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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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THE ADDRESS OF THB "WTOBKIKiB MEN'S ASSOCIATION OF LETTH , TO THEIB . TELLO"W-MBN OF "WHATEVER SECT , CLASS , COUNTRY , OB COLOUR . , " » Fellow-men , —Of whatever sect , class , country , or colour , we , the LeithWorking iien ' s Association ^ united for pnrposes of the highest importance , and most exalted nature , vii , the political , social , and moral improvement of onr condition , feel it to be a dnty of the first importance , and binding as our connection with , the femur of man . to exert ourselves , by all the means in our power , for the attainment of those object * sa dear to every member of the human race , and as one of the means by which " those objects are to be attained , we deem it to be no tess our interest than our duty , to address , with fraternity of affection , the varions bodies of -working men , united for the same and similar pnrposes throughout the conntry at large . We hail them as brothers , banded against the common enemy , who has so long destroyed the peace , prosperity , and happiness of the -world . » e hail them as help-THR ADDRESS
mates , destined to unshackle and direct the mighty energies of onr kind , in the acquisition and preservation of Liberty , Order , and Enjoyment , and we register a slent but steadfast vow to Heaven , that through good and throngh bad report , happen -what may , vre"willstandb y thesacredcause . Theholyinspira .-tions -which knit onr hearts as one , will continue to animate and nrge ns onward , till , vrith the greatness ef our nnmbers , and the might of onr voice , onr exertions are crowned with success—and though faction contend , and the dark clouds of despotism rear their black fronts npon the horizon of the political -world , and thicken around us , and seem to threaten the peaceable progression of the people , thus untied , what have we to fear?—Could the factions trombined , -with , all the power -which their riches confer npon them , and base senility execute , prevent us from the prosecution of the righteous cause ? No ! For while it is the cause of ourselves , it is also
the cause of mankind , and as the gigantic po-wer of knowledge increases in vasiness and in vigour , millions will flock to onr standard , and set the rights of man beyond the chance of danger . The wealth which the rich men arrogantly call theirs , and en which they stake their 4 atesthooe , resting onitasthe strength of the warrior , but which is wrung from the bones and sinews of working ; men , wouldinbrief time be made to change hands , were our movements to be guided by intelligence and firmness , and order ; and the degraded hirelings who . hang npon the incomes which moneycratsTat present possess , could be more easily turned against them than against ns ; for there is no soul in those who seek to profit by assisting to bolster up corruption , thev are actuated
by no loltymonves—no generous aspiration is theirs , hut they are ^ ver ready to do the work of any pe rson or party who will requite them for their service * , regardless of the end in view ; and they will turn their luind against the heart which yielded them a subsistence , the moment the lucre is " withdrawn for which alone they exerted themselves . Let us take conraga , then , brethren , and bear up against al } opposition , and in our journeying * onward-let us omit no opportunity of instmedu ? ourselves in the knowledge - of onr rights , and of the means bv which ¦ we are to acquire them , and we shall thereby be enabled to encompass the designs , and cefeat--all the attempts of oar enemies . To yon . brethren . . who . like ourselves , have united for the exalted
object of bettering the condition of man , we would wish prosperity , health , and long life . We have enrolled ourselves in your rants from the conviction being rooted in our minds * that for the interests vf » 6 rking men to be attended to , it is essentially necessary that they be present , whenever and ¦ wherever their interests are at stake , either in their 0 . 1 m persons , or l > y their representatives , fairly and 'freely chosen from amongst the people : and we tra-e stimulated thereto by the noble example ' set before us by Working Men ' s Associations throughout iLe country , especially by our brethren- of London . We nave now aword to . < ay to those of onr fellow-men who are lovers of mankind and of
liberty , but who are , notwithstanding , without anv -organization to effect tiie attainment of ihe glorious end they have in view—we call upon such uf our fellow-citizens to come forward in ' d make common cause wiih ourselves for the restitution . -cS the- common good , We conjure them , as men . and as man ' s rights are dear to them , to make a ranted effort for the emancipation of our race . Let them but recollect that ths recovery of our" inalienable" rishts is a dary which they not only owe to themselves . butto u * , to die community , to their sisters , their ¦ wives , and children , who ail endure a state of inhuman hpli > fism , from the ignorance and apathy , aad divisions of workins men . and from the cn ? d .
narrow , and isolated selfishness of society at large . Tis the system of individualism at present persevered in , which sets at nought the best effort uf the must humane and intelligent of our kin ;' ., and " causes i-peri-hearted philanthropy herself to weep over the tate of the millions wLo are enslaved an < i depressed to the earth , and with a broken heart u > yield tip her spirit to him who gave it , that .-be might enjoy in Heaven the felicity which me sops oiineii denied her upon earth . Brethren , as in-^ Cviduals you are powerless in she work of Refomfe-1 m *} x * mgmjk »* tWUJltpl ^ ^ ffecqmgg * ff tHat ^ v ^ finMe ^ f ^^ E hg ^ jnrieiv oT lafSaT" Tjet * 1 ii De * eech von , then , "brethren , as yon value yonr uwn and your children ' s weal—as von abhor the idea of
beiiig » lave < , and as you love the name , mncu mure tLe-e >? c-nce . of liberty—as you revere yoar Creator , who impressed you with the image of Iliinself , ; u . J gave u ^ ro Tyu a being the most noble of aiiy , ' rrpi > ii earth , cot . to suDy ' bv yonr apathy the exalted .-jirit t > f itau . nor rrtard , ~ by yoor inactivity , the consummation of universal liberty , -Arise , " inllcw-iuri ! . in the full consciousness f » f " the high destiny whic : i await * you , and shake off the ignoble bunds which have hitherto set-limits to the " exercise of tLousLu and fe : ttrred the free action of Hie and limb . Ari >« % fellow-men , und make but one firm , united deiuuuu . and at down in the enjoyment of rational exbu-nce . And now for a few words to thofe uf « . -ur k-liuwcumitrymeij , wLo ,. frt > m behijr p <> s > es : * -d bv a >
hurt-- . sighted policy , are opposed ^ to our demands .- and hate arrayt-J them ^ h fs against c ? . We know them by ii « . ctht-r . title than that of f .-3 ! ow-inen . coeqnal with uur > elves in the scale of creation , partakers of n common nature , and inheritors alike with T 25 of the riehts of men . Brt-thren . we r « - < nvt your opposition to our just claims as much for your > akes as far our ™ b , We believe that usurpation aiij wronE are the results of iEnorance bmli <> n lut ? pan of the usurper and of the oppressed . We hold that the real happine > s of the individual i-= ii : c- 'U-» :-teut with tLe oupressiou of any . We kijuw that *¦ < - art- tLe oppressed , because w e have as go <» d a ckim to the enjoyments , rights , and prmWe » - of ^? nal life a > you Lave , and do not eninv them / We
« erci « e no political riehts . bnt they are ext-rd . « ed fc yj ° a , not of ri < : hu but by UHirpatifni . Wv :: re po > 'r . and enjoy few of ihV b' -r . efsts f « f soci-. ' . y . because w * are not permitted to po ? se--s the proo- " -t ; of out lal-onr . You are rich , and enjoy mauy > or ; :: i a * T \« intarf 5 . because you are permitted to " po ? j-ess wrtdth which , by your own lab \> ur . you never pr «> - Qpced . _ \ onr riches and our poverty is ihe ^^ Jk uiftincauu between u = > , and is the cau » e vf all thr «> pp <>< ition we haw to encounter . M ' e do n <> t blamr yon for that opposition ; we knowit to be thi- c .-n-*^ j ueure of yosr igiiorance in the rircum >;;< i ; c .- in which you are placed . Were we in y ;> ur . iri . ii .-> UiiMv . s ax , d you in ours , we haw uu Joulit *> i ; t \ h : n \« n ^ ould ni ^ t with similar treatment fn . m u >
l ^ i-au > e «» - know—all history bear * testimony to the fi ^ t—tl « at inaru : > ossessiij / an undue decree of pv-hural aiid Mx-iai power , uniforniiy upj . iv » .-t * s his nfiE ! i >» . iir : it i ? : htr rtrtaiu i - oiiieyut-iice of political and wudal inwjv . ality . —for the akuple rea * u : i , - tba ererv one prt-fe-r-i hi > own to ids neiihl > onr " s welfare . - \\ hh political eijnaliK . this uihert-nt principle of human acm > n would liannouizt- . with taan ' . s } n- ? t interest , bet-an >«; there would remain no jfuwer to oypres ^ ricix any such tendency , even if it di-l reUiaui . would be met with uu equal , or tivcrpoweriric ,. f > T < i' in defence of right . We call upon von
brethren , of whati-ver class or station in socielv . to inquire into the >*» undness of the priiiciples vou are guii ' ed l > y . \\ e have no wish for violence of any kind , either in word or deed , to eflt-rt the reforms fur > which the wrorcs of society so loudly cail ; on the 4 oiitniry . we are ready to make any sacrifice short of abandoning the righteous cause "we have espoused , tn biins about those changed in a peaceable and ctiuriliuiory manner ; but it is at the same time imperatiw u ]> on us , while we are respectful towards v < au u > zo forward with unbending firmness—with a full ueieniiination to orercome every obstacle which f ujiv -ui : id in th < - wav of the advancement of truth
i and justice , and we deem it more consistent with t- the dignity oi your equal ft'flow-nien . rather toiu . siiobtt « ourselves upon the altar of freedom , than ; iu H \ e , a > at present , the despised , oppressed , and r-jr t ^ d of men . We . call npon yon , then , in the cam » - of j > eare and good order , to contest with u » * "it r-. jual rb ' nn with j-onr » elre * ' to a pardcipation in ; -il : ' . i '^ ht > . privileges , and advahtaaes of society . ' t iL ,- wvjpons which reason and argument offer to t » both , and fur unce , in the liL ^ t orr of our kind , let He * :. ! triumph o ^ er might , to die equal benefit of all . i > UriR-. l by the Committee , on behalf of the I A--. . >•; ,. !; . ¦ . ¦ I WILLIAM PARGITER , ! JOHN ANDERSON , \ ' DAVID INNES . j ALEXANDER LAIXG . HENRY BAIN . ALEXANDER DODS . JOHN BLAGK . STEWART M EWEN . ALEXANDER M'DONALD
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. THE SLAVES' ADDRESS TO BRITISH FEMALES . MatiTes of a land of glory , laughters of thf good and tarre , Hear the injured Negroes' BUJiy , ; . Heal and help the fetter'd glare ! Think how non ^ hrtnt death can serer Your lov'd chjien from your hold ; Still alwe , tnt lost for ever , Ours are parted , bought and sold ! Seize , O reize , the fevonring season , Scorning censure ot app \ aose ; Jnstke , Truth , Religion , Rp&aon , Are onr leaders in our cause . Follow , faithful , firm , confiding , Spread our wrong * from shore to shore ; Mercy's God your efforts guiding , Slaverr shall he knows no more . Feh . 1638 . ' A . L .
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— ^^^™ SONNETS , ADDRESSED TO A CERTAIS LORD . I . Pocr , pta > T thing ! * elf-plumed ! and yet art thon The least of all God's creatures ; tche hast ^ ared , Against hislowlv ones , thy shafts to throw : Who , for the deed of Wood , thine arm hath bared , To thrust thy steel , in bosoms unprepared To trard the dea dl y shock . The work is thine ; Although thy feeble hand grasps not die sword , H osta at thr nod , work out thy feQ -design - . First alares t&pmselves , thai rushing , at sword , To how their brethren to the yoke ahhorr'd . How hast thou held a nohle nation ' s trast ? " Thon shalt not kill . "—How answerest thon thy Lord ? B's faintest breath mar teach that thou art dust : The holt that bursts ' the tower may leach thoe God is just 31 . While self-doom'd bondsmen fight , for men who bow . . Not unto Heaven—to idols they have made : His name , who spake of peace and love below , Heard on their lips , but in their hearts betray'd ; Reckless of God : ret of his truth afraid . -
While men , who stf where justice Tears her throne . Let sordid , partial views t * es * down the scale , The widow ' s teara wulfisv ; the orphans moan . Come , from all homes , aHhuida . on every gale ; The rose will , on a Briton ' s cheek , te pale ; - - ¦ Erin will languish , on her flowers redin & ; Thehleeding Kecro dr » g his chain and wail . Tet tremble , ve , whom laJSahnesa makes bund , Ye cannot darken Truth , norernsh thepowerof miud . L .
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THE RIGHT OF THE POOR TO LIBERTY AND LIFE . BY RICHARD OASTLES . London . Koake and Varty ; Manchester , Gleave ; Le ^ ds , Joshua Hobson . This is an extended amph'firation of the speech ofMr . Oastler , at the Hudder . ^ lielJ Anti-Poor Law meeting , on the 27 th of Dtrcmnber last , of ¦ which our readers will remember an nnalv-ds , necessarily brief , bat yet occupying three full colamns of the Northern Star , appeared in pur report pf the meeting , on the Saturday- following . We need , therefore , say nothing in commendatiou of the present work , as vre suppose it impossible for nny one to have read tliatreport without feeling an anxious desire to " see the whole speech , -which contains , in fact , the whole controversy on the New Poor Law Question at one view , subs-tzntiated by all the . most einiuent authorities tBat can be referred to on the subiect . To the end
of the book , Mr . Oastlek has appended a large number of Scripture texts , hurling the denunciations of the God of Justice , and of mercy , at the heads of the _ nolatorsoftbosebolyprinclples , andrendering the most irrefragrable support to the positions contained in his speech . We are glad to sen this . No book recogisi / es the just audnamral rights of all mankind , and especially the poor , so fully . as the Bible ; and we have often thought the poor in general , had just reason to lament the death of a great friend to their interests , whoa few years ago . announced Ms intention of publishing a selection of sacred texts , under the title of the Poor Man ' s Bible . '" We perceive that Mr . Oastler has done something towards it , and would suggest to him the employment of his leisure , in carrying out the plan to a much greater extent , publishing the whole selection in some exceedingly cheap form . We think he would thereby render good service to cause of religion , und of the poor .
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THE PEERS , THE PEOPLE AND THE POOR . BT A TIETIRKn TRADESMAN . ¦ * London , Oldfield ; Sheffield , Whit taker ; Leeds , Joshua Hobson . We nave only read the first and second part * of this little Book , nut we have seen quite enough to enables jo pronounce it one of the ablest and most honest expositions of the true srstem of society , and of the practicaPevils resulting from the oppression of the "raany ' by the " few " " that we have ever seen . It ou ^ St to be read , learned , and got by . heart , by eve . ry ^ one— -by the "many * ' - that they . may know Uo ^ Kto estimate their W . fr positioBKio society , and ^ r * what cautfs the position they ' now occupy is owiiig ; hy the -few , ' that thev nwf understand
the tendency of " their own m&lproences , and become certainly aware of the consequences which an obstiuat .- perseverance in them must produce . In the t- ; . rly part of the Book he traces , in a brief , but irraphic . and ea « y style , the progress of socie ty ^ iroin lj" ^ r : » arisin . tlxroush all thf jrades of feudalisin . up to the gradual assertion of universal right , bv the expansive operation ol intelligence . He shews " that , in the origin what may be termed civilized societythe " lew "—the barons—the ancient Aristocracy Wf- "P allowed to possess certain privileges—pan of which privileges was the appropriation of almost all lue tend , not as inherent right * , to which they were naturally entitled , but as the hnplu-d terms of a compact , by which they were bounden , in return for these ^ pri \ ile £ es , to perform certain services to the
public at large . Part of which services were the defence of the State against the encroachments of foreign enemies in time of war , and the maintenance , at all rimes , of the whole body of the people , out of the produce of the soil of which they had been made li-rds , or under-tenants of the King . He t ! i « u proceed * to argue , that as , in the outset , a s : rail ]» orriou of the community , the Ari . sto cmrr . -K- ^ re permitted to appropriate the land—to hold senatorial offices , aDd to enjoy other privileges , on _ condition of Tendering a fnll equivalent for their privileges . in the way of semce to the public , the compacfisonly binding so l » ng as the parties on both sides adhere to the condition ? , and that if , under anvriivuinstauee .-, the " few " -became unable or unwilliiig toperfonn their portion of the compact , by
reni . vnusr jroo'l anJ useful service to the people , the lit rvs-: iry coii < e < iuence must be that the people , seeiiii : tiii-. will consider the compact dissolved , and resnine the privileges with which , for certain definite purpii > e > . the Aristocracy had been invested . He nexteui . r-into an enquiry as to what services the Aristocracy actually do render to the people , and in >> rder to tliis he draws a fearfully accurate picture "f the education and practices of the far larger props . riji . n of the privileged order , individually ; he then surveys them in their collective and sen " tonal capaniy : exhibiting the regard to public good and i ^ " ! -riry en ' need by these pardes in the ' FACTORV ^ y > irii ; xl-.-j Slave TKAnc and " " West India Slavtp . y > Y-TKy ; and finally the Poor Law System . M «• -incf-relv recommend everv member of th >>
Arwr «> rrary to read rlns book carefully , for we are per--. ua . ie . l that the "order" has nol a tinner friend than its be : ji- \ olent and hilented author . While at the » ame time it contains nothini ? but what is equallv necf ?> siry to be ieu' 1 anduuderstond by the " nianv /" l- \« r this reason we » u | , pos-e it U that the book is gut . up ia a . ttvleuf nealm--. ^ as u > paper and typography , ¦ winch \ % i » uid do credit Ui the library of any jrentlL ' - ; ii . i ::., while , iu che : < . pi ; L'ss it rmnes wiihin the rearli i J at lea > t a Jar ^ 'e p-. niuu of the working million * . We have very sel < i >> m mi-u a I . cm k so large , so well well ]> rinu * d . and on -uch g ., oii paper , sold for so -snail t : i price . We h ; ive no doubt that this , with the intrinsic value of its conl-ms will cause it to be p xu"n > ive ] y read , certainlv not more extensively than it deserves .
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Mb . ^ Y altei : . — . Mr . \ Yalur , late M . P ., for Berkshire , it is well known distinguished himself by his advocacy of the just rights of the poor , and contended , with unflinching per-evtrance , in the New T » K > r Law Coniiniin * , on the side ofhumanitv , against the army of Whig and Iladical economics by whom the poor are considered as only parts of the mnt-hiiicry of production , which should be « ubji-ot to tbe governing laws of capital , and , when un less or worn out rvjecttd ar . d ihrovvn aside with indifference a . « to what become * of , tl . ein . Mr . Walters excruouswere attended withgrrarpecuniary exptrnse and iujury to his hcallh ; but he has
thtconsolation of knowing that his labours arejustlv appreciated by the wise and the good , and that th ' t poor whose cau . M ? he advocated feel the deepest gratitude for his ehbrts on their behalf . The poor of the Droiford Union , anxious to mark their sense oi his services to them , determined to subscribe the humble sum of one penny each family , in order to purchase a testimonial , which they might presint to Mr . Walter as a proof of the . sincerity of thi-ir feelings , towards him . A richly bouud Bible was the appropriate testimonial chos « n , and on Mond . iv last , a meeting was held at the school house ut Sobenon parieh , at which the ceremony of presentation took place . —Northern Liberator .
Chimney Sweeping . —A lady has left a legacy of £ 200 , to be presented to the inventor of such a machine as shall , to the satisfaction of Parliament , effectually -supersede tbe work of climbing boys , in cleaning chimneys .
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ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE . - ' ; ¦ " ¦ : -- —^ —^ i ^ — - . . ¦ .-¦ ; ¦ ¦ - ¦ ; ¦ . ' - ¦ - The Editor * of "XttfeXertbern Star " vrhfo . to be distinctlyjondc ?* tQOd tbat in affording a vehicle for \ th ^ discusBion of great Public Quertipns , they are not to be Identified with the Sentiments or the l > angnage of their several Correspondents . TO MR . JOHN ; FRASER , OF SOUTH ST . DAVID ^ TREET , EDINBURGH ; MYDEABMR . FnASEft , —Iaddressihislettertoyou , because I consider yon one of the roost virtuous men living . I address you , because you are an undoubted patriot . I address you , because my letter shall iefer to a subject , which has enlisted your every energy ; namely , the question of the tffe Scotch patriots . We are now , Fraaer , in the commencement of that great struggle , which the introduction of machinery was sure to bring about . We are now engaged in the adaptation of a new code of lawa to the novel position in-which the substitution of machinery for manual labour has placed us . The revolution which ORIGIN . VL CORRESPONDENC'E .
is secretly working , is one of casualty ; and the causes , having gradually and stealthily crept on , instead of at once jumping upon ns , we were unable to meet them in their every jog trot step . The greatest sufferers supposed —( from ignorance ) that each new innovation was the completion of the system ; and , therefore , became by the endurance of one hardship , the more reconciled to its successor . To prove this position , you must be aware , that if the whole science , and application , ( for ; there ' s the rub ) of machinery , withits selfish ten dency , hadbeen made manifest in the first workings of the system ,
the inordinate and sndden change -would have created a revolution , or rather a civil war , in this country . There is not a ¦ ' ^ rattle-box , ' . '—a name ' which I have given the Brain-addling factories in Yorkshire , which has Tiof "a " . ¦ considerable effect upon those fven remotely connected with Britain : but how much more immediately : must they affect those who live under its laws and factory regulations , which are now part and parcel of our Constitution , and which , together with the New-Poor Law Act , will presently be the basis of our rnleniff ^ hree , Statute book . The Irish ,
who have little or bo ? machinery , begin to marvel at the dislodgementof man from his former ppsitiorf : and , they are tojd thkt ^ thsif violence , inste ; id of machinery , over ' . which th ' ey" have no controul , is the c % u ? e of their every / disaster , and the renson why Q 8 pital does not nod its way iiito thnt lovely coontry . The great power of dictation which machinery gave to the Cotton Masters of Glasgow , allowing them to leave te the Operatives the alterna-r tive of either submitting to a reduction of £ 50 per cent , of their wages , or of remaining unemployed , gave rise to Viat strike out of which the recent trial sprung : the facts connected with which shall form
the subject of my letter . Nothing is more necessary than that a Demagogue , which I profess myself to be , should be able to defend his every step in the course of Agitation . 1 say , 1 am a Demagogue . The word is derived from the Greek words Demos , pnpulus" the people ; and " * duco , " -to lead ; and means a leader of the people . Itisright , then , before I submit my ulterior course , that I should point out , how far I have already counselled , and how far I have been right ; and how far those who have opposed me were justifiable in their opposition . I shall leat ^ out of the question my steady adherence and devotion to the patriots ,. from the strike to the
present moment ; and shall strictly confine myself to the points of law and justice upon winch , we may yet hope to succeed . I now direct your attention to the able , the statesman-like—and if justice was any part of English policy—conclusive speech of Lord Brougham i you will find it in the Star ' of to-day . From that speech you learn that the men were acquitted upon every count contained in the first indictjnent , the relevancy pf which was argued at
considerable length , and with powerful ability , by the prisoners' counsel . With reference to that part of tfie probeedinff , you mnst also bear iu mind , that I was present at the argument ; and , from first to last , setagr . fiace against the proceedings ; stating to y ° Q » - IP the agent , to the public meeting , -aid other Mends , that the' « Sect .-wrbuld be to multiply casts ; and . at the same time ^ to giye the Crown ati opportunity of amending , and of introducing such other
counts asthey could suborn ' evidence , to support . I stated that the men must be acquitted upoa the indictment , as it at first stood . The verdict proves that I was right . In addre . « sing , the people of Glasgow , 1 told them " that new matter would be introduced , upon which the men would he convicted ; and that the only effect of the argument upon tlie relevancy , would be to put the Crown more on the alert . " I have been right .
My second position i > % and for which I nlso refer yon to Lord Brougham ' s ^ eech , — " That had the men been tried in England , if found guilty , they could not have suffered more than two months'imprisoiimt-nt" the law upon which you will -find in my speech to the Trades in London , as reported in the Star of last Saturday . My third position is , that from first , tu last , I sternly set my face against any appeal from tbe Trades to the House of Commons , prayhi the interference of that assembly upon the general question of combination . The first step in this deadly course was taken by the Working Man ' s Association
of London , whose meeting I attended for the express purpose of pointing out the fallacy of the proceeding . I explained that , once constituted , the committee would haye the power of recommending the tlouse to legislate upon such evidence as they choose to select ; that , if the power and virtue of combination was proved , strong reason 3 would be suggested to the mind of the capitalist for suppressing n body thus capableflf self-defence ; whereas , if crime wn < proved to he committed by a rabble , without the knowledge or consent of the body , still more cogent arguments , and arguments meeting the gen ' eral- ' approbation of money mongers , would be used for the '
suppression of Trades' combinations . I further cautioned them against funning an army , of ' ' which Mr . OCoxxem . would become the generalissimo ; and , backed by the petitions of the people , would push the House to the formation of an ' Inrpnsilioii , —not to ir};—but to . roxDE . M . \ the Trades . ' Whether or no 1 was right , will be proved hy that gentleman ' s amendmeHt to Mr . ¦ Waklev ' s motion . My dear Phaser , I state facts . I merely arraign the judgment of those , who- have thns put their finger into the Lion ' s month , and from which tln-y c . innot draw it eently—or draw it at all—as long as Daniel is in the Lion ' s
den-Now for the last bold struggle ; now , then , for the thunder of the nations voice , through that- 'trumpet which will make it echo , till it shall either convince the royal ear , or shake the royal throne ' Now for your appeal ? to justice , through your advocate , Lord IinouuHAM . 1 had no power , though using tne same arguments—because I addressed those who have no representatives . Lord Melbovrxe hns . put the seal upon the royal ear : Lord Jon . \ Russell has declared his determination not to disturb the royal repose : Daxiel O'Co . n . null is marching onward , while Archbishop Mtirhay carries the banner <> f " passive obedience and non-wwtaucc- "— ' -blessing those who oppress the people ! " And shnil we ,
while a ray of hope remains , abandon the captives , ignominiuusl y fettered in Mammon ' s chains , and ; though in durance vile , - itill slaving for Mammon ' s lust ? No ! forbid it nature ! forbid it justice ! Let those , then , who have not yet petitioned petition at once ; and let those who have petitioned , petition nguin ! Send your petitions to Lord linoiGHAM and Mr . Wakley ; and should the ear of J . n ? tice be closed againM your manly remonstrance and fair Tequest , lettliis sea-bouud dungeon resound from coast to coast , with the marshalled sound of " Hereditary bondsmen . ' know ye not , Who would be free , themselres must stmkethe bj > ow !" Fajthfollj and fflocerely your' ? , FEARGUS O'CONNOR .
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TOTHB KIGHT ' -HONOURABLE LORD JOHS RUSSELL , HER MAJESTY'S SECRETARY OF 8 TATH FOR THE HOMK iDEPARTMBNT . Mt . LdRDi—^ 1 begyortr Lordship's most serious attention to the contents of this letter ; andfy-whilat yon read it , I-would have you to remember that I am -writing to the head of jher Majesty's Home " overamcjftt ; that I am describing to him the state of England , in ' the 19 th century , under the management of a" wise ; " " enb ' ghtened , " " liberal , ? and ^ patriotic , " Goyennnent ! That I am telling you just how matters are going on amongst us—' remembering always , my Lord , that we are Englishmen , after alland that Christianity is part and o kight honoukablkLORirinH ^ H pssk t
, parcel tfthe law of ike land : ' ¦ ' ; ; f ^ My Lord , you will very much oblige hie by laying this letter beforei her most Gracious Majesty the Queen . It contains facts with which her M ajesty ought to be acquainted . If you neglect that part of your duty , I shall not fail to provide her Majesty with a copy in some other way . ' And now , my Lord , for the facts . I was in Manchester on Monday , and I saw pno of the finest regiments of infantry in the British army , on their march . I ^ as told that they vere bound for Canada , to stitch up , with' their bayonets , a very large rent , which her Majesty ' s bungling Ministers nave recently made in that part of ¦ the emoi ' re ' . 11
was a tiue sight truly , my Lord , and I hoped , within myself , that when the brave men should return as ' pensioned veterans to their native land , that no Poor Lav ? Coramissioners would have ; the power to rob ^^ otth ^ v ^ ett ^ fA ^ sr ^ ' g ^/ a&ptJJ ^ - up : from wtfe and child in any union hostile . I hoped that during their absence , whilst they Were fighting for their Mueen , that her Majesty ' s Commissioners mig ^ ht not be allowed to bastile and separate any of their fathers aiid mothers ^ or their wives and children ! I prayed that Chelsea , might not be sold , beiore they returned to their nativeland
-While I was in Manchester , ; I had the honour to attend a meeting of Delegates from a great number ot towns m Lancashire , Yorkshire , Cheshire , and Staffordshire . W e met tor the purpose of devisinK the best plan to obtain ; the repeal of the accursed New Poor Law . I wish your Lordship l \ ad been Were , to hnve heard a worth y clergyman of the C ^ umii of Exglaxd describ e the ^ well working ' ofthe New Poor Law , in the MACCLESFiELn Union .
Yoip Lordship would have wept , if you had •• h eard him . The Queen would have burst into tears , I am sure she would , if she had listened to the Ministeu of God , whilsthe was opening " -to our view , the real condition of her poor subjects in /< w parish , now that they ar « the slaves of her Majesty ' s Commissioners , lour Lordship ' s two spies were there all the time : unlike your HuDDERSFiELD one , ' they , were well behaved and sober . 1 fear , however , that they will hot report to you all that passed .
_ Oh '• what a sight I beheld yesterday , in Ex . ; lan n It wns mM . ANtHEStER , the hive of the world ! My Lord i I was ¦ . walking in the principal street , ( Mtirki-t bt-reet ) not .. many-yards from the ^ achangeMiiiltl / ngs , JS " ,- ? ld seti a = sight of which all England shall bear . On ! that tlie lovely Qween of these realms had £ een what I saw . If . she had , she would have done justice to her subjects . I'll tell you , my Lord , what she would have done , when I have told you what I saw . It was in open day liglit , my Lord , there can be " . no mistake . " -It wjas no day dream of my frenzied lmaginntion ; thousands saw it -as . 'Well as I ; it was not in the \ Vest Indies , it was not in . ATbica . it was not in n penal settlement in herMnjesty ' s Australian colonies ; iio , no , it was in Manchester , in prosperous Manchester , in CiiniirriAN Manchester , in AIanchester represented in : Parliament , by her Majesty ' s President of theBoard ' of Trade !
\ our Lordship nsserts , " that the New Poor Law works . well , " "that the agricultural labourers are elevate ^ in their character thereby , " that their condition u mittonally improvedi" and " that they now deserve the style and title of independent British tABptmErts ! " It may be ¦ ¦ * , % —let us inquire . \ our Lordship has an assistant coinmissioner of the name of Nka * e ; he has collected together 103 Gnardiansof flie ' --J * oOr for a district catfyd XinftAr Bkouohton Union . I wippOse that he , with the rest of the " lying prophets " ftSaTires your Lordship " that in that Union the New Poor Law . worka well / Let us see , my Lord , Uow Ue and liis one huudred and three tools , or slaves , manage matters > there .
. Own fad is worth ten thousand argitmenU . Yon shall have it , my Lord , and , upon the > oath which you . have sworn , 1 require , you to re ; td this iu the House of Commons ; I have tol d you , j aiy Lord , ot the troops inarching through Manchester on Monday : ' "that was-a sight , "' ( as Holland Hoole would say ) "to gladden the heart of a m . marcIjV' The one on TuL-sday would have made the roiialheart sad . I saw twenty-oue £ nglishmen , my Lord , her Majesty s subjects , untainted with crime ; tin ; poor brethren of Jesus Christ l . twejity-one men . my Lord , iuj dear in . the sight of God as twentv-oiu ' 1 eer »! --I-saw tlieni geared and yoked , and in ¦ tlie VhAtE of Horses fruiting a waggon . At first sight , I fancied it was what we call " a lurk * " and that tlie men were doing it in sport : but I soon found that . it-was hunger , pinching hunger , that had driven them to degrade man ^ o the level ol ' a beast ! hf
^ -Th « e e your " independent English labourers , " my ¦ L ord ! Thmi fiave you ¦*• : . elevated the . ¦< ? 6 nuitioh . oi her Majesty ' s indust ^ ous subjects ;' tliusis it demonstraled to the people pf Manchester , " that the New Poor Law-does . ' work well' in the agricultural districts ! " ¦ ¦ ¦ My Lord ,, tlnnr tale is a very short one , but it is worth more , if" England will read it , than all the ti-ns of thousands of pn < rus which the House of Commons has printed , at . public cost , by order of the 1 oor Law Commissiotiers . Now , jny Lord , hear it —read it in the Privy Councilwhen I'he Queen is
, present . Have V a call of the House of Commons , '' on purpose , read it in your place there , it will do more good , . thnn all the speeches your Lordship ever made , l'iiou hand it . over to Lord Brougham in the House - of Lords , that he may read it to their lordships . He need not add a word to . it , it will tell better without his pr . ) . iii ) pS . Then publish it in the Gazette . Anfdont forget , my Lord ^ to incorporate it in your new instructions to the Eahl of Dorha . m that he . / may persuade the CanadiAnh to he good children , b y proving " to them , lioirmtie » t their fathers arc , under the scourging * of the IFhigs .
' "¦» E ARE T WENTY ONE LABOUREUS ; WE tOME rnoM bbvo . vd Dkllajikke Torest in Cheshire ; we CAN CET NO WORK , —NO HEUEK , —AND WE WERE H . i :-NijRV . A Farmer , who is a very kind man , WANTED TO SEND SOME POTATOES TO MaNCHESTKR ' " HE o rr EUED US TWO SH I LLIN ( iH A LOA D , IF WE WO ' U LI > BRING THEJ 1 HERE , We WERE THIRTY MILES OFV , AND-WE HAD NO nilEAD : SO JIE LET US HAVE THIRTY TWO LOAIiS , AND WE WERE VERY THANKFUL !" This , my Lord , is their tale . ;; it has baen henrd in 1 lea von ! and it you Will not repeal the accursed Aew 1 w Law which causcdit , \ t will soonbe avenced on earth ! . '¦ , . b ¦ My Lord , those men must have been honest , or the larmer would not have trusted them with his w ; i . 7 gon and - thirty two loads of potatoes . They . must have fx > enindustrious , or -they would not have done , the"work-of . horses . ¦
If Her Majesty had seen this sight , I will tell you i < -A « i she . would hnve done . I ami . sure she would have done it , my Lord , ' because shcisa ( luccnand a Christian , She would have ordered those twentyone honest , industrious men , out of harness- sue would instantl y have given them a pension of i-loOOa-year amongst then ) .. Then she would have ordered the .. tweuty-bi . ie Assistant Poor Law Commissioners lntotlieir places .. She would have distributed . lie potatoes to the Poor . She would have ordered
an I ron Cage to ha ve been placed 6 n the Waggon ^ nnd in that ( age , she would have placed , in Union Presses , the three Anc Paor Law Commissioners ; Lord ALTHOHrE , she would have comninnded to be the V «^* r ,--and Lord BnouGiiAM tlie . Guard . This whole Cortege , she would have ordered to parade JhroiigU Lngland , from Union liastile to Vnion !> a * tde . Yes , she would haveclml these friends in ' . bro ^ rani , ' she would have "forcod ^ Y / im to luxunate Tipon ' -Skilly ; " upon her own-head j . 1 ,,.. wm , ! - )
nave taken the responsibility , and she would have said to the people ot Manchester , "I command this because I do lore mercy , and I will do j ustice ! " ' By the bye , my ^ Lord , I ^ ppose youare acquainted with the great H . B . lie so good as to give niv compliments to him ,, and request that lSs ^ S cancatove maybe tlm , Queeii , the Iron Cage , the nee Commissioners , their twenty-one Beasts , and the , r Lordslnps , Althoiu-f . and Brougham , just one V ^ /^ i ^? i d hHVe th ^ V and the M ^ - «^ Agr ^ ultoal ; LaboOTerS , overwhelmed- with loyalty , shouting most lustily , " the Queen for ever Si ^ ffivS ^ »' atio » ' to the accS Extremes have now met , my Lord . The New Poor Law has settled the question , civilization must now give way to burburism ; science may ( to tosleeu i
m . «« nen we were about to ily . oil the wings of steam , to the sun and the moon , ahd bacls-ngain , the ivew Poor Lawcomes in , to stop the progress of mvention-to prove the iblly of all improveuientst . > make v . rikugh at rail-roads , and wonder that our torelnthers were such fools as to use draug ht-horses ! ¦ i . lie IndependentAgriculturalLabourers" of Eueland are nmv proved to have out-matched bothhorses and ste » m ! Brougham has shown his wisdom- bv withdrawn ^ from the mauageinont of the London L niyersity .- ! . Science may now die , andheis readv ^ , S er ^ rav ^ \ , Hurran to tl « independence ^ f the agncuHural labourers ! ^ . :
rhis New Poor Law aftHir is Ljadinff the Govern mentutr astray , it h very meauVaml "SbyV ' my Lord , to employ Spies . It U "bloody'' my Lord , to pay your Newspaper Spiesfor prowfin- on the scent ot blood ! Tr& enough , l ' know ° vo « want to have Stephens and myself hanged ? ThS ; s no need , however , that von should beio « shnbbv " S ' ^ S "f M ^ -it , my Lord , without the aid of dS Sr ^ thawed ' murderous Mddifte . \ on are verv onncions r ^ orstilf ; you dont
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hkeiobe looked after at : all , my Lord . 0 whata pasBion yonwere in the other night , in the House of Commons , because my friend , Mr . Pielden . thought prpperto ^ mployCRABTREE and Turner , to / enter your Lordships own Preserves , and inquire how the New Poor Law wbrXed at WoBURN ? Your Lordship mustbe persviaded that it does hot ;¦ ' * work well " there , m yon nm-er would have charged Mr . Fielden with a vnHh to cause riots in that neighbourhood ; because he sent a Commission to enquire how thi : L . aw worked ; They make no secret of their errand my Lord , they are not spies ; they % o to the Pauper < to the ^ Guardians , and to the Assistant Poor Law CommiSHionera .- 7 'Aey have written instructions , yhich they shew to all;—a Copy of which has been ^ ^ . T „ -
handed to the three Kings in Somerset House . They are endeavouring to ascertain , my Lord , what hiecomes of the labourers , on the Duke of Bedford ' s Estate when the New Poor Law has made them independent r Your Lordship seems to think that the exposure will cause a great deal of riotingit may be so ; you are in the secrets of the Prison Houge , and they will soon all be pubHshed to the world , by Cuabtree and Turner . Instead of complaining of their Mission , you ought to have paid their expenses , and have rejoiced thit the truth should be told ; yes , j'ou should have done this , and hot to have appointed a Commission of Blood to trv to han ? noOr Stephens . Yon
don ' t keep your secrets well , my Lord , I get to know all about them . Colonel " Wemyss does not tell me ; Mr . Thomas is as silent as a mouse ; and you are quite sure that your Reporter , Mr . Hughes , Will report not one word to me ; and yet , my Lord , it does so happeniMa ; Iknow all about it . . The threelilood Hounds you sent from London to Manchester , whose names I will not , at present , reveal , niade a fool ' s errand of it , my Lord ; I was present at their cogitations , though they saw me not , and , O ! how I lauphed , while Hughes most faithfully reported lo them every word that Stephens had spoken . Stephens , my Lord , uses \ ery hard words ; Unit I grant ; but he knows how to place
them ; you will always see the little word "if , " before them . I shall never forget the long faces your Commissioners pulled ,, when , in answer to their question , "Are you quite sure , Sir , that Stephen 8 did use the ; W'ord ' if , 'before he uttered those awful deminciations ? " Mr . Hughes , like an honest tnan replied , "Yes , . I-am . quite certain that he did . " Thus , their Commission ended , after the expenditure of some two hundred pounds ; and John Edward Taylor is doomed to live a little longer , for want of a second-hand rope . You need not spend so much money , and give yourself so much trouble , in tryiug to catch Stephens , my Lord . I am ready to deliver Mm up any dnyonjust causelcing shewn .
You cannot hang him without a trial ; he is able to . 'defend .- himself ; in doing so , he will unship Her Majesty ' s " shabby" Government , and tvtaily repeal the infernal New Poor Law . —I am , my Lord , your Lordslup ' s most obedient servant ,
RICHARD OASTLER . Fixby-IInll , near Huddersfield , Feb . 7 th , 1838 . P . S . —4 understand that Mr , Moqre . the Post Mnster of H . uddeuskield , . has informed you , thiit he was not . drunk when he . wns apprehended : if so , he is a more I ' eustly man than I thought lie was . I have a report of his sayings that night . They are too filthy for publication , my Lord ; they are the dregs ot lewdness and obscenity , and all , in reference to one whom he is ; ¦ bewwi ' to honmir . If you are wishful to know tin ; renl character of your friend nnd Spy , the II UDDEnsFiELD Post ^ M aster , I Will furnish you with a copy of it privately . R . 0 .
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TO THK EDITORS OK THB NORTHERS STAR . ( Jextli-men , —Are the inhnhitnnts of Leeds so totally l . erei ' t of every humane and generous feeling , tlint not one single " individual - can l . e found , who will devote a small portion of his time , to endeavour to rescue the filnsgow - . Cotton Spinners ,, from ' the eil ' Hcts of a sentence , - \ iujvist , coiurary to common son ' Sf , iur " ei ; l . ng , nuinerciful . Tell nsnot , it is Law ; supposing it is , _ what are th Scottish old . laws , ih many cnses , . lnit a tis- ; uo of absurdities and barbarisms , suited only-to the insolence mid cruelty of Lairds , in-JVMuiill degree removed-from , the state of wil . l ni'fixts in an African forest ; nud the poor ignorant serf , iinmorsed in ignorance , - . and a superstitious honor of his _ o \ vn sha-iow . Men of Leeds , if the writer of tins , were not labouring under infirm health , with an oniaciato'd . frame of nearly twelve
months ronlinuiince , lip would again shame you into yonr ( hity , again force you to perform what you did in the case of ' . the Dorchester Unionists , which if yon now uetrject . . poverty , distress , infamy , and aH ' the ills which , flesh ' isiieir to , " ought to be yours . 1 have read thi * evidence over often , and minutely ; and do declare Leiore God , and my country , that tostimony worthy of credit , was not given in the sinallest-degn-e , " to justify any -jury-in bringing in s . ; rch a verdict , or any judge in prissjng such a sentence , and I enn only account for-it ,-by supposing tliat the one were actuated by a slavish spirit ot ' feur , und tVitVother by an aristocratical bias , ( to say ' •' no A . orse . ) - Up then , Men of Leeds , be not always in tlie rear ; but prove to the world that you not ' only pj'Ofexs to love liberty , but also dpserve to enjoy it " ; not the liberty to injure another , but to . rentier -to every one his due . CiTne forth , ye British youths , unite ¦ Wi th hardy veterans hoary . Arise , and join the moral fight , Which long shall live in story . Your : " ; , * c , OBSERVER .
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TO THE EDITORS OF THE NORTHERN STAR . CiENTiiMTCN , —At a crisis liko the present when mi arduous and fearful struggle is going on betweftii the rich and powerful , aided bj ' capital ; ind machinery , on thi > one hand , and productive industry , depressed by taxation and burdens of everv description , on the other , it becomes , ' . ! conceive , 'tlie duty of every sincere lover of his country and of his kind to come forward and arraying himself with the virtuous mid the good of nil classes and parties , endeavour to use whatever power he may possess
m mfthifrance of the general good . Actuated by those motives I am axiouH to avail myself of the opportunity afforded by yonr valuable- ' columns to endeavour to do swmc good , and , in my hnmblo wav , try to leave the world somewhat better than- " I jouiid it . The way in which I can do this most eftectunlly is ,. I apprehend , by pointing out , through the press , what I consider the duty of my countrylnen , in reference to those measures -.. which occupy the most prominent station in the public mind , anil are . most intimately connected with the goueral interest
. Amongst these measures stands foremost tlie miscalled Poor Law Amendment Act . This measure , the most abominable and diabolical that ever disgraced the Statute Hooks of a chili-zed and '" CH ' RISTIAN" \ people , demand .- ; the curse of every honest man . Nobly indeed have many of the various classes into which society is derided denounced this cruel ATTACK UPON THE BEST AND HOLIEST FEELINGS OF . pun nature ; but , gentlemen , there is -a '' class , a large and inilnential class , which hns not yet come tip to join the eneinies of despotism . and oppression . Hint class could by-one .. movement annihilate the act for ever . That class could throw itsulf as a ¦ w all , of cement , or of fire , between the oppressor
and tlio victims of oppression . . That class could undo the heavy burden and sot the prisoners' free . That clp . ss could break every yoke and draw a broad lint » : of demarcation Detweon penury and crime . ; and if they . , refuse to do so , fearful indeed will « n their REsroNsiniLiTy . The class to vvliich I refer is the ministert * and incmbors of our cliurches ; the preferred followers of him , who chose poverty as his ¦ . inheritance ,- and who , when amongst thousands of the poor so far from dooming them to ft Union Bastile , and " coarser food , " multiplied by miracle what food they had , and provided them with-an-abundant , «¦ " more than abundant ropast . I ask in the name of honest poverty—in the name of famished infancy—in the name of ngi'd indigence
—in the name of bumam ' ty—in the name of the God of justice and of love ,: 'why have they not come forward in this most holy cause ? Tney cannot claim reason as their authority ¦ for reason at once declares that itis both unreasonable and iriijtist to punish jioverty as a crime , l'liey cannotplead Scripture , for the Old Law declares that" Thou shalt not hide _ thyself from thy poor brother , but shalt surely give him that which he . needeth . " And in the New restanunit we find it stated that « pure religion and . undehled before God and the Fatheris ttul to visit the latnerless and widows in their affliction . " _ Why then , I again ask , do notthe . religioiis public come to ourhelp ? Is it because the principle of the measure is just , or its provisions for the uo ' or 1
Kucn ns arcconsistent with benevolence and mercy ? Is it a measure sanctioned by-all who are good and virtuous , and only opposed by the worthless , tlw idle , and the vicious ¦> : Let us try to , fairly and candidl y , examine ; this matter a little—let us see if U . ^ - .-. P'orisionsi are just ,. equitable , or merciful . — tirst—are its enaclmfints jrtstl I will take some as samples , and that I may not be considered as picking out parts to suit a purpose , I will only cite a lew things which strike ; my mind while I writeV ' without consulting the act itself . 1 ask then , first , is . it just that throe paid servants should have
the power to do what they please with all the poor in England and Wales * not only without the consent bitt against the ^ consent of those who pay their money for the relief of the poor ? Secdnd- ^ Is it just uiat the rate-payers should be deprived of the management of their own funds ? Third—Is it just , that unwillingidleness should be punished as criinei ^ and be doomed to confinement anil a diet worse than that provided for the felon ? Fourthly r-rls it just that m many cases theinjured feniale shouM be punishad , . while the bold and bad seducer is sufterod t 6 . |> scape wifhimpunity ? If thesVtbings De ^ 'I
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injustice , then I call upon every lover of justice ta aid us to ^ expunge . this atrocious act , from the jpu » of Parliamerit . I next enquire whether the " provisions - of this act are ! ' eft ^ ntnol . ^ .. Is it equitable that , because a . man is by circumstances j Over which probably he could have no controlj obliged to claim relief at the hand of public . charity , that he pvnst be compelled to break up hishnmble butcherisheA home , and go into a prisoii y ^ where the , tenderest ties of / . natjtire , are to be torn asahder ? Is it equitable , that the poor should be baM starved by the accursed " coarser food '' system , while a parcel of useless and mischieyous Commissionera are bloajted and fattened from tne funds professedly raised for their relief ? laTit MmfaiWfi that all flift
buardians of the poorv and the magistrates of th& land , should be disgraced and degraded by the three tyrants at Somerset-House ? Is it equitable ¦ ' j xt" ew v " ^ absentees , should by their proxies and their plurahties of votes , be able to set at complete defiance , the undoubted will of the resident ratepayers . If these things be so , and if they are at Uter variance with the rule of doing to others as we would have them to do us , then 1 again call upon every moral and religious man and -woman to come and aid us in our righteous crusade against the armies of the oppressor .: I will not take np the time of your reader ^ in enquiring how far the provisions of tliis accursed law deserve to be considered merciful . "By their fruits
ye shall know them , " is as true of things as of men arid bitter has the fruit < of this dismal plant been found , wherever it has cast its deadly shade . . The tears of orphans—^ the anguish of parients—the distractions of separated partners- ^ tlie misery of ruined families—and the despair ( frequently ending in self-murder or infanticide ) of seduced females , hare recorded a tale of horror and of blood which only the coming judgment can fully disclose . 0 then ,: ye who claim the mild and compassionate Jesus as your Master and Lord ,-. ¦ ¦ I . call upon you to stand no longer back but come and help us ! This law must be repealed or our beloved couitry will soon become the field of revolution and of blood . The hell-born
monster must be thrown back in the teeth , of those who gave it birth . England must not become ^ theden of helpless and hopeless slavery , that little Lord John and his Whig and Tory supporters may strut theirlittle hour upon the stage i Its fat « must be sealed and that without delay , or the property and capital of the country will spoil became as unsubstantial as the mist of the mornihg . I do not wish for this . I do not vvish to find : the rich and the poor . set in hostile array , I want to see universal right es ' tablishedin the broad plains and the lefty mountains , and the gently : sloping hills and the lovely . vallies of pur native isle , that the olive branch of peace may wave over the land , that one common ; bond of brothe . rhoodmay unite every heart .
1 o attain thisglortousobject the rich must be secured . . in . the possession of their wealth , ( hot their unmerited pensions )* the labourer in the just produce of bis ¦'¦ industry , and the widow , the orphan , the sick , the aged , and the unwilling idler , in a comfortable maintenance from the soil on whichhe was bora . But to effect all this , while the New Poor Law exists is impossible , therefore tlie New Poof'Law must be repealed . Unite then , men of England , unite , and be free 1 . Unite , and tell the Queen that if she has : coiistitritional rights , so have you . Let her youthful Majesty know , that while you entertain sincere affection for her person and due respect for her authority ; you expect , that
she will be a nursing mother to . her people ^ and firml y but respectfully tell her that the most pjecious jewel in her crown will be the well merited love of the Empire . Remove the factions f'om about the Throne , and speak put so loud and dear , that neither Lord Jolin nor Sir Robert shall be able to close the Royal ear against your complaintsi or make the Sovereign mistake the meannig of them . Men of England , I have done my duty ; and now by your love to your country- —by your regard to your homes—by your affection for your oftspring—and by your reverence for your GOD , I call upon you to do yours . " Awake , arise , or be f . > r ever fallen ! " I am , Gentlemen , yours , truly , Hull , Jan . Qth 1838 . T . B . SMITH .
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TO THE EDITORS OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Gentlemen-, —A few days ago , ameering washeld in the Odd-Fellows Hall , " in this town , to petition Parliiinient to abolish the Apprenticeship System in the W . est Indies . At that meeting , I asked the chairnvan for leave to make a few observations , which was granted , and I ventured to call the attention of the meeting to a system of slavery which exists in England , and for that , I received the hisses , of the money-mongers most unsparingly . They are uvrare that 1 am always ready to defend the rights of the poor , and , therefore , they have attempted
every thing that is mean to deprive me of my freer dom , and place me in a dungooii . Talk of the . con-.-piracy of working men , when it can be proved that a cominitteeis now sitting to iuvent some excuse to get me taken and placed m prison ! Poor fools ! I will let you see one trick they have tried to get me into a scrape ; bnt it will not d pi The fonowing let : t ? r , which ! give without alteration , was sent to me by . tbe post : — * '" ¦ ' : ¦ ¦ '" '¦ •" : Barnsleu . Feb . 3 rd , 1838 . To Mr . Crabtree . - .
Sir , —I understand that you : have a petition laying at your house for signature to amend , or , altoectlier do away with the New Poor Law . Thave teen perenaded that they Would not attempt to come here ; but what must we expect , when a ladj ot one . of mir principal families in this town ig always writing to the CoinmissionerSj . stating that the ) ' are much required here , that the paupers have too much relief from our present overseers . You , a * a party , why not put a stop to Miss Beckett ' s Inl ' * reports , and let those who will suffer by the . New Poor Law tmderstaiid who is their enemy . The reason for not giving you my name is that I am dependant upon the family ; but hate such violent and unfeeling people . She has frequently boasted of her writing to the Commissioners , and let the people know she is some one of consequence .
A FRIEND TO THE POOR . Now , gentlemen , can you believe that this gentloinmi , who signs himself " arFriend to the Poor , " is dreadfully . frightened at the conspiracy of the ( Jlasgow Cotton Spinners , and one who hates secret committees ^ Here : is a . six-and-eightpenny man for yon . and his residence is " not two miles from Churchstrvet . It is well that a friend informed me pf this secret committee of conspiracy ^ or else I might have ¦ been mad ^ to- believe their story , and , consequently , commenced , an attack upon a very , amiable lady ; ior 1 mid her to bear an excellent p rivate character , mid , - therefore ,,- ought not to be disturbed- by these dark villains , dftlw still darker sacret . committeeof conspiracy ipBarnsley . Before 1 ask ' for a place fur this letter , it will be proper to inform you : that I . intend to make a strict inquiryinto this matter , and when I . have discovered more " of their bloodyintensions , I trust j'ou will give room for another letter from Yours , most respectfully , JOSEPH CRABTREE . Barnsleu , Feb . 8 f // r 1838 .
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SILK TRADE IN JSIA ^ CHESTER . .-: ' . . . . . —— « 9- : ' - - - TO THR . EDITORS OF THE NORTHERN STAR . GextleMen , —Your insertion , of the following statements in your valuable and widely circulated paper , will oblige many of your readers . In consequence of a partial reduction havinobeen made , by some of the silk manufacturers , in the lower counts of reeds , of one halfpenny per yard , viz ,, 2 , 400 , two threads and 2 , 700 , two threads Mirsnets , ¦ the weavers of those manufacturersj who saw no necessity for an abatement of wageii , and who expressed themselves decidedl y opposed to an abatement , urged their weavers to take some methPd . cii .-putting : ; a stop to such an unnecessary reduction , or tney should be obliged to reduce also , and , u 6 doubt , but a general reduction of all the other
tabnes in the trade would have immediately followed . In consequence of which , the weaver ' s pummittee of Middleton , Chadderton , and surroundiiig districts , called a public meeting of the trade , in order to take into cousirieration what method to adopt in order , to ward off ' the threatened reduction . The meeting ; concluded , by selecting proper delegates to visit the manufacturerjj , but especially those which had made the reduction . ' . It would take up too much of your valuable paper to insert all the , lying , shifting , and quibbling talk that came from the mouths of those manufacturers who are ever ready : to take the lead in reducing those they employ below the starvation point . Some of which are Henry Hilton and Co ., Aiiisworth and Hilton
, Siddall and /\\ atchurst , with some few more the former , HenTy Hilton and Co ., says to the delegates that if they can brmg up the others he shall not be the last to give . the best price ; the second , Ainsworth and Hilton , ( mark ,- this Hilton is brother to the former ) says , that he will not give the same pnee for the said description of work as the other manufacturers are giving , and Watchurst and Siddall are . for purchasing as low , and selling as high , as possible , and . doing the best they can tor themselves . The delegates met with very insulting and disd . ainful language from a servant of . Mr / Wilh ' am VValker , silk manufacturer , whois another that has
reducod .: There are some others of the same cast ; but we reserve them for another report . The delefatcs who : visited the largest and ioiost respectable buses in the trade ; met with all the , civility and respect they could desire , who invariably told them that -they were decidedly opposed to any reduction ill wages , as the workmen ' sf wages were already low enough , and that it would Be no benefit whateverto them , should a . general reduction ; take place * and further prpmise . 31 toi take ^ n good / weavers belonging to those | hkt Bad reduced ; One , in particular , had . promised to take as toany as 100 « nd ordered hig gervantV before Hh © ' delegates , to taW ' oit tb ^ abovefBumb ^ , i P ^^ w ^ ii : ' :. ¦ :. ' ' ¦ . ' . ¦ : ' .- . 1 <^ h ¦ '¦ ¦ ¦' ¦¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ f [ - % ¦' ' ¦ ¦*¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ : aaw »^ BBp ^ c ^ W : V ; -: i > cv ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦; ¦ ¦ ¦ - < - : ¦• : ¦ ^/^^^ ' ^ HfidGOMMITTEE ^ .
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FebRCARY 17 , 1838 . . - THE NOR ^ r ¦ . ; v" .: ¦ '¦' . ¦ ¦ ¦ - ' v 4 tthb ' l l " ' i !''!''"' ' "" " " T" ~~*~~ - —¦——¦ - >^^^ . ^^ i ^ aJuaitMB ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 17, 1838, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct993/page/7/
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