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fHE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 1841.
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3To &*aircttf antr Com^portrentg
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Hocal antr ©reneral iSntelKsaw.
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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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MANCHESTER . ^^ SSCUSSION BETWEEN THE KEY . J . R ; STEPHENS AND ROBERT BUCHAXAN , SOCIAL MISSIONARY . Tfce Hall * f Sdeae * m attended on Monday erasing Sxg * aaaeroBi and respectable audienoe to hear a dis-< zc * Mioa between the above gentlemen , which bad bees ¦ j ^ ywtin g for many week * . A little after the time appointed , the two disputants = aseeBded the platform and were received by the cheer = * : tbefwwple , _ „ called to the chair said that
Mr . Wacd was . He E&e bad been called upon rather unexpectedly to take c £ &e « bair oa that occasion . The Gentleman who was . expected to officiate as Chairman that bTening ( Mr . cESejwood ) bad been compelled to leave the town on i 3 xjxtem-: be hoped that the apology which be bad tTC-vie would be sufficient He then' read the placard r ^ seUiag the meeting , whieh stated that the subject for _;< £ soaeskra was the truth and practicability of Socialism , ¦ yfr . Stephens to take the negative , and Mr . Buchanan -t ^ ba affirmative . The overplus of the receipts to be -at « Ilj dirided , mud one portion , that belonging to 3 £ c Stephens , to be given to Mr . Oi « tler , and that ^ eloaging to Mr . Buchanan , to be given to some ether = s £ * ritable purpose . After a few farther remarks , he ^ stiedaeed Mr . Bochanan .
Mr . BuchanaK rose and said , the subject which the - speakers nod met to discuss , and which they had met vst bear , * wa » one ol great Importance ; one which in-?« teiTed the temporal happinesss or misery of the human £ 3 Dce . He hoped that the present discussion , like i zaay others which had been held of late , would be ^ csodvcted in a proper and beooming sp i rit ; that they = flr » ald exhibit in til their proceedings a sincere desire to ¦ jsrrive at a knowledge ef the truth , and leave the people z ± t adopt that system which to them appeared best isakalated to remove the evila which afflict the human •* ¦?»?*> He had no sinister object to serve , his whole - - ¦ tigect on that occasion , u well as on every other in « 3 Bbieh he had been engaged , was to arrive at truth , and ¦ 3 a so doing he had been actuated by a desire of
aceom--jsli&ing , as f&ras his ability would permit , the greatest ; asHBnt of good for his starving fellow-men . He con- j ^ zjdered that the Tie wa he entertained were true , and j osdcolated to accomplish a great amount of good . He ; &aped that they would pay every attention to whatj -araj ssbmitted to them , and thus be enabled to come to j -cis street oondusions respecting the merits or demerits i = * f the social system . Before going into their prin- ] < £ rl £ » es it would be necessary for him to poist out j 34 e some extent the condition of the people , after *] -aAich he would endeavour to shew a remedy . ! 'SSThat did the working classes want ? They wanted - ¦ j stecatiun , food , clothing , employment , and a proper ; sseoonerationfor their labour . Under the present system j rSbep were not enabled to secure these , hence the
neces-^ sttg of a great radal change , before the people could tie tm possession of the foregoing requisites . JLs an amdeace of the corrupt state of society , they would find : 3 ioorded in government documents , that in the county « r f Gloucester there was only « ne in every thirteen < etteated ; in Birmingham , one in thirty-two t . in Man-^ rfiester , the great emporium of commerce , one in thirtyi ~ S . ro ; in Leeds , one in forty-one ; and other m&nuiac-TJKrifig towns in the same proportion . The tables of s&rime shew that in En ^ lasd and Wales , in 1805 , there -saere 4 . 600 committed : in 1 S 15 . 7 800 ; in 1 S 31 . . 23 , 600 ; is 1838 , 22 . 0 C 0 ; and from the following tucoont it would seem that not only bad crime increased tbst the population had also greatly increased . The iascreaae then of the pap illation from 1 S 05 to 1 S 3 S was
~ C per cent-, while the increase of crime in the same - < iime was 378 per cent . From a return of persons who : < 2 jb 4 been in L : eds Borough Giol , from the ^ ar 1816 to the year 1837 , there were tb « Allowing facts : —In 1 S 16 , 3 < :-J ; in 1 S 21 . l , « $ i ; JB IS 26 , 1 , 983 ; in 1 S 31 , 2 , 439 ; in 183 a ; 3 , 202 ; •^ " •" "g so increase of 779 per cent , in twenty years . In ^ Liverpool , out of a population of nearly 3 'JO . OOO there -ware ? 8 , 000 who lived in ocllars * nd courts , disgustedly filthy . In Manchester and S * iford , 20 , 000 lived a cellars ; and other large towes were in a similar con-^ Etion . The speaker then went on to show the rate of raiortality . In Glasgow , the rate of mortality was one -in every forty-four ; and , in 1 S 37 , it was as high as one -3 » every twenty-four and a half . He then went into
¦ ± b . e subject of employment and rate of wsgea . A family -c £ six persons , three of whom were weavers , in 18 H -jcoald earn £ 135 s-year , wixich , after paying for food , uent , fuel , &c , left £ i ) 7 for clothing , while at the preifleat time , the same parties would not earn more than _^ 31 , which ltft BotLrag for clothing . There were - ~ 56 t ' , 000 hand-loom weavers , who only earn from 4 s . 6 d . -io 6 s . 6 eL per week , the rate of wages in cjtton factories qggnning from as low as 2 s . 31 . per wetk for children , : xp to &s high as 20 s for mule spinners ; and among tSemalea , from 2 a 3 d . to as high as 9 i per week . In \ 9 iefljx trade it wa 4 much lower , running from 3 s . for 3-oong persons , up to only Sa . Toe numbers employed 3 a the-power-loom were 250 , 000 , of which , at the end ¦ ~ Ct « very two and a half years , 25 000 were cast off ; at
. 'Sve years , 50 , 000 , or one-fif-h ; and very few were tmgsVsyed in mills of any description after they were forty ^ jeare of age . In the flax trade , in 1 S 35 , there were 33 0 < X > employed in the factories ; of these 23 .. 000 were JTenates ; number discarded every five years , 815 . In -s £ ke silk trade , in 1 B 35 , there were 30 , 000 persons -employed , of whom 20 , 009 were females under eighteen _ jears of age In the woollen trade there were 71 , 400 -factory operatives , of whoa one-half were females , and ifce msj jrity youths . Tee trade of thi » country bad Seen , curing the last twenty years , vastly inert-asing , iiso machinery to a vast extent Having , be thought , esta . de out a strong case , he would proceed to describe -ibe plans for meeting those evils . He then proceeded t&o read from documents an explanation as to the
-Socialists ' views on education . He likewise read the ^ rineiples , respecting human character , from a book tailed " declaration of principles , " and also the rules of r& » e society . He was proud to have an opportunity of explaining those principles , because he was aware that - ^ bere were many in the numerous assembly 'who might sserer have had the chance of bearing them explained . He purposed to carry out this great Radical change by purchasing land upon which , by united labour , they would toe able to support each other , aod prevent one from -oppressing the other . Mr . Buchanan then -went on to -stplain the influence of good or bad circumstances in forming the character ; reasoning that by surround--5 ag an individual by good circumstances , he ¦ 53 L 3 V reasonably be made a superior character ,
iaad vice versa . In illustration of this portion of his ^ argument , he referred to Mr . Owen , at New Lanark , i » had so surrounded bis work-people with favourable < -atcamsta £ ces , as to lead to no inducements to commit . crkne , and who continued in that way for thirty years , -taring which time there was no necessity for eitLer the ^ gajryer or the magistrates . He read some extracts from 5 iiM Martineau , respecting the Kappites and Shakers of -. America , which spoke of them as a moral , virtuous , ¦ Jappy , and contented people ; likewise extracts from -atfaertravellers , all of whom spoke in the most favourable THJht of the people ' s conduct when placed in good cir--= ssut&nces , and when they had plenty to eat , to drink , cxnd to wear . The economical part of their principle * ¦< ri 4 to work out a change in the production and distri-• TSwtkm of wealth , and to carry out which they would on
^ arcbase land which they would erect ^ workshops , . raad every one would be enabled to produce for himself , -rtiid to barter the overplus wben all the wants of the xoacmunity were amply supplied . Mr . Buchanan thtn ifiaewad the number of ptople who live merely by the -transfer of property , —that is , who live by the profits , - -all of which would be saved under a system of co-operattioa , and placed the rules and plans by which they In-~ iead to govern their system of community . -He con--ieoded that under their system they would prevent dis--2 * se , and thus save a great amount which is spent iu --dwtor ' s bills , and by preventing crime they would save ¦ Hie lawyer ' s bills . Indeed , it was tbe obj-sct of the ' . lawyers to set oce tradesman against the other , for the - . purpose of getting ths fees . Mr . Buchanan proceeded . ia the end of the time allowed him in an able manner .
Mr-Stephens was then introduced by the Chairman . Z& . B aid that he stood before them ttat night nnwilrixngly . Sj far as he knew anything of his own mind , Sie felt himself unfitted for a great debate . Hitherto lie had stood up before the public , from time to time , - * 5 « explain his views broadly , boldy , and fearlessly , jntd to give bis unqua ' dfisd dissent to the principles of -5 be Socialists . This he had done without any ill -2 £ se&ing against any indiridual » ko might bo ! 3 sudi prin-- efptes ; he wis proud that night to atata publicly that , " % e had the honour to be particularly acquainted with S £ r . Owen , Mr . Buchanan , and many oth rs , who - b 3 long to the Social body . He was h ^ ppy to say . judging from their coDdcci towards him , that they regarded - "him with the same feelings of resp-ict and esteem a »
ihs jegarUed theai . They never should hear a word -irom him thai would go to impugn the motive , or dis-- ^ irace the character or intentions cf any individual "Socialist . He btlieved in his heart , ss far as he knew -. iiose men . that they -were as sicccre , as disinterested , -sod as devoted in their endeavours to improve the -jSarscter and condition of the human race , as he . Mr . - ¦ Stephens ; or any other body of men bad a right to claim : "Sor , would he take aDy advantage cf any hasty assertion -cst Mr . Buchanan , or Mr . Owen ' s premeditated staterssec'J on the question of ffiarriage , o » any other -jp-sst-oTi which might fc ^ ve be ^ n moot-: d by them , because their opinions hiTebsea laid fully before the -gvsblic ef this country . Hs shodd consider himself Universally disgraced in the estimation of his own chv -ffjeter , were he to do anything of the kind , as they have : » H ^ c "? right to Lave their opinions as tho * e of the -C&urch of England , or of nny of those of dissent , or to
^ acy party who profess trke their opinions from the erard cf ( rod . Neither he nor any other man , or partj ^ dL men , had any right to fix any man to his or their -secular belief . He would , therefore , on that oe-^ seAon come to the consolidated standard , and take th « ¦^ Jaw as they bad given it . He wished to be perfectly -aadsrstood bj « ysry man who had come to bear him , viSiat he woold » ot in that disenssion adopt the iine of saondact which TJther ministers have in their discussiens ^ Pitli the todal missionaries . The impression in his i * » n-l was , tha * &ey bad not acted fair , bnt , on the < = aot .-sry . that they-tave acted towards the Socialist * ¦* w y unfair , by dragging extx ^ neoui matter Into" the -debit * ., which ttiej ought not to have done . To a » -arfc la extent , they tave rather tended to excite the ¦^ atU pa lions « f mat nature" than to bring the mind to ~ -agree t > difiVr , « ad inculcate tie principles of loving -i&eir nei ^ hbovr m themselves . Tae present discussion Si ^ d arig : natod fey bis sarine , while preacoiug si
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Ashten , that the Ere fundamental Cuts propounded by tbe SoeUHsta were " fudge . " He estertaiBed strong reelings agtinat the - views taken by the Socialist * . We lire is tirnw of turmoil and tumult , and when thing * seem to be crumbling , tottering , and tumbling to pieoe * The easy man will go on so long as he lives , embracing the religion which has grown with his growth . t has stood still against the storm , and he satisfies himself with the idea that as it has stood to Jong against the diretdtiei of opinions , dec . that the pelting storm of the present day is not able to plough it down . He looks upon Socialism , Chartism , or any other ism , and all those » ho advocate a change in the political world , with acoolamile . After going fully and rery eloquently into this part of his subject , he . said every man had an interest in promoting that which appeared to him to be
good and hindering that which was eviL He ( Mr . S . ) was not the challenger but the challenged . He should not have been brought to discussion had such not been the ease , because he fe ' t incapable for the task ; be conceived that men who took such important subjects should be men of superior fitness . Mr . Stephens informed bis hearers that he had no sinister motive in view ; be wai agreeable that the overplus should be given to some charitable institution ; but bis friends , the Socialists , had told him that when they had taken sums to various institutions , they had not treated them courteously , which they ought tu have done , but had in man / instancs grossly insulted them . Mr . Stephens denounced toe conduct of such men as Brindley , who go aoout the country stating that the principles were
tithe stical , raising large meetings , ic for the purpose of filling their own pockets . He next touched upon tbe conduct of the Bishop of Exeter in the House of Lords , and stated , that till be made such a noise about it , there were tens of thousands in tbe country who had no idea that such a thing was io existence , and thousands m « re , who had not the least idea that it existed to the tame extent as it did . His belief was , that Socialism would prevail and occupy a much more substantial position than it did at that time . He had been looking at the word of God , aud from what he could gither from bis views of the matter , from his experience , and from his study , he came to the conclusion that the whole sum and substance was embodied in tbe following words , which he found
recorded in one portion of tbe ¦ word of God— " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , with all thy mind , with all thy t-oul , and with all thy strength , and thy neighbour as thyself . " Mr . Stephens then put the following questions to persons of every denomination . Did they ever hear their ministers blow one single blast against the rich oppressor and in ( &Tom of the poor oppressed ? How do jaeh Ministers then thow that they love their neighbours as themselves ? Mr . S . said they , as Ministers , might as well give up their principles to Mr . Owen ; they might aa well give that book to Mr . O * en for him to burn it , if they could sot shew something more than mere words , if they could not show by their actions that they had a practical love for the orphan , the -widow , the
lame , tbe blind , &C-, and that they truly and faithfully loved their neighbours as themselves . Mr . Stephens then went very elaborately in to the subject of the miseries of the poor and showed up the inconsistencies of the ministers to which he attributed more than any thing else the rise and progress of socialism . The time allotted to Mr . Stcphe&s having expired , Mr . Buchanan said that Mr . Stephens had said Eo ' . hing to which he had to reply . He would just explain one part of Mr . Stephens '!! statement , -which was in reference to the monies which have been devoted to the funds at various times . He then related seyeral instances where the money had been given by the mutual
consent of both parties to the infirmary . Mr . Stephens saia that the sum and substance of religion consisted in loving Qod and their neightraurs as themselves . He thea read from one of their official documents , which enjoined a duty upon every Socialist , to endeavour to make his fellow creatures happy up to the point of temperance . Hr . Stephens during bis last ten minutes , expressed his intention of fuliy going iBto the subject on Tuesday night , he Would therefore call upon Mr . Buchanan to explain the first fact ao that both he and the meeting might properly understand and cjiuprehend what was . meant by it T ^ e discussion then terminated , and tbe meeting broke up .
The second night ' s discussion on this iu ' -joct reached us on Thursday morning ; we could not by any possibility find room for it , and have therefore reserved it entire four our ntxL
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THE LIBERATION OF O'CONNOR . Ojt Monday next , the bonds of the captive will be unloosed—the entombed O ' Connor will break the cerements of hia grave—the " caged Lion" will again come forth to the terror of the snarling ; euro who already tremble at the prospect of encountering the frown bentath which they have so often quailed . Yes , on Monday , fell-tyranny relinquishes its hold of an uncompromising foe , who , with renewed energy , will again enter the field against the
confederated hosts of corruption , who have in times past writhed beneath his castigating rod and must again submit themselves to the scorpion whip of him whom they cannot conquer—and for why 1 because he is supported by an invincible army of well disciplined blistered hands and fustian jackets—an invulnerable phalanx whose bosoms are fired with the unquenchable spirit of patriotism ; and because hie scourge is made up of thongs twisted from their own villanies .
Through the person of 0 Conkor our enemiesthe enemies of Universal right , essayed to extinguish the sacred flame of liberty which pervades the breasts of the millions ; but how futile the attempt ! as well might the pigmies attempt to wink creation into its original nonentity , as to stay the rapidly increasing torrent © f democracy which , in its course , will inevitably sweep down the strongholds of our oppressors" And leave not a wreck behind . "
The bloody-minded monsters who " lord it over us , " sentenced O'Connor to eighteen month ' s incarceration , but he will emerge from his prisen-house ere that peroid has expired . And why comes he forth before the expiration of his foil time of doom ? Shall we say that mercy has found & Beat in the callous hearts of those who usurp seats in high places \ No , their hearts are impervious to every feeling that ought to adorn human nature . We cannot talk here of mercy er clemency . Fear and craft have dictated the order for O'Connor ' s liberation , and had it not been so , he would haT 6 continued cell-bound to the last moment of the specified term .
The powers that be" stand in a very awkward position—their tenure of office hangs upon a very slender thread—they stand upon the brink of the precipice and a single gust of popular indignation would hurl them from their eminence and engulf ihem in irretrievable ruin . This , they well kuow , having so Tesemly experienced the effects of an appeal to the popular voice . Again , the ruling faction know that O'Connor is
beloved by the people—that they look up to him as their chief , and that they look upon every injury done to him as being inflicted upon them . It is known that the effects produced upon the constitution of O'Connor , by a long period of confinement in a felon ' s cell , are of a serious nature , and ihat his iife is in jeopa&dt . And should his life be thus sacrificed , the tyrants know that popular indignation will seal their doom , and that speedily : this they fear , therefore they order his liberation .
The crafty scoundrels are also aware that the people are preparing to receive their advocate in a manner that will be rather annoying to themsekes , and which will not quadrate with j ) arty designs . THET MUST FKUSTRATd THS INTENDED DEMONSTRATIONS to a * oid au expose of their villany , and as gagging bills , asd proclamations would be ineffective for the accomplishment of this design , they hit upon the expedient of unchaining their victim before the arrangements of hie friends are complete . But will this craft achieve the " consummation" so devoutly wished by our task-misters ! No ; in ibis they will be foiled , and the result will be tha reverse of their expectation .
h « w , then , a word about Monday next . The Chartists of York will be at their post , and will prove to faction that their intentions are sot frustrated by the crafty , tremblicg , mock-merciful Wnigs ; and , u we doubt mot ( hat other parts /
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the country will tie with the eitizou of York on that day , we would impress upon them the necessity of attending to the plan laid down by the Delegates at Hebden Bridge—let each delegate appointed to attend in York hav » his flag , describing the place he is deputed to represent ; and we would also say let as many fustian jackets and blistered hands as possible march to York , en masse , to give the welcome to the an- " caged lion , " and another stab at expiring despotism .
Meantime we advise the people through the whole country to go just quietly and peacefully on with the perfecting of their arrangements for receiving "the man whom they delight to honour'' in the beginning of November , at the expiration of his legal doom ; just as though his new-shot germ of Whig mock-mercy had not been . Let not the cunning foxeB thwart yon ; but rather turn the scales upon them . O'Connor , is sick now and ill able to
bear the fatigues of snch welcome as you will give him ; thanks to the vile wretches who now turn him ont to save their own bacoa from the legal guilt of murder ;— " not legally guilty * pon honor . " Let him have time to rest awhile ; to recruit his strength —to recover his voice and his sight and get rid of the swellings in his legs and feet ; let him become " himself again" and then let the base wretches see that their fear-prompted quirk is lost upon you because seen through .
We have not communicated with Mr . O'Connor personally on this matter , and therefore know not what his feelings may be ; but this is our opinion and advice , ws say let York be filled on Monday with delegates from all parts of England , bearing the banners of their respective localities and let as many of the honest-hearted people as can go there en masse—so will the first demonstration
be a little forestalled—but let the rest go on jast as if he had remained in his tomb tilll the appointed day . for Since the above was in type our Publisher has returned from York , where he has learned that it is Mr . O'Comq& ' s intention , at the olose of the York Meeting , to repair , for three weeks or a month , to the sea-coast , to recruit his health and energies . The people will therefore see what they have to do in the meantime .
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THE ACCURSED SILENT SYSTEM . We again call the attention of our readers to this most infernal of all the systems of human torture which has been invented by the fiends of hell for the prostratioH of all that is noblo and generous in the nature of man . In another part of our paper will be found the petition now in course of adoption on this all-important subject , which appeared in only a part of our impression of last week , and which we hope wil ] meet with a cheerful reception by the whole kingdom ' But let it be done at once , let all our friends recollect that while we delay , the blasting , damning system , is not only continued , but is increasing in its
horrors . We deemed that it had already reached the climax , but the letter of Walker , which will be found in our 7 th page , proves that wo were mistaken . Let that letter , in connection with the one which was previously published , be read at every public meeting . We shall next week give a letter of like character , or worse , from another of the Hells—Northallerton . Let meetings be held wuhout a moment ' s delay . We leave the letter of Walker to speak for itself , only asking our friends to note well the condition to which their fellow men must be reduced by continued bad food .
and a reduction in the miserable pittance of bread which has been hitherto allowed . We call upon the West Riding to do its duty . Thanks , eternal thanks , to Dewsbury , for the bold manner in which it has opened fire upon the thrice damned system of Whig experiments . Thanks to Birstal and to Barnsley . Let Huddersfitld , Halifax , Bradford , Keighley , Knaresborough , with all the surrounding districts , follow in the noble contest . Harney will rouse Sheffield , and Wakefield must speak out , so that the " Gentle Shepherd " may be under no mistake . But this
demand for inquiry into the secrets of the prison-house , must not be confined to the West Riding . All Yorkshire must be up to the mark . Lancashire must lend its aid . Birmingham and London must respond to the calls of humanity , and we pledge ourselves that Scotland and Wales will not be behind hand with their English brethren . We advise , that in every place a deputation wait upon the ministers of all denominations , asking their concurrence in this advocacy of the cause of humanity . It would be of much use , as they must either say yes or no , and thus
they would be subjected to a test of principle , from which , if they shrink , their base hypocrisy and practical infidelity will be apparent to the whole world . There is a circumstance connected with the letter of Walker , which ought to nerve every advocate of right with ten-fold energy and I resolution . For writing this letter to his wife ! he has been deprhed of the food , which , iu ; consequence of his illness , he was allowed instead of ; the usual prison diet , and he has been again placed
on the mill . v \ e ask the people of Great Britain , without respect to sect or party , shall these things be ! We reply , they mdst not ; they ought not ; and they shall not continue . The hellish misoreants shall be deprived of their power to torment men , who , if they are the very worst of felons , are still superior to the Ministers , Magistrates , and Officials , who contrived , sanclioned , and carry into execution this atrocious system of slow deliberate murder .
We know the cause , the motive , of the incarnate fiends in all their hellish barbarity . They Bee that the peace and order of tha people are the death of faction ; and all means will be resorted to to raise their bdignant feelings and drive them into outrage . But it will not succeed : the people are wide awake ; and much as they dislike paying a set of idle fellows for doing nothing , they are resolved to do bo rather than give the red-coated and blue-bottled cut-throats they axe compelled to pay , a chance of exercising their respectable vocations . Act within the law ; and let , at least , 500 petitions on the subject be in Mr . Du . ncombe ' s hands by the 15 ih of September .
THE DETESTABLE AND INHUMAN SYSTEM MUST BE ABOLISHED , AND SHALL BE .
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MEANS TO AN END . Nothing can be of more importance to the success of the glorious cauEe of democracy than the enrolment of the Chartists in every town and village of the empire in the grand focus of all our energies , the National Charter Association of Great Britain . This is , in fact , esssential to the progress of our principles , both as forming a perpetual Committee to watch the course of events and to rally the people on every emergency , and as the most efficient means of raising those funds which are so indispensible to the speedy and successful attainment of the objects of our holy union . We desire most especially the
concurrence of the Lecturers employed in the various localities on this most important subject ; we think a moment ' s reflection will convince them that their labour and exertions are more than half wasted if the enrolment of members is not the result . We are seusible of the valuable aid which Lecturers do afford to the cause ; and the reason why we wish them to make continuous efforts to add new thongs to the national baad of contenders for the nations weal , is that we wish to see their efforts crowned with the moBt triumphant success , and productive of
of the largest possible amount of good . We tru 3 t every lecturer , who explains our glorious principles in a town or village where the National Charter Association has no members , will deem it his duty to invite such persons as approve the principles he h . M boon expounding to enrol themselves immediately , and to meet him at the close of tbe meeting fer that purpose . Of course every friend engaged is this good work should have laws and rule 3 with kim on every occasion of his visiting a town so situated , in order that no delay night occur for warn of the auobiaery necessary .
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THE "MUMMING" SPEECH . Elsewhere we have given the piece of atrocious impudence whieh the national sheep-shearers have presumed to call the Queen ' s Speech . We have also given a condensed report of the sparring between the two bands of public robbers over this fence before the mess trough , ao far as it reached us through the medium of the London press , at this present writing ( Thursday . )
The speech is remarkable as an exhibition of tho sly cunning of the Whigs . They want to throw the Tories into a false position . The old bloodhounds , however , refuse to take the false scent offered to them , and return for answer the bay of " No confidence . " The Whigs are evidently determined to draw out a discussion on the Corn Laws in the debate on the Royal Speech , and the Tories are evidently equally determined that they shan't ; meantime both parties are most handsomely belaboured by . the respective sides of the " Establishment . " The
rimes declaims against the unconstitutional proceeding of the Whigs in putting the repeal of tho Corn LawB into the Royal speech—and the Chronicle , of ' the new-fledged Baronet , blows up the impudence and disrespeotfulness of the Tories for telling the Queen in their amendment to the address , that neither they nor tho country have any confidence in her ministers . The influx of much more valuable and important matter in tho shape of reports of divers Chartist meetings , precludes us from devoting apace to any lengthened comment on the mummery .
THE MANCHESTER " CONFERENCE . " Well , the much-talked of "Conference" has completed its onerous duties , so far as regards its sittings in Manchester , and we are now at liberty to speak of it as a thing that has been—the remembrance of it may be but ephemeral ; however , we cannot avoid giving it a brief notice . First then let us look to its origin . It was , indubitably the spawn of the li Plague , ' and , like every thing else emanating from that monster , it was doomed to be short-lived and to die unregrettcd .
The " Plague" was on the brink , of annihilationits suicidal career had brought it to the point of dissolution ; and disgrace , instead of laurelf , enwrapped its hideous head . " What must be done in this emergency V was tha cry of every fool and tool touched with the " Plague . " At last the plan was hit upon , as a dernier resort , to call in the aid of the " Messengers of peace , The legates of the skies , With office sacred , And credentials clear ;"
In the hope that this would resuscitate the dying " Plague , " and enable it toleayo the world , at least , with a Bemblance of decency . Well , those innooulated with tha " Plague' * cast aside their sacerdotal robes for the time being , and entered the arena of politics , though they would rather have the affair baptised by the name of " a doing good for the poor . " However , the large fry , the small fry , and the odd fish wire drawu together , and it was dubbed a " Conference . "
Now then what did the Conference" do 1 Lay dovra plans to bring to pass that wished-for era when " every man should sit under his own vine and his own fig tree ? " Alas ! they were unacquainted with the disease , and like all ignorant empirics , they tallced about anything save the remedy for the restoration of the body politic . Being ignorant , did they seek information from those conversant with the origin of the evil aud the means of effectuating its removal ? Did they evince a desire to be made acquainted with the cause and effect , in order that by removing the form « r they might counteract the latter i No such thing , they were preud of their blindness , elated at the thoughts of their assinine character , and delighted with their happy state of ignorance .
These men sought not information—they had no desire to probe the wounds therefore the course they pursued has proved the ruin of the " Plague , " instead of its restoration . Had they desired to promote the well-being of the mass , they would have courted information from men daily made familiar with the state of affairs . This the ; did not do ; but on the contrary , they turned a deaf ear to their superiors in information , aud closed their doors against
experimental knowledge—else should not we have been refused a hearing , who are the receptacles of intelligence , derived from almost every source , and mote particularly are we the reservoir into which the operatives of every description pour their information . We say this without the least fear of being charged with egotism , as , we confess , our knowledge to be , in a great measure , derived from our numerous correspondents , who are in situations to furnish sound data , and form correct conclusions .
If the stupids desired to do good , why did they not admit tho Chartist and Sjoial pveaohers to their deliberations?—these men were deputed by their various congregations , aud were familiar with the subjects which the "Conference" were ostensibly convened to disouae . But their presence was not congenial to the ignoramuses , because the pauoity of intelligence possessed by the 700 would have been exhibited and subjects mooted not palatable either to the managers behind the scenes or the puppets on the stage .
Why was Dr . Sleigh refused ingress to the assembly and his letter burked } Because they wished not to have the scales removed from their eyes . He was deputed by the " Society established in London for the protection of Agriculture , in Great Britain and Ireland , " aud being the accredited servant of such society , 'he communicated with the Chairman , notifying his desire to argue the subject with the " Conference , " however , his letter was kept from the body of Ministers , and hia application unnoticed .
"O ! but he was not a Minister of Religion . " Very well , was Cobden , of Sceveusoa-square notoriety , a minister ? Certainly not , yet he was admitted and allowed to take a most prominent part in the proceedings . Was Mr . Curtis a minister { Why was this palpable and barefaced distinction mn . de if not because the parties managing the " Conference" knew that their cause was bid , and were therefore determined to be Jirst therein , and to prevent their " neighbour coming to search them 1 "
We speak thus of " the Conference" as represented by its aoting guiding clique : the mass of the persons constituting it , we believe to be simple well-meaning men , who . utterly ignorant of the matter on which they were to coafor but earnestly desiring to do anything which might tend to good for the poor ^ gave up themselves to the guidance of the leading few , who , as tools of the Plague , pulled the puppet wires on the stage .
Of the speeches of these " reverend" political debaters , it would be worse than folly to waste time and space in attempting a description , The most rabid of the plague-spot press have not ventured to lay them before their readers . And wall they might not ! There was one argument however , used by the single solitary Episcopal State Priest , who presented himself at this reverend prayerless conclave , deserving some attention . He said , that wfcilo it was common to bandy words about the relative advantages of a repeal of the Cora Laws to the agricultural and commercial classes , there was « ne class seldom thought of , but whom he must not forget , —persons with smal l h ' x « d incomes , poor widows , « xo . Ah . ' ah . ' Parsoti
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Spencer , that vnm an incautious popping oat of the cloven hoof . How many poor parsons have fixed incomes ? and what wonder , that the poor parsons with fixed incomes ehould be bo easily induced to join in the "Plague" cry of cheap bread and cheap clothing through the medium of cheap labour ? - ! What wonder that their well ceared eyes could see no politics in such a cry as this t ! How happy would it have been if the "bag " could have been filled for the use of * 'the poor , " without the ory of "thief" being raised after them ! What stupid bunglers were these political pseudophilanthropic priests not to throw a thicker cover
over their holy , purposes of plunder ! Go , parsons , go ; ye wolve 3 in sheep's clothing I It is well that you have cut you own throats . Ye have too barefacedly exhibited the cloven-foot . Ye are bunglers , and have excited the risibility of every thinking man in the empire . Meddle not with matters you understand not ; but as you have broken the back of the " Plague ' s" hobby-horse by your fantastic tricks , we can only advise you to stay at home and sin no more . Don't fly out of your element again , if you do your craft may be ruined as completely as you have rained the " Plague . " Go , Parsons , go , and take care you burn not your fingers again I
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Plymouth . —7 / Mr . Phxlp intends visiting Plymouth in his tour through Devon and Cornwall , will he be kind enouqh to open a communication with the friends there , through Mr . Samuel Thomas , 10 , Adelaide-street , Stonehouse , in order to be prepared for his reception . Mb . Worthington , the chairman of the Middlesex delegate meeting on Sunday last , will oblige us if he will favour us with his address by an early post . A Chartist , Southampton , would see , in last week ' s
notices , the direction to au Engineer , at Bath , about sending Stars to Ireland . They may be sent in any quantity through the po * t , only leaving the ends open , and taking care that nothing be written on them nave the address . The Patriot ' s Farewell , by a Juvenile Chartist , declined . D . Cator , London , will observe that we have abridged his communication : the whole of the information it contains might have been furnished to us Jast week , and then it would have been of
xnurcst . Am Elector , Plymouth , evidently writes in utter ignirance of the matter upon which he treats . Mb . Vevers , Huudeksfield , i » - informed that the money intended for Peddie Iws been handed over by Mr . Hick to the proper quarter . M ., Birmingham . — " No . " John Condon has our thanks for his friendly avd patriotic watchfulness : we shall be glad to hear from kim as may be necessary . Henry Horauix . — We have a great deal more poetry on hand than we know what to do with .
Several ^ other poets must take a like answer . Richard Spurr . — Tlie organisation of the National Charter Association is compelled by law to require that the Executive Committee should be elected from the General Council : if they were not , the Society would be an illegal one . It is clear , therefore , that no persons but members of the General Council ought to have been balloltedfor This point was elaborately discussed at the meeting of delegates , by whom the organisation was revised and amended . This effectually clears Mr . Campbell from the charge of ' * arbitrary conduct , " and renders uniuceDsary the insertion of Mr . Spurr ' s letter .
J . Boyla . nd . — We apprehend that each petition will proba ' Jy cost £ l , Ui ) 0 . J . Buttery has sent us a letter cut from the Monmouthshire Beacon , in rep l y to Mr . Edwards . We cannot insert it for three reasons : First—It is not our custom to cony letters from other papers—local organs are best adapted for the discussion of individual and local differences . Second'y—It vou'd be unfair to Mr . Edwards , as that person's letter did no ! appear in the Star . Thirdly— We think that Edicurds has had guile enough : his character is irretrievably gone . The vole of the Committee of investigation cautioning the whole country against him settles the matter . The Chartists of Selijy are desirous of a visit from Dr . M'Douall or Mr . James Leech , and would be glad if they could make it convenient
to call when they are in Yorkshire . The Secretary slates ihat he wrote to Mr . Campbell a month ago , and his letter was returned . His address is "Mr . Suiherby , shoemaker , Gowthorp , & % . " Perhaps Mr . Campbell will write to Mr . S . It is quite necessary . Joseph Lawton . — You may get the Dublin World by applying to any news agent in Liverpool , and giving a proper order for it . Edinburgh Chartists . —Their delegate meeting , and ths address which emanated therefrom , only reached us on Thunday—too late for insertion this week . A Constant Reader , Ayrshire . — Will he favour tu with hU proper address , and give us the names of ( he parlies he alludes to , and some particulars of their proceedings ? We shall keep a sharp look out . U A Voice from Noktualleuton Heij . " next week .
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W . R . PgDiAT . —The necessity for his " address , " he will / indy on reference to our columns , to hove been tupersedtrf . JossPa Bbook ^ Bradford , intends to visit hh brother in Northallcrtm Gaol on cr about the 6 th Of September . If the Chartists of Northailerton , or any other place in his route , will get up * public meeting , he wilt address them on the People ' s Charter and politics generally' ¦; or he will have no objection to spend a few days m lee luring . All Applications from Armagh for Stars must be made by letter addressed to Peter Heaney No . 9 , Whittle-street , Manchester . A Shareholder in the Leeds . Zoological Gar .
dkns . — We are sorry his letter cannot appear in our present number , but hope to give it in our next . J . W ., Salisbury . —We do net reserve the copies of rejected addresses . We do not remember his , nor the reason why it teas omitted " . It would not * be stale . The Communications of "A Loughrea Chartist , " John A . Hogg , Thomas \ Davies , J . Law , B . McCartney , and many others , were received , on Thursday evening , too late for notice . By some strange accident we have only received the reply of the Manchester Committee to Mr . R . J . Richardson on Friday morning . It cannot appear this week .
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A Chartist , Southampton , will ensure his Portrait fry paying as he proposes . The agents have been supplied with the Portrait he mentions four months ago-D . T . S . received . Do not know the address . Send to him , news agent , Barnsley , and he will U found , J . Russell , Southampton . —Apply to the agent . G . ¥ . —Sixpence-halfpenny . F . Grey . —Yates is correct , y . B . Newlat , London , can have the Plate of Arthur O'Connor same price as the Paper , Mr . Williams , Sunderland . —His letter posted at Sunder land on the ltith , arrived at Leeds on the 21 st . A Chartist , Wisbeach . —His letter has been for warded to Mr . Cleave .
CHARTIST CONTESTED SEATS . £ . r . 4 From the Isle of Wight Working Men's Po-. litical Union ... — ... 10 0 „ Blngley , by a few friends , per William Tippin 0 16 S _ a few Tailors , 16 , West Register-street , Edinburgh ... 0 5 6 „ Canterbury , by a few Chartist Friends 0 10 0 FOR MK . HOET . From Canterbury , by a few Chartist Friends o * » FOR MR . DUFFY . From Mr . Slocombe , London ... ... 0 0 6
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BRADFORD . —Oddfellowship . —Oa Sunday last , the members of Pilot Lodge , No . 110 , of the Ancient Noble Order of United Oddfellows , Boltoa Unity , with a few visitors from the neighbouring Lodges , assembled in the large room at the White Hart Inn , Thornton Road , for the purpose of attending the funeral of thoir deceased brother , John White , of Cannon-street . The procession , consisting of two . hundred member ? , headed by the three district officers , moved from the Lodge at three o'clock , to the house where the corpse was laid , and from thence to Westgate chapel , where tha bodj was interred .
Bradford . —Stealing for Want . —On Friday night , about eight o ' clock , a person went into the shop of Mr . Brooksbank , watchmaker , Market-street , aad asked if some one had left a watch , and before an answer could be returned he snatched one from the counter and made off with it . Mr . Brooksbaok followed him and caught him in the Roebuck back yard , and brought him to his shop . Oa the man giving the watch up he would have let him go , bat he refused , and said that he wanted to be teat to prison , as he was starving . A constable was sent for . The man gave his name John Smith , and stated thai he was a plumber and glazier from Sleaford , Essex , and could not find work . On Saturday he was com * mitted to take his trial .
Destitution . —On Monday last , at the Court-House , Bradford , SVm . Holdsworth , an old man , sixty-six years of age , was charged with having stolen some pit rope . Moses Sugden , constable of Bradfor J , stated that he met the prisoner on the road with a bundle , and suspecting all was not right , he examined it aud found a large quantity of pit rope , &c . He stated that he asked him how he had got it , when he confessed that be had stolen it . Magistrate—You hear what he charges you with .
Prisoner—All that he has stated i 3 very true ; for I had nothing to eat and nothing to do , and I was never before a magistrate before , and I knew that , if I stole something I ehould get to prison , and then I should be Sure of having something to eat . Magistrate—Did you not know that you were doing wrong ? . Prisoner—Yes , I know that I was doing wrong , but what could I do when I had nothing to eat . The magistrates , after consulting together for a short time , committed him for a montb , as » vagrant .
BIRMINGHAM . Police . —The brutality and impudence ef the Birmingham " Blue Bottles " are creating a strong feeling ol disgust in the minds of all classes . Scarcely a day passes that reports are not in circulation of their misconduct . List week , a man named Henry Hill was taken into custody by policemen 448 and 486 , and on their arrival at the publio office , instead of taking tbe man ' s handcuffs off in a quiet manner , he was thrown on his back with great violence . Of courae he was nothing but a mere working man , or ha would have been treated differently . It is worthy of remark that those " preservers of peace" and protectors of property" cost this town £ 600 or £ 7 W weekly . It will , perhaps , be thought that they pay rather loo dear for their whistle .
KEIGHLEY .-Ou Sunday last , tho Rev . W . V . Jackson , of Manchester , preached two impressire sermons in the Working Men ' s Hall , in behalf of his new intended preaching place . The Hall w « crowded on both occasions , and the collections amounted to £ 4 8 s . THIHSK —A few parcels of corn were « nj last week , aud this week harvest may be considered to have fairly commenced in this neighbourhood . Wheat looks well and promises to be fully an average crop , especially on the lighter soils , but from the quantity of wet we have had , the corn on strong lands is not quite so good ; other kinds of grain also look well .
BARNSLEY . —State of TRADE .-Trade m Barusley never was so bad during the memory of the oldest man in town ; some of the large b ouses have all but stopped- Th « greatest distress preraiu in all parts of the town , and though this has been feast week , nothing but famine h * s beea famd " » the land . BIRSTAXh-This spirited village has taken up the subject of the silent system , and the inhabitants in public meeting assembled on Saturday night , ina 21 jt . inst ., resolved to petition parliament on tbe
subject ; Mr . T . B . Smith attended , and ga »« * soulstiring address , which was listened towilntne deepest attention . On the following day Mr . Smiw delivered two able and talented Chartist sermons w roost attentive audiences , in which he explained tne practical nature and tendency of Christianity io sucn a manner as appeared to carry conviction to tne minds of his hearers . As the weather was unfavourable , the sermons were preached in a large school room , which was most kindly offered on tho occasion . Let every village go and do likewise .
HUKSLET .-The Chartists of Hunalet b « W their usual weekly meeting on Tuesday e » e » R « when , after several new members being added , »» other important business settled , a congrattu * ' ' address was agreed upon to be presented to *" noble and generous friend Feargus O'Connor , t' p- ' on the day of his liberation at York . Mr . " 7 * . " Hick waa appointed to act as delegate to present wi " address . The prospects of the cause are e « eeai . WJ promising , and notning can exceed the entiiufl " and delight felt in anticipating the > PP . ar i n i ^ . their great chieftain once more in the field o « . « r dom . The Sunday School is also in a flourwUWK at » te , and bids fair to become exceeding ly useW £ the neighbourhood , as all sectarian nonsenw w « , eluded , and only plain anJ useful truth uic " cated . The friends around are desired to send w children .
KIKKHEATON- —A poor widowwjwgj named Sarah Copley , is at present in great oW * or mind , in consequence of her daughter Jane £ *»»» absented herseJf eighteen weeks ago , and never flaw * been heard of since . She is rather ¦ taU . b . ackW" * ; rather dark complexion , had on whea she lelt no " a printed bedgown , a brown shawl , and » « bonnet . MIDDtETOW . —Mr . Hill preached ** ° J £ celbnt sermons here on Sunday last , tne , f " noon and evening , on hia return from the M *" cn t ! j a Conference of Ministers . He selected as Sp 9 of his discourse iho popular Corn Law teX' » . » that withholdeth corn , the people shall curse n "" ^ aud , forcibly descanting on the JiUon \^ , ] iea by which corn may be and is w i" } 7 p : 9 , from the people , he showed the Wgj tf unfair , and almost blasphemous prostitutro " f
this and other texts by the "Plague — £ lay and clerical . The attendance was K ° <* '' jerll . singing , principally by the choir of the Wew salem Temple , waa such as we have seldom , " " heard excelled .
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4 THE KOBTHBBN STAR . _
Fhe Northern Star. Saturday, August 28, 1841.
fHE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , AUGUST 28 , 1841 .
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" The Chartists have phovkd themselves mobs accurate calculators than the middle classes . Whether theib no-tkum would havu mended hattkfis is not . now the question ; but the result has shewn that they yf £ lie correct in their opinion—that in the present state of the kltrk--. entation , it was vain to thijk of a repeal of the corn monopoly . ?•?**•• Political power in this country , though it kxs 1 des is x comparatively small class , ca > - o . nly be exercised by the sufferance of the masses . "Morning Chronicle ( organ of t ) ie Whig Ministers J , Friday , July lOlh , 1841 .
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DAN AND HIS DOINGS . Wt are sorry that the large influx « f important newsty the last post , mnch of which we ought to have had sooner , prevents the possibility of our inserting an article which we had prepared on the brutal and villanous personal persecution of the Dublin Chartists , especially Beophy and O'Hwmns , by the rampant old knave , Dan , who , feeling his day to he come , is absolutely frantic . This article will keep , and will appear , along , with the letters of Mr . Bbopht and Mr . O'Higgins in our next number .
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We regret much that we cannat persnade our friends practically to observe the very clear and plain directions which we have so often given and repeated about the sending of matter for the Star . The extent of our circulation obliges us to go to press en Thursday afternoon ; and , therefore , our friends seem to think that if their communications reach us by Thursday morning it is quite soon enough . This is a great mistake . They should remember that every word of the paper has to be put together by single letters , and the whole space filled before we can go to press , and it is impossible to do this in one forenoon . Our men are busily employed in filling up the paper with matter which , from one souice or other , wo must supply during the whole
week , and it seldom happens that more than one or two columns , besides the necessary epace for editorial comment , remain to be filled on Thursday morning . This shews tbe importance and necessity of all matters of news , occurrences of the movement , reports of meetings , &c , being sent to us at once , immediately they occur . Instead of which , it often happens , that on Monday and Tuesday we have scarcely any letters , and oa Wednesday comparatively few till the night post arrives . The consequence is , that those letters which do arrive in the early part of the week are carefully attended to and given generally at length ; while we are obliged to have recourse to the London papers , and various aources , for matter to fill the remaining portion
of so many columns of the paper as mud be set op before Wednesday night . Wednesday night and Thursday morning ' s posts bring us a shoal of letters from alt parts of the country ; these come upon us just in tho hurry of writing and attending to what are called the leading artictes ; while in the airly part of the week we have more time to attend to correspondence . The consequence is that one half of these letters are passed over entirely ; and the other half compressed into the smallest possible amount of space—and the next consequence is , that in the following week we have letters of complaint from various parties about their communications being treated with neglect . Some whose letters or reports may have been omitted for want of spaee , refer occasionally to the police
reports—tbe column of " varieties , " or some other portion of the contents of the 2 nd , 3 rd , 6 th , or 7 th pages of the paper , which are always set up first—and ask indignantly if their communication v . as less important than such or such a thing which appeared in tbe same paper from which it was excluded " for want of space "—others accuse us of partiality and unfairness in cutting down their reports to a mere annoucement , while those of other towns are given at greater length . We have had many most angry letters of this description , the cause for which has rested entirely with the parties themselves . Now if our friends will but bear in mind that we are filling up the paper every day ; that the same column cannot be filled twice over ; that we must give out sudi matter as we have just when the men
want it , or there would be no Star on Saturday , and that therefore we c . m't wait for the next post—we must go on ; if they would remember all this , and send their communications promptly —In the early part of the week—all would stand a fair and a good chance ; and if they would also remember that we have only one weekly paper for all England , Scotland , Ireland , and Wales , and that , therefore , no one p 1 n . ee can be allowed to monopolize an unreasonable portion of the paper , we should have no complaints of inattention to any party—1 ecause we know there would be no ground for them . Our anxious desire is to make the Star a truly national organ , equally
representing all ; but we cannot de this unless the country will aid us rightly in the sending of their matters of communication . We have this week received at least twice as many letters by Thursday ' s post as during the whole week besides . There will , therefore , be much disappointment , snd probably much dissatisfaction , for which our frienda have no one but themselves to thank . The above remarks apply , of course , to news , facts , meetings of the people , Chartist intelligence , &c . Original papers , letters to the Editor , personal correspondence , poetry , &c , must be here at the beginning of tbe week , or we shall not hold ourselves bound even to notice them .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 28, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct719/page/4/
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