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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1842.
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£o 2fteatrer2 antr &om0pontrettt£»
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IO AGENTS.—Those Agents who have jvot got
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Saving a Pknut.—A farmer, in the neighbourhood of Balfron, sent his servant girl last week to
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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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a HE GOVERNMENT VICTIMS . An arfdu-onal demenstration against that ? He species of Government t 5 ranr > y , which has . w . thin the last few months , filled the prisons of England ¦ with Tortuous and skilful English artisans , for seekicg , in . public meeting , to mate known their grievances , and to discuss the most legitimate means of procuring a redress of them , together . with the means of bread for their " starring wives and families , " took plaee on Thursday ci ^ ht , in the shape of a public meeting , at the Hail of Science , High-street , WhHechapel . The object of the meeting "fas to express the public detestation of a Government that could thus act , and to mark that detestation the mure strongly by entering into a subscription in aid of the " victims" to so despotic and atrocious a policy . On the motion of Mr . Drake , Mr . Mantz -was called to the chair . He said he
regretted the Chartista were not doh g th- > ir dnty to themselves , otherwise the Hall in which the meeting over which he had the honour te preside , was held , would , at that late hour , hare been crowded to inconvenience . They had met on the _ present occasion , not merely as matter of form—not merely to breathe the fee lie £ 3 of indignation against a Government that could act so tyrannically as the present was actiDg ; bnt upon a question which concerned them all , involving as it did the proposition , whether a man was to " think freely , " or whttber tyranny was to say , in this enlightened land , " Thus far shalt thou go and no farther . " The Government that would dare attempt to restrict a people from the free expression of their grievances , and who would say to them they muiJ think only as they ( the Government ) thought , was the greatest of all tyrannies—( hear , hear )—but all would
sot do ; the mind of ""> " wonld still be free . —{ hear and loud cheers . ) Man was , by his Creator , endowed with the power to think , and to express bis thoughts ; and it was not for tyrant man to dare to stop him in the exercise and expression of the mind thus given—( hear , hear ) The enemies of the people ' s rights might * ay , that they ( the people ) lived in a free country , " and might do this or that But in this they reminded him of the " French" press , which said , " you may print this or that ; but you must not say anything against the Ministry . " or State "—( laughter . ) And so with the present tyrannical Government of England—( hear , hear . ) The people might say or think what they pleased ; bnt as soon as they said anything against tbexn , they ( the Ministry ) , would seizs upon , drag , and east them into prison—( bear , hear . ) "He ( Mr . Mantz ) , might illustrate this base intolerance , by a quotation , of which it reminded him , from the poet , namely : —
" A subject's faults , a EU ^ ject may proclaim , A monarch's errors are furbldden ^ game . " ( Cheers . ) The people , undismayed by such proceedings , should follow ih « advice of their tried aad valued , friend , O'Connor , should not shrink from danger , but like him , be prepared to " brave tha battle and the bretzV and , as becomes Englishmen , determine to be free —( hear , hear , and cheers ) . They bad a duty to perform to the excellent , and patriotic men who are now incarcerated , for no other crime than that of peaceably scd constitutionally mee . ing to demand a redress ef their grievances—( hear , hear , and " shame . " ) He was sure they would do that—( hear )—he was sure they would not be content with the present state of things—( hear , heir ) . Why should they not muster in
their moral strength , and act like men who were determined to bring tyranny down to the dust ?—( Hear , hear , and cheers ) . They were too long the dupes of those men—( hear )—they had too long allowed themselves to be oppressed by them—( bear , hear ) . — They should , he repeated , show themselves determined , and moke their tyrants knoV that they were Englishmen —( hear , hear , and loud cheers ) . The tyrants knew Very well , in incarcerating their leaden , that they were insulting the people at large ,-but had the people the right sort of spirit in themselves , toose leaders would never have been seiz 3 d ; and it w-aa because they ( the people ) were apathetic and hid neglected to ptifurm their duty , that the Government had proceeded in the tyrannical course they were pursuing— ( bear . hear ) . He retrrfctted he did
not see that hall crowded with men who had heart * to feel for , and packets at the service af the " Government Tictuns "—( hear ) . Those victims , had they b « en corrupt , might have revelled in the lap of luxury , and in the smites of the base aristocrats who oppress them ; bat no , they Ttere men of nobler feelings —( cheeis ) . He lamented the apathy of the people towards those'highxninded and nob ' e-hearted men , whose virtuous sympathies had led them to offer themselves op as " victims , " in their ( the people "*) cause ; but he hoped they would , ere too late , show themselves worthy of the Bufferings of those men—ihear , hear ) . After some further remarks , Mr . Mantz apologised for having detained the meeting for so long a time , and concluded , amidst loud cheers , by calling on Mr . Brown ( a talented operative ) , to more the first resolution .
Mr . Brown , who is a decided favourite with his brother workmen , 'Wis creeled , on { . 'resenting- himself , ¦ with marked plaudits , anU ^ f ; er a fcw preliminary observations , proceeded to rtad the resolution to the following effect : — "That this meeting views with feelincs of indignation the conduct of the faction - « h . ch tow sways the Government of those realms , which has , in opposition to right , law , and justice , invaded the liberty of conscience , st ' zed upon honest and unoffending individuals , and immured them in dungeons for no other crime than that ef ' promulgating the truth and advocating the rights of their enslaved and oppressed brethren . "
He deeply sympathised , he said , with the victims to trhom that resolution referred , and he called npon the meeting to consider well the solemn obiisr&tion which Tested on them them , in pledging themselves to it , to carry it out in all its spirit and meaning— . hear , hear . ) They should weigh well the solemnity of pledging themselves to a resolution , and whtn pledged to it , nothing should prevail npon or actuate them not to carry it oat —( hear . ) For his own part , he duly pledged frmmoif , on the present most solemn occasion , to the Resolution wiich he had just read , and nothing could induce him to he unmindful or netrlectfal of the
obligation into which he had entered—' . hear ,, hear . ) He was not discouraged when he saw small meetings on the subject which had tt-sn brought them together ; for , as " after a storm comes a calm , " so after " great * ' meetings , they might expect " srua . l" ones on the some subject ; and of great meetings ke rejoiced to say they had had many in favour of the victims in whose behalf be was at that moment appealing ( hear , hear . ) In that respect he would most particularly , and in a marked manner , congratulate the meeting on the splendid demonstration end bumper they bid witnessed on the previous sight , is a benefit in favour of the victims , at the Pavilion Theatre [ cheers . ) The friends of liberty and of injured worth had coine from the most distant parts of the metropolis to that bec * St , not ,
let it be said , for amusement , ( for the wprking chsses , ground down as they are , have neither ttart , inclination , nor means to go long distances at the present time for amusment'B sake alone ) but , to their great credit and honour , for the sake of alleviating , by the-Ir sympathy and contributions , the sniferiBgs of the Tictims . "with "whose cause they identify themsfelvts , and with ¦ whose wrongs they sympathise— ihear , hear . j And , be it remarked , that all their meetings would be crowded , but that the working classes are so poor that they cannot afford even a penny on every eight —( bear . hear . ) They saw the victim to the cause in which they wfeTB embarked , pining in his gloomy , unhealthy , and solitary dungeon ; and thty , like men and Christians , pressed forward with their mite to assist
him . —uapplause . ) Who , looking at the present state of society , would say that there was i , ot som&thir . g rotten at the core of the British nation ?—( hear , ) The Ybalth-produeing class of British industry was sunk in circumstances of tfle deepest poverty . —shear , he ^ r . i Distress was pictured in their countenances , found in their dwellings ; its deepest anguish had . taken posa ^ - of their minds ; and dsy and night they were kept in perpetual anxiety how to gei bread to live . —ihear , heir , and sensations of pity . ) He ( Mr . Brown ; looked upon the Chartist as a man who would go for the care of so great an evil , and as one -who would stand no f-jr his eonntry , and for the starrirg -wives and children of its suffering sons . —( cheers . ! faa country had now its " victims " to look to ; men who wera torn away from
their wires and children , and cast into dungtoas , and for no other offence than standing up to plead their suffering feliow-countrymen ' s wrongs . —vahame . ) Threatened with all that could make man miserable , th ? y yield not to tyranny . —( cheers . )—J ^ t-ee was denied them , and because they dared to say so , they were- pounced upon by an iniquitous stretch cf arbitrary power ; but their rights they were determined to hava—( bear , hear and cheers . ) Amoncst thoee victims he would mention with heart full of ivgret the naine of Geerge Julian Harney—( hear , )—but that txcrlient patriefs pure spirit would come " like refined gold" out of the fiery furnace into which Tory persecution and Tory infamy had cruelly cast it !—( tear , bear . ) Oh ! poor Ellis ! a man of the greatest -worth , with whom he
( Mr . Brown ) had frequently acttd in furtherance of the glorious cause—that good and virtuous-minded man that man who would get out of his bed at any hour of the night to benefit a fellow-creature —( hear , hear )—that good man was , alas ! at that moment doomed to one-and-twenty-years' transportation for his attachment to his country—( loud cries cf ' shame" rung through all parts of the reverberating Hall . ) And his wife 1 O most amiable woman 1 she , too , was sacri iced ! for her tender sensibilities , her great attachment , he ( Mr . Brown ) feared could not survive the shock of haying the most attached and tenderest of husbands thai cruelly and unjustly torn away from her , and con-¦ demned to what might be regarded as banishment tot life , or consignment to a ' living tomb' —( shame ,
shame . ) The people , however , undismayed by tuck tyranny , were determined to pursue the Charter , and never to rest until they obtain it—{ hear , and cheers . ) 'Yes , they are determined on this , regardless of the "threats of a few selfish and mercenary Lords , who threaten them with imprisonment , transportation , and even death , for looking for their rights—( Hear and cheers . ) They despised those lizy , good for -nothing drones—( hear , bear )—those leeches , who suck and fatten on the life-blood of the people—( hear , hear . ) The talented speaker concluded by assuring the meeting zTad through it the country , of his fidelity to tie ChartL" * cause , and that while he knew the value bf being on the " right side , " in other wor- ' . s , the outside o * ibe kVong walli of i prison , yet that the inside of it
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had no terrors for him in connection with the pursuit of such a cause—( cheers )—a cause in which he inToked them to apply themselTes with energy to breaking up the stubborn ground , and Bowing the " good seeds of Cbartism , " by which he promised them a glorioui harvest , and the gathering up of the fruits —( loud and long continued cheers . ) Mr . Abel Cooke felt great pleasure in seconding the resolution , because it referred to those kindred spirits who were suffering in the glorious struggle of " might against right" The association of kindred spirits was one of the greatest and most desirable things that could be for the attainment of the great object which
the people had in view . Associating together , they were strong ; but divided , they were weak . ( Hear , hear . ) It was awful in a country like England , that men for standing up against such a system of tyranny shonll be seized upen as the victims to whom the resolution referred were , and deprived of their rights and liberties—( hear , hear ) . He ( Mr . Abel Cooke ) felt as if he could " at one fell swoop , " level the tyrants who thus basely , unjustly , and wantonly oppressed his fellow countrymen— ( Cheers ) . Mr . Cooke then alluded , in a felicitous manner , to the great aid and impulse which the Charter must derive from " the women of England , " coming out , as they wer e , in its favour , and coBcIuded amid the plaudits of the meeting , by
seconding the resolution . Mr . Davenpert , a veteran Reformer , moved the second resolution , to the following effect : — " That this meeting deeply sympathise and console with those brave and -virtuous patriots , who , in defiance of the tyranny of despots , have nobly stood forward as the champions of the rights and liberties of millions , to obtain for the mass of the population of this country a protection for labour , a -voice in the State , and a fair dirision of political power ; and pledges itself to use its best exertions by way of subscriptions and collections , and all other means in its power , to defray the ezpences of those -victims who are awaiting their trials , and to support the wives and families of those who are now patiently endnring in their brethren's behalf , incarceration , and all the sufferings which inhumanity has inflicted , and still threatens to inflict with her merciless and iron band , and thus save them from seekiDg the tender mercies of the Commissioners of the Poor
Law Basttles . " In moving that resolution , it would be superfluous indeed , in him , he ( Mr . Davenport ) observed , to address any lengthened remarks to the meeting . He strongly advocated a nnion between the middle and working classes , as the most likely means by which they could hope to achieve the great and glorious measure of "The People's Charter . " * He regretted that the meeting was not more crowded , and would impress on the Cbartiats , that if even two millions out of the " thr ee millions" of them who had signed the Charter , vrenld but give one penny each petaon towards " the Victim Fund , " the sum which would be thus realizsd would be ample for the support of the victims—( hear . ) Why , then , he would ask , are they , ( and on an occasion calling npon them for their sympathies and assistance ) , so apathetic and remiss in the discharge of a duty so much within the command of even the poorest of them—( hear . ) He would not longer detain them , but would propose the
resolution—( cheers . ) Mr . Lucas , of St . Pancras , seconded the resolution , and availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded him of calling on the meeting , and through it , on the public at large , to give their most strenuous support to their faithful and invaluable advocate the Evening Star newspaper— ( cheers ) . They had been hitherto without a journal of purely Democratic principles to support their cause , and advocate their rights —( hear , hear . ) And now that they had got one in the Evtning Starnow that a gentleman had embarked his capital in their interest , he ( Mr . Lucas ) was sorry to say , they were not by any means supporting the paper he had started for them—( hear , hear ) . The Tories bad got their papers , with the Times at the head ef them , in their interest ;
the Whiga bad got their papers ; and even tne mam Radicals bad got their papers ; but the Chartists—the working men—were without any paper —( shame ) . And why , then , he would repeat , when one was started fer thtir support , did they not prove themselves worthy of the favour , by giving it their most walous and efficient support?—( hear , hear . ) The ¦ working classes , to thei * shame be it spoken , had no Press —( hear . ) They had made fortur . es for those whose papers were opposed to them , even for Government newspaper proprietors , and yet they would not support one in their own behalf—ihear . ) The Government blushed not to make use of " machinery" to crush " the people ; " bnt the people will not , even when it offers , make use ( by
supporting ! of a paper which comes out to protect them against the Government—( hear , hear . ) If , for instance , they were to give but a " club" support , and that twenty four of them were to subscribe but one penny per week , they would have the paper every day—( hear hear . ) He would , in conclusion , say , that it becomes the dnty of the working classes to force the paper into all their places of resort—( hear , hear )—that they ought not to rest nutil they would run it up to a circulation that would pay ; and that if they should not , in a word , support the Evening Star , they would deserve to be for ever fallen —( hear , hear , aDd cheers . ) The resolution was then put and carried unanimously , after which thanks were voted to the chairman , and the meeting separated .
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their Plates aee requested to send in theib , Orders for them immediately , as the Parcels will be forwarded earlt kext wbkk-
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THE VICTIM ELLIS .
We were just sitting down to call attention to this all-important matter , when Wednesday Evening ' s Star arrived ; in which we find it so well done that we give the entire article , in preference to any thing we coold ourselves say : — To those persona who have followed the course of Chartist politics , the name of Ellis is familiar ; and they will require no further appeal to their sympathies , than , the announcement that prompt exertion upon their part may yet save him from the horrors of transportation , save his wife from the sorrow of
separation , and save his little children from the cold bastile , and tender mercies of an overseer . To those who do not know Mr . Ellis , it will be only necessary to appeal to their professed love of justice , and simply to lay his case before them , which is as follows : —Counsel for Mr . Ellis raised an objection on his trial , which , however , was over-ruled by the Judge , pretty much upon the same technical ground that the point raised by the present Attorney General , in Fbost ' s case , was orer-roled by the same Judge . The Judge , however , pointed out to the counsel the mode by which his object could
be effected , which is this;—The point made by Counsel was , " That whereas the Act of Parliament bearing upon Ellis ' s case makes it penal to demolish , or to begin to demolish , any building , and requires proof of such demolition or commencement , and the indictment charged him with the offence as complete , while Ellis was not proved to have been at the place , when the attack teas commenced , and also that the building was not demolished . " The reader will see the thing , then , plainly . That an Act of Parliament declares certain things , if done in violation of that Act , to be
punishable with , transportation ; and Counsel for Mr . Ellis argues that the things sworn to be done by Ellis were not complete , or so complete within the meaning of the Act as to warrant his conviction under it . There is a legal and a moral way , however , of disposing of conjecture . The legal way is by appeal to a higher tribunal than that before which the case has been tried . The moral way is , — " Oh no matter whether the Act of Parliament critically embraced his case , damn him , he deserved it . " The latter mode of argument may satisfy the village coterie , or a section of anti-monopolists , but it will
not satisfy the publio , nor would it , we are convinced , satisfy Chief Ju 3 tice TindaL , the Judge who presided . In arguing this point , then , we are not to be understood as approving the crime of arson , or so much of it as does not come within the statute above referred to , nor yet any part of it . We are to be understood as dealing with the act and the crime as Judges invariably do , which ib thus : — If the Act is faulty or -bad , repeal or amend it ; but so long as it is Jaw , abide by it , and as it is a penal laic , construe it mildly , and give the
prisoner the advantage of its every defect . " Such is the language of a Judge when he regrets the obligation under which a faulty Act places him . Even magistrates not unfrequently say to culprits , I admit youra is a hard case , and that the Act of Parliament is very severe , but there it is , and what can I do ! The only course now open to Mr . Ellis is this : —He can present a petition to the Secretary of State for the Home Department , setting forth the objection , and praying that it may be argued before the fifteen Judges . We have no reason whatever to suppose that Sir James Graham
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will refuse to comply with Ellis ' s request , and for this reason : —It would be very inhuman , very indecent , and very improper , to Bend a poor creature out of his country , leaving npon his mind , and upon the publio mind , an impression that any single loophole of justice , or even of legal escape , was closed against him . Again , there would be no reasonable grounds for refusal , and all precedent is in favour of the practice . Especially in eases of forgery it has been done over and over again . In Fbost ' s case it has been done : but to cite cases in point would be
endless , therefore we shall presume that the Chief Seoretary ' B decirion will follow precedent > This is the first day of Term , and we are in the knowledge of the fact , that the necessary steps have been already taken to make the necessary appeal on behalf of the man whose opposition to the village tyrant , and support of Chartist principles , has called down upon him the vengeance of the law . But what of this ? The foundation is but an unimportant park of the work , if not built upon ; and where are the means to prosecute it ? This then , is our appeal , for the means to be colleoted and
forthwith forwarded to our office , to prosecute the good work . Counsel ' s fees in such cases , are heavy , and the ablest must be employed-The transports are being prepared . The gin palaces and beer shops are full . The ory of injustice and shame is long and loud ; but the injustice and the shame belong to those who see the chance , and mil not aid in turning it to account . Let it be borne in mind that by perseverance the Dorohester labourers were restored to their homes ; the Glasgow cotton spinners were saved from
transportation ; and Fkost , Williams , and Jones from death ; and that the same active individual who was mainly instrumental iu producing those results , aud , in consequence , has become an object of unmitigated and unrelenting persecution , is now engaged in forwarding this appeal upon behalf of poor Ellis . Let as , at all events , have the refusal , and gratify ourselves with this glorious reflection that we did our part , and we were ready to save our friend . Much may be done in London at variance with what the local mind approves . As an instance , we give the following note reoeived this
morning : — THE QUEEN V . WHITE . " Mr . Justice Cresawell has made an order to-day on each indictment , to admit White in bail , himself in £ 200 , and four sureties in £ 50 each ; he would not reduce it below this . " The above is from Mr . O'Connor ' s solicitor ; and by it , it will be found that the Judges have reduced the Justice ' s bail to exaotly one-fifth of the amount required by those worthies , and for want of which poor George White , as honest a man as breathes , has been incarcerated for nearly two months ; and
for which , with God ' s blessing , the Brummagem scamps shall answer before the justice . We rejoice to congratulate Mr . Fellows and his brave followers upon their recent triumph over the rascally League , and their Bright importation from Rochdale . The impudence of these scoundrels , in their endeavours to seduce the Chartists from their allegianoe to principle , in the hope of advancing their plundering views , is beyond all bearing , and can only be equalled by the sound thrashing in store for them , whenever and wherever they presume to obtrude their particularly awkward and disgusting persons .
We shall look anxiously for a response to our appeal on behalf of Ellis , bis wife and children ; for the foundation must remain in statu quo , until the means are supplied for prosecuting the good work . EvgRT MINUTE IS AN HOUR , AND NOT A
MINUTE SHOULD BE LOST . Bear in mind that the worldly prospects of a whole family are involved in this experiment . '
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THE STURGE CONFERENCE AGAIN . The Sturge men are most persevering fellows ; as the satellites of faction always are . They are determined to have their " talk" on the 27 th of Deo . and to call it a " Conference . " We are happy , however , to perceive that the intimations of the people that they were not to bo humbugged , have forced them to be at least a little less impudent in their obtrusion of their real
purposes on observation . The mode of electing this " National" Conference announced in their last circular upon the subject has been discovered during the recent flat-catching expeditions of their great men to be " a little too bad" ; and henoe they don't hazard an adherence to it . There is never anything of the bold manliness of honesty about baffled faction ; and , therefore , we are not surprised to note the absence of it in the circular now issued from
"the Complete Suffrage Counoil . " Honest and good men , genuine democrats in heart , may make mistakes as well as other men ; their judgments are not infallible ; they may be led into a false position ; but , when they find that they are thus circumstanced , they never hesitate , openly and candidly , to acknowledge it , admit their error , and give credit to those by whom they have been enlightened . There is always in honesty a frankness of disposition which repudiates a false position , when seen , as cheerfully and heartily as it maintains a true one . Baffled roguery can seldom imitate this
beautiful and amiable virtue . If foiled in an attempt to blind the eyes of parties , it will give up a position which it sees no means of holding , but it never admits that it has been wrong ; on the contrary , it invariably keeps its eyeB steadfastly upon the baffled point , diverges from it no further than it is compelled , and looks out for some circuit whereby , if an end , it may come back to it , and , if a means , it may either do so or substitute it by some other means which may subserve the same end . Now this is
just the conduct of the Sturge Counoil upon this occasion . What they now say npon the mode of election wears oertainly a much greater air of fairness than their former proposition , and it is tantamount—if honestly meant and acted on—to an entire repudiation of that proposition ; but it is not a repudiation . It still leaves the former plan open to be acted on if parties choose , although a different coarse is recommended , at least apparently . The circular now says : —
" The meetings to elect delegates must be of a strictly legal character . Wherever it is practicable and usual , let a requisition be sent to the local authorities , requesting them to convene the meetings . If this cannot be done , let the Complete Suffrage Union of each district convene its own meeting . In both cases the muting * must be public to ail the inhabitants in the town or district .
" It is highly desirable that all the delegates should be elected In this way . The Council have concluded not to encourage the appointment of delegates by ' nomination lists , ' except in cases where the authorities absolutely prohibit or disperse the meetings . In such cases the nomination sheets mast be fotwarded , together with a statement of all the circumstances , to the Council , at least ten days before the meeting of the Conference .
"The Council have reason to rejoice 5 a being able to announce , that they have not yet heard of any instances in which there will be any difficulty in appointing , at the same meeting , delegates to represent both electors and non-electors . This course the Council earnestly recommend , as it will display a united energy that will augur well for our future success . " We have no faith in the honesty of these men , and , therefore , cannot trust them a single inch . Our readers will observe , however , that the people have it now in their own power to make this Conference what it ought to be—a truly national one .
In every case the meetings are to be publio and open to all the inhabitants ; without this the Conference would have been illegal , and every member of it liable to heavy punishments . Let the pe ople then see that all these meetings be well attended ; that honest and fair-dealing chairmen be appointed ; and that delegates of the right sort be returned . By " delegates of the right sort , " we mean not blustering , ranting , mouthers—but men of sense , firmneBs , discrimination , and cautionmen , who whether they can " make a speech" or not , can judge of the merits of a speech , and are not to be either persuaded or outwitted from a stera ad-
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lerenoe to the interests and weal of theirconstituents . Let them , be men who well understand the character and tho position , of the , middle . tfwseB . Let them , above all , be men who thoroughly know the "freetrade" question and all its sophistries ; and who are prepared to maintain the interests and rights of labour as a first matter of national legislation , and not to barter them for any class crotchet . We warn them that the object of this conference is to hand over the Complete Suffrage and Chartist movements to the free traders ; to , " bid" for the assistance of the " extension " men by promising that the first efforts of our newborn liberties shall be devoted to the enabling of them to take from us all the good thereof .
We wain the people that this is the purpoBe of the Conference ; while , at the same time , we tell them that it is in their own power not only to frustrate this purpose , but to make this Conference an effectual means of sifting the " Complete Suffrage Union , " of driving out of it all the wolves , and of gathering the sheep into the proper fold , so as to consolidate the people ' s strength by unitting their exertions . We recommend , therefore , that the people take up this Conference . But if they purpose to make it a nationally benefioial one they must do it spiritedly and cautiously . No means will be left untried by the Sturge men to
secure for its deliberations the result we advert to . The people may and must prevent this . And for this purpose they must be on the alert . Every publio meeting to elect delegates must be well attended—the people must take care to be early that the chairman be not unfairly chosen . Almost all the good of a publio meeting may be frustrated by the chairman , if he be disposed to do so . Let the people see to this therefore ; let no Chairman be allowed to act who has not been elected by the meeting . If any attempt be madeas in all probability there will—to call meetings at an hour when the working people can not attend ,
and when , therefore , the middle men can have it all their owa way ; let a representation be instantly made to the Complete Suffrage Committee , or whoever else have the ** getting up" of the meeting , and if this be unheeded , let a publio meeting on some other evening be called to elect delegates ; let the delegates be elected ; and let a letter stating the whole faets , be forthwith transmitted to the Complete Suffrage council at Birmingham . Let this letter be written in the most inoffensive possible manner ; short and precise , merely stating facts , but yet so full as to give every necessary information ; and let a copy of it be given not merely to the delegate elected by the people at the fair " publio meeting , " but also to some honest delegate whose election is undisputed , and let him bring the matter before the
Conference at its meeting , if tne council shall not have previously done justice in the matter . In every case the eligibility to sit of every candidate elected at an unfair meeting should be protested against ; the protest should be transmitted to the Council at Birmingham , with the same letter containing a statement of the facts on which it is grounded . The same plan must be adopted if any dishonest means are resorted to for smuggling a Chairman at any publio meetiDg for the election of delegates . This may be done , either by obtruding a Chairman without election , or by electing him before the time announced for the meeting . To all these and many other "dodges , " the "shoy-hoya" are well "up . " They will need watohing ; but with care they may be so watched as to be utterly unable to avoid doing some good whether they like it or not .
All that the people have a right to require is that every meeting to eleot delegates shall be a fair , honestly conducted , publio meeting . And if any delegates be received who have not been thus elected or any excluded who have been thus elected , it will be the duty of every other honest delegate at once to protest against the whole thing as a fraud upon the public , and come away and leave it . It is all the more necessary that the delegates should be fairly elected , and that they should
represent fairly the feelings of the people , because the Sturgemen ^ having been driven from their pet point of having half the delegates eleotors elected by electors , they have managed to contrive another by which they evidently hope to effect the same purpose of subserving the "free trade" crotchet . This is cunningly concealed under the guise of a most useful and necessary arrangement , and cloaked over with much apparent fairness in the following paragraph from their new circular : —
"With a view to prevent loss of time , and in the hope that all the business of the Conference may be terminated in four days , the Council will be prepared with a programme of the business under discussion . They propose that the Conference , at its first sitting , shall elect a committee , to whom the programme shall be referred , and that such committee shall decide upon the order in which all business shall be introduced . It is conceived that there will be no disposition to attribute this arrangement to improper motives , as ft fa not intended that any member of the Council should bave a vote , either in the Committee or the Conference ( by virtue of his office as Councillor ) , unless elected as a representative for some constituency . They are , however , desirous of being present , to give an opinion or supply information .
" Copies of the programme of the proposed business may be obtained by each delegate upon arrival . " Now , why not submit this programme of business to the whole Conference for adoption or amendment The reason is just here . The committee is to be appointed the first thing . The Counoil hope that at the beginning of the proceedings the attendance may not be full , and they may get a committee of their own choosing ; which committee having power to determine upon what business shall come before the meeting , and how it shall be conducted , will , if not watched well , effeotually destroy the deliberative character of the Conference ; just as was done at
the Clerical Conference of Manchester . Having experienced the effect of " the Committee dodge " there we know how to anticipate it . There the " Programme Committee" drew up the resolutions and put down the names of those who should speak to them , and no other parties were allowed to speak at all . This will be attempted at Birmingham , we expect ; but if the people do their duty in the choice of delegates , and the delegates do their duty to tho people , it will not succeed—or if it even should—if the people have sent such delegates as
they ought to send—every proposition containing a single expression calculated to harm or jeopardize the cause of straightforward , bold democracy will at once be negatived . The clause of the former circular about binding the people to uphold the "Free Traders" is sure to be in the programme . Let the delegates be well instructed on this matter . We give from the Nonconformist , the Stub « b oracle , the following excellent remarks from an Address of the Cirenoester Chartist Association , to the Counoil of the National Complete Suffrage Union : —
" You propose to ascertain how far the non-electors may be induced to pledge themselves to use the franchise , when obtained , in favour of free trade"No delegate , in our opinion , could give such a pledge on behalf of his constituents . We cannot say at what period complete or universal suffrage will be established . It may be law this day twelve months , or a whole generation may pass away , and a new one spring up before it is obtained . How , then , can any assembly of men ( whatever their representative character ) pledge an electoral body , not yet existing , to a particular exercise of the franchise , at some future but indefinite time 1 We must receive the suffrage unologged by conditions . We must not barter the free exercise of the franchise , even for the franchise iteelf . "
This is the right tone to take , and must be followed up by the whole people in their instructions to their delegates . Meantime , as proof of the necessity of caution in dealing with these gentry , we just note that the quasi organ of the Sturgites in labouring to defend the iniquitous clause of the last circular , now abandoned , rested its argument on the assumption that this was not to a decisive but » deliberative body—not a Convention to adopt measures—but a Conference to discuss them ; while the circular before us assures us that the Conference is called : —
"Toprepare a bill to be submitted t » Parliament , embodying the principles and necessary details of representation , agreed to at the Conference held In April last , and to determine who shall be requested to introduce such bill into the House of Commons , and also to dispose of the other busineea alluded to in the addross already issued . " Purposing to return to this subject , we now call attention in the way of close to the following extract
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from the Sturge circular , to which we think no objection can be offered ;—" It is absolutely necessary that the names and addresses of the delegates who are appointed to attend the Conference , accompanied by a copy of the minutes of the meeting at which they were elected , under the signature of the chairman » f the meeting , should be transmitted to the council on or before Friday the 23 rd day of December , in order that the extent of accommodation required may be known , tickets prepared , and other arrangements made . "Each delegate Is reqnested to call at the office as soon as possible after his arrival in Birmingham . " This with what we have given above places all the provisions of this document before the people , whom we now advise to begin at once to prepare for the work .
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THE EXECUTIVE . Wb have not received the returns from elections of the persons nominated to fill up the vacancies in the Executive . The reason will probably be found in the following extract of a letter from the General Secretary received , this day—Thursday : — "I almost imagine the election at present will bave to be abandoned , because there has not been time enough given . I have had a letter from Bairstow , and he says there will be much dissatisfaction in consequence of the shortness of the time , and Leach and myself expected there would have again been placed on the list those good and noble minds who have taken so active a part in our movement Very few localities , as ( yet , have sent in their approval or disapproval .
You see there are only twelve names on the list . Mr . Watkinshas declined . Messrs , Ross , West , and Clayton cannot be balloted for , on account of the informality . Morlin&there is an objectidn raised against ; so that there are only seven candidates remaining . Taking all the circumstances of the case into consideration , perhaps it will be as well to postpone the election until the time is settled by the plan of organisation . See the great number of honest and talented men who are virtually deprived of having votes tendered for them ; and I am afraid at this juncture the votes would be far less in number than they were at the last time . Give this letter yeur consideration , and if it meets your approbation , write a short article stating the reasons I have given for the alteration . "
To this we can only add that Mr . Clancy as may be seen from his letter in to-day ' s Star , cannot be ballotted for , and that reduces the number of candidates one more . We have already given our opinion that the election is unnecessary , and need not , therefore , repeat it . But the matter is for the people , and not for us to determine on . ,
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John Hall , Oussbubn . — We have no recollection of the report to which he alludes , though His just possible it may have escaped us . Any Lecturer intending to visit Mansfield must communicate to them seven days previous to visiting fAem , if not their services will not 6 * accepted . " An Ode to Liberty" shall appear . Will Messbs . W . Bainbbidgb , Darlington ; C . Lane , now or late of 10 , FunAval ' * Inn Court , London ; and T . Obb , of Northampton , unite to this office , and send their exact addresses 1 It is requested by a friend in Ireland . " The Charter—an Ode , " shall appear .
"A Watchman" must excuse us . His long tetter to the middle classes contains nothing that our readers are not familiar with ; and tee have not room for its insertion . John Burxand , of Barnsleg , if ' he be not thai which he describes the subject of his letter to be , must fc an egregiousJool . William Lindsay . —Too sadly is his dream realised , W . E . H— We guess Prince Albert to be of that kidney u wot never does nothing for nothing for nobody . " We have not just now time to refer to the proper document for the amount of payment for the nominal duties of the places named by our correspondent ; but it is considerable .
Two Rbadebs op Dundee ask . — "Ij it consistent with the House of Lords that a father and son may sit and legislate at the same time ? If so , could you point out an instance ? " Yes : the Crown might , for some national service performed ^ confer a separate peerage upon a peer expectant during his father ' s lifetime ; or the Crown might confer a peerage upon a younger son of a peer ; or a son might succeed to a peerage hotden by hi * mother in her own right , independent of her husband's peerage . Of this we have an instance in the present Earl of Wilton , who is a younger son
of the Marquis of Westminster , and who has succeeded to his mother ' s peerage ; while his elder brother , Lord Grosvenor , is still a commoner , awaiting the death of his father . The Earl of Wilton , second son of the Marquis of Westminster , inherits the earldom by virtue of his father ' * marriage teith Lady Eleanor Egerton , only surviving daughter and heiress of Thomas , first Earl o f Wilton , so created , with remainder to tht second and all other younger sons of his daughter . W . P ., in answer to S . K ., of Glasgow , arrived too late for this week ; it shall appear in our next .
Gbobge . Twbddell , Stokesley . —We have stated some forty times already , that we acknowledge ne sums for public funds but what are received here . We know nothing whatever about what Mr . O'Connor receives . W . B . —Yes . W . Coopeb , Weldow . —His last week ' s letter was received , but mislaid . In the Star of the 22 nd ult ., the name Weldon was written" Weedon " by mistake . D . E . L ., Long Buckby . —Tie see no necessity for insisting on his withdrawal from either . The professed object is the same . If the man be a good and a honest man , the position he hat taken can do no harm , while it may do good . Bacup Chartists . —Memorialise the Home Secretary . W . H ., of Hey wood , writes in riddles . We cannot understand his letter ; but it seems to have reference to some matters which in any case W 9
should not publish on anonymous authority . William Poolb , Collumpton . —Any bookseller who gets a London parcel can get him ail Mr . Hill ' s works from John Cleave , 1 , Shoe-lane , Fleet ' street London . W . Faibbubn , Wednesbury . —Our copy of the Evening Star of the date he mentions is so cut that we cannot find the report he alludes to » He ought to hav 6 sent us one . Some other correspondents may ascribe the non-appearance of their reports to the same cause . Will Mr . Beesley have the goodness to communicate his address to the Hull sub-Secrelary No . 10 , Owen-square , New George-street I Middle-class Rapacity . —G . A . N ., of Sheffield , writes us thus : —
" A landlord of this town bas some property consisting , amongst the rest , of a hole fit only for a dog , and a small bakehouse , which has been in the occupation of several who have iu vain endeavoured to make it answer . They have been obliged to give up , leaving Mr . Landlord minus , in most instances , his rent . The premises became void , and were likely to remain so , when a young mac , who bad served an honourable Apprenticeship in the town , and being well known , took the premises at 4 s . && per week—an exorbitant rent for such a kennel—with not a particle of custom connected with the place . Well , Sir , by indefatigable exertions and persevering industry , he has established a very decent
connection , and been enabled to get a plain yet comfortable livelihood , regularly paying the proprietor his rent , not being indebted to his landlord one farthing . With these facts before us , —and they are facts , for I have not only heard it from the man's own lips , but fully attested by others knowing the circumstances , —one would suppose Mr . .. would feel proud of bis tenant , and feel a pleasure in doing what he could to promote success . No , no , not bo ; avarice—greedy , grasping avarice—the characteristic of the sordid crew , bad cast an eye upon him , and Mr . — - ——— very kindly told him , this week , he must pay the trifling addition of £ 1 19 s . per annum—ninepence
a week extra , making a total of £ 13 per year fox a bole scarcely fit ( as I said before ) for a dog . This Is not all : is the gentleman a Tory ? No—can you believe it ?—a member of the National Complete Suffrage Union , a professed admirer and follower , I presume , of the philanthropic and generous Joseph Sturge , Esq ., of Birmingham ! This Is not an isolated case , but one that shows the natural disposition of these middle-class brawlers for union . I can tell the working class they may as well ask the wolf and lamb to unite to destroy despotism aa to expect the middle class to do so until compelled . Still I bave heard it said how very friendly they are in Sheffield , and how they sympathise , with
the working class ; and many that I have met will believe it Certainly there are exceptions to tha general rule , and may be the middle class of Sht field are so . As I know but little of them I will not gainsay it , but give them the beneflk of the good opinion . Still actions speak louder than words ; therefore , I say , test them : the proof of the pudding will then be in the eating ; and I feel assured never was a better opportunity . Harney and others have to be tried , although out on bail . It La certain , without legal assistance they can bavs no chance , and counsellors will not work for nothing ; on the contrary , they axe expensive gentlemen , therefore I say to the working men of Sheffield , try how far they pity and are ready to assist you . Call upon them individually , and most I
respectfully—for they are fond of homage . Solicit I a trifle for the defence of your sincere friends : if I they refuse , why you will have nothing to think I them for ; and then , without a word , go about your n business . It will show at once their real dispo * U sition and intentions . ¦ And , my friends , not odIJ 1 will yon be convinced , but remember funds—aye , I ample funds—are and will be wanted to defend I the victims of that hydra-headed monster , clrsS I legislation . Bo the sum got from them ever so I small , it will be of use . Walt upon the Complete I Suffrage gentry for the Barae laudable purpose J I they can but refuse , and , as in White ' s case , write I "No . " Let this be done instantly : twill prove I beyond the power of dispute what ia to be expected from the middle class . "
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? The Portrait of T . DuxceMBE will be given to all our Subscribers on November 19 th . They will be in the bands of all the Asents by November 16 th ; The charge for the Star on the day the Portrait of Duncombe is distributed will be t&d same as the charge for it on the day the Petition Plato was delivered . The 88 . 6 d . noticed on the 22 nd , as from a few friend * , Deptford , should have been Dartford . Mr . Arthur omitted to say bow an answer could b » sent . Joseph Newbold , Carlisle . —Mr . Hudson , of CaldeW'gato , gets a parcel of Stars . Call npon him , and enter your name . The Plate of the Peittion , due to you , will be enclosed in bis next parcel of Duncombe .
FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FOND . £ . a . d < From Mr . Ellis , Finsbury ... ... , „ 0 1 ~ a pure republican , Mellor 0 10 « Cardiff , per B . Jones ... ... ... e 8 & ~ J . F ., Dunfermline ... ... ... 0 0 « ^ a friend , Qoole ... ... 0 0 * - D . R , Horsforth ... 0 1 8 ~ a few friends in the village of t ^ HmH near Glasgow ... ... ... 0 12 » - the Chartists of Holme-lane , sear Bradford ... ... ... ... 0 3 3 ' - .-.. T . H . Bangor ... ... ... ... 0 3 ' „ Kingstown , Cumberland ... '" . 0 10 * M Mrs . Hartness , Brown ' s-row , Carlisle 0 5 ° ,. Doncaiter , per Q . B . Coomers ... 0 3 ~ Halifax and neighbourhood 4 . 0 I < . a friend , Tillicoultry ... ... ... o 1 9 ¦ ~ the Chartists of Honley ... ... 0 5 0 „ a few Printers at Stansfleld Mill , near llttleborough ... , e 5 <> „ a tew friends at Preston , per Cf . Hilton ... ... ... ... ... A 3 Oj
FOR THE EXECUTIVE , From a pure republican , Mellor ... ... o 1 i „ the Chutists of Newport , Isle of Wight ... ... 0 3 0
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THE " ANTI-MONOPOLISTS . " We call attention to a correspondence elsewhere inserted , between the Hull Chartist Councillors and the Corresponding Secretary to the Anti-Monopolist Association of that town . ' We guess the Corresponding Secretary will wish he had let the Chartists alone . 'Tis net the first time he has " burnt his fingers" with them .
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REGISTERING OF CHARTIST MEETINGHOUSES . We have frequently been applied to for informationjupon this subject , especially since an infamous fellow , who alike disgraces the priesthood and the magistracy , prosecuted , and caused to be imprisoned , a good Chartist for preaching in an unlicensed room . There is certainly no meanness to which faction will not stoop for the attainment of its ends ; and hence the necessity , which we have so often inculcated , of our paying the most strict and punctilious attention to even those forms of law which , from our having no power over them , cannot command our respect . Henoe , therefore , we give , with great pleasure , for the guidance of our friends , the following instructions for registering places of worship , from the 22 nd Georoe III . c . 155 .
This act requires " that the place where worship is intended to be performed , shall be certified to the bishop of the diocese , or to the archdeacon of the arohdeoconry ; or to the justices of the peace at the general or quarter sessions of the peace for the county , riding , division , city , town or place in which such meeting shall be held . "—Application may therefore be made to either of these tribunals for " a certificate" of registry , addressed to the tribunal , from which the certificate is intended to be obtained , as follows : —
"To the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop ot ( here fill up the name of the diocese / and to his Regis trar ; or , To the Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of ( here fill up the name of the Archdeaconry ) in the diocese of ( here fill up the name of the diocese J or , To Her Majesty ' s Justices of the Peace for the ( here fill up the blank with the tountt , riding division , $ c ) at the General or Quarter Sessions of the Peace assembled .
I ( fill up the name ) of ( fill up the place of residence J in the county of do hereby certify that ( here . fill up the description of building , such as a dwelling house J and premises situate at in the parish of in the county ot and now ia the holding and occupation of ( here ' fill up person ' s name ) are intended to be used as a place of religions worship , by an assembly or congregation - of protestants ; and I hereby request you to register and record the same , according to the provisions of an act
passed in the 52 nd year of the reign of his Majesty King George the Third , intituled , " An Act to repeal certain Acts , and amend other Acts , relating to religious worship and assemblies , and persons teaching and preaching therein ; and I hereby request a certificate thereof , for which I am willing to pay two shillings and sixpence In pursuance of the said Act of Parliament . Witness my hand this day of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and - .. " ¦ ¦
The blanks in the above form must be filled up to meet the circumstances of the case , copied oa the second side of a sheet of paper , and signed by tho person applying for the lioence . A like copy to be made on the third side of the sheet , andunderueath the following form : — I ( here leave three Una for the name and description of the person signing the certificate ) do hereby certify , that a certificate , of which tba above is a trne copy , was this day delivered to me to be registered and recorded pursuant to the Act of Parliament therein mentioned . Dated this——— day of— . '¦
18- . " Upon the above document being delivered , or forwarded , free , of expense , to the person who is required to sign the certificate , with two shillings and sixpence , he will fill up and sign the certificate , tear off and return the second half sheetpand then the place intended for worship will be duly oertified .. . Should any rules be laid down by the persons authorised to grant auch certificates , of course they must be followed , the instructions above given are in conformity to the practice of several diseases .
Attention to this subjeot will save from severe penalties the occupier of the place where worship is performed—the person teaching or preaching therein—and the persons forming the congregation . The persons assembling in such places will then be protected by law , as by the same Act it is enacted , " That if any person or persons , at anytime after the passing of this Act £ 29 thJuly , 1812 ] , do and shall wilfully and malioiously , or contemptuously disquiet or disturb any meeting , assembly , or con ? - gregation of persona assembled for religious worship , permitted or authorixed by this Act . or any former Aot or Acts of Parliament , or shall in any way
disturb , molest , or misuse any preacher , teacher , or person officiating at such meeting , assembly , or congregation , or any person or persons there assembled , such person or persena so offending , upon proof thereof before any Justice of the Peace by two or more credible witnesses , shall find two sureties to be bound by recognizances , in the penal sum of fifty pounds , to answer for such offence , and in default of such sureties , shall be committe d to prison , there to remain till the next General Quarter Sessions ; and upon conviction of the said offence at the said General or Quarter Sessions , shall Buffer the pain and penalty of Foett Pounds . "
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mat village with live pounds' weight of butter to sell Having learned that in Campsie , about fifteen miles off , a certain price could be obtained—one psnny a pound more than he expected in Balfron—the girl was ordered , if she did not obtain the higher price in the village , to walk to Campaie with her basket , The result was , that the girl had to trudge to Campsie and back , about thirty miles , to gain five pence tot her money-making master . It is needless to say that her master did not agree to keep the servant in shoes . —Dundee Herald .
The Northern Star. Saturday, November 5, 1842.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 5 , 1842 .
£O 2fteatrer2 Antr &Om0pontrettt£»
£ o 2 fteatrer 2 antr &om 0 pontrettt £ »
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^ THE NORTHERN STAR .
Io Agents.—Those Agents Who Have Jvot Got
IO AGENTS . —Those Agents who have jvot got
Saving A Pknut.—A Farmer, In The Neighbourhood Of Balfron, Sent His Servant Girl Last Week To
Saving a Pknut . —A farmer , in the neighbourhood of Balfron , sent his servant girl last week to
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 5, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct912/page/4/
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