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THE J\ T OETHEILtf STAR. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1842.
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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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SECOND OtTTBllfeAK OF THE GREAT FIRE AT LIVERPOOL . ( From the Liverpool SUatdard-J " LzA night ( Monday ) , shortly before ten O ' clock , the fire * gain broke out -within ti » area before noticed , in premises that were thonght to be-quits safe after dark-It was first discovered by a boy , who corninunuated it to Inspector Moors : he immediate made it known to Mr . Whitty , who fortunately wra j" * t then making a tour of the rains . The alarm was given throughout the lower part oJ the town soon tfter ten o clock , by the springing of rattles and the tolling of the station be'ls ; and from tbe destrnctiSQ of life and property that had already t&fcen place , the most painful apprehensions were entertainrd , a ^ i thousands rushed to the » cene , which •**» indicated by the glivrs on the sky , nearly over the site of the frevious cocfljgration .
On reaching the "spot -we round thit the premises ignited were Webster ' s -snail house and extensive ywd behind , and Devan ' s Tarrine store adjoining , and also some premises occupied by a carter named Basiiell , who had several horses in tha statlss behind . The whole tf tfee premises are situated at the lower part of CrompUm-itreet rthe northern bcum ' -ai-y of tbe great fire ) , and the fire "had commnnicatea from tbe interior of the srea -wbeTe the buildings are in ruins , and yet bnrningintne-EufciiniB Hianner before described . The flimes from the tail dings though low , being almost wholly ef wood , gained a rapid htid , and the cooperage , the marine store , and Bushell's ( at the back ) were all speedily in-Simes , over a " frontage to the street of about twenty-five y ^ rds . Twc or three of the horses and some pigs were got out alive , but some were
burned to dectfa . Jost above , in the same row , ana to the east , was a double cotton shed , longitudinal with the street , which was for some time in great daDger , bnt Saperhiter dent Leverett had tha door burst open , and got "the fire extinguished just in time to save it . "Wfctn the -fire began the greatest alarm naturally prevailed rrnorg-st the inmates of the premises , several of Trhoia were in their beds—females as well ss males ran oct in their shifts and shirts . A number of engines ¦ were speedily on the spot , and were woikt-d by tbe police , -uader Mr . Whitty and others , with as much energy , notwithstanding their previous fatigue . & £ if they had come fresh to- the scene of action . We can fora no estimate of the loss , bnt we may S 3 y that this the
fire , as well as the greater one we have b ^ l pain to reccrd shows tbe necessity for some law to prevent the beading of sheds and other premises of timber , and other combustible materials , particularly in the mercantile and crowded parts of the town , where much Talnsble property is stored , and many lives are endangered on the spreading ef s fire . Half-past twelve o ' clock . —We have just returned from the scene of devastation The firs , we trust , is for the present got under ; and , but for the amiz ' n ? rapidity with which it burst , we ' may say , amongst f . < s wooden buildings destroyed , would have been arresttd in a few minctrs by the large and active force at present on the spot six valuablherees
We regret to say that e belonging to Mr- Eushell are destroyed . We siw amidst the smoking ruins upon the site of the stabling , the carcases of two . burned to & cinder , and the bones per . fectJf vrh te in parts , from which the skin and fiesb had been stripped ofE A donkey was" the only tenant of the stabling which made its escape w . thcut assistance ; and as it rushed through the g-ites of the yard into CDmptos-street , with its long . e-is all a fliae , and shaking its bead , furnished a laughable exhibition contrasted with the horror of the remaining scene . We know not &s yet the fate of the piga * hich were npon the premises . We -were told , however , by the inspectors and firemen upon the spot , that they wtra in ail probability saved , having promptly miie their egress from their sties , and distributed tbtnxseives in all directions amongst the legs of those eci-a ^ sd in arresting the progress if the flames .- The stench which we experienced , whilst seeing the remains of the foarfooted tenants of the stable , was dreadful .
We cannot conceal our impression that the state of the entire locality of . tts . 3 fire is far from Sitiifactory .
INQUEST OX THE MEN KILLED AT i THE FIRE . Origin of the Fire . —An inquest was held on Monday before P . F . Curry , Esq ., ceroner , touching the death » -f John . Martin , Luke Smith , and Jsmes Bell , the three m : n who , as has been previously mentioned , j ¦ were killed by the falling of a wall , and whose bodies j are lying at the Northern Hospital . j The witnesses examined were Edward Knight , i ¦ warehouse keeper ; Samuel Tack , police c nicer ; Hcgh Falkntr , labourer ; Joseph ilassey , inspector of police ; Slich&sl Martin , labourer ; Mr . Harris , surgeon of the Northern Hospital . But the most interesting portion j of the evidence which- had reference to tne origin of the fire w ^ s given by the servant of Mr . Pcniston , tfce bone-merchant , in whose premises it is said the fire I originated , and was to the following effect : — Jobs C-jghlzn . —I am tha engineer at Mr . Peni&tun ' s . in Croiayton street , and have been in the employ of i
Mr . Pcniston for the last three years . I Live the chaTge of tbe engine , have to look after the fires , to lock up the place at night , and I have charge of everything in tseyard . The last time that I locked up the gates on Thursday Bight last was at ten minutes to ten . Before leaving tha place I drew the ted fire out of the stove , as mnil , and filled up the bars with slack , in orJer liiat we mijht have a small fire ready for use on the foUowing morning . Sometimes , when I have slacked the Sie , it ha . d been completely burnt out when I went next morning ; but generally there was a little fire in the stove . I have followed the practice of slacking the fire for the last four months . The engine was set up with brickwork . The smoke -was carried off through a flue which went under ground , the whole breadth of the yard . The engine-house was built of tricks and wood . The roof was ef wood , and the ¦ back was of wood . There was & sufficient brick wall
around the boi ; er , es is the case with almost every engine , and then there was a wooden partition between tha engine-house and the next yard . The furnace has an iron door , divided into two halves . It was cot closed at night . If we had closed it , there would have been no draught , and the fire would have gone out . It ¦ was always Uft open at night Tbe engine-house is fligged . There were no chairs in the engine-house , nor any seats of any kind . There was not a joiner ' s bench in it There was a bit of a board temporarily fastened to the wall , and to which the vice was made fast We used it to lay our tools upon , but -never as a seat . Inspector Murray—That is the bench of which I spoke . It might have been used for laying tools on , and also as a seat .
John Caghlan , in continuation—I was rousea out of bed on Friday morning , nt . &bont a quarter before three o'clock . The man who knocked at the door informed me that the yard was on fire . I first ran to my master ' s jhouse , told Mr . Peniston , and then went to the yard . I found tbe whole of the building belonging to my master on fire , and other places besides . There were two buildings , one on each side , on fire . I have Do idea where the fire originated . On Thursday night I ordered the Lids to fill up toe slack , and they thraw their spades , three in number , into the fire-bole . The spades were lying there next day , and the handles were fiot at all burnt . We left no light of any description in the place . Wo would net be allowed to do that . We have a dark lantern ] which was not lighted more than ¦ one night in twenty . We Were very cautious about lights ; for if it Lad been-known that I hid had a candle about the building , I should have been turned off .
The beadle mentioned that he had in waiting another witness , one of the beys in the employ of Mi . Pcniston , who was also present when the place w& 3 locked np . He could corroborate the evidence of Coghlan . Mr . Curry remarked that he had no reason to doubt the truth of Coshlau ' s testimony , and that it w ^ s unnecessary to cill the lad . He added , " The fact which the last witness has mentioned about the spades is sufficient to convince me that tha fire did cot originate from the stove . " Inspector M array—When I went in , the fire was I
confined te the engine-house . I did not see anything j of the spidts . They might have been there , though I ] did not see them . j The Coroiif r—Have you any idea , Mr . Peniston , bow j this £ re originated ? I Mr , Peuiston—Not . at all . I feel confident that it ' eocld not have originated in my yard . I feel very sorry , for I am a sufferer very much by it . I had not a farthing of my property insured . I have examined ail over , and thtre w&a noihicg at the end of the yard that could have iznited .
The Coroner—It is now a question for you , gentle-Den of thejery , whether we should adjoutn this inqueit for further evidence as to the origin of the fire , or cot . lit . Peniston—I should be very glad if any gentlesun would come snd examine my premises , to see ¦ whether there is any proof cf the Ere having originated there . The boiler is all good . The Coroner—Do yon think , Gentlemen , thtre is any occasion to ac j jurn , in order that we may have further evidence as to the origin cf the fire ? Or , supposing that the premises were maliciously set on fire , would that have any effect on the verdict you would return ? I bave not any doubt on my own mind ; but some person * have doubts , though they lean to my -way of thinking . We are of opinion that though the place was
maliciously set on fire , and these parties were killed in awistmg to extinguish it , the only verdict could be aoddental deith . 1 hare pat the point to one or two , And they think tint there ia something is it ; and , a this was such a melancholy event , and involved such a loss of property ( with which , however , you have TOtfattig to do ) , a * well as of life , I think that it woola be better to adjourn fjr farther Informstlen as to the origin of the fire . I » tnt a note to Mr . Shuttleworth , Mad ha ha * returned me an answer , stating that the point to winch I have alluded involves s very important Question , and one he abmld not wish to decide op-jc sb a harry . I should not myself hesitate to give « ny opixion on the law of tho case ; but it will no denbt be more satisfactory to U ? e public to have the case sifted cs thoroughly as we caa do £ 0 . Wb . it witnesses can } -neet , beadle ?
™ ae Beadle—There are several ponce cfneers whom I can get , and the mm who firtt saw the fire . He can , ptr ?^ p « , throw « ome light upon ths origin . Then there i » > l « s Isaac ' s min . He was in i > is mistress's place the ktt , Lbt > njh alone .
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Mrs . Is' jtn was present , and stated that she could give no evidence which wonld at all tend to elucidate the origin < , f the fire . She added , " My place is an oil and colour store , and we have a boiler is it ; bat the last fire we had on the premises , and the last light , either candle , match , or anything else , was on Tuesday , when a small fire was lighted to heat some water . " The Beadle—There is some tar scattered about tbe yard , and that is thought rather curious , as tar was more likely to barn than run about . A Juryman—It is quite necessary , I think , that far ther evidence shoaM be heard , if only for the sake of these two persons hers , Mr . Penbton and Mrs . Isaac , who are blaraed aboat the town . The jury thought it was very desirable that further evidence sb to the origin of the fire should be obtained , and agreed to -adjourn .
The Coroner remarked , " Suppose the premises had been maliciously set on fire , would it alter the verdict or not ? I have no doubt about it ; but as one great legal authority holds a different opinion , I shall aoeede to the wish-cf the jury , and adjourn the inquest . " The inquiry was accordingly adjonrned .
THE ADJOURNED INQUEST . The inquest on the subject of the deaths of Martin , Smith , and Bell , was resumed on Tuesday morning , principally for the purpose cf hearing farther evidence respecting the origin of the fire . II may be as well to mention here , that Mr . Peniston , in whose shed the fire commenced , has received a curious epistle thrcu ^ h the post . It was addressed , " Mr . Peniston , Wood-street North , Liverpool . " It was not pre-paid , and bore the post-mark September 2 * , 1842 . The following is a copy : —
MnTn « - Bonus . Behold . Love Reason and Justice by Beauty for ashes where The Poor asked for bread bat the rich gave stones . Behold the cross adore the crown . Now Christ casts guilty nations down In blood and fire millions rattle The Divil Bankrupt falls in battle . Great Babylon . "Beat your ploughs into swords and your scythes into speaia . " Read 3 Joel . Biule tout . Elias . The Coroner said there appeared to be no certainty as to the precise spot where , or the manner in which , the fire had commenced . He did not see any good which could arise by keeping the inquiry open for any lenzer period .
The Foreman announced the verdict of the Jury as fellows : — "We find that the three deceased parties were accidentally killed while they were employed in removing goods from a warthousa which was contiguous to one that was on fire , but how it became on fire no evidence doth appear ; and we wish , at the same time , to clear Mr . Peniston of the charge that his premises had been purposely set on fire by himself , or by the neglect of any of his servants . " On Tuesday , Patrick Doran , who kept tbe marine store where originated the fire of Monday night , was taken into custody , on suspicion of having wilfully set fire to the same . He underwent a private examination on the same afternoon , in the presence of tbe Mayor , Mr . Rnshton , a large body of other magistrates , and the Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk . The event was , that he was remanded for further examination , which was to take place in open court , at one o ' clock , on Wednesday .
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ANNUAL PARLIAMENTS . The following able dissertation appears in the Evening Star , of Tuesday and Wednesday , in the present week . We leave out an article of our own that we may have room to present it to our readers entire : — " So much importance do we attach to the question of Annual Parliaments , that if we were in a situation to make our election between Universal Suffrage , accompanied with Septennial Parliaments , or the Suffrage as at present settled with Annual
Parliaments , we would much prefer the latter . Having said so much , we shall now proceed to a consideration of the right to petition , and the effects of petitions in those times when elections were annual , and when they were triennial and septennial , distinguishing the relative effects which petitions had upon the Legislature under those three separate tenures . The delegation of representative power was in the first instance a great convenience to the community at large , and could not be attended with any disadvantage to the whole people , so long as they had a controlling power vested in themselves . The right
of petition in olden times , when Parliaments were annually elected , was cherished as a certain appeal of the good sense of the msjority of the people against the premature , injudicious , or hastily conceived projects of those to whom tbe right to legislate was delegated , and seldom or never failed of producing its legitimate effect . Indeed , in those days when the people ' s representatives were obliged to return to their constituents at the close of each session , to receive their smiles a 3 a reward for virtue , or their frowns as a punishment for vice , the best title that the candidate could
plead was his observance of the popular will , and a ready compliance with its commands . The time was so short between the commission of wrong and the certain punishment of the wrong-doer , that few were found hardy enough to resist the remonstrances of those who were so speedily to constitute his judges . Thus we find , that in the times when Parliaments were annual , the House of Commons in most instances anticipated the popular will , and was the first to sound the alarm when the royal prerogative or the power of the Lord 3 threatened any abridgment of popular rights . The successive
invasions upon the people which . were commenced by Hen-hy VIII ., and which have been going on increasing in enormity from the period when the dnration of Parliaments was extended from three to seven years , in the reign of Gkoese I ., have one and all been direct consequences of the abrogation of the right of annual elections . When Henry ' s subservient slaves abrogated Sessional Parliaments , and extended the tenura which their constituents had conferred upon them for only one year , to a period of three years the Constitution of England was . virtually and
actually annulled , and the people would have been justified in falling back upon Magna Charta , in arming themselves , dethroning the tyrant , ejecting the Commons , and resuming again that trust , which in the hands of their delegates had been violated From the days of Henbt the Eighth , to the expulsion of the Second James and the conferring of these realms npon a foreigner , the tyrannical and bloody acts which characterized each successive reign , were one and all consequence ^ of the lost right of annual elections . The popular will lost all control over ita elected servants ; while the partition of the plunder
stolen from the people , among the slavish followers of Habbt , at once laid the foundation of a bribed , subservient , venal , and corrupt . [ oligarchy . From this period we date the establishment of our oligarchy , whose interests were bound up with those ot the reigning monarch , and separated in ioto from' ? those of the people . Protestants would not have waged deadly war against their Catholic fellow-countrymen in honour of God , had the people not lost the right of annual election . Chables would not have lost his head on the scaffold , had the good sense © f the p eople been allowed to use its
controlling influence for the correction of abuses , before they became magnified into a general charge of high treason against the monarch . Neither would the rightful King ( if we may use the frightful term as an illustration ) , Jame 3 the Second , have been driven from the throne to make way for a foreigner , whose religious feelings were more congenial to the recipients of that property which Hjlkrt had stoles from the people . Neither would the bloody murderer , Cromwell , have been allowed to lick up the remainder of the plunder , or
to murder , burn , shoot , transport , or otherwise destroy the brave Irish Catholics , had the English people not been fir 3 t robbed of the right of » nnn * I election . Neither would a stranger ( William the Third ) have been allowed to establish the Bank of England , and to create a funded debt for the snpport of an oligarchy , and to be paid by the people , had the people ' s representatives been subjected to tho settlement which annual accounts were certain to produce . From the moment of the abrogation of the right to elect annual ser-
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vants , we hear no more of Hampoens , Svdnets , Russklls , and aristocratic opposentB to royal encroachment . King and oligarchy from that period became one in interest , one in action , and one in principle : so more do we hear of stopping the supplies for the purpose of arresting invasions upon popular rights . If the change from Annual to Triennial Parliaments worked so much evil , let us now enter upon the consideration of those results which have issued from a farther extension from taree to a seven years' tenure of office . A Parliament elected only for three years extended the right
to itself to sit for seven years , and the act would have justified the ejection of the Commons , who passed it , and the dethroning of the Monarch who gave to it bis assent . It was a violation of the compact of Magna Charta , of the Bill of Bights , and of the spirit of the Constitution ; and , as the Tory , Lord Bolingbegkb has well and truly said , it is , in such cases , as much the duty—mind , the duty , not the mere right—of the people to rebel against a corrupt House of Commons as against a tyrannical prince . From that period , when the people ' s representatives had unconstitutionally
conferred upon themselves the right to hold their trust for seven years , we find the HneB of demarcation between the electoral body and the unrepresented people become wider and wider ; and schisms , theretofore unknown , jealousies theretofore unheard of , and suspicion never before entertained , causing discord , disunion , strife , and discontent in the human family . Now we come to a vital portion of our Bubject . From that time when Parliaments were not elected annually , we find that the people ' s petitions were looked upon as mere waste paper , until at length it was reserved for a reformed House of
Commons to turn them into a mockery and port . The three great events which , have taken place in the world from the period when Parliaments were eleoted for seven years , are , the American war , the French Revolution , and the Irish insurrection of 1798 . And the first and last of these two great events , which were more immediately consequences of British policy , we shall be able to trace distinctly and irrefutably to the loss of annual elections , and the consequent disregard of the people ' s petitions . As regards the American war and the subsequent declaration of American independence , much as we rejoice at the
glorious rt suit , and although we can trace it . to the abrogation of Sessional Parliaments , yet the friends of American freedom casnot hail the change as advantageous to them , because those grievances , of which they justly complained , never would have been allowed to exist by a Parliament annually elected , while the right'of self-government would have been conceded to right and will , instead of waiting upon force and superior strength , by the same rightful authority of a Parliament , constitutionally elected , or rather constitutionally controlled by the appellate jurisdiction , which never failed of having its due effect upon annual servants .
We prove our case thus : —When the Americans first complained of the injustice of their step-mother's rule , they couched their grievances in the most modest language , embodied in what , even now , would be considered fulsome adulation of the monarch , and reprobation of the British oligarchy . They asked not for separation , nor yet for equality ; they merely petitioned , and that right loyally and humbly , for a remission of heavy taxation , which they considered injurious to the well-being of the country , and unjust in principle . Their petitions breathed the strongest sentiments of
loyalty to the Crown , affection to the laws , and respect for the Constitution , while they remonstrated against the unequal manner in which all were extended to their country . To these petitions , insulting answers were returned ; when remonstrance followed petition , and which being unheeded , were succeeded bv the freeman ' s last appeal—a recourse to arms for the defence of right and suppression of wrong . America succeeded ; and the very man who was spurned from the royal presence as a mediator , was shortly afterwards received by our mad monarch as an accredited
ambassador from free America . The achievement of American independence , and the French Revolution , which quickly followed that ever-glorious and memorable event , gave hope of justice to oppressed and unhappy Ireland , where the conquered Catholic was compelled to bow his proud neck beneath the yoke of the murdering Statechurch conqueror . The Irish Catholics also tried petitions for a mere remission of grievances , to their own subservient Parliament , and also to the
King in person ; but the Irish , as the Americans , were reminded of their weskness , laughed at for their audacity , and mocked for their pains . And as in America , so in Ireland , disappointment broke out in revolution ; but , unfortunately for poor Ireland , her day of retribution had not aimed , and her hour of freedom was delayed , but we trust is now near at hand , when thut brave and generous people will rise in their majesty and glory , and throw the whole incubus of State-church , and oppressors of all shades , from them , and that for ever .
To the loss of the right to elect the people's servants annually , we ascribe not only all those grievances heretofore mentioned , but every other under which the nation now suffers , from a demoralizing State Church , and its standing army of butohers to support it , to the " gold chain" of eight hundred millions of debt with which " the great statesman now no more" has bound British society in amicable bonds .
The right to elect Members of Parliament annually is the leading avenue , the prinoipal approach , the front door to the Suffrage , and the rampart for its protection . We have broadly asserted that the question of the vote falls into utter insignificance when compared with its frequent exercise ; and that whereas the possession of the Suffrage would but retard the principle of annual elections , the return to annual elections would very speedily put the people in possession of the Suffrage . We shall now proceed to a consideration of this allimportant subject in all its phases , shapes , and
forms . We shall endeavour to drag truth from beneath the heap of rubbish whioh a servile press has , as if by right , for centuries , shot over it ; and , for once , place the question in a simple form before the unsophisticated , whe ^ e rights have been so long buried amid the prejudices of faction . We commence with the principle of annual elections , as breathing through the spirit of th ' iB country ' s Constitution long before Parliaments existed . Alfred called the Whittena-Gemote together twice a year , or oftener * if need were . In William the Conqueror ' s reign , it is said by an ancient statute and oustom , laudable and approved , tbe King was , once in the year , to convene bis Lords and Commons to his councils of Parliament . By Oldfield ' s " Representative
History of Great Britain , " in 6 vola ., Vol . I ., we find , " the Charters customal and records of the Cinque Ports positively state that Parliaments existed in the 11 th year of the reign of Henry III . ; " and many other proofs of equal authority can be adduced to establish the fact , that Parliaments existed at periods antecedent , and , what is of more importance to us just now , that their duration was only for ONE SESSION . By 4 Edward III . it ia accorded , a Parliament shall be held every year once , and qflener if need be . '" By 30 Edward III . " Parliaments shall be held . every year . " At this time prorogations were of rare occurrence ; and if any did occur , fresh summonses were , notwithstanding to be issued for a new Parliament once A YEAR
AT LEAST . In the 10 th year ef Richard II ., the Commons sent a message to the King , in which they stated , " We have it settled and confirmed by ancient constitution , from a laudable and approved custom , which none can gainsay , that the King ought to assemble his Nobles and Commons of the kitgdom once a year . " In the reign of Henet VIII . Sessional Parliaments were abrogated , and in the reign of Geo . I . Septennial Parliaments gave the
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finishing stroke to liberty . Now we have established the faot , not only that Parliaments , from their earliest existence , were held annually , but , further , that the same Parliament never sat for more than one year before the reign of Henry VIII . Such an embodiment of the living genius of the times was the spirit of our Constitution . In fact , the Constitution of a country can mean no more , or less , or other , than the exercise , in the most convenient way , of the living genius of the nation . And if our forefathers , living rudely , measuredly and evenly in one dull course , found it necessary to make
representation hold pace with tne progressing genius of their time , how much more necessary does such a course become in these our days , when the genius of to-day may leave the notions of yesterday , as things only to be fonnd in " the wreck of old opinions . " We affirm , as we shall presently prove , that a Parliament onder the present system , in its third year , would not , if even it were a faithful mirror of the public voice at the time of its election , be a fair representation of the improved opinion then existing . Public opinion does not mean the whimsies of a mere mob , or the
adopted notions of a mere s&otion or fraction of the community . It means , the best digest of the living genius of the age , and will naturally seek vent , through that valve of representation , the Parliament , and which , if closed against it , will assuredly explode . We shall now proceed to show the justice of Annual Parliaments . All communities having care of their separate interests , attach a paramount importance to the power which they possess of holding their officers , directors , managers , and servants in check , by the right of examining their accounts at any moment , and of dismissal for
the slightest dereliction of duty . Indeed , men , where their own interest is at stake , guard against the frailties of human nature , and eleofc their servants only for one year in the first instance . Governments , no doubt , from the consciousness of tho evil use of power made by themselves , receive tenders , and enter into contracts only for one year Corporations , societies , and separate bodies elect their officers only fora year—honest service for the past being the best pretensions for future favours Now , if separate classes , haviDg tenderregardfor their own interests , should find themselves protected by
the frequent exercise of the right of electing their officers and servants , upon what ground can they refuse the same wholsome check to the people as a means of making the combined representation of all claases a faithful mirror of the popular will ! The answer is easy—Because unitedly all live upon labour ; and however any other class may now and then suffer a trifling injustice at the hands of their servants , yet do they prefer the worst that can befall them from that corrupted source , to the anticipated evil of being compelled by a faithful representation of the people to earn an
honest livelihood . Anxious , however , to sift this question to the bottom , let us now examine by what rule of right servants can hold tenures for seven years , from masters who are compelled to make an annual tender for that qualification , which entitles them to vote for a representative . Now , this opens to us a wide field for consideration ; and let the lovers of things as they are attend to this palpable evil , which may come upon us under the present system , while we shew that it is now within the power of the landlords of England to constitute themselves , if relieved from the controul of
public opinion , into a permanent legislative body . The right given by tho clause of the Marquis of Chandos to tenants occupying fifty pounds' worth of land at the will of their landlord , confers upon them the right of voting for a representative , who is to hold office for seven years , while the voter himself may have lost the qualification whioh the tenure vested in him , the moment after he has exercised it . Now , this is anomalous ; and is rendered absurd by that law which compels a bankrupt to surrender his seat upon the declaration of his bankruptcy . Let us follow up the
illustration further . A solvent man is returned by a solvent constituency , a majority , perhaps , having interest for life in that property out of which they vote . He becomes insolvent , and loses no portion of the confidence of his constituents . Yet dees the practice of Parliament look upon him as an unfit person to represent a constituency ; while upon the other hand , a person may be returned by a majority of fifty pound tenants at will , a majority or all of whom may lose their votes the moment or immediately after having exercised them ; they may become bankrupts , may be
disfranohised , and yet does the tenure conferred by them hold good for seven years , thus making representation a complete mockery . Lord Stanley , during the debate on Lord Morpeth ' s Irish Registration Bill , asserted unblushingly that the English farmers consider themselves as mere tenants at will of that trust , which , as as voters , they were called upon to exerciso . He said that the understanding between English landlords and their tenants was , that the tenants should vote according to the will of their lord ; and therefore to this portion of our subject we desire to draw particular attention ,
for two reasons ; firstly , because it establishes the fact that the fifty pound tenants at will have in reality no franchise , and that the House of Commons consists of a body of self-elected landlords , who may retain office , those who elected them having lost the franchise . And , secondly , to deduce from the fact the advantage which the landlord must have in his political capacity of thus turning his landed property to political rather than to social purposes ; but , above all , to show from the practice the advantage which farmers of public will , have in conveying to their tenants as short a period of tenure as possible . This subjeot is so important , that even at
the hazard of being considered prolix , we shall probe it to the very bottom . We have shown the great controul which landlords have over those tenants , who hold their property merely upon their will . Now , mutatis mutandis , the people being farmer of the representative trust , and the representatives being the mere tenants at will of that trust , a fortiori , it follows , that they , the people , would have a like controul over their tenants , that the landlords now have over the farmers of those estates , which lose the distinctive value which they ought really to have , and receive a counterfeit value for the political power with which they invest the lord .
Thus we have traced Annual Parliaments and the right of petition , from the earliest period , when both existed and were in force , down to tbe present period , when the one is lost , and the other in consequence become a mockery ; and now let us sum the whole iu brief but convincing terms , thuB : — The country now divided into two antagonistic forces , —the non-elective power on the one haud , and non-elective influence on the other , let us consider how that unrepresented interest could best make head against the elective power , whether by Universal Suffrage with a seven years' tenure , vested in the
farmers of their will ; or under the present franchise ; or with that annual control which the spirit of living genius , though unenfranchised , wonld be sure to exercise at annual elections . Firstly , it is admitted , and truly , that with Parliaments no great measure of liberty ever originates ; that , in fact , they are rather the drags upon , than the propellers of , liberal principles ; that they lag immeasurably behind that public spirit and existing order of things , which fairly struggle for representation : and
that they are only driven to measures of relief and improvement by the force of public opinion , —not that opinion which originates with , or is advanced by , the electoral body , but by that which is to be found in the rising genius , which daily becomes manifest among the unrepresented body , acting not in concert with , but in opposition to , the will of the represented party . Confer , therefore , a tenure for seven years , even with Universal Suffrage , and the whole of that period would be spent in the violation of every
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pledge given upon the hu&tings , and in the concoction of measures best calculated to render the possession of the Suffrage as harmless as possible to the interests of the several classes , who would still contend for their separate rights to live out of the plunder of labour . Upon the other hand , let the Suffrage remain limited as it is , slip public opinion annually from that leash in which despondency and the law now hold it , and bo powerful will be its control and influence , that it would smile vice out of countenance , and com pel the most cunning slave
to act npon the maxim that " honesty is , in truth , the best policy . " Who would be foolish enough to submit a bankrupt fame to the annual revision of a virtuous public opinion t and who would be bankrupt enough in character to dare to vote against him who had honestly discharged his duty , and in defence of the will of those for whom he had thus discharged it ! In consequence of elections being septennial , we now find the action of the unrepresented brought into the field without vigour or concert ; but let it be undp . rstond that that will is to be exercised
annually , and then it will be brought into aotion under a perfect system of discipline and order , before which the marshalled force of faction shall fall and perish . Tha publio will , and riot the Parliament , carried Emancipation and Reform ; the publio will , and not the Parliament , established the freedom of America ; and when once the public shall decide upon the right to reserve to itself the appointment of those who are to represent it , for a term not exceeding one year , then will tub nation
HAVE WILLED ITS FREEDOM J—THEN VTILL THE nation be free . Thus we establish the fact , that Universal Suffrage is the sanctuary of the Constitution ; and that of tha maay ways of access to it , Annual Parliaments are the grand approach and front door , by which alone it can be securely entered and protected . After this exposure , none will wonder at all parties professing affinity with Chartists , expressing their disapprobation of Annual Parlia ^ ments , and their preference for triennial elections . With a perfect knowledge of the great value of annual elections , Mr . O'Connell eaye , that he is a Chartist upon the principle of Triennial Parliaments >
while Dr . Black , the mouth-piece of the Metropolitan Parliamentary Reform Association , another section of professing Chartists , 6 ays " If you had Universal Suffrage , with Septennial Parliaments or Huudred-jear Parliaments , how eooa could you alter the matter ; the great question of tbe Suffrage was the thing . " Again , we find Mr . Sturge , the leader of another section of professing Chartists , declaring that he found it almost impossible to reconcile the middling classes to the principle of Annual Parliaments , These objections of themselves must establish the fact , that from Universal Suffrage , cramped by a long tenure , faction would have little to dread , while from the annual control of the popular will it would have little to hope for : — made up . therefore , as our mind is , to stand by every
point of the Charter , whole and eatire , to the death —we give it freely as our opinion , that were we to receive any one point of the six , we would imeasureably prefer that of Annual Parliaments to the other five put together . Hereafter , we shall treat separately of the several other points—Vote by Ballot , Equal Representation , No Property Qualification , and Payment of Members , —establishing , as we trust , the fact , that the whole , with , perhaps the exception of the mask , tho Ballot , constitute a complete maohiue , the want of any portion of which would render the whole incomplete . The Charter IS OUB PRINCIPLE , AND No SURRENDER IS OUR Motto . And with these as our arms , we will fight faction to its teeth , in whatever shape or form it may present itself .
THE COLLIERS' STRIKE . We some time ago laid before our readers copious extracts from the reports presented to Parliament , developing the horrors connected with the system now obtaining in the working of the mines of this Christian Country . Those extracts furnish a bird ' s eye view of the hardships endured by tbe adults and youth of both sexes , who earn , or essay to earn , a livelihood by toiling in the bowels of the earth . Those extracts supply a solution to : the question , why ignorance and vitiated morals—to say nothing of emaciated frames and premature old age—are more prevalent among the miners than any
other class of operative ? . 'Tis a base , inhuman , unchristian , and murderous system to which these men , women , and children are subjected ; and * one , not of their own creation , but emanating , root and branch , from the tyranny , rapacity , and cupidity of a band of unfeeling capitalists . Taking the facts embodied in tho report to which we allude , in connection with the more recent conduct of the masters towards the employed , we unhesitatingly pronounce them to be the veriest tyrants that disgrace the haunts of men . The condition of those who are doomed to their accursed controul must be dreadful in the extreme .
Their hardens are in reality unbearable , and those who lord it over them are alone responsible for all the consequences that may ensue ; and we trust all the evil will ultimately recoil upon the heads of these worse than Egyptian task-masters . Elsewhere our readers will find an address from the Yorkshire colliers to the consumers of coal , in which they dilate in touching terms , upon the many evils to whioh they and their families are exposed ; shewing that their labour is more severe than that' of the victims doomed to toil in the Siberian mines . Thoy are incessantly exposed to dangers from
various causes—dangers more perilous and frequent than that of the soldier and sailor , who , in case of misfortune , may be pensioned for life , and in case of . death , their widows and orphans may be provided for in some of the established institutions , which provision the colliers have not . They also depict the starving state of their families , on whose behalf they make the appeal , in hope of reaching the ears of the benevolent . We trust the call will be responded to , and that these poor men will be convinced that the demon of money-grubbing and class domination has not yet entirely extinguished the old English love of fairplay in the land . ;
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work in every direction , and was it not for the " aln a nousBs , " or -wha t would be termed " aoup shops" in England , thousands weuld be without food In the city of New York alone . " Do not Imagine that this account is in any way exaggerated , for I solemnly assure you that that it ia strictly tree , as 3 , 885 are living upon what they receive in the alms houses in New York , whilst , according to the different public papers , the whole country is in a similar condition ; Hundreds are daily retnming to this place , same of whom have travelled thousands of miles without being able to pro cure employment of any description . All that can raise the means , are returning home , 475 have done so last week , and three ships leave this week , crowded ¦ with men , women , and children in the most destitute condition , having bad to sell their clothing to pay their passages and procure provisions . They ( tbe ship owners ) are taking passengers home for two or three dollars per head . But even this hundreds cannot procure . Scores are compelled to lie In the open air , under trees
in the public walks in the city , for the want of money te pay for beds ; whilst the streets are crowded with men , women , and children craving charity . The press of New York is daily calling upon the authorities to put down the begging , and provide houses for the des . titute to sleep in . but as yet no steps have keen taken to accomplish either . I have had , several times since my arrival , to give money out of my pocket to starving families , that I was keeping to buy food for myself and family ; and we have had to go without until we could sell something . Ob , my friend , it wonld make your heart bleed to see the misery that I daily witness , fop although I have been accustomed to wretched si ghts nearly all my lifo , I cannot remain an indifferent spectator to the sufferings of my fellow creatures—no , in whatever part of the world I reside . I am now in an office for the forwarding of passengers and emigrants to all parts of America ; and this brings hundreds to miserable beings under my notiae , that I migkt ton otherwise sea . "
This but confirms many other accounts that we have seen , of the wretched state which the temporary dominance of the rag-money men , and the extraordinary pressure , by emigrants , on the " Labour market , " has brought about in the United States Under such circumstances , no man of sense will emigrate who has not either connections : already there to take care and advance him , or money to carry with him , which may enable him to buj land .
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THE DEFENCE FUND . On Monday the trials at Stafford commence , O'Connor will be there ; he has specially engaged Counsel in London for the defence of Ellis for High Treason , and of the other imprisoned victims . Tha sinews of war come slowlyin . Timeisshorfc ; tho importance of the crisis none can doubt . A small amount from each , and that amount contributed without delay , and the cause is vafe . Let there be no backwardness . Let all subscriptions from every quarter be forwarded at once . Remember , that now is the accepted time , and that " England expects every nun to do his duty !"
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T . M . Wheeler , London , correspondent to the Northern Siar , informs the public that he has removed from Knightsbridye to 243 S , Temple Bar , where all future communications must be addressed . Timely notice of jail public meetings , S [ C , is respectfully requested . The order to withdraw the address of the Testimonial Committee-to Mr . Watkins , and that gentleman ' s reply , came too late to be attended to . That -part of the Star in which it appears had gone to press . J . C . Geadt , near French Park , County Ro'common , Ireland , writes to say that he has received a letter from a gentleman of Bath , stating that thirty Stars ( old ones ) had been sent him , and of which thirty , eight only have come to hand . He requests , therefore , that nil parties who have sent him Stars will be good enough to write and say how many they have sent , and also furnishing their particular addressses . Thomas Boakdman . — We cordially concur in his opinion , and have sent his letter to the proprietor
of the Northern Star for his consideration . "The Old Commodore" must excuse us this week : we are full . "A Chiejtain unknown to the Queen . '—Next week . P . W . B . means well , and has our thanks ; but his acrostic is deficient in poetry . Thomas Gerrasd . We have not room for his letter . Wingate Grange Chartists . —Their feelings do them honour ; but the like sentiments are forlti nately he'd by so many who would be happy to have leave to express them through the Star , that we fear to make the precedent . I Notice . —All communications for the Derby Chartists must be addressed to Mr . T . Briggs , al Mrs .
Parry ' s , News-agent , Cheapside . An Exile . —His address was received loo late for the chance of insertion this week . John Hindes . —His letter to the " Tars of Britain " was received : but its publication might subject us to prosecution . A Constant reader , Dunfermline . —His remedy would be worse than the disease . The people are by no means prepared for it . Bernard M'Cartney . —His letter was received on Thursday morning : too late for insertion . John Mowbray . —Too latejor this week : &hall appear in our next . Con Murray . —We have not room this week either to insert his letter or notice its contents . We shall notice it next week .
L . Swelling . —Never mind the scrawling fool . John M'Knight , Liverpool , after some very pertinent remarks anent the brutal behaviour of the middle-class blues and specials on the occasion of Poor Lyon ' s funeral , tells the following story by way of counterpart to it . — " On Sunday last , it was rumoured that an Orangeman was dead , and that the order would walk in procession . It turned out to be true , The body went to the residence of the deceased , which is three miles from Live , pool , a place called Bootle . The dead Orangeman was an attorney . About 300 formed into procession , with black scarfs and orange ties , and many with broad ribbons round their necks . The very horses that drew tbe hearse sported the rampant faction ' s colours . On their way to St . James's Cemetery the streets were lined with people ; and , mind yon , Sir , the police was
walking along side to protect them I If the Mayor of Manchester had been here to have seen this , I wonder what the sleek-fac'd man would have said !" H . Moule , Redditch . —His letter of Thursday nigU was duly received . Wm . Dixon , Manchester . — We received his news letter on Friday morning , fifteen hours after the first edition of the Star had gone topress . It contained nothing of later occurrence than the Sunday previous . All Communications for the Committee of the General Defence Fund at Manchester must be addressed to Wm . Dixon , No . 11 , Nelson- street , Bank Top , Manchester . On account of the arrest of Mr . Carlledge , all letters for the South Lancashire Delegates must for the present be addressed to William Dixon , No . 11 , Nelson-street , Bank Top , Manchester .
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Parcels of Plates have been sent to the following Places : —Bobson , ; Durham ; Barry , ^ Thornhill , and Arkle , Wingate Grange , to J . Williams , Snnderland ; Bowman , Richmond , and , Thompson , Darlington , to Oliver , Darlington . — ] Hebden , Stokesley , and Model , Middlesbro ' , to j Nash , Stockton . Mitchell , Aberdeen , to Xegge , Aberdeen , via Hull . Hudson , Carlisle , and j Bailey , Cockermouth , to Arthur , Carlisle , per France , Newcastle . Johnson , Galashiels , to Hog ? , j Ha wick , per France . Wilkinson , South Shields , i Vasey , Barnard Castle , and White , Oateshead , to France Newcast e . AI'Larn , Leith , Easton , Leitb , {
and Rankin , Edinburgh , to Drummond , Edin- burgh . Nicol , Tiilicoultry , and Stein , Alva , to . Thompson , Alloa , per Paton and Love , Mother- , ¦ well , Paisley ,- to Aitken , Paisley , per Paton and 'j Love . Innes , Greenock , and Lennox , Greenock , to j | Marshall , Greenock , per Paton and Love . Whit * * Jaw , Coatbridge , to Young , Airdrie , per Paton and ; Love . Tosh , Fisheracre ; Thompson , Saltcoats ; 5 M'Clintock , Irvine ; Carru-h , Kilmarnock ; Ander- £ son , Colquhoun , Barnes , Campbell , and Jack and ' te Currie , Glasgow ; Davie , Campsie ; Simpson , Fal- p kirk ; M'Pherson , Perth ; Boss , Forfar ; and Millar , j Dumbarton ; to Paton and Lote , Glasgow . Brown , . Settle , per carrier . ¦ * THE Plates to Cardiff , Porth y Glo , Newport , Trede- J gar , Mertbyr , and Abergavenny are all sent to Mr . .
Hoarding , Monmoath . Parcels for Avery , Barasteple , to Mitchell , Colluro £ ton . Elms , Newton Abbott , to Mann , Asbbnrton } Hancock , Redrnth , to Barridge , Truro . Mitchell , Mann , and Barridge , are sent to Smith , Plymouth . Plates for Lowe , Newport , Salop , will be forwarded from SheHon to Wilcox , Wolverharapton , where they have been sent per favour of 8 . Bevington . Plates for Mr . Heaton , Clitheroe , and for Mr . Cleg ? , Burnley , are sent to Mr . Rickards , Burnley . Parcels for Rickardo , Burnley ; Pitfleld and Woodbum , Chorlay ; Gill , Blackburn ; and Liddle , Preston , are enclosed to Mr . Halton , Preston . Parcels for T . Traverse , Prescot , and R . Dunn , Liverpool , are enclosed to Mr . B . M'Cartney , Liverpool . The Parcels for Ireland and Brighton are at Mr . John Cleaye's , Shoe-lane , London .
The J\ T Oetheiltf Star. Saturday, October 1, 1842.
THE J \ OETHEILtf STAR . SATURDAY , OCTOBER 1 , 1842 .
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THE STURGE MEN'S " NATIONAL" CONFERENCE . " We give in onr present paper a letter from Mr . John Campbell , the General Secretary , in reference to this subject , which we recommend to general attention . We perceive that Mr . Sturge and his co-lecturers are most busy in their vocation of going ronnd from town to town to stir up the embers of Complete Humbug , though the fire burns
so gently that but for the official notifications of their organ , the Nonconformist newspaper , we should be unaware of its existence . We have no fear whatever of the people being gulled by this projected Conference . The bulk of them know too well " what's what . " But we desire that not one individual should be deceived ; and , therefore , pray all to read Mr . Campbell ' s exposure of the " national" character of this intended tub for the whale .
We add to Mr . Campbell's our own exhortation , that not a single delegate be appointed to thie humbug Conference by the people . On the contrary , let the people at every meeting which may be held to elect delegates attend , and speak outlet them show them that they are awake . Let them look to the factory and mining districts for an abundance of samples of middle class sympathy , and let them return friend Sturge his "NO . "
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EMIGRATION . CONDITION OF THE EMIGRANTS IN AMERICA We commend to general attention the following extract from a letter lately received in Leeds , from a very intelligent and observing man , who , while in England , was extenfively known among tbe Chartists : — " Do you want to know any thing of this country ? it you do , I hope that you and all my friends in Leeds will rest satisfied with my assurance , that all had better remain at home . What ! some would exclaim , amidst poverty and wretchedness ? Yes , my friend , ' even bo , tor nothing but poverty and wretchedness of the worst description awaits them here . Thousands are oat of
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1 _ THE NORTHERN ^ J ^ 3 : z _^ ===:= _______ _ -== —— —
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 1, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct907/page/4/
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