On this page
- Departments (3)
-
Text (13)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
<£n£mal eomgpon&enr^ ^^ Ill iS.iti ^^ ^ fit «. . . ^
-
Untitled Article
-
CHAR-^IST INTELLIGENCE. ( Continued from our second page.)
-
DESTKUCTIVE FIRES.
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
ANALYSIS OF THE HAND-LOOM WEAVERS' REPORT . Lbiteb . TL My last letters -were chiefly xrpon the operation of the Corn Latrs -ana machinery , and I assure you the impression made npon the rabid repealers ia such as to Cause them to write me " divers and sundry challenees to prove , to their satisfaction , the assertions I bare made . I thonght Leech had silenced them , but their dying throes still torment them , and it is to be hoped that they may expire quietly . *^
I haTe shewn you that it is low wages that causes the corn to be thought dear , and that « rn S ^ oTZ SSVKr ^ f-i'i S" b 6 en m " " ««• fOT tte ^* Xl ^« nT ? L tlie ^ " ^ <* the TOTer ef a piece of 6-4 ths 60- s reeds cambric has dropped from 3 si to £ Sr *?*? ^ . increaae of tattan from 19 s . per head Ho In the year 1801 the -wearer could purchase 162 pints of wheat with his wages , com at 115 s . the quarter ; now he can only purchase twelve pints -Kith eorn averaging 60 s . the quarter . When the challengers can explain that away , I will tell them something else equally stubborn .
^ I will now endeavour to shew you the causes © f reduction of wages : in my last letter 1 shewed you that power-looms were the principal cause . I will also advert to the system of abatement practised by employers , which I believe to be a very strong cause of the depression of the hand-loom weavers , and its operation may be easily traced through the evidence of the weavers before the Commissioners . 1 beg to refer you to my first letter { Northern Star , October 24 th ) , where you will find some illustrations of the abatement system . In addition , I will also draw your attention to a few other statements , which will not only strengthen my former opinions , but convince you that the most lusty brawlers for a repeal of the Corn Laws are the most greedy in their abatements upon the
poor weavers - earnings . If it were not libellous , I could same several who scruple not to allow their Jacks-in- office to abate the weaver for supposed faults whilst they are professing at public meetings to wish for a repeal of the Corn Laws , in order that the wages of the weavers might be " improved , " for that is the very word , " improved . " This question involves the questions of " the inefficiency of the Arbritation Act " and the " Competition amongst Masters , " the former , in consequence of the tyrannical exactions and abatements made by unprincipled employers upon the poverty-stricken and spiritless weavers ; and the latter because the competitive system induces manufacturers to practice the abating system , in order to get his work dose lower than hi * neighbour , that he may undersell him the market
m The evidence of Edward Cuiran shows clearly that weavers overmake their work in length , to make up for what abatement * might be made cpon them , which is in fact giving so much over- ! plus labour , and in effect lowers the price of weaving I to the employer ' s profit . There are several modes of ' infringing upon the wages of the weaver besides the common deductions of his wages , and what is termed ' open and legitimate reductions ; such as the effect of i the truck system , introduction of longer warping i bars , giving out long and wider warpa than the I measurement paid for , travelling to and from the warehouse , and waiting for a warp , cane , or chain , ! waiting for shute , making ready for fresh patterns ! i having to pay for twisting in , twining on , winding , I and sometimes dressing warps ; long hours of labour
and consequently more artificial light to pay for ; fire , ! repair of looms , Tent of looms , purchase of looms , de- ductions for lost weight , and loss of colour in silk ; goods , occasioned by bad dying . Each and all of these ] abominable practices are carded on in the silk , woollen , and cotton branches of weATing , and such practices ' Will continue so long as the weaver is not protected by I an honest Legislature , despite of Com Laws , repealed i er nnrepealed . Had there been an honest Legislature , \ the labourer w&uld have found protection ; but he is , in ! the absence of such protection , a prey to domestic ' tyranny of aU sorts , and a slave to his employer . j I believe it to be a fact that the average amount of deductions in the earnings of the weaver , by the above practices , is not less than forty per cent upon the amount earned -, and what is the cause of these
abatements being made ? The paper money system , and competition asi « ngst Boasters . For instance , a manufaetnrer , with a small mill erected upon the banks of a stream , uses water for his moving power : very good r but how does , he get the labour performed ? Cottages are erected for his workmen : truck and Tommy sheps are epened In the neighbouring village , by some overlooker ' s wife , so th » t the workman can get house , rent , and food until th § pay-day , which usually occurs once fortnight , or once a month . The manufacturer keeps dear of the law . against the truck system ; but still he receives a high rent for his cottages , and a p # r centage upon the receipts of truck and Tommy shops , usually paid in the shape . of a Tery high rent , thus causing the truck and Tommy shopkeepers to exact enormous profits upon every article they retail
The manufacturer at length goes to market : offers 4 , 000 pieces of calicoes for sale . The great leviathans of commerce , snch as the Potters , Greggs , Phillips ^ , Cobdens , and Brooks , of Manchester , tall Corn Law repealers , ) know these little manufacturers when they see them ' on Chmnge" and keep aloof from them until the manufacturer has tried the legitimate mode of disposing of his pieces : finding no buyers , he is at last compelled to go to such men as Potter for as offer per piece ; a low price is usually named , which varies according to the dates of the bills given in payment If the manufacturer can be out of his money , he will accept the best priee on the longest bills , but such petty manufacturers are hand-to-mouth men , and must hare money to go home with , so they are compelled
to take the lowest price for cash that is offered him . If he cannot sell them at any price , he consigns them to a pawnbroker , or commission agent , who advances on account of stock—say thirty or forty per cent upon the market price . The manufacturer returns with his little cash , and , to mate up his loss , commences trucking , abating , fining , getting as much done for as little money as possible , and the labourer is the sufferer . Now , these cheap goods get into the market , and bring down the prices , and all for the benefit of free-trade merchants . The hand-loom weaver requiring food , clothing , and shelter , osnot compete with such practices ; consequently , their labour is brought down to a starvation price , and take it they must , sink or swim . Improvements in machinery caose competition , and enable the manufacturers using the improvement to undersell the
hand-loom weaving manufacturer in the markets . Manufacturers dealing largely in paper money , such as bills , bank advances , and accommodation paper , can always compete and undersell those manufacturers whose credit with bank is more limited . The common idea , " as rich as a bank , " enables manufac turers to rpeculate largely with bank paper , and very often these joint stock banks are got up for tha purpose of btaining such facilities . The competitive system has brought thousands to ruin , and the ruin of one gambling , speculating manufacturer has brought thousands of labourers to ruin also . The competition amongst masters have tended more to reduce the waf es of the labourers by compelling them to make up theix losses by abatements , reductions , and Infringements than all the Corn Laws that ever were enacted since the dajs of Nimrod .
It may be said that the Arbitration Act is a protection to the weaver . There is not a single witness examined in the reports , that is of opinion that the Arbitration Act affords any protection . The result of an arbitration may for the present be favourable to the weaver , but a resort to such a step often costs him dear in loss of time , or loss of work altogether . Few weavers have the moral courage to put their employers to that test Abel Kay , silk weaver , states— " The abatements are general . Some masters abate more than others , but they all do so to a great extent I consider I have been abated unjustly occasionally . I have not taken the advantage of the Arbitration Act , because I have nothing to fcaci it If a person did resort to this act he would get no more work , and then what could he do ? - That is the reason why they do not resort to it Besides the weavers want money so badly when they have finished their cuts , that they cannot delay the receipt of it , which they must do if they resort to arbitration . "
Joseph Morgan states— " I was in Manchester about three weeks ago . Another weaver applied to me to arbitrate a cut for him . He had a dispute with his employers They wished t « abate the weaver 2 d . per yard . The set was a 32-thread , and was to be paid S | d . per yard . The weaver declined allowing the abatement The master asked him before me , if he would not stand the 2 d . per yard , what would he stand ? He said he would arbitrate . The master chose his own putter-out a 3 his arbitrator . We did not agree . The master ' s arbitrator proposed to reduce a penny a yard . I would not agree , and it was referred to a magistrate , and a farthing a jard was abated . The Arbitration Act is not worth a straw to the weaver . "
Samuel Bamford , Middleton , states— " A weaver requested me to act as arbitrator for him in a disputed ease . The price was 3 ^ d . per yard : the master pro - posed to deduct 2 jd- Be named a manufacturer as his arbitrator . We looked the cut over . He proposed an abatement of 2 d . a yard , which was £ d less than the employer proposed- I refused them ; and proposed another firm as umpires , or consent to an abatement of Id . They looked it over , and consented to an abate ment of Id ., instead of 2 J ., which will show the reek-Jess manner in which it is attempted to take the weavers * wages from them .
Robert Howarth , ef Middleton , states—" I am n ireaver on a machina . I am on a 30 figured Gros de Naples . It is paid 6 d . per yard—length 95 yards ; Width 19 inches . I have been on it nine weeks . I am a journeyman , and pay the master 3 d . in the Is . It takes me generally eight weeks , because the materials are so bad : if they were good I could do it in four or five weeks . When » y last job was finished the employer proposed to abate me 4 £ d . per yard for loss of coleur . It bad lost colour in parts of it It was black and laTender colour . I refused to BUbmit to it , and proposed arbitration . They agreed to abate 3 d . per yard—one half the price of weaving . I was obliged to gabmit to that reduction . Part of the colour was lost from the weather . The total abatement was £ 1 3 s . 3 d ., and gave me but 6 s . i $ ., which , with one yard of cloth cat off , and valued at 3 s . ( Jd ., waa all I had for my eight weeks' work , "
Untitled Article
Now , be it observed , the fault was not in the weaver , But in the looseness of the colour and the delicacy of the tmts . TkU kind of abatement is very hard upon the weaver ; to also the following from loss of weight : — James Kenyon , silk weaver , states— "About a fortnight ago I was in a silk warehouse in Manchester , and l . heard the manufacturer say to another person , ' With respect to light coloured silks , you can Taring them about twenty-one or twenty . two ounces ( to the pound ) , and the blacks you can bring twenty-four . ' These , when weighed out to the weavers , would be expected to be brought back the same weight , or deductions made In a pound of this sort of silk , tha weaver wouldhave 12 oz . of silk and 4 os . of the superficial stuff put in by the dyer . Whatever proportion of the latter flew off in the weaving , ( and a good deal would do so ) would diminish the weight , and the weaver would be deducted for that amount of silk . "
John Ashbridge Huddard states— " My employer told me that if they did not abate their weavers , they could not compete with other masters who did , as they were underselling them in the market I have mentioned this . to shew that a manufacturer can not be honest , if he will , and compete with others . " Mr . Richard Boardman , of Middleton , states " Subjects of dispute between weavers and employers are matters of common occurrence . They arise principally on accsunt of abatements ; thsy are very common in the trade . I do not think the present Arbitration Act affords the weavers the protection they requira . " I could quote hundreds of opinions to show the effect produced upon the wages of the weavers , from this j abating and arbitrating system , but of all the tyranny I
have yet discovered nothing is so gross as the following case : —A Londonderry manufacturer gives out a ticket with every warp , in which is stated a variety of conditions on which the weaver is to perform the work : a nominal wage of 17 s . is offered , " with a premium of 5 s . if prime . " The web when finished is to be taken to Mr . John Simpson , near Newtownlimavady , for his examination and opinion as to what ought to be paid by the manufacturer to the weaver , and from whose decision no appeal shall be made . Mark the exact words : — •« This web when woven to be left entirely to Mr . John Simpson , for ascertaining the quantity of yarn , both warp and weftand the
i ; wages to be paid without appealing from whatever decision he may make . " Now , Mr . John Simpson is the putter-out and servant of the employer , besides being arbitrator . He also exacts sureties from the weaver before he will deliver out a warp . But this is Ireland . In Carlisle it is customary to deduct a shilling from the price of the cut under the pretext of avoiding disputes ; and if a weaver ' s cut pleases the employer tke Is . is given to him in the shape af a premium . One nameless manufacturer in Carlisle very modestly puts upon his tickets , " No wages promised . Weaving paid according to the manner in which the work is executed . " at that
^ ow you ouce rceive the system of ib&tementa carried on in so many ways , openly and covertly , has a powerful effect in bringing down the wages of the weavers ; and that competition amongst masters is one great cause of the abating system . I nave slightly touched upon the competitive system in order to connect them together ; but , in my next letter , I -will show you how the competitive system works amongst the manufacturers , aud how its effects are developed in the great reductions of wages , which I oppose to the fallacious doctrines of the Corn Law repealers . The evils of the track system are so well known that I neednot enter into the details at present Let it be distinctly understood that I am not opposed to a repeal of the Corn Laws ; I tm only opposed to the reckless manner in which anti-Corn Law agitators profess to repeal them , without a corresponding repeal of taxation soasto benefit the whole community . R . J . Richabdson .
Untitled Article
TO THE EDITOR OF THE GLOBE . SlB , —In an article in your paper of last evening , you have connected Chartism with Jacobinism , and both with Thnggism . In the recklessness of its assumption—the exaggeration of its expression—the affectation of its style—and the dogmatism of its assertion , I recognise the pen of one whom I have met in early life , and who has been lately honoured with a seat in the Cabinet Had he when at Cambridge duly valued the accuracy of mathematical demonstration , he would ntt now have found it necessary to veil the shallowness of his reasoning in the drapery of fantastic language . He would have learned that * paradox is not an argument , neither is declamation proof . The princip les of Chartism have no more to say to the fire at Birmingham , than the Reform Bill had , to the burning ef Bristol
Universal Suffrage , I uphold , not as a Protestantnot as a Dissenter—not as a Se « tarian—but as a Christian—as a reverent adorer of Christ , and being too well read in his history , not to know that they who deny the right of universal adult male suffrage , would have disfranchised him on his own earth and made his voluntary poverty the cause * of his degradation . Universal Suffrage is indeed the principle on which the Government of his Church hinges . Witness Peter calling upon the registered disciples to vote for the person whom they would choose to fill the vacancy made in the sacred College of Apostles by the suicide of Judas .
Whatever qualification might have been daemed requisite fer the candidates , in the limitation that obliged them to be such as had accompanied Jesus from the first , there was no restriction whatsoever as to the electors . Again , on the memorable occasion of disputes arising as to the distribution to be made among the widows , the Apostles , on suggesting that a new order of officers should be constituted , threw open their election to the vote of all indiscriminately . This , Sir , was the practice also in the age immediately succeeding , and the consent of the people is mentioned by Clemens Romanus , as essentially requi site to give validity to ecclesiastical appointments .
I lift therefore the standard of the cross , and beneath that banner -will proclaim , -with the voice of truth , the sacredness of the right of Universal Ad « lt Male Suffrage . I am , Sir , &c , Canuleics , Tribune of the People . 24 th November . 1 S 40 .
Untitled Article
do theirs . If many of the working men hstfnofr-bwin so apathetic as to need violent language to rouse them it wonld not have been used , and then the Government would net have had a pretence , and durst not lave laid hold of the speakers , who lost thoir liberty by attempting to regain freedom for . others , and thus instead of helping their friends , have become the objects for their support or sympathy . This would nothave'been had a quiet course of enlightenment , and a restraining , rather than an exciting , power been all that was required . Some faint hearts had deserted the plough after they had put their hands to it ; others looked back , instead of vigorously pushing forward . Some turned traitors with this poor excuse , viz . that the zeal of others had outrun discretion , and ' disgusted them . These thin-skinned self-considerers left a good cause for the faults of ipdividuals instead of setting them a better example . But the cause ia not lost ; it is more prosperous than ever , and persecution has
winnowed the chaff from the corn . . No odium will long stick on those who do not incur it by their own conduct Like dirt that is cast , it soon drieB , and may be rubbed off , or will fall off of its own accord . 40 . What advice would you give to the people now ? r I would advise them to enrol themselves as members of all Chartist associations , whether they be tempeiance , co-opeTative store , chapel , school , tract , < fcc . and , that they may be the better enabled to do this , I would advise them to renounce all their other engagements , that are not of a decided Cbartist complexion , and to reserve all their spare time and money for this most humane , patriotic , and necessary purpose . Depend upon it they will find their account in it in the
end . Let them work out their salvation both here and hereafter by it ; and not " with fear and trembling , " as too many of them do , who Beek their rights with as much diffidence as though they were seeking something wrong ; but with a bold and an honest front . They ought to glory in the name of Chartist , as much as in the name of Christian , which was equally a name of reproach when it first started up . The Charter is every Briton ' s birthright , and , if it were not so , taxation gives him a right to it Universal Suffrage , and Annual Parliaments , prevailed in Saxon times ; they were abolished by the Norman Conqueror , who iutroduced the eudal law of lords and vassivls ; but are we always to be governed like a conquered and an enslaved people ? The feudal law was abolished in the reign of Charles
2 nd ; why should feudal customs yet prevail ? Vote by Ballot is of foreign extraction ; but has been naturalised by use here . The other points are genuine English ; indigenous to the soil ; and though ploughed down by fact ions , must spring again . Payment of Members only fell into-desuetude when Parliamentary bribery came up ; and property qualifications were fixed that " from him that had nothing might be taken , even that which he had , and given to him that has too much already . " Property qualiacations are a kind of letters of attorney , or letters of marque , that the aristocracy , in the name of the people , or of Government
, may plunder the country for themselves . How long will the people give their suffrage to those that make them suffer ; how long will they be duped into slaves and victims ? Arise , working men ! or be for ever fallen . Tou , who work so well for others , can't you do a little for yourselves ? You have a task set you ; the easiest of any . You have but to will it , and it is done . Serve yourselves , and save your country . An hour might free you from life-long slavery . You never had such a chance ; now , then , or never ! God calls you to free yourselves from tyrant slavery . Be not the slaves of yourselves , nor of others . Be virtuous and be free . J . W .
Untitled Article
^ TO THE EDITOB OP THE NORTHERN STAR . Sib ., —Knowing how far and wide are diffused the moral and political principles which are inculcated in the columns of the Northern Star , and knowing the deference with which its pages are referred to , I am anxious to correct , or to endeavour to correct , what I think to b « an erroneous notion which appeared in the Star of last week . I allude , Sir , to that portion of the report of Dr . M'DoualTs lecture at Greenock , where these words oecur : — " What he contended for was , that since the majority of the people have been deprived of their inheritance in the soil , they should have a fully remunerative price for their labour , as a compensation for that loss . "
Had this emanated from the pen of some mercenary scribe , it might have passed without arresting attention ; but escaping the lips of a tried friend of the people , it becomes necessary to point out its erroneousness . And this is rendered palpable , I think , by a mere statement of the case implied by the above quotation . Firstly , the people have been robbed of their just inheritance in the soil ; and , secondly , and , as u sequenoe te this , they have been robbed of a very great portion of the full value of their labour . Here , then , are two cases of gross injustice , which bear a close relationskip to each other ; for , in the first place , the people have been deprived of the raw material , the land , which , whether the Scriptures affirm it or not , reason , and therefore God , declares to be their inalienable right ; secondly , they have been denuded of those articles which their skill and industry have wrought from that raw material .
But what does Dr . M'Douall propose as a remedy for this ? Does he propose that the raw material shall be restored to them ; that henoeforth the people may manufacture it for their own purposes and advantages ? No , this is only a contingency , depending upon the want of success in obtaining the wrought articles . To use a figure , which ia applicable to my purpose , and which wDl render the subject easy of comprehension , I would Bay that " John Bull , " having been deprived of his coat and waistcoat , Dr . M'Douall would have the latter restored as a compensation for withholding the
first , and , as a means of remedying those cramps and rheumatisms , and other physical evils , of which his nudity has been the cause . When reverting to first principles of human rights , care should be taken not to miBtify such important considerations . Dr . M'Douall asks , where are the title-deeds of those who claim proprietorship in the land ? I echo the inquiry ; and echo replies , where the tribunal that shall award the " COMPENSATION ? " Where ? Why in the determination of an intelligent people resolved no longer to to telerate rapine and tyranny .
My ofcject being to correct that which I deemed an error , these remarks will , I trust , be ascribed to no other intention . Hoping you will pardon my intrusion upon your valuable time , I am , Sir , Yours , respectfully , Thomas Iheland . London , 9 , Evangelist-court , Broadway , Blackfriarss , Nov . 3 , 1840 . [ The above is the letter referred to in a recent note to Correspondents . It was intended for insertion at the peried of its date , but lutelaid . —Ed . 1
Untitled Article
i JULIAN HAKNEY IN THE NORTH . TO THE EDITOB OF IBB HOETHERK STAR . Sir , —On Friday , November 13 th , I left Aberdeen , on my Northern trip , and r " Sic a day to tak the road in , Sure ne'er puir sinner was abroad in . " . Wind , rain , and hail commingled to render the tramp r of the " wandering demagogue" anything but pleasant ; i to cut short a long story , I reached Ellon ( sixteen miles > from Aberdeen ) about six o'clock in the evening , wet 9 to the skin , both body and temper being in a most 1 awfully bedevilled condition . - .
Ellon is a very nest of Tory bigotry and ignorance ; yet I here fennd two individuals who , amidst the genetal corruption , dared to maintain the mind , thus showing themselves worthy of the form of men ; they shall be nameless , for otherwise their political usefulness would be destroyed , and personal ruin would be their lot I found that an in-door place of meeting was not to be obtained , and an out-doo ? meeting in the then state of the weather was out of the question . The weather , next morning , was equally stormy as the preceding day , but cleared up a little towards the gloaming . My friends , anxious for an address , suggested that a meeting should be attempted in the Square , or Market Place . I assented , though not exactly in fit trim for an open-air meeting , having recently been confined to my apartment at Aberdeen , for eight days , with illness , which , though severe
while it continued , did not , thank God , last long . A drum was procured , and sent through the Village , summoning the meeting , which took place at eight o ' clock , and , considering the small number of inhabitants , was well attended . I addressed the assembly for about three-quarters of an hour , and all passed off quietly , no thanks to the " respectables , " . some of whom had concoeted a row , threatening to serve me as Stephen was treated of old . A certain cripple , ( a merchant by profession ) well known for his beastly habits of daily drunkenness , was at the head of this worthy gang . Somehow they had got to know , before the meeting , that I would have on my side some of the rough workies , wha would not scruple to show " physical force , " if need be . This had the effect of cooling the courage of the Tory profit-mongers , who , deeming " discretion the better part of valour , " kindly ( for their own sakes ) let me alone .
I left with my Ellon fnends a considerable number of the tract " What is a Chartist ? - they undertaking to send copies to the Established Church and Dissenting Ministers of the parish , likewise to the lairds and farmers of the neighbourhood ; a course of good work I recommend the friends of Democracy in in every other locality to adopt Sunday , November 15 th , at mid-day , I left Ellon . The weather was fine . After a walk of sixteen miles , I reached Peterhead , a sea-port town of Aberdeenshire . Monday , 16 th , addressed a meeting in Catto's Hall , in the Market Place , The hall was crowded , and the audience attentive . The subject of my address was " The degraded state and horrible condition of the working classes , " in which I unveiled the abject misery of the agricultural and manufacturing labourers of England , particularly the condition of the hand-loom
Untitled Article
wearers ^ f Lancashire and Cumberland . I shewed the condition of the Irian peasantry ; and , lastly , the state of the working classes of Seqtiand , proving the necessity of some great change . Tuesday , 17 th . addressed a second meeting in the same place . Subject—•• Colonial and Foreign Affairs " exposing the atrocities of British rule In India ex plamiug : the grievances of the Canadians , and concluding with a description and denuncia . tion of the crimes and horrors of war . ¦ u iv « W . ednesday ' l 8 th > in tne same place , addressed a third meeting . Subject- " The remedy for SteuS distress and degradation , " reviewing the ( schemes of gorn Law repeal , education , and emigration . Lastly I explained the principle of Universal Suffrage , shewing that the People's Charter was the only efficient
This ended my labours inPeterhead . I had expected some opposition from the anti-Corn Law schemers but met with none . I . caused the circulation of about a hundred copies of the tract before apoken of , which I doubt not will be productive of considerable good . Having communicated ^^ Frazerburgh , and learning that no place of meeting could be procured , I was forced to abandon the intention of going there as the S ^ son of year and state of weather rendered impossible a meeting in the open air . mpusaiuie Thursday , November 19 th , left Peterhead ; and after a walk of eighteen miles reached NewPitsligo . 20 th
Friday , , addressed a meeting in the Hall Pitsligo . Extreme poverty appears to be the lot of but too many of the inhabitants of this place . There are a considerable number of weavers in the village , the average of whose wage ia from seven to nine shillines per week : they are probably better off than the mass of field and road labourers . The miserable hovels dignified with the name of houses , may be regarded as a sure index of the state of their inhabitants . Saturday , 21 st , reached New Byth , four miles from Pitsligo ; here I ; remained till Monday , endeavouring to obtain a place of meeting , but in vain . The like cause prevented me holding meetings at Strechin and Germand . Had it been the summer season , despite of lairds and shop « ciats , I would ( as Marat once said ) " have preached truth from a wood-pile , " but the evening's darkness and wintry weather were difficulties not to be surmounted . On the afternoon of Monday , I left New Byth for Turriff , a walk of seven milea . My read lay over a wild hilly country— '
" Through the muirs , among the heather , " and I reached my destination by the gloaming . Wednesday , November 25 th .. —The " glorioua news " reached Turriff that our " lovely , interesting , and beautiful little Queen" had given birth to a Princess Royal . Well , the Baillie , determined that the Turriffonians should , as dutiful subjects , display their loyalty , for thwith betook him round the village , begging bawbee ' s to purchase powder , that the " hoarse thunder of the cannon's mouth" might announce the " auspicious event" to the joy-distracted lieges ; poor indeed was the collection of the " rent" and , as a-matter of course , very limited were the discharges of the great ( pop ) guns . But the Baillie , like a philosopher as he is consoled himself with the reflection , that" Tis not for mortals to command success , But then they may do more , they may deserve it "
And so , Mr . Editor , another burden is added to the load , and some £ 10 * 000 a-year will be readily voted by the " faithful Commons" in the ensuing session for the Bupport of the royal bantling . Oh ye gods ! And poor wretches , subsisting in English Bastllea upon fifteen-pence-halfpenny per week , or famishing upon Scotch Poor Law relief at the rate of from one shilling to three skilling per year ! ( vide the parish of Criech , Sutherlandshire , ) { . e . something less than threefarthings a week ! are called upon to throw up thei caps , and shout " God save the Qneen , " and thank heaven that another of the royal brood is born to fatten on their toil .
" When man ' s maturer nature shall disdain The playthings of its childhood , kingly glare Shall cease to dazzle , its authority Shall silently pass by . The gorgeous throne Shall stand unnoticed in the regal hall , Fast falling to decay . And falsehood ' s trade Shall be as hateful and unprofitable As that of truth is now . " The same evening ( Wednesday ) I addressed a meeting in the Town ' s Hall . In the course of my address I did not forget to give his high mightiness the Baillie that dressing which I considered his exuberant loyalty bo justly entitled him to .
Thursday , Nov . 26 th , I visited Creminstown , six miles from Turriff . Not a place of meeting could be gotten , in spite of every exertion on the part of friends to the cause ; though in the village is one of the best halls in the country . The Tory laird is one of the most despotic of tyrants , and bears a character in the neighbourhood truly detestable . After much fruitless labour , a miserable shed was at length obtained , where I addressed a meeting , which , though not strong in numbers , were in general good men . An old seaman , who has " braved the battle and the brefcze , " was chief of the true hearts I found here , and is one of the best fellows I ever met with . The greater part » f the population are weavers , who , though poor enough , appear to be better off than their brethren of the Bame class upon the southern side of the border .
At Pitsligo , Byth , Turriff , and Creminston , I have got circulated a considerable number of the tract " What is a Chartist ? " and this , with the formation of clubs for the purchase and reading of the Northern Star , wbich I am labouring to establish , will , I hope , do more good than if I were to talk to the " folk" for a moHtho' Sundays . Two or three words I had to say upon certain matters must be deferred until my next . George Julian Harnet . Turriff , Nov . 28 , 1840 .
Untitled Article
BIRMINGHAM . RULES , REGULATIONS , AND OBJECTS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR SECURING THE RETURN , TO THEIR NATIVE LAND , OF MESSRs ! FROST , WILLIAMS , AND JONES . JUSTICE ! JUSTICE ! ! JUSTICE ! !! These documents show , that John Frest , Esq ., late magistrate of Newport , in the county of Monmouth , Mr . Zephaniah Williams , licenced victualler and farmer , in the county aforesaid , and Mr . William Jones , watchmaker and jeweller , of Pontypool , in the county aforesaid ( in November , 1839 ) with many other persons , were arrested under a charge of high treason , examined before certain persons , ( on certain worthless characters' oaths ) and be it remembered , that all the parties concerned in examining and committing for the aflair of treason were of different political opinions . And the greatest cruelty of all—these men made an application to the Ministers for a special
commission to try the prisoners , and as a consequence , the men were tried too soon , amid the worst prejudices , created for party purposes ; to say nothing of the expense attending such proceedings , all to the detriment of character and life of any individual—as the usual course of the law would have been fully sufficient And even the law of high treason does not apply to the people of the present day , nor are the statutes themselves a constitutional proceeding , but have been framed to Jt « ep down the powerful and ambitious of the old nobility , and their factions in times gone by . To show the virulent manner in which persecution has been heaped upon those unfortunate men , look at the whole proceedings of party politics , in and around Newport , for years past , towards the classes
working , and those who have assisted that class with their advice or counsel ; and among those do yon find Messrs . Frost , Williams , and Jones ]? The great and unconvicted rebels are the large ironmastera and their tools ; and the Chartist ' s principle agrees not with the robbing truck system . These iniquitous proceedings produced the unlawful assemblage of persons in and around Newport What ! Frost , Williams , and Jones traitors ! No ; no ; the system itself will make more traitors than there are hairs on the heads of those victims : 'tia fraught with terror and mischief . Let any man who loves justice , ask himself what meant the blasphemous sermon preached at Monmouth before the Grand Jury and the Judges ? Why , it shows what a state priesthood will do to shed the blood of men with whom they differ . Had these victims been as intent to have detroyed life or property as their persecutors , there was no power or military array to have prevented them .
We , the committee , believe that much will be traced to the Home Office , or their instigators , and feel confident the men will return . We also know that these men had arrayed against them the public Treasurythe Ministers—the Home Office squad—their local tyrants , the Priesthood—the landed gentry—the unpaid Magistracy—the Lawyers—the ! Judged dictators —the old constitutional officers , the Sheriffs , were all against them . The whole powei of the public press , wbich is in the pay of the adverse party , was used against them . As we have it in our hands , we are determined to do justice to the great principles we advocate , by generally defending Chartists from cruelty and injustice . We here proclaim that the men who have been incarcerated , exiled , and treated in the most cruel manner , by the tyranny of those who usurp power , are punished as an example to the unrepresented millions to scare them from the great principles of the Charter .
The committee , in its concluding defence of the exiles and Chartist victims , are of opinion that the indictments have not been sustained , nor was trial by jury carried out on principle ; the farcical nonsense will not be tolerated ; the illegal convietion of Frost , Williams , and Jones , with others tried at the same commission , and the indecent transportation and the inattention paid to the recommendation of the jury to mercy by our governors will never be forgiven by the thinking people of this country . These and other fatal errors of the Executive Government , and the infatuation of the enemies of Reform , are fast bringing about a crisis that no power can stem . We hail it ! We welcome it ! We decree the return of the captives , and freedom to slaves !
Untitled Article
The following Address waspublished by the Birmingham Committee , in the "Northern Star , " "Northern Liberator , " and " ScottishPatriot " : — TO THE LEADING CHARTISTS AND FRIENDS OF JUSTICE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND . FELLOW-Gitizens , —We , the Committee of Birmingham , acting in behalf of Messrs . Frost , Williams , and Jones ; address you In the pure spirit of the greatest principles propounded by man , that is , universal justice to all men . We ask your co-operation to secure the return of those exiles" from the land of their
birth , which should be the home of the free and happy , where sheuld exist no equality—but , alas ! starving misery and woe is the lot of the great majority of the misrepresented people of this country . The patriots and exiles we have resolved shall yet return . The professions of the men of Birmingham have that object , and it must be gained—Universal Suffrage was the demand two yeara ago—Frost , Williams , and Jones shall not be the victims in silence , nor their families remain in sorrow and despair . Justice must be done to all men ; and the Chartists stand as convicts until their
return . Every city , town , and borough must have its committee to use its influence with its mock representatives . Get up petitions and fUnds to carry out to its greatest extent public sympathy on their behalf—unceasingly too—until their return ia sure : let every committee sit publicly , and the committee-men be the speakers at such public meetings . Thousands , and tens of thousands , will be converted to your principles that now remain aloof , or in Ignorance of your object , both ! rich and poor , without any political creed , without any particular hope , and without anticipating any change .
The Committee have every hope of their fellowtownsmen and townswomen . Their fellow-countrymen and countrywomen are alike interested for a change of condition and political regeneratipii . We say then to each sluggish city , town , or borough , form committees for to secure the return of Frost , Williams , and Jones ; raise your funds forthwith ; ana be ready with us to apply it to so worthy an object Welshmen ! up and do your part ; Scotland ! go on with us ; England ! do your duty ; Birmingham ! yeur £ 100 get ready—it is but a mite among you . Let every useful man in Birmingham join the Committee , or find a friend to do so . Collectors ! come forth ; Subscribers ! give each your share ; then petitions in thousands will roll up your recorded opinions ; and with such a fund you can command the services of the best men in your country .
To conclude : the committee are desirous of obtaining all information on this subject from every corner of the land , and such information of any individuals or public bodies can give as to the feelings of the people on this important subject , to be directed to W . H . C-, care of our respected treasurer , Mr . James Guest , Steelhouselane , Birmingham . By order of the Committee , W . H . Cotton , \ T , . „ T . P . Green , / Joint Secretaries . Resolved—1 st . —That the following are the objects of this Committee , viz .: —To secure the return of Messrs . Frost , Williams , and Jones by every lawful means in their power , and to make provision for their families ; also , to advocate the principles of the People ' s Charter , by co-operating with every other organised body in the country .
2 . —Mode of raising funds . That the foregoing be the ultimate and principal objects of this Committee , aud to carry them into effect , this Committee will give general instruction to any committee formed throughout the country , and supply such committees with petition sheets , headings , && , and account for every item in our monthly report to every ether committee throughout the country on one uniform and general principle . 3 rd . —That ft general subscription be raised in the town of Birmingham , and individual subscriptions from all parts of the country , to be accounted for the
same as from committees , by a balance sheet monthly showing receipts and expenditure , &c , all monies for the Committee to be sent to Mr . James Guest , Steelhouse-lane , as treasurer , for the General Committee of Birmingham , until £ 100 be raised , then to be banked in the name of three trustees , to be approved of at public meeting , and so on with every £ 100 in succession , fer the whole gross amount that will be raised for the object . And all amounts as a surplus in hand , on the return of the exiles , to be equally divided between the respective individuals .
4 th . That every committee formed in union with the general committee of Birmingham , do secure the presentation of their respective petitions by and and through their member or Members of Parliament , or such as will present them . Keep their own accounts , and remit such sums to this committee as they think proper , and use every means in their power to be effectual in their locality and districts , by holding weekly meetings of their committees , and a public meeting to adopt every separate form of petition , &c . ROLES TO BE OBSERVED AT THE PUBLIC WEEKLY MEETINGS OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE OF BIRMINGHAM .
1 st That the general committee do consist of an unlimited number of members known as friends of freedom . That , at all weekly meetings of this committee , the chair be taken at half-past seven o ' clock , to carry out the foregoing objects , and every committee-man , whether honorary or otherwise , be eligible to that office ; also , that no other person be allowed to address the meeting , except the standing orders of committee be first suspended , or the business of committee concluded , nor shall the Chairman allow any interruption to take place at such meetings .
2 nd . That the first duty of the Chairman at all meetngs of committee , be to call on the Secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting ; these being confirmed , then the amount of cash received , with all the accounts of monies expended on account of committee ; next , all correspondence be read and disposed of ; further , proper books be provided and called by the following names : —cash book , minute book , correspondence book ; and , if necessary , a fit and proper person to bold each book ; and for any amount of subscriptions or donations paid to this committee , a printed receipt be given by the Secretaries , or their names signed in the general collecting books issued by this committee , and any defaulters in respect to monies in connection With this commintee being proved , the same to be made public
« $ ra . inat at all meetings of this committee , the language used by the speakers be respectful to each otker , and on no account any proceedings be entertained that is unlawful ; lastly , should any persons obtain leave of the Chairman to address any meeting , the Chairman shall secure them a fair hearing In every respect the same as if a member of this committee . The following resolution is to be proposed by our friends at every public meeting for whatever purpose called throughout the land , the result to be communicated to us by post : — Resolved , " That this meeting do individually and collectively demand the restoration of Messrs . Frost , Williams , and Jones ; also , that this meeting do hereby give their hearty co-operation to the general committee of Birmingham for that desirable object . By order of the Committee , W . H . COTTON , ) o T . P . Green , } Secretaries . James Guest , Steelbouse-lane , Treasurer , Where all communications are to be addressed . Nov . 3 d , 1840 .
Untitled Article
NOTTINGHAM . —Midland Counties Delegate Meeting and Missionary Tour . —Mr . Mason will lecture iathe ensuing week at the following plaoes , viz .: —On Monday evening , November 30 th , at LoughboroHgh ; on Tuesday , at Nottingham ; ou Wodnesday , at Arnold ; on Thursday , at Mansfield ; and on Saturday , at Sutton-in-Ashfield . The next delegate meeting will be held on Monday , the 14 th day of December , at the Ship Inn , Ford-street , Derby , at eleven o ' clock in the forenoon . At the usual weekly meeting , held in the Democratic Chapel , on Monday evening , Nov . 36 th , the following resolution was carried unanimously : —Proposed by
Mr . Marriott , and seconded by Mr . Thorpe , "That ( the thanks of thie meeting are justly due , and are hereby given , to Messrs . Dover and Hewitt , for their noble conduct , in unmasking the hypocrites at the late anti-slavery meeting held at Norwich . " The late Council then made a statement , relative to the progress of the movement , and the state of the finances , which gave the greatest satisfaction . The following gentlemen were then appointed on the Council for the next three monthB , viz .: —Messrs . J . Bostock , Jonathan Barber , John Wright , William Stanford , Henry Marriott , Cornelius Fowkes , Richard Hawkin , John Brammer , and William Dudley .
Untitled Article
About a quarter-past four o ' clock , on Sunday morning , and during the prevalence of one of the densest fogB with which the metropolis has yet been visited , a most destructive and calamitous fire broke out in the premises of Mr . Beazley , baker , Rotherhithe-wall , Rotherhithe-street , and which we regret to state burned through into Rotherhithe-street before it was extingished , consuming property to the amount of some thousands . From the inquiries made upon the spot , it appears that as police constable No . 21 , of the M division , was passing down Rotherhithc-wall , his attention was attracted by a strong smell of fire , at the same time it was totally impossible to ascertain whence the scent came from . Upon his reaching the premises of Mr . Beazley ,
lie discovered that a fierce fire was raging in the lower part of the house . He instantly alarmed the family , who fortunately effected their escape from the upper part of the house . The fire extended with a fearful rapidity , but owing to the dense state of the atmosphere the flames were scarcely visible , nor could they be seen in the adjoining streets . Messengers were instantly despatched to the various fire-stations , but the fog , which prevented the inhabitants from discovering the extent as well as the direction of the flames , operated against the firemen . The first engine which reached the place was the brigade engine situated at Rotherhithe , followed by those from Morgan ' s-lane , Southw&rk-bridge-road , the West of England , and the Waterloo-road engines . Although in addition to the usual lights connected with the engines the men provided themselves with torches , they had great difficulty
Untitled Article
i ^ in proceeding to the scene of destruction , the density of the fog repeatedly extinguishing the torches ; at the same time it was found impossible to run the engines . At length it was deemed advisable to get down , and in several instances the men and engines walked to the fire . The consequence was a considerable loss at time was" sustained , and when they arrived the fire had obtained such a hold as to render for some time all hopes of extinguishing it out of the question . The floatingengine from Rotherhithe , although but a comparatively short distance from the scene of destruction , was from the same cause an unusual length of time in being rowed down . By this time the entire premises and stock of Mr . Beazley presented one heap of ruins , while the adjoining premises of Mr . Cross , an extensive
ship chandler , and those of Mr . Farr , shipwright , were one mass of flames . When the engines were , set to work , it was found there existed a great want ' of * . water , and it was with great difficulty that any of them could begot to play . Had it not been for the float , " which contains three engines , and each of which upon the present occasion was worked separately , the entire neighbourhood must have fallen a prey to the devouring element . After considerable delay the land engines got to work , and by seven o ' clock they succeeded in stopping the -further progress of the flames . The premises of Messrs Cross and Far suffered the same fate as those of Mr . Beaz ' ey , while the rear of the following houses-in Rotherhithe-street sustained considerable damage , the Dover public-house , and those of Mr : Field , Mr . Adams , and Mr Eylos . At one time great ftara
were entertained for these houses , as a great portion of the fronts Was destroyed . Mr . Braid wood , with the Watling-street aud the more distant engines , at a later hour reached the spot , and contributed in a great measure in extinguishing the fire . A strong body of police , under the direction of inspectors Hornsby and Brindley , of the M division , were early on the spot , and rendered material assistance to the firemen and inhabitants . Providentially not a single accident occurred , although upwards of sixty men went off shore to the float . This may be principally attributed to the Thames-police efficers , four boats of that establishment attending , and thus preventing the men from going to and fro from the float . How the fire occurred is at present'Unknown . The following is the official return of the property destroyed and damaged , as well as the offices in which the insurances were
effected;rotheuhithe-wall . Mr . Beazley , in whose house the fire originated—the stock , furniture , and building completely consumed , the latter insured in the Licensed Victuallers , and tha furniture , fee , in the Imperial fire-office . Mr . T . W . Cross—totally destroyed ; stock and furniture in the Phoenix ; building , Licensed Victuallers . Mr . Farr—totally destroyed ; the Btock , furniture , and building insured in the Imperial .
ROTHERHITHE-STREET . Mr . Eyles , No . 373—house , stock , aud furniture damaged . Uninsured . Mr . Adams , No . 874 , cheesemonger—the house sustained considerable damage , as well as the stock . The building insured in the London Assurance Company , the rest in the Imperial . Mr . D . Field , surgeon , No . 375—the front of the house damaged , and a very large portion of the furniture and stock destroyed by removal . The building insured in the Alliance , and the stock in the British . Mr . Thompson , Dover Castle public-bouse—the house , stock , and furniture in the Licensed Victuallers' Company . At ten o ' clock , nearly the who ! e of the engines and firemea left the scene of destruction . In the course of the day avast number of people visited the spot
Between eight and nine o ' clock on Satnrday night a destructive fire broke out in the residence of M . Da Breuneo , professor of music , Solomons-terrace , St . George's-in-the-East At the time the fire was dis « covered the whole of the inmates were out , and the devouring element had obtained a considerable hold when the flames were seen to burst forth . The police were soon on the spot , and in a short time the several engines from the various London fire stations and the West of England arrived . Althongh a good supply of water was obtained , the fire burned with such fury as to render it impossible to save either the house or furniture . Owing to the exertions of the firemen and others , the adjoining houses were saved , the damage done to them being of a trifling description . No account of the origin of the fire could be obtained .
Untitled Article
Bastile and Gaol Dietary . —The following remarks on workhouse and jail dietaries are from the pen of Mr . Bower , of Bridgewater , and which have been inserted in a daily journal : —These Commissioners say , that their dietary , prohibitions , and restrictions " have been held up to the public as odious and tyrannical , and have led those who opposed the law to stigmatise the workhouse as a bastile , and the dietary as a slow process of stai vation . " Ia bringing the enormities of this system before the public , 1 have used , and shall again have to use , some of these terms , such as " pest-house , " " starvation diet , " " killing the poor , " &c . If these terms should in your judgment be fairly applicable
then I call upon you to exercise your constitutional privileges , in rescuing our unfortunate brethren from starvation , pestilence , and premature death . To prevent cavil as much as possible , I Bhall take the statement ^ of the Poor Law Commissioners themselves , as It appears in the 30 th page of that report , in which they so pathetically plead to be continued in office . In attempting to prove those persons in error who have " stigmatised the dietary as a slow process of starvation , ' the Commissioners have given the following table as their dietary for an able-bodied man , and have annexed the price to each article . Estimated weekly cost of maintaining an ablebodied man as in Table No . 1 : —
Weight Price per lb . Total , oz . d . 8 . d . Bread . 84 2 e 10 £ Meat 15 5 J 0 6 t Cheese ... .... 8 5 0 2 i Potatoes ; .. 24 0 $ 0 0 | Suetpudding 14 2 0 If Total 145 1 8 jJ Broth , 9 pints ; gruel , 10 J pints , id . per pint 0 4 j Such is the official document which is to refute those persons " who stigmatise the dietary as a slow process of starvation ! " Twenty ounces and a fraction of solid food per day for an able-bodied man , with a mess of gruel , charged at one farthing a pint , and which may perhaps be worth a farthing a pint as a substitute for Glauber salts , but as an article of food is certainly not worth a farthing a hogshead . The Commissioners , who receive £ 2 , 000 a year from the people , tell you that 2 s . l ^ d . per week will purchase a more ample diet " than the hard-working labourer with a family could accomplish for himself by his
own exertions . If this be really the state of the question in the highest taxed country on the face of the earth , should you hot seriously ask yourselves why you are so ground down by the Whigs and Conservatives ? Is this twenty-ounce dietary , for an able-bodied man , a slow process of starvation , or is it not . This is the question to be solved . The fourth report of the Inspectors of prisons , appointed under the provisions of an act of the late King , contains an elaborate . account of the General Penitentiary at Millbank . The following is there gjven as the weekly allowance of food : — "Diet table for adult male prisoners—Bread , 184 ounces ; meat , 20 ditto ; cheese , 4 ditto ; potatoes , 80 ditto ; onions , 4 ditto ; total , 292 ditto . Broth , 4 b pints ; gruel , 11 ditto . " The
articles of diet are nearly the same as those in tha Poor Law Commissioners' table , with the exception of fourteen ounces of union-house pudding , which being valued by the Commissioners at 2 d . per lb ., the price of bread may be classed with that article . Here , then , you see that the convicted felon has 292 ounces of solid food weekly assigned to him at the expence of the country whose laws he has outraged , while the poor hard-working labourer who cannot . obtain work , is cut down to 145 ounces , being somewhat less than half the quantity which is given to the felon . Is this a starvation diet ? The felon in the Penitentiary has 292 ounces of solid food weekly , at the expence of the labouring classes ; the labourer in the Union
House , who cannot find employment , has 145 ounces . The dietary in the Penitentiary was formerly even somewhat more liberal than the table which hag been quoted ; but under the direction of the managing Committee , " a more reduced scale was adopted . " This reduction in the dietary was followed by prostration of strength , scurvy , and diarrhoea , to an alarming and fatal degree . In a short time , 448 persons out of about 858 were affected , and a general consternation prevailed in the establishment , and among those public officers in whose department the Penitenharxwas held to be . The opinion of the College of Physicians was taken on the subject , the most distinguished medical assistance procured , and a Parliamentary Committee appointed
to investigate and report . An immense massof medical and other evidence was taken , attributing the disease to " insufficiency of nourishment . " The Committee expressed "the entire concurrence in that opinion , " fortified by the fact , that the prisoners employed in the kitchen , and those who could obtain extra diet , escaped the disease , \ 'A more liberal dietary was adopted , when the disease gave way , but not until a vast number of persons had been carried off , and the constitutions of the rest materially impaired . The dietary table of the Penitentiary was not a speculative matter of caprice
or extravagance , which might safely be reduced one-half at the arbitrary , discretion of the Poor Law Commissioners .. Like the laws of Dracoevery line of it was written in blood . The political economists of the Penitentiary who conducted these experiments , having ascertained the minimum of nourishment , arranged their dietary on the fatal experience which they had obtained j and now come the political economists s > f Somerset-house , with their establishment of £ 50 , 000 a year , who at one fell swoop cut down the allowance of the hardworking labourer to one-half the quantity which ia given to the convicted felon [—Dispatch .
≪£N£Mal Eomgpon&Enr^ ^^ Ill Is.Iti ^^ ^ Fit «. . . ^
< £ n £ mal eomgpon&enr ^ ^^ Ill iS . iti ^^ ^ fit « . . . ^
Untitled Article
?—QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RELATIVE TO CHARTISM . ( Concluded from No . 156 . J 30 . A repeal of the Corn Laws and the Ballot would but put weapons into the bands of Ihe middle classes ? Just so ; and , without the Charter , the working classes wonld not have so much as a shield to defend themselves with . 31 . But -would cot the aristocracy have more reason than the "working men to dread the increased power and impunity of the middle classes ? Xo ; the middle classes aspire to become 'aristocrats themselves , and would keep down the humbler classes oat of a vulgar spite against their own origin . The higher classes are more friendly than the middle Classes to the lower classes .
32 . What is the best method of testing the sincerity © f thase professions which the middle classes sometimes make in favour of the working classes ? Asi them to coalesce for the Charter . S 3 . What ani-wer would those selfish and arrogant classes probably return ? Tou are not fit to be entrnsted with the care of your own interests , much less with the interests of the com munity . Tou deserve neither the franchise nor food Tou are only fit to work , and bawl , and fight , as your betters direct If we cannot get a repeal of the Coin Laws witheut giving you the franchise , we will do without it , and see which can hold out longest We had rather that the aristocracy kept their power and used it -worse than they have done , if that be possible , than take it from them to give to you . Tou are too ignorant and corrupt to be anything b ut slaves .
34 . Certainly , as the archangel Michael said of the devil , the Whigs can beat you at railing ; insolence and abuse is all their answer to your claims and arguments ; and do they not -wilfully overlook the limitations to the Suffrage in the Charter when they charge the Chartists with ignorance and corruption ? Tea : an educational and moral qualification is substituted in the place of the present property qualification , which does not provide against ignorance and immorality ; and , besides , their own remedy for corruption , the Ballot , is made a point ; chiefly , too , with a view to conciliate the perverse and prejudiced Whigs ; for the honest working men would not want it 35 . Has it had the desired effect ? No : nothing will conciliate them but necessity which makes the " auld wife" trot—they will ding to the system as l » ng as there is a leaf leftr—for they are too indolent , or malignant , to prefer an honest to a dishonest mode of livelihood .
3 € . Can the working classes get the Charter without the aid of the middle classes ? Tes ; by determined union and exclusive dealing , whichi indeed , would soon reduce them to their ranks . * 37 . Is physical force lawful and expedient ? It is always lawful in a just cause ; but only expedient when moral means have failed . 38 . Have not all moral means been already tried ? Oh , no ; only a few , and those but partially—instruction is the first step , and the distribution of tracts , one of its principal agents , has been strangely neglected . 39 . What has chiefly retarded Universal Snfirage ? Not so much the opposition it has had to encounter
¦ without , as the want of unanimity and zeal within . Cowardice , which springs from ignorance ; prejudice , which springs from envy and jealousy ; but , above all , the want of self-denial in vicious indulgences have greatly injured the cause . Until the people become so enthusiastic as to sacrifice bad habits , by which a double evil ensues , not only the further increase of their own weakness , but of the strength of their enemies—until the people are prepared to put up with austerities for the sake of freedom , they will never obtain it , nor will they deserve it—they will only sacrifice their leaders , up » n whom all the odium and the persecution chiefly falls . Many of the good Chartistg bave been cast into prisen for doing their duty , and because those who alone deserve to suffer did not
Char-^Ist Intelligence. ( Continued From Our Second Page.)
CHAR- ^ IST INTELLIGENCE . ( Continued from our second page . )
Destkuctive Fires.
DESTKUCTIVE FIRES .
Untitled Article
— THE NORTHERN STAR . ~ " ¦ ' J
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 5, 1840, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2713/page/7/
-