Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 2nd September 1843, Edition 5 of 5, Page 5, TO THE PEOPLE.

Page 5
Page 5
5 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (1)
    • TO THE PEOPLE.
  • Text (14)
  • Transcript

    • 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.

      Untitled Article

      both at home and abroad , was too valuable to be passed over . That testimony seals the doom of "Pree-Trade . " It shows , conclusively 5 that all the attempts to reduce the " Free-Trade" principle to practice , has failed in maintaining for us om "foreign trade . " It also Bhows that we are being regularly driven oat of the markets of the world ; and that B National Extinction" awaits us , unless we give & mew direction io national energy . Mr . Baixes shall preseribe that new direction for ns in oar next . Meantime we crave tbe reader ' s serioos eonsidera fbr the matter presented him already . " It is big with mighty import . May It hare a just and due effect !

      ^ [ ========= ^^ NORTHERN j TAR . 5

      Untitled Article

      THE DAMNABLE ACT . THE BEAX MOTTYES OP ITS COyCOCTOBS DIYULGED . We shall commence our commentary by pnb-Ifchrng the order of ihe *• Devil-Kings" of Somerset House , as issued to the Swansea Board of Guardians : — Swansea ., Acg . £ L—A special Board of Guardians Tras held here to-day in eonieqnenee of a letter having teen received from the Poor Xa \ r Commissioners upon tha distressed state of the country , in alluiion to the Strike of the coppermea . The board "was -very fully attended , every Guardian in the Union having been summoned . The * BeT . Dz . HewBon having taken the chair , read the letter , as follows : — "Poor Lxw Commusionera ' -om ' ee . Somerset-house , August 14 .

      1 . * ' Sir , —I am directed by the Poor Law Commisconers to ctate , that their attention has been drawn to the strike of the -workmen employed in the Swansea copper "works , in consequence of a proposed reduction of their wages , and to the probability that it will l « ad to a large number of application * from ablebodied men for relief for themselres and families , In consequence of the loss of their accustomed means of support . 2 . " The Commissioners , therefore , having regard to foft difficaltjBS' "which , Tmripr anch circumstances , Hie ^ Jnardians Vfoald doubtless experience in dealing with the numerous applications far relief which might be snddeEly made to them , feel it their duty to offer suck advice to the Guardians as the Commissioners consider may be useful to them , in theJevent > f such difficulties actually ^ wcurring .

      3 . " The Commissioneis need not point out to the guardians ftt ** j so long as there is room in the workbouse , the best , course is , undoubtedly , to order aD able-bodied applicants for relief into it 4 . " The Commissioners feel assured that , the G-uarjRvn * ynjl be anxious to meet the calls upon the poorjate » which most probably-will arise from the-abovementioned cause "with promptness and vigour ; and the Commissionexa do not doubt that if-due precaution £ * used , and proper arrangements be made beforehand , the Guardians will be enabled to meet this pressure , should it actually occur , -with less difficulty than might otherwise be apprehended .

      -5 . " Under the circumstances , howeve * , the Comjnisnonsrs think it right that the Guardians should be quite prepared for any sudden pressure upon the funds under their control which may ultimately ensue from the state of the copper-workmen j and they would recommend thai a jpecisl meeting of the Board ahonld be called , and that the financial situation of the Guardians in respect to the funds of those parishes in the Union likely to he affected by such pressure should be investigated ; and that fresh calls , if found to be necessary , should be immediately -made , and served upon the overseers of such parishes , who should , in the meantime , be warned of the necessity of securing sufficient funds beforehand to meet the numerous claim * upon the parishes which may , and probably -will , arise lor relief . In tha event of the existing rates . being insuficient for tfr ™ purpose , fresh rates enould be prepared , . and got ready for signature by the justices .

      6 . " The Guardians "will likewise do well to consider whether persons who become chargeable to the parishes in question , and whose settlements are in other parishes , sbsnld not be removed to their respective parishes as quickly as possible . This course appears lobe recommended ~ bj the consideration that the ratepayers , if the apprehended pressure should arise , catf sot relieve themselves from the burden of supporting their own settled poor , 7 . " The Commissioners on preview occasions , when fnTnTtar cases of « niergeBcy to the present one have occurred in Staffordshire and other places , have issued an out-door labour-test order to the unions where it was found to be necessary . This order , where carried into eSect , has afforded the Boards of Guardians much assistance in enabling them to deal with the numerous

      applications suddenly made to them for relief , under a similar pressure to that whichit is feared may soon arise in the Swansea Union . The Commissioners enclose a copy of the order far the consideration ef the Board at Guardians , and the Commissioners will be prepared to issue a similar order to the Swansea Union . In the meantime , however , means should be taken beforehand to procure some stone and oakum , or such other materials as may be accessible , in order to be in readiness tor the purpose of setting the able-bodied men to work , in return for the relief aSbrdei them . These materials , if not used , win be available for setting to work the able-bodied fnTnafrwi of the workhouse . The Guardians should also be prepared to appoint a superintendent of tml-door pauper labour , and to procure tools , if -necessary , at the shortest notice .

      & "At the special meeting which the Commissioners recommend should be held , they suggest that the question of where the outdoor labour should be carried on , incase of need , should be discussed , and the whole of the arrangements which it may be necessary to make be considered . The expenses in carrying out the provisions of the order above referred to , wiD be a charge upon the parishes to which the paupers relieved and set to -work under it may be chargeable . 9 . " The Commissioners t *""* it necessary to observe that in case of a strike of workmen for higher wages than their employers are willing to give , a question arixss whether the Guardians would be justified in refusing or aacantinulng relief when the men might obtain employment , if they chose to accept it , at wages sufficient to furnitTi the ™« vr of subsistence for themselves and their iBmilies .

      10 . "In reference to this question , the Commissioners would remark that tbe poor-rates constitute a fund for the relief of destitution . Tha amount so levied is withdrawn from the capital which must itself furnish employment to the labouring classes , and proves & severe burden on the middle classes , who are themselves liable to be reduced to poverty by the contingencies of bade and the excess of public burdens . U . " So long , however , as real and involuntary destitution exists , so long must the Guardians , in" discharge of Sieir public duties , require from the ratepayers , and distribute to the applicants for relief , that sustenance which the necessities ef the latter class demand . 12 . "But the question becomes a different one if the destitution is self-imposed , and when the guardians are satisfied that individuals supported by the poor-rates day -obtain employment at wages adequate for the maintenance of . themselves or families .

      13 . " With the disputes between masters and workmen , or with the agreements of either class among themselves , the Guardians have nothing to do . If , therefore , the Guardians are in a situation to say , that the men now ^ applying for or receiving relief may obtain work wnhin their reach at wages sufficient for their maintenance and that of their families , and it OEly depends on themselvea to accept it , they are jasdfied in Telusing relief to those persons , simply because they can no longer be considered as destitute .

      it is not , however , sufficient that they snonid say ¦ vaguely to any large number in a mass , employment may be had' ; but on being satisfied in each individual case that -work is offered or may be procured by the man in Question within a practicable distance , relief mi ^ ht then be refused to that man , always provided that the -Guardians are satisfied of the sufficiency of tbe wages offered for the actual maintenance of the parties , and thai all cases of great urgency or of a mere temporary natnre from mementary fear of violence should be dealt "wiUi as

      ntceptinns-14- "It ia not the object of the poor-rates to aid either masters or men in any struggle against each other , and it must be assumed that the law -will be found suffidenBy strong to protect those -willing to work from the prolonged action of forcible interference . 5 . " The Commissioners "will be ready , ihonia the necessity for such a step arise , to sanction a temporary departure from the prohibitory order , to the extent which may bs requisite upon the cases being reported to teem under article i . 6- *• Tee CknnmisBioners , in making the foregoing re-Iaa , do not wish to excite any unnecessary appre-^ BKan in the minds of the Guardians , Their object i » simply , thai whenever the crisis T" » y arise , it may Sad the Guardians felly prepared to meet the pres-« areuponth& - Cmon .

      * ' * am , Sir , your most obedient Sarvant , - « E . Chaitwick ., Secretary . * ' Io the Clerk of the Guardians of the Swansea Uaion , Swansea . " 3 > r . Hrw 50 K then said , that as far as the copper-* ° *» were concerned , it aid not appear necessary ¦ " *** they should make any provision , as not one of ^ aa had applied to the Board for relief ; but their ^• oduet in striking had affected other Ixtge bodiae—the c&Uier ^ for instance , "who wer « thrown ant of work by * bfm . Some of the coiners had applied for relief on Friday hurt ,: and had been told to come there that day . * oEe of them -were , however , in attendance ^ and thereto V perhaps , there vromld not be anj necessity of going into tha question even as respected them .

      Mr . r ? lTiaik , 31 . P ., sad , as a partner in the Swansea Coal Company , he had expressed his strong desire that ^ men should be fottDdTrork ; and , a « that had been uose , he was surprised Mat any of them should have *? J > lied for relief . Dr . Hewwm explained that it was asort of prospective application , u the men had thomght fcat thty should be •« of w « k from Safcnday baA

      Untitled Article

      Mr . Yivian said no man could regret more than he did the present unfavourable state of things . The coppermasters bad , after the most mature deliberation , and the most argent necessity , proposed to reduce the wages of the men ; still , however , allowing them wafes folly competent to their maintenance ; and one of the most painful things arising in con sequence of the strike ¦ was , tha way in vrhieh it affi ** ed the poor oollieis , whom be Pitied . He had recommended that work should be found them , and that bad be « n done , for although not at cutting coal , yet they were employed about the works , and paid as the coppermen were , Jn money , there being no shop in connection with the Swansea Coal Company . _ ¦ ... » in which it

      A desultory conversation ensued , was stated that the coppermen were determined to still stand out—that on Saturday they had given notices to draw out £ 1 , 300 from the Savings * Bank—that they were about to break up all their benefit dubs , in which they had £ 25 , 000 , and divide the money to enable them to continue on strike . "We pass over several sections of this cold-blooded and ferocious edict , in each and every one of which ¦ will be recognized the anxiety of the Trustees" of the * ' Poor Lav ? Fund" to make destitutioh and pauperism more ssutnvB than ihe blackest crime / From the mass of ioiernalism v > e select for comment those sections "which develope the" real object of the "Deril" law . Those sections are from No . 9 to

      13 , inclusive . To them we call special attention for the benefit of those whose wages are henceforth to be regulated by a Board of Guardians under the controul of the Poor Law Commissioners , and whose duty they are told it is to protect the middle classes from those burdens which the destitution of the poor is likely to impose upon them . From these sections we learn that if wages adequate for the maintenance of a man and his family is offered by an employee that snch man refusing such offer is to be deprived of all parochial relief ; and that the Guardian * upon whom in his poverty » i « is Mely to be a burthen are to be ihe parties to judge of the guestion of juasrENAKCB ; and they are to be the local Executive of the devil-kings of Somerset-house and to mark the amount tchich the

      masters are -willing to give ! ! i I Let ub suppose a very possible case , by which the standard of " sufficiency" will be judged by the Poor Law Guardians . Snppose a copper miner , earning thirty shillings a week , to have a wife and three children . He is threatened by his master with a reduction of five BhillingB a week . His master ib either a duly Elected or an Eje Ojficio Guardian of the poor . The man resists the reduction , and applies to tbe parish for relief . His master is upen the *» Board . " The roll of the really destitute is read over—the amount given to them is the standard by which a SUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE is to be judged , the will of ihb master is , no doubt , the basis of the judgment of the Board . Say it would amount io aa mnch as five shillings and

      sixpence a week ; and snppose the Guardians , anxious to make out a good case fer the "devlliings , " Bay to the miner : we'll allow yon tea shillings a week for your family . This offer at once compels him either to submit to the proposed reduction or to starve , and leaves him for ever at the mercy of the master who may henceforth reduce his wages to a little above the standard established as a suitable maintenance" by the Guardians . If this rule is once acted upon , and if the workisg c ! asse 3 should ever tolerate snch an infringement oj their rights , the power of adjusting the rate ef "wages , at which the masters shall henceforth condescend to employ them , will be vested wholly and enrirely in the hands of the Poor Xaw Commissioners . However slow then this vile Starvation Act

      ; was in developing its real object ) can any man mow ; have a doubt that the intention was to starve the ! -poor into complete subserviency i making poverty a I crime , and themselves the arbitrators as to what | constituted " tufkient maintenance , " and therefore sufficient wages ? r We have but very little sympathy for the middle > classes , who , as a con&titnent body , have tolerated

      i that system of invasion upon the poor , which has at ' length come to their own door . Was there a man ' of them , who , had he thought , but must have come to I the conclusion that the aristocracy , although chosen as the representatives of the middle classes would stave poverty from their own doors as long as possible , and that bankruptcy should only reach them after the ruin of the middle classes had been

      accomplished . The middle classes will now discover that the system , notwithstanding all their representative power , has reached their order ; and that instead of being the agents between producers and consumers capital upon the one hand is hourly making paupers and pauperism upon the other hand is hourly malting bankrnpts of them . Instead of being the governing party , as in former times , when the whole wealth of the- country was equitably distributed among the whole popnlatian of the country , and which was by no other means so fairly adjusted as by admitting the claim of the unwilling idler to all the necessaries and even the comforts of life , they are now the reservoir from which the paupers mast draw ; the broken reed , upon which the destitute mast lean .

      What a satisfaction it must be to their order to read the gratifying intelligence that the amount raised for the support of the poor has gone on annuaUydiminishingsince the whole / nndwasconsumed by the staff for carrying the law into operatioai Bat will they not awake to a knowledge of the fact , that when the Poor Law Fund was highest , their own condition was best f Although we have never joined in a fruitless endeavour to repeal , or even to amend the damnable act : and although we have

      viewed the vagaries of Rebecca in no very favourable light ; yet , who but must anticipate a junction between the " fair lady , " who vows vengeance against tie Poor Law system , and those who have now learned the uses to which it is to be put ! and who but mnst arrive at the conclusion that property has waged war upon poverty ; and who but must admit , that we were right nearly six years ago , when writing apon this very subject , we divided the classes , without reference to political creed , into •* Rich Oppressors and Poor Oppressed !"

      Mr . CoBBEn , when opposing the Starvation Act told the Malthusians of that day , that , when brought into full operation , it wonld shake their titles to their estates ; and that the people would never tamely submit to such an infringement upon their inherent rights . He was a true prophet . upon more occasions than that ; and in the document now before us we recognize the beginning of the end . " We see the coming of thai time , ewhen disinherited poverty will demand from the holders of national property , the title by which it has been applied t © their sole use , behoof , and benefit .

      Perhaps the day of reckoning may have been postponed by a more cunning management j but assuredly a more unfortunate season than the present for the assumption of such extravagant power could not have been selected , when the Minister is assailed not by one , or two , but by every interest in the conntry . And although that class whose rights are thus insolently and andaciously invaded may be despised as affording no parliamentary strength , yet if there is

      trnthin the assertion that "hunger will breakthrough stone walls , * it may be equally true lhat the power of the unrepresented may break through the forms of Somerset House . What we feaT is , that thiB recent tyranny will strengthen the hands of " Rebecca " and those who contend for the redress of sectional grievances ; and in truth we can scarcely blame an insulted unwilling pauper from taking the shortest possible cut to relief .

      Untitled Article

      WHAT'S IN THE WIND ! WHY DOES OUR QUEEN GO TO SEE THE FRENCH KING ? Thb Session has closed , and the next business of our showmen is to provide ammsement for onr Qaeen , It appears that two yousg Princes of the Hoobo of Bourbon have , at the request of their august Sire , the King of the Barricades , delivered an invitation to the Qneen io honour his Majesty with a visit j for what pnrpose it is not fcr iiB to inquire , although we nay be pardoned for a guess . The Royal ministeral speeth , spoke * at * 3 ae close of the St . James ' s Reason , dealt largely in denuu-• iatioa of tiw prewat agitation for ft Repeal of the

      Untitled Article

      Union ; while Mr . O'Comnbll has very pointedly hinted at the assistance that Ireland would be likely to receive from France in the event of the English Minister having recourse to force . Every man posseBBed of common sense , however , must be aware that to any compact between France and Ireland , the occupant of the tottering throne of the former oountry would be no party ; therefore , French sympathy does not mean the sympathy of Louis Philuppb , who , in the success of the Repeal agitation would see the downfall of French

      despotism . May it not , then , be very reasonably supposed , that with all the professions of Irish loyalty added to professions of French sympathy , that the Monarcb . 8 of both countries , through the advice of their ministers , are designed to meet and combine for tie purpose of opposing democratic intrusion by royal combination 1 If , as we learn , the English Cabinet is opposed to the marriage of the Spanish Queen with the son of the French King ; and if that project is , as we understand , nearer to the heart of Lotas Phillippe than any other consideration at the present moment , —always barring the transition of

      France from Monarchy to Republicanism—surely we may be pardoned for wondering that the moment of England ' s rejection of such a scheme should be selected as the time for inviting the English Queen to the shores of France ! while we can well understand that eves the temporary occupation of the throne of Spain would be but poor consolation for the loss of that of France . This Royal meeting is to all intents and purposes but the precursor either to a Conference of Crowned Heads for the protection of Monarchies against the raging desire for Republican institutions , or the forerunner of an understanding between their two Majesties . "

      The reckless manner in which the French King has furnished the means of creating revolution in Spain and the destruction of every liberal institution by the tyrants whom his money has placed in power , will at once betoken the horror in which the prospect of a Spanish Republic holds him ; and we doubt not that the wily monarch will judiciously play Spain against Ireland , and out of British terror at last accomplish his desired object . The present position of France with regard to Spain ia not very

      diBsimilar of that of England to Ireland . If Spain proclaims for a Republic , the fortifications of Paris will furnish but a poor barrier against the national demand for a similar form of Government ; and should the English-Minister drive the Irish people to a knowledge of their own power , the infection of popular strength would not be slow in crossing the Irish Channel . Thus we surmise that the present royal visit iB likely to terminate in a gambling speculation , with "the safety of thrones" for the stake .

      While monarchs are engaged in gambling for thrones abroad , let as take a review of our ills at home . All must now be awake to the awful inroads made upon the social comforts of the working classes . Perhaps the best picture that can be drawn of the present gamblers in human labour is to represent them in their former character , and in their present position . In the olden times , when a good understanding existed between the master , and some twenty or thirty manual labourers , they played

      for pence , and the game was fair . If the profits of the masters were comparatively small , it was betause an equitable distribution was made of the profits of all : and society was seldom disturbed by any misunderstanding , ivhich the good sense of the interested parties , did not very speedily reconcile , without the interference of the law , the military , the special constables , or the police . At that time , the small masters were not invested with the double character of employers and justices !

      When machinery was introduced , and as it progressed , they began to gamble for shillings ia the first instance , and the pennies were put out of play . As new inventions or improvements went on , they began to gamble for pounds , and the shillings were also put out of play . As soon as the accumulated property -was able to contend for representation with the landed interest , the gamblers in pounds were able to achieve an amount of representation , which compelled their Government to appoint them

      to the magistracy of the country ; and thus , armed with the two-edged sword , the power of capital to reduce wages , and the power of the magistrate to coerce into an acquiescence , they began to gamble for hundreds , and put the pounds out of play ; until at length they have not only rendered all the real money in the world incapable of representing their stakes , but haye gone to the extent of gambling for the produce of foreign states ; Great Britain and Ireland being too narrow a field for gambling speculations .

      We believe it was during the vice-regency of Lord Towkshekd , in Ireland , that the demands of patronage by the Hdtchinsons and Bebesfobds became so extravagant that the Viceroy , upon one occasion , observed—•* I do believe that if the Hutchinsons and Bebesjobds got a gift of England and Ireland , they would want the : Isle of Man for a potatogarden . " So it is precisely with our manufacturers . They have gambled for all at home . They have cheated until they have won all . They have placed it out of play by a non-consuming producing power > and now they ask for some higher stakes to represent their power of cheap production .

      It may not be unimportant to shew the immediate effect that this progressive system of gambling is likely to have upon the parties engaged . Let us group them , and mark their progress . Snppose that a number of persons sit down at a gambling-table , to play for penny stakes . As long as the play is confined to those stakes , ihe penny will represent something , and have its value in the market . If the play is changed to shilling Btakes , the pennies are put out of play and ont of the market ; and he will be considered impertinent who offers to pay a

      shilling in pennies . The shilling then becomes valuable as it represents the stake played for . If , however , the gambling increases to pound stakes , the shillings are pnt out of play , and out of the market ; and the man who attempts to stake twenty shillings wonld be laughed at . As the blood warms , and the desire to speculate increases , the Btakes increase with its until at length they arrive at hundred pound stakes , when pounds are put out of play : and it not unfrequently occurs that the hundreds are put out of play by bonds , bills , I . O . U ' s ., Post Obits , and mortgages , rendering what may be considered real money but an inadequate representation of the gambling

      speculation . Observe , then , the effect which those altered stakes will produce , as if by magic . As long as a penny represents a stake , it was of certain value ; and four or fire pennies would be looked at twice before they would be given , say io a messenger who brought a note . When the stakes increased to a shilling , however , the pennies would be freely given in handsfal , as they represented nothing , while passing importance would be attached to the shilling . And this again , when put out of play , would be aB freely given as the pennies were ; and so on : each increase of the stakes rendering comparatively valueless those smaller amounts which were previously played for .

      Now such precisely is the position of our present speculators in human labour . They have got more artificial power than would supply the world with produce ; and in tha wildness of speculation , they have lost all thought of the land at home , so inadequate to represent the stakes they play for . If the system be not checked , no power on earth can much lorjger suppress that -popular fury which , though long pent up , will in its rage destroy th& whole system , leaving no trace of what is called England's greatness . Machinery has pnt manual labour out f- play and rendered it compaiatively valneless in the ^ tabling market .

      We have now drawn a pietare of the stakes for which Monarohs and capitalists play . But notwithstanding the power of both , the people ( without King , Queen , or knave ) have th » whole g ^ ame in their hands , provided they play their car « te with judgment . The position of Mr . OCoskbll is os . a of awful esptosibility ;—oho which if swotted

      Untitled Article

      may result in great and might * changes j-one from which should he be driven by a combination of crowned heads and knaves , will lead to the temporary prostration of the democrats cause j and is one therefore which every friend of liberty ehould strengthen by all the means in Ms power . No man can dottbt for , a single moment that the feeling created by him is strongly in favour of democracy , whatever Afc view maybe ; while all must come to tbe conclusion that those aspirations so universally raised byjone man cau never be checked by the individual power which called them into existence

      The working classes have lost much by theconsideration of who shall do , rather thanwHAT shall be done ; while their constant shout has been " measures not men . " We trust , however , that in the nineteenth century the public mind is too far advanced to care whether O'Connkll or the Chartiflts shall lead in the road of democracy . We feel convinced that the people are being conspired against by their enemies ; while we feel equally asaured that even had Mr . O Conneix joined in that conspiracy , the means that he has taken will hay © the direct tendency of

      frustrating the machinations of the people ' s enemies . If repose is necessary , after his gigantic exertions during the summer , God forbid that we should take advantage of that repose , to gratify any personal an imosities . More has been done in Ireland within the last three months to ( advance the democratic caus e than ever was done before ; and in the full reliance that it will eventuate in benefit to the whole people , we aay to Mr . O'CoNNEix : " Go ; take rest ; make no compromise ; return to the struggle when you are refreshed ; and fear nothing so long

      as your motto is : Ireland for thb Irish . Repeal , and NO SURRENDER ! " Do this and England ' s Charter will not long lag behind Repeal

      Untitled Article

      MR . O'CONNELL AND HIS NEW CHARTER . We have received many communications upon tbe subject of Mr . O'Connell ' s backward move with respeot to the Suffrage , substituting " wife" tenure , for ^ land" or "house" tenure , and Household Suffrage as an improvement upon either " manhood " or Universal Suffrage ; but we shall abstain ( ia strict accordance with that policy which we have deemed it right to observe since the commencement of the Repeal agitation ) from a single comment upon the subject calculated to furnish any argument

      that the Liberator may use as proof of " Saxon " hostility to Ireland . Wo may observe , in passing , that he has paid his own countrymen , so well prepared for the full enjoyment of their rights , but a sorry compliment , by acknowledging their unfitness in 1843 , for Ithat description of franchise which in 1836 he drew up as the only 6 tandard with which Englishmen should rest satisfied !! We have never made odious distinctions between the " Saxon" aud the " Celt ; " and we trust , therefore , that the

      different franchise proposed by Mr . O'Conwell for the " Saxon" and the " Celt" will not be hereafter urged by him as proof of English indifference towards the Irish people . We have laughed at much that we have not thought it prudent just now to comment upon ; but our anxious correspondents may rest assured that no false step of ours shall furnish Mr . O'ConiNell with any , tho slightest , pretext for marring , obstructing , or retarding the Repeal Movement .

      We attach importance to the success of the undertaking from a conviotion of its universal , rather than iii local effects ; and therefore we abstain from grappling sectionally with the great question of national independence . Our readers may rest satisfied either that the democratic principle must receive an astounding impetus from the accomplishment of Mr . O'Connell ' s praise-worthy undertaking , or tbe Chartist cause must receive an inoreased strength from any apparent shrinking upon his part . In either case tbe Chartist body will find that our

      policy has been directed to the furtheraace of their cause ; and that nothing could more tend to the injury of our party , than furnishing Mr . O'Connell with a justifiable pretext for abandoning the Repeal agitation , in consequence of the opposition of the English Chartists , as evinced in tbe spleen of their only organ . We are quite awake , and not unobservant of passing events . We fully understand the value of Union , tbe extent to which it exists in

      Ireland , and the reward to which it entitles the Irish people . They have not yet said , nor has Mr . O'Connell said , that they will be satisfied with less than a Repeal of the Union ; and until we see something more than symptoms of defection , we shall abstain from creating any useless alarm , which would ouly tend to the frustration of that object that we have as much at heart as either Mr . O'Connell or Dr . Me . Halb .

      Untitled Article

      NORTH SHIELDS CJOUBT—TerESiur , Aug . 29 HOODIE AGAIHST JOHN AND GEORGE CARB ,

      FSOF&IE 1 OBS OF 9 EGHIJ-L COLLJEKT . Mr . Roberts , of Bath , appeared on behalf of Moodie . The sittfng magistrates were John Fen wick , Esq ., J . H . Fryer , Esq . ! , and J . Sidney , Esq . On Moodie being called and sworn , &Ar < Roberts rose ; and , addressing [ the Magistrates , stated he was requested by the complainant to state the case . Magistrate Fenwiok-rAre you an attorney ? Mrv Roberts—I am . j I may just state th ; U I am " Roberts , of Bath ; " and have como 300 mil'eg , for the purpose of stating the case ; and in ordei" that you may eivait your most serious consideration , I beg to inform you that ] on your decision rests the fate of 130 cases of the same nature . Magistrate—That matters nothing ; in our o ' ecision we shall be strictly guided by the evidence adduced . 1

      Ad Attorney ( whose name we did not learn ) here rose on behalf of Carr and Co ^ and referred to a clause in the bond agreed to by both parties , in which it is stated that if any dispute ariss between the men and their masters , such dispute shall be decided by two viewers ; and , in cases where they could not come to a decision , they should elect a third , whose decision should be final . Mr . Roberts—The men have a strong suspicion that they cannot get justice from such decisions .

      They suspect the honesty , of viewers ; and I believe I may Bay of viewers what Horn Tooke said of a special jury : — " It ig like giving me a dozen of rotten oranges out of which to select a sound one . " The magistrates are looked up to as the natural protectors of the poor ; and on itheir decision depends the amount of justice administered to those who look to them for protection in the present state of society . If that gentleman holds to viewers , I cannot agree with it . Themen are not satisfied with the decisions of viewers . i

      Messrs . Carr ' s , attorney—I will agree that the men shall have the appointing of one of the referees and the masters the appointing of the other ; and if the two elected cannot come to a decision . They shall appoint a third as umpire and his decision to be binding . 1 Magistrate—That proposition is perfectly free for the masters and free for the men . It is a just way of settling a difference of opinion . Mr . Roberts—The men say it is not a difference of opinion / it is a fraud . . Messrs . Carr ' s attorney—My clients agree to two indifferent persons . .

      Mr . Roberta asked leave from the Bench to retire for ten minutes , for the purpose of consulting with the men . This was granted . On returning he said he had laid the proposition of the gentleman before the men , and he found they had a strong leaning for a magisterial decision ; but would agree that the case , should stand over till that day fortnight ; and if not then mutually agreed on , it should again be brought before that court . Messrs . Carr's attorney ; did not agree to Mr . Roberta ' s pr * po 9 ition . \ Magistrate Sidney—Wej have no power to decide in the case . The parties have agreed by bond that all disputes shall be settled by referees .

      Mr . Roberts again asked leave to retire for ten minutes , which was granted ; and it was finally arranged that the men should appoint one refereethe masters the other : the appointed having the power to appoint a third if necessary , whose decision is to be binding on all parties concerned . I understand the ground of complaint on the part of the men to be—that in the measurement of tho coals 19 ibs . more have been added to the cwt . This overweight has been practised from the 10 th of April to July the 18 th . The sum claimed by each man is eleven shillings . —Correspondent .

      Untitled Article

      EXTENSIVE SEIZURE O ? " POCKET PISTOLS " IN IRELAND . On tbe morning of Tuesday last a gentleman of this neighbourhood gave private ] intelligence to one of our vigilant plot-bunting police—Head Constable Cox—to the effect that Mr . Butterly , a respectable grocer aud spirit dealer , residing in Shop-street , had that morning received from England a large contraband consignment of pistols and other Implements for the express purpose of arming tbe Repeaters ; and , more awfully ominous and audacious , they were branded as if in utter defiance and contempt of Lord Eliot ' s Arms' Bill , with tbe dreadful woid " Repeal ! " Here was an opening fer an active man . A badge of merit , the first vacancy in the list of sub-inspectors , and a letter of thanks from tbe valorous Da Grey danced merrily before the mind ' s eye of the ! Head Constable . There

      could be no mistake in the matter . The information came from a gentleman—one of the right sort—a Conservative every inch of him ; i and like Napoleon on the eventful morning of Waterloo , the incipient subinspector had but to stretch forth his arm and annihilate the enemy . This seizurd made—Repeal must be blown . Imagine then the worthy functionary poising his portly person , of six feet in circumference , upon tbe Tholsel steps ; his chest dilated to a must awful magnitude with the mighty importance of the duty be was about to perform ; his 1 keen grey eye rapidly revolving as be proceeds alone . There is no time to procure assistance . Numbers } might ereate alarm and defeat the object ; and besides tbe whole glory isust rest upon his own ample shoulders . Just see him

      moving down Shop-street with majestic stop . He reaches the shop of the doomed " arms importer . " Gantle reader , have you ever seen the final operatorthe finisher of tbe law , commonly called tbe hangman , while about adjusting the fatal noose ; with what extreme politeness , what blandness of voice , he urges the victim about to be operated on to move on one step farther—just a little step ) or so— 'till he gets him on the trap ? No you have not ; or , if yon have , the occurrence has for years been so rare that you forget ; but let it suffice that you are now assured Head Constables can be excessively polite when they are about to nab a man . " Good morning , Mr . Butterly ; could I speak a word to you in private 1—ah ! I have information that you have got a large number of pistols into your house

      this morning ? " " Oh yes , " replied Mr . B ., somewhat relieved , " stay , I'll show you a pistol " "Oh no , sir , you have got a chest or large case full of pistols ; my information » precise , I want to see them—to see the case . " Resistance was out of the question . The grocer was caught He led the ! way to his store-room . There was the package—shipping maiks all en . Tbe straw was removed—and sure enough , a most splendid array of small arms was there ! j The constable ' s hand was upon thenv . ! But " tear-an-agera , constable dear , don't break the delph ! " There they were—as many pistols as would appropriately fit up the arms'" room of the Rhadamanthas on her next espedition , all formed out of the most beattfifzU crockery waie I Most creditable to the ingenuity ot the Staffordshire pottesymen—tho

      shape was perfect—lock , stock , ; and barrel , of genuine brown delph , and each capable- of holdiag fall half-apiutof the ? eal " mountain dejw . " These they were , veritable ewekery-ware " pocket-pistols '' made for the convenience of gentlemen anglers and others who when out of town love to a taste of jsomethiBg to keep the chill out Could it be possible ? Thesfe might be a mystery below . Deeper search however only brought to light certain other crockery implements , which * taken individually , rbysas with V CoE , " and which we fear will long strike the mind when tbe word Coe is pronounced . All was over . The seixnro was abandoned . Fame , dignity , and reward vanished before the rattling

      of the delph . The vigilant officer descended veiy quietly . The inflation was gone ' . He gained the dear , wheu melancholy to relate , at a little distance stood bis respectable informant , tbe thumb of hia sinister hand resting waggishly on the tip of { his nasal organ , voile the thumb of his dexter band slightly touched the digits which were spread in fan form for an instant before the horrified gaza of the disappointed functionary i The merry informant loves his practical joke ; and he bad it . And poor Eliot ! the crockery men of Staffordshire turn your arms' bill into ridicule , while your Conservative friends feel delight in hoaxing your spies . We trust their plot-hunting propensities nay never find better grounds than io this case . —D / o ^ ieda Aram .

      Untitled Article

      ¦ — ^ ^ i i ii The "Duel" Mceber . —Atjthe Central Criminal Court the parties in the late fatal duel were called oa to surrender and take their trial . Mr . Caddy the second of Colonel Fawc 6 tt appeared , as did Mr . Gulliver , the surgeon ; with respecfe to the latter gentlenan a mile prosequi was entered , and heveasdiB ' charged . Mr . Cuddy was th « n put on Mb trial , and after a prolonged vnveBtaRatioaJ the jury teturaed a verdict of ^ oj Guilty , aud he wag immediately rtkftMd ,

      Untitled Article

      -. ' —* - . - ;—¦ i — ,, , —< ip - TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Sm , —For some time past I have observed , with much pain , your columns occupied with complaints , by and on behalf of the incarcerated Political Victiroa and their families . Now this , I must positively declare , originates in the gross neglect of the parties resident in the neighbourhood of the Victims . Had there been one individual who would have exerted himself , he might have dona a great deal towards keeping them from starvation . Dewabury , for instance , has had its share of persecution to encounter . I have now before me a lawyers bill , respecting the defence of Mr . Dawhirst , at York , to the amount of nearly £ 20 , all of which has been paid . Then there was the defence of Messrs . Sheldrake and Ciiaaett , at York . We now . look after their families , and support them , allowing them weekly donations , at tbe rate of Is . 6 d . per head ; or , when our funds will-allow , Is . Sd ., or Is . lOd . per bead ,

      which amounts weekly , at Is . 8 d ., for Sheldrake" * family ,-10 s . ; Clisaetfe , 63 . 80 . ; making a total of I 63 . 8 d . weekly . In addition to which the Dewabnry district have sent upwards of £ 12 to tbe General Defence Fond . These families Would nave been left to starve if we had not exerted ourselves . When the last s trike had ended , our Organization was broken up , and a few have done the work . We got men with subsorip tiona books , who went about thefaf own locality , and got weekly subscriptions of a penny , or more , as it coul'd be afforded ; aud by these means we are enabled to ai ? ord relief to our imprisoned brethren , and keep them from the fangs of Pickertffilt . Had all places bestir ed themseles , and looked after their Victims , as they 0 ught to have done , instead of being apathetic , the complaint of the Victims would not have been so general . My good friends , be up and doing in the good cause , and let sot your incarcerated friends , asd their famillea , fall victims to starvation . I remain yours , in the good cause . Jakes Fox . Secretary to the Dewsbury Victim Fund .

      Untitled Article

      E . EADZN 6 . —At a special meeting , held on Tuesday evening , the 29 th ult ., at the large room of the Masons' Arms , Cross-street , Reading , Mr , T . M . Wheeler , of London , was unanimously elected to represent thitflocalifcy in . the Conference , to beholdea at Birmingham on the 5 th inat . BOLTON . —Loir At Ordeb of Ancient Shepherd ' s . —The Loyal Lamb Lodge of the above Order , No . 341 , held their first anniversary on Saturday , Aug . 26 th , at the house of host Baxendale , when upwards of 130 sat down to a good substantial dinner . After the cloth was removed , the young men and maidens enjoyed themselves with dancing and singing , whioh was kept up with great spirit , till time announced that the Sabbath was fast approaching .

      STOCKFORT . More Mandeactdring Tthanny . —Nothing cau be too base for manufacturing rascallity , nor anything too horrible for the perpetration of our cotton •* Nabobs . " Poor and wretched as their emaciated and toil-worn slaves are , all tells for nothing , when it suits the whim or convenience of a purse-proud " chimney lord" to equeeza out another drop of blood , as the following piece of robbery will prove . The large mills , lately the property of Charles Carr , have been recently occupied by Messrs . Esscriggand Co . ; and since tha resumption of work by the above firm , the ** hands " have not been subject to the stringent rale of being on tbe premises precisely as the engine starts . Oa Saturday night last , however , notice was given , that

      all who were not inside the mill-gates at ten minutes past five o'clock on Monday morning , would have tbe usual deduction ( threepence ) made from their week ' s wages" . On Monday morning , Heaton-Iane , a wide street in which the mill is situate , was thronged with the factory operatives . On enquiring , it turned out that the engine had been started before the proper lime b y several minutes I The consequence was , that upwards of three hundred of the slaves had the mill ( or , more properly speaking , prison ) doors locked in their face , notwithstanding tnat the avenue leading to the mill was thronged with persons rushing to get in . This characteristic manoeuvre was mado under the superintendence of a fellow named Ashton , a manager ; who , no doubtbthis has

      , y step enhanced his value in the estimation of his tyrannioal . employers ; as it will put foub pounds into their pockets , without costing them a single farthing , or troubling their conscience with a solitary pang of remorse . Great numbers remained out until breakfast time . These are to pay the forfeit of their temerity , by suffering a deduction efone shilling and sixpence each from their miserable and scanty earnings . Surely villainy such as this ought to meet with exposure in order that honest men may know what value to attach to manufacturing canting and whining professions of sympathy for the " starving poor" ! Talk about the " hearties profligacy ; " and " bare-faoed robberies" of the " monopolising landlords . " Bah ! They are perfect novices in the art ot " prigging , " when compared with their more knavish and * 'blood-stained" neighbours , the

      " free-booting" cotton lords . "Richard the Itover " , like his worthy prototype , Bamfield Moore Carew , is traversing the agricultural districts , out-doing his patron saint , ' Baron Munchausen , in mouthing the most ridiculous absurdities . It is said he has , during the late session ! devoted much of his valuable time to the grave and deliberate consideration of the useful science of necromancy ; and as a proof of hiB great proficiency in his newly-acquired art , attention is pointed to the manner iu which he has transmogrified a few dozens of broken-down shopkeepers aud hungry hangers-on of the canine tribe into " great meetings of the agricultural serfs . " To my mind , he . would be more usefully and beneficially employed in endeavouring to reform the accursed and murderiDg factory laws ; and , if I mistake not , gentle reader , you think bo too . —Correspondent ,

      Untitled Article

      Thpbso , A pg . 19 . —The Margeret , M'Leod , of&nd from luveraeaa , sprang a leak 15 th instant , went ashore in entering the harbour , and has become a wreck ; cargo saved , and hull sold . Coroneb's Inquest . —On Monday , an inquest was held at the Queen ' s Arms' Inn , Bradford , on the body of a young man of the name of Dixon , who was drowned , on Saturday , iu the Bowling Fish Pond . It appeared in evidence that the deceased , who was nineteen years of age , went , in company with two other lads , one aged eleven , the

      other twelve , to bathe ; the younger lad could swim . Deceased , after being a short time in the water sunk . The boy who wnsin the water with him , immediately swam to the p lace , and saw deceased at the bottom , struggliag ; but , through fear , durst not go near him . Both boys ran for assistance . Shortly afterwards , hundreds of persons were oa the spot ; but upwards of an hour elapsed before the body was got out of the water Medical aid was useless , as life was extinct . The jury returned a verdict accordingly .

      Fatal Coai-pit Accident , ait Swinton . —Oa Saturday morning last , a fatal acoident occurred in what is called a ladder pit , in Moss Lane , Swinton , belonging to the trustees of the late Duke of Bridgewater . This pit is an old one , and till flooded a month back , it was used for tho colliers to go to their work by . It is about a hundred yards deep , and the descent . is made by a series of ladders , each about eight yards long , and a landing place at the foot of each ladder . It seems that three boys , named Robert Lansdale , Robert Worsley , and James Thorp , of the ages of ten , eleven , aad twelve years , were amusing themselves by going down the top ladder , and when they had descended about four

      yards , being overpowered by the "black damp ' ( carbonic aoid gas ) , they all fell dowu to the first landing place , about eignt yards from the surface . Fortunately , it was strong enough to support them , otherwise all must have fallen to a depth from which they could not have been recovered . Another lad , named Thomas Knight , who was near the surface , on hearing his compauions fall , immediately called to a man named Peter Richardson , who was passing by , and toJd him what had happened . Richardson ran to the assistance of the boys ; but in descending tho ladder , the deleterious gas overcame him , and he likewise fell down . Thomas Worsley , the father of one of the boys , then etune up , and in like manner

      fell to the landing , overpowered by the noxious vapour . An alarm was then gi wn by a man named William Charlton , to some men in a brickcroft in an adjoining field , and one of them , named . Fesse Holland , having had one end off a rope tied roand his waist , ventured , to descend the ladder ; feut , when abottt halfway , down , he fell , and was pulled up > by the rope . He soon recasrered from the tfects of the gas , and he then , diaected that some water should be thrown down the aperture . This , being immediately-doce ^ he agai n descended with- a rope round him , and an extra rope , which he fastened to Thomas Worsley . ( the father of one of the boys ) , andHolland

      , making the signal , they wore both drawn up . Again Holland descended , asd was a third time drawn up , together with Robert Worsley . A man . named . Win . Ornurod next went dowu with Peter Richardson . Ihea a man named Wjn . Arden descended ia the saaje way , and was drawn up with James Thoep , Arden asrain descended , and was pulled up together with , Hobert Lansdale , who wps the firBt ioy that fell down , and was brought put last . Mxv Hilton , surgeon of Swinton , was by this time in attendance j and , as the sufferers were brought oat , all in a state of insensibility , and several of theca to all appearance dead , he applied such remedies as were available , with 1 great assiduity and

      pereeterance , and at length had the satisfaction of seeing . all but on * , restored * The boy Thorp , aged tvcelve . . years , tras past reeovery ; and Peter Richardson was upwards of two-hourB before sensibility was restored . It is supposed that the cause of Thorp ' s death was , that Richardson , iu descending , fell upon hvai ; andlyijy ? over hi ? body , deprived himof th > l » enefit air , caused by the Richardgou himself of the survivors , inquest was held & body of tbe poor tal d « rtk » n «

      To The People.

      TO THE PEOPLE .

      Untitled Article

      THOMAS DUNCOMBE , ESQ . We understand that the good men of Manchester have it in contemplation to invite Thos . Ddncombe , Esq . to a public entry to their town , to have an opportunity of testifying the high estimation in which they hold their almost only parliamentary friend The time will be about the beginning of October Should such be their intention , we have no doubt that the demonstration will surpass anything heretofore witnessed , even in Manchester .

      Untitled Article

      My Deah Friends , —At this distance from Leeds—the post taking so longtotravel—and lecturing every evening somewhere , and on Sundays two or three times ; besides travelling , and the time occupied with receiving friend ? , who orowd round me by scores in every place , anxious to' "hae a crack wi me " , this being my first visit to Scotland—I find it difBouH , and , in fact , impossible to devote so much time to writing as I could wish . I shall , D . V . , be in England again soon , and then may be able to "hold counsel" with you more largely , because more leisurely , upou the great subjects which interest us all .

      I had a very large meeting of Repealers and Chartists last night to h « ar from me an exposition of my views upon the present aspect of the Repeal and Charter movements . I spoke at great lengthgreat length for me at least—nearly two hours—and never had I a-warmer , moro heartily approving , and more enthusiastic audience . After the lecture an attempt was made by some of our friends to test the value of the Repealers ' plaudits during tho lecture and at the close of it , by proposing a resolution , pledging them to the practical embodiment of its leading recommendation by joining with the Chartists hand in hand for the obtaining of the people ' s liberties—the Charter and

      Repeal . This , howovar , the Ropealors would not do . A priest who was present was their chief spokesman . He paid some high compliments to my lecture , but said that the Repealers did nothing ou their own judgment—they surrendered their judgmeats entirely to Mr . O'Conneli's prudence , aud they must have his consent before they could take one step is the matter : whiilo at the same time he and another gentleman who spoke , a Doctor , I think , both admitted the value of Chartist co-operation , and expressed themselves individually anxious to give and to receive all possible aid in the struggle going on between the Repealers on the one hand , and the Chartists ou the other hand , ar&inst the

      common enemy of man and liberty . I may hereafter have muoh to say to you upon the lessen to be learned from this meeting ; but I desist now , because , though I am now writing in Glasgow on Tuesday noon , this will not be received at the Star Office until Thursday Djorning , when a long letter rniyht not find admission . My last was posted on Monday and was yet to © late for that part of the paper in which it seems t ' o have been intended that it should appear . I reg r / 8 t that it was not inserted ; but as tbe same subject was taken ap by my old friend , at much greater leagth , I can only now commend the whole matter of Organization again most earnestly to Your attention , and express my ardent hope that f . ood may come out of the consideration of it by y ^ ur delegates .

      I have now lying by me an extract from the Times newspaper , f ' r . om whioh I 6 hal hereafter shew you more , and porhaps better arguments for ; Organization than , any ' other yet shewn you . I amiast now off to Kilmaroook , where I have to spout " to-night . " To-morrow might I bold forth at Efiin ^ urgb , on Thursday ni ^ ht at Leith , and » n SHD . a&y , eometimei I hope again to greet my friends a * Hall . : Meantime I am as I have ever been , Tout faithful friend and errant , yTiu . uk HiUa 1

      Untitled Article

      South Shields . —The working people of this once prosperous town are at present ia a most miserable condition . The staple trade of tbe borough is shipbuilding ; and the dull state of trade in general has completely paralyzed ( his branch of British industry . There are several excellent new vessels , adapted for the coal and other kinds of trade , that have been ou sale for years , and are as yet unsold , and likely to continue so . The shipwrights , who used formerly to earn from 253 . to 309 . per week , are parading the streets , talking over their miserable condition . A few of their number are employed by the parish at Is . per day . Crime is rapidly on the increase ; and the corners of the streets are constantly placarded with bills offering rewardB for the appTehen « ion of offenders . In most cases it is sheep-stealing aud potato-lifting . Tbe Messrs . Cook&ons are about to

      close their extensive alkali works , employing 700 men . These , and their dependents , will then be thrown upon their respective parishes ; and this town will lose the circulation of ?* mewhere about £ 600 weekly . The middle classes are all on the move . Public meetings have been held at the Cross , and on Messrs . Cookson ' s premises , convened by these parties . Speeches have been made , shewing the deplorable condition of the working classes , and begging Messrs . Cooksons to continue their factory . This is glorious I Heavy shop rents , small profits , and increasing poor-rates , are excellent " argdmenT 3 . " Shipwrights , joiners , blacksmiths , and chain-makers , are nearly all out of employment . The Poor-house is already filled , and the Poor Law Guardians are all in fidgets . A few more works closed , and we shall soon nave but two classes—the very rich and the very poor . Then for a melee ! j

      Untitled Article

      , of the partial ^ punfic ^ ipn of the throwi ^ j | i TOU fe < he water ; bad snffc ^ pB ^ fiiWfiW other probably ^ W ^* feS | k M before M « PJW « i ^ pO * lBWra ; oii lad . $ Pr |^ iWl | lik letanwdj * F ^ •^ f ^ SBw of the partial puriheaftioa of the j throwin ^ J * lplH # ytbe water ; ' had suff ^^^ g i « Mnto other ifore ^^^ r ^? v ^ T * ™ S ^ TJ ^ / f : ?^ % gr ? ( v - - ' ' ' ¦ ¦ ¦ •/ ¦ 4 * MLyV A-

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 2, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct945/page/5/