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rHE NOETHEKN STAR SATURDAY, JtTLY 22, 1843,
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THE CARLISLE CHARTISTS-THE SHEF
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2To tteaiKV0 aw& ^omgjpottirentg
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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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A GEY FROM THE DUNGEON i rrTBlTl HELPU HELPiU SO ZHS EDITOB QT THE SOKTHXKH STAB . Sib , —By inserting the following letter in yonr valua ble journal , you "Will greatly oblige , you ?* , truly , Isaac hotlb . to tsxbgus o ' cgchxob , bso . Rkspsctzp Sib , —I lope you -win excuse me for ¦ presuming tosdSress yon in . v > familiar . » manner , but "while there is xneh -s . disparity amongst the Chartist l » ay , I cannot help 1 ml . speak ont ppon the subject . Xb a letter of yora ^ hlch appeared in the 5 / orof the 2 ith of Jameson ny » 4 hBiliadyon and the others -who -werein the same inaictment , been toed at the Special QnmniimnTi , teld at Xltefpool , jon have no doubt bnt
aome of yoa ' tronld have ieen transported . In this opinion I perfectly agree j and I cannot help recalling to micd the fact that there were men who did gel transported / and , I have every reason to feeHeve , that a part , if nosaJl , sre suffering innocently , I would also ask , are these not men ? and hare they sot feelings as well as Thomas Cooper , sod theiesi of those for whom then sre so many appeals being made to ths country for support ? It may be . said that they do sot belong to the Chartist body . This may , 01 may not , be trnB :- bnt it is my opinion that the iray to mate all good Chaituts , is to support their families . What can be a greater gtimnlani to those irho are sot Chartists to join onr i&nks ? ami moreover , I maintain , that this feeling { night to characterise every Cbartistin iheland . X have
said that the Chartists msy say these men do not belong to tfrpm , therefore they have so claim upon them for . support ; bnil am * orry tosay that these are not ihe only individuals -who have been treated in the same yt « mg » - Tfocm * rf > Tprtn in ttna gaol , VhO STB SUSgTISg greater punishment , both mentally and physically , than COOPKB , and Tho had not the same opportunity of defending themselres against the fsul charges that were preferred against them by a set of perjured lilliana , ¦ who are too proud to beg , and too lazy to -work » Yes , axdihese vtex are chartists too Jl I -will here give you a few cases which have came under my own observation , of persons irho have been in this gaol for nearly ten months . 3 hey are as follows : —1 st . Mr . J . WffliamB of Preston , -who ia £ b . got two years ; fee is a single man
andscnpplfi ; has suffered anurfi from bad health ; 1 b ft jQfiinberof the Chartist . Association , Pr « = ton , " and hath sever . received anything from them . 2 nd . Mr . Wm . Booth , Secretary to the Chartist Association , Roy ton ; fc&thleft five motherless children to mourn bis misfortune , and hath got eighteen months in thisgaoL 3 rd . Mr . ThomasOjjden , Treasurer to the Koyton Chartists , lik&-irjae one of the council ; hath left a wife and four children ^ -wife in a bad state of health ; hath got eghieenmenths in this gaol The next case is my own , and is as follows : —I am a member of the Chartist Association , Bojton , likewise a member of the council . Previous to my imprisonment , I had been out of employment inxtsen weeks , I ha £ a wife and four small children starving trpon two « wiw ? ig « a week . Tor the
part I took in the sxsxss I -was taken before the Oldham magistrates , underwent an examination , and ield to bail , Myself in . £ 400 , and two saceijes In £ 206 each , to appear to answer any charge thai : might be preferred against " me . Accordingly I appeared at the Special Commissinii , lirerpool , and was sentenced to © ghteea months imprisonment in this gaoL J would here beg 2 eavt » to state that all through the states 2 advised tbejpeop le sot to be duped by ^ he specious cry of " high wages , " -nor yet . to destroy property , but to stand ox fill by the Charter . I would here beg leave to ask , if these men and their families are not as much enffiied to support , as -either Coofxk or any one else ,
who was so unfortunate as to get imprisoned at the mme fame ? I most emphatically say yes I If sat , vfhy do S « Gbsrtarta cry oat agates ! that greatest of all mono * poBes , dao legislation ; whllfl the ; themselves are supporting one portion of thoae who are in prison , and aSowiDg the faTnfflflW of the others to pine away with starvation ? Twill give one e&semore , and then conclude . Amannf the name of William "Williams left thiBgiol on tiu i """ i Jane , after » ervogume months ; and on the 28 th ot ifce same month ire received a letter from him stating that onhiar arrival at Oldham he found bis wifa and f ?< Tlflv-r > T > in » garret , Jnidctied -together amongst some gtamsgz , vithrtol a viond cf bread in Ike pLaet- and , bumble to state , th £ Skpooe . 3 usesjlble cbsatubes
fTx -n 3 TDT BEES irSBKESSKD , SOB . I ? X BED , FOB MOKR tbxx iwo MOSTBSH ! It would be useless to attempt anything like comment on the above : it speaks for itself ; I will therefore leave it to the reflsction of the ChartiEt body . I am , your humble , but persecuted friead , but still a Chiitrt nntfl death , Isaac HoTis .
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3 D TWR JKDITOfi OF IHB SttBTHBBS STAB . IXkaB Sra . —On adareniM the following letter for the perusal and consid * eraUon of the Chartist b * dy , I consider that I am only performing my duty ; and whemEr 2 * ucc 6 ed inTnyot 3 ectcmiot , atwiQbe some ^ satisfaeiion to inow that I hare fearioaaly aud honestly endeavoured to bring the Chartiits to a sense of Uieir duty by reminding them of ths course they ought to pursue . And although there maybe some who may feel themselves aggrieved on the perusal of this letter , and may consider that I am acting with a precipitation prematare and uncalled for , yet I feel myself justified Jnttieeonrse I hiTe adopted .
lam sure-that every honest mas will say with me , that after the length of time I have su&red , without any support whatevET , Jam justified in -upbraiding the ChartuisvnBixegied ! ^ wmneh as they hxvs remained apathetic to the zoffisnBgs of ; me and my fellow priyypfr * - It was the * lnty of ibs GtmrtiEt body , as soon KB ft »* t Ht « mM >^^ n >« Wvl tft > iKTftraised saa ^ tsHon Jnom favour ; to have endeavoured as far as lay in their power to support the wives and famines of those individuals who belonged to the Chartirt body , who , through Hv » tp lyaiest ssal ^""^ been Bntrspped in the snare that lad been so artfully laid for them by the xntUCom law " Plague . ** 3 I « ny - of dut best jnen -irere pounced upon by theiarpies cf the law ,, —^» t for destroyiEg property ; jiot for endangering the lives of their feBow-dtizena ;
but simply because they , on all occasions , endeavoured to show up to public execration the fraud and trickery of poHtfcifl impostor * , who wiBhed te palm themselves apon the public m real fdendscftbe people . Because they were Chartists , they were deemed fit objects for the -unprincipled , faetasns to wreak their -vengeance on * This i * * fact thatonnofc be denied ; asd therefore the Chartists -srere in duty bound to Tender ih&maD the assistanca in their power . Sid they do Be 1 Quite the contrary I They left them to ** fall bade upen their own resources ;** and the consequence is , that their wives and families are in actual starvation 2 Some are in Hie JBastUe I aQierz are compelled to beg their tread from dear to door I and all sre now suffering extreme hardship in consequence of being deserted by those who ought to bare befriended them .
It may be said , there are some individuals -who take a particular delight in creating dissension ; and in almost all cases the j msy find some apparent canEe to gratify thtdr love « f contention ; and that in all probability such may be the case in the present instance , If there be any who have the hardihood to think so in this case , I would direct attention , to the following narrative . It is dow upwards of nine months since we received our UDjsst sentence . There were upwards of two hundred conlned here for the disastrous and ever > to-balamsnted outbkeax of Augdst xast . Of this Dumber , a great many belonged to the Chartist body ; and , as a natural consequence , expected that the differentAssociatioijs -sroaldhavecoiivenedmestingBinlheir diffisrent localities , and bare forwarded msmomls to
tiie Home Office , praying fox a mitigation of their Bcntanfw .- They expected that every to ^ n , village , asd lamJet TFonH Itsre poured iarth ; : a memorial . ThiB ETpectslibB was only reasonable ! and it is my opinion hadsneh a line of coodsct be pursued , we should have been at tiberty at this moment After traiQog a period of eight months , during whiclt we have ' suScred unspeakable hardships both iff body and mind , and during which , time two of our Jdhcnu-safftrers have paid the deolofnabtrt ; and still finding that notfiWrts were being made on out behalf , wo resolved to attempt omething for ourselves . We accordingly wrote to thirteen different Associations ., requesting them to convene meetings , and adopt memorials , and forward them to tlie proper quarter on OurfcefcalL Of th » abOVe ^ num ber fenr only xehimed answers to our letters , signifying thtaj intention of eomplymg wiHi our xequest 1
let us now tarn « ur attenSon to the parties who weretrieaatlaneaster . By letters-we have received feom several friends , we are informed that bo expense was spared to defend aose who were tried at the la ?* Marrh Awfes ; ttat a Defenca Fund was xaised - sad witt good Connse ! xaa gjsst exertion they were subse 5 uenHy flia < iarsedln the Queen'a Bench . Sow wasjt not aieirduty , after their acquittsl , to turn their attention towardt those who were sBU suffering in different parti of the kingdom ? Have they acted thus ? No ! 3 £ eyhavB escapethemselvei , and appear quite callous
toUJOsewhoare stfllm confinement , with one excepaon , Bamdy , J& Coopet It appears they are deterjaiBed to mov 8 2 ieaven and earth to feting about Aw release ; at least they wDlleave nothing untried which is in any way calculated to bring about so desirable as © bject This is all Tery just , as larasitgoes . They have aperfect light to memorialise on his behalf . S&y , it in their duty to do so ; sad it would be Tery illiberal ^ and unjust on my parti , to wish otherwise . Bat at the xaae time , I « 3 nn « t but expren my surprise , that whilst they are endeavouring to obtain ihe xelease ' oi
< mt man , hundreds are left to suffer in silence and aeglect 1 b i& Cooper of more importaoee to t 2 ie Chartist asnss ttitntlie whole vt those who are EuSarlng with Mm ? ^ l » l » jBadB of a eomposiBon « omethiDg more Can Seeh and blood ? Are bis JeeHngs more acute than mine , * r those mbT my fellow prisoners ? * 1 sas » iaiouV fe « of xontaaaiettea , Siey are not Haa Cooper a wife and ^ fanflly ? SolaTett » others . Hath l > e friends and relative * , who are Ixiund snd endearec -to 2 umb 7 ^ e sacred ties of love and esteem ? So havt tfttosj and thus far are they egnil . and entitled to u * tfnrTT "'** tT * tv * sympBttiy andsupporti *^ ll ^ W ) W - Tiiaj'i « Hra to : mjaelf j let m fsbily am ^¦ ^ ¦ Ti j ^ yin'TiiTnB bar itflafivB cases , let us see hoi ^ KTH i ^ pfi-MHrwhether he is more embarrassed , an « erBenetIecL to public sympathy than myself Fo 3 rhat i « Cooper eonfinea ? IPor the part he took in ih diEe ^ KEBiUs ; . ¦ & »« £ ;!¦ "What is the term of hi ctoprbenment ? 5 wo years . So 1 b mine . He hath t
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live upon the prison diet . Bo have L His health ia impaired in consequence of the food and confinement So it mine for It Is only a month since since I left the hospital , and am still under the doctor ' s care , and have contracted a disease which will in all probability remain with me dozing life . j Thus , farthen , are we upon an inequality . But the comparison will extend no further 1 for while I am left completely destitute , without any support whatever , without a single friend to cheer me in my solitary abode ,
CooPBBia sympathised with by the country generally . FundB are raised for hia support . . Petitions andLmeiuorials are adopted in almost every town , from London to Edinburgh , in order to obtain his release ; and he has only been confined , about three months , while I have been suffering nearly eleven months , and cannot so much as receive an answer to my letters 3 I ask , is this CHAB . TISM ? Is this JvsTicsl IslhU carrying out the princip les of equality , so highly prizsd by the Chartist body ? There is but one answer ; and I will leave that answer to be riven by the Chartist body 2
Slay I hope that the Chartists will arouse themselves from the slumber into which they have suffered themselves to fail , and by their future conduct endeavour to make amends for their past condust I I am , Sir , s lovar of jastiea , Jambs Wiij . iams . Sirkdale Choi , July 801 , 1843 . [ The foregoing appeals ought to have instant effect The writers speak truly . Hegtect can be , must be , laid at the Chartist door . It is time this was remedied .
Where is the " Victim Fdsd" ? Has it been disbursed ? If so , who to ? If not , why [ not ? The fidims are neglected . ' Their widows and orphans are starving . ' Look at the Oldham garret , "with a Chartist prisoners ' s wife and children huddled together in a heap of shavings , and tjkdrbsSbd for more than two homhs . ' Is it not time a Victim Committee was appointed ? Is it not time relief was afforded ? Chartists ! to the good work instantly . Ijobo not another moment ! Too many have been lost already !
let no one take exception to the tone of complaint running through the above appeals * The complaint is more than justified . Sane of us have done ; our duty to the ttctims . They have been forgotten . It is no wonder that they should cry out and reproach us . The wonder is that they have not done so long sinee . ' They ought to have done . ' If we , out of . prison , have forgotten those within , they should sot have forgotten to remind us of it We are glad they have at last done so . They have given expression to their complaints . Under the circusistances , the tone they adopt is mild and forbearing .
True they institute comparisons between the neglect they have received at the hands of the Chartist body , and the efforts made on behalf of Coofeb and Richjl £ 2 > s . This is not be wondered at . Men lingering in prison , jzrjfec teOy with bat few opportunities for information , and possibly that Information Jmaidiced , are sure to become jealous . This very v * ftrr *\ effect has followed in this instance . He would be a bard-hearted man who would judge the writers harshly , because they have given honest expression to the feelings A * has been one main cause of engendering ! In prison , the inmates know not eorrecUy what is passing in the outer world . That this is the case in
tills instance is evident . The Eirkdale Vidims speak of " funds raised for Coopbe ' s wpport" We are sorry to say that such is not the fact 3 An appeal had to be made in last week ' s Star to save Mrs . Cooper from being turned into the street . So t these letters serve another purpose . They show the futility and « vil effects arising from isolated efforts to relieve particular persons . Jealousy is the result . Andne wonder ! It is unfair , nDJoit , to confine attention to one or two well-known prominent characters ia the
movement , who have been trammelled by law , sad to leave the others to pine in neglect i It shows us that w » ought to have a Gssbbai Victim Tuxd , bom which all should be relieved , without distinctUtn o favour , asfar as the funds will allow , and in proporr' ei to the wants and dependencies in each case . Then all an treated equally . Then we de no violence to our ownmucb-loved—( theoretically )—principle of equality . Then , if the fund fails , all suffer . alike . Attention and succour is not heaped upon one , and the nit left oat of firry consideration .
Most earnestly do we conjure the Chartists of the thite Kingdoms to take this matter in hand ; instantly I Let not another week pass without efforts being made te remove from our door the heavy load of disgrace already laid there by former inattention . Get up a Qesebal Yictiji FcsD . Merge all the particular relief funds in the one general purse . Sleet 3 Committee in a central place , say Manchester , to whom ail cases for relief shall be addressed , and by whomlthe necessary relief can be administered . Let there be so exception to this role . Wound not the feeling of those who are suffering the herrora of our prison bells for our sake , by exhibiting partiality in oar relief i ^ Prefer not one before another . All sre equally dear ; and all ought to be equally dealt with .
Is there not a sum of money already in hand , as a Victim Fund t If so , set to work , some Committee or other , to disburse it The wives and families of the Vidims are Staktisg J Feed them 1 Succour them . ' Make their " home * " at least fcearable , until it please the Factions to release their natural protector )! . Win not the country approve our suggestion , that the Manchester Chartists appoint , on Sunday next , a Victim Comhittee , pro . iem . to see to this business immediately ? We are sure no one will object . We eay Manchester , because "Manchester is the great centre from around which nearly all the victims have been dawn , When elected , let the Committee correspond with Ht . Cleave , the Treasurer to the Victim Fnnd ; and see what money , if any , remains in his hands .
Again do we energetically call the Chamst body to this most sacred duty . Get up a General Victim Fbhd . Merge all particular efforts for individnals in one general effort for equal advantage to the necessitous . Remove the crying cause for jealously now existing . Rsmove , toe , the cause for joat complaint and reproof on the part of the neglected . To work ! Woxk double tides to make up for lost time . ]
Rhe Noethekn Star Saturday, Jttly 22, 1843,
rHE NOETHEKN STAR SATURDAY , JtTLY 22 , 1843 ,
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STRIKE OF THE COLLIERS . It ib a dangerous tiun £ to teach men their power ia the hope that the lesson will be lost when the canning hare made the intended use of : it . This country has suffered much from miB-governinentj bat it has suffered much more from misdirection of that popular po-crer Tfbich in every country should give a proper direction to public opinion . After the peace of 1815 , the alternations from bad to worse , from Whig to Tory and Tory to Whig , completely
changed the English character . As the Whig faction found itself capable of dividing ths spoil -with the Tories , by the same graduating scale did they slacken their ardour np to 1832 ; when having , as they falsely imagined , based the franchise upon a permanent Whig footing , they would hate gladly relapsed into aristocratic quiet bnt from a dread of those wholesome lessons taught by themselves while looking for power ; lessons from which the people had learned their own strength .
The same reasoning that applies to the general principle of government , is equal ]; applicable to the management of sections of society ; and ] the same dear-bongbt experience which tanght the Whig party that Englishmen bnt xeqaired to know their rights to possess them , has taught the " Free Trade " Mine Owners that knowledge is a searching thing ; that it will find its way even Into the bowels of the earth , and communicate its influence to the most ignorant and degraded . The great importance of the Colliers was taught them by tHeir tyrant masters when they , like the Whigs , anticipated an " extended" trade from a sudden outburst of the
angry passions of their slaves , The preaching j demagogues , who were ready to plunge the country ' into confusion , revolution , and anarchy , impressed i upon the minds of the Colliers that of so { great imj portance were they to society , that one month ' s ; cessation of labour could " stop the -wheels op 1 GOTSaHHKKT , " XEBKfflt THS MWBBESS OS tEGISUki noa , " and compel die Parliament to grani "Free j Trade . " It will be fresh in the xeeollectioa of onr readers that nth waa the advice of iho Free ( ! Trade" preachers 5 and nth was the antieipation , ^ from the success of their influnm&tory fcaraDgnes j >• while those harangues , intended bnt to serve th *
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political purpose of the masters , have had the effect of opening the eyes of the men , not only to their ] political inequality but to their social degradation . The great activity used by the Sturge section of * Free Traders' * to insure the co-operation of the miners , led to the transportation of Ellis and to the Staffordshire riots ; and the causes of complaint whioh then existed still lire , while we trust that the colliers themselves have learned too much wisdom from experience to allow themselves to be again used for other political purposes , than for the acquirement of those rights by which , and by which alone , their proper position in society can be achieved . While we would strongly urge upon them the necessity of discussing the
principles of the People ' s Charter , in which the elevation of their order is recognised , we would as strongly advise them to abstain from mixing up the question of ( he Charter with that of Wages , further than as a means to show , that without political power , it is useless to look for social comfort . We learn that a \ deputation of Staffordshire masters have waited upon Sir Robebt Psel , with a view to the settlement of the question ; that the pending disputes between them and their men may be patched up . The men , however , may rely upon it , that neither their condition , nor Jheir grievances will constitute any portion of the master ' s anxiety , beyond the mere effect ' that their sufferings may entail per * aonally upon the employers .
Who that has read the evidence adduced by Lord Ashley in his : able and eloquent exposition of the abominations , the beastialities , and the cruelties practised by the slave drivers , with the perfect knowledge and consent of the slave owners , but has felt bis KngliRh blood boil in bis English veins 1 Will the sanctified deputation remind the Prime Minister that their profits have been hitherto made by the sweat of infant females , and amid the agonies and labour-throes of English women 1 Will they remind him of the fntid atmosphere ; the gloomy cavern ; the intricate mine j the fire damp ; the chain dangling between the legs ; the excoriations , the sores and the blisters upon the infant limbs ? Will they depict all the horrors of an ENGLISH WOMAN CHAINED TO A COAL' CART , and crawling
LIKE A REPTILE TOOK HBB FACE AND HANDS , with a horse ' s burden tied to her neck ? Will they remind him that as their power has increased , their tyranny has increased with it 1 Will they tell him of the slack ; of the large riddle ; of the increased labour and diminiflhedj wages ? Will they tell him of their cruelty as masters , and their persecutions as justices t Will they admit the princely fortunes that they have amassed by all their hellish machinations , and atthesameitime point to the desolation that they have caused ! Not a bit of it ! They will tell him that
their straightened circumstances hare compelled them , reluctantly (?) , to reduce the wages of their hands . They will tow upon their musty honour , that rather than dismiss their men they have employed them at a ruinous sacrifice . They will urge "Free Trade " . as a nostrum , and threaten defection as the penealty of refusal . They will assure him that during a cessation of labour , the principles of democracy are elaborately discussed ; and will pray protection not bo muoh for themselves , as for the purpose of enabling them to resist the growing spirit of Chartism .
With a recollection of the past and a full length portrait of the present lying before us in one perfect picture , though drawn by many hands , we feel ourselves called ; upon to give the colliers the benefit Of our couasel .. The great value of a strike , when it is justly entered ; upon as a means of resisting tyranny , is , that it brings the several sections of that order upon a perfect equality ; and the most favoured and best conditioned , who in the day of prosperity are deaf to the just complaints of the oppressed of their class , are , in times of great distress , compelled to make commoneause with their oppressed brethren ;
until at length the real cause of complaint breaks through discussion , and a general , instead of a mere partial , remedy is unanimously demanded . If there is no work , there is no nesessity for an © rerseer ; and even that autocrat is then compelled toiake the , whole question of distress into consideration . If there : is no work , there is no profit or interest upon sunk capital . If there is no work , tha " top sawyers , " who can earn the largest amount of wageB , can no longer ridicule and laugh at the less fortunate " pitmen . " Therefore , it iB that we see value in a strike , when based on justice ; for it is sure to enlist the sympathies of the ' whole
community for the amalgamated unwilling idlers . If , however , those on strike allow themselves to become mere tools in the hands of any party ; forgetful of their own interest , and unmindful of the principle and provocation upon which the ceEsation is grounded ; they loose all sympathy and theirvery virtues are charged upon them aB vices . There is little doubt that ; the masters , the overseers , and the " pets" will endeavour to warp the general body of miners to an agitation for " Free Trade" as a means of general ' and immediate relief . We have perfect reliance , ioweyer , upon tbe already scorched and bnrned thati as a body , they will resist all such hypocritical temptation .
We highly approve of the Organization now being adopted , b y the Colliers ; and would above all things impress upon them the necessity of engaging real practical honest working men as their lecturers . For our part , we Bhall cheerfully publish the progress of their cause . It not unfrequently happens that discretion , when opposed to indiscretion , meetB with at momentary denunciation ; but in the long run , when justice holds the soale > nd judgment putB in the balance the value of discretion is discovered . There have ' been three striking instances of this fact , within the last four years ; in 1839 , when the Bankers of Birmingham proposed a General Strike as a means of insuring a return to Twenty Shilling Notes ,
Mr . O'CoNMOH ; risked his popularity , and for a time lost it , for resisting the conspiracy ; in 1640 , when a proposition was brought forward in the Convention to resist the payment of rents , rates , and taxes as a means of carrying the Charter , Mr . O'Connor again interposed ; and after several days debate in London , and subsequently by adjournment in Birmingham , he succeeded and saved the Convention from government prosecution ; in the last Convention of 1842 , the question of a strike was again partially discussed , when Mr . O'Connor in counselling them against any interference Baid : " let us be cautious in what we do , and in what we recommend others to do ; for \ rely upon it , if evil results from our counsels , what belongs to other
cibcumstan-CES WILL BE SADDLED ON THE BACK OP CflABTlSM ; and when the collateral attempt fails , CHABIISTS AND Chabtisu alone will surras . " Novr these are facts within the memory of all men ; and we submit them to the consideration of the Colliers ou strike . As it ever has been the practice of dissatisfied masters to turn unprofitable guilt into experimental confusion , tbe present opportunity will be stizad [ or driving the impoverished colliers into confusion and outbreak . Emissaries are already abroad I Anonymous scribes , professsing to feel a deep interest in the cause of the colliers , have insolently endeavoured to make our columns the means of rousing the mad passions of the slave class against their tyrants . We have been invited to
address them emphatically and boldly upon the Sttbjeet ; and we have thus fulfilled the request , by cautioning the colliers , of all other things , to beware of the counsels of those who would urge them into rebellion , that they may profit by confusion , and destroy them after failure ! We know of some excellent working colliers of sound judgment and discretion who are now employed in the work of justice . Let the people give ear to them , and to them only ; and a f&i our&ble result from the present straggle oannofc fail of conferring general advantage upon the working classes of all other denominations . Upon the other hand , let them fail from indiscbkhos , and the riddles will be widened ! the tortures improved !'! the ' labour increased ! . ' ! the wage I diminished ! 1 ]! and the co'licn luujtcd at !! 1 ! !
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THE M TIMES" AND REPEAL . Ths new light , or rather the varied * shadows of light , that beam upon the " Cosmopolite Journal " must , so doubt , afford a considerable share of amusement to its readers ; and we can soaroely wonder at the indecision with which it charges the Government , when we fiud its own policy varying with each passing breath . The Times of Wednesday is now lying before us ; and we wero not a little , amused by the perusal of a letter
CFrom a Correspondent , J and dignified with large type . Tbe writer has dished up for us all the old and hacknied complaints , the existence of every one of which our friend of the Times , not long since , assured us was merely chimerical . But now that the dangor thickens , they are ) not only admitted to exist , but a remedy is actually pointed out * and the writer goes so far as to recommend a legal standard of wages of a shilling a day , with the entire abrogation of the " middle-man" system . This antidote , however , is not to be administered without the patient having previously been prepared with the poison of coercion ; as the writer proposes that the present
agitation Bhould be firstly put ; down by the strong arm of ihe law ; that some twenty of the leading demagogues shall be poked into prison ; and that in the calm , justice , full and ample justice , shall be administered to the people , through the aforesaid legal rise in their wages . We are apt to think , however , that as it has been , bo it ever will be ; and if the required calm was once produced b y the poisou , the promised antidote- would be lost sight of , until the next querulous !; demand for its administration had presented itself as a further necessity for the strong arm of the law , and the poking into prison of another bates of the dissatisfied . There is also in the Times of tho same date and wider the head ,
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IBCLAMD . Postscript to "the real monster evil of Ireland " ft very happy device of the enemy , by which it is intended to show that the conditions of one of the articles of Union , which guaranteed the expenditure of a certain amount of money in Irish improvements had jbeen virtuously fulfilled ; Sir Robebt Peel having declared that no less than £ 10 , 000 , 000 of puhllic money has , in twenty-eight years , been laid oni ; for the exclusive benefit of Ireland ; and , as the writer observes , it has done more harm than good . In directing attention , some time
ago , to the flagrant manner in whioh the several articles of Union had been violated , we anticipated that some such statement would be made with reference to the obligation upon the part of Government to expend a certain amount of money annually upon Irish improvement ; and we admitted the lavish expenditure I of English meney In Ireland , stating at the samejtime that , in violation of the act of the Union , it had been expended upon jobbing of every description ; finding its way into the pockets of the parliamentary supporters of Orange principles , without conferring a single benefit upon the Irish people . Thejwriter of the large type article not onlv enumerates iho several grievances to which
the Irish people are subject , but be further informs us of the several boons , that they enjoy , and the several advantages-that they possess over the people of Enpiand . He informs us that the poor people pay no income taxi no duty on horses , dogs , or carriages , while they are exempt from many other revenue charges . Surely with a long catalogue of admitted and undeniable Irish grievances , the writer does not mean to set those exemptions down to partiality ! Would he not rather say , that Irish pauperism more than mi nisteiial clemency is the cause of this favour shown to Ireland ? Does he not know ,
or did the Editor who paraded his communication iu large typo not kuo w , that taxes and duties are . laid on England upon the articles which are subject to them with all the nicety of calculation as to the effect that such and such scale may have upon the revenue ! while the poverty of Ireland would baffle , the best arithmetician in his nicest calculation , inasmuch as a tax amounting to the sum paid for its collection would leak to a total prohibition of the taxed article . | A perfect illustration of this fact will be found- in the instantaneous decline in the coach making and
harness making business , when a tax of £ 18 4 s , was laid upon jaunting cars ; while the effects of tbe window tax was visible' in darkness ; every Parliamentary light hole being stopped up ; and the tax upon dogs and horses , and ] the surcharges consequent upon wrong returns , led to false oaths , to murders , and to wranglings which were found to be too expensive . As soon , however , as those taxes were t £ &en offi
jaunting car 3 again became a cheap luxury ; the light of heaven was restored ; the dogs were allowed to breathe the free air of heaven ; and the horses were relieved from the anti-tax amount of labour in the plough , the harrow , and . the cart , and were once more restored to the saddle . Let us hear no more then of those boons which necessity forces from an unwilling hand . Let us hear ! no more of a Parliamentary
standard of a shilling a-day for able-bodied men , whose labour if applied to their own soil , for their own benefit , would establish its legitimate standard in the labour market ' . We rejoice to find that iu the midst of pettyfogging proposals for temporary remedies , Mr . O'Connell and the Irish people , aye and tbe English people too , look to a Repeal of the Union as the lever by which Ireland is to be raised from provincial degradation to national independence . As we haTo cfVivJed our English article
with a demand for our Luauteb , bo do we conclude our Irish article with "Repeal of the jU . mon , and no Sorrender . "
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FIELD CHARTISTS AND THE TREASURER OF THE ( DEFENCE FUND . My dear Friends , —I have read your suggestions both . from Carlisle aud Sheffield , with that attention and respect they demanded . With regard to Carlisle first ; I must Bay that that locality , though perhaps the poorest in England , has subscribed much more than any other of the same extent , to every fund that has been collected ; aud my answer to them is , that it was never my intention to receive Mr . Robert ' s services without remunerating him as they justly deserve ; and therefore they need have no apprehension upon that score : for while I object to seeing a guinea down in a Solicitor ' s account every now and then for ruuniog across tbe yard to counsel , I object
equally to receiving the services of a professional inaa upou auy other than professional terms ; and if ever man deserved the fulfilment of this rule , Mr . Roberts is that man . With respect , however , to the Sheffield resolution , I think my friends there will at once see not only the injustice of it , but the odium and trouble which establishing such & precedent would entail upou me : Would to God that our fund was large enough to comply with the wishes of all , and to relieve the wants of all ; but I cannot see with what colour of right I could refuse an application from the Ashtoa men for means to bring Aitkin back from America ; with what pretension could J refuse the means of supporting our exiled and persecuted
friend , M'Douall , and his family , and supplying him with tho means of return ; how could I answer lor the many refusals that I have been compelled to give to some of the most deserving of our party , if 1 was to comply with the jrequest of the Sheffield men , made upon the behalf ] of Bailton and John Leach 1 I have great regard for Mr . John Leach as a Chartist , and a countryman . I have a great regard for poor Railion , who fell fighting by my side and had bis arm broken : butjgreat as my regard for th&a is , my respect for justice is still greater ; and in justice I am bound to decline compliance . I have
known poor George White , and poor Doyle , and many more poor fellows , to trudge their way with empty pockets and empty bellies upon our service , and n was out of my power to administer to their wants out oftbopubl . o funds . Moreover it should be borne in mind that there are still heavy outstanding demands upon the balance in hand , one of which , to the amount of £ 4 , 1 paid this week to Mr . Spenoe of Northampton , who volunteered his services to become bail for Bairstow . I think that Bairstow would hare been welljentitled to his expences from Birmingham to Bristol , ' and from Bristol home f but I was obliged to ( refuse compliance , and Bairstow never complained . Again , we must not lose sight of the fact that the trial is by no
means over ; aud that funds will be required for its further prosecution . The case of Peplow differs widely from all others , and comes legitimately within the strict rule of compensation ; inasmuch as Mr . Roberts has informed me that he devoted bis whole time to the Chartist Trials , and that he derived as much benefit from his services , as if he bad been a practised clerk . Therefore , it is that I think Peplow is entitled to remuneration for loss of time ; and tha £ he should submit his claim to the Chartists of his own locality , and which , when fiated by them , I sh ' ail feel myself called upon to discharge , by return of post . Further it is but fair to state that Railtou ' s letter which appeared the week before last in the Northern Star , had been
withheld for many weeks ; and that the Manchester Chartists , the moment the case came to their knowledge , and before tha publication of that letter , removed every cause of complaint by doing justice to RJatltou . While however I feel myself thus reluctantly compelled to take upon me the disagreeable task of refusing , I do hope that the people will take the case of John Leach into their serious consideration , and place him in a
situation to receive his family once more ; for this purpose I beg to head the list by an order upon Mr . Heywood , of Manchester , for ten shillings , which will be paid to Leach's : application . My great desire ever has been to steer clear of all money matters with the people ; and J have only consented to beetle Treasurer 10 their funds , because I am convii « ed that while fcisey would tolerate negligence iu others , th « y would keep me , and properly so , to pounds , bhiilingd , and pence . This is as it ought to be . We know each other ; are perfectly aware of
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our mutual positions ; I am satisfied with the most searching investigation ; and they , thank God , have always been satisfied with the manner in which I have transacted their business . I remain , sincerelyjrours , FEARGtrs O'Connor .
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Thomas Stajjdford , Nottingham . —Their communication was received . It was judged not necessary to insert the portion omitted , as we were much confined for room ; and the plan itself was duly set forth . The Manchester Chartists and Mr . Railton . — In relation to the letter inserted a fortnight ago from Mr . Railton , we have received the following explanation from the Manchester Chartists , which we have pleasure in giving . —} Sir , —Having seen your remarks upon the letter sent for insertion in tbe Star by Mr . RhUou , we feel bound iu justice to the Chartists of this locality to give a proper btatenienfc of the circumstances connected with the case . In so doing we shall confine ourselves to a plain statement of facts , leaving our friends
throughout the country to judge how far you are justified in your animadversions . We do not attempt to deny the fact of Mr . Bailton ' s having to pledge his tools in order that he might be enabled to meet bis expences to London . But Mr . Railton did so without the knowledge of either the Council or members of the Carpenter ' s Hall Locality . True he had made application to the Defence Fund Committee ; but they decided that his presence in , London was unnecessary , and consequently refused him money for that purpose . Mr . Railton therefore pledged his tool chest , and took his departure before either the Council or the members became acquainted
with the fact But on the Sunday following , tha case having been investigated , o resolution was onanimously agreed to , that the amount of money receiYed by Mr . Kailton in lien of his chest should be taken from tbe Association funds for the purpose of redeeming it . It was then discovered that Mr . O'Connor bad advanced thirty shillings to Mr . Railton : that sum was consequently bonded over to Mr . O'Connor and the remaining twenty shillings was transmitted per post to London ; and we have Mr . Railton ' s admission that be received the money . By inserting this letter you will oblige the Chartists of Manchester . D . DonaVan , Chairman , J . Murray , . Secretary .
This explanation sets the matter at rest . The conduct of the body , when they knew of Mr . Railton ' s circumstances , rtfleets great credit on them . The error seems to have been the decision of the Defence Fund Committee , that Mr . Railton ' s presence teas not needed in London \ while they decided that Mr , Leach ' s and Mr . Doyle ' s was necessary , and gave the two latter money to go with , while they refused it to Mr . Railton : the fact being , that the presence of one was just as much necessary as the other ; and the fund in the Committee ' s hands raked Jor Ike whole of the Manchester defendants and not for a portion of them . That error , however , the Manchester Chartists soon rectified , when
it came to ( heir knowledge . And no one , we are sure , will blame Mr . Railton far taking tlie steps he did , both to get to London to save his character as an unflinching Chartist , and to set himself right with the people , as regarded the decision and conduct of which he complained . We ought also to state , in justice to Mr . Railton , that the letter which has called forth this explanation was written before the Manchester Chartists acted in the praiseworthy manner set forth above . It was in this office for many weeks before it was published . ' and Mr . Railton was not a parly to its appearance when it was published . This expla ~ nation will , we trust , satisfy ail parlies as far as Mr . Railton ' s case is concerned . The
Manchester General Council will , we are sure , excuse us from publishing the resolution accompanying their address . Our so doing might lead to a repetition of the practice they reprobate , ds it ts , the above explanation is the best answer that could be given . The LeIcestek Chartists have published an addtess to the working classes of that town , calling upon them to take the necessary steps for the erection of a Democratic Hall of Science , to . be
used for Lectures , Library , News-room , Schools , 8 £ c , &c . ; and to be devoted to their mental , moral , social , and political elevation . They propose to accomplish this end by a fund raised in shares of ten shillings each . We heartily hope they will succeed . If the working men in every large town had the command of such an institution , and used it for the many purposes to which it could be applied in furtherance of their social and mental ameliora'ion , they would cause mind to "march " so rapidly that the reign of error would soon
cease . Gracchus . — We are much obliged by his attention . The calls upon his lime seem to be many and weighty * His reward will be—GOOD done . Mrs . Sakah Wild , of Mottram , wishes to acknowledge the receipt of 5 s , from Mr . John Simpson , of Camberwell , for which she returns her thanks to the donors . For M . Richards , Fotieries , address to ihe ccwe of Henry Faster , Etruria , Staffordshire Potteries . Thomas Davison , Stockton . —The statement , a week or two ago , as to the " extraordinary guzzling" and " enormous drinking " , accompanied with apparent health and heartiness , was inserted on the authority of the Overseer of our Printing Office , he having a personal knowledge of the individual in question * , and having seen him the week the paragraph appeared-Juvenal , Annan . —His dress for truth is not very comely . She is much more lovely without , than with ,
hts adornment . G . Sheridan Ncsset . —There is loo much bile in his rhyming castigation of the TimeSi We fear the Times will say , that he has raked Puddledock , should hit lines be printed . Besides , they are far from beinq equal , as a composition , to some of his former efforts in the "jingling line " . W . T . Leicester , reminds us , that in the list of works set forth in last week ' s Star , in answer to E . Wilks , Cheltenham , as likely " to give an ignorant person a knowledge of his rights and duties as a citizen " , we might have well included Godwin ' s
Political Justice , —a work that contains the calmest , fullest , t > nd most philosophical assertion of all those great principles of morals and politics uhich it is the duty of every man thoroughly to understand . Were every working man politician fully conversant with the facts and reasonings of that work and imbued with its spirit , instead of being in the position of supplicants for political rights , they would be able at once to command their attainment . This work , as well as most of the others we named , is published very cheaply ; and can be had of those publishers and booksellers who disseminate useful political information for the
millions . M . G . Josltn . —No one at the office knows anything of the Utter and enclosure he speaks of . P . W . Bpchanan , Manchester , cannot be afforded even " an humble corner" in the Star for his " poesy " . He would deem us unfriendly were tee to let his lines appear in print . Samuel Davies , Birmingham—We cannot admit any discusHon in the columns of the Star , as to the merits or demerits of the "Emigrants * Mutual Aid Society"further than the bare setting forth of their " rules and objects" in Mr . Pitkethly ' s Observations on his Tour . All criticism must be addressed to those immediately concerned in its management . The scheme is not one of owes . We do
not , nor do we intend , to identify ourselves with % U With respect to its likelihood to accomplish its intended purpose , or the desirability , or otherwise , of joining it , every one must exercise his own judgment . Mr . Davies's letter shall be handed to Mr . PUkethly : it may be useful to him and his friends E . A . King , Wtcombe , Bucks , sends an "address to his fellow countrymen" on the "pot and the pipe " , which he avers " are the poor man ' s enemies' * . He accompanies that address with the fol lowing note : — " Will you please to insert this , and I shall of fen be a customer . " If his " custom" is to depend upon our insertion of the matter he sends we fear we shall have to lack it . At all events , we cannot afford to buy it by the occupation of the re ' cannot afford to buy it by the occupation of the rt "
guisite space to give his present address . We fear i f we did , some other readers would deem it a dear purchase . The Warrington Workhouse and our Correspondent •* Washington " . —This week has brought us a communication from the Chartist Council of Warrington , apprizing us that they have instituted inquiries into the allegations madeby * WASB ' ington < " relative to the treatment of the Poor in the Warrington Workhouse ; and that they find most of his statements are correct I They find it is true the Guardians did farm the poor to the Mas * ter , to be by him kept , —not for one-and-sixpence per head per week , —but one-and-threbpencb pkb head feb . week J They find that the food he kept then on was so thin , that the poor creatures had
not muscular strength to retam their water when asleep ; and , consequently , they wetted their beds . They find that for so doing , FEMALES WERE FLOGGED ! They find also thai the day on which the late brute of a master died—( would to God he had broken Ma neck before he was pieced in Warrington Workhouse , toflog females)—he had , with his Own hand , floggboone ortao out of a party set'aside fvr " punishment . * They have found that an old martf named Hill , drowned hitnself ia the tfankey canal , in consequence of being refussd admittance into the workhouse . They have not finished their inquiries ; and they expeet to have some still more horrible revelations to make . It is clear that this case cannot rest where it is . Parliament must investigate .
Organization . —Several letters relating to thin question have come to hand . We shall reserve them for future opportunity .
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4 ¦ THE NORTHERN STAR . ^ j ^ 1 ¦ 1 . ¦ ¦ . ii . ^ . . . - ' , '' ... 1 . .: ¦ ,, , I ., — ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ - . , 1 . 1 . ¦ - —~*» .
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ORGANIZATIONWifH extreme pride and pleasure do we direct the attention of our readers to the report of the Mary-Iebone meeting , which will be found in our eighth page . [ From that we learn that the cause of democracy has , as yet , suffered little or no damage from a deficiency in our Organization ; while it will inspire the working classes with a strong desire so to marshal their foroes , that henceforth victory shall not depend upon mere chance , or upon a muster of the Chartist body to achieve it upon sudden impulse . It is true that a deep-rooted affection for the
democratic principle , added to the determination to resist anything short of the whole principle , may be relied upon ; in opposision to any attempt to curtail the People ' s Charter of any of its fair proportions . But such means cannot be confidently relied upon without such a marshaling of our foroes as will ensure their hearty co-operation upon all fittiag occasions . When we call to mind the many sections , having different names : and . professing different objects , ( although having but one real one , and that being the subjugation ot labour ) , that are engaged ia skirmishing
against the principles of the Charter , and who are ready upon tbe first announcement that the time has arrived to " sink all minor differences" and to join in a general onslaught against the people ; all of whom j are well drilled , well trained , and well Organized , in the tactics of agitation ; it thea becomes the bounden duty of the Chartist body so to marshal and Organize themselves ; that they may be at all times capable of receiving , and successfully resisting the combined attacks of the enemy ; while they should be in a state of readiness to take advantage of all passing events , as a means of strengthening themselves . The
Whig party , having failed : in their first open and unblushing attempt to create a reaction in favour of Whiggery , will now pause for a little , in order that they may shape their after course upon the popular will . Should the people fall back , the slippery Whigs ! will cheerfully slide after them ; while , upon the other hand , if the people advance , the hungry crew will follow them , as a hungry dog follows a man with a bone in his hand . Tho producers of wealth should never lose sight of the one great fact , that they , and they only , hold the bone ; while the Whigs and Tories are two hungry packs snarling to see who shall soap .
We flare an elaborate amount of matter upon the question of Organization in our last number ; and from that the people will have discovered that however tho several disputants may differ upon matters of detail , all are nevertheless agreed upon the necessity that exists for a through and perfect Organization of the Chartist / body . ' The next step , then is , that a delegate meeting should be holden for the purpose of embodying from the wisest suggestions of all , such a plan as wilt give general satisfaction ; which should
be followed by the election of an Executive Committee , in suoh manner as the delegate meeting shall decide upon . We think we may vouch upon the part of Mr . O'Connor , that the suggestions contained in his letter upon the subject , and republished in our last number , were merely intended far the purpose of discussion , which object they appear to have effected . while no one will be more ready than that gentleman ' to aid in the completion of our Organization , and to assist ia carrying it out when completed . It is only out of a contrariety of opinions , and after deliberate discussion , that wholesome decisions can be arrived at : and therefore we trust that the Chartists of the several , localities , where differences of opinion now
exist , will see that the proper time and place for making this variety of opinion instrumental to the establishment of a perfect system of Organization will be ; when the delegates are assembled to take the whole question into consideration . Some difference of opinion appears to exist as to the number whioh Bhould constitute the Executive . Without attempting dictation , we strongly incline to a preference for five rather than three ; while we incline to think that the question of payment will require but slight consideration , when it is borne in mind that the appointment to suoh an office is sure to be followed by dismissal from work ; and that hone but working men can be relied upon for a faithful dis . charge of the required duties .
We are perfectly aware of the increased expenoo that mu ' s | i attend such a cause ; while we have full confidence on the people ' s readiness to supply the means , if their officers prove themselves worthy of their support ; and the honourable compensation for service will have the never-failing effect of stimulating the recipients to deserve it . The organ of the popular voice should never withhold suggestion , or advice , from an apprehension or dread of a charge of '' dictation . " It is all important that it should lay before its party subjects requiring discussion ; that it should suggest times for holding those discussion ' s ; and direct opinion as to that course which
may Etrike its conductors to be the most safe and prudentl If , then , we were to wait for an entire and unanimous opinion as to the most fitting time for meeting , the probability is that we should be hampered with such a contrariety of opinions , that the day would never arrive . In order therefore to disharge our duty , we submit the propriety of a delegate meeting taking place at Birmingham , on Monday , the 31 st of August , thereby affording ample time to tho zeveral localities to make up their minds as to the course to be pursued , and as to the delegates to whom their representation may be safely confided .
The one great and all-absorbing duty which now devolves upon us is , firstly , the accomplishment of a sound , a safe , a vigorous , legal , and efficient plan of Organization ; and secondly , the healing of ail those differences which for some time past have , we regret to say , weakened our cause and strengthened the bands of our opponents . To accomplish these desirable objects our best exertions shall be devoted . " Onward aud we conquer . " " Backward and we fall . ' . " the charter and no surrender , "
The Carlisle Chartists-The Shef
THE CARLISLE CHARTISTS-THE SHEF
2to Tteaikv0 Aw& ^Omgjpottirentg
2 To tteaiKV 0 aw& ^ omgjpottirentg
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 22, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct811/page/4/
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