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Northern Star (1837-1852), 12th December 1840, Edition 4 of 4, Page 5, Untitled Article

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    • THE FiYE STAR PORTRAITS FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS.
    • TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS
    • PROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. Wednesday Evening, December 9th, Half-past Seven o'Ciock.
    • M EWG ASTXtE-UPON-TVm:
    • TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN
    • X0ARBXA«£8.
  • Text (15)
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      Untitled Article

      The daughter of the deceased being the principal eriden . ce against him , she in her anxiety to have th » blood other father ' s murderer , thought to strengthen facts bj interpretations of her own ; and among ether things she swore that , "in resisting the prisoner , he called her * bitch , " This the prisoner denied , in d iwore he was accused wrongfully . He was convicted , however ; and , previous to sentence being passed , upon being asked by the Court if he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him , he replied , " Oh , then , my Lord-Bhip , isn't it too bad to marder a man with false oaths ! for God above ha knows I never eall'd JudeadiicA , " "If you had called her bo , replied his Lordship , and not murdered her father , your crime would hare been less . "

      Sach is precisely Brush ' s case . He was only the meant of dewing BallytarEna , while lie swept the other denominations in parson ; and Mr . Haher , rery properly making no distinction between the acts , charged him with all ; and Bbuex Bays , " no ; I never did , in person , eject the famines from Ballytarsna ; " but does not deny the remainder of the tharge . What , we may ask , must be the consequence of ibis frightful re-action , when we find tlie most objectionable man in Ireland returned by the l&rfest majority ever known in the county of Carlow ,

      Stanley ' s Bill being the casus belli * Does it not clearly prove thai those within the pale do not desire any addition to their society , constituted snugl y as it now is ; but would rather get rid of some of the poor fringe of the garment , if possible ! Will this teach the Whip a lesson ? Will it teach the people & lesson ! Will it teach the country a lesson ! Will ft teach O'Cojthell a lesson ! The only balm for the wound is , that not a single pledge , in which the people are interested , was required of

      Poksosbt ; and , therefore , they have experienced no defeat ; while the great sting of the triumph is to be found In the fact of many poor Catholics having voluntarily voted for the destroyer of their race , and the reviler of their religion . What will GisBoibfB , the Liberal Member for the County , think of his chance of re-election npon the next occasion 1 The only moral effect produced , we fear , will be a delay of dissolution ; and , doubtless , the Whigs , on the Carlow defeat , will witness the approach of general re-action .

      Perhaps a trifling anecdote of Colonel Bkcek cay not be out of place just now . The gallant gentleman is supposed to be the very ugliest m * n in Ireland ; and npon one occasion , when very flash of cash , he proposed to a kind of toady-mason , in a walk round his domain , the project of enclosing it with a brick wall , twenty feet high . The mason , who had the whole ear of his master , and whose

      wit recommend him as a kind of companion , laughingly observed , " Your honour , it can ' t be done . " Can't , " responded Bzuex , « why so P " Why , ft is impossible . " " Impossible I" rejoined the Colonel , " nonsease ; money will do it ; money can do anything . " " Oh , I ax your honour ' s pardon , " ¦ kid the mason , "there ' s one thing that money can ' t do . " " What vs it V asked Bbcba . * Indeed , then , 111 tell your

      honour" Why , then , all the money in Brcex'i place " Couldnt put a handsome nose on Brush's face . " Brush ' s nose is about an inch and a half in length , and is turned up short , like the end of an aged donkey's hoof . This patriotic gentleman , in the year 1885 , paid his countrymen generally the compliment of deglaring them to be all savages . "

      Untitled Article

      THE CORONER'S INQUEST UPON THE DEAD MURDERER , AND MR .

      WAKLEY'S LAW , WITH THE JURA ' S FOLLY . Tratklij s * by railway being likely to become the only mode of conveyance , and being as yet in its infancy , it is highly necessary that some denned and intelligible rules should be laid down for its regulation ; and as the whole speculation is likely to be managed by , and for the profit of , the wealthy , at the expence of the lives of the community , it is also high time that the law should be denned as to the question of responsibility .

      We are the more induced to enter npen a eonilderation of this subject now , in consequence of the extreme ignorance manifested by lir . Waslet , the Coroner for Middlesex , and the misconception of the very dull Jury , whom he succeeded in mystifying upon the inquest lately held , arising out of the Harrow incident . Mr . Wifiut , in his extraordinary charge , quoted largely from Judge Foster , but not a single case in point . In the case of the man who threw the brick from the window , whereby a passenger was killed , the ra * n was living , and he alone was concerned

      but if his master had been at hand , and had said , " threw those bricks out to save time , " and if the passenger had been killed , as all are principals in murder , the master would cave been guilty of murder . So with the reckless coachman , who , from his own devilment , faced the precipice , and having ensured the destruction of his passengers , jumped tff the box himself , before the moment of danger ; but if the proprietor had £ aid to the coachman" The trustees or directors of the road to Blackacre have opened the new line and shut up the old * with positive orders not to use t e old , in

      eousefuenee of some bridge being broken own ; but don ' t you mind ; watch the opposition , and as you save two miles and the hill by going the old way , go it : " now , in such case , we incline to think that the proprietor would be guilty of murder . Again ; the ther case upon which Mr . Waxley seems to rely as being quhe in point , of the driver of a cart , after sufficient caution , still persevering without due care , being liable for any accident which may occur . Here , likewise , suppose the carter had been ordered to go on , as usual , by his master , regardless of conlequences , the master would , in such case , be guilty ei murder ; therefore , we say , that not one of ilr . Wxklet ' s cases was by any meani in point .

      Let us tell him ihe maxim of law which should have directed him in bischarge , and thenshow , from the evidence , how , under i ; , the Directors were the parties guilty of murder . The law says " gusm facxt per alien , facit per te ; " who acts by another acts in person ; so if an agent distrain upon a tenant wrongfully , no rent being due , or illegally by making distress at night , in such case the tenant his his action against the landlord- In like manner , if a sub-sheriff make a wrong return , or refuse to execute judgment , or execute it illegally , the party aggrieved has an action against the High

      Sheriff . So if » debtor mike his escape from the ustody of a gaoler , who is the Sheriff's officer , the creditor at whose suit he was confined has his action also against the Sheriff . So with a carrier , who hall negleci w > deliver goods , or allow them , through neg ligence , to bs damaged , the parties have their aciion against the master . But what is Hill more in point , is this , in our criminal interpretation of guiit : suppose a man keeps a wicked bull , or stallion , or dog , or any other animal , after he lhall have done injury to any person ; or that he keeps him after reasonable caution that he is likely to do mischief ; it has not only been held , but it has never been disputed , that in such case the proprietor

      is amenable for every injury committed by the animal ; and in this view we are inclined to consi der the present ease . It is evident that Sihpsoh was the mad bnll , of whose ferocity bi » misters had been warned . This appears from the fact of Snc-¦ ox's having been fined a pound for neglect of duty mpon a previous occasion . We care not whether the ins was justly imposed or not ; that is not the question ; the question is , whether or not the misters were justified in retaining in their service a person meeessarily entrusted with the lives of number of persons , after having committed an act which justified , or even ealled for , a fine of a single penny . We say not .

      It further appears that every breaksman , fireman , policeman , and engine-driver upon the wiiole line , must have been cognizant of Sihpsos's recklessness ;

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      and that the Company knew nothing of a man who refused to obey signals , rattled through those placed for his guidance , " rowed" police who dared to stop him , and , in short , whose chief practice appears to have cons » tedln theHisobedience of orders . This is our view of the case ; and , in conformity with this view , we hare no hesitation in saying , that the verdict should have been , Insanity , " as regards Sinrson , and ** Wilful Murder" against the Directors , who kept a mad bull after having been warned of his ferocity : but Waklbt is not likely to take this view of the case .

      We need say nothing of the law , or the verdict , which makes a dead man guilty of the crime of murder ! It is a fair conclusion that Simpson first Jost his own / i / ein the occurrence , and then murdered Dawson ! We may probably next week ( we have not time just cow ) frame an indictment against Simpson for the "Wilful Murder , " of such a nature as will folly justify Lord Dkijiiam in issuing a writ of "habeas corpus , " in order that the grave-digger , or rather the road-diggerB ( for the verdict deprives him of the rights of Christian burial ) shall produce his body to take kis trial for the wilful murder of Dawsos at the next Old Bailey Sessions J

      We also incline to think the verdict , as regards the deodand , vicioup , inasmuch &s the whole sum should have been laid on the whole train , or the immediate part of that portion which did the damage ; but if there was any justification in the severance , —that is , of laying a portUn on one part , and a portion upon the other , —common sense will show the fallacy of having laid it upon 82 engine , which was the only part of the whole which could not have killed Sixpsos and Daw son . The verdict , then , should have been , " Insanity" against Simpson , " Wilful Murder" against the Directors , and a deodand on a wheel of the engine No . 1 , to Lord

      Northwitch , as Lord of the Manor . In fact , instead of enriching any person , its effect should have been to frighten those who cannot otherwise be brought to entertain sufficient respect for human life ; and whose only object appears to be the making of as much profit as possible , a great portion of which arises from paying Bmall wages to ignorant persons , instead of giving to merit its just reward , by employing able engineers , at proper remuneration and responsible salaries ; whereby some guarantee would be given for the safe arrival of those who commit themselves to their guardianship , instead of placing valuable lives under the kind protection of " mad built . "

      We are sot for hanging ; but let one third-class carriage full of Directors go as convicts from Kirkdale to the Hoiks , along the whole line of road from Liverpool to I # * don , with iron wrist-bands and garters , and our lives for it there would be some high qualification required for engineers on all the iine 3 now open , and hereafter to be opened . Something must be done to stop the murderous

      system . We are informed that the Directors of Insurance Companies are deliberating upon some elause in policies upon life insurances , to guard them from liabilities in certain cases of railway accidents ; and we opine that upon the occasion referred to , equity ( if we had such a commodity ) would , in case of a man being killed whose life was insured , have mulct the Railway Company in the fall amount of the premium .

      Untitled Article

      THE GLASGOW ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN , AND VILLAKY OF THE LORD PROVOST . Ws need do no more than direct the particular attention of our readers to the important meeting recently held in Glasgow , for the purpose of voting a fulsome address from a few slaves to her Majesty , upon the presentation of a very dear child to her loving , very poor subjects , and the rejection by sheer villany , falsehood , and fraud , of the address really carried , and trul y speaking the language of friendship sincerity , and loyalty , without blarney .

      The Lord Provost , as he is called ( the Lord help and defend us from such lords ) , presided ; and now be it observed , that he was the only man in all Scotland who was not eligible , and for this simple reason , because he was interested ; having the hope of knighthood before his eyes , and which hope the Chartist address would have dashed to pieces , because , even in the event of being declared carried , it would not have been presented . Well , the Queen

      may be-knight the wretch , but we defy her to begentleman him . We onlj hope that the brave fellows who , in defiance of the threat of force , so nobly did their duty , will now call a meeting , and put "hay upon the horns" of the Lord Provost , which the Queen cannot take off , by declaring him unworthy of the confidence of his townsmen , and by hissing him most lustily whenever he presumes to intrude his particularly obnoxious presence in decent society .

      Perhaps the most valuable part of the whole proceeding was the glorious following up of the triumph , by the affirmation of the tellers , Messrs Ross , -Cxxerox , and Jack , that they counted seven hundred and eighty-five who voted for the amended address , and this in a room only capable of holding twelve hundred . These men know how to win the battle , and how to enjoy the triumph ; such men as Mora , Ross , Cameron , Jack , and Thomkox are an honour to their country , their cause , and

      themselves-In connection with this we would also draw attention to the splendid meetings at Manchester ; where the humanity humbugs were foiled and routed in their camp , with their ablest advocate , Mr . Tbomf-SOT ,, the most eloquent speaker , and the cleverest tactician at a public meeting , that we ever met with Bat the time has gone by for the people to be bombngged even by him .

      The best part of the business was the indignant i refusal of the unwashed to be palavered into the j giving up of their true position to the wait-a-whilej till-we-have-done request of the palterers who would have had them reserve their amendment for j subsequent resolutions . We rejoice to see the fustian j jackets awake . f * 1 ¦ ¦

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      «~ s ,, ^ . - ^^ a ^ - - i .-, — . _ - « nj J-m . MR . HETHERINGTON a > d "PLAIN JOHN "' S

      BLASPHEMY PROSECUTION . " Ws . purpose to make some commeDt on the spirit and tendency of such prosecutions as the infamous one alluded to in the heading of this article ; but , as we find it well done to our hands by a daiiy contemporary , we shall content ourselves with transcribing the following from the Sun : — " We regret to annonnce that Mr . Hetherington ¦ was yesterday found guilty of publishing a blasphemous libel , but the Court postponed passing sentence on him . We hope it will be a lenient one , for his spirited defence"deserves the approbation of all the friends to free discussion . The Judge ( Lord Penman ) spoke of his exertions with respect , and the Court will , -we therefore trust , be convinced that justice will be best satisfied with the smalleet possible punishment

      " As long as certain doctrines are merely used for the enrichment of the priests , and spiritual terror is only employed to coax toe wealth from industry into the lap of a Sybarite clergy , they may be regarded by politicians with indifference ; but when , in despite of philosophy , which says that no man ia answerable for hia belief , and in despite of common sense , which requires that the doctrines on which the priesthood baild their power over the human mind , and use other men ' s property at their discretion , be subject to a rigid investigation , a man li tent to prison , not for investigating thoae doctrines , but for publishing the investigations of another , the question becomes ef very great importance . Punishment i * fitly appropriated to guilt ,

      bit there can be no more useful virtue than to strip the mask off hypocrisy , and expose to merited contempt those who claim our reverence from being particularly holy . But how can this be done , if investigation is to be stopped by those crying out blasphemy at every step whose pretensions are to be investigated ? The decision of yesterday is a severe blow to free inquiry , and the law , which is said to be the perfection of human reason , does all which it can , by such a decision , to bolster up hypocrisy , if it exists , and maintain the human mind in the chains of a selfish priesthood . No doubt the Jury meant honestly , kut they pronounced ignoiantly , and their decision strikes a blow at truth , freedt m , and virtue .

      "As long as men may be prosecuted and punished for publishing opinions , we shall boast in vain of our fre ed om . In Germany , the subjects "which we mast

      Untitled Article

      not discuss are open to every man's investigation . * * There it is held to be no offence to subject beth the Old and New Testament to a critical examination , and to treat those parts as historical which are so , and explain if they can be explained , those parts which are mythical . The consequence is , that in Germany , there is a great deal of genuine religion and no hypocrisy , while both the Old and the New Testaments are correctly appreciated . They are not suffered to be obstacles to science , nor ate they used by a party to uphold a system of political slavery .

      " We apprehend the case is not very different here amongst the upper classes . Strauss , the most formidable opponent Christianity has yet met with , is freely imported , both in the original language * nd in the French translation , and even Black wood has read and praised the infideL The Attorney-General seemed to feel the force of Mr . Hetherington'a remark , that his offence consisted in selling blasphemy , as it is called , cheap . It is quite true that if it be bound up in a twoguinea vaJume it is freely circulated ; it is only when the discussion assumes the form of a penny pamphlet , and goes into the hands of the working classes that it is pronounced to be dangerous . The upper classes , including the clergy — whose education , founded on pagan books , makes them take pleasure in all sorts of profane writing—enter into the discussion of anti-religious subjects . In fact , there is more filth

      and more profanity in Ovid and'Horace , and the other so-galled classical books , which are the basis of the education of the upper classes , and which they habitually read and quote , than is to be found in the writings of all the infidels from Spinoaa to Strauss . The great object , however , •{ these gentlemen and of the law is to keep such books from the lower classes , and the prosecution of Mr . Hetherington is to be considered as another instance of the determination of the preisthood and the aristocracy to continue the slavery and degradation of the working classea . We shall return to t h e su b jec t o f this tr i al , which we consider of great importance , and in no light more important than as another evidence of there being one law for the rich and another for the poor—one law for the opulent readers of infidelity , bound up in two-guinea volumes , and another for the readers of similar writings in penny tracts . "

      We shall only say , in conclusion , that so long as the readers of the two-guinea volumes continue to monopolise the power of law-making , bo long will this and every other iniquitous evidence of partiality before the law continue to be manifested by them .

      The Fiye Star Portraits For The Next Twelve Months.

      THE FiYE STAR PORTRAITS FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS .

      Ih order to prevent any possibility of misunderstanding , er disappointment , about the next series of our Portraits , we beg to announce that the next series will consist of the four already stated , together with the Presentation of the Princess Royal to the Privy Council by Nurse Lilly . The whole of the persons present , together with the Nurse and Prince Albert , will be faithfully and critically represented , together

      with her Royal Highness upon the Council table , and the inspection by the Archbishop ; this is the least poor John can have for his share . O'Connor ' s portrait is now being printed , and will be given the moment a sufficient number shall be struck of ; the remainder will be given ae soon at ready , and we expect to furnish all within the period above stated . Specimens , vrhen ready , will be sent to our agents ; the great sis of our portraits require much time in execution .

      To Readers And Correspondents

      TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS

      Am Advocate or Justice has sent us a severe animadversion on a letter published in the Northern Liberator , and signed "Charles Winspeare . " As tee did not publish Winspeare's let t er , it tcould be unfair to publish this one . It should be sent to the Liberator . We cannot find the letter containing a critique on the Stockton Theatricals . We never do preserve rejected communications . William Atkinson complains that his name was attached to the report of the Council of the Carlisle Charter Association , published in our last , without his knowledge or consent . He says , also , the report , though proposed and seconded , was not adopted bv the public meeting to which it was

      submitted . Am Aghicbi / tubal Chartist must stand over . A Radical , at Addingham , hat sent us a long rambling story , of which we can make neither head nor tail . Sheffield . — We have received a , letter complaining that no reports of the meetings of the Sheffield Chartists are inserted in the Star . The reason is thai tee don ' t receive them . It is the duty of the Secretary of the Association to send us their reports . If he do so , and if he take care that ice always have them in the Qfiee by Wednesday at furthest , they shall be attended to . Lakbkth Qukes ' s " Babby" Meeting . —A Carrespendent writes us , inclosing a report from a

      London paper , of this meeting , held at the Horns Tavern , Kensington , at which it was stated , in our last , that there were seven persons present at the time of meeting . It appears , however , that , an hour after the time advertised for taking tie chair , there were exactly twenty and si » persons in the room ! including the waiter and three reporters } . ' and that some Dr . Bedford having taken the chair , the farce of carrying an Address of the Inhabitants of Lambeth teas gone through . A motion having been made for the adjournment of the meeting to an hour when the working people could attend , there appeared 11 for it , and 11 against it , and the Chairman gave his casting vote in fatour of proceeding . The

      Queen was therefore of course congratulated by the people of Lambeth in due form . A Constant Reader is desirous to see the people give up ail their crotchets , and unite firmly for the Charter , instead of quarrelling with each other about trifles , he knows of no better way for working men to obtain that object—their rights—than by forming themselves into small societies , and depositing such sums as each may find convenient for himself to do on pay day , each man continuing to deposit , say f or a gi ven time , and to have the controul over his own , both for private and political purposes , the time might arnve when working men mightsendin their petition , with this annexed— "We will rest from our

      labour for one month , waiting anxiously for an anstoer . " E . H . S . —Xext meek . Freedom to the Slave next week . Vekitas states , that at a recent meeting of the Edinburgh Chartist Association , after a discussion of fully two hours , the late Secretary was dismissed for writing certain letters injurious to the Association in a sham-Radical print in town . This is of importance to be made public , that such as read these letters may know how far the Association is responsible for them . Dr . M'Douall . —Next u-eek .

      Bristol Radicals . — We cannof publish thtir address . Thomas Clark . —We have not received either . Henry Sculthorp . —His communication would be charged to us as an advertisement . James Raw 3 on . — We have no doubt in the world of the truth of his statement ; but are perfectly satisfied it is ti (> e ( tous . R . B ., ( jRINDletox . — We are not quite sure as to the buy ing ; but it is clearly itkgal , as well as unjust , for the weaver , under such circumstances , to sell . Walter Mason . —We have an article preparing on on the subject , which will render his letter

      unnecessary . Sklby Radicals wish to know why Mr . Bairstow did not visit them on the ' 24 th November , according to promise ? Or why , if otherwise engaged , did he not apprise them ? R . K . Philp . —The report was received too late for insertion . Nettcastle-dpot-Ttne . —All the valuable news from this district , communicated by Mr . Byrne , reached us too late for use . Colli . \ s ' s Committee , Birmingham . —Their report

      was received too late for insertion . Frost , Williams , and Jones ' s Committee , Birminsham . — Their petition and report was received by th-e last pott before going to press : it was impossible to insert them this week . Studley . —The report was received by the same post , and , therefore , omitted for the same reason . An Indian ' s Opinion of Civilization shall appear . Thb "Address to the Commiitee at Birmingham pob thk restoration op frost , wllliamsj axd Jones" loo late .

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      Axl the Specimens desired to be sent per Mr . Cleave can be had by applying to him . S . Kann . — We eannot send to the person he detiret : we can send to Cleave , Shoe-lane . The parcel to Elms , enclosing the plates , he inquires about , wert sent some time since . / axes Arthur cannot have the Northern Star sent so as to receive it on the Friday . A Constant Reader , Manchester , —Convention , Frost , Stephens , Oastler , Collins , and M'Douall . R . Marsden , Little Bolton . —The papers wert posted in time : will attend to his request at the

      end of the month . Mark . Orniston . —Commence at Edinburgh , if you go there before the end of December . J . Darken , Norwich ; and S . Dobson , Mansfield . —The mistake was at the Leeds Post-office . The mail came in very late , and , in the hurry to get it off as soon as possible , the papers were forgot : no doubt they will be more careful in future . The Sky-Lark Crew request us to say that they have sent 10 * . to Mrs . Vincent , the proceeds of a ball .

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      A Chartist , in Bucks . —Send by Post-office Order 9 s . 6 d ., for half a year in advance . S . Snellimg . —We will send by Post ; if it should be neglected , remind us . . : , * - FOE THE WIVES AND FAMILIES OF THB INCARCERATED CHARTISTS . £ » . d . From Dublin , per P . R . ... ... 0 5 0 „ Hunslet , by a Friend ... 0 2 0 „ Letds , per A . Gardner ... 0 0 5 „ Amieus ... ... ... 010 fob Peddie ' s Attorney ' s Bill . From Great Horfon , near Bradford ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 VBOSTS ' s DEFENCE FUND . ( Omitted in account published . ) From Dmventry ... ... ... 10 0 „ Fox and Hounds , Nottingham ... ... ... ... 10 0

      Prom Our London Correspondent. Wednesday Evening, December 9th, Half-Past Seven O'Ciock.

      PROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT . Wednesday Evening , December 9 th , Half-past Seven o'Ciock .

      Tbial of Mb . Hetherington . —In the Court of Queen ' s Bench , yesterday , the long-threatened trial of Mr . Hetherington , at the prosecution of the Attorney-General , came on , for "having published a blasphemous libel , * ' called " Haslam'a Letters to the Clergy . " The Attorney-General ( with whom was Sir Frederick PoLlock ) stated the case for the prosecution . Mr . Hetherington conducted his own defence ; and in a lengthened address , maintained the right of every man to freely discuss any question of politics or theology , and claimed an equal right for those who , in the course of their business aa publishers , disseminated these discussions . Lord

      Denmau , in summing up , intimated that were the publication in question simply one of " discussion , " and were the point in controversy ( although adverse to the established religion of the country ) properly and conscientiously set forth , it might be a question whether the charge of blasphemy could be substantiated ; but in the present case there was nothing of the kind : there were abundance of ridicule , grossness , and positive assertion , without anything that could allow the exercise of the mind , and the work was more especially pernicious to the ignorant and youthful portions of the community . The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty , and the Attorney-General prayed immediate judgment ; but Lord Penman deferred passing sentence until he should have the opinions of the full Court , which will be about the 13 th or 14 th of January .

      Sobrey Sessions . —This morning , Joseph Robinson , a fine young man , a private of the 9 th Lancers , was placed at the bar , charged with stealing two Bibles , value 10 s ., and an inkstand , value 4 s . 6 d ., the respective properties of Messrs . Sole « nd Fortune , stationers , of Kingston , Surrey , on the 31 st of October last . It appeared , from the evidence , that the prisoner entered the shop of Mr . Sele on the day above-mentioned , and selected two Bibles , which he said he wanted to shew to a comrade outside , but he never returned . In a short time afterwards , he went Co the shop of Mr . Fortune , and sold them for 5 b . ; and , on leaving the shop , stole the inkstand , which wae found on his person . The Jury found the prisoner Guilty , and he was sentenced to six months ' imprisonment and hard labour .

      The Middle-men , the Chartists , and the Wihdow-Taxe 8 . —Last night , a meeting of the ratepayers of the parishes of St . Marylebone and Paddington , was held at the White Lion , Ed . gw * re-roa . d , to < adopt measures for procuring a repeal ( or , at least , a revision ) of the window-taxes ; the meeting was announced for seven o ' clock , but as an opposition , on the part of the Chartists , was expected , and as a few working men made their appearance punctually at that hour , when it wat most probably expected they could not leave work , the chair was nt > t taken until nearly nine ; and as soon as this had been done , the chairman intimated to Mr . Scott , a Chartist , ( who had asked leave to put a question ) , that " discussion wai invited , but they would not

      permit the words ' Universal Suffrage * to be used , nor would any person bo permitted to speak * ontrary to the object of the meeting . * This Irish mode of discussion was not exactly the thing for " the lads ; " and accordingly , when Mr . Farrow , a pseudo-Chartist , was " performing a clap-trap , " by snowing how nicely the knocking off the allowances to the three supernumerary kings and queens , supported by this country , would enable the Chancellor of the Exchequer to repeal the window-taxes , a cry of " Go with ns for the Charter , first ! " was raised ; which was responded to by the counter exclamations of" We got the Reform Bill together , go with us now , and we'll Boon get off the window-tax . " " 'Twon ' t do , " &c , &c , making altogether a sweet harmonious ducord . " Amid this state of things , the chairman , who had previously invited discussion , ( of

      a sort ) , made the following sage and impartial annunoiation : — " 1 will not allow discussion , for we p > iy for the room , and Mr . Harris has the prerogative of calling in persons ( query , policemen !) and turning y « u out . " Such , however , was the contusion that , though the Chartists yrere not indieposed to allow all manner of denunciation , and feelingly-ievere execration poured forth by the middlemen against the " odious window-taxes , " they were quite good enough generals to assert the paramount importance of" Universal Suffrage and the Charter ; " which they did , more effectually'than formally ; and succeeded , besides , in passing three hearty cheers , each , for " Feargus O'Connor , " and for " John Frost , and his companions in captivity . " As regards the window-tax party , they were , at the end of the meeting , exactly where they were at the

      . Marylebone National Charter Association . — At eight o ' clock , laut evening , Mr . Prior delivered a lecture at the Mechanics' Institution , Circus-street . New-road , " on the causes that have degraded , and are degrading , the working classes of this kingdom . " The lecturer divided his discourse into ( three portions ; 1 st ., the formation of character ; 2 nd ., the distribution of wealth ; and 3 d ., the government of society . On the first point , he asked , whose business is it to form the character of the community ! Was it not that of the clergy , who take 2 s . 6 d . outof every pound produced by the labour of the country , yet tiave done nothing to moralise the people , but much towards setting one man against another ; who ,

      though they declared it to be " easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God , " yet contrived to divide , among the ministers of the various sects in this kingdom , twenty millions annually of the wealth of the people , of wnich nine millions were monopolised by the church parsons alone , whose sole business teemed to be , to impress upon the productive classes the belief , that " the powers that be are ordained of God , " thus contriving to bring the landlord , lawyer , and the profit-monger into the same category with these clerical educators . That these men , who . were entrusted with the formation of the character of the community , were utterly incompetent to their task , is sufficiently proved by the thousands of children

      who are brought up in this metropolis and other large towns , to become thieves , and who are as regularly trained tor that purpose as others are to their several trades ; the clergy taking no pains whatever to " incline the twig to grow a &tatrly tree . " Mr . Prior then adverted to the second point of hia lecture , —the power of production , and the means of distribution , —showing , by statistical returns , that our present power of prodaotion is equal to 400 millions a-year , and that there is sufficient power , animate and inanimate , to produce subsistence for a population of 306 millions . All , therefore , that we waut is a proper distribution ; bo that each individual may be able to consume equivalent to their poodnce . On the third

      pointthat of government—Mr . P . enkrgod to some extent . He observed that , " experience has proved in all ages , that thoBe who think will always be enabled V > govern those who toil ; consequently , those who neglect to think , lose their produce and their independence at the same time . " He urged on his hearers , therefore , to become thinkers ; to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the constitution of society , and to understand the law of our nature ; for , assuredly , wherever the latter is in opposition to a law of society , the law of society will be violated . Mr . Prior ' s address was very well received ; an animated discussion ensued , and the meeting dispersed , much edified by the evening ' s proceedings .

      Ludicrous Affair . —This afternoon , shortly after two o ' clock , a gentleman , who had every appearance of being one of the higher class of society , hailed the van used for the conveyance of prisoners to and from the police offices to the different metropolitan prisons . The driver , thinking he was a magistrate , pulled up , and the gentleman walked to the back , and was in the act of stepping in , when the policeman , who is stationed at | the entrance , informed him that he could not allow him to enter , as the van was used only for the conveyance of prisoners . " Eh ! " said the gentleman , " I thought it was the Belgrave Square omnibus , and , I can assure you , I have no wish to be an inmate of a prison . " It rained at the time , and both the driver and conductor had on a Macintosh , which covered their uniform .

      Awful Instahcb or Suddbv Diath . —This afternoon , an inquest w * 8 held before Mr . Carter , Coroner for Surrey , at the Horse and Groom , Great Guildford-street , SoHthwark , on view of the body of Mrs . Elizabeth Carr , aged sixty-seven years , the wife of a broker residing in Holland-street , Blackfria » , who expired suddenly in the street , on her return home from chapel , on Sunday evening last . Verdict , " Died by the visitation of God . " Drunkenness and Suicide . —Yesterday , an inquest was held before Mr . Carter , Coroner for Surrey , at the Cobourg Anna , Esher , on view of the body of Thomas Wellbeloved , aged thirty-seven years . It appeared , from the evidence , that the deceased was the son of a master baker , living at Esher , and for some time past he has given way to continual intoxication . On Saturday last , he threw himself into a pond of water , belonging to William Spicer , Esq . Verdict , " Temporary insanity . "

      M Ewg Astxte-Upon-Tvm:

      M EWG ASTXtE-UPON-TVm :

      Reported Death of Mr . Fainlough . —We are happy to have it in our power to contradict the statement of this gentleman ' s death , which appeared in our last number . He still lives to advocate the cause of the people . The accoant of his death sent to us , was so circumstantial in all its details , that we did not hesitate to insert it ; bnt it now turns out that it was a stupid hoax . We have received a letter from Mr . Fainlough himself , in which he requests us to furnish him with the name of our informant . We do not recollect the name at present , nor have we the manuscript at hand to refer to ; bnt if it should turn up we will let him know .

      carlisle . Eden Lodge of Free Gardeners at Carlisle . — —A somewhat singular case , regarding this body , came on in the Town-Hall , on Wednesday , Dec . 2 d , before Messrs . Fawoitt and Slator , Esqrs . It appeared that one of the members , Mr . A . G . Deans had summoned all the office-bearers of the society ( nine in number ) to show cause why they had suspended him for six months from the benefits of the Booiety . It appeared that the case was one of peculiar hardship towards Mr . Deans . The whole of the office-bearers were present , with the exception of one individual , and numerous other members . Mr . Christopher Wannop , solicitor , stated the case for Mr . Deans . He said that Mr . Deans had been

      expelled from enjoying the benefits of the society contrary to the rules , and as they were sanctioned as the rules ; of a sick society , the case came under the jurisdiction of the magistrates . Mr . Deans had not only been illegally expelled , but the most arbitrary and unfriendly spirit had been practised towards him ; for instance , they had passed a resolution to the effect , " Thatno master gardener should either communicate or converse with brother Deans directly or indirectly . " If such proceedings were sanctioned , great injury might arise to a person like Mr . Deans , who was carry ing on a very respectable business as a grocer , and was abo connected with a coaching establishment , Mr . John Saville , one of the party summoned , stated that they suspended Mr . Deans for six months , as themo 3 t merciful way they could deal with him , aa he was a very troublesome and contumacious member , and evidently had the destruction of the society in view . Mr . Fawoitt—Can

      you show that you have acted in accordance with the rules of the society , for it appears from the 27 th rule , that you ought first to have fined Mr . Deans sixpence , then reprimanded him , and if he continued disorderly and contumacious , then they could expel him . Mr . Sewili—We never fined him , but he has been reprimanded . Mr . Fawcitt—Then you have not acted in accordance with the rules , and I restore Mr . Deans to all the benefits of the society . Mr . Wannop—Of course you will allow costs . Mr . Fawcitt—Certainly . The costs were then paid , and the party left the hall , evidently very dissatisfied with the decision of the magistrates . Such proceedings towards a brother member is very overbearing , and contrary to that spirit of brotherly love for which they take credit in the preface of their rules : — " Brethren bo ye all of one mind , having compassion one of another ; love as brethren ; be pitiful , be courteous ; not rendering evil for evil , or railing for railing ; but contrariwise blessing . "

      Untitled Article

      TO MR . THOMAS IRELAND . SIR , —You have mode some strictures on a lecture which I delivered in Greenock , without ascertaining from me whether or not t !» e language reported was made use of by me . To say the very least of it , you have acted an unfair part towards we , and , judging from your expressions , I would imagine that you , an utter stranger to me , entertained a hostile feeling towards a man whose strength , health , and means have been unsparingly expended in the cause of the working

      m en . You have had time enough to apply to me , and you might , for my information , have inserted the whole of the obnoxious paragraph to which you allude . I will alwaya afford you any information which you may require , and ihaU be the last to complain if you prove me to be in the wrong . You have this time wasted your remarks in vain * because , from what I remember of ray lecture in Greeoock , I was contrasting the compensation received by the slave owners , with the robbery practised upen the band-loom weavers , and after claiming the whole of the land for the British labourers , I Bald that the very lead compensation which could be given by the Government to the starving weavers , should have been the waste land of England and Scotland .

      I wsl not discussing so much the abstract rig h t of the working man to possess the land , and tat the fruits thereof , as I was comparing the infamous transaction of the alav competuation , with the inhuman desertion of the plundered weaver , by the self-same Government . If compensation has been laid down as a princip le b y the Government , how is it that the hand-loom weaver receives no compensation f and which party have the better light to it , the profitmongers in human flesh , or the plundered producers ot human clothing ? If you desire any other information , direct to me at Mr . John Legg'a . , Oeorge ' e-street , Aberdeen , aa late as the 12 th of December , and , in the meantime , 1 remain , Sir , A thorough-going Chartist , And tovuthing mort , P . M . M'DOUALL . Breehln . Dee . 7 th , 1840 .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . Fbllow-Chartiits , — " These are the timei to try men's souls ; " these are the times when every man must be prepared to act unitedly and determinedly in exposing the luffering and wrongs of himself and fellow working men , and enlisting into the ranks of democracy all thoae who have hitherto remained aloof and inactive , and diffusing that political knowledge which will be the meani of altering the condition of our fellow-countrymen , and raising them to that Station which God and nature designed them . Let me impress upon you the necessity of unity , organisation , and determination tot the purpose of accomplishing that object , ( the principles of our glorious Charter , ) which will most assuredly end ia giving peace and contentment to the miserable and impoverished people of this country .

      Remember that on New Year ' s Day you are called upon to do your duty to those three nobles of nature , Messrs . Frost , Williams , and Jones , who are now undergoing miseries tea times more horrible than death , and compelled to drag out an existence revolting to human nature , for the advocacy of those rights which you are now contending for , and for advocating which , hundreds of the best of men are immured in the bloody bastiles of our faithful friend * , the excellent Whigs and Tories . Let me impress upon you the necessity of joining , without delay , the National Charter Association of Great Britain , by instantly forming yourselves into classes—by contributing to the support of the Executive Council—by distributing tracts among the unenlightened

      of your fellow-countrymen—by sending all spare espies of the Northern Star , and all other democratic newspapers , to poor , deluded Ireland—by electing lecturers , and supporting them in their endeavours to promulgate the glorious and sacred principles of democracy—by meeting the factions , and meeting them by argument , at every meeting called by them , for whatever purpose ; and enforce your claims upon the Saxon and West of England gentlemen , first , by argument , an * then by submitting resolutions , expressive of your determination to agitato for nothing less than the principles contained in the People ' s Charter , and to secure the return of our beloved countrymen , Frost , Williams , and Jones , and the liberation of all persons confined for upholding the principles of the Charter .

      Trusting that you will seriouily and calmly consider the principles contained in these few lines , and , as far as lies in your power , act up to them fearlessly and faithfully , deviating neither to the right band nor to the left , but pursuing the straightforward course laid down by the moat excellent of men , I remain , In the nndying cause of liberty , Faithfully yours , William H . Cottob . Birmingham , Dec 6 th , 1840 .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE EDIXOB OP TUB NOBIBEBN STAB . Sin , —Having upwards of six years faithfully a « ted upon the principle of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors , we feel called upon to state , that our attachment to that principle , and our conviction of its importance , increases daily . The dangers from which it has preserved us , the benefits it has conferred ipon us , the good that it has enabled us to do , are such as to afford us the highest satisfaction of mind . We , therefore , request that you will append our names to the noble address signed by yourself , Hessra . Cleavo , Hetherington , and Vincent

      We have great pleasure im acquainting you , that nearly every officer connected with the Charter Association in Sunderland , a considerable majority of its members , and most of the leading Chartists in the county , are total abstainer * . Let other district * imitate their example , and Frost , Wiiliami , and Jonea will soon be restored to their native land , and the Charter esUtblished through the downfall of the tynnt » y « tem , of which drinking i * the chief prop . Of the druiVard it has been truly aaid" To him . corruption ! pander * preack—To him their lore the despote teach ; He shouts for akark , he fights for leech , He drinks for every jobber ' s job . Thus toil ii robbed , and thieves are paid , By men like him are states betrayed ; Of such materials mobs are made . And tyrant * often want a mob . " We are , Sir , yours respectfully , J . Williams .

      George Binms . P . S . We vent » re to suggest the propriety und advantage of publishing , in an early number of the Star , say the 20 th December , the names of all officers of the Charter Associations , all Chartist missionaries , and all imprisoned Chartists , who are willing to sign the address , and act upon the abstinence principle .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —In looking over the columns of your invaluable Journal for Saturday last , I found many things calculated to inspire the Chartists with renewed vigour , and many articles from which much benefit may be derived by the reflecting raind . It is truly pleasing to hear of the rapid progress which the aacred cause of Chartism is now making in every province of tuia country . The zeal of the advocates of universal right—the ardour , activity , and firmness of the operative portion of the community , and the shifts , tricks , and subterfuges of the opponents at the Charter , are certain presages of the speedy overthrow of Whig and Tory domination , and of our approximation to that glorious era when " man o ' er man shall not he lord , " but the full measure of right be equally po » sessed by all .

      This is the " consummation devoutly to be wished ;* for this our patriots have long struggled—for this they have sacrificed domestic comfort—for thU they hava suffered and are suffering insults , persecutions , pxosectv tions , imprisonment , banishment , and ( to use a ScriQtural phrase ) ' < deaths many . " But , Sir , while we rejoice at the advance of our causey and tender the meed ot praise to our noble-minded advocates , it is necessary that we be watchful , and , as we proceed , take care that no declension is allowed to take deep root among us ; and as it is better to crush an evil in its bud , I will , with your permission , make a remark or two on a paragraph which I fiud in yoni Third Edition for last Saturday , page 8 % column 4 .

      It appears that two persons ( Andrew Gardner and Joseph Jones ) have collected a sum of money in Leeds for Mrs . Frost , and for the wives and families of the imprisoned Chartists . So far , they hav « done well ; but I further find that their well-doing has not been gratuitous , for five shillings is taken from the subscriptions for Mrs . Frost , and s like sum from that for the wives and families of tha imprisoned Chartists as wages paid for collecting . " Now , Sir , I really cannot understand such patriotism it smacks very strongly of jobbing , and is indicative of a greater love of gain than sympathy for the sufferers , on the part of the collectors . Surely , Chartists might be found who would willingly sacrifice a few hours fa > the service of the Whig-made widow of the expatriated patriot , and to obtaia means to alleviate the Bufferings of the distressed wives and families of those now lingering in the cheerless cell for opposing the tyrant **

      power , and labouring to promote the common weal But here we find men who would mulct the widows ?* mite , and tax the orphans' bite for doing that which cost them naught . Yes , Sir , I repeat they suffered no loss , they mode no sacrifice of time while soliciting the donations of the persons whose names are mentioned a > donors . They were engaged in the recent" dog fight , " and the money was collected during the canvass for their pet candidate , or in other words , while subserving the purposes of the " Fox andGooae Club ; " this is very evident from the names of the subscribers , who , we all know , were principal actors in the Whig and Tory combat , and who would sooner have consigned th » wives and families to the fate of their husbands and fathers , rather than have given the fraction of a farthing to soothe their sorrows , hud they not been influenced at the time by motives more approximating to sell ' interest and party purposes .

      Now , Sir , I would ask the " collectors" if they we » paid for their services as whippers-ln at the late municipal election .: If so , why do they accept a two-foM remuneration ? If not , why is their time of gteatei value when spent in the cause of suffering humanity ; ( hod they lost any time !) than when spent in the serrica of rival factions ? I would also suggest to the collectors , the auditor or some othsr individual connected with the affair , tha necessity of furnishing the readers of the Star with the dates on which the subscriptions were given ; because , from the names of the subscribers and the sums given , your readers cannot but conclude that the sums have been divided by the collectors f » r the purpose of

      having a double remuneration . Did Mr . Ayrey giv * 5 s . on the Monday , and lSs , on the Tuesday ? Did M » . Cawood give 10 s . on the Wednesday , and 10 s . onth » Thursday , &c . &c If they did not , but gave thei » 20 s . at one and the same time , then ought the disinterested collectors to have made their account thus *— - For Mrs Frost ... ... £ 2 7 0 For the wives and families of the imprisoned Chartists 1 14 ft For collecting 0 6 For dividing the . money between Mrs . Frost , the wives and families , and ourselves ... 0 6 *

      Total ... £ 4 11 0 I leave the collectors to their own refiections , and trust that no Chartist who may receive money for tb » poor victims or their families , will follow the examplfc of the worthies adverted to . A Watchmar , L eeds , De c e mb er 8 th , 1840 .

      To The Chartists Of Great Britain

      TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN

      Fellow-Coowtrthen , —We , the National Victna . Committee , take the liberty of addressing you on behalf » f the Whig-made widows and the orphan children , knowing if we make the call you will respond , and come forward with your support , if that call b » just ; it is justice and support we are seeking for tb » brave men ' s wives and families that are suffering themselves to be tortured under the hands of the merciless Whigs , because they will n * t give up one iota of their principles to satisfy the cravings of the hungry and blood-thirsty , and ravenous factions ; will you sit in silent composure , and sit and look on with an unpitying eye at persecuted and insulted justice and humanity , and allow the families of these brave mon to suffer front hunger and starvation , and to pine away in misery and . wretchedness , and not try to comfort their heart-breaking sufferings in the hour ot trouble and want ; will you allow the factions to point their unhallowed fingers

      of scorn , saying , there ' s our victims ; and -where is tb » sympathy and support of the people ? Forbid it Chavtiata , yea , forbid it heaven , forbid it every lover of liberty and humanity ! Will you allow a double suffering to come upon the families of the brave men that aM in prison ; first to be deprived of their guardian supporter and protector , through advocating your and our cause , the cause of liberty and justice , the cause of equal political rights and privileges 5 and , secondly , to Bee an indifferent people in thost that cheered them on in the good work of the Charter and political regeneration ? We know that you ax * oppressed , and your means are very small ; but small as they are , when all put together , and directed into one focus , you can , with your mites , support them with honour to yourselves , and with paia and vexation to our tyrant factious that consigned them te the gloomy dungeon , to the tread-mill , and , alas ! across tha Atlantic , to return no more . A voice of thunder

      answers

      NO , THEY SHALL RETURN ! Fellow-Country men , —We cannot pass thia opportunity without expressing to you the necessity of bringing together , into one common focus , your exertions on behalf of these victims of a treacherous faction , Frost , Will i ams , and Jon e s , where every man' » individual exertions are required , as if their fate depended upon himself . Then , fellow-countrymen , prepare ; let us commence the new year with credit to ourselves , and justice , justice , justice , to the exiles ; be up and doing , the time is short ; by your united

      exertions you will not only bring the exiles to their homes , to their country , but to a people that sympathises with persecuted justice and humanity . By your united exertions you can not only bring home the patriots , but support the families of the brave men that are immured within the walls of a gloomy bell ; not only this can you do , by your united exertions , but you can overthrow the city of corruption , and on its ruins raise the pure temple of liberty and justice to all ; whei * ail men shall be free , where all men shall be equal befor e t h e l aw , the landlord , and the peasant , the money monger and the artisan .

      Fellow-Coumtrymen , —We say , Frost , Williams , and Jones , Universal Suffrage and no Surrender , be your motto ; we , the committee , hope and trust , that our friends throughout the country will look to the families i n t heir r espec tiv e localit i es , and not see tberm want ; but immediately communicate their circumstances to our secretary , Mr . P . Shorrocks , 70 , Gunstreet , Great Ancoats-street , where their sufferings shall , as far as our funds will permit , have their sufferings relieved . We request our friends in Wales to send ms the account of all their victims , their residences , and the number of each family ; and from all

      other places that have not , to immediately do so ; and all communications to come through the secretary of the associations in their respective districts , and yom will oblige the committee . Our next balance sheet will appear on December the 26 th , and all monies received up to that time will be duly acknowledged . William Maddocks , Signed , Andrew Melville , James Wheeler , John Millinqtok . Samuel Chamberlaih , President , Peter Shorrocks , Secretary .

      P . S . We request that all our friends that have not received any support from the committee , to immediately communicate with us , and be particular in sending their address to Mr . P . Shorrocks , 7 , Qu « treet , Great Ancoats-street . Manchester , Dec 7 , 1840 .

      X0arbxa«£8.

      X 0 ARBXA « £ 8 .

      On Sunday , the 6 th wst ., at Almondbary . Mr . Charles Boothroyd , of Armitage Bridge , near Hu 4-dersfield , to Miss Waterhouse , of Berry Brow . On Monday , the 7 th x inet ., at Kirkheaton , Mr . John Folgate , woolflorter , Armitage Bridge , to Ellen , daughter of Mr . Joshua Gledhili , Brow Cow Inn , Berry Brow , near Huddersfield . PEATHS . On Thursday , the 26 th uh ., Mr . David Dyson , aged 28 years , butcher , Armitage Bridge , near Huddersfield . He was greatly respected by slarg * circle of acquaintances and friends , and has left » wife and foar . cuildrea to lament hia loss . On the 2 nd inst ., after a long and pa jTuHUneisL Mr . Henry Nelson , hair-dresser , of this town , aget 2 ° years . On Wednesday last , aged 22 , deeply regretted , Theresa , wife of Mr . Stephen Cbippel , of the Leeds Pottery .

      Untitled Article

      THE NORTHERN STAR . 5

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 12, 1840, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct691/page/5/