loss of the right to eleot the people ' s servants annually , we ascribe not only all those grievances heretofore mentioned , but every other under which the nation now suffers , from a demoralizing State Church , and its standing army of butchers to support it , to the " gold chain" of eight hundred millions of debt with which " the great statesman now no more" has bound British society in amicable bonds .
The right to elect Members of Parliament annually is the leading avenue , the principal approaoh , the front dour to the Saffrage , and the rampart for its protection . We have broadly asserted that the question of the vote falls into utter insignificance when compared with its frequent exercise ; and that wherea 3 tho possession of the Suffrage would but retard the principle of annual elections , the return to annual elections would very speedily put the people in possession of the Suffrage . We shall now proceed to a consideration of this allimportant subjeot in all its phases , shapes , and
forms * We shall endeavour to drag truth from beneath the heap of rubbish whioh a servile press has , as if by right , for centur ies , shot over it ; and , for once , place the question in a simple form before the unsophisticated , whose rights have been bo long buried amid the prejudices of faction . We commence with the principle of annual eleotions , as breathing through the spirit of this country ' s Constitution long before Parliaments existed . Alfred called the Whittena-Gemote together twice a year , or oftener , if need were . In William the Conqueror ' s reign , it is said by an ancient statute and custom , laudable and approved , the King waa , once in the year , to convene his Lords and Commons to his councils of Parliament . By Oldfield ' s "Representative
History of Great Britain , in 6 vols ., Vol . L , we find , " the Charters customal and records of the Cinque Ports positively state that Parliaments existed in the 11 th year of the reign of Henry III . ; " and many other proofs of equal authority can be adduced to establish the fact , that Parliaments existed at periods antecedent , and , what is of more importance to us just now , that their duratio n was only for ONE SESSION . By 4 Edward III . it is accorded , " a Parliament shall be held every year once , and oflener { f needle ! " By 30 Edward III . Parliaments shall be held every year , " At this time prorogations were of rare occurrence ; and if any did occur , fresh summonses were , notwithstanding to be issued for a new Parliament once A YEAR ,
AT LEAST . In the 10 th year ef Richard II ., the Commons sent a message to the King , in which they stated , " We have it settled and confirmed by ancient constitution , from a laudable and approved custom , which none can gainsay , that the King ought to assemble his Nobles and Commons of the kingdom once a year . " In the reign of Henbt VIII . Sessional Parliaments were abrogated , and in the reign of Geo . I . Septennial Parliaments gave the
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finishing stroke to liberty . Now we have established the fact , not only that Parliaments , from their earliest exiatenoe , were held annually , but , further ^ that the same Parliament never sat for more than one year before the reign of Henry VIII . Suoh an embodiment of the living genius of the times was the spirit of our Constitution . In fact , the Constitution of a country can mean no more , or less , or other , than the exeroise , in the most convenient way , of the living genius of the nation . And if our forefathers , living rudely , measuredly and evenly in one dnll course , found it necessary to make
representation hold pace with the progressing geniu 3 of their time , how much more necessary does such a course become in these our days , when the genias of to-day may leave the notions of yesterday , as things only to be found in "the wreck of old opinions . " We affirm , as we shall presently prove , that a Parliament under the present system , in its third year , would not , if even it were a faithful mirror of the public voice at the time of its election , be a fair representation of the improved opinion then existing . Publio opinion does not mean the whimsies of a mere mob , or the
adopted notions of a mere section or fraction of the oommunity . It means , the best digest of the living genius of the age , and will naturally seek vent , through that valve of representation , the Parliament , and which , if closed against it , will assuredly ex * plode . We shall now proceed to show the justice of Annual Parliaments . All communities having care of their separate interests , attach a paramount importance to the power which they possess of holding their officers , directors , managers , and servants in check , by the right of examining their accounts at any moment , and of dismissal for
the slightest dereliction of duty . Indeed , men , where their own interest is at stake , guard against tho frailties of human nature , and elect their servants only for one year in the first instance . Governments , no doubt , from the consciousness of the evil use of power made by themselves , receive tenders , and enter into contracts only for one year . Corporations , societies , and separate bodies elect their officers only fora year—honest service for the past being the best pretensions for future favours . Now , if separate classes , having tender regard for their own interests , should find themselves protected by
the frequent exercise of the right of electing their officers and servants , upon what ground can they refuse the same wholsome check to the people as a means of making the combined representation of all classes a faithful mirror of the popular will ? The answer is easy—Because unitedly all live upon labour ; and however any other class . may now and then suffer a trifling injustice at the hands of their servants , yet do they prefer the worst that can befall them from that corrupted source , to the anticipated evil of being compelled by a faithful representation of the people to earn an
honest livelihood . Anxious , however , to sift this question to the bottom , let us now examine by what rule of right servants can hold tenures for seven years , from masters who are compelled to make an annual tender for that qualification , which entitles them to vote for a representative . Now , this opens to us a wide field for consideration ; and let the lovers of things as they are attend to this palpable evil , whioh may come upon us under the present system , while we shew that it is now within the power of the landlords of England to constitute themselves , if relieved from the controul of
public opinion , into a permanent legislative body . The right given by the clause of the Marquis of Chandos to tenants occupying fifty pounds' worth of land at the will of their landlord , confers upon them the right of voting for a representative , who is to hold office for seven years , while the voter himself may have lost the qualification whioh the tenure vested in him , the moment after he has exercised it . Now , this is anomalous ; and is rendered absurd by that law which compels a bankrupt to surrender his seat upon the declaration of his bankruptcy . Let us follow up the
illustration further . A solvent man is returned by a solvent constituency , a majority , perhaps , having interest for life in that property out of which they vote . He becomes insolvent , and loses no portion of the confidence of his constituents . Yet does the practice of Parliament look upon him as an unfit person to represent a constituency ; while upon the other hand , a person may be returned by a majority of fifty pound tenants at will , a majority or all of whom may lose their votes the moment or immediately after having exercised them ; they may become bankrupts , may be
disfranchised , and yet does the tenure conferred by them hold good for seven years , thus making representation a complete mockery . Lord Stanley , during the debate on Lord Morpeth ' s Irish Registration Bill , asserted unblushingly that the English farmers consider themselves as mere tenants at will of that trust , which , as as voters , they were called upon to exerciso . He said that the understanding between English landlords and their tenants was , that the tenants should vote according to the will of their lord ; and therefore to this portion of our subjeot we desire to draw particular attention ,
for two reasons ; firstly , because it establishes the faot that the fifty pound tenants at will have in reality no franchise , and that the House of Commons consists of a body of self-elected landlords , who may retain office , those who elected them having lost the franchise . And , secondly , to deduce from the faot the advantage whioh the landlord must have in his political capacity of thus turning his landed property to political rather than to social purposes ; but , above all , to show from the practice the advantage which farmers of public will , have in conveying to their tenants as short a period of tenure as possible . This subject is so important , that even at
the hazard of being considered prolix , we shall probe it to the very bottom . We have shown the great controul which landlords have over those tenants , who hold their property merely upon their will . Now , mutatis mutandis , the people being farmer of the representative trust , and the representatives being the mere tenants at will of that trust , a fortiori , it follows , that they , the people , would have a like controul over their tenants , that the landlords now have over the farmers of those estates , whioh lose the distinctive value whioh they ought really to have , and receive a counterfeit value for the . political power with which they invest the lord .
Thus we have traced Annual Parliaments and the right of petition , from the earliest period , when both existed and were in force ,. down to the present period , when the one is lost , and the other in consequence beoome a mockery ; and now let us sum the whole iu brief bat convincing terms , thus : — The country now divided into two antagonistic forces , —the non-elective power on the one hand , and non-elective influence on the other , let us consider how that unrepresented interest could best make head against the elective power , whether by Universal Suffrage with a seven years' tenure , vested in the
farmers of their will ; or under the present franohise ; or with that annual control which the spirit of living genius , though unenfranchised , would be sure to exeroise at annual eleotions . Firstly , it is admitted , and truly , that with Parliaments no great measure of liberty-ever originates ; that , in fact , they are rather the drags upon , than the propellers of , liberal principles ; that they lag immeasurably behind that publio spirit and existing order of things , which fairly struggle for representation : and
that they are only driven to measures of relief and improvement by the force of public opinion , —not that opinion which originates with , or is advanced by , the electoral body , but by that which is to be found in the rising genius , which daily becomes manifest among the unrepresented body , acting not in concert with , but in opposition to , the will of the represented party . Confer , therefore , a tenure for seven years , even with Universal Suffrage , aud the whole of that period would be spent in the yiolation of every
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pledge given upon the hustings , and in the concoction of measures best calculated to render the possession of the Suffrage as harmless as possible to the interests of the several classes , who would still contend for their separate rights to live out of the plunder of labour . Upon the other hand , let the Suffrage remain limited as it is , slip publio opinion annually from that leash in which despondency and the law now hold it , and so powerful will be its control and influence , that it would smile vice out of countenance , and . compel the most cunning Blave to act upon the maxim that "honesty is , in truth , the best policy . " Who would be foolish enough to
submit a bankrupt fame to the annual revision of a virtuous publio opinion t and who would be bank ? rupt enough in character to dare to vote against him who had honestly discharged his duty , and in defence of the will of those for whom he had thus discharged it ? In consequence of elections being septennial , we now find the aotion of the unrepresented brought into the field without vigour or concert ; but let it be understood that that will is to be exercised aunually , and then it will be brought into action under a perfect system of discipline and order , before which the marshalled force of faction shall fall and parish . Tho public will , and not the
Parliament , carried Emancipation and Reform ; the publio will , and not the Parliament , established the freedom of America ; and when once the public shall decide upon the right to reserve to itself the appointment of those who are to represent it , for a term not exceeding one year , then will the nation HAVE WILLED ITS FREEDOM j—THEN WILL THE nation be free . Thus we establish the fact , that Universal Suffrage is the sanctuary of the Constitution ; and that of the many ways of access to it , Annual Parliaments are the grand approach and front door , by which alone it can be securely entered and protected . After this exposure , none will
wonder at all parties professing affinity with Chartists , expressing their disapprobation of Annual Parliaments , and their preference for triennial elections . With a perfect knowledge of the great value of annual eleotions , Mr . O'Connell says , that he is a Chartist upon the principle of Triennial Parliaments i while Dr . Black , the mouth-piece of the Metropolitan Parliamentary Reform Association , another section of professing Chartists , says " If you had Universal Suffrage , with Septennial Parliaments or Hundred-year Parliaments , how soon could you alter the matter ; the great question of the Suffrage was the thing . " Again , we find Mr . Sturge , the
leader of another section of professing Chartists , declaring that he found it almost impossible to reconcile the middling olasses to the principle of Annual Parliaments , These objections of themselves must establish the faot , that from Universal Suffrage , cramped by a long tenure , faction would have little to dread , while from the annual control of the popular will it would have little to hope for : — made up , therefore , as our mind is , to stand by every point of the Charter , whole and entire , to the death —we give it freely as our opinion , that were we to receive any one point of the six , we would imeasureably prefer that of Annual Parliaments to
the other five put together . Hereafter , we shall treat separately of the several other points—Vote by Ballot , Equal Representation , No Property Qualification , and Payment of Members , —establishing , as we trust , the faot , that the whole , with , perhaps the exception of the mask , the Ballot , constitute a complete machine , the want of any portion of which would render the whole incomplete . The Charter IS OUR PSINCIPLE , AND No SURRENDER IS OUR Motto . And with these as our arms , we will fight faction to its teeth , in whatever shape or form it may present itself .
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EMIGRATION . CONDITION OF THE EMIGRANTS IN AMERICA We commend to general attention the following extract from a letter lately received in Leeds ; from a very intelligent and observing man , who , while in England , was extensively known among the Chartists : — . " Do you want to know any thing of this country 1 if you do , I hope that yon and all my friends in Leeds will rest satisfied with my assurance , that all had better remain at home . What ! some would exclaim , amidst poverty and wretchednesj ? Yes , my friend , even so , for nothing but poverty and . wretchedness of the worst description awaits them here . Thousand * are out of
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- — — work in every direction , and was It not for the " a ! md houses , " or what would be termed " sonp shop 8 "_ in England , thousands would fee without food ia the city of New York alone . Do not imagine that this account is in any way exaggerated , tot I solemnly assure you that that It Is strictly true , an 3 . B 85 are living upon what they receive in tho alms houses in New York , whilst , according to the different public papers , the whole country is in a similar condition . Hundreds are dally returning to this place , seme of whom have travelled thousands of miles without being able to pre . cure employment of any description . Ail that can raise the means , are returning home , 475 have done so last week , and three ships leave this week , crowded with men , women , and children in the most destitute condition , having had to sell their olething to pay their passages and procure provisions . They ( the ship owners ) are taking passengers home for two or three dollars per head . But even this hundreds cannot procure . Scores are compelled to lie ia the open air , under trees ,
in the public walks in the city , for the want of money to pay for beds ; whilst the streets are crowded with men , women , and children craving charity . The press of New York is daily calling upon the authorities to put down the begging , and provide houses for the destitute to sleep in , but as yet no steps have keen taken to accomplish either . I have had , several times since my arrival , to give money out of my pocket to starving families , that I was keeping to buy food for myself and family ; and we have had to go without until we could sell something . Oh , my friend , it wonld make your heart bleed to see the mi .-ery that I daily witness , for although I have been accustomed to wretched Bights nearly all my' life , I cannot remain an indifferent spectator to the sufferings of my fellow creatures—no , in whatever part of the world I reside . I am now in au office for the forwarding of passengers and emigrants to all parts of America ; and this brings hundreds to miserable beings under my notise , that I might fon otherwise see . "
This but confirms many other accounts that we have seen , of the wretched state which the temporary dominance of the rag-money men , and the extraordinary pressure , by emigrants , on the "Labour market , " has brought about in the United States . Under such circumstances , no man of sense will emigrate who has not either connections already there to take care and advance him , or money to carry with him , which may enable him to buy laud .
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THE DEFENCE FUND . On Monday the trials at Stafford commence . O'Connor will bo there ; he has speoiallyengaged Counsel in London for the defence of Ellis for High Treason , and of the other imprisoned victims . The sinews of war come slowly in . Time is short ; the importance of ihe crisisnone can doubt . A small amount from eaoh , and that amount contributed without delay , and the cause is safe . Let there be no backwardness . Let all subscriptions from every quarter be forwarded at once . Remember , that now is the accepted time , and that "England expects every mm to do his duty 1 "
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T . M . Wheeler , London , correspondent to ihe Northern Star , informs the public that he has removed from Knightsbridge to 243 j | , Temple Bar , where all future communications must be addressed . Timely notice of all public meetings , S [ c , is respectfully requested . The order to withdraw the address of the Testimonial Committes to Mr . Walkins , and that gentleman ' s reply , came too late to 6 e attended to . That part of the Star in which it appears had gone to press .
5 . C . Gradt , near French Park , County Bofcom ' mon , Ireland , writes to say thai he has received a letter from a gentleman of Bath , ^ tatmg that thirty Stars ( old ones ) had been sent him , and of which thirty , eight only have come to hand . He requests , therefore , that all parties who have sent him Stars will be good enough to write and say how many they have sent , and also furnishing their particular addressses . Thomas Boardjian . — We cordially concur in his opinion , and have sent his letter to ihe proprietor
of the Northern Star for his consideration . "The Old Commodore" must excuse us this week : we are full . "A Chieftain unknown to the Queen . "—Next week . P . W . B . means well , and has our thanks ; but his acrostic is deficient in poetry . Thomas Gekrard . Ue have not room for his letter . Wingate Grange Chartists . —Their feelings do them honour ; but the like sentiments are fartu ~ nately held by so many who would be happy to have leave to express them through the Star , that we fear to make the precedent . Notice . —All communications for the Derby Chartists must be addressed to Mr . T . Briggs . at Mrs .
Parry s , News-agent , Cheap side . An Exile . —His address was received loo late for the chance of insertion this week . John Hindes . —His letter to the " Tars of Britain " was received : but its publication might subject us to prosecution . A Constant reader , Dunfermline . —His remedy would be worse than the disease . The people are by no means prepared for it . Bernard M'Cartney . —His letter was received on Thursday morning : too late for insertion . John Mowbray . —Too latejor this week : shall appear in our next . : Con Murray . — We have not room this week either , to insert his letter or notice its contents . We shall notice it next week .
L . Snelling . —Never mind the scrawling fool . John M'Knight , Liverpool , after some very pertinent remarks anent the brutal behaviour of the middle-class blues and specials on the occasion of Poor Lyon ' s funeral , tells the following story by way of counterpart to it : — " On Sunday last , it was rumoured that an Orangeman was dead , and that the order would walk in procession . It turned out to be true , The body went to the residence of the deceased , which is three miles from Liverpool , a place called Bootle . The dead Orangeman was an attorney . About 300 formed into procession , with black scarfs and orange ties , and many with broad ribbons round their necks . The very horses that drew the hearse sported the rampant faction ' s colours . On their way to St . James's Cemetery the streets were lined with people ; and , mind you , Sir , the police was
w alking along side to protect them ! If the Mayor of Manchester had been here to kave seen this , I wonder what the sleek-fac'd man would have said !" H . Moule , Redditch . —His letter of Thursday night was duly received . Wm . Dixon , Manchester . — We received his news letter on Friday morning , fifteen hours after the first edition oftlie Star had gone topress . It contained nothing of later occurrence than tlie Sunday previous . All Communications for the Committee of the General Defence Fund at Manchester must be addressed to Wm . Dixon , No . 11 , Nehen-slreet , Bank Top , Manchester . On account of the arrest of Mr . Cartledge , all letters for the South Lancashire Delegates must for the present be addressed to William Dixon , No . 11 , Nelson-street , Bank Top , Manchester .
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¦ ? - ——Parcels of Plates have been sent to the following Places : —Kobson , Durham ; Barry , Thornhill , and Arkle , Wingate Grange , to J . "Williams , Sunderland ; Bowman , Richmond , and Thompson , Darlington , to Oliver , Darlington . — Hebden , Stokesley , and Medd , Middlesbro ' , to Nash . Stockton . Mitchell , Aberdeen , to Legge , Aberdeen , via HulL Hudson , Carlisle , and Bailey , Cockerrnontb , to Arthur , Carlisle , per France , Newcastle . Johnson , Gtalapblels , to Hogg , Hawlck , per France . Wilkinson , South Shields , Vasey , Barnard Castle , and White , Gateshead , to France Newcasfe . M'Larn , Leith , Easton , Leith ,
and RaDkin , Edinburgh , to Drummond , Edinburgh . Nicol , Tillicoultry , and Stein , Alva , to Thompson , Alloa , per Paton and Love . Motherwell , Paisley , to Altken , Paisley , per Paton and Love . Innes , Greenock , and Lennox , Greenock , to Marshall , Greenock , per Paton and Love . Whitelaw , Ooatbridge , to Young , Airdrie , per Paton and Love . Tosh , Fisheracre ; Thompson , Saltooats M'Clintock , Irvine ; Carruh , Kilniaroock ; Anderson , Colquhoan , Barnea , Campbell , and Jack , and Currie , Glasgow ; Davie , Csmpsie ; Simpson , Falkirk ; M'Pherson , Perth ; Ross , Forfar ; and Millar , Dumbarton ; to Paton and Love , Glasgow . Brown , Settle , per carrier .
The Plates to Cardiff , Porth y Glo , Newport , Tredegar , Merthyr , and Abergavenny are all sent to Mr . Hoarding , Monmonth . - Parcels for A very , B&mstoplo , to Mitchell , Collnmpton . Elms , Newton Abbott , to Mum , Aahburton Hancock , Redrutb , to Burridge , Truro . . Mitchell , Mann , and Burridge , are sent to Smith , Plymouth . Plates for Lowe , Newport , Salop , Willie ' forwarded from Shelf on to Wilcox , Wolverhajnpton , where they have been sent per favour of 8 . Be ring ton . Plates for Mr . Heaton , Clitheroe , and for Mr . Clegg , Burnley , are sent to Mr . Rlckards , Burnley . Parcels for Rickards , Burnley ; Pitfleld and Woodbnrn , Chorley ; Gill , Blackburn ; and Liddle , Preston , are enclosed to Mr . Halton , Preston . Parcels for T . Traverse , Prescot , and B . Dnnn , Liverpool , are enclosed to Mr . B . M'Cartney , Liverpool . The Parcels for Ireland and Brighton are at Mr . John Cleave ' s , Shoe-lane , London .
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SECO'D OUIBllfcAK OP THE GREAT FIRE AT LIVERPOOL . ( From the ' Liverpool Slondard . J List night ( Monday ) , shortly before ten o ' clock , the fire 8 £ riin broke out within the area before noti S 6 d , in premises that were thought to be quita safe af' * dark . It was first discovered by a boy , who com : nunicated it to Inspector Moore : he immediately made , it known to Mr . Wbitty , who fortunately was just fflen making a tour of the ruins . The alarm was give - throughout the lower part of the town soon after t * a o ' clock , by the fpringing of rattles and the tolling 0 ! the Etation bells ; and from the destruction of liir , &Cti property that cal already taken place , the mo- , t ptinftil apprehensions were entertained , and thousr jids rushed to the scene , which was indicated by the glare on the sky , neariy oTer the site of the previous' » rfligration .
On reaching the spot we Founri that tha premises ignited were Webster ' s small hou ^ je and extensive ysrd behind , and Devan ' s mariae store adjoining , and also some premises occupied by a . farter named Boshell , ¦ who had several horees In tha staUes behind . The ¦ whole ef the premises tre situated at the lower part of Crowpton-rtreet ¦ dse northern bcuaoavy of the great fire ) , and the fire had -communicated from the interior cf the area ^ rhere the tuildings are in raits , and yet "burning in tfee sublhBe manner before described . The £ \ aes from the buEdiugs though low , being almost ¦ wholly ef wood , gained a rapid bead , and the cooper-¦ aee , the marine store , and Bushell ' s fat the back ) were all speedTiy in -flames , over a frontage to the street of » bout twenty-five yards . Tws or three of the horses and soce pigs " were got out alive , but some were "burnedto death . Just above , in the same row , and to theeast , was a double cotton shed , longitudinal with
th « street , which was . for some time in graat danger , * ut Snperinter » dent Leverett had tha door burst open , and got the fire extinguished just in time to save it . When the fire began the greatest alarm naturally pre--vailed amongst the inmates of the premises , several of ^ rhom were ' in their beds—f » males as well cs males Tan oat in their shifts and shirts . A number of engines ¦ were sgtedily on the spot , and were woiki-d by the police , usder Mr . Whitty and others , with as much -energy , notwithstanding th « ir previous fatigue , as if they ** A come fresh to the scene of action . We can -for . ii no estimate of the loss , but -sri ; ma j say that this ¦ fire , as well as ths greater one we have had the pain to record , shows the necessity for some iaw to prevent the bnildiag of sheds and other premises of timber , and other combustible materials , particularly in the mercantile sad crowded parts of the town , where much TsJoable property is stored , and many lives are en-< laBgered on the spreading of a fire .
Half-past twelve o ' clock . —We have jast returned from the scene of devastation The fire , we trust , is for the present got under ; and , but for the ziDiz ' nz , rapidity with which it burst , we may say , amongst tL ; e wooden buildings destroyed , would have been arrested in a few Eiinntss by the large and active force at present on the spot We regret to say that six valuable her 6 es belonging to ilr . Bushsll are destroyed . We saw amidst the smoking ruins npon the site of Ihe stabiinc . the carcases of two , burned to a cinder , and the bones perfectly wh te in-parts , from which tbe skin and fiesh had been stripped off A donkey was ths only tenant of
the stabling which made its escape " w . taout assistance ; and a 3 it rurhed through the gates of the yard into Cjmptoc-street , with its long eaTs all aflame , and shaking its head , furnished a lauj , habls exhibition contrasted with the horror of the remaining scene . We know not as yet the fate of the piga - -hich were upon the premises . We ~ were told , hotreTer , by the inspectors and firemen upon the spot , that they -were in all probability saved , having promptly made their egress from their sties , and" distributed themselves in all directions amongst the legs of those cniaged in arresting the progress tf the flames . The stench ¦ which -we experienced , whilit seeing ; the remains of the foarfooted tenants of the stable , was dreadfnL
We cannot conceal our impression that the state of the entire locality of the fire is far from satisfactory .
9to Iseauerg Antr ©Orrcggontrentje?*
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THE COLLIERS' STRIKE . We some time ago laid before our readers copious extracts from the reports presented to Parliament , developing the horrors connected with the system now obtaining in the working of the mines of this Christian Country . Those extracts furnieh a bird ' s eye view of the hardships endured by the adults and youth of both sexes , who earn , or essay to earn , a livelihood by toiling in the bowels of the earth . Those extracts supply a solution to the question , why ignorance and vitiated morals—to say nothing of emaciated frames and premature old age—are more prevalent among the miners than any
other class of operatives . 'Tis a base , inhuman , unchristian , and murderous system to which these men , women , and children are subjected ; and one , not of their own creation , but emanating , root and branch , from the tyranny , rapacity , and cupidity of a band of unfeeling capitalists . Taking the facts embodied in the report to which we allude , in connection with the more recent conduct of the masters towards the employed , we unhesitatingly pronounce them to bo the veriest tyrants that disgrace the haunts of men . The condition of those who are doomed to their accursed controul must be dreadful in the extreme .
Their burdens are in reality unbearable , and those who lord it over them are alone responsible for all the consequences that may ensue ; and we trust , all the evil will ultimately recoil upon the heads of these worse than Egyptian task-masters . Elsewhere our readers will find an address from the Yorkshire colliers to the consumers of coal , in which they dilate in touching terms , upon the many evils to whioh they and their families are exposed ; shewing that their labour is more severe than that of the victims doomed to toil in the Siberian mines . They are incessantly exposed to dangers from
various causes—dangers more perilous and frequent than that of the soldier and sailor , who , in case of misfortune , may be pensioned for life , and in case of death , their widows and orphans may be provided for in some of the established institutions , which provision the colliers have not . They also depiot the starving state of their families , on whose behalf they make the appeal , in hope of reaching the ears of the benevolent . We trust the call will be responded to , aud that these poor men will be convinced that the demon of money-grubbing and class domination has not yet entirely extinguished the old English love « f fairplay in the land .
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THE STURGE MEN'S "NATIONAL" CON
FERENCE . We give in our present paper a letter from Mr . John Campbell , the General Secretary , in reference to this subject , which we recommend to general attention . We perceive that Mr . STUBGE ° and his co-lecturers are most busy in their vocation of going round from town to town to stir up the embers of Complete Humbug , though the fire burna so gently that but for the official notifications of
their organ , the Nonconformist newspaper , we should be unaware of its existence . We have no fear whatever of the people being galled by this projected Conference . The bulk of them know too well " what ' s what . " But we desire-that not one individual should be deceived ; and , therefore , pray all to read Mr . Campbell ' s exposure- of the " national" character of this intended tub for the whale .
We add to Mr . Campbell's our own exhortation , that not a Bingle delegate be appointed to this humbug Conference by the people . On the contrary , let the people at eyery meeting which may be held to elect delegates ' attend , and speak outlet them show them that they are awake . Let them look to the factory and mining districts for an abundance of samples of middle class sympathy , and let them return friend Stuhqe his NO . "
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4 THE NORTHERN STAR .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 1, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct618/page/4/
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