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THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1841.
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$* 3&$e&tv & sa& €w?vt$w>raient
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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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MEETING IN ST . ANDREWS HALL , KOBWICH . The unparalleled destitution cow txisting In the British Empire , aoS parHcidsrtv io Norwich , Indnoed tbe Cfcartists to present a reoaisffion to Uia Mayor , Tequasting him to call ajubtts aeettng to consider and adopt som&means of iauaedlate and persianant relief , q ^ 4 the dlrefnl e # M * oT furolontary idleness might be averted , sad « omfoff r&toxbd to the Industrious artisan . ' " " . " : *' Many questions were asked , but , ultimately , his "Worship consented , to allow us the use of St Andrew ' s F » n , if we thought proper to warms the meeting ourselvej ; we consented to embrace the opportunitr , and were given to onderstanA that a repeal of the Corn Laws would be proposed as an efficient remedy , and that Sidney Smith would be solicited to attend , and , with other . gentlemen , show to the meeting the benefits to be expected from their abolition .
Nothing daunted , the brave Chartists went to work , sparing neither labour or expense . The day arrived , aid on Wednesday noon , Oct . XO , they entered the spacious halL Order being obtained , Mr . Richard 3 at * aa was elected ehstraun , and opened lh # meeting ij reading the placard , and reques ting that , each and every gentleman , wbo wished to address the meeting , wpsld asoesd the platform , and express his sentiments without reserve . He then impressed upon the meeting 12 m necessity of giving a patient hearing to each speaker , and should a difference of opinion arise , allow the argnj nenta of each to be duly eoosidere * , and give their decision according to merit . Two Reverend Gentleman requested permission to address the meeting , and were invited to a seat sear the chair . The business of the meeting then proceeded . The Bev . Gentlemen waited till near the dose , then rising , said they bad no fault to find with "the arguments adduced , and retired .
Mr . HURRELL , in moving the first resolution , re-Zexred to the Duke of Wellington ' s declaration that the distress did not exist to a great extent ) and that any man who was willing to work would be abl » to rise to riches . Sir Robert Peel , that very Joseph Surface of Cabinet Ministers , had acknowledged that there was some distress , bat at tfie same time gave the lie to his declaraSon by quoting the amounts placed in the Savings' Banks in order to shew how rich and prosperous the eeontry was . This was not true ; the living taats iwtare him , with their pallid cheeks , declared there was distress . He knew the poor of Norwich well ; and their homes bespoke their wretchedness . He knew there Were hundreds whs rose in the morning not knowing where a find a breakfast . Numbers had not a bed , but
were compelled to lay on straw . Be asked . Sir Robert Peel and the Dake of Wellington , « u not that distress ? As he came to the Hall , be met a Mend who was then going to the workhouce . He said he had remained in Norwich for -work until he had lost his all , and that he was now compelled t » go to Wieklewood . If they walked the streets ef Norwich , they would cease te bear the hum of industry—not a shuttle was to be bead . If they went into other districts , although they were bad , still they would find them weaving the -wari Norwich should do . Distress was throughout the countzy ; there was scarely a person who did not is some degree fed it , except the aristocrat He had gone about witt the requisition , -and the shopkeepers universally declared they felt it ; that -where they formerly took ten pounds , they now received only one . Hurrell then
referred to the Bombers in tne workhouse , on relief , and the hundreds subsisting either by charity or begging hecanni they could obtain no relief , in proof of tee distress . He then read a long letter from a Stockport paper to shewthe great distress in that district . All this he argued , provsd that the country was in a state of great misery . Was this to be borne , and were they to go on until the whole kingdom became one lump of degradation . The working men were fast falling , the shopkeepers would next go , and the rich men would then bs compelled to maintain them . It was time for them to see what could be done . Measures would be brought forward in which be thought all would agree , and if asy one did not , let him come forward and fro pose his own plans . He then read the first resolution : —
" That tf" « maeting is of opinion that unparalleled destitution and distress now exists in the British empire , and that immediate relief is absolutely necessary io stay its appalling effects . " Mr . —— Hewett seconded the resolution . He quoted two cases of distress which he said he had seen . One a woman named Hone , in Thorpe Hamlet , who was laying in bed ill without furniture or food ; her husband had been ill in the hospital for five weeks , and she had to work . The other person was a woman of
the name of Hudd , who hid walked to Smallburgh for relief , bat could obtain none , and was obliged to return the twelve ciiies , the Guardians having told her they did not eare anything about her distress . He then referred to the numbers of poor compared with those of last year . Was it not , he aeked , an awful state to be brought to , for industrious people to be travelling the streets of the city unable even to obtain sufficient potatoes ? The speaker then read a long extract from tke Dispalch to show the distress in various places . He concluded by seconding the resolution .
The secsezabt { Mr . Goat ) then read a letter from the weavers in . the weaving shop in the workhouse , complaining of their distressed state . After which he vent on to state what he said had occurred to himself when placed there . The men were not allowed more than the np < P "" fc of relief—one shilling per week per b&ad , which was not more than seven farthings a-day , and what was thai , when out of it they had to pay for rent , light , and firing . When he was there , he found that tke loom in which he was placed , from its construction , would be fatal to his exUtecce . He told ttrs overseer it must be altered—that he was a practical
nun , and had worked such doth . Te which the overseer replied , yea do not expect to come here to have your loom altered in such a irsy &s to add to your ecmfort ? as it is fixed so , you must work it Many were obliged to leave becsnsd they could not ; but l-e did act say that there were not sose who were able to work it ; but he was looking at the tyranny cf the masters ,-who would have compelled him . What , he asked , was the slavery of the West Indies to this ? These were circumstances of which he was sorry to apeak , bat they could be borne testimony to by many . He concluded by supporting the motion , Mr . Clarke
moved—*• That it is the opinion of this meeting , that it is the imperative duty of the present Government immediately to advance the sum of twenty millions sterling , for the purpose of locating upon the land the industrious artisans of our country whose labour is superseded through tke application of machinery , and that an address be presented to her Majesty ' s Government to that eSecV In support of the resolution ,- he adverted to the statements of preceding speakers , on the distressed condition of the country , and to the strange auomsjy of extreme wealth and extreme destitution existing together in bo striking a manner as is afforded by the different classes of tax-eaters , tithe-eaters , profit-mongezs , landlords , and tax-payers , tithe-payers , and workers of this
country . He referred to the black slave grant of twenty millions , and then went on . There is a portion of men in this country who get their bread "withont the ¦ weattrom the brow . We ask £ 20 , 000 , 060 for the people of England , who have been superseded by machinery . Do we ask for it as a direct gift ? And is there no land in England which you have a right to ? What is become of the land which belongs to the people ? Where are the Crown lands ? Where are the Church lands that were given to you ? Why , they lave been swallowed up by men who have no tight vo Stem . Let Government call upon them , and say , assist bs to locate the people on the land—to give them bread to eat . There are other lands now lying waste which might be taken in , upon which the people might
labour , and benefit themselves . The principle has , We find , worked well in America , where . by the magic touch of her industry , the barren lands bad . become fertile , and that the waters had withdrawn . We know that that great Being who gave us existence , and all tilings suitable for our wants , was ever ready to assist us , and if the rich legislators of the country would only so distribute thsir Wealth , there would be no such Kdsery . They may call ¦ s anarchists and revolutionists , but first let them prove that the institutions , as at present administered , were far the general happiness of the country , while others , on the contrary , were starving for want The institafckn in this eeantry was like a Httle bey , who was grown out of Ms clothes and wanted to have a new suit . £ 11 , 000 , 000 was all they asked fer , and if ' . he Got eraneat , Sir Robert Feel and the Dake of Wellington , do justice to the people , they will grant it immediately .
If we , in order to give relief , alter the sugar duties , the no&opoBjrts wQl come forward and say . you shall swt meddJe with oar interest If the Corn Law , the laaAownew and parson * jump np sod ssy you must not touch our vested right * . They then Bay the country is is an alarming situation , of which be had no doubt Bat to you who aw powerless they turn a deaf ear to you , and as powerless as you are , you have never yet righly ¦ ndantood ttw might aad power placed in your hands . ( Hew , hear . ) It is yon who produce the temple and ptiaes *—it is you who produce the clothing—it is yon who produce all that decorate and wnament these buHdiagB ; by your industry everything is made ; by you industry we see things travailing aeroes the seas to ¦ xebaag * with all the countries in the world ; and if yom have only the spirit to tell them in plain and distinct twins that yon are prepared by your boMst iadnlry to go upon tt » land , and as Man . w yo * esn yo * wfll return th » eapUaL
Us . L . Joifta than earn * forward and addressed the muting with- gnat rapidity aad length . The meeting bad given him gnat pteMttre , not in bearing the distress , lot in lacing their ease-won aad haggard countenances , bat in bearing them diseoss the question with a calm and oonstitntkmal votes , which most have its effect He knew that it had been said that these-meetings were awes the result of agitation and the speeches of certain cnm&g and interested men than of the distress . He Woold tell each pensons that a ndsrepreseBtafiDB of dishes * could not produce such a cry of distress as had foae forth , and that it could not be allayed until a wise ¦ e was turned to the miseries of the poor . It was not ttkBapetaba of agitators but the distress which yon feel deeply . Vat emu * divert your eye—* e * 70 s meet in rvy corner of the street , meet it at every beard , you IBM * it at every hearth . It is as palpable as the sun , aad wither the Duke of Wellington nor Sir Robert
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Pcil ran cheat you out of the bolief . In this distress you e » ll upoa the Government for twenty millions , that you . may locate yourselves npon the waste lands of this country—that by the union of yoni labour with their capital you may place yourselves in such a position as bad never been done . before . This call should not b& violent—should not arise out of a spirit of anger , that spirit it fast dying away . Notwithstanding the bishops—-sotwitetanding our venerable institutions—good institutions when raised—there is no doubt that they have allowed the mass of the people to remain in utter ignorance . Out of this ignorance , acted upon by severe 6 iatress , arose a feeling among the people of retaliation and revenge—that was whit must naturally first arise when their suffering continued . They then asked , why
they were aftfiering ? And now came that wisdom which had produced the result , and had created a voioe aad shout whkh could not be put aside . He thought they were right in demanding this money . He knew there was a great deal of benevolence in the country . Would there were equal wiadom ; he knewthatbenevotence was extending itself to every part of the country and in everyfbrm Notwithstanding Uiey had sent twenty millions to the West Indies—another ball million for the saving of souls In other countries , and a third half tti ^ M "" to the colonies at convicts—although they wan caused by their own mismanagement , still he thought it high time they should ask for a sum of money for their own use , and labour to divert the distress . There was no doubt that it was not the interest of society to support
them withont work . At present society had done some thing for them , and it was better -they should take to the woods aad forests , if they could not go on with better support . If the rich oppress , the poor will hate them . If this had not been removed , religion had been a se * fT , wisdom nothing , society not worth a fig , and it would be far better to divide and separate at once . It had been said that the evil had been caused by the intxodnction of machinery . He knew it was not a general evil , and that though it produced distress , still it was beneficial to some societies . He should never say it was an evil—not that it must be allowed to continue to work evil—but as it is a new element , and has only effected that evil daring the last twenty years , nothing could be more plain than to introduce new
forms and rules for its better regulation . Machines were originally made to meet a demand—they were now so increased as to require an extension of trade . They were told that the repeal of the Corn Law would produce that benefit—that trade could be doubled—but the supply would soon overstock the market—Mi . Johnson and Mr . Thomson do not know how much the market exactly required—and soon overstock the market , and they were forced to lay by their stock in their warehouses , for however cheap their bread may be , they must compete with each other . Just so long a * the market is overstocked must the working pan remain out of employment , for he had nothing to depend on but his labour . Tbese were the facts which came before him , and he defied any one to contradict them . The
question then was , were they to eaat them off , or were they to listen to them ? Were the working people of this country to suffer , and while they were clothing ail the world to be compelled to walk about with none on their backs ? Weia these the evidences of the policy and wisdom of the Government ? No . Were then the proofs of our greatness as s nation t Vtera tbeae the things that made them the envy and admiration of the world ? When we look to the condition of our own people , we come to the conclusion , that if the world knew what we were , they would not think England so great as she would have them . The labour of the working man was most valuable , and the greatest next to that of the intellectual man , which points out to them how to use it . They had heard of the large sums
received by the Bishops , but what did they do for it ? They preached a sermon which he could go and buy printed for twopence . Therefore we give them tens of thousands for what competition would produce us for twopence . You who produce tills are thousands ef you living upon twopence . Was this rational ? Bat so long as you speak of violence , so long wQl the rich walk away from you ; when you talk on the subject of distress , so long will they try to stifle toe public voice and keep down the working man . If you shrw that you understand the subject , and when you speak , speak with a voice of a determination , that moment will they
manifest respect for you , and be as willing to assist yoa as they were to give freedom to the blacks . Lst us then choose for ourselves . There are the means in our hands thousands of acres are uncultivated , and hundreds of thousands occupied by gentleman ' s parks which produoe nothing . Let us tell the Government that we can do much for ourselves , and that we are ready to employ them for the benefit of ourselves aad families . This will do more good in the country than any political party . Having made these few remarks , he hoped they would show the gentlemen that they were also the gentlemen of the land , and were determined to be the freemen also .
Mr . Marshall , in seconding the resolution , said , it was a question of importance that was before them , and he hoped that Great Britain would respond to the call , for who could resist that cry when pat in the right spirit . You ask Government for your own land—land , wnicb if they put the unemployed upon with capital and industry , will prove available to the poor man . Will you be starving ? No I my friends i you will not > and I say we must call upon the Bishopa aad Daaa to come out like Christians ; and ask the Government to aid us . He felt it his duty to express his unanimous concurrence in the resolution . The resolution was passed unanimously .
The Secbetart ( Gc&t ) said he was confidently of opinion the observations that had fallen from the various speakers ware useful , and were object ! ef the most vital importance , and more necessary of co-operation . Ba ' , he had one question to put to them , which was , the probability ol success . It is a general maxim with me , when any object is in view , first to consider the means whkh ought to be exercised for the accomplishment of that ebject , and then to consider whether those means are at my disposal . I feel confident with many , that what you ask for , you have no chance of obtaining , while the Government is constituted as it is , who exercise their utmost power to benefit themselves and crush the working classes . If we consider the position
which we hold , and the source from whence it springs , it is not probable , however humble might be the requisition made to the Government , that they would concede , for I assure you that under the existing circumstances of this country it is almost needless to attempt it He then read the resolution , and said that he entirely concurred in the expressions which had been uttered that day , but he felt confident that it was useless time for them to throw away in petitioning Government . You will this day have an opportunity to show whether the People ' s Charter is an instrument of unfairness or illiber&lity . I fear not any antagonistic observations from any one present , and I now beg to prepsse the resolution which I hold in my hand ;—
" That this meeting is of opinion that however requisite it may be for the legislature to protect the sons of toil , and restrain the fiendish avarice of the monopolist , it is useless for this meeting to expect such au act of justice under the present representation in the Commons House of Parliament ; in consequenco thereof it resolve to assist all virtuous men in their endeavours constitutionally to obtain those rights specified in the People ' s Charter . " Mr . Bekbow seconded the resolution . A petition was then proposed by the Secretary , but as it would occupy half an hour , was not read , and it wae carried . Thanks were voted to the Mayor for the use of the Hall . The meetiug broke up about four o ' clock .
The Northern Star Saturday, October 30, 1841.
THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , OCTOBER 30 , 1841 .
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HYPOCRISY OF THE WRONGHEADS . THE FOXES CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN TRAP . It is somewhat difficult to exhibit / food humour after disappointment , and courtesy after defeat ; and where the human mind does rise superior to such circumstances , we are naturally led to imagine that its training must have been in some of the superior schools . We are not , therefore , at all eHrprised that the Leeds Foxes having failed to " put salt on the people ' s tails" find themselves , maugre their philosophy , "in a most towering passion , " and that their worthy ally , Mother Goou , should hiss and splutter vastly like an offended gander .
Goosey opines that the Chartists have committed mortal wrong in not standing quietly to have their tails Balkrd . But Goosey should not be so very angry if the " bird" was a little shy ; perhapB the wit" might have been more effective , if a little more " savour , " —a little more evidence of sincerity—hud been infused into it . So far , however , as any cordial wish for any kind of " onion" save a union for themselves was concerned , the meeting in the Commercial Buildings on Monday week , which issued is the triumphant defeat of the Shah Radicals , afforded ample proof of the titter insincerity of that tortuous
and wretched . party . On the faoe of it , the first resolution proposed—the salt for the birds' tail—was deficient in its expression of princi ple ; and where the principle is bad , the practice ia not likely to be good . It vaguely acknowledged the defective state of the representative system , but contained so plain assertion to the effect , that our political grievances were traceable to the want of toivessai , soifrago as if a aere extension of class legitlatien might not , — nay , must net , —in reference to the peopie , be still more ** defective" by increasing the power of the ABISTOCRACY OF THS LOOM OTeT the D . EMOCBACY OP
labour . Bat thiB bit of * salt" was a mere introduction to the quick lime that followed—» wedge to make an aperture for resolution number two—in the hope of so uniting all grades of reformers" as to make them all serra the " Plague . "
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Bui alas for the poor foxes 1 The bird was too wide awake . It ; whisked away its naughty foil and toraedronnd to peck at them . And sorely aghast do Mother Goose and Mister Muekery alike stand ! Goosey is at its wit ' s end—an « nd * oon teaehed—and laments , in « loo /; doleful ditty , the ¦" nniimely end " of all its hopes . and aspirations . It tells / the " Geese" , its readers , that the Chartists have lost the good opinion of | he middlemen—those Who ape the pride , while they bow to the power , of the loom or land-oaucv . "They have disgusted these T "
Quoth Goosey 1 M They have loBt , by their irrational conduct , the support ot the patrio tio and intelligent shopocracy I" A hint to the wise is sufficient . If the Chartists ( by which we mean every honest man who seeks not to legislate at his neighbour's expence ) quietly withdraw their support from the ahopocrftts , the shopoorats will quickly bring their support to the Chartists 1 The brains of the ehopocraoy lie in their tills ; and reason and right are to be taught them only in one way .
Goosey gives us another version of the fallacy propounded by the American hireling Squire of ( he * Plague "—that the Cora Law was the Bword for enforcing class legislation . Mr . Lbb exploded the fancy , in showing that this " sword" had been itself first manufactured on the pre-existent anvil of class legislation—that it was an effect , sot a cause , of the greatest of monopolies—the monopoly of making laws . Goosey demands to be informed how we intend to get ths Charter , if wo persist in refusing to cooperate with the Anti-Corn Law and " extension " men . M Yon array yourselves , " says she : —
" Against the middle classes , the great body of Anti-Corn Law men , the manufacturers , machine employers , machinists and tradesmen , the fundhcldersj and the great body of possessors of property cf all kinds , whether merchants or landowners . " Well , and what then , Goosey ? If all these be against us , are we , therefore , to " sing small , " and ask for less than oar full right by way of conciliating them !! Our ight is against all vUlany ; and we point to the array of forces that are marshalled against as , and , with the old General , we say to ear brave brother Chartists , There is the enemy r if we don't beat them , by G—d they will beat us f " And what should hinder us I Why . says
Goosey>" They have the Suffrage , they elect the representa tives , and unless the representatives elected by these pus the Charter , it will never be passed by moral And legitimate means . " Granted ; and what then \ There is no need to concede anything ; and yet we may obtain their consent to elect such men as will fetain the Charter for us by legal means : and for the following reasons . There can be ao action without a motive ; every motive is induced ; and the working classes possess the power to induce the motive and beget the action . How t Because tbeir opponents are
perfectly insignificant , as oompared with the masses , in point of numbers ; and equally insignificant when compared with them in point of saind and morality All that is necessary is union among " the workies" This once obtained , who or what can or dare resist their lawful and constitutional demands 1 The terrors ot the Almighty would be in their voice ; the puny opposition of the " property" men would flee before it ; the oppressor would lose courage , and faint for very fear : and the shackles would drop
from his hands . At the roar of the king of the forest—at the united demand of the Sovereign People—all threats of coercion on the part of Government , would cease . They would evaporate like the morning cloud before the sun ; and long before the mid-day of their full union and power , this same Government , as her only protection and safety , would throw open her wide , embrace—place them " within the pale " , and proclaim them parts ot the one great whole .
The people know this ; and hence they laugh at the Biale salt" whioh Doctor Goosey would fain " place upon their tails . " Not even the good Colonel can get near enough to manage it . Goosey says : — •¦ The Devil and the Tories will enjoy this . " We wish them joy , and the Whigs to join them . They may laugh , if they think proper ,
but" The tale applied , May nuke them laugh on t ' other aide . " At all events , we have taken tho laughing out of the " Leeds Reform Association , " so called . And when their Bcribe next prates of his attachment to the Charter ; and of the landowners being arrayed against us by their fears , we warn him not to lie so fast ; nor to misrepresent the conduct and language ot those whose arguments he cannot answer , as is done in the following paragraph : —
" The fears of the possessors of land have been often appealed to ; nor is Mr . Feargus 0 Connor ' s recent promise to divide the land ofthecouutry among his followers I allotting a five-acre paddock to each , by any means likely to allay the distrust of this powerful class of individuals . " ! ! Was ever misrepresentation more base than this " Divide among his folhwe . s" ! It is " a bad cause that requires lying like this to protect it ; it out-Neddy's " Neddy . " Allotting a five-acre paddock to each" ! What for ! That working men may feed on grass !
O , Goosey , Goosey . ' this is Burely the full stretch of thy laug craig I" This iB not merely " driving the nail through the moon , " but " clenching it on the other side . " We must , however , Just look at the unaaswerable . questions with which Goosey winds up her cackle : — First— " How the prevention of all measures of practical reform find improvement can in any respect advance the cause of the People ' s Charter ?" Answer . — " You beg the question , Goosey ! Your measures are not practical , ' but wild , wicked , and visionary . Their professed object carries with it no certainty of being realised by those who most need it . "
Second— " Haw the Charter is to be obtained so long as all the classes in actual possession of political power , and having at their command the armed physical force of the country , are arrayed in direct opposition to the Chartist party ?" Answer . —By the united efforts of the people . The people—the working people—can command all the armed physical force in the country whenever they will it . Third— " How the Charter is te be obtained without the aid of the middle class 3 , who are the only portion of the people whose sympathies and interests are with the Chartists , and who are at present in possession of any portion of political-power ?"
Answer . —What brought them , now , to seek " extension" and the repeal of the Corn Laws ? Their aid will come , when the till shews them that it must ; and not a jot before . Fourth— " How the removal of any practical urievance would lessen the people ' s chances of carrying the Charter , or place the working classes in a-worse position in respect of political power and influence than that which they now occupy ?"
Answer . —The same amount of agitation required to remove this same " practical grievance ' would obtain for us the Charier . Moreover we hare no desire to strengthen the hands of oar enemies , tor without Universal Suffrage , the repeal of the Corn Laws would increase the opposition to the Charter , and perpetuate for many years longer the wicked factory sjBtem . AH , all must go together , and , therefore , we say , " On for the Charter 1 One thing at a time—the Charter !"
So much for Mother Goose ' s long cackle on the defeat . But who would have expected to find the defeat of the Household Suffrage party lamented by the ministerial Mercury t Yet , so it is . The Mbcwy reciprocates the woeful Smiles" of Goosey and is evidently mortified at the defeat of the Foxes . As usual , the herring-soup man keeps up his character . The logical and philosophical address of Mr . F . R . Lees , which was based upon no personality such as disgraced the Corn Law Repealers ' speeches , but on general principles , is selected for especial injustice , because it was especially hated and feared . The lying record of " the liar of the
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Jiorth" is thifi- * 4 hat he indulged in personality and imputed mercenary motives to the manufacturers ! J This is ft positive and malicious falsehood , ( doubtless deafened to Injure our advocate with the readers of the , Af ^ rcury ) for the addxeaa had no reference either to th « mctmts-of one party or another , but great principles &ed mteresU . The speech of Mr ^ L ^ Ea ri * : m > s t' car ^^ : |^^ to * ' ^ & may not appear ; while th «( falw personal r and impudent remarks of the enraged Whigling who succeeded him , and ; whioh deservedly received s ^ check ^ froi » the indignant assombly , Is Inserted at full length I by whioh the He u perpetoted over again . '• ¦ ¦ ' \ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦•'¦ ; v < : :.: - \ ' v \ : . ., . , > ¦ .. '¦
If the canting scoundrel * of tho Whig and Mongrel ' Whig Radical factions are thus " to take advantage of the liberty to lib—( asking to be contradicted afterwards , bat suppressing the speeches and explanations of the people ' s champions J—we shall reoommend the people to hiss them off in future . The reptiles hare tho mere pretence of fair play , and riohly deserve to be hooted off the stage whenever they appear . , The sat of reckoning wiix comb ; and even > now it tarrieth not .
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UNITED WE STAND . " Take heed that ye fall not out by the way , ' ' was the warning of an ancient patriarch on the departure of his children ; and , in . the sacred name of freedom , we would now reiterate the injunction ' The success of our cause demands a strict observance of it . We , stand in a most important and most critical position ; a position , from which the combined powers of faction cannot remove us . Faction has now lost its once boasted potency : its every attack
serves only to demonstrate its imbecility and accelerate its final overthrew . The apostates from our own ranks—the sowers of discord who mingle among us—and the proud and envious , who , for sinister purposes , arrogate to themselves the now honourable name of Chartists , are alone to bo dreaded . The actions of such ehardfeters are far more baneful than the open hostility of avowed opponents , inasmuch aa they not only retard our progress , but furnish data for the enemv and food for corruption .
Though it is the duty of the Chartists to rebut every false allegation made against the cause , and to repel every attack of the foe , yet we sometimes find that there is Much Ado about Nothing " performed on our stage , as well as upon that of St . Stephen ' s ; for instance , Mabk Ckabtbek meets a few Dewsbury Chartists in a tap-room ; they disagree ; angry words are bandied about ; and then the half-dozen patrons of mine host" must bring the matter into the Chartist court , to the exclusion of more important causes . Well , the cause is heard , and ! the whole amounts to an alehouse squabble !
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Now , this is not well . It » a dereliction of the Chartist ' s duty . Amongst onrtelrea wai ought $ & cultivate amity and broth ' eri ^' Io ^ e / int ^ iihett ! / but not till then , ^ Ul ' . tKi Natioi ^ ^ ar ^ A ^ ei ^ on become a mighty magnet , attracting into oue focua i U : t ^] H « tt- ^" -i ^^^ ' . ^ ' 0 (» if ^ 1 ijsw ^ up an inoeeaant wwfaie with the antagoniqtf . ctioua . W « h * v » no time to waste , but must diwei all , oor artillery against the citadel of corruption . We have no ammunition to spare foi child ' s ~ p 3 £ y > . # & !»?* known to all ia oar ranks , and ought to b *** t tended to . ¦' ¦ ¦ :. ' - ¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦¦ " "' ¦¦ ¦' - ¦ ' :: ¦ ¦ ¦' ¦>¦ : ' ^ ¦ ¦ -
We hare watched the career of Mr . Habukt . retry closely . For some time his youthful impetuosity gave us some uneasiness , but we consider him , now that ripe age and a little experience-has matured him , an honour to our cause . Hia sfefflingreKrtitnde aad adherence * o principle render bis character ia-Tulnerable to the shafts of slander . -- '¦ . ¦ ¦ We trust that we shall have no mow of thejje puerile squabbles , and that all bar energies may be engrossed by the one great point of , action and attraction—the establishment x > f the Charter . . . '
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THE MASON'S STRIKE . Wb refer attention to a lengthy report elsewhere of a most important delegate meeting on this subject . We do hope and firmly trust that not merely the masons but the operative classes generally , throughout the whole empire , will take care that these ga * d inen be n « t beaten in their righteous struggle . If working men be their own friends they need fear do enemies : but it too often happens that they display w much apathy or folly in the upholding of each other and themselves , as creates for them many difficulties that might hare been averted j of whieh wo cannot altogether acquit the masons in regard to this
We save this week teeeired in reference to them , the following letter : — . 17 , Grantham-street , City Road / , london . Dear Sm , —Feeling deeply interested in whatever concerns the interests of what I and the great body of Chartists bare been accustomed to lookup * to as oar " national ergan , " I cannot consider I should be doing my duty to- the Editor of Skat organ if I neglected to call his attention to facts of importance on which the prosperity of the Star must necessarily depend : There have been of late several complaints made against the Star , with what degree of truth it fe nst for . me to decide ; I will only refer to one fact of rery recent occurrence , I mean the strike of the stone masons at the House of Lords . . ¦ ¦¦¦ .:--.. i .
Now Sit , the Northern Star , without '• ideatifylng Itself with the Noble Fustian Petition , carriers * without taking a *? active part on behalf of those men who had sacrificed their time and money in the attempt to draw the trades of . London into the Charter agitation . The Norther * Star , -week afta * week , copied the . opinion * and statements of the bribed Whiff press of iondon , which were decidedly opposed to them * and the Injury which has been done these men , by the weapons of the treacherous pros , having been picked up by the only stamped paper advocating the cause of the toiling millions , and re-huxted at the men who had at first been assailed with them- on the ground of their
being Chartist agitators , < fco ) will take some time to efface from their minds ; and indeed so keenly have many of them felt it , that I have it from the best of authority , that twenty-four of these much injured men hare relinquished the Star , who . had before been the Btaunehest supporters of it and its principles . Where the error rests I know not I am unwilling to believe with you . I know it is sot Mr . O'Connor ' s wish . I am not a mason , or in any way connected with them , except as brother Chartists ; but as a subscriber to the Star from its commencement , as a humble worshipper of its principles , I am grieved , to say the least of it , both with tha cause and the effeot .
Hoping yon will attribute the above remarks , to- the ttue motives which actuated the writer , I beg to remain . Tour obliged , humble Servant , J . Watts , sub-Seeretazj , National Charter Association , Finabury . October 25 th , 1841 . Now , we thank Mr . Watts very cordially , for this very proper expression of his feeling ; while we must beg entirely to disclaim all blame ; in the matter ; and to say , that if the masons hard experienced any want of due attention from the
Northern Star , it has been solely and entirely their own fault . We are always ready to receive and to attend to everything in whioh the interests of the workman are involred that may be sent to us . The first week of this strike , having received no communication from the men , we took no notice of it . The second week we waited for the last post , in expectation of receiving some intelligence ; but , none coming , we were compelled to hare recourse to the only source of information open to us , the London papers , taking care distinctly to
specify our authority as a Whig official print . Our Sub-Editor then wrote to the Masons' Secretary , expressing our surprise at hearing nothing from their body and wishing to have correct and . authentic information . We hare since then received some communications from the Masons' body , and every syllable has been inserted . We hare omitted nothing that has been sent to us . We have looked to every source of information for authentic statements , and hare Inserted everything whioh we thought likely to serve the men .
Feeling conscious that we have in this , as in all other matters of discussion , consulted , simply , by the best means afforded to us , the interests and rights of labour , we think , and we know that every reflecting workman will agree with us in thinking , it unfair to withhold from us the means of service and then complain that we do not use them .
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THE WHIGS AND SWING ! Thb dastardly Whigs are at th « ir old game again , striving to incite the suffering people to acts of outrage and incendiarism . Same of their diabolical agents last week committed two or three incendiary fires' in Warwickshire ; and the Whig press IS endeavouring to mislead the labourers of other counties into acts of the same kind . The Chronicle says the incendiary fires result "from a feeling of revenge against the bread-taxing landlords ; " and the Globe calls them " the beginning of a fearful organised system of destruction ? Did any one ever read villanyliko this ? I Did not O'Comtoa speak truly when ho said , "that the Whigs in opposition
would soon throw the torch and dagger Chartists into the shade ? " Thank God ! the monsters are too well known for their appeals to hare any effect upon us . Bat we must be cautious ; one outback or aci of incejidia&ism , by a member of the Association , would injure the cause more than ages of persecution . This is what the Whigs are aiming at , Bbotheb Chartists , and especially in the agricultural districts , beware 1 spies , abb abroad ! villains are lurking about striving to incite you to outrage ! Spurn them ! Cast them out from amongst you ! Remember the last hope of the expiring Whig faction rests upon your violating the late . Keep within it , asd disappoint theh !
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WHIG OFFICIAL KNAVERY . A discovert has , within the last few days , been made , which has caused a sudden and an unexpected panic is the money market , and led to An expose" of offioial rillany , resulting in the apprehension of a person of high standing in the Exchequer Office ; but whose name , owing to the peculiar delicacy of the Whig and Tory press in these natters , has hitb / rto been carefully withheld from the public The circum 8 tance 8 are , that a number of Exchequer Bills were lately deposited in the City
as securities for loans to a large amount , and these being hastily wanted back , led to the discovery that there were other bills bearing the same number , and signed ia the same manner , in circulation , to the amount of from 4 > 150 , 000 to £ 200 , 000 . The bills , of course , bear the signature of Lord Monteaole ( to seat whom in the Exchequer office the country was saddled , by a peculiar Whig job , with Sir John Newport ' s thousand a pear pension ) , which signature , it is stated , has been surreptitiously obtained ; so that it is delicately hinted the offence does not quite amount to forgery . It would
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. scarcely seem . credible , hpwerer , ths * aa amonjj ^ . jin o ^^^^^^^^ f ^^^^ PM ^ op « A-: iflHiid K ^ # K ' « i ^ mC ' - - ' l ^ lw ^ MKBl ^ iHi ^ kf ^ j ^ v ^ wi ^ Witti ^ at isOmost immsdiafar : deteotiMk ; .. aor i , « ib improbability tiiniittished by the positive fct ^ : ^' ^^! i % ^ 0 ^ tk ^^}^^ f ^ i **** matfc * Uy carri ^ . ^ ( 0 fvWTeTal , ; ypar 8 past , fc order to cover stetk gambfihir intentions a ' $ & , ¦ / . %$ ^ o ^ M ^ lf ^^ eonsv latimin the fact that ^ ' a ^ et . UTe ^ gii ^ is goi ^ 00 iiito . all tb ^ eirtmini * a « e * i / bulinereisBo hop held 4 » t * K »* th « j ^^ ^ B ^ 'iWW ^^ n tot ^ detaii of bnsine » ( except . . ^^ ti ^^ l ^ l ^^ open * the door for the eommiseioii of ; tbis . kn * Yery , will fc made to refund from their ill-gotten galas tin amount whwh the publio mn ^^
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tThe following notices * re of commnnicatio rewired bat not noticed inour . last . ] .- -n . v , ^ Jo » K BjHpiww . York * ** deMwfar ' everf membtf of the National Charter Association to pay cut halfpenny ^ per week p ^ paXfcfmenionth ^ t , the Executive , ** Su » pmngf " says'heithat tee had 60 , 000 members , it would realise £ 300 at tit end of one month . TheExecutive might engajt fiftv lecturers to take a tour through the county that each toten , village * and hamlet might hev th ^ 4 oun % ctfCharl * smP ' -.. " C , " ., BBiGaTON . ^ -IaACCCBATB RepobtS—A correspat dehi who signsihimselfJl Zovef of Truth * fcf . ^^ f ^ ^ tf .- ^ v iJjiW . y . M ^ riMft ^ tiswrifer ua : —P Dear Sir .- ^! have waited expemag to *
a statement in the Star ef Oc ^ oer ^ nd contn . dieted ; but as no one ] has undertaken to do m , j feel bound in duly to do so , although wih grot reluctance . In reference ( 0 the taut report , 0 * fast part is quite correct i bullufui ^ ifreponti could be gutity of such falvMod ^ pel . to stall , * that the meeting > : v >« b if mpMe ^ portpituiii on Monday that : on Friday—ihiti W&e «* , $ ca ^ lyitt 0 a dw ^ r ^ , '' whe ^ U ii welt knap , that the fom would , have c ^^ ortablypeutedii least ifyufreiihp , number thai was present . N * $ uebbate falsehoods only tend tofinjufe the cam which you advocate : jnrst—by holding yem ins / i / ¦**
posvion wHvmjnu . urw >» v « v » w « " »^» >»< w deceiving our friends in other polities- ; * condiy—by giving a very cogent reason for then in this locality to disbelieve reports from ether places : for 1 have heard our friends ; tn Brighto say * Ot very likely these tneetings are not half what they make them out to be' in other plaett ' I hope you will write to yemr correspondent ^ end endeavour to obtain dorreet teports for the fc iure" Our correspondent also says , that pr move report * from Brighton hme' been mu& exaggerated . Of eourse tfc * tf «»; know-noting ltd what is sent td us : andwsito nope that ifat who-send reports to us will adhererigidlytofatlt t and rather under than over state our
advantages . CitT ' e » Co * K .--John CRourke writes ^ - ^ I tain the liberty of trespassing a little en your valucty space , my object being to call the attention of tfmt of your hind readers wh » have ' , been supplj / iu us hers with Stain to the change which I deem it desirable to make frtim the places to which thin have been hitherto-directed . It vaitl % in futurt , be more convenient to send them to Wm . Foltf , of No .. 1 , 8 tephen < street t Cork . Therefon ^ I trust this announcement : will meet the eye of every reader wfio has sent the Stsrio No i , Cctk . street , or to No . 5 , Sullivan ' s Quay * and that it will be kind enough not to direct any heneefir . ward to those places . I should , indeed , Mr . E& tor , be guilty of a great omission did I not atknowledge the tiberat supply of Stars whiehwt
have been getting . Wearedislributtng then ; and , believe me , the-principles of Chartism art spreading here to our heartfelt satisfaction , and I think unll fructify beyond expectation . Afentf England Wales , and Scotland , but continue to send , and , if possible , to increase them ; arid At day is riot far distant tehen Irishmen wilt lean the true meaning of freedom , and join heart and soul with you—from whom they have been Ondiousltt separated—for the full and equal enjoyment of British right * and liberties . " Stabs to Ireland . —James Collier writes : —¦ "Wftifc I acknowledge that great good has already beat done to the Chartist cause by the circulation qf the Northern Star tn Ireland , I cannot help
thinking that much more mignt be done % f tit importance was more strenuously and repeatedly impressed upon the attention of all your readtrt . Mr . O'Connor will be in Ireland very shortly and by every one of your subscribers sending their Stars , they would serve as a powerful army of pioneers preparing his way for a glorious and successful campaign . " A M'K . writes : — "As a traveller , my route laying through Wilts and Berkshire , I beg to owne , in the eastern parts of the former and tke centre of the latter county , Chartism is hardly known even in name—what is the Executive about ? I can assure you there are plenty of materials to work upon . "
H . M . Mxr .-Declined . A Liveey Servant sends us an appeal to his / el lows ia and out of livery , on behalf of the Stock port Spinners , and of the Chartist cause . We have not room for its insertion , but would ver ) cordially ** support its prayer . " Robert Holmes wishes to learn where several wmh which we have reviewed in the Star may bevwr chased . We have often before had like inquiries It will be well for all parties who feel interested in works thus noticed to observe what Landm publisher is named in the title , which we alwayt give . Any bookseller can get any work from tin
London publisher . A Subscriber at Lonoport is informed that the Arthur Blackburn spoken of in the Star of the 16 th instant was doorkeeper of St . Peter ' s Wei ' leyan Chapel , Leeds . I * a "Sincere Chartist" of Ashton-under-Lyns had read the Star of the 16 th instant he would have seen why his communication was neither inserted nor noticed . His present note is a most insolent one . Sami / m , Wilkinson . —We have not room for the address sent , but he will see that we have noticed the school . Thomas Clark must stand over . We are too full .
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TBS DAILY BREAD PLAGUE . —We have re ceived a very long communication , addressed M the Proprietor and Editor of the Northern Star , professedlv in reply to our article of last wees on this illegal conspiracy , from a person wW states himself to be the author of uDw Bread , " "The Bread Eaters' Advocate , " && , and who attaches to it the impudent condition ) that in case of our refusing to insert it as » communication , " we shall give it as an * dve » w ment , and state that we have first bullied aw then robbed him . This alone might be
wasidered a sufficient reason for refusing to mart either this or any other communication from tm at all . At present be is informed that w hare not enough of" plague metal" in onr composition to " sell justice " in the form of « adrertisement . Any communication m « pir to our own strictures , which would be insane " in this paper with an adrertisement feei wouia be inserted without it . His communication urn reply to our article . It is alonetirade ofpwBT
insinuations about Feargus O'Coaaofa mom the people of Newport to riot , and then going into Scotland out of the way-abou * the prr prwtor and editor of thus paper wishing » »» the people thinned by famine-and about «» teaching and advice of the A ^^ -wJ having caused the prisons of " kt ! L to be filled with law breakers . f % ever , it shall appear in our next , » ^ its own story . It should have appeared in w » number if it had come in time ; but we aw w receive it nntil that part of our paper wn |« £ appropriated to " original correspondence w » filled .
Ope numeroos Correspondents will oblige tu , « all cases , if they will for the future »*» «»» one side of their paper Wy , We wish m to be adopted as a general rule , in no case »» departedfrom . Tas National Petition . —We anrwunce tetihjMP sure that our publisher , Mr . Hobson , has pr * rw the National Petition for 1842 , on a neat sn * for the purposes indicated in our short lea fL last week . Be is ready to supp ly wwWV * associations and to individuals at thefoUOV charges . —100 copies for 2 s ; 1 , 000 / or 1 % * T titim sheets , qf good strong paper , ruled turn columns , and holding two hundred names w * filled , may also be had , price Vd . each , , *• . cretaries and persons who need them »* p »^
¦ - d post-office order , or stamps , to the amoutU *^ they may hatstsent'totheir address anynww they require , . A Rbpoblican , York . —We cannot insert ?>» # ? municalion . We feel the truth of . dl- "J %$ and whenever we can do so effectmeljtt ^\ J fgr to say it ourselves ; but toe have ^ J ^^ ut . provokingprosecution unnecessari ly ana fr ^ j g benefit to the cause . This we should f » ^ J if we inserted his letter . Is the contcu > t& » " that the reason why , ' ie withholds his n « w " address ? ' . . au ^ A Pbibmd to ran Pbbss . —The J ^ P * abmt Lyft he writes has , not reached us of some wee *"' believe it to be dead . , t ¦ & «* & ACiusxistcalls upon his brother ChartisUoJ " ^ ... worth , and the country generally , to « ft £ rtj exertion for raising the necemryftHM ^ supporting oj the approaching ConvenM *>
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A THE NORTHIKN STAB . ' ' ¦ " ' '""" ------ ¦¦ -------,--- ¦— -.: -, ..
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THE PLAGUE PAID IN THEIR OWN COIN , Wk direct the attention of our readers to the report of a meeting ; held in the Carpenter ' * Hail , Manchester , on Monday evening last , in which we have another instance of the blood-thirstiness of the * Big Loaf" gentry and their penchant for ;¦* physical force , " which now appears to be the only argument from which the " Plague" can hope for support in its expiring moments .
The old adage says , that w whom the gods design to destroy they first infatuate , " and we think the proverb was never more palpably verified than ia the conduct of the Corn Law Repealers . Their infatuation has been evinced in the attempt to hoodwink the people by representing the Repeal of the Corn Laws as the panacea ' for all As ills under whioh the body politic now , groans . It has been manifested' by a blind perseverance in their Utopian projects , alter the complete refutation of thei * untenable fallacies . It has been shown in their own expose of their objects , namely , d » cheapen food that wages may be reduced , and the profits of the capitalist be thus SMured . And now it is demonstrated by claiming their right aad title to all the dark deeds with whioh she factions
wereever ready to charge the undeserving Chartists . Surely our opponents will now place the saddle ¦ pon the right horse , " and henceforth crown the " Plague" with the laurels they have-so valiantly won . They cannot now hare the effrontery to declare the Chartists the advocates of physical force , seeing that it is now entirely monopolised by ''the powers that be , " and the power that would bo—tho large loaf and more work fraternity .
We are not advocates for physical force . We have contended , and still contend , that the great body of the Chartists repudiate the idea of wresting their rights from the grasp of tyranny by means of physical force , until every other means has been adopted and proved ineffective . It is the dernier resort ; and whoever he be that recommends ito application , under existing circumstances , is an enemy to the liberties of his country . Oppression may load men beyond the possibility of endurance , then nature will dictate her own remedy .
Butthifrisnot the doctrine promulgated by the "Plague , " for , lacking all argument , finding themselres bewildered in a labyrinth of difficulties from which no artifice can extrioate them , and seeing that they must make their exit front the stage , they resolve to go out of the world in an honourable manner , bullying , blustering , and breaking heads . Well , let them go , with " all their blushing honours thick upon them . " Peace be to their manes , and may they never be disturbed by a resurrection .
But alas ! what a falling off since the Stephenson ' s Square tragedy ! The " Prepare to meet your God" troop hare dwindled down to such an insigni ficant number as to be kicked out of the door of the Carpenter's Hall , and well they merited the castigation they received—they were the aggressors . The Chartists desired order—their weapons were argument and unsophisticated facts ; these were too powerful for the crafty League , therefore their hired ruffians must be brought into action—the preconcerted Bignal was given , and the onslaught commenced ; but victory smiled not upon the assassins . No , the Chartists , though lorers of peace , showed the cowardly ruffians that they could fight and conquer when driven to the point .
We cannot blame the Chartists for the part they acted in the affair . Self-defence is necessary , and we are glad they gare the drunken blackguards a hint to find their way home . It gives us great pleasure to state that the Repeal Association denounce suoh brutality on the part of their deluded conntrymen , and we trust that they will ever discountenance the wretches who would oreate and perpetuate animosity between Irishmen and Englishmen . Even the Manchester Guardian says the fight was promoted by those " who ought to have known better" and does not attempt , in this instance , to charge it on the Chartists .
Let the canting hypocrites fight their own battles , and let the oppressed form one mighty phalanx , and direct all their energies to the annihilation of the parent evil—class legislation . In conclusion , we conjure our brother Chartists to continue their onward course in the same pacific and praise-worthy manner they are aow doing . Thoy may depend upon it that every means will be resorted to , and every artifice employed to induce thorn to violate the law . Fire hundred victims hara not satiated the monster , despotism—it still pants for the blood of patriots , but let it tbirgt in rain . Be
not the aggressors . When attacked , be not slaughtered like sheep , but shew yourselves men who will not brook the unprovoked insults and assaults of designing knaves and their hired panders . You hare a power—an invincible power—use it with prudence , and success is certain . The peaceful and moral demeanour evinced by the Chartists throughout the country , is winning tho esteem , the admiration , and support of all the good and true—it is hastening the anihilation of despotism , and laying the foundation of anew order of things which will secure the happiness of all . Be peaceable—be manly .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 30, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct727/page/4/
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