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THE NOETHEEtf STAE SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1843,
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2To 3ftiatrer0 antr g?om$potM£
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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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"TO THE { JHABTISTS OP HOBTSUKBEBLiirD AND DTJBHAM . BbqtherIChxrtibts—I mi elected yora Tres—stes &c the Lecturer ' s Fund , at the delegate meeting held at ^ e » cis £ le ,. December 5 th , where a resolution tnu passed , that u booh as p vh locality transmitted five ^ nB « gg to me , Mr . Beealey "was to commence his torn -fisoogh the two counties . 1 ask 70 a has this'been xlflos ? I am sorry to say it has sot' Then are only -azree localities that have acted np to that resolution , ^ ris , South Shields , Onseburn * and the Whole hog OartM "brigade" of Snndedand . What are the CfertiBtsoftliecity ofI > nfhBm doing , ( the originators < & the Lecture Pond , ) the Chartists ot Newcastle , &c ,
Brother Charfifits , waiting anxioiisiy for yoar response ¦ ia the above , I am , yonrs trnlr , Johh Hail . Ossebnrn , Newcastle , Jan . S 3 , 1 S 43 .
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HARMONY HAIL . . TO TELE EDITOB O ? THE KOBTHEKX S 1 AB . Str , —The residents of this establishment have read ~ vnih much interest , the article in yom paper of the 2 l 3 t tzastant , headed , V . The Land ; the only means of salva-Sob . to the starring -workers . " It gives them much pleasure to see that the attention of their Chartist iwefiiren is Jiot only called to this important subject ; &Kfc , Qiat the efforts of the Socialists are brought fairly fun prominently before the public eye for examination . It win be readily seen , hy ^ all parlies in the state , that ¦ flfea oaltivatioa of our own lands , for the use of-our own 3383 £ ! fi ; and a fcou&d practical education for every per-« sa in the country , are the grand leading remedies for ¦ & . & distress which every whtre exists ; and the chief -feapicfor considsrafion , is , how is this to be accomplished poetically , in the shortest possible time .
You justly state that , no single sect of men have had ¦ 3 ffift » of the opposition te contend with that the Saeulists hare had . In spite of all , they have secured to themselves an abundant dinner . ' * IS ot only is this -free , but , that they are determined not to rest themselves satisfied , or to relax their exertions , until they J $ z * ts procured an egnallf abundant dinner for every one * ££ beir fellow beings ; and in addition to a mere supply ef feeirphysical wants , to afford them the opportunity of < 3 erelopmg to the highest point the mental and moral portions of their jnfcnre . We believe , however , that the manner in which this opposition has been overcome hitherto , has been by an adherence to certain clearly defined principles , ¦ which jypfatin within themselves the basis of unity ; and that "the progress has been in proportion , as these principles ^ Siare become understood by the members .
Yoa say trnly "that we are engaged in an expertsect , which , in its issue , may advance * or retard the * zwvr of the poor very materially . ** Of this we are all ^ swxre , and we are also aware that our progress will -depend upon the extent to which we can procure , and -aighfly apply , the means of introducing a Bcience of = * ecSefcv i for , whatever the public generally may think -of oor crotchets , or of our talking of extreme ciroamst&aoe&i Socialism , or as we prefer calBng it rationalt » b , is as truly a science as the mathematics , or any < athec
JJihs working classes can be induced to lend their aH to the development of this science , they may imssediaielj command any Just terms which they shall -dictate to the other classes of society , and it will be a stafcter of great congratulation to all parties when this £ &&Hbe the ease . What has hitherto been done , hss fceea dose by a very limited number of individuals , sassy of them most unfit for the tasks assigned them ; « adall labouring under the greatest difficulties ; but a strong determined combination of the working classes ¦ wsB be irresistible .
You further state , " The world will now watch us The public eye is opened upon us ; and if we are not -carnal , rancour will Beizs upon some falsa step of ours , « ad prevent public confidence in us . " That this will ooccr if we deviate in the slightest rnrmneT from our jprindplee , I , for one , am well aware ; iut , if we be ¦ isvjd and consistent to those principles which have hitherto carried themselves above all opposition , from Sie emanation of themisd of a single individual who combined from them a rational system of society to -gbsxx present advanced position ; there is no fear to be entertained for all the scrutiny , nor for all 3 &e rancour and falsehood , which the world has to
Our system is either founded entirely on truth , or it . © oal&iiLS sn admixture of error , and in either case investigation will be alike beneficial ; for , what is true-cannot be injured by being exposed , and no parties caa be more interested in discovering what is erroneous in the system , than those who are staking everything upcsit . You promise on some future occasion to enter into * friendly remonstrance with some of the" Socialists s their " insane" snd unaccountable policy towards the -Gfcsitists ; and I trust this remonstrance win not long is delayed . There has hitbeite been too great an -arrangement between two bodies laving in View me same important objects , and this can only be overcome fcy a dear understanding Tendering the subject intelligible to both-parties .
Whenever you remonstrate I shall have much pleasszs in explaining how far we can coincide with the 7 ieW £ yon take ; and , if a closer union can be effected by the explanation , a proportionate good must be the ¦ result ; ior all that is now required is that the working xHmsph shall ascertain in what manner they can best -combine to effect the object desired . You say the Socialist ought to aid the Chartist in -obtaining the power which * htV procure the " salvation -of the starving workers , by means of the land ; " but I trust to be enabled to point out , that the working -classes have within themselves all the power and all -tfce Hieans requisite for the most entire success ; and , a . 1 ! that they are deficient in , is the knowledge how to -combine thos « means in such a manner as to exhibit to the world a superior state of society ; and all must of seceasty desire to adopt it .
As the subject of Some Colonization , or * the land ¦ cuBStion , is an all-important one , and will attract esters attention ; and as we are here combining theory and practice , and acquiring experience on a tolerably extensive seals , I shall have much pleasure in fursiisbiiig ior your colnmnB a series of letters explanatory < if what Is contemplated by the Socialists in this £ xp £ - zisieut , and . the degree of progress they have hitherto xaade . In the meantime , I am desirous you should bear in caiiid that the objects of the Socialists are universal , and their practices public -, and any persons who desire to inspect their proceedings , tram whatever motive it may arise , will hare every facility afforded them it > t doing so ; all that -will be required ef them being an attention to those general regulations of society , v ? hkh tend to promote the comfort and happiness of
Trusting that you will not object to the insertion of this letter in your paper , I am , sir , Yoet -obedient servant , WlXLLli ! GJLLP 15 . -SarmoDy BaT ) , near Stoekbridge , Hants , Jan . 23 , 1 S 43 .
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TO TBS EDIT 03 . OF THE 50 B . THEB . 5 STAB . Sib , —Last night I heard a better defence of Chartism than ever I heard in all my life before . I have fesard a few of the big guns , but Mr . Thomas Davies , ¦ of Hawick , has outreached them alL His arguments sre sLll-powerfuL His sentiments are short , and clearly -distinct . The lectures delivered by him are so beauti-• £ ul } y set in order , that his hearer ? can follow him with £ be most perfect ease . The aboTe lecture was delivered in this locality ,
where general satisfaction was manifested . The police were sent to hear and see that all was right . But -these modern figures had to go away as they came , after hearing a full and -masterly development of their own immoral character . The anti-Corn Law League : £ ie 3 =-yipr ? g up a shine in this locality . There are men lisrewho have had frcm three-quarters or a day to "three days' work within the last three or four weeks , 5 icd yet their employers have deducted from their wages one shilling per slave to augment the £ 5 D , 00 D Plague sgiiaiiou .
At an anti-Corn Law tea party in Bolton , when eentLecatni ?) -were going round for an extra subscription , 3 D ^ -official gave one shilling in * fly name of a handloom weaver ; upon which Mr . M——r , of Manchester , * = poke -s-ery emphatically , stating that " if a four shil-2 JBgs per week hand-tooin weaver hated monoponly ao smen as to give one-iourih of his weekly income to destroy such monopoly , how much more { not Moore co ^ hi they , as manufacturers , to do all they eould to -J&ezt their God-Eke object ?» A gentleman who saw -aalsst-meBtioued trick played told me of it himself , -ma one of the League up to the time , bnt since which tsa » he has left the Plague , because oT its planxy depravity . In another cotton nail , the mOlowner ^ feoaght he would try the % * free-offering " '
prin-< sple , and for that purpose he sent the Iidt-sp 5 * les through the steam-loom rooms to make a collection , when lo ! at their return , there was -cajy Is . booked for the League , by the " free ' - ' consent - < if « je hwtdrtd and twdve slates . ' The gentleman was so exasperated at the " free offering" disappointment , 4 Jiat on tiie following pa / day he stopped one shiRino ¦ pec slave \ 122 ) , and told them that if they did not like di , they might have their shfflingB , and go abaut their AssnesBj and that if they should show , any counte -EtsnaB to the Chatter , either by werd in deed , they a&oaH be discharged from his employ . —( Ashton-un ^ fir-Lyna)—The above gentleman ia so pious , that his
« afl « oes by the name of * Aix Baixis' . Pactoby . " White in one of the West Riding districts , the followisg was given to me as a fact , by the suSererer him > - ¦ aeH- Withih the last twelve months , his master ie-^ atned Mm Jslave ) twen ^ -six pieces , worked by his csoa it the steam-loom , for which he 'master ) charged aaahiliingB per piece . WhQe in Manchester market the ssos qaality and quantity of goods were sold at 4 a . 6 a . 3 » r piece . r ' TVhen the slave asked his master why he -fiioaexfcorlabned him ? The master answered , "We a ^ cst have the Corn Laws repealed , and get free trade , zsnd ipfwi timpnirTTT mPTifL" Thin gentleman takes an ae £ c 7 e part in the religions ( i ) movement of the Meii » ii ? £ p . In anoJier place , the League are raising a
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Defence Fond , when necessary to be applied—{ the Chartists must take the warning given them by Fe&rgus last week , for -another gsmeia it hmd )—and every slave is certain mills are compelled to contribute towards the same , while at the same time the sa 5 d slaies are sot allowed to contribute towards the Chartist Defence Funds , under pain of being turned out of employ . By Heavens , Sir , if we only watch a little longer , we * hMl see the defeat of faction , and the triumph of true democracy . While In Manchester , last week , I learned the following facts connected wit the bleaching department . In 1839 , twenty men could bleach 2 , 000 pieces per day , for which those twenty men received for wages £ 30 per week , while , in 1842 , seven men could bleach 3 , 000 pieces . per day , for which those seven men receive as wages £ 10 per week .
In 1829 , the pieces to be bleached were only allowed to be tirenty-eight yards long each , while , is 1842 , such pieces are to be to the bleacher forty-four yards long . There is in Manchester an establishment upon the above improvement , ninety-eight men employed , for which they receive , in wages , £ 140 . The same number of men , in 1839 , got £ 145 10 s . Let alone throwing out of employ 322 men , out of 420 men , for the performing of the above labour , besides dragging out of the money market £ 483 , out of every £ 630 , withont ever mentioning the extra sixteen yards , upon every twenty-eight yards , being bleached for the lesser som . The above labour , in 1839 , cost £ l , 350 in wages , while , in 1842 , it only cost £ U 0 , tkrowingout of the money market £ 1 , 216 a week , besides 532 men out of every 630 men out of employ , to seek an existence out of the pauper list .
The late William Cobbett once said , ' No damned Paupery . " I wonder how soon the shopocracy will learn sense ; never till it goes through their " guts . " By giving the above a place in your next number , you will much oblige an enemy to all humbug . PETJSa RlGBT , From Choriey , Staffordshire Potteries , Jan . 21 , 1843 .
The Noetheetf Stae Saturday, January 28, 1843,
THE NOETHEEtf STAE SATURDAY , JANUARY 28 , 1843 ,
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BIBLE SOCIETY OPPRESSION . O ? all the cants in this canting world , save us from the combined cant of hypocrisy and oppression . When the powerful exert their power for the oppression of the weak in individual cases , oar blood stbra ; when they do so upon a scale of wholesale clas 3 depression , it rises ; when the sacred principles of justice and benevolence are openly defied from avowed selfish motives , we feel indignant ; bnt
when oppression puts on the face of sanctity aud clothes itself in the warm garments of benevolence while it outrages the common feelings of humanity with heartlessness , we hare no words to express our contemptuous loathing and abhorrence . Hence we do not trust ourselves to comment on the following simple statement of the journeymen bookbinders employed under the British and Foreign Bible Society : —
" The Bbiush axd Fobeign Bible Society is an Institution whose * sole object is to enconrage a wider circulation ef the Holy Scriptures / in doing which its management professes , in the language of the 2 nd resolution of the 37 th Meeting , Exeter Hall , May 5 th , 1841 ; * that they desire to cast themselves upon the continued divine blessing of Almighty God , as on that which can alone instain them in their present prosperous course / " About a month since the Committee of this Society thonght proper to reduce the price of their Bibles and Testaments bound in sheep , and in roan gilt edges , w which we refer .
" As what applies to one sort of Bible or Testament in this binding applies to the whole , we only particularise the ruby Bible , 24 mo ., roan , gilt edges ; they reduced the price of this Bible to Is . 6 d ., and as before stated , the price of all other Bibles and Testaments in this binding in the same proportion , thereby underselling every other trade in the market . " To enable them to accomplish thiB , they did not , as might have been expected , apply any portion of the ample funds of their Society to that purpose , but SKDTCED TKB PBICE OF ITS BISDIHG for the WHOLE AMOUNT 05 THAT BEDECTION .
They entered into a calculation of the price of materials , and of the wages of the labour employed theieon , apportioning so mueh for materials and profit , and bo much for wages ; and after ascertaining the wages paid to journeymen bookbinders in their trade , considered that these journeymen were paid too much for their labour , and that , therefore , the low price at which they required
the work to be done might be easily mads to pay the employer by a corresponding reduction in the wages of the men , and also of the women in their employment , A reduction , amounting to nearly oue-half the wages formerly paid , waB therefore mada by the employers who bind for this Society to whom remonstrance was useless , it being soon found that the price they received would admit of no higher wages . u Scarcely believing this of the committee of a society whici oxr $ s its existence to the benevolence
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of the pious , whose object is the dissemination of the Holy volume which , above all others , is heaviest in its denunciations against those who ' grind the faces of the poor , ' and who profess to east ' themselves upon the continued blessing of Almighty God / we determined to make them acquainted with the circumstances m a Memorial ; in the hope that they were not aware of the grievous , ruin they were inflicting , and in the hope that what we had heard of their deliberate intention , to effect a reduction out of the wages of labour , was Hutrue . To this memorial , a copy of whioh accompanies this , —they returned for answer , that they felt the subject therein referred to was one which they could not take up .
" No portion of the funds of thiB Society is appropriated to aohieve this reduction in price . Indeed , supposing the discount taken from the printer and the binder to be of equal per centage , this Society must obtain on the book we have particularised , the' Ruby 24 mo . Bible , Roan , gilt edgeB , Is . 6 d ., even at this price , a small profit . " We submit that it is a contradiction in the conditions of this Society ' s existence , that the cheapness of this book should be obtained at the almost utter ruin of those ( male and female ) who are employed in its binding , while this Sooiety reaps a profit by its sale .
" We are aware that wages are regulated by the laws of demand and supply—that where there is a permanent surplus of labour in any trade , wageB will fall . But a surplus of labour has not produced this result in the present instance . Worldly-minded men , who possess no zeal for religion , had not discovered that the distress produced by the present unprecedented want of employment , afforded them
an opportunity of increasing their profits by a reduction in our wages . It has been reserved for the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society , whose professed object ia the glory of God , to take advantage of this deep distress—men who , in their last report , p . xvii , * would adopt the devout exclamation of Holy Writ , and say , Let the Lord be magnified who hath pleasure in the prosperit y of his servants' !
" The Society may thus monopolise the whole trade in Bibles and Testaments ; but will not the scoffer and the infidel triumphantly inquire— ' Do these men really believe in the divine inspiration of the Book they circulate ? Do they really believe that the Almighty has power to inflict the wrath denounced in it against those who aggravate the distresses of the poor ! ' And with greater triumph exclaim , * Look to their acts , and judge ye , they have oppressed the poor , in the very act of circulating the Book which denounces its heaviest curse upon them for what they have done . '" A postcript to this address of the oppressed operatives adds : —
"In the above it will be seen we have only referred to two kinds of this Society ' s work ; while it was being put into type , as if in mookery of the injury inflicted , and in contempt of those by whom it is sustained , a reduction has taken place , at our cost , upon the whole of the Society ' s work . It is of course in the power of this Society , by means of the great capital it possesses , to overwhelm us who possess nothing , —just in the same way as a rich oppressor devours the peor : but surely the Lord
will recompense their way . They hope to prosper ; but their hope is not iu the Lord . They trust in their riches , and in their worldly wisdom ; they oppress the poor , while they profess to * cast themselves upon the continued blessing of Almighty God / ( 2 nd resolution , 37 th meeting , Exeter-hall , May 5 , 1841 . ) Bat God hath said , * The hope of the hypocrite shall perish , whose hope shall be cut off , and whose trust fihall be a spider ' s web . — Job Tin . 14 . '"
We repeat that upon this statement we do not trust ourselves to comment . We leave it to toll its own tile , only pointing the attention of the sleek haired " Saints" to the following texts from their own book , which the poor men have very properly put at the head of their address : — " fie that oppresses the poor reproschoth his Maker : but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor . "Pboteebs , xiv . 31 . " Behold the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields , which is of you kept back by fraud , crietb : and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Saboath . "James , v . 4 .
" And I will come near to you to judgment ; , and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers , and against the adulterers , and against false sweaters , and against those that oppress the hireling in bis wages , the widow , and tee fatherless , and that turn aside the stranger from his right , and fear not me , saith the Lord of Hosts . "—Malachi , iii . 5 . * " Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness , and his chambers by wrong : that usath his neighbour ' s service without wages , and glveth him not for his work . "—Jer . xxii . 13 .
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ANOTHER SAMPLE OF INJUSTICE-. The many instances of refined tyranny and barefaced extortion which are almost daily communicated to us , are not only evidences of the extreme degeneracy of the human kind—of the inveterate hatred of man towards his species , —and of the declension existing in our courts of law , but they are manifestly indicative of the speedy overthrow of the rotten system which has too long cursed our father-land . Oar forefathers justly complained of the evils of misrule , but they were only flogged with whips—we are lashed with scorpions . Their prospects were gloomy , but we dwell in the midst of thick darkness —darkness that can be felt—that is felt , and cannot be dispelled , save by the energies of an united people determined to possess their rights .
Arguments the most cogent and incontrovertible have been reiterated in the ears of tho rulors of the land , but they have been as the deaf adder . Petitions have been laid at their feet repeatedly , praying them to adopt measures to stay the evils of which the people incessantly complain , and over whioh our legislators have , unquestionably , controul , yet they regarded not the prayers of the needy . Now , facts which none can veil—not even themselves—are staring them in the face at every turn , and they are
compelled to acknowledge that something is wrong ; but instead of applying the only panacea—a radical reform in the system of Government—they think to amuse the people with their tricks of political jugglery , and thereby perpetuate the reign of despotism . But this cannot be . They have been weighed in the balance and found wanting . The hand-writing is upon the wall , too conspicuous and plain to be misunderstood , and it decrees that the reign of tyranny Bhall depart .
Yes , the petty tyrants , vested with brief authority must be humbled , as well as their masters whose deeds they ape ; for the change must he a radical one , extending through every ramificatien of the system and to every corner of the land . Aye , even to Middleton , near Manchester , and to Rochdale too , where acts of atrocity are perpetrated which are a disgrace to our country and kind ; one of which we here subjoin : — " a poor widow woman named Ann Lees , having six children , residing in the township of Hopwood in the parish of Middleton , was taken into custody on the 18 th of January , under a warrant , and put into the lockups
of the police station of Middleton , by order of the overseer , for owing six shillings for poor rates , together with costs , amounting to £ 1 3 s . 6 d > , and was the day after taken to Lancaster . It appears that , previous to that , the overseer's father-in-law had distrained he / geods for rent The sum due he said was £ B 0 s . 8 d ., and the charges were £ 2 Us . lOd ; but it appears that after the goods were all sold they had £ 1 17 s . Od . in hand after all costs were paid , though the goods did not sell at half their value . The overseer knowing that this money was in band , summoned her to Rochdale before
the magistrates , andtheir worships asked her if she waa willing to pay the rates ? She answered , I have nothing to pay with , when the magistrates told the overseer he must be paid ont of the money that was over ; be therefore applied to the auctioneer for the money , bat he would not ot could not pay h'm , consequently he took out a warrant , as is before stated . The poor unfortunate woman has applied several timeB to the overseer for relief , but he has as frequently refused to give her any , telling her she might go to the bastile , which she refused to do . "
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With what feelings the reader will arise from the perusal of this horrible reottal we will not eay ; but for ourselves we cannot find words sufficiently strong to convey onr detestation of snob , villany . Those fiends in human form who have figured in this deed of infamy ought , for ever , to disown the name of men , and insult sooiety no longer by their presence . They are the wretohes which the arm of the law should seize . But , though the principals in this atrocious act are doubtless punishable—firstly , for disposing of more of the widow ' s goods than paid the rent and other
incidental expenoes , and , secondly , ( if this statement be correct , and we see no reason to dispute it , ) they are actionable for falsely imprisoning the poor woman ; yet , still the piper would have to be paid , for justice cannot be obtained in this Christian laud , except at a great and ruinous expence , and not then , in most cases , where a middle class jury occupies the box . Iu fact , justioe oannot be obtained for the poor under the present system . Hence the necessity of laying the axe to the root of the tree , and sweeping the augean stable with the broom of Radioal Reform .
it will be but poor consolation to the agonised mind of the bereaved widow to be told that there is an insuperable barrier betwixt her and justice . However , bo it is . The underlings of corruption may , under present oircumstances , drag the poor from the bosom of their families , immure them in dungeons , and complete their ruin with impunity ; but they haye well nigh reached the extent of their iniquity . Right must ultimately triumph over might , and the haughty tyrants kiss the dust . They have already overcharged their infernal machine , and must politically perish by its explosion , amid the joy of a too-long oppressed and insulted people .
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ORGANIZATION . We receive continually from all parts of the country application for advice and instruction as to how the friends of the cause of good order and good government should proceed , uuder the anomalous oircumstances in which they are now placed ; of a national organization without any recognised head or centre of operations . We see that the metropolitan delegates recommend the immediate election of the General Secretary , in order that the business of the Association—the preparation and issuing of cards , the enrollment of members , the
correspondence , Sec—may go on . We advise tho people to be in no hurry . The conduct of the last Seoretary should surely have given them enough of a dose to make them very careful in the matter of appointing a successor . The Secretary is the most important officer in the whole movement . He ought , in fact , to be the very marrow of the movement . Bitter experience must , we presume , have shown the people that a false step in the appointment of Executive officers , and especially of Seoretary , may do more mischief than all our exertions can retrieve for a long period . Our
Seoretary must be a man of business habits , a man of comprehensive mind—a man of some information and intelligence—a man who understands the movement—a man who knows the bearings of the law upon political societies , who thoroughly understands our Organization , and who will have sense and honesty and industry to " work" it . It ia no easy task to " work" a national Organization , in the teeth of such laws as we have bo contend with and steer clear of . We need for this purpose an educated , intelligent man , an industrious , persevering , and honest man . We do not want an
iguorant , impudent , bully , who cannot return a civil answer to a respectful letter ; we do aot wanta fellow to spend hia time in public houses , drinking and smoking and playing at cards , instead of minding the duties of his office , and to occupy the chief part , of what time he can spare from the public house in his owu private business , whilo ho pookets the people's money for doing their work , whioh is left undone ; we don't want a man to leave his duties ^ and run up and down the country lecturing every time that he may want a fresh " drag" of
money , more than his wages . Wo want a man who knows his work , and can do his work ; who wili be content with his wages , and content to work for hia wages—a man who will devote to tho cause his whole time , energy , and talents , and whose time and talents are worth having . With such a secretary , our organisation could not fail to progress , and our cause to prosper . And unless the people can find such an one they had far better have none at all ; a vacant office is preferable to an inefficient or dishonest officer . But such a man must be searched for
oarefully . There must be no hurry in the selection . The people must take time to think and to deliberate , before they decide . There is one fact to which we would point attention ; that no honourable , or even honest , man would be Secretary , under present circumstances ; because it would be to associate himself in office with two men who still , in defiance 0 ? every principle of democracy , impudently cling to the tenure and name of office , though covered with a load of obloquy and disgrace which would have paralized and kept Within doors any men having a grain of decency .
The country have no right to expect that any decent and good man will allow himself to be brought in cod tact with the filth from whioh the character of , these men stands unoleansed . No man who valued his owu reputation would for an instant act in any public capacity with either of them . It wants but a few weeks to the time when they must " go out " by the lapse of thoir term of office ; and the people should in the interim be looking out for honest men to supply their places , and making such amendments in : the plan of Organization as may render less likely the recurrence of the mischiefs which Ijavo resulted
from the jobbing and profligacy of the preseut mea . Some parties seem to think that no steps oan be taken in the matter of amending the organization , because we have in reality no Executive . And because Campbell won ' t give up tho books and cards , it is thought that the enrollment of members can ' t go on . We think quite differently . For the enrollment of members we advise every sub-secretary at once to provide a book for entering the names , trades , and residences of all the members of his own district . Let no regard be paid to the fact of " card or no card , " but let the Society for all
practical and immediate purposes be a local one for that town or place ; every one being acknowledged as a member , whose name is on the Secretary ' s book aud none else . Every newly enrolled member to pay his twopence and all these twopences to go to the formation of a fund for the usecf a New Executive when appointed , and tho weekly contributions to be applied to the furtherance of the cause in the immediate neighbourhood . No cards need be given ; but when a member removes to any other place , he should have a certificate from the sub-Seoretai'y ia the following form .
11 Hull , Jan . 27 th , 1843 . " I certify that John Smith is an enrolled member of the Chartist body . ' Peter Tbuemaw , sub-Secretary . " In any town where he presents this certificate , his name would be enrolled among the Chartists of that place , without any additional fee but the payment of the weekly penny . Thus our Association will become a multitude of distinct local eocieties , all governed by the same laws and acting on the same plan , and ready for amalgamation into one body as soon as the connecting link , a honest Executive , may-be supplied .
We shall next week show how the whole matter of considering and arranging , and amending , the Organization , may be effectually done by the people in their localities , and a general vote taken upon it , and recorded , without the intervention of the Executive or the expense of a delegate meeting . We shall also , suggest sueh improvements in the plan of Organization as we think it needs . Meantime we advise most strongly that the registration of members be immediately commor . ced bv all the pub-
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SecretarieB , each acting as Secretary for his district . This is necessary to be done , and to be done in the first place .
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MIDLLE CLASS BENEVOLENCE ! We are informed , on the best possible authority , that a firm , whose establishment is not one hundred miles from Mabgate , in this town , and who work on material no less hard than iron , wish to be thought benevolent , and to have their names published as men who commisserate the starving condition of the destitute ' poor . At present , we will not gratify the zest of those very benevolent gentlemen , by publishing their names —but , on a repetition of their disinterested ? ness , we Way do so .
We now merely state their method of "raising the wind . " One day , last week , they intimated the necessity ! of their men subscribing one shilling each in aid of the Public Soup Kitchen . This call the men did not feel disposed to respond to , for one very substantial reason—namely , that their wages had been recently reduced , and , consequently , they thought charity was required at home . However , on Saturday night last a paper was handed to the men , and ! nolens volens , the shilling must be paid .
This act needs no comment . It is quite in keeping with the class , and is a very genteel way of obtaining notoriety j as a charitable and liberal firm . No doubt , the Bashaws of the establishment will lay all claim to the generous act . We have heard of aid being rendered , in this neighbourhood , by the same means , to the Missionary and Bible Societies . What purity of Christian principle !
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THE CHALLENGE TO THE CORN-LAW LEAGUE BY MR . O'CONNOR . The industry of the League , in their effprfca to " get rid of Feargus" is most untiring ! As soon as ever one project is defeated , or » ono " tool " exposed , another is hatched , and a fresh " tool " bought . ] They have found , however , that Feargus sticks like wax ! He is a most ; troublesome customer . '
He will not be got rid of" 2 With a most provoking equanimity does he sustain every individual and repeated assault ; and with vigour undiminished and' determination impregnable as the hatred of his would-be destroyers , does he present himself again and again to their notice and vengeance . In exact proportion to the efforts of the starvegut crew to get " rid of Feabgus , " should be the efforts and determination as of the people to sustain him in the warfare ia which he is engaged with the enemies of the labourer . By so doing they sustain themselves and their own cause . The battle he is fighting is 'not his own .- it is the battle of the " Poor Oppressed" against the " Rich Oppbessor" ! There ia a way , just now , by whioh the people
in their several localities can materially serve themselves , and strengthen the hands of Mr . O'Connor He has entered the field of controversy with the ' League . To a full and fair discussion of the whole question between themselves and the people has he challenged them * He has offered to meet 'them in nearly every considerable town in England and Scotland , and to submit his views , in opposition to theirs , to public deoisiou , after a full examination and a due canvassing . He has stipulated that the meetings shall be open and publi ;; not close or packed . He has offered to bear one-half of the expence ; the League to bear the other half ; and he has enjoined other conditions necessary to secure " a fair stage , and no favour" for either party . . '
With this challenge YOU , the working people , are fully acquainted . But the other classes to whom the Leaguers appeal know not of it . Class prejudice prevents their seeing the Northern Star ; and you mayirest assured that the other portions of the presa will take care not to let theix readers know the fact that such a challenge has been given . O 11 this matter both Whig and Tory will aot alike . The Tory is as much interested iu
putting down the labourer ' s opposition to Corn Law Repeal , as is the Whig bimself , who , of all things on earth , affficta a desire to obtain Repeal . Tory opposition to " Repeal" is a selfish class opposition ; the opposition of the labourers springs from principles whioh are as detrimental to the class . interests of the Tories as to the class interests of the Whigs . There is no sympathy between the " Landlord ' s Opposition" and the " Labourer's Opposition" to Corn Law Repeal !
Under these circumstances it is the duty of the people to give effect to Mr . O'Connor ' s challenge . It is their duty to let all classes know that it has been ? girea ; and that , as yet , it stands unaccepted . It is their duty to let the Leag&e know , that the world knows it is so unaccepted . It is their duty to thrust that challenge uuder the nose of every League-man who presumes to appeal to public ; opinion . It is their duty to force the League out into dijcussirn , if it can by any means be accomplished These thing 3 can be best done , in our opinion , by the mode suggested by the Chartists of Huddersfiold . They propose that Mr . O'Connor ' s challenge shall be publicly posted in every town and place in whioh the League arc , or have been , making efforts to obtain'ho'd of the public mind .
The suggestion is a good one . It is worthy of immediate adoption . If carried out with spirit and effect , all the world will know what to think of the men who shrink from discussion : and they will also know ! what it is that prompts the desire and exertion « t ^ " get rid of Feargus . " To aid in the carrying out of this suggestion , our publisher . Mr . Hobson , has prepared the
challenge in a large placard for posting ; and m a small handbill ifor distribution . These he is ready to supply at a rate barely covering paper and workmanship , even when a large number are taken . Ta him we beg to refer the Councilmen of each locality ; aud press upon them the necessity of immediate steps being taken iu the matter . For about thirty shillings , a large district may be well supplied with the challenge in both shapes .
By all means should the Manchester lads instantly bestir themselves . This next week the League gathers in their town : let their eyes be blessed with the " UNACCEPTED CHALLENGE" upon the walls of the town in which the shrinkers are met Let this be done at all cost ! It will take Jthe edge off their anticipated triumphs , and will lower their tone most Wonderfully . The Bame means will have the same effect in every other place , if they be but followed out . We
must make this challenge TELL . If they accept it , — O ! then the triumph of Chartism ia certain ! for truth and fair-dealing are sure to triumph over double-facedness | and egregious error . If they will not accept it , tho people must spit upon them , and drive them from the face of day ! We must force them to an acceptance of this challenge , or to an avowal , by conduct , that they dare not ! In either case , the cause of the people must triumph .
With the people , then , the matter rests . It must not rest long ! The first thing is to give publicity to the challenge . Let that be done instanter . Then in the event of its continued non-acceptance , we will prepare a pill for the League that shall work them well ! Our objeci ; is to get them out in discussion This we must accomplish ; and , with the aid of the people , we will either do it , or SMASH UP THE LEAGUE , notwithstanding their £ 50 , 000 . To the first step in this business we earnestly call ihe people .
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" UNION" WITH THE WHIGS . Whateveb is there in the wind now ? TheCftronicfe of Thursday is anticipating a speedy " Union" of the Chartists with the Whigs : not to secure the fulfilment of Chartist objects , but the ascendancy of Whig power , through the legislative adoption of Whig nosJrums ! Again , we ask , what can be in the wind ? The Chronicle says , " God grant tho * union' may take tlacfc" . ' to which we rested " Devil doubt you" !
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For what are we to unite ? To carry the Q ^ T To rednoe the overwhelming , crushing , we ^ f * taxation ! To annihilate nnmerited penBi ? ^ sinecures ? To throw off the dead-wei ght ] * £ ? eqtjttablt ADJOST the Debt ? To deal itonJi with the Nation ' s property in the possession tf * Church 1 To look after the Crown Lands f * * render their revenues available to the people poses , in lieu of the Monarch ' s pay takes fa ' the people ' s means ? To disband the unconstitn ^ ? Standing Army intime of peace ! Torevise the half list , and reduce the number of unnecessary oS ^ T
To overhaul the Civil List and the Salaries of J ^ and Ministers of State , with a view to tender { W something in accordance with the altered circ ^ stances of the times 1 Are we to " unite "« i the Whigs for these things ? Is it igQ 3 Chronicle means , when it ejaculates w G < xJ Jz the * union' may take place" ! Not a bit «/ *? , Carry the Charter \ No such thing ! Redac « ( j . ation \ Horrible sacrilege ! He only conteapw another " Extension of Commerce , " and a re-sejia ,
of the Whigs on the Treasury Benches offim , Stephen ' s 1 It is pretty cool in the Chronicle to pop * to the Chartists " union" for such a purposj » this , after the unequivocal answers the Whignju . have received , to all their manoeuvres and tri ^ accomplish such " union" I For the last m ^ . months have they constantly ' -been trying t effect it ; and as constantly have fcfieyfailed [ ^ j why " unite" now ? Is Whiggery less odious timj .
was 1 Are Whig objects of [ more importance than before 1 Is the nature of Whigs and Winga * altered for the better ? Do they KOTHiS ^ Chartists with the same unextingcissis , HATRED THAT THEV SO CNEQUIVOCALLT Jujj . vested when in power ; and for which manifes ^^ the Chartists drove them from office ? Why fa "unite" now ? Because Whiggery is helpl ^ i Because Whiggery is down ! Beeasse it needs the * Chartist crutch to enable it to hobble info life again I
That crutch they will , of course , get ! at leasitiiej hope so . " God grant we may , " piously e jaralita the Chronicle . We may just veutureto ask WHESi When the people forget injuries . When the people learn to prefer their deadly enemies to bosom frit ^ When the people cease to think on stripes , ^ chains , and dungeons , and penal settlements , tui seaffolds , with executioners ready to cut theirjdio . catcs " . into foar quarters , to be disposed of 13 tie
Queen shall direct ! " When the people forget Ua woeful lessons that an experience of taa ascendancy of Free Trade principles has tta $ j them 2 When the people cease to hate the horrible enactment passed to bring them " to live on a mna sort of food . " When the people become euaBwatj of the Rural Police , to force the starvatioalw down their starving throats ; aud when they cetseto recognize in the Whigs and Whiggery the essence
of Malthusianism , which denies them the righto live in the land God has given them ! When ties things come to pass , Ihenm&y the Chronicle expeetu " Union" of the Chartists with the Whigs for Whig purposes : but not till then !!! We advice him to save his wind . He will " needii to cool his porridge with , " before the Whig Smssmess is disposed of !
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Huddersfield . —John Chapman is Sub-Secrelsqftit this district : his residence , Water-gate , Jlrniehester-street ; and to him ail comimmiatm must be addressed . William Magee . —His communication is xmrtei We are as well aware as he is of the greoX ta lo a journal of typographical errors and cwfa printing , and do onr best to avoid it : but herauit know thai these arz often the effect ofbadmsiw script and careless writing . D . Abf . ll . —4 s . fid .
Executive Votes of Confidence again . —Wthn a letter from James Leach acknoivledging . hlk had no authority whatever from the Chnrix&iof Newport , in the Isle of Wight , or any ofthmfm the statement which he made at Birminjka during the Conference week , about a vote ofm fidence in him and his colleagues , and aftencarb suppressed by us . He says Campbell told Sma , but he knows not what authority Campbell ) for the statement . From a paragraph mow Chartist intelligence , it will be seen lhat . iU Brighton Chartists have by resolution tnpuffi : meeting disclaimed all knowledge of the ration which they at the same time werevffirxidts have passed and sent to us for publication . W the country ever be satisfied with the honesty tad truthfulness of these men 11
The " Plotting" and " Conspiracy" Lettebs-In reply to our demand of when the letters vet to be published , Mr . Leach says , " it will depend much upon circumstances , when or whether era those letters will be published or not . " We tpnti believe this , and we can tell Mr . Leach what tin circumstances are . The circumstance tfW ¦ prevents their publication , is the little faetSkl they are not in existence , and that no sucft kttffl ever were in existence . John M'Naughten . — We cannot give him tfo ' w formation he withes . James Webster , York . —We know all about to meeting . We know exactly how many ven present . We know that our statement is comet
and Mr . Webster has not impugned it . The reso lution was voted by eight persons , and no ffliw > James Leeson . —His letter is forwarded . Charles Stead . —In the National Charter Association there is no such distinction of offices as ^ ** cretary , " and " Corresponding Secretary ; *"' 1 every locatfind separate body of Chartists ( MS have whcd \ offices they please . — The Majrylebone Election of Delegates . —»« do not conceive that any good can eonK ° ffr lishing ihe letter from several members 0 / 1 " * Cammittee , which we have received . W ( S *' Mr . Farrar ' s contradiction to the alleged !/«?« and we do not think reasonable men can requ > n more , especially as ( he matter is now over m en * d » ne with , ., J . Pearce . —Never mind the chattering fools- '
them lie till they are ho ¦ rse . „ , ,., W . H . Dtott begs to intimate ( 0 his English » fl «| friends , that there has been a woeful absence oj BikR-light lately in Ireland . In a political «»«' Egyptian bondage , and Egyptian darkness m prevail in Ireland . The rays of the St&r flW ' do much to dissipate the latter , and light jorlrw men , too poor to purchase , the true fifli freedom . The address required by the South Wales delegm Mr . J . H . Clarke , Surveyor , Ledbury , Herejm shire . Ms . J . Sweet , of Nottingham , is still agent M ™ Northern and Evening Stars ; he also begs ^ acknowledge the receipt of id . from B'tf' % Buildings , for Mrs . Ellis , and trusts ihal t % fj : nf Knttinnham . nnA its npinhhourhood , WW
ward their subscriptions without delay . The Chartists of Northumberland and Durham , ^ respectfully informed by James SinclairJhai w communication to him after the 2 nd ofreWfw should be directed to James Sinclair , News AW Chartist Depot , 25 , High-bridge , Newm ««• . Bradford—Stabs to Ireland . —Mr . I ° se P ^ f ' . tist ) son calls the attention of the Bradford & / W" , to the fad , that very few Stars are now rem by the Council for Ireland . We hope ™~ JLi , that this remissness will be immediately rema Manchester . —The clothes raffle next week . Me . Con Murray wishes us to state < A fl ' ^ friends corresponding with him b : tween w « / theUh of February , may address to * f ca : Z Mr . William Smith , 52 , New Market , M ** 7 [ f upon ^ T yne ; between the 4 / A and "ft , » , James Arthur , bookseller , Ricker-gate , t ^
after which he goes into Scotland . , .-v Thomas Davies . - ^ k " Appeal to Palnohsn <* Humanity" next week . , oour S . C . S .- Upwards of 20 is above 20 . Count you SotSing HuMANiTY .-rAetr communuMf ** John Sobeaton , Lambley , Notts , and A rw ^ are received , and shall have attention ' Manchester Packer . —Next week . „ y Nobthwich Chartists . — We really ' -annot *»« ^ the 5 s . was not acknowledged in the balance , had better ask Sir John Campbell .
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FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FUS ^ ^ d From Mauchline , per John Cunningham ... ° 0 ~ Huualet , per Mr . Longbottom 3 „ Wm . fei ^ . rVe-wPit-Heo , Aberdeen 0
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A THE NORTHERN STAR . I ^ IJ _____ „——_______ . ¦ . U
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THE ROYAL VISIT TO IRELAND . Heb most gracious Majesty the Queen and her illustrious Contort , the young gentleman who does Great Britain the honour to receive his pay , have announced their intention of visiting the Metropolis of the Emerald Isle ; but for what purpose the deponents say not , On this , we suppose we must Gt ; ess , as the Yankies Bay . We opine that it iB not for the purpose of alleviating the sufferings of the two millions three hundred thousand poor victims of misrule , who are perishing in that ill-fated land , for want of the common necessaries of life . No ,
no ; the Qaeen snd " Albsbt dear ! " know nothing of all these things . They wallow in profusion at the expence of an oppressed people , and they are too short sighted to see beyond the precints of the Palace . " Hex Majesty , " say the organs of the Court , ™ desires her visit to be as public as possible "; which is tantamount to telling Mick and Norah to mount the chimney-tops and make the welkin ring in praise of the superlative condescension of the illustrious pair . Punch and Judy waDt to be- seen , and to see if folly stall holds dominion , over the minds of the
Irish people . We trust that the sons of Erin will satisfy the admirers of monkeys , parrots , and dogs , that they are not the asses they would have them to be We trust they will avail themselveB of this opportnnity to show those sporters of borrowed plumes the mauifold . evils resulting from the extravagance of misrule ; and that they will also give them to understand that they are not the dolts to believe that empty pageantry and torn-foolery , —though conveyed to their shoreB in a bran new yacht , —will give them better food , better clothing , or more com * fortable dwellings .
Wealth , wrung from the bowel 3 of poverty , may be displayed by Punch and Judy and their . retinue , but the lot of the poor of Ireland will still be starvation . Sea-weedUoffal , and the infernal root , " must remain their dish until the system of misrule be annihilated . Flatterers may dilate on the beanty of the sovereign ; sycophants may talk of her amiable disposition ; but the one would be more enhanced in our estimation , and the other would be better exemplified by administering to the necessities of the poor than by exhibitions of consummate folly , intended , no doubt , to feed the unfortunate passion for display of a too-long infatuated people .
The men of Ireland ought to tell the advisers of royalty that they want not raree-show but the comforts of life ; and that it would be far better for the nation if some women would learn to knit socks for their children and mend their own stockings , rather than go jaunting about at other people ' s expence ; and some men betake themselves to some honest occupation , rather than pocket other men ' s hard earnings for merely enlarging the brood of idlera , attending majesty ! when taking an airing and feeding royal whelp ? . Won ' t Ireland have a treat 1 !
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J fixiYEN , France . —Eleven Bhifflngiiand Sevenpea \ . halfpenny . . -njt fo * F . SKiLLicORN .-We can send tbe Plates bf P ° » gf 6 d , or wa can forward them to London , w Mr . Clesve . 1- ?« D . # 0 T ' W . ThomasMurth-xr Tydvil . — Appiyw . - ^
, gW Malt Mill Square , Mertbyr maw receives the Siars regularly for sale . J . Skidmore . —Tfle Plates are sent to » r . »*
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 28, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct788/page/4/
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