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UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD.
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1 ETIXB XXIII . TO THE XDITOX OP IHS K 0 BIH 2 BS STAB . SIB , —Is my list letter , in pursuance of the business Ih »< l undertaken , namely , "To examine the various fcibtxUt * tbat bare hitherto been proposed to remove ¦ vrhst ias been f < mnd oppressive , " I reviewed the tciuptraEce movement of Father Mathew ; and the actation BDder Mr . " O ' Concell for the Bspeal of the Uuion with Ireland ; . I shall commence this -week by calling the attention cf your reafien to one who has made herself not a little celebrated as an agitator daring the short period
£ e has been before the public . I allude to " Rebecca , " who . iMnVing that justice could not " be obtained in If alt * by any of the ordinary methods , has taken ¦ upon jieraJf to administer it inter ova peculiar manner . I bare do desire to criticise the . mode by which o'b « -ra act , nor to express an approval , or the reverse , of tbe course which Bebecca and her daughters are pursuing ; as individuals can only proceed with anything £ be ) Lave to perform in the manner they are prompted to d .-vnie it , by their ' ova peculiar idleeyocracies . I shall therefore look at this movement as a part ef the ¦ grcA change which is approaching , rather than in its immediate lecal effect .
S ^ beeca has clearly made manifest "what before was IrJfc known or cared for , namely , that the people of Sooth Wales were suffering nnder every spades of local tyranny that could well be conceived . The first object which-engaged the attention "was the administrafeon of the trust of keeping the roads in repair . She fuund this made the Bntject of a most grievous charge , and appears to have considered that the best mode of zedncuig It -would be by destroying the turnpike gates . A strong organization was formed for this purpose , and it was soon found that Bebecca and her Daughters could at any time effect the object ahe sought : and this h&s led to mac ; « £ bez matters being referred to htr .
Your paper of this day hears rather strong evidence of the manner in "which this movement is operating on the Ttnwrht of the landowners , not only of "Waits , but of other parts of the "United Kingdom ? and aa the success ¦ whi ch has attendedit -will be a powerful itiroulsnt to others , it will he -veil to examine to what cause that success may be attributed . The &at tiling necessary to observe in this movement , is , that it is one of unity . Prom the reports in the Times , it-is evident that there are plenty cf suggtstire meeiingB held , but the mode of action is confidently referred to Bebecca , and no one thinks of interfering in any manner with her decisions except to execute them . .
Tbe next is , that Bebecca is jest , in cer idea of the term ; and it is to the sympathy excited by the Basse of Jariee that she owes that protection she is receiving in a most dangerous course ; for should a contrary opinion prevail she wonld soon be banded over to the tender mercies ef ths Government . The third point I would notice is that Bebecca proceeds promptly to ' the execution of what ahe determines oa , aid does not keep disturbing the minds of her followers by useless theorising ; a qualification which is essentially ¦ necessary to any practical leader . From the offars of abatemeBi sf renta , statement of tixbfcs , removal of turnpike gates , and various other redresses for grievances , which are sow liberally made to the- Welsh people , it is evident that this movement is performing it * part , is preparing tbe public mad for as un . versa ! brotherhood ; and it will bo very interesting to watch the further progress of Rebecca .
The ntxt proposed Temedy to which 1 shall call at * tentim is ,, *• The Bepeal of the Corn Laws . " What " evfcrjcay have been the motives for which the cry of JUpeal was begnn , the pablitmind has decided that it isamattsr of justice ; and as such it must be yielded , whatever may be the « pposition brought against it . Claiming as I do , in the abstract , tbe free ass of the fruits of the earth for every individual in , it on the ground -that we are all the creatures of one Divine poorer to whom all things belong , it is to me a-very tn&sg jasttei - whether these laws be immediately repealed or not . It would be far better that we should commence the great inquiry of what is best fox all ; but at out Eiinds are not yet sufficiently expanded to "treat this subject in any manner approaching tbe importance It deserves , tbe exsrtioBS of the anti-Corn Zaw League wJB be most servieeable in preparing us tor the task .
from the rapid change in public opinion which has lately taken place in favour of the repeal of the Corn laws ; chiefly 3 o the agricultural districts , and brought abont by agricultural depression , which depression must iEevitahly increase rapidly , from the additions to Ra poor rates , county rates , police force , yeomanry duties , and many other matters which are inevitable ; to say nothing of the decline in value that will occur in agricultural produce from diminished consumption , it is quite certain that no government will long be able Jo resist it ; but the repeal being once obtained , how WBI the respective- parties be then . situated ? Will
cotton lords , landlords , church lords , or lords of any other kind , be in a better position from t * 1 '" change ? -Or will-it not jaifeer be that their confusion -will have Increased an hundred fold , and an approach will be so Xsx made : towards the inquiry into the true remedy ? 3 > spend upon it , we may safely say to Messrs . Cobden , ' Slight , Smith , and til their friends and associates , •* go on and prosper ; for you too have a mission to perform , in preparing for that change which is to place man upon earth in such a position as shall best enable him to work out the mysterious ways of that power that cver-xuleth all things . "
2 fext to the Con law movement , I would call attention to the remedies proposed by the Churches of England , Scotland , and Ireland . In England there are three , namely , a return to strict discipline , and catholicity ; tbe building of new churches ; sad a system of Bdueation based oa voluntary subaerlp Iiobs , Tbifflkn to Dr . Pnsey and his friends tX Oxford , we are about to endeavour to return to that unity and < KhoSaty , without which true religion can never be known . Seine people may be alarmed about the doctrines of transubstaniiaticn , and other things of trifling importance ; and half s century ago we may have been taneo inconvenienced in progress by them ; but these
dsji have long since passed . There can be no harm in -oar churches possessing those inspiring auxiliaries to the higher and more elevating portions of our being fiaS are to be derived from fine painting , superior music , sad ths gorgeous spectacles that are sometimes exhibited to the people cf the continent . There is no fear cf onr going backward in other respects , by forsaking those acrimonious feeEngs which arise from dissent in Region ; and if the Church is ever again to ha ve power ore ? ibe minds of the people , it can only be by its teachers placing themselves in the advanced guard , oorally , intellectually , and physically ; f * r this three-fold atare of man isnow for tbe first time about to be fully developed . ¦
With regard to the building of churches , what but food can arise from it ? Some will cry ont , " We dont Want them ; areTPS to be taxed for them ?** and many other such like exclamations ; but all this ia perfectly isiaetbegnesQon . Wears now too deeply taxed tor a few muli&ns a year to be any objection to those who on pay ^ it ; and those who cannot , need not be alarmed ibemtit . All the fetation that has been devised is cirrged on the folly and -ignorance of the people ; and when they shall be jeady to pay earnest attention to tbe otgect , they may easily learn how to avoid it With - ? £ gsrd to the churches , they give employment to mattras , bricklayers , carpenters , and others , in building £ hem ; and should they not be found necessary for the immediate purpose for which they aw intended , they ®» y be turned to aceonnt in many other ways .
Respecting education , ths Church ii organizing a * nb-Ktiption of-a quarter of a mfllien , to devote to this Purpose , to whieb I see her Majesty and Sir Bobert Peel have each contributed £ 1000 . The Prince Albert zsdths Qaeeo Dowager have each given £ 500 , and the Bahop of London , who is the soul of the scheme , haa grren £ 1000 . I wish them every success in their nn-^ srt&king . Ths light of truth is now shining too vi ^ biy in the world for us to have any cause for fear-3 fi * that the elements of instruction , -under any creed , Win do harm . The great book of nature is being read in all- countries , K"fl any helps to this reading must tend to-wards tbe development of that , great purpose Thick the Creator has designed shall be now
accompa&ed-If any are afraid that we shall fall too rapidly into the arms of the Cfaurcli of Bome , Uwy may find consoktwa in the state of the Scotch Church . Those who hive -watched lie proceedi&ga which have torn the people of Scotland to the centre , as a means of preparing their minds for hJgfrp * and more noble purposbs , must much aSmire the calm and holy z ^ al , and fervent sincerity which distinguished Dr . Chalmers and his coadjutors , who have lately sscuded from that church . They are bright examples of humanity under th « influence of superior feelingsi and although their
movement has not at present that -universal tendency which it is now desirablethat we should soon attain to , Jet we cannot but admire the devotien and energy with * &ch they pursus theii object , knowing that it must tend to tbe same common end . Their proposed remedy tt tas buUding and endowing of six hundred new tisn « ie 3 oa tbe voluntary priuciole ; and the Scotch P ^ Ple have subscribed very freely for the pnrpeseof fr ^^ S their ftvonrite preachers , and Dr . Chalmers r toe p ^ on to fulll his promise of parsuing the old ^ ta&ms if It be needed even to their destruction .
Hie Irish Church , by law Esfeablithed , that is , the -frotestant , seems to be in great danger from a remedy J ^^^ e ^—of renaering its xevenuea available to other Pnrposes ; mi the tithe owner * will undoubtedly be ™» alannedj bntno one can -fail to discern in this , a step in unrftj-uj progress of no small magnituie . The ^ icTOice of supporting a body of people with whom * fieyhad no sya > pathy , l » a been long and deeply felt » J tae Irijh people ; and they have now most wisely Roared that this ean no longer be . Ifo sooner do taey appear Hnitfid on Out subject , -and concentrate te * Powei si one foeus , than plenty of persons are ^ sffiid to argua their cause , and to astist them in proennng thairelief wbieh they will not fail to obtaon , in ^ ct propardon as ibeir love and intelligence are de-T ^« L Many of the Protestant clergy are making *^ m wi-i tbeBepeal party , and adding to that union » ° a power which can iow only be disturbed by undue excitement on the part of tha people
. If we take a cahn survey then of the petftion of ihe ttreechurches , every friend of universal principle * will « 8 JHU& to i ^ j ^ je a ^ fjjjg internal differenea ttt&t
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exist in them will cause deep and searching enquiry on all sides ; and sooner or later , in proportion to its intensity , win truth be elicited . As -this shall be done , and it Bhall be brought to the-ligbt of public opinion , will the fallibility ef man be corrected , and we shall be enabled to discern the true road to happiness and walk quietly therein . The more I reflect upon the subject the more strange does it appear , that with every element for happiness so abundantly surrounding him , man is still the victim * of so much ^ vice , crime , and misery . The knowledge however of the laws which govern the universe , and the developement which is taking place in the sciences of human nature , and of society , will soon render the cause of this seeming anomaly plain , and easy to be understood ; and in the mean tune I would say to Bebecca and her Daughters , to the promoters of the
repeal of the corn laws , and to the heads ef -he various parties in tbe Churches of England / Scotland , And Ireland , pursue we ' . l the various objects in which you are respectively engaged . To you they may appear the allabsorbing ones ; but there are other and higher spheres in which these movement * will be absorbed the moment their destined office is performed ; and to tha readers of these letters I would say offer no obstruction to any of the changes that are now occurring , for they are preparing the way for the introduction of that universal movement which will soon place us in a situation for receiving an tbe benefits ready to be conferred on us , by the great creating spirit of the universe , whea we shall be placed in accordance with its laws . I am , Sir , your obedient Servant , WILLIAM &A 1 PIW . Concordinm . Ham Common , Surrey . August 31 , 1843 .
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TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND . FALLOW CoimiKTMES , —Having disposed of the cry of " Ireland for the Irish , " and shewn you the fallacy of seeking Repeal without Universal Suffrage ; I will now turn to the question which is of all others of the greatest importance in the present position of Ireland . It is a remarkable fact , that nearly ^ sll classes of BefoiBien agree in the opinion , and even loudly assert that the Church is the prolific cause of all your mis&rj : but as the various sects and parties of society have their own reasons for attaching all blame to this source , J will contest myself with believing in the general opinion upon my own conviction of its truth . This I consider to be the better way , as I am aware that numbers assail the " Old Lady" upon grounds of envy or malice , and with a view to her annihilation , in the hope that their class may one day share her honours or her profit ; or mayhap aspire to govern this superstitions country in her stead .
With such partias as these , I hold no sympathy , nor do I value their opinion in the present case for mnch . They may " cant" about "evangelical purity ; " the only purity which is visible and apparently essential , is the-pure actual amount of pounds shillings and pence : which ever was , amongst such parties , the distinguishing mark of spirituality , and " ever will be , * ' asPaddy says , world without end . Amen ! " Por those sympathisers with Ireland , I repeat , I have no reciprocity , nor do I calculate upon their assistance to rid yon of tbe burthen which they eo magniloqnentiy declare oppresses yon . There can bo little difficulty in persuading an Irishman that the existence of a State Church is
an evil to his country of tha greatest magnitude ; nor does be need to be told that both in a political and moral sense her compulsory support is manifestly unjost . He knows all this , and I believe would , bad he the power , put aa end to her unscriptural career by starving her temporal part ont of its sanctity , by the simple measura of stopping the supplies . Now this is jest the point I would endeavour to explain . You would also get rid of this evil if you had the power . Let me see how you prove yeur sincerity . To set rid of the Church you agitate for a Repeal of the Union ; but as I have taken the mask from that measure in its present form , it must follow that if effects be equal to causes , you will never get rid of the holy (?) nuisance .
You are now , my Countrymen , placed in a very peculiar position . O'Connell has renounced and denounced all political parties , save the Orangemen , aad rests on Mb individual exertions to obtain Repeal ! This , I -have shown yon , wQl be impossible ; and that he cannot obtain it constitutionally without the aid of the English people . He tells yon at the same time he will stand upon Bepeal , and take no concessions i I would like to know how you ean reconcile these two positions , so as to prove them capable of successful results ? Do you imagine that the Government will get tired , and grant to importunity what they have so long refused to justice ; or that to pacify Ireland , they will grant a Bepeal of the Union -where they know yenr first act would be to , if possible , annihilate Church ascendancy I Ob , never ! will you see a constitutional m f ^ w ^ — «^^ bv ^^ v >^ * <¦* 4 ^ a ^ tA «* m ~ i m o v * m — ¦ w ^^^^ ^^^ v ^* w ^ rw ¦ ¦ ^ m vm vwb ^^^ v ^^^*
^ { to use O'ConneU ' a own meaning of the term legally , ) Bepeal until your English and Scotch brethren are united with you , and in a voice that will not be denied , demand it It is plain , then , there is bat one way , one step , by which you are to rid yourselves of the Church . Then , why , I would ask , stand upon Bepeal for the remainder of yonr lives ? Why be wedded , if you are desirous of obtaining it , to a system which is essentially bad , and ultimately doomed to be ineffectual ? I cannot for the life of me see how you are to get out of the awkward position with credit to yourselves or your cause , unless you honestly and at once acknowledge your error , and cordially accept tae assistance of men who are vrUl ' wg and able to make yoa victorious . Now , mark me ! unless yon do this , you will learn , when too late , that it is dangerous to reject friendly
counsel . How : then are yon to rid yourselves of this monster evil ? Answer me , I pray ! Is there one man in Ireland wQl have the honesty or the courage to give me an explanation ? No ! not one ; even O'Connell himself will shirk from the question , and in his usual vUerior way , say , by the next step I But will O'Connell , or will you , really persist is standing is a false position , unable even to answer a plain question ; and wijl yon still refuse to reason for yourselves ? Is there , I repeat , one man in Ireland , whobas faith in O'Connell ,
that can tell me how he is to get rid of the church without Bepeal ? or who will have the hardihood to assert Bepeal is possible by pursuing the present course of policy for its ^ tt ** " ™? " * i No 1 not one ; and yet you are not only satisfied to continue in blind ignorance of your position , but dare to prate about Chartist interference as a thing to be avoided as dangerous and destructive I Remember , I tell you the Charter and the Chartists will be yet the rallying cry to the rescue , and Ireland will owe to their influence and generous strength her future happiness and glory 1
Mr . O'CountU , when writing about Chartists , described them as Ihick-headed . Now , in a political sense , I may be permitted to return bis elegant compliment ; for certainly it was not to be expected that so sapient a man as he is wonld persist in standing in a position from which he has no possible means of honourable escape , save through the assistance of those identical taiBiskvIlsI The Chartists take a broad view of tbe questions which distract society and oppress the people , and determined neither to be wheedled no * frightened . They agitate the question of tbe Charter as an effectual means to enable them to counteract oppression , and reform abuses in charch and state ; whilst they build their future prospects of happiness upon the principle
of giving to every man a voles in governing himself . But O'Connell seeks only the Bepeal of an Act of Parliament as a means to get rid of tbe burthen of the church ! Then , I would aak is ( here not more thiek-headednesa in obstinately standing upon sectional reforms , than in nobly { as tke Chartists do ) waging war against all existing evils ? BspesI , without "Universal Suffrage , would not empower you to get rid of the Church ; bat Bepeal , with tbe Charter , would enable you to sweep the Church and all other evils into oblivion . Bepeal wonld not exonerate you from tithes ; whilst an Irish House of Xerds and Commons , elected by Household , Manhood , or Womanhood 1 Suffrage , would rule your destiny , 2 nd compel you to be silent spectators of their nefarious acts .
But whs would you have in those Houses ? Would you not have the vultures who have preyed on yon ; the harpies who have plundered you ; the . tyrants who have trampled on youj ; tbe monsters wbo quaffed your life-blood ; the leeches who have sucked until they caa suck no more from your vitals J And -would yon not have the traitors , who sold your birthright , eager to sell you again , and barter your country and yourselves to political tr&filckers ? who too long have enjoyed the fruits of their fauna purchase-money , paid as the price of you debasement ! You would have the rampant Tory , with arm ever uplifted to strike , and the insidious Whig-wolf in sheep's clothing , who speaks fair to you iy day-lieht but to devour you after night-fall .
These would be the banditti who would have to make laws for your obedience . And whom would you have to oppose- to this conglomerated host of enemies ? Why , you would perhaps have . a few talking Reformers , who if even they were honest , wo ^ ld be powerless for good , in consequence of their minority : in feet , like the present demociatic minority in the English Parliament , who , notwithstanding their magnanimous exertions , are sure to be defeated on every fuesticn which refers to the amelioration of tbe people ' s condition . Thus would Ireland continue to anffcr , unless the people had the power to elect their own representatives .
There ia then as little hope of happiness with such a parliament in Ireland , as there is of obtaining one by the course you have to pursue 1 Tbe only thing left is to change your plan of proceeding ; and this \ would advise jou to do as speedily as possible . Bemexaber the fate of the tithe agitation , and take warning by its result ! Tithes were to have been abolished , and heaven wascalled to witness the determined resistance to the impart (!); and bear in mind , it may be possible , if concessions are made touching the Cbnreh and the Bench , that Bepeal will die the death of the tithe agitation . Concessions are spoken of , and provisions for the Gatko
lie clergy is mooted as a means to suppress Irish di '* . content ! But I would ask , of what avail would i > . be to the people if such concessions were to be ma / . eon the one side and accepted on the other ? 'Whs * would be the mort probable result i 1 assure you it \ ronlt be only another rivet driven into the chains tha > , bind you ! The Catholic Clergy being paid by tba ^ Jovernment , would become the slaves of Governmp- nt , and every act or overt act of patriotism on their part would be visited with the displeasure cf the powers that be . Thus your strength would brfweak / jned , and the people eventually brought into eosfliet w ' . ' ththeii pastors , would become an . easy pray to tbelx-weaies .
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There could not be a greater evil than for the clergy to accept a provision from the Government ; for whilst they remain free , they can act as circumstances require ; but , should they unfortunately be induced to accept terms of concession and provision , they would be in the position of men who agree to make merchandise of the temporal and eternal interests of their flocks . And yet same such thing as this mubt take place unless yon adopt more efficient means to remove the cause of oppression . It is thick headed nonsense to talk about " standing upon Bepeaifo * the remainder of my life , " and promising a "next step" as a remedy when the only step Jikely to effect speedy and permanent good is spurned from you as contageous I If Mr . O'Connell is in fiaroest—if he £ determined to have Bepeal , and 'to
make Bepeal a blessing—if be is sincere in his wish to get rid of the incumbrance of the church , I tell him and yon that he ia only trifling with the people and tampering with their patience . Why , I ask , stand upon Bepeal , for the remainder of his life , when by a boia and manly , an honest and patriotic , a " legal " and " peacbable" effort , he might effectually , in connexion with the English people , not only obtain tbe mnch talked abont Bepeal , bat also secure to the people the power to nsa it for their good ? I tell him there is no other step worth taking ; and unless he does take this one certain and direct step , be will either be pressed beneath the feet of Ireland ' s enemies , or Irishmen vdOI step out of histDay . andinthebitternessof disappoint ment charge him with being instrumental in leading them into the ditch !
Open your eyes , then , and do not plunge voluntarily headlong into farther depths of slavery ! You have power sufficient to conquer oppression , were it a hundred-fold stronger than it is . Use that power aright ; combine Universal Snffrage with Bepeal , and then , and then only , will you have-taken a proper step—a step towards that happiness for which you are now wasting your energies and toiling with no prospect of success . Only take this step , and I promise the rapid Btildes you will make will speedily alan- the factions who joined you , and compel them , nolens volens , to grant yon not only Bepeal , but whatever else you ask besides , taking the Church off your bands in token of respect for your sovereign will . ¦ I am . fellow countrymen , Your obedient and faithful servant , W . H . CLIFION .
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* m TO THE BIffHT HON . LOBD ASHLEY , M . P . Mt Lord , —Another session of Parliament has just drawn to a close , and the philanthropic object for which your Lordship sacrificed both place and pay , the Ten Hours' Bill , appears no nearer gained than when the session commenced . I am tha more sorry for this , my Lord , as I am firmly convinced that tbe present factory system ia a murderous system . Tbe great numbar of deaths , both of infants and young persons ( particularly the female portion of them ) , which are continually taking place in these manufacturing districts , are , in a very great measure attributable to its operations .
As your Lordship is always ready to hear anything on this most impert&ot subject , and as facts speak louder than words , I am sure your Lordship will excuse me relating tbe following death-bed scene which fell a few weeks ; ago under my immediate notice . The young person ' s name to whom I allude , was Mary M . She had wrought in a factory from her childhood up to her twenty-fifth year , the time of her death . When I first knew her , she bolonged to a Sunday School which I superintended . She had seen many of her companions carried to the grave , their deaths brought en by having been over long , and otbt wrought , in the factory .
A very dear companion of hers was taken away a few yean ago through that same cause . This girl was so attached to the Church school , that she attended it as long asabaeonldcrawL The last time she attended , she had to be taken back home betwezn two of her faithful associates . Tbe time at length arrived when poor Mary M—— was to follow her companions to their long home . I heard that ahe was very ill , and visited her a long time . She constantly declared that the Factory System had brongbt her to her sick bed ; to all appearance her death-bed ; and so it proved . I happened to be walking in the street one Monday afternoon , and saw the father of the young woman hurrying along the street greatly confused . When I asked him
tbe matter , he told me he believed his daughter was dying . I hurried away at once to tho death-bed side . As soon as I entered the door , she turned her poor pale face to me ; and , after talking to her for some time , a thought struck me , that we bad all kinds of evidence to prove the murderous effects of the Factory System . We had medical testimony , overlookers' testimony , and factory cripples' testimony , with the testimony of a great many master manufacturers themselves . But I thought , my Lord , that I would even go further than them all , and get a death-bed testimony , to see if that was wanted to convince our " Christian" legislators that ten hoars a-day is quite sufficient fur poor factory workers , as it is for any artisan , or common day labourer .
I therefore said to this poor dying factory victim , just eleven hours before her death , " Mary , we are now before God , and death states yon in tbe face ; answer ma one question , fairly and honestly , as in the sight of God Almighty : do yon really believe that on aceonnt of the long hours you have had to work in tbe Factorial , with the other evils consequent on the Factory System , yon have been brought to yonr grave ?" Oh 1 my Lord ; wonld that I could convey to your Lordship the look of tbat ghastly countenance when I put that question to her . That look 1 shall never torget ! With the little remaining strength she had left , ahe exclaimed , «• Yes , —I do—If I never see yon more . " And then she added , "I have been , many times , wet to the skin , when leaving home in tbe morning to go to the mill ; and many times when I have got to tbe gates I have had to stand in tha rain for fifteen or twenty minutes before I could get in to my work ; and then have to commence working with the clothes drying on my back I "
This then , my Lord , is . the testimony of a poor dying 11 factory victim I" and this in "Christian" England too . This in " Moral" England , as Baines of Leeds would have us believe . Well , my Lord , whatever else it is , it is murderous England 2 Talk abont morality , my Lord 1 why there are , in this town , np in one ahort street : and back of another , no less than between twenty and thirty pnblio houses and dramshops , with numbers of brothels and places of amusement ( as they are called ) of no very good character . Such places were scarcely known of , when I first knew Bradford , about fourteen years ago ; and cow the place literally swarms with them : and still we are growing " moral ' forsooth ! I am sorry to say , my Lord , that these placet are , in too many instances , frequented by factory workers .
When , my Lord , will the : legislator * of this country wipe off the foul stain of " White Slavery , '' by giving os a good efficient ten hour ' s bill , combined with other measures , so that the factory workers may have proper time for education , and for learning every other duty at home , that they may become good and useful members of society . Then , instead of seeing a low , degraded , immaral generation growing up , we should have the happiness of seeing the rising generation grow up in every virtue which adorns a man , a woman , and a Christian . That such a time may soon arrive is the Bincere prayer of Your Lordship's obedient servant , Squibe Auxt . Bradford , August 23 rd , 1843 .
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A NORTHERN TOUR . * ' A chiel ' s among ye takin notes , And , faith , he'll prent it . " TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . DEAB 8 m , ~ Tuesday , August 22 nd , I left Mauchline , proceeding by coach to Ktimarnock , and trom there by railway to Glasgow ; I bad no opportunity of seeking oat old friends of the good cause in Kilmarnock , and therefore cannot speak positively to tbe state of political feeling , but from the information I gleaned while in Mauobiine , 1 believe Chartism to be in a state of quiescence throughout Ayrshire at tbe present time , and that Kilmarnock is no exception to the general rale . Mr . Hill has been invited to lecture in the town ; should he do so , his visit will , I trust , be produetive of a " revival" of the olden spirit Arrived at Glasgow , I made my way to Mr . Burns , schoolmaster of the Chartist Church in the Gorbals . Mr . B . has about one hundred and forty scholars under his care , and enjoys the reputation of being a very efficient teacher ; the children are nearly all abont the
same age as if they had been produced at a ample birth ; the reason of this is , that the moment a boy or girl is deemed to be any way fit for labour , be or she is immediately ( if work can be found them ) , removed to the mill or any other employment that can be procured for the unfortunate heii of slavery and want . What a crying on : ib this to the rulers of the land , and disgraceful biot upon the country , that beings so young should be deprived of the days which should be devoted to intellectual culture , and the hours which should be aacr . ed to childbood'a aports , that they may toil to aid their wretched parents , too often deprived of employment by that very system which drives their cinldven to vice and death , the too usual results of condemning the rising generation to premature and unnatural labour . Mr . Burns , in addition to being a good Bchoo ' jmaster , is also a good Chartist , and well deserve * a ) ' , the enpport he gets .
: In the evening I addressed a meeting of the Gorbals ' men in ' &e Chartist Church , wkich was thickly crowded by tbe most enthusiastic audience I have had the hOD- uur of addressing slcce-leaving home . A Mr . ( Xmeron filled tha chair , and introduced me to tbe meeting . I spoke for above two hours , and was most warmly applauded . Mr . Adams followed , and delivered a brief and excellent xpeech . : Mr . Livingstone moved a vote of thanks to yonr humble servant , which was secended by honest John Colquboun , in « ne of his usual warm-hearted and energetic speeches . Finally , we wound np by singing « Well rally aronnd him , " and giving the uwial cheers for Frost , O ' Connor , and tbe Charter , and no surrender .
A certain canting , clerical , religioHS renegade , one of the gang of traitors and humbugs who opposed me when I first visited Glasgow in January or February , 1810 ,-bad been vaunting that if I attempted to speak ia Glasgow , be would shew me up . The opportunity was afforded him , bat very wisely ha did not nuke his
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m ? PB ^ SS > Ch 5 tl 8 m »» m been all but assassinated by tbepreathlng prigs , ^ ^^^ knavea > who > for J long time , were looked up to aa t *» leadexa of the de-%%£ &L f *^ ° V Glasgow . These fellows , since their 2 ! ^ ^^ Complete Suffrage ranker , have acted aa thebaterert enemies CbutU ^ i butnoifaing near the ^• J !" aV'J * ¦• « W « d defection , compared SmStf SA + ® F eOted wkUe yet pret ending to call themaelvea ^ Chartisfac . Xbt a meeting w < ui held for many months , but atwhicb . flfcrife , bickering , and denuueia ' t on was tfafrorder of the day , caused by the . private alaudera and open calumnies of these now jmtly deteste ^ tra ^ ota . ; Their defection , and thestrife which preceded it , naturally caused the people to become disgusted with almost all public men and [ of all
weary political agitation ; hence the present apathetic state of Glasgow , from vrhich the people of that city can only be aroused by le-organiilng the movement in England , thereby rallying hope once more on the northern side of the border by the moral influence -wnioh the English democrats will ^ always possess over thei * Scottish brethren ; secondly , by extending the Organization to Soottand j . and uniting the people of that country with those of England in one bond of frateijirity ; and lastly , by framing Buctaa Oigan ^ ion which shall tender the people as independent as possible of leadership , and render it a matter of comparative indifference whether mere mouthera are honest or dishonest , the people being protebted from th 6 i » villany , if inclined to turn knaves .
In the Gorbato the «' sacred fire of Chartism is still kept burning ; and in the city , notwithstanding the defection of treacherous chiefs , the soldiers bUU existdisorganized , or resting on thelt arms , 'tis true , but ready for action whenever the banner of democracy shall be agaia unfurled , and an aim presented to them by which they may hope to cut their way to victory . The Stnrgite faction in Glasgow which hoped to thrive by the destruction of the Cfaartiat party is absolutely fiefunck , —gone out like the last smoke of a farthing rushlight , leaving nothing behind but the stink of its bad name . Its fate haa been the same in Edinburgh ; and here ia Newaastle , although patronized by the Knight of the Spifcul , Sir John Fife—that traitor to the people's cause—the faction hao , following the good example of Castlereagh , died by its own hands . Lastly , in Sunderland . it haa there too descended to the " tomb of all the Capuiets . "
Of all tbe wens of corruption and misery it has ever been my lot to visit , surely Glasgow ia the worst . I have seen London , Manchester , Birmingham , Leeds , and other great hives of bunion crime and human agony ; but for undisguised profligacy , offensive brutality , squalid wretchedness , and unbearable filth , Glasgow , to my mind , excels them all . Take its females , thronging the streets , and , ye gods , what a contrast between them and the wemen of Ayrshire ! There are thousands to fee met within the streets and wyndaof Glasgow , whom most folk possessed of stomachs would not touch even with a pair of tongs . I know no adequate remedy for the horrors of Glasgow but tbat of blocking it up at one extremity and . setting fire to it at the other . Never until all large oitiea and towns are Jerusolemized—lhe plough passed over them and monuments ereoted to tell the inquiring , traveller " here Btood Glasgow , " or
" here stood Manchester , " &o ., & <; ., shall we be able to drive corruption and tyranny from their strongest holds , or establish the reign of equality , virtue , and happiness . Before leaving Jdnuchline I bad received letters from England which compelled me to hasten my departure from Scotland ; accordingly I was compelled to throw overboard intended visits to Greenock , Campsie , and several other places . I believe I have caused some disappointment to my Campsie friends , who had expected me to visit them on tbe 26 th , and who , I understand , were arranging to meet me in procession with a bond of music , ttc I regretted much my being unable to comply with their kind invitation ; at some future day I may eee them . The Glasgow men , teo , wished me to stay with them till tbe 28 th , and in company with Mr . Hill , attend a city meeting of the democracy . It Would have afforded me extreme pleasure to bave done so , but my engagements fn England would not allow me .
Friday , August 25 th—I left Glasgow for Edinburgh , per railway . Tha railway is a fine piece of work , commencing at Glasgow order a tunnel three quarters of a mile in length . Several places of interest are in the neighbourhood of the line , particularly Faikirk and Linlitbgow : the former famous for the conflicts of Scotch and English in its vicinity , in the times of Wallace and Prince Charlie , and tbe latter for its having been once the seat of Royalty , and still containing crumbling monuments ef Hb former greatness . Castlecary is also on tho line ; possibly the reader may remember having heard or read a beautiful Scotch song called " Mary of Castlttcary" ! I forget its author's name .
I that evening addressed the men of Leith in tbe Trades HalL A Mr . M'Crae , a very intelligent working man presided ; several middle-class men wt > re present , and I flatter myself that I tolerably well satisfied my bearers . The meeting was not very large , but extremely attentive and enthusiastic in support of my appeal for a junction of the CharristB of the two countries . I am convinced that tbe veritable union of the two nations is a project that will have tba hearty support of tbe great majority of tbe Scottish democrats ; but great care will be required on the part of the English Chartists to keep up and cement this good feeling . Tbe Scotch are proverbially cautions with respect to the " siller" and all matters appertaining thereto ; therefore must the English democrats take good care who they elect or select to fill offices of trust in the new Organization . Whether there shall be a union of the two nations will principally depend upon tbe discretion and judgment of the Englinh people in thia vital matter . "A word to the wise is sufficient . "
I returned to Edinburgh on Friday evening , and slept at Mr . Cranstone's Coffee House , a place of abiding I weald recommend to all the advocates of political and social progress , visiting " Auld Reekie . " Tbe proprietor , Mr . Cranstone , is a good Chartist , and intellectually a very superior man ; as such is well worthy of the support of all who love and advocate the right Chartism is shelved in Edinburgh for the present . The body have lost their Hall of meeting , nnd are consequently unable now to bold meetings without the certainty of being invelved in debt Faction has cut
tbe throat of Chartism in Edinburgh . Leaders have been the curse of the cause there aa well tis in Glasgow ; and there , too , the traitors and deserters , still having the unblushing assurance to call themselves Chartists , are the worst enemies to the movement , and are doing everything in their power to keep up discussion , and create further disgust Still there are some excellent Chartists in Edinburgh , aud the mass of the party is still sound at the core . New measures and modes of action are what nre principally nee Jed to improve hope once again . Confidence may then be restored , and Edinburgh may be found once again one ef the foremost fortresses of democratic strength .
I had no time for " sight-seeing" in Edinburgh , theugh I should have liked very well to have visited Holy rood House , the Castle , &e . had I had time . Edinburgh is a splendid place , that ia , splendid for the aristocracy—apkmdid for the ahopocracy—and splendid to tbe eyo of the giddy tourist and superficial observer ; but to call it splendid , we must shut onr eyes to its filthy " wynda , " " closes , " and Babel-like dens in the old town , where thousands live a life of want and misery until cut ofF by the dreadful , yet friendly , hand of fever , which , like the plague in the East , 'id the unenvied guest of all Scotch towns and cities , caused by the insufficient diet and dirty houses (?) of too many thousands of tbe labouring poor . The monument in honour of Sir Waiter Scott bids
fair to be a magnificent structure , and already putd to shame that miserable abortion , the" Nelson Monument " of London , a monument ct cockney taste with a vengeance ; One spot in Edinburgh I bad a particular desire to visit ; tbat was the grave of Fergusson , the poet , in the burial ground of the kirk ia Cannocgate , but the gates of the yard were closed and I could not gain admission . Certain prosecutions for that undefined and undennable offence called "Blasphemy" are just now exciting no little interest in " Auld Reekie , " The parties prosecuted are Messrs ; Robinsen and Finlay , and that cow well-known character , " the man Paterson " . Tbe two former were first arrested , and the shop of Robin-Bon fairly gutted by tbe harpies of the law , while
Robinson himself was most infamously treated ; he being confined to his bed with illness at the time , was watched night and day by " filthy dungeon villains , " who fairly too ^ possession of his house . After such treatment , and after plundering him of his property , he was brought to trial , when it was found that , as in the case of the " fifty-nine conspirators , ' * the indictment against him and Finlay was so wretchedly defective that it could not be sustained ; the consequence was , the present acquittal of the defendants , and their being bound over on another warrant to meet another triaL " The man Pateraon " , expecting Robinson to be imprisoned , had come to Edinburgh to keep his shop . Oa Robinson being But at liberty , h 9 epened a shop of bia own , and haa §\ nce been
engaged in constant war -with the " authorities . " Persons for posting hi 8 placards have been seized and sentenced to imprisonment , or held to bail ; . his shop has already once been entered , and everything therein taken away by the police thieves ; and -when I was in Edinburgh be nos in daily expectation of another and a similar visit from the " guardians of public order . " He is also under bail to appear ( it is expected ) in November . Of Mr . Finlay I fenow nothing , except tbat he bears the character , in Edinburgh , of an upmbt and clever man . Robinson I was personally acquainted with about eight years Bince , when we were botb engaged in the struggle to establish an unstamped press ; he had suffered a short imprisonment in Derby for vending the unstamped publications , and on Mb removal to Glasgow , I took up bia position in tbe for .
ro . er town , which position I maintained until I v , as myself condemned to biz months imprisonment t'jt a similar offence . Robinaon afterwards removed to " Edinburgh , where he has for some years now filled " the useful and honourable ofllce of liberal bookseller of that city . " The man Patereon , " I have known tat nearly two yearn 1 fitst became acquainted with hlr at Sheffield , where he was asBiBtlng Mr . Holfoak ' ^ tbe Socialist lecturer . Since that time Paterson baa acquired no little notoriety by bis famed shop in Holy well-street , and bis battiee -with Hall and Jp '/ dine , the magisterial Solons of Bow-street . Perrans unacquainted with Paterson would suppose hM to be a monster , judging by tho " f anoy portrait ? ' tf him given by that veritable , many-beaded monster » the London press . I know him —i know him ia private life to be one 0 ! the best of 1 .
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men : his morality , self-denial , warmth of affection , and love of liberty , well entitle him to that character . Gentle a * a child in private life , he is fierce and raolute as a lion in public life ; and the Edinburgh champions of otthodv ' Sy will find him an ; " ugly customer" to deal with . ' \ I have in \ 'roduced this subject because , as a democrat , I feel bourn t to protest against all persecution . I say nothing , as to tbe principles , theological or antitheological , ov intended for byj these men ; th ^ Norihern Star is not the propar arena in which to discuss the merits of oreet ' a or the truth or otherwise of any system of beliei ; but as a man claiming the rights of man , I demand for all men jtbe right of perfect freedom of thought , speech , writing , and publishing . If
men speak or pul > liah noficenae or falsehood , they will not do bo ( or long iu a state of things where veritable freedom of thoug . bt is established . Where all may enter the lists of a ental conflict , the sophist will not long delude , nor the bad man long deceive ; therefore , would I have full liberty for the pab 4 iahin # oi . evea nonsense and falsehood , because the evil would be immediately corrected' hy the publication of sound knowledge and truth . Under tbe existing system , . what are called " limits of fre& discussion" are always defined by . those who have the power to-will what they please ; and they take care ] tcdeflne tbess "limits " that the hired tools of corruption eh-ill be permitted to have full fling at the principles and advocates of universal right and universal justice , while these latter if they dare boldly to . assail the cbeatery , frasd , and humbug of the enslavers and deceivers of mankind are hunted down as pests to ; be destroyed , pests
to be thrust without the pale of humanity . The hypocrites and state-jugglers who ratas the war-whoop of persecution against a South wall , a Holyoabe , a Paterson , or a Robinson , would hunt down . Jesus Christ himself , were he now among them , and dared personally to teach -wbat these fellows affeot to believe in . The case of these men { is one , in my humble opinion , well worthy tbe sympathy and support of all who love liberty , and desire to see the human race freed from the thraldom of priestcraft and tyrant-craft . For myself , as one of tbe community , I feel that my right of free-theugnt is invaded ] in . tbe persons « f these men—holding , as , I do , that M where one of the community is oppressed , all are oppressed . " I therefore protest against these ridiculous and infamous prosecutions , and appeal to my brother democrats to everywhere raise their voices in protestation against them , and in vindication of the sacred right of tree and unlimited discussion 1 ¦
I took passage on board tbe Vesta steamer , and left Granton Pier on Saturday evening , the 26 th , at six o ' clock ; after a pleasant passage of thirteen hours , I lauded at Shields on Sunday morning . George Juman Haslet . Newcastle , Aug . 28 th , 1843 . '
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TO DANIEL O'CONNELL , ESQ ., M . P . sir , —I bave read your '' plan for the renewed action of the Irish Parliament" with the utmost attention ; sod , in my humble opinion , tbe basis upon which the representation is founded , — -namely , populationia sound , right , just , and equitable . It ia tbe first step t&at I have seen you take in the right path since the death of Cobbett . I am rejoiced beyond expression to see that you bave abandoned -the infamous Castlereach ' s plan of making rental , revenue , and population
tbe basis of representation , if it were fox » o other reason tbnn that Castlereagh's plan wonld give an increase in the representation in tbe same ratio as the people increased tbe revenue by drinking whiskey and chewing tobacco ; because , where revenue is mixed up as an ingredient in forming the ] basis of representation , that representation must necessarily be limited or extended in proportion to the ever fluctuating state of the revenue ; and , therefore , such baste , or any othar basis but that of population aloue , which you have wisely adopted , must be fallacious .
Ii baa often grieved me to observe tbat in almost every instance where differences ef opinion arise upon certain political propositions , angry feelings , also arise , and very often envy , hatred , ill-will , and all manner of uucharitableness . I cannot account for this ; but such is the fact Now , although I do not profess to have more political virtue , or a greater share of good temper than other people , yet it is well known that I have come to the discussion of political propositions in which I felt a deep interest , with ] the same disposition to arrive at a just conclusion as I should feel in demonstrating a proposition in Euclid or in telling up an account ic a ledger , and without the most remote idea of mixing up any personal feeling in the matter . I bave ever looked upon it as bad logic to say , " such a man is opposed to my political views ; the orangemen are opposed to them ; the cr&ngemun are my personal enemies ; therefore he who does
not agree with me in polities must be a personal enemy . " Now , this ia a specimen of false logic , yet it is very frequently made use of . I agree , for instance , fully and reservedly to the principle of taxing population , and population alone , as tbe ] basis of representation ; while at the same time I dissent altogether from the sixth proposition of the plan of the renewed action of the Irish Parliament , which in my opinion is absurd , ridiculous , aud impracticable ; it surely does not follow as a consequence that I must be j the enemy of tbe author of tbat in which I concur because he purposes something else in which I do not concur . The sixth proposition , to which I object , says , " It is proposed that the right ot voting should be what Ib ealled Household Suffrage" requiring bix months residence in the counties , with the addition in . the towns of married men resident for twelve months , whether householders or not" i
Surely , Sir , you cannot avoid seeing that the principle upon which you base the Suffrage does not harmonize with tbat upon which you base the representation . Beside , it appears to me to be wholly impracticable . How can you or any man define a parliamentary House ? It was owing to the indefinite term " House" that you lost Dublin . Lawyers differ in their definition of " house and premises . " Parliamentary committees differ about its meaning . It ia a fertile cause for calling petitions to Parliament , and ] for Parliamentary committees . i
In 1832 there were six voters registered out of one house in Charles-street , five of whom were registered as " householders , and one as 5 leaseholder . " Your proposition will disfranchise all those electors except the owner and the leaseholder : besides , it will disfranchise the seven-eighths of the Catholic clergy resident in towns and cities , because tew of j them ars " householders" and none of them married , or ever will be married . Is it jnsfc to-deny those gentlemen the right of citizens , because tbey reside in oitiea ; while their more lucky brethren who reside in the country are thereby entitled to enjoy that right t The question as to what is a legal marriage will wise ; the marriage erticles will be examined , and proof of certificate
required . i There are thoasauds of persons , of small income resident in Dublin , in lodgings , who are not married , and who know the value of and would appreciate the elective franchise , and exercise it ' conscientiously , to exclude whom from the rights of citizenship wouid . be a grievous ac ' o of injustice . Suppose that adverse circumstances should overtake Mr . J&aea Haughton , which Heaven awrt , and that he waa obliged to part -with hia housfchold property and live in lodgings , would it not be a great act of injustice—nay , j cruelty , to add to his misfortunes by depriving him of the elective franchise , while he himself still remained the same benevolent , patriotic , and virtuous James Haughton ?
You say that married men resident in a to « a or city for twelve iuontUa would be entitled to the elective franchise , whether he bad a heuse or not . Now , it ia a great misfortune to a man to lose ; a good wife , and such lesr ., to my own knowledge , bae fees ? the ruin of tnany a man , and the destruction of Ms family ; would it net be 8 great hardship to deprive an unfortunate mVj of his elective franchise because he had the miefo' ; tune to lose his wife . According ! to your plan , the franchise should be buried in the grave with his wife . I was taught , Sir , by a wise , a sensible , and an upright parent , " never to depart from principle for the sake of expediency , " and every days' experience proves ' tome
the wisdom of that lesson . Principle is permanent . It will endure for ever . Expediency [ is ephemeral , ever varying—never certain—and will lead its votaries into the most extravagant absurdities . Christianity is base / U upon principle , not upon expediency . The selection of tbe twelve Apostles should ever afford us a salutary example . They were not selected [ because tbej were householders , or married men , but , according to the best authorities , because it proved to tb ' j world that , if real virtue , truth , and sincerity , are to ba found upon earth it is amongst the poo ' r working classes you are to find them . We ace told' that there is no distinction or persons in heaven . Man is made in the image of God . Why then deprive , any man " of bis natural light , except tot a * « ff « iwe % aiBrt toe fewa of
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^* 4 ¦¦ mil !¦' ¦ — -a . n .-ii ' ' ' ¦ ' ' ^^^~ God , which is also aa offence against his fellowmanan offence against aooiety ? Act like a man—forego your prejudices . Be \ » ha » you were in tbe daya of Cobbett , when yea blesst d your son John at Yougbal , for having voted with hii 1 and against yourself . Yoa cannot" maintain Household ' Suffrage , Manhood Suffrage , General Suffrage , or Complete Suffrage , as expedient * in place of Universal Suffrage , which is the true and generous suffrage , as well & nown and as well understood as the noidB , " Coming of age , " or the " age of maturity . " In 1780 , Colonel Leaaox , aft erwards pake , of Blefcmond , Major Cartwrutbt , tbe pv ofound Sharpe , Doctor Jebb , Northcott , Leffi , and otbev * great men , agreed to a declaration of rights which ca atains amongst other propositions favourable te > public . liberty , the three following : —
" Every man , ( infants , ineane pa "sons , and criminate only exempted ) is of common right , and by the laws of God , a freeman and entitled to the f ° U enjoyment of political liberty . " " It is essential to a man ' s political'' liberty , that bo have an actual share -either' in Iegialav ion itself , or ia the electing of those who are to frame tl e laws ; which although they ought to protect hjm iathe full enjoyment of those absolute rights that are invested in him by the immutable laws of nature , may yet be fab ricated to the destruction of his person , bis property , his religions freedom , his family , and fame . "
" It is a natural right and required &y th e principles of tbe Constitution that a new honee of pa 'liament he elected onse every year ; becsoae whenever a parliament continues in being for a longsr term than a ie session , then thousands , who since it was chosea ^ bav- a attained to man's estate , and are therefore entitled to enter into immediate possession of that elective J ^ wer which fe their best and most sacred inheritance , ar&infihafc case mast unjustly denied their right and excladed f . tom tbfi > enjoyment of political liberty . " How plain , simple , just , right , and admirable are these principles , and how they stand the test at tbe end of sixty-three years . These are the genuine principles of political liberty . Yea- once held them , cherished them , and advocated them . Adopt them
you wilt Bepeal tbe Union , Reform the Corporations , abolish tithes , stop the' clearance system , and bring your poor , bard-working , honest , ill-used , fellow , countrymea within the p « le of the oonstttvrtion . It may be said that the poor labourer and the pauper ia tbe workhoBse have no right to the franchise ; but why not , let me ask ? Are they hot Qod ' B creatures , as well aa the rich ? He made them after bis ownlik t * ness , but He did not make brick houses , mod cabins , one pound notes , or a national debt , in Government debentures , coaBolB &c &c though the possessors of those . things which have caused more poor than all other things put together , have the right to vote . Tbe poor labourer , who is the very foundation of society is shut out of society , and denied tha right of citizenship . The elective franchise would be bis Bhield . bis best protection . Get it for him . and shield ,, bis best protection . Get it for himand
, there will be an end to tbe clearance system . Get it for him , and tbe landlord or master will take care of him while he is able to say yes or no . Get it for him , and the happy looks and healthy limbs of bis offspring will be your reward ; a reward which monarchs might envy . Get him , the franchise' and the labourer will soon . be held worthy of bis hire . Hemember that it Is in the condition of the working classes , and there alone that men of sense and integrity look for the character of a Government There is no danger to be apprehended from tbe millions wba would have tha right-to vote . Few men would demand a poll whea they found the popular veice against then at tbe elections . If wonld be easy to divide and count by the use of lines as trees ate counted in a wood . By judicious arrangements all the elections in- the kingdom could be taken in two hours .
. In a future letter I shall prove , or at least endeavour to prove , that the Sovereign has not the power to Repeal the Union that there is no analogy between tbe abdication of King James and the supposed abdication of the Union ; that the Union cannot " abdicate . " At the same time it is but justice to myself to say , lest there should be any mistake abeut it , that sooner than see my country kept la her present degraded and impoverished condition , if there were no other mode of Repealing the Union , or of plaeing Ireland upon a footing of perfect equality with England , I should tars round and adopt the last resource . Patbick O'Higoins . No . 14 , North Anne-street , Aug . 23 , 1843 .
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WING ATE GRANGE COLLIERY . To the Public . —As the dispute between us and our employers ia yet undecided , we feel it to be our duty to state , that we feel thankful to those of our friends who have supported us with their mite , iu our struggle of right against might ; , and likewise to acquaint you that the hand bills that our masters have put out , are intended to prejudice-out case in the minds of the public ; but truth will stand with a bold front against falsehood . Mr . Chicken , the Engineer of our choice , has pronounced the wire rope unsafe , it being in a broken state , having 20 broken wires iu it , and the rope otherwise split iu three different places , 14 feat , 8 feet , and 4 feet , making 26 feet split in the rope ; and
tke masters * engineers have found and declared the rope te be so damaged ; still they wish to make us and the public believe , that after one-fifth of th&iope is broken , it is but one-nineteenth part weaker ! There are 20 wires broke oBt of 96 ; that constitutes the whole of the rope , aud there is 26 feet of the rope split up ; and yet they publish to the world a bill , with their own names attached to it , that the rope is but one-nineteenth part weaker than if it was whole ! We boldly assert that we think them either not competent to divide 96 by 20 , or tbey are not honest in their decision . Since they have given their decision , the rope in qjiaslion has actually broken , or drawn oudhtafthe socket thai attaches it to the
cage , and the cage fell to THE bottom of ths pit I We feel determined to have the broken rope taken off betore we go to work again . We thank yoa for the help that you bave given us , and although our privations have been very great for the past ten weeks , we are determined to have justice , if it can be found . With your aid we will fight every inch of ground tbat the law can give Us . We are convinced it is our duty : tor human life is a sacred thing , and ought not to be sacrificed for the gain : of others . From the workmen of Wingate Grange Collier / . Committee Room , Aug . 26 th , 1843 ; In relation to this disgraceful dispute , —disgraceful to those who wishithe Colliers to trust their lives upon an unsafe rope , the following temperate and judicious observations have been made by Mr . Homer , solicitor of Darlington ; and circulated in an hand-bill . They do him great honour ; and surely justify tbe men in refusing to trust their lives upon-the "unsafe rope " : —
" I had occasion some mouths-ago to observe oa tha bad taste and worse policy of a hand-bill issued by the owners , or . their agents at this-Colliery ; and I wes obliged to remark at the same time o . n a not very reputable suppression of auch facts as had occurred in tha pitmea ' e famous . ' We are regaled , or in othec words , common sense and public deoency have been again outraged by another publication from the same party ; in which all the bad qualities of the former document are renewed , and the same suppression of truth committed . " The report of Messrs . Robinson and Gair , on the disputed rope , is now printed for the public edification ; because , by , an Inference , though of a very questionable nature , the rope may be considered as practically safe . Bat these publishers have carefully concealed the fact that another Engineer , off venerable authority , has given in his report that th « rope is unsafe , and unfit for the trust ofihuman life .
" In a moral , as well asm a practical sense , the concealment of the truth is not less venal than tbe promulgation 6 P& falsehood . " This is not a matter of- pounds , shillings ^ and pence : humanMfe is the oveslim ^ at issue ; and if one single Engineer of competent authority is of opinion that the rope is-unsafe , it ought to be instantly condemned , even though , all the rest ot the world were of a different persuasion . "Messrs . Robinson , and Gair give as account of several broken wire ? in this rope ; and it can matter little to what the fra-jtures are Imputed : the rope is in a broken condition , asjlittr . Chicken , the Engineer , declares it unsafe . It has been observed of late ,, on tbe occasion of the steam vessel ,, the Pegasus , thai human life is a 3 &crfid thing , and . ought not to be placed in dangerous positions , even thfougb all tbe chances are in favour of
escape . " My duties ,, as-tha pitmena * solicitor , are now at an end . The men . of ths various Collieries , on tha Tyse aad the Wear , and the Eastern Ccast , have united in the appoiatmeat of a solicitor for their own exclusive business snd Bjoteetion ; and the ; have fixed on a gentlemen , of a sfcaj » not greater than my own , but in&aitely more able , fa ? his talents , to do-justice to the cause into which he biia been called . In taking my departure from tha ; causa , I would beg . permission to advise the ColHery Agents to be more diecreet and less irritating : on the otaur hand , I counsel and eDjoin the men to persevere ia obedience and goad intentions , and 1 bow bid them uy . sincare farewelL Darlington . August 17 tk , 1843 . T . Hohner .
P . &—Sums received at Wfosate Grange Colliery , for the . men on strike * August 22 ad , 1843 . Troradon , £ 18 , 7 s . 6 d . Castla Eden , £ 7 10 s . Cassop , £ i 10 a . Thosaley , £ 6 fls , ad , Kelloe , £ 3 63 . lja . Qaarrington B , m £ 2 3 s . 6 d . Tesick , £ Z 15 s . 96 . Hettpn , £ 1 2 * 9 d . EiUwmoqr , £ 2 1 U 9 d . South Helton , £ 4 12 s . 74 L . D&tton , 12 s . 7 d . Hugh Hall , £ 2 Os . 6 < 1 . WiDgate Friends , £ . 116 a . 6 £ d . Newbottle , 5 s . Has well , Is . Pemberton ,, £ i 6 s , fid . Framwellgate Moor , £ 2 17 s . 4 £ d . Serjerston , ' . £ l . E ^ monBley , £ 1 19 . Bedlington Distrct . £ 8 8 s- 5 d . Ciaghead , £ l ius . 6 d . South Moor , £ l Us . fid , Cragwoed , £ 2 3 a . 3 d . Pontop , Us . 3 d . South Taufield . £ l Is . 0 d . West Stanley , 18 * Two
Friends , 2 su Shlney Row , 13 a . 4 J . Wetton Park , 13 s . Tantoby , , Sd . A Friend , ' 5 s . Waibottle , £ 2 6 i . A Friend , 6 d . A Friend , 5 s . Fareasres , £ l 17 * . 8 d . Seaton Burn , £ 2 I 4 s . led . Spitaltongues , 18 s ed . Andrew ' s House , 13 7 d . Hartley , £ 1 B&nws ) l , £ 1 . Wallsend , £ 1 10 s . Pearey Maia , £ 2 18 % South Elswick , £ 2 4 s . 2 d . Mariow Hill , £ 17 * 60 . Fawdcn , 193 . 3 d . , Hebson , £ 3 . Felling , 19 * 8 d . Blagdon Main , £ l . Washington , £ l 5 s . 3 d . Gosfortb , £ 3 0 a 6 d . Westmoor , £ 6 . West Cramlington , £ 3 3 * 3 d . Springwell , £ 2 . SUeriff-hill . £ 2 8 s . Tyne Main £ 1 18 s . 64 . East HolyweU £ 2 2 s . 6 d . Earsdon , £ 1 9 s . West HolyweJl , £ 110 $ . 6 d , » W » p AukJand , £ 2 I 8 f * 3 d .
Untitled Article
^—TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . SrR—Language is wholly inadequate to convey even an idea of the ceueorship which is at present exercised over -what is called here the liberal press . A Dublin newspaper dare no more publish anything to which tbe Liberator objected , er -which might be disagreeable to him than a toad dare to budge i when under a harrow . Any change to get rid of this odious tyranny , must be a change for the better . It is intolerable . It was hoped that when the perfidious Whigs were kicked out by their own Parliament coming to a vote of want of confidence in them , that the Dictatorship would have been
got rid of . For a short period ira severity was relaxed ; but the moment the Repeal delusion , for delusion it is , became profitable ; the Gonsorship was renewed with increased vigour .: And now who betide the Irish " LibertU" paper that will dare to publish any story but tbat which is agreeable to , or lauditory of , the liberty-loving Liberator . ; An instance of this detestable terrorism will appear ! obvious to every impartial reader of the Star , from the simple fact that tbe Freeman ' s Journal , which is decidedly tbe most independant paper iu the city dare not publish tbe subjoined letter . t
It is right to state for the information of those who ore not aware of the fact , that Mr . O'Connell invited commentary , and objections to his " plan for the renewed action ot tbe Irish Parliament , " and in accordance with that invitation , I sent the subjoined letter to the Freeman ' s Journal on Wednesday last , the day on which tbe invitation appeared in that paper . Patrick O'Higgins . No . 14 , North Anne-street , August 28 th , 1843 .
Untitled Article
J THE NORTHERN STAR-
Universal Brotherhood.
UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 2, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct945/page/7/
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