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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1841.
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
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SPAiiT . — S : ricns differences are expected to &ri ? e b :-:-n-- en the Spanish Regency a , Ed the Court oi Spain , un : he subject of the dissolution of the Rota Conrt . The srrri , XME . \ T of the Donro question , by the favGurau ; e ot « of the Portuguese Upper Chamber and the = a action of the Queen , had ^ iv on Tcry great Bausfacrion in Madrid , where it had cot enly removed su ' : fears of war , bat had added much , to the popularity of E = partero and the Regency . . ffWT r " i JirTRT- ^ 'WT >—A sufficient nnmber of cantons , iu Smiztrh&d have united in the depaad of an extraordinary Dies to consider the question of tha . sapurr-ssioa of the Ar ^ ovian convents . The Tote oi 2 V-a . fchatel , a Protesiant state , has decided
BRUSSELS , Fzb . 4 . — We learn that the Minister o : Public Works is engagrd on the means of introducing into Belgium one of the greatest improves- nts that hire been made in our time , namely , a uniform rate of postsge to letters . THE POLES . —The Post Ami Gazette say 3 that the Ha- > : aa government is abv-ut to transport a graat number of that class of Poles who hold a rank Betw&en : he nobles and the peasants = 11 : 0 : h ' e ; ou . hwestern s . jTernmcnts of Russia , to colonise vacant lands .
INDIA . —By an express received from Marseilles , iz'U .-gence has arrived from Calcutta to the 16 ih Deo : aoi-r , con-eying the ne ' . rs that India is generally tacific , and no eTect had occurred , since the las ; d tu-s , of much political importance . Afghanistan r-. mv . ned tracqail . The news from Khiva and Ceii . rjl Asia was of a satisfactory character . An act" ; . ^ had occurred in Sdudp , on the 1 st of Dacemjor , at Kotriah , between 4 , 000 Be ' ooches ,
posted a : u , r . g the hills , and commanded by Nosseer Khan , P- 1 Sepoya , CO irregular hors * , and two field-piec ' - , commanded by Lientenaut-Colonel Marshali . The Sepoys attacked the position ; and a desperate iefence was made by the Belooche 3 till four of their chiefs and 500 men were slam . Six other ch : e * V and 1 S 2 followers were taken prisoners Nusse ? r K ; an escaped on foot ; bu : ail the baggage , &c . Wci ^ captured by the British ; who only lost one ofi--cr and ten privates ; thirty more were Wounded .
THE UNITED STATES . -New York papers to the 9 th January , brougut by ihe Cambridge , have been at length delivered . They contain iuteliige :. c- _ - of which no trace had been found in the papers t > : ibe 8 : h , which only the passengers pre-Tionaly la . iLedhad brought ashore with them . A warm ana somewhat threatening discussion had arisen be : . Teen Mr . Fox , the British Minister at "Washingum , and the Foreign Minister of the United States , m consequence of the arrest and approaching trial , auder the authority of the State Government of Iscv ? York , of a British subject , Alexander M'Leod , ou the charge of piracy and murder , as one of the party who destroyed the Caroline , sa American sve&mer , witain the jurisdiction of the United States , durmg the Canadian revolt .
IT ALT . —A letter from Naples of the 25 : h nk ., states tba :-, <> n the night of the 22 nd , a considerable slip took place on the mountain above Gragnano , near Ci- ^ iiamare , and that sixty houses were crushed bj the falling matter . It . is supposed that 100 person "; perished by thi 3 sudden calamity .
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TTNSWORTH . —On Tuesday evening Mr . C . Day le , 01 Manchester , delivered a lecture in the Methodist Chapel , TJnsworth , to a numerous audience , which gave great satisfaction . XjONDCN . —Westminster . —At a meeting held * i the Md . 'iborough Coifee House , Great iiarlborough-=: reet , Golden Square , on iunday evening last , it was resolved— " That Mr . Southcomb represent ihi ~ body a : the Council , in assisting them to draw up petitions to both Honsss of Parliament , for the liberal ; on of Frost , Williams , and Jones , and all political cinders . " Mr . Wall lectured here , according 10 promise , to the great gratification of a numerous and respectable audience , among whom Were a gr-rat many of the fair sex , b y w h o m he was rapturously applauded ; after which , Mr . Parker addressed the meeting . Six new members were enrolled . It was then resolved that the thanks of the meeting should be given to Messrs . Wail and Parker .
Bloomsbcry . —The National Charter Association held their weekly meeting , at No . 9 , White Lionitrest , Long Acre , which was numerously attended , and passea the following resolutions : — " That two petitions bs sent from this Association to the Houses of Lords aud Commons , for the release of Frost , "William * , and Jones ; and two for the release of all political prisoners . " " That a vote of thanks ba given to Messrs . MarVhaTn and Seal , for their noble conduct a ; Leicester , in . refusing to meet Dan and Co ., on a Lite occasion ; also , that a report of the above be inserted in the Northern Star . "
Wi . LwoE . iH asd Cahbeewell . —A letter was read to ; ls Association from Mr . Rinsley , conxening a m ^ ung to be held at Mr . Calling ' s Coffeehouse , Borough Road , on Sunday evening next , for the purpose of forming a county Council . Three brothers were appointed to attend . Two were appointed to attend a meeting to be held atLunt's Coffee-huase , Bethnal Green , oa Tuesday evening , at seven o ' clock , to appoint a delegate to attend the delegate meeting to be held at Manchester . It was alio agreeu tha ; the meeting should support a public meeting , to be called on account of the refusal of
Lord Norroanby to see the deputation , ( . Messrs . Jfeesom , Spnrr , and Boeg is , ) appointed at the public meeting , held at the Wnitc Gjnduit House , on the 4 zh of January , to present a memorial to Lord Normanby , : > -r an alteration of the treatment of Mr . Peargus O ' Connor , and to adopt the bes : means to carry it our . It was resolved , that on the death of a brother , the members of the Association be informed of the 3 ame through the clas 3 leaders , and he nqmsied to attend the funeral , as many as can make it convenient . Four new members were enrolled , and the meeting separated .
WILTSHIRE . —According io prevjorts announcement in the Star , the first meeting of the County Council wis held on Sunday morning last , at the house of Mr . Tudgrj , MoBkton Deveril , at eleven o'clock , -Then delega-. es were present from the following i- ' . acts : —Trowbridge , Bradford , Hull , Westbury , Wanninstcr , Kinsion Deveril , ilonkton De-Teril , and Mere . After the Secretary had read the minutes of last week , the Chairman called upon each of : h- ? del--sja : es present to give a report of = the State of Chartism in ihe districts they represented ; when a eo » cheering statement as to the progress of the caus .- generally was given . Several resolutions we-e uninimouily adopted to the following
m JX" M * - 1 fr * "O » i n ? r * ^ r \^^ T ^ rt *> nc * S At ^ V * n ^ v « n ¥ fy 9- \\ n effect : —1 . " Tha : the expences of the tracts the delegates lad * > Wen away on their journies be paid from tire tund .-. " 2 . ( After the address from the County CoJiivii had been read ) " Tkat the Connty Council Ttrcomciend to the inhabitants , in their different iocalii . es , to support the Chartist press , so far as k lies in their power . " 3 . That the Secretary be empowered to write to Mr . Tmcent , to know wh ? a he tninks to be in Wiltshire , and t o report the same to the local councils . " 4 . " Thai a vote of thanks be given by this Council to the friends of Mere , in offering to provide 3 suitable place to hold a public meeting in , when Mr . Philp
should come . Tne following sams of money were paid in . 10 wards having the address printed : — Trowbnd ^ e , 0 ^ . ; Hoit , 2 s . 6 d . ; Wesiburv , 03 . ; Warmin ^ Vr , 2 i . 6 d . ; Bradford , 2 s . 6 d . ; Mere , Jb . 6 d . ; Kmsion Deveril , 2 s . 6 d . ; Monkton De-Teral , 2 i . 6 d . In the course of the sitting , one of the delegates said , that the Trowbridge and Westbury deie ^ ates had given away a number of ChArtiit tracts , to the amount of 200 , and that he had never been bo well pleased in all his life as when ht had seen many agricultural labourers reading fc What is Chartum f' as they wens to church . Thanks were yoted to the Chairman and Secretary , and the meeting broke np .
DUMFRIES . —On Tuesday , the 2 nd instant , our patriotic friend . Dr . ATDouall , arrived in this town . The Trades' Hall , before the hour of meet ing , was filled to overflowing , and a thousand went away unable to &et admission . On entering , the Doctor was greeted in the most enthusiastic manner . He delivered a lecture , at once eloquent , practical , and spirit-stirring , but which we cannot report at lengtaV Suffice it to say , that thereby many irere onverted to the giorioua principles of the Charter . The Doctor entered into an able and masterly
exposure Of the cruelties and Barbarities of the factory lyttem ; in the course of which he denounced O'Connell for having betrayed the poor factory children for a bribe he received from Sir Thomas Potter . The Doctor was here contradicted by a son of Erin , who , at the conclusion of tha lecture , made several remarks , and was fully replied to by the Doctor and Chairman . A vote of thanks were grren to the Doctor ; three cheers for the ' Charter , and no Surrender ? ' and three groans for the betrayer of the working millions of Ireland .
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CASTiT HOVGZAS . —On Friday , the Doctor v s . U-d Castle Duuiilas , and as the magistrates would not allow him the use of the Town Hall , another place was provided , in which , just before the Djotor entered , the crowa in the galleries was , so grcat that they broke down , whereby Beveral were seriously injured . Having done all he could do as a docfor , our worthy friend acquitted himself as a patriot , and as we have learned , succeeded in arousing hundreds to a sense of their . wrongs ; and a determination
to have their rights . At the conclusion of bis lee * tare , a friend of justice and liberty proposed a vote of thanks to the Doctor , whereupon the agent in Castle Douglas of that silly thin * called the Dumfries Times , rose and moved as an amendment "That while they appreciate the Doctor for his talents , t h ey deem the principles of the Charter inexpedient . " On a shew of hands being taken , the champion of tbe sill y Times and his seconder , were left alone in their glory , and the vote of thanks in unqualified terms was given to the Doctor .
OTJNDEE . Chartist Dxbatino Societies . — There has been a Society of this kind in Dnndee for some time past , in connection with the Chartist Association , and it is getting on well . It is attended by young men particularly ; and there are a good many of them who are learning to speak and argue without any Bort of fear . The subject that has come under their novice , for the last three nights , is " the best-formed Government . " BATH . —SrsDAT Lectures . —Oa Sunday , Jan . 24 tb . a lecture was delivered in the Chartist-rooms ,
by Mr . R . K . Philp , on " the present condition of the people , and the best means to effect a beneficial change . " On the following Sunday , the 31 st , Mr . T . Bjlwell lectured upon " the necessity of extending moral and political information amongst the people . " On Sunday , February 7 , W . P . Roberts , Esq ., Jectured upon " tho contents of , and events connected with , the Tower of London . " These Sunday evening assemblies have been extremely interesting , and attended by a large portion of tbe intelligent people , both of the middle and working classes .
Household versus Lmveksal Suffiuge . —On Monday , Feb . 1 . the comparative merits otUniversal and Household Suffrage were entered into by the various speakers , at the Chartist Room . Tbe attendance was numerous , and the proceedings highly interesting . Bills bad been issued , inviting persons / avoidable to . Household Suffrage to discuss the important question , but no one appeared . Universal Suffrage was adopted by the meeting . A meeting , to consider " which wul most benefit the middle and working classes , Household or Universal Suffrage , " was held on Monday , Feb . 8 th . Bills had been plentifully issued , announcing the meeting , and , from the rumours afloat in the course of t h e wee k , opposition was anticipated , as it had been earnestly invited . The weather proved very
inclement , and prevented great numbers from attending . Toe assembly was numerous , but no one ventured to oppose the advocates of Universal Suffrage . Mr . Clarke presided , and repeatedly urged opposition , and pledged himself ( ha ; aii parties , on either side , should ha impartially heard . Mr . T . Bolwell first addressed the meeting in an argumentative speech , aad was fo ' lowed by Mr . R . K . Philip , and Mr . C . Bolwell . Mr . Alderman Crisp came forward amidst loud cheers , to advocate the right of Universal Suffrage , and to argue that nothing short of this could benefit either the middle or working classes . Mr . C . entered at some length upon the subject , and deeply interested the meeting . At the oonciusion , it was announced that on the following Monday the consideration of the same subject would be repeated .
KEWPORT . The bark of Chartism rides p roudly on here . Tha labours of Sir . Black have Seen aitended with very beneficial results ; we had a glorious meeting on Monday night at Llananh Inn , Llanarth-street . Mr . John Morris occupied the chair , and the meeting was ably addressed by Messrs . Jones , Black , and Cronin .
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LORD MORPETH'S IRISH REFORM BILL . We have now enough of the leading features of the rival Irish Suffrage questions before us wherefrom to judge of the animu * , if not of the ability , of the antagonist Lords , whose offspring they are . We almost shudder at attempting even an outline of these opponent measures ; however , as the question is now fairly sfloat , and no longer a subject of mere speculation , we apprehend that little apology will be required for ( although a lengthy , yet ) . as brief a comment as the importance of the subject demands .
We do not pledge ourselves , in the outset , to discuss the two measures separately , inasmuch as it may , and probably will , happen that the consideration of the one will force upon us some reference to the other . At present , our object at starting is to consider the proposition of Lord Moepeth per se , by pointing out its manly and gigantic stride , which we can best effect by contrasting it with the crippled step of the ranchise conceded to Ireland by the Reform Bill .
In our comment upon this question , we shall best explain to our readers the beneficial reBult of that advice so often given in our columns , to the effect , that while we , with the people , Etruggle for the grand and uneqnivocal measure of Universal Suffrage , we are , nevertheless , ready to accept and say " thank you , " for any lesser measure of relief , which may be forced upon us without a compro
mise . We declare then , unhesitatingly , that the Bill of Lord Mospeth , for regulating the Irish Parliamentary franchise , is the most Radical measure ever ser iously proposed to Parliament , and when we say ser iously , we fear we shall be obliged , in justice , to limit the solemnity as well as the justice of the measure , to the Noble Lord personally . We have in the course of oar many articles upon the question of the Irish Suffrage , been compelled to
use the term £ 10 beneficial interest , the requisite qualification for an Irish county voter , without much explanation to our readers—sixty-four , out of one hundred and five Irish members , being returned upon votes based upon a ten pound beneficial interest ; we shall now , as it forms the present county franchise , describe what it means , and then Bee how it would carve up into a bonajide five pound rateable possession , and how f ar , by the touchstone of justice , those who sit for boroughs can refuse to county electors the privilege which they themselves enjoy .
Every one who knows anything of the history of Ireland , will readily concede the fact that , a beneficial interest , of any amount , is a thing of very rare and uncommon occurrence ; writers and travellers of all ranks , countries , and politics , ascribing much of the distress , and no small portion of the Bubserviency , of the Irish tenants , to the system of letting lands upon " rack rent " . ' We have heard the recent declaration of the two
Protestant tyrant landlords , Sir Abthcs Brooke and Sir Joh . n Maxwell , that they are willing to sacrifice as much as thirty per cent , of their rentals , rather than allow Papist voters to vete out of a beneficial interest held under them . This amounts to a total refusal to let to Catholics ; in fact , to an adoption of the clearance system ; and Sir Akthub Brooke and Sir John Maxvkll are samples from which the sack of Irlah Protestant landlords may be fairly estimated .
Let us now see the inmense gross tenure required in order that what is called " a beneficial interest " may be carried out of it . If a farmer hold twenty acres at an average rent , ( and we will take a high one , that being more against as , and in favour of our opponents , ) say twenty acres , then , at £ 1 per acre ; here , what has the tenant seeking to establish a vote , to swear , and in presence of the landlord , to whom he may owe arrears , and to whom he has
been declaring that the spot is too dear , in order either to get an abatement , or time for payment of arrears ? He has to swear that his twenty acres are well worth 30 s . per acre , over and above all rates , tithe , and taxes ; and that , on his oath , he could , if inclined to underlet , procure that rent from a good and solvent tenant . No matter if himself and six sons , all able to work , and to earn more than £ 10 a-year each , can make the farm more prouctive by the expenditure of their nnifced labour
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such is not an item to be taken into account , and , in case the landlord , or two respectable Protestant neighbours , will take upon themselves to swear that the farm is not worth the one pound ten , the applicant , in such case , is told to go home for a perjurer , and , although having come twenty or thirty miles to register , and having remained in attendance three or four days , that he ha 3 his remedy in an appeal to the Judge of Assize , when he may walk forty , fifty , or sixty miles , and go home , if the best comes to the beBt , with his very dear whistle .
Suppose a tenant holding thirty acres , he must , in like manner , swear that he has a beneficial interest of six and eightpenoe an acre over and above the rent . If he hold forty acr cs , he most swear a beneficial interest of five shillings an acre , and if he hold fifty acres at a pound an acre , he must Bwear before his landlord that the land is worth one pound four
per acre . Now , we imagine that these stumbling-blocks in the way of registration , fully account for the great discrepancy between English and Irish county constituencies , and also that the fifty-pound tenant-atwill clause , in the English Reform Act , is a much larger measure of franchise , , than a ten pound beneficial interest of tbe Irish Reform Bill , as interpreted by a majority of Irish Judges .
A ten pound beneficial interest , then , mast amount to an average holding of , at least , sixty acres of land , at one pound per acre , and fourteen years the original term . Now , a fifty pound holding , for fourteen years , would be a more extensive franchise than a ten pound beneficial interest ; while a fifty pound tenanoy-at-will , which we learn is now becoming a very fashionable term in Ireland , would be , by at least cent , per cent ., a more extensive measure .
Starting , then , at sixty acres , held at a pound an acre , sworn to be worth one pound three aud fourpence over and above all rates , tithes , and taxes , as the lowest amount out of which a beneficial interest , according to the narrow constructions of the Irish Reform Bill , can be carried , let us see , according to Lord Morpeth ' s plan , how this joint would cut up . He proposes that all tenements for an unexpired term of fourteen years , and which shall be assessed at £ 0 to the poors' rates , shall confer a vote upon the tenant .
From the above statement it appears that the tenregistering a ten pound beneficial interest in twenty acres , at one pound an acre , must have had granted to him an interest of fifty per cent ., instead of being required , according to the Brooke and Maxwell proposition , to walk out at a loss of thiity per cent , to the landlord . If he register out ef thirty acres , he must swear to an interest of thirty-three per cent . ; if forty , to an interest of twenty-five per cent . ; if fifty , to an interest of twenty per cent . ; and if , as we have established it , at sixty , an interest of more than sixteen per cent . So much for amount , and now a word upon the term .
Here , then , is a natural presumption against the existence of any beneficial interest during the first half of the term , and a natural barrier to a proof , or even assertion of it , during the latter half . For in the former period , lands cannot so fluctuate in value as to give the advantage of a chance rise in favour of ( he beneficial interest , while , during the latter period , the poor tenant who has spent his seven years of labour , and made a kind of location , is thinking how he can best persuade the landlord , at the expiration of his lease , that the spot is too dear ; and Burely no mode could be more Irish than by swearing to a beneficial interest of from sixteen to fifty per cent .
In passing , let us observe that Lord Morpeth showed from some , we admit very slender , authority , that in very many instances ( where information had been furnished upon the question of rent and valuation with a view to rates ) , it appeared that ten pound tenements were , in many case 3 , rated at a less amount , and even in some so low as five . This document , which should not have been imperfectly or unseasonably used , furnished Lord Stanley with his best leg , and procured for him , as it was sure to do , a loud cheer from his party . The Noble Lord has yet to learn , however , that , in few instances , do
tables for the assessment of rates furnish , nor are they intended to furnish , an unerring test of value , and provided the rule is observed , property , to the amount of millions , may be as equitably assessed by a table of pence , as by a table of pounds . He must further bear in mind , that the same oritical value was not likely to be put upon tenements , with th single view of rating them for payment of poor rates ^ as would be likely to be laid on if designed with the further object of establishing an elective franchise . Of this branch , more anon ; when we shall prove that a cheer in the House of CommonB may have neither rhyme nor reason in it .
Jndging , therefore , from the received opinion of Irish landlords , as well as from the presumption that the valuation did go pretty near to the wind , let us establish some understanding about the rate as we have about the rent . Let us , then , in Irish phrase , " split the difference , " and suppose that the rate valuation woHld , instead of presuming a beneficial interest , rate a tenement , held at £ 7 10 s . rent , at £ 5 to the poor laws ; thus if the £ G 0 rent was carved in the most judicious way , it would cut up into eight votes . Allowing for the large farm mania , let us halve it again , and it would render four votes , besides enfranchising the many small holdings which are now below par .
These observations must be received as if we were now arguing a desire upon the part of Irish landlords to enfranchise their tenants to the fullest extent which Lord Moqpeth's Bill would admit ; they must not be received as if we imagined that the measure would have such a tendency , as we prove that its tendency would be quite the reverse . So much for Lord Moupeth ' s standard of value , and let us now , in as far as we can , guess at his mode of satisfying Stanley , with regard to an appeal against the vote once acquired , aud against which we protest in themost unqualified
. Stanley ' s proposition is , to allow the parties objecting to the voter , an appeal to the Judge of Assize , for the purpose of producing better testimony , or of meeting with one of the beneficial Judges and a mixed Jury . In fact , a last resource , and he has the uncommon justice , doubtless , to allow , in pases of frivolous and vexatious appeals ) costs and recompence . SiLly , silly Lord !
Moejpeth , alco , proposes an appeal , but here ho leaves us in the dark . We understand Stanley . His is a new trial at common law of the country , but Mobpeth's is before , we presume , a Court of Equity , presided over by three Barristers sitting in Dublin . If this is to be a Court of Equity , which , in fact , it must be , as he never could dream of bringing parties from all parts of Ireland , to the metropolis , for the mere purpose of re-registering a vote , he should have told us something about the
machinery of his Court ; but having failed so to do , we Bhall presume that the pleadings are to be confined to the simple exhibit of the rating-books ; but if interrogatories are to be put to the valuators , and if the appellant is to substantiate his case viva voce , where is the thing to end i and if the exhibit of the valuation-book is all that iB to be required , why not make it conclusive evidence at tke time of registration , and Httmit it then to any test which it is to undergo ?
We most observe , that upon the details of this question of appeal , the Noble Lord not only clouds the matter with doubt , but actually talks legal nonsense—a jargon which can only be tolerated in those who are paid for perverting plain terms into legal ambiguities . He says that he would " allow annual revision upon ALL new matter ; a right of appeal , both ways , upon all points of law , and the fixing of the franchise npon the Poor Law valuation . "
Upon the question of appeal , then , dark as Stanley is , he is sunshise to Moepeth . In fact , if we are to judge from the whole context , we muet
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presume Morpeth's appeal to be intended as a mere exhibit of the valuator ' s books ; while , judging from the bit of explanation which he unfortunately offers , we have no other alternative but to look upon his Appeal Court as a tribunal having even the power of directing an issue to be tried at the bar . Doubtless , all the bursting young patriotic legal members of the Royal Loyal Regulation Association , will support the measure , if it had but this one paramount advantage over all others which could be devised . This part looks very like a job .
We have bow pointed out some of the abuses which Morpeth ' 9 Bill would remedy if it could be carried in tbe House of Commons , and put into praotioe in spite of the Irish landlords . Let us now direct attention , for a moment , to the fallacy of a system which makes one man ' s oaprioe the basis of another man ' s rote . In the debate upon Morpetk ' s motion , as well aa upon every other occasion where it can be insultingly dragged in , we are told that the intention of the Reform Bill was to represent wealth ; we know
it , but what a pity that scope so free was not given to reform tongue before the measure was carried . But even allowing that property was the one and oaly thing to be represented , was it also intended that a capricious use should be made of that property , and that the vote which it conferred was to be a part of the tenure ! The value of the barren surface of the soil is as nothing compared to the value of capital and labour expended upon it by tho tenant , and yet ia all ruled by the caprice of the landlord , eo that even his own land is not repre * sented . Let us adduce an instance of this .
Lord Morpeth , in his table of calculation , stated that the property of Lord Downshire and others was , in some cases , valued to the poor ' s-rates higher than the rent , and we are willing to admit 1 that English-absentee noblemen appear to be better and more encouraging Irish landlords , than either absentee or resident Irish landlords . We even admit that Lord Stanley is beloved by his Catholio tenantry of the county of Tipperary ; but what of that 1 a negro may love tho man who holds his life in his keeping , and by whose will alono bo exists . Such love proves the characteristic gratitude of a peoples
but is no bulwark against a tyrant ' s power . We give bow an instance ; the case of the Duke of Devonshire , one of the largest lauded proprietors in Ireland . In 1823 , when lands got a serious fall iu Ireland , tbe Duke of Detohsiiibe , as we learn from registration reports in Irish newspapers , reduced twenty-five per cent upon nearly all farms held by occupying tenants ; aud mark tho consequence This noble act of the Duke , had the effect of disfranchising every one of his tenants , whose rents were thus reduced . The reduction was made , it appears , from memorials setting forth that the lands
were too dear , and when a tenant of the Duke of Devonshire came to claim his franchise , arising out of bis interest , suppose in a hundred acres of land , he then learned that the Reform Bill had disfranchised him . We give the form of application for , and necessary proofs of title , to acquire the franchise . We will best illustrate it by a conversation between the opposing attorney and applicant : — Attorney—What ' s your name ? Applicant—John Styles . Of where ! Sacks , in the parish of Bag ; , and barony of Bruff . How do you claim ! As a ten pound leaseholder .
Who is your landlord ! His Grace the Duke of Devonshire . How many acres do you hold ! A hundred . And the rent 1 Seventy-five pounds . And do do you swear , Sir , that any solvent tenant would give you eighty-five , if you were going to leave the farm to-morrow 1 I do , indeed , and more . Is the right stamp on your lease ! I suppose so . Let me see it . O , oh ! why , I find your rent is a hundred a year . I thought you said seventy-five ! I say so still .
Why , Sir , here , iu your own . lease , it is stated to be a hundred 1 Well , but that ' s nothing , I' pays' seventy-five , and' gets' a receipt for the hundred . Now , Sir , answer me one question upon your oath ; would a good and solvent tenant give you a hundred aud ten pounds for that farm ! No , indeed , ho would not . Reject thia man , your worship . Go home , Sir , we ' re registering " beneficial interest" over aud above the rent reserved in leases , aud not his Grace of Devonshire ' s word . How ie that ? Turn him out , police , and call the next case on .
This , wo think , will serve as another satisfactory mode of accounting for the discrepancy between the rural constituencies of the two countries . Wo have now shewn that , if enfranchisement was the object of Lord Morpeth ' s Bill , that the minimum from whence a £ 10 beneficial interest can now be acquired , namely , sixty acres , would carvo into eight enfranchising lots ; but as subdivision is not
the desire of Irish landlords , we are merely to consider the number of small holdings now not conferring a vote , which the Noble Lord ' s Bill would enfranchise . Taking it , then , per se , as a means of producing a very extensive franchise , we have no hesitation in declaring it to be the most sweeping measure ever submitted to the House of Commons . So far our readers have looked on that picture , now we invite their attention to this .
The result of Lord Morpeth's Bill , with or without the Ballot , would bo to produce another electoral rout , similar to that of the forty-shilling freeholders , by knocking all small farms into large ones ; and , if that process was considered rather hazardous , just behold how , under a vicious system , we blow down his Lordship ' s baseless vision with a single breath . Au original term of fourteen years by lease , constitutes the title of tho voter ; and how easy would it be , either to give no term , but a mere possesslon-at-will , or a term Bhort of that required by the Act .
Moreover , let it be understood , that leases arc not given of small farms iu Ireland : they are merely held upon accepted proposal , which is no plea against an action of ejectment at common law , nor yet such a document as can be registered ; not being on a stamp . It is an equitable title , but not a legal one , and becomes a good instrument in tho Court of Chancery , if the tenant of straw has an inclination to try titles with his landlord of steel , in that expensive department . Just take the fact of nearly all the wealthy landlords of Ireland backing Stanley ' s Bill , and then let the reader ask himself if such persons are likely to allow their land to be carved up for a purpose the very reverse of that proposed by Stanley .
Nothing can be more short-sighted than the hope which the ignorant attach to this proposed measure ; while the Ministers have brought it forward with a two-fold aim—Firstly , as a good back door for an escape from tbe Repeal agitation , by a concentration of all Ireland's energies to this onegreat and surprising point . Indeed , Howick , who puts hia foot in every thing , bad the folly to confess as much . Wo may therefore fully expect to see a royal loyal Mobpeth Registration Association established forthwith in Dublin , and the repeal put comfortably to rest , after having furnished the current year's needful . This new windfall ia'worth all that has yet presented itself , and if accomplished to-morrow , its only fruit would be to make the cruelties practised in annulling it another source of profitable abuse to
demagogues . Another object which this Bill has in view is to get a good dissolution hobby , and a cry of " Down with the Lords , " Bhould it pass the first toll-bar and come to the check-gate .
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We do not Bay that Morpeth would lead himself knowingly to the hoax , but thia we assert , that if there was any , the slightest chance , of the thing passing into a law , her Majesty ' s Ministers would oppose it to a man , if they bad not that reliance for obstruction in the Irish landlords , which never fails tyrants at a pinch . A thirty pounds'tenancy , 'that is , an undertaking to pay thirty pounds rent , would be , ten times over , a more extensive franchise , and would more than quadruple the present constituency of Ireland ; because landlords would be loath to make small
disfranchising farms in the first instance , and they could not altogether exterminate tbe Catholic tenantry , while they can evade any Act which makes the franchise depend upon a lease , or any other term , than mere occupation . Here then we find the truth of our assertion worked into practice ; That 60 long as one man ' s property constitutes another man ' s title to vote , so Jong will the property man either confer the title upon a slave , or evade all those technicalities so cumbroualy aud ingeniously woven around the magic machinery necessary for conferring it .
Stahley ' s triumphant cheer over Mobpeth was as ridiculous and ignorant as it was premature , and for this reason ; the fact of houses in an Irish borough , constituting a tea pound franchise , being rated at five , or three , or two pounds , proves neither perjury nor corruption upon the part of the voter ; bat wo tell Lord Stanley what it does proveoppression , cruelty , and tyranny , upon the part of the landlord ; for surely those Raping fools , who swallow folly and vomit admiration , must be aware that the mere occupancy of a ten pound house constitutes a borough qualification ; so now where is the laugh !
As this question of Irish reform is now becoming of importance , it is necessary that our readers should understand the different descriptions of property which constitute a eounty and borough franchise in Ireland . For counties there are three separate qualifications . A £ 50 freehold , a £ 20 annual profit , arising from leasehold , which need not be in the possession of the voter , and a £ 10 beneficial interest in Iand 3 occupied by a tenant for an original term of fourteen years .
The qualification for oity or borough , is a £ 10 tenancy—that is , a simple undertaking to pay £ 10 a-year ; Freemen , living within Beven miles of the borough ; and forty shilling freeholders in existence antecedently to the Reform Bill . Now , can anything bo more ridiculous than to confer the right of voting upon the occupant of a ten pound tumble-down old house , who may not do a day ' s work from one end of the year to the other , and to refuse a vote to a maa who holds fifty acres of land , upon which himself , and perhaps four or
five hearty sons , expend their every day ' s labouraye , though he occupies 1 , 000 acres for a term less than fourteen years ? Why not , then , at once say , instead of a rateable sum , occupancy at such an amount of rent , which would do away with all the complication of registration aud appeals ! The auawer is easy . Because itB simplicity would do away with the Whig job , while its extension may lead to the correction ot many ] profitable abuses , so that in such case , the Whigs and the demagogues would each lose a rung of the ladder .
The thread of our Constitution has become too weak and attenuated to admit of the Morpeth knot : it ib too strong a weld for the rotten material . But shame , eternal shame , upon a British Ministry , who could have recourse to so base a , subterfuge as a last resource to prop a falling house . They neither hope , desire , or expect to carry this measure ; but , alas ! it furnishes another sad proof that we have arrived at that period of our country ' s history , when the existence of a weak , an imbecile , and profligate Government , and not the character of the House of Commons , nor the efficiency of its measures , establishes the rule of cabinet action .
What ! then , exclaims the reader , will this show , of liberality end iu smoke , and produce no profit Nay , in faith . He , for whose sole benefit it was produced , told the House , in clear , distinct , and emphatic terms , that , for such a measure , the Irish were ready and willing to cut German throats , or French throats , or any throats . And this measure will snap the last cord by which Irish society was bound : it will bo a fuse which , set to the combustible materials of centuries' gathering , will ignite a flame which will not end in smoke !
This measure , intended as on extinguisher for Repeal , will , eventually , lead to a separation . War , between the tyrant landlords , as well Catholic as Protestant , ( for there is not a pin to choose between them , ) and the long oppressed Catholic tenantry , must be the result ; and that the latter may conquer , and teach justice to such monsters as their Brookes aud Maxwells , is our sincere and devout wish .
In this struggle , the glorious effect of a standing army of over 8 , # 00 rifle police , will bo felt in Ireland ; and now we shall be enabled to judge of the measures intended for the protection of Irish liberty . These 8 , 060 police , mostly Catholics , will have as little compunction in cutting their Catholic countrymen ' s throats , for pay , in opposing the measure , as the rural population , it appears , would bave in cutting French Catholio throats for the
measure . 2 'he Irish landlords , Churchmen , and patronage trustees , know well that , in the event of such a measure passing , and not opposed by depopulation , or restriction of a fourteen year ' s tenure , they would lose all borough , as well as county , parliamentary influence ; for , although it may appear , by Lord Morpeth ' s tables , that the effect of the measure would be to disfranchise some of the lower-priced , and therefore , more liberal houses , yet , inasmuch as borough and parlia . mentary townB iu Ireland are , even now , and would be much more under Morpeth ' s Bill , subject to county influence , the change , as regards borough election franchise , would not counterbalance the increased rural influence which the measure would
give . Ia every county in Ireland , it ia the non-electoia who return the Members called Liberal . The labourers and small farmers influence the voters ; and the voters , with the non-electors , cau carry exclusive dealing in their borough town to a sufficient extent to influence a sufficient number of Liberal voters ; this is just what Lord John Russell declared constitutional , at Bristol , when , he very properly assigned it as a reason tor opposing the Ballot ; he 6 aid , that the Ballot would deprive the nonelectors of their legitimate influence over the electors : it is true that we said so long before the Noble Lord thought of it , but his admission is of more importance than best proof . Upon the whole ,
then , we have no hesitation in declaring the Morpeth Bill to be a match for the Stanley Bill lest the latter should have a walk over . A Bill , which the minority have neither the means , the hope , nor the wish to carry A Bill , whose real character is that of a counterirritant . A Bill , which opens a trap-door to save them from a collision with their crutch . A Bill , which , if carried , would depopulate Ireland , and reduce those who did remain upon the land to the conditions of mere tenants-at-will , subject to the vicissitudes of a feudal lord ' s whim and caprice . In faot , as the agitation about tithes inoreased the real burden upon the poor , so will the yery shadow of this Bill increase rents , diminish tenures , and multiply cruelties .
But let it work . It is a fire-ship in full sail , a Charter safety-valve , a universal bomb-shell , thrown into the moral-force camp of peaceful , starving Ireland . Yes , we hail it as the first indirect Charter fire from the Ministerial battery . Wait , wait a wee-wait for the dissolution , and then our Chartist physical force will be as the gentle zephyr compared to the rude blast which will cross the Channel from our moral-force neighbours .
The Government have all , ia one body , turned Chartists without knowing it . Dam asked bu * for equality with England , as an . vastskhnent . sad Moa-
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peth says— " No , that ' s too little ; you shall h » T forty shillings in the pound . England has a f \ l franchise ; we can trust you with a five . " Now g to Universal Suffrage who can . Hurrah ! for the lJ ! days of Whiggery ! If preparation for going Otj 4 promises so much , what will the turn-out give » Answer : —Anything that renders the key of a Treasury in return . Hurrah ! for an hon est TVfco minority aud the Charter ! *
The incomparable blunlness with which every © m of the Establishment , from " the leading joarnar > to the tip of the tail , has approached this question proves that they one and all are as i gnorant uw Irish affairs , as if the country was but just disco . vered . We never witnessed a more miserable exitf . bition than the Establishment ' s attempt at illugfa . tion of the beauties and deformities of the NobU Lord ' s abortion .
We shall watch this question in its progress' if h does not meet with a sudden death , to prove mor * electrically than natural dissolution , that "' Irdcmd has nothing to expect by teay of justice from an English House of Commons . " Dan will understand the last sentence .
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WANTED , A CHARTIST HORN BOOK FOB " MOTHER GOOSE . " There is nothing more amusing , where jgM . ranee is shorn of its powers of mischief , than tk observing of the frequent instances in which & novice , in politics , either becomes a dupe to hia owa imagination ; or , upon getting upon his own legs for the first time , is lost in amazement at the etraum position in which he finds himself . Last week Mother Goose heads an article , a very stupid one !
" Universal Suffrage and No Surrender "; and then proceeds to denounce those who assume the motto and vociferate it , instead of supporting the principle upon argument . Why , our friend should h 4 T # known , that it was , after sixty years and more of argument , that the motto was adopted . That Kg have challeaged and beaten the whole press upon argument ; showing its superiority over all other standards of Suffrage .
We can best account for our friend ' s ignorance by a similar puazle into which we were once led ow . selves . About twelve years ago , webappened for the first time , to pass through the lovely vale of Todinorden , when the full and luxuriant foliage of her many woods and grovea , made rich by the aplmdour of a summer ' s eve , and enlivened by the song of the joyous feathered tenants , rendered the beaatv of the scene complete . We occupied the box-seat , and were literally lost in delightful contemplation . In the midst of our most pleasing reverie , induced by the many surrounding objects of attraction , w » could not avoid noticing , with undisguised surprise , the cool indifference of our travelling
companionthe coachman , who throughout never turned an ere right or left , but kept both steady on his " dog ' smeat , " - which , being none of ihe best , appeared ( 0 require , his every attention . After he had " tooled * them al « ng , with long thong whip , and short "Tommy , " and when we had passed the vale , ha shook himself and said , "Well , that ' s over : d-a that bit of road ; it ' s the worst in all England fora ' heavy coach . " We replied , " You lost a beautiful sight . " " Nay , nay , " he replied , " its new to yo » Sir , but I've had it in all seasons ; it ' s cost me many ' a doctor ' s fee . Just you take my place for twenty years , aud see whether you'll like it as well at tht end of that time . "
Now , such is precisely our friend ' s position ; foi the , first time he begins to hear something about what every body else is thoroughly familiar with ; and he wants us , for his edification , to go orertii whole A B C of Universal Suffrage again . Wi cannot just afford that amount of time and trouble , for the gratification and instruction of our young friend , at present ; but we advise him to attend the youth ' s political debating club , jost opened at the Chartist News Room , Vioar-lane ; if he find hit powers there overtasked , and beaten out of countenance , we may yet be able to serve him , as it is in contemplation shortly to open a Chartist Simd » y School , where , we have no doubt , the teachers will have as much patience with his natural dolnea and inexperience , as may be necessary .
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MR . FROST'S FAMILY AND O'CONNOR . M Words are but wind , Actions speak the mind . " Some time ago , O ' Connor threw out the hint of procuring an annuity for the family of Mr . Tnosi , by the following means—London to engage for th « payment of £ 20 a-year , the rest of England for an equal sum , Scotland also for £ 20 , and Wales for £ 20 , O'Connor undertaking to answer for Ireland .
Well , notwithstanding the vociferous bawling for the accounts ( of which we have heard nothin since the balance was shewn to be on the wrong side ) , how stands the matter now with the bawlers ! Why , O'Connor has remitted his first quarter ' s instalment for Ireland , while the other quarters have yet to do likewise . This will never do ; a man ' s family who cannot work must be allowed to starve , while he is working without remuneration in a foreign land .
O Connor has told us , Frost had a smile upon his countenance , which broke through his load of care , whea he ( O'C . ) assured him that the people would never desert his family ; but it is not fair , or just , that one man should be expected to perform the covenant for the empire ; to stand sponsor for Ireland is , in all conscience , responsibility quite sufficient .
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" TOO MANY LOVERS PUZZLE A MAID . " Many friends inform us that some of their most prominent agitators are in correspondence with various parties , and ask our advice . We advise them only to remain firm ; and whenever a puMfo meeting ia convened , for any purpose , no matter what , shove in the Charter amendment ; or , if the enemy refuse to fight a H-o-u-s-e , put it forward as an original resolution ; and insist upon every amendment or resolution being read over lo udly and distinctly , three times , before any vote is takea upon it .- This will arouse the torpid . The more they hear of Universal Suffrage the better . And always pass a vote of censure upon any man , be he whom he may , who once advocated Universal Suffrage , and now declares for any other .
Declare all resolutions worthless which are put to a paying audience ; we shall register none except where there is free admission and free ex pression of opinion . We represent poverty , not property ; and we know well how meetings can be packed , even by a penny , or ticket , admission . Our publisher informs us that he has ordered « very Tiandsome device for the head of the Star , which will represent the Charter vessel in full sailj with the Five Points , and No Surrender fly ing »* the mast head , and then take it down from the highest H-6-u-s-e chimney-pot who can , but * WILL NETBE , NEVER , NEVER STRIKE IT . nnri-r-ririri 111 a ^^^ I ^^^ k ^> i . aju ^ jlaaaju ^^^^/
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THE . PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE AND TH * DELEGATE MEETING FOR FEBRUAB 20 , 1840 . Upon this subjeot , we have received the following sensible letter , which we publish , and to whieh *• call attention , with great pleasure : —
TO THB EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAB . Sir , —Ever since the Delegate Meeting at M ** cheater , by which the National Charter Assooi ««^ was established , I have marked eloaely the pr ° * r ; ings of the Provisional Executive Council , JH » £ appointed , to carry out the first means necessary ^ br ing the National Association into action . i « deliberations of the delegates who as sembled M ^ meeting I- have alluded to , commenced on M ° aa 7 {; July the 20 th , 1840 , and ended on »" . following Thursday or Friday . , J Lntive then agreed that a Provisional . k * ?^ should be appointed , to manage the business oi » Association until the 1 st of January , 1841 . P' ?" of to which they Bhould have secured the eleet 10 " ^ an Executive for the next twelve montns , « £ should come into office immediately upon tae P « " ; sional managers retiring , I
Rroveixx Mttr F?Om?0t.
rroveixx mttr f ? om ? 0 t .
Cpartf£T Zlnuvlistnce.
Cpartf £ t ZLnUVlistnce .
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Mab . b . uge rs High Life . —On Tuesday morning , the Honourable Miss Spring Rice , eldest daughter of Lord M-iTiteagle , and grand-danghter of the Eari of Lihuuck ( lately one of the maids of honour to her Majesry ) , -wa 3 married to J . G . Marshall , Esq ., of Leeds . The csTesaony was performed , by special license , at Ail Sonb' Church , Langham-place . The Di-kb of ' Welli > gto >" . —Although the noble and ^ alLui : Dake has qoit-e recovered from hi 3 late illness , the inquiries , oa Tuesday , at Apsley-house , were very numerous . Th 3 answer given by the porter was , ** The Duke is recovered . ' Dcchy of Lancaster , February 5 . —The Qaeen has been this day pleased to appoint Thomas Bernard Birch , of ihe Hazlts , Bart ., to be SheniF of the County Palatine of Lancaster , for the year ensuing .
The Northern Star. Saturday, February 13, 1841.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 13 , 1841 .
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Ereita .. —In oar leader of last week , upon Colonel Thompsos ' s letter , for " humbug , " in the first line of supposed extract from Col . Thompson ' s History of the Wars , read " numbers ; " and in ilr . OCos . toR's Letter , for u ride them in wrinkles" read " ride them in winkers . "
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4 THE NORTHERN STAR .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 13, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct843/page/4/
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