On this page
- Departments (5)
- Adverts (7)
-
Text (13)
-
4 THE NORTHERN STAR. ^ ^^^^^^ J^^u ^
-
tUKAP AXD 0TA9T9ARD W»«KS Novo ftiViding in KvsM One Ptn*y «*•
-
£(* £orw$M>ottlfettt$$
-
Our Correspondents will oblige us greatl...
-
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS AND THE TRADE.
-
Star Office, 16, Great Windmill Street, ...
-
THE NORTHERN STIR SATURDAY, MAKCII 0, 1859.
-
THE DERBY MINISTRY AND ITS OPPONENTS. 'A...
-
REVIVAL OF THE LEAGUE. ' The folly of to...
-
THE HOLMFIRTH DEVASTATION. ' Supply aud ...
-
SfraW Ettiettignwe,
-
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES. ....
-
MR. DTJNCOMBE'S RESIGNATION OF THBi'| PR...
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.
4 The Northern Star. ^ ^^^^^^ J^^U ^
4 THE NORTHERN STAR . ^ ^^^^^^ J ^^ u ^
Tukap Axd 0ta9t9ard W»«Ks Novo Ftividing In Kvsm One Ptn*Y «*•
tUKAP AXD 0 TA 9 T 9 ARD W »« KS Novo ftiViding in KvsM One Ptn * y «*•
Ad00413
lit SW . ESD 1 DLY UXUilBATeUL-THK L . KT « . * ro m ^ S 3 SS £ SS » S S 5 S ; sK *? -- ' 5 1 AMiKTIVE'S TRAVELS in the D .-lv land : with coloured rron ^ S ' a " Ti . t . and nunier ^ other plate .. , tiip HILGKIM " 5 PROGKKSS-compfcte edition ; with COb ^ trlfepkcfl Ki . d numenms otner plates , « THE TlUALS OF LOVE , or Woman ' s Rewwd , l > y Hannah whi . Wirs - awle of mirpa $ s 5 nS interest With a superbly en-^ eVi >< « rt * i > ie <* »« 'd Tide , aud ether plates . Sixteen targe laget in tack I'tirngSumbtr . 5 -THE P KOGKESS OF CRIME , or Memoirs of Maria Manning , ananti"W ' arvaive of the Berraowisej Horrors . With a superblj we r-ired F « nf : fpiere and Tide , and other plates . ' Sixteen large page >» « " <* Penr , y * v « nl 6 «' -
Ad00414
Jnst 2 > uMi » h < -d by ItlCIIARUNOX AND ! lO ! V , 137 , Fleet-street , London ; 9 . Capel-street . Dublin ; audi Derbr * PE 1 CE SIX SHILLINGS , —SEST BT FOST FCK SIXPENCE BttBA . TIL E DUBLIN REVIEW , So . 62 , Janu < it , 1852 .
Ad00415
BERANGEil ! KOSCIDSZKO ! tip Sos . 1 and 2 of the 'Friend of the People , ' which , owing to the axten ive demand , have been out of print daring the last fortnight , arenotr in cour-e of bei « g nepaisreo , au : will be ready tor delivery to the Trad- with No 6 . Agents will oblige by giving their orders itnmediat-Iy . A new aud handsome Show-Bill will be ready for issue next week ,
Ad00416
CE NTRAL CO-OPERATIVE AGENCY , Instituted under Trust , to counteract the system of Adulterathra and Fraud now prevailing iu Trade , and to promote the princip ' e of Co-operative Associations . Trustees—Edtrard Vansiltart A ' eale , Esq ., ( founder ot the Institution ); and Thomas Hughes , Eso ., ( one of the contributors ) . Commercial Firm—Lechevaher , Woodin , Jones , and Co . Central Establishment—76 , Charlotte-street , Fitzroy-square , London . Branch Establishments—35 , Great Marylebone-street , Portlandplace , London -. andlS . Swau-street , Manchester . The Agency intends hereafter to undertake the execution of all rdeis for any kind of articles or pr duce , their operations for the present are restricted to Groceries , Italian Articles , French Wines and Brandies . A Catalogue has just been published , containing a detailed list of all artic es with the retail prices affixed , with remarks on adulteration . Price 64 ., or sent free by post for ten stump * . Also a wholesale price list for Co-operative Stores gratis , or by post for one tamo .
Ad00417
IilPOBTAKT SOCIALIST PUBLICATI ONS . KOBEKT OWENS JOTJ & H . aX > . THIS JOURNAL ( Published weekly , price Osb Tbsst , and ia monthlv parts , price Fourpbcs ) , Explains the means by which the population oi the world may be placed within new and vsry superior circumstances , and provided « ith constant b-nefidal employment , and thereby enabled to enjoy comfort and abundance , and great social advantages ; and the direct means by which this change may be effected with benefit to all classes .
Ad00418
CSRttAT HATWXAL STANDARD THEATRE Opposite the Eastern Counties Railway , Shorcditch . THE LARGEST AXDMOST ELEGANT THEATRE IN LONDON
Ad00419
QIjEEiVS THEATRE . SOIE LESSEE—MB . C . J . JiMES . Unparalleled attraction ! Three Dramas every even ' ng ! First weekofaXaurical Drama of powerfully-wroug ht interest , and full Of the mostitflrtlinff situations , introducing a scene of a novel and peculiar description , showing at one time the upper deck , gun-room , between decks , and cockpit , or hold ol a vessel at sea , during au engagement , and the grand effect of a Sinking Ship . Second week of the Dream of Doom . ON MONDAY , and during the week , the Skeleton of the V ave ; or , the Ocean Spirit . Characters by Messrs . Ureen , Burford , Dean , AHen . Randall , \ Y . Pa-laps , Bigwood ; Mesdames J . Parry Rivers , C . Gibson . „ After which the Dream of Doom . Hugo , Mr . E . Green ; Mary , Queen of Scots , Mrs . J . Parry . To conclude with the Bittern Swawp ; or , ihe Rontr ' * Bride . Miles Bettertnn , Mr . E . Green , Lawrence Glennon , Mr . Burford ; Magog . Mr . Dean ; Bobby , Mr . Bigwood ; Alice , Mrs . J . Parry ; Bella , Mi « s Rivers . On WEDNESDAY , a change of performances , for the Benefit of Mr . Macarthy .
£(* £Orw$M≫Ottlfettt$$
£ (* £ orw $ M > ottlfettt $$
Our Correspondents Will Oblige Us Greatl...
Our Correspondents will oblige us greatly by attending to the fol lowing general instructions : — The e .-irlier we can receive their communications in the week , tlce more certain they are of being inserted . This is the case especially with letters upon general subjects intended for tbe columns set apart for "Free Correspondence . ' Reports of proceedings of Chprtist Bodies , Trades , and Co-operative Societii S . ic , should be forwarded immediately after their occurrence . By this means a glut of matter is avoided at the latter end of the neck , and consequent curtailment or non insertion . Reports should consist of a plain statement of facts . All communications intended for publication should be written on one side of the p .. per only , and addressed to tbe Editor .
Joseph Rouse , Heckmondwike . —fney would be of no immediate use . Assistance , to be effectual , must be speedy . W . B ., Buckhaven . —The lith of February . W . P ., Lamnripg . —Received . We have received letters from Messrs . Shaw and Bezer , stating , that in consequence of sentiments expressed by Mr . Holyoake at the recent Reform Conference , they are induced to tender their resignation as members of the Executive Council . In tha event of hu resigning , they will retain their seats until the debt is paid . A . Jose * , Bath . —Your communication is inadraissable in the pages of a public journal .
Notice To Subscribers And The Trade.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS AND THE TRADE .
Star Office, 16, Great Windmill Street, ...
Star Office , 16 , Great Windmill Street , March 6 tb , 1852 . The Proprietors of The Star beg to intimate to Subscribers and tbe Trade , that in future it will be Published by Mr . James Bezeb , 183 , Fleet Street , instead of Mr . Pavev , Holywell Street . Country Newsvendors who receive their suppl y t h r o ug h Town Agents and not direct from this Office , will please to remember this change in sending their orders in future .
The Northern Stir Saturday, Makcii 0, 1859.
THE NORTHERN STIR SATURDAY , MAKCII 0 , 1859 .
The Derby Ministry And Its Opponents. 'A...
THE DERBY MINISTRY AND ITS OPPONENTS . 'A plague on both jour houses . ' It seems that tbe ministry of the Earl of Derby ; is not to be allowed breathing time—not the slightest law is to be given them . Forced into office , not so much by their own desire as by the incompetency of their predecessors , and the incapability of any other party to form a cabinet , the moment they appear officially upon the Treasury benches they are to be set upon and hunted down . That is the policy of the party opposed to them , and it is to be ruthlessly carried out . However peaceabl y i nc l ined t h e y may b e , th e y are to be driven to fight ; however well disposed they may really feel to let their old policy be forgotten for
a time—perhaps for ever—they are not to have the chance . The privilege of silence , even , is to be denied them . They are to bo refused the opportunity of not carrying their opinions into practice . Will they , nill they—tied they mast bo to Protection . Their adversaries will nofciare it otherwise . If they are not inclined to do wrong they must be compelled to do it For them there is to be no opportunity of repentance ; no political absolution ; no interval of thought can be vouchsafed to them . They must throw off at the moment their own party , without gaining another ; office is to be tabooed to them , if they confess their political faith , and denied to them if they abjure it .
To this end the old Anti-Corn Law League is to have a resurrection , we would say rather is resucirated . The meeting at Manchester the other day , is a proof both of the readiness and the power of tho monied classes , of whom it is mainl y composed . The £ 27 . 500 subcribers in twenty-five minutes , is the evidence of their wealth and promptness , and the speeches show their anxiety to raise again tbeir old war cry . But those speeches show something more than that—they shew a little inconsistency , which leads as to suspect that at the bottom there is a motive for all this stir and bustle , not to be avowed . Take the speech of Mr . Cobden for example . The great apostle of free trade in corn , when we come to
compare one sentence with another , contradicts himself marvellously . He say * that Free Trade ie in danger , and that Protection is dead ; that the Cabinet are anxious to reimpose a duty on corn , and exceedingly desirous to get rid of their former pledges altogether . How thosedifferent moods of mind— -those diverging phases of thought , can co-exist in the minds of the same men , is a puzzle which we are unable to comprehend—a riddle onl y t o be s o l v ed b y the clever politician who asserts it to be so . The truth , we suspect , Iiessomewhatdeeper thanthts . If the Free Traders have any faith in their own oft reiterated professions and assertions , they must be assured that there is not
the slightest danger of a reversal of their policy . If , as they have told us over and over again , the pauperism of the country has been perm a n e ntl y d e cre a sed the pressure of the national burdens li ghtened , the commerce of the country increased , the gains of the peop le augment ed , and the price of the necessaries of life lowered , is there any danger that tbe people wil consent to apostacise from the doctrines which have heaped upon them so many blessings ? Is there any need of subscribing thousands to defend it ? Is there any obligation upon them to slay the slain over again ? Is there any necessity to refi ght " a lon g a g o won battle ? Is it incumbent in them to pour forth of hlets
a deluge pamp , to maintain what everybody maintains ; and to equip an army of lecturers to convince those who are alread y convinced ? Surel y n o t The best aud strongest fortification behind which Free Trade can outreach itself , is the gol de n opini o ns it has won from all classes of men ; and so Ions as Lord Derby says what he does say , and what we suppose he must continue to say , th a t in thi s m a tter he will be guided b y the o p inion of the people , and abide by its expression , those who believe Free Tmde to bewhat they assert it to be— the greatest of all political and social benefits-may assure themselves of its safety . Why , then a » tJrfa meeting , and subscribing , and agitating ? Why this tatjng of possible , but improbaWeevils b
, y tbe forelock ? Why this meeting of trouble more than half way ? Several causes may be assigned ; one , for instance , is a rooted personal dislike to the membersof the present Cabinet ; another , the diverting the attention " o f tbe l o wer orders from troublesome notionsofa Franchise tooextended to suit ftfl of the P , at 0 ^ y . There may be some truth SKf ITT b f ima g ™ that the people wiiite slow to endorse them . There have been some s . amficant signs of this at the Conferenceof the ParliamentaryEeform Association . The absence of Cobmur and his more immediate allies , has excited no little remark ho less noteworth y i s the decl a ration j George Dawson that he should be sorry to see he woolsack turned into a cotton-bag . The cheers too wluchsjreeted a del egate from Westminster , we
The Derby Ministry And Its Opponents. 'A...
think , when he said that Mr . Cobden on the mere question of Corn Law Reform would not meet tbe same support in London as he did before , meant something . If the principles of Freo Trade are in danger , and the pe o p le are to como to the rescue , . th e y mu s t have greater political liberty th a n th e Whi gs aud the Manchester men appear to be willing to give them . Unless Mr . Cobpen is willing to enlarge tho constituen c y , the ' revivified' League ought and will command but a small shareofpublic sympathy .
Let us suppose that this onslaught upon the Derby Ministry should succeed , what would be its result ? That is a question worth considering . The country must have a Government of some kind ; and if the Tories were to go out , who would come in ? We do not see how Lord Palmerston could form a Cabinet , at least such a one as would command the confidence of the country . In order to get one together at all , he w oul d h a v e to inclu d e i n it men w h o are liberal in nothing but their adherence to the Freo Trade measure , and who are in all other respects adverse to progress . The Manchester School are in no better plight , and even if thoy were , we are much disposed to think
that , at the present moment , they would be more inimical to the real interests of the people than ever Lord DERBY and his colleagues can bet Just WW , when great industrial questions are rising up—when disputes , involving the relations and the interests of emp l o yers a nd e mp loyed , are rife among us , manufacturers would be most dangerous Legislators . With them iu power we should have more stringent laws against combination , and enactments to pat Labour more completely under the foot of Capital , th a n it is now , Firmly as we believe that Free Trade cannot
be reversed—confidently as we look to its extensioncertain as we are that an attempt to destroy it would inaugurate a fearful strife , we yet are impressed with tbe conviction , that a Cabinet which should re-enact Protection would not drive the masses of the country so near to the verge of insurrection , as the Commercialists seated in Downing-atreet , carrying out their cold-blooded political economy , treating men as tbe creatures of the laws of supply and demand , and subordinating all great moral requirements to mere considerations of profit and loss .
For these reasons , 'little as wo like the principles of the old Tory party , widely as we diverge from them in our ideas of popular rights , yet viewing our position as one presenting only a choice of evils , we are inclined to deprec ; ite mere factious opposition , and to advocate tho policy of giving the Earl of Derby and his party a fair trial . Come what will , we shall not , this Session , have political Reform . Neither Whigs nor Manchester men can ensure us that . So far as that is concerned , this year may be added to the many which have been lost . Even if Lord John had remained in power he never meant his supplementary Reform Bill to . become law . As it is , we
stand a far better chance of getting a measure of Social Reform . The fetid atmosphere oi the Court of Chancory is more likely to be cleared , and we hear a promise is already g iven t o t a ke up t h e que s tion of partnership , and to deal with it in such a way as to ffive fair play to the commercial efforts of working men . If we gain that , we shall have made a great advance , and meanwhile there would be more time and opportunity for political organisation . The Whigs , in opposition , will be , as they always have been , far more useful than in office . The middle
classes may be forced into a closer and fairer alliance with the workers . Moderate Reformers will be pushed a step or two forward , and with a party in power who have some defined and recognised principles of government , who , unl ik e the s hift y , vacillating , expediency-mongering Whigs , will say what they mean ; great questions will be placed in a stronger light—efforts will not be delayed upon the faith of deceptive promises , and the people , o nce roused , the great problems of the age will be nearer a satisfactory
solution-Let us not , then , co u ntenance a ny o p position for the mere sake of opposition . Let us not waste our strength to bring back the Whigs . Let us beware of being made the tools of interested factionaries and class legislators . Let us prepare and husband our strength until we see what the Derby Ministry really mean to do . If they seek to enslave the people , we shall be able to deal with them ; if taught by past experience , we are inclined to act fairly . We may as well be ruled by them till tbe people are ready to claim their own " , as b y a ny ot her s ection of either the aristocracy or the plutocracy .
Revival Of The League. ' The Folly Of To...
REVIVAL OF THE LEAGUE . ' The folly of to-day is the wisdom of to-morrow . ' When the Chartists in the early stages of the Anti-Corn Law League agitation , attended meetings and proposed amendments to the effect that the first and most important reform was a reform in Parliament , t hey w ere denoun c e d as hi re d a gent s of the Tories , as common pests and nuisances , and as ignor . nit
fanatical disturbers of Constitutional Meetings , held by peaceable , orderly , and enlightened people , who knew far better what they were about than 'the rubble rout' who advocated' the People ' s Charter . ' ' The whirligig of Time brings round strange revenges . ' The League triumphed and reposed under its laurels . Protection has vanquished once and for ever . It might occasionally make a convulsive strugg le to re g ain it s lost posi t i o n , but t ha t was simply impossible . Manchester had infused fresh
blood into the county constituencies by the creation of a new batch of 40 s . f r eeh o l d ers ; ' the Manchester School' counted securely on the £ 10 voters in the large towns , to perpetuate its predominance . What necessity was there for any reform ? To Household Suffragists—Universal Suffragests , their answer was in effect the same— 'We are very well off , thank you . We don ' t see any reason for organic changes in the constitution of Parliament , or if you w ill insi s t up o n it , be moderate in your demands . Form Freehold Land Societies , subscribe your monies , and purchase county votes , —that is the tfUC Way to achieve your political independence , without troublin g Parliament about it . '
Latterly , in d eed , the dream of Manchester has been troubled aud changed somewhat . It has been made uneasy by visions of Tory l a ndl o r d s o n the Treasury benches , where they thoug ht su c h sp ec tr e s never would arise to push Free Traders from their seats again . Under , the influence of these visions , they tardil y b e g a n t o mutter a bout r es i de ntial and rating suffrages , a nd s undry o ther m a tt e rs co nn ec ted with representative reform ; b ut st i ll it was l i ke m e n talking in their sleep . They were , in fact , dreaming . The Derby Cabinet bos thoroug hl y awakened them
and now their recognised organ , the * Daily News , ' admits , in fact , that the Chartists were right ten years ago . The Leaguers were then warned that there w a s no sec urity or guarantee for the p e rm a nen ce of any change in favour of the masses , unless it was preceded by such a large and substantial extension of political power as would give the people the power of managing their own affairs . The warning was nothecded , and they who offered it were contemned and abused . Let us hear the sequel from the mouthpiece of the Free Traders : —
JlllT ^ , . . ? ou » tf J' [••«¦• ^ eag-jej agreed tacitly to adjourn neen settled . It 184 G the law was changed , and we were told ri . af InS ^ iiHi ** work n m n to cheap bread was „ m ed i rev r S & 'JS & mm thaa & Ve yea " have 8 ' mce <*» P"d , « SS . The government in the hands of men pledged beyond doubt to impose a tax on the working man in order to taketaw . off the die man-to fleece the poor for the avowed benefi t of the rich And when we look round for arms wherewith to defend ouv-selvesaeainst £ 2 L ^ ? « T nt lar ' aiordi 9 m . ^ find that iu G latSta not one man m five has a vote to make use of , and lainS one man in ten . Yet we are gravely warned attaint Si constitutional arms , or what is equally eSflTour SZ constitutional shield of the ballot ? *' thKvhStoT "S . ' ™ us never a P itt mke the 0 , 59 , ake of d ™ l 5 tilings by halves . Had the country been aware of its dauirer thra SS 2 & rt W 0 U H . imisted 0 nth « ballot and a L ^ SSon of the suffrage , which would hav » render ^ « , « u „ . ^ SL ;!" . ?"
sjstcm ot food monopoly vain . Henceforward we are told that Reform and Free Trade are inseparable . ' Tho Manchester School ' has become aware of the fact , aud admits , howe v er re l uctantl y , that the one is indispensable to tbe maintenance of the other . The ' Dail y News ' s a y s the r eal question tho nat i on has n o w t o ask is : — nf «?^ l f we to hold on sufferance the right to have enoueh of food to eat a t an untaxed price . And if the , ontiniudfce ofS f * £ of , "" tigs is felt to be intolerable , then it behovesX 2 Z mtberealm , who values peace , order , and JZ SS
»„ a i „ l M made 8 afe B a , ( 19 t an «« tenvpt to take from the artisan * and labourer one . lmlf his children ' s bread , so Ion * aTthrspEF . of one House of Parliament and nearly VtumtUv ^ n ^ S ^ sistsofmen who have a direct interest in the success of ^ i " ' attempt There is but one certain way of raakSL ZZ ? ?" tabhshment of the ballot . . Jr 4 ncmse at" » * e es The mercantile and manufacturing classes are ex hored to look this new state of a # ai rs inlfecet time . They have hitherto reposed in a sort of Fool ' s rarauiBe , ^ d imagined they could keep , what they
Revival Of The League. ' The Folly Of To...
had got without the aid 0 f the pe o p le . They now find they are mistaken , aud are told by their own organ : — At the head of the industrious masses they will be irresistible and speedily triumphant ; as a separate and isolated interestafraid to identify themselves with the ens side , and ashamed to make common cause with the other-r-thoy wi 11 fin < 110 their cast that they will in tho same hour have cheated themselves of popularity and power . We must admit , however , that there is a discrepan c y between the policy of the Free Traders , as
expounded in their dail y j o urnals , and that pursued by their leaders in practice . Instead of uniting with the Suffrage Reformers , for the earnest aud vigorous prosecution of an agitation for the political enfranchisement of the peop le , and the destruction of the political supremacy of a territorial oligarchy , th e l a tter re v iv e the League , and subscribe tens of thousands for the renewal of the old war between landlord and mill , lord . Why is this ? Is it because both of . t h em f ear the consequences of a real Parliamentary Reform , and wish , whatever may be their squabbles among themselves , to exclude the masses from all participation in
political power ? , , The fo l l y of such conduct , as well as its shortsightedness , is so so well exposed by the 'Daily Isews that it is needless for us to add anything on that point . But when we tee the League leadersselecting the very day for resuscitating that body which had been long , fixed beforehand for the holding of a Conference in London to consider the best means of promoting Parliamentary Ref o rm , the matter assumes an extremel y su s p icious appearance . t # There was certainl y nothing in the professed ow \ w * of Messrs . Cobden , Bright , and Gibson , which should have prevented them from appearing on the same platform with Messrs . Hume , Fox , Thompson , and this weekand
Sir J . Wautsley , at St . Martin ' s Hall , , next Monday , or Tuesday , or Wednesday , or Thursday , would have done quite as well for re organising the League . By dividing the middle class Parliamentary Reformers in this manner , th e y o f c o urse not onl y weaken their influence , but deprive them of resources ; a nd th e y p lay over again the same game which has placed them in their present predicament . They do not strike at tbe root of the evil . They are either afraid or unwilling to take the bull by the horns . Instead of that , the old machinery of monster subscrip . tions , an army of lecturers and professional agitators , a nd t o ns of tracts , are once more to be resorted to for the purpose of raising an outcry to frig hten tho Tories .
But what if the Tories will not be frightened ? What if they say , ' for six years you Free Traders have been content with the composition of Parliament , and assumed , because you were a majority , that you represented the people ? We have appealed to the country , and got a majority in favour of Protection , and it won't do for you now to repudiate the decision of the electoral constituencies , as not fairly representing the voice of the nation on this question . Would not Lord Derbi and his friends be justified , by the legal fictions of the far-famed ' English Constitution' iu giving such an answer to the League ? Far better will it be for Mr . Cobden and his friends
to grapple with the whole question at this crisis in a manful and straightforward spirit . They may depend upon it they will never be able to rouse the nation on a mere question between tho landlords on the one side , and the commercial classes on the other . Cheap bread is a very excellent thing , but it is not so precious or important as a free , full , and fair representation of the people in Parliament . The people are , as the 'Daily News' says , sick of doing things by halves . The next national movement will be for a radical , not a surface Reform ; the very continuance of which is constantly threatened by theinsecuro foundations on which all popular liberties rest , so long as the r e pr e sent a tiv e s y s t e m con tinu e s in its pres e nt corrupt , anomalous , and unjust condition ,
The Holmfirth Devastation. ' Supply Aud ...
THE HOLMFIRTH DEVASTATION . ' Supply aud demand . ' 'Buy in the cheapest and sell in the dearest market , ' comprise the law and the gospel of modern society . ' Every man for himself , and the Devil take the hindmost , ' is the command which has superseded 'Thou shult love thy neighbour as thyself . ' Have not Adam Smith and his disciples made a new revelation to mankind , which displaces both tho commands enunciated by Moses , and the law of social life—the brotherhood of men
promulgated by Christ ? The great principle of societarian progress and welfare is compendiousl y summed np in the dogma , that when each individual is doing the best he can for himself , ho is necessarily doing the best that can be done at the same time for tho community at large . This is the doctrine which in a thousand ways meets us at every turn . It constitutes the staple of speeches in Parliament ; it is tbe foundation , argument , illustration , aud peroration of countless leaders iu newspapers , diurnal and weekly . It is the philosophy and the declamation which has possession of hustings and platforms . The worship of the golden calf has its formulary in two cabalistic words , 'let alone . '
We are accustomed to wonder at the stupidity with which savages or heathens prostrate themselves before hideous idols ; or , in obedience to brutal and degrading superstitions , submit to robbery , torture , and even voluntary destruction . To an English mind it is almost incomprehensible how the devotees of Juggernaut can lay themselves coolly down in order to be crushed by the chariot wheels of the idol . Yet we have our Juggernaut at home , and in spite of the destruction of health , property , life , « nd morality , which its worship entails upon the nation , wo blindly and bigotedly cling to it .
Can there be a better illustration of this fact , than the devastation which has recently l a id H o lmfir t h valley waste ? The mere destruction of pr o perty is estimated a t t he v e ry l o we s t at £ 25 0 , 000 . According to tho evidence of tho engineer , it could have been prevented by tho expenditure of £ 12 10 s ., or two hundred and fifty shillings ? Why was it not ? Becaime the reservoir did not pay a dividend ! The proprietors , after having obtained power to embank the opening in the hills at tho top of the dale—which , if
lef t in it s n a tur a l stat e , would have allowed the water to flow off gra d uall y—did not realise the expected profits , and therefore neglected to take any p r ecaution to avert the inevitable consequ e n ces of the giving way of that embankment . They first dammed up the waters , and then let them loose with all the fury of a cataract uuon the doomed diitrict . Mills , and dying houses ,, and steam engines , were swept away like straws by the terrible element—houses , b arns , f a rmyards , horses , and cattle disappeared hefore the destructive inundation . One hundred lives
—in some instances including whole families—were sacrificed , and scarcel y a co tt a g e left stan d ing in the dale thatis not at this moment the scene of sorrow and lamentation , in consequence of the bereavement of relations . While , by the total destruction , or serious injury , and consequent stoppages , of twenty-one mills , operations are suspended , and ten thousand persons are at present idle , without work and wages , at a time when they are surrounded by a combination of calamities , almost without a parallel in this country . And all this mig ht have be en prevented by an
outlay of two hundred and fifty shillings' That sum would have g iren tim e t o g e t to tho re a l ca us e o f the mischief , and stop it there , That cause was tho radical unsoundness of the embankment itself . It had been made by contract-of coarse as ' cheap' as possible . A spring was allowed to well through the groun d the ' puddling ' was inefficient , and the foundation was graduall y , but surel y and steadily , undermined ; the pipe or funnel by which the superabundant waters were to . flow off was made too weak for the work it had to do , and got twisted and usoIgbs .
raiuatives for this radical defect were proposed , but never executed Tho thing did not pay ! Tho directom went to loggerheads , t he man lef t a s drawer , ' go t n o wag e s , nobod y came to see him or the hT'Tl GIther ' so he lefc the lak ° accumulate behind the rotten embankment at the head of the doomed valley . The clerks could not get their salaries , the managers could not get any profits , me anair did not succeed in a pecuniary sensethere wai no dividend-no lucre to be got out of the Wh
concern . y , then , should a nybod y care about it ? At last came the deluge , the destruction of life , the devastation of a whole district , even to the swe ep in g ot human bodies and pr o perty out to th e distant number and the sea ; and for all this there is no help , no redress , no punishment . It is all according to Cockeb and M'Cuxloch . The managers acted on the supreme and acknowled ged principle of ' supplv and demand . ' They let the works to the cheapest contractors ; the contractors having shaved their estimates as close as they could io got the job , shaved
The Holmfirth Devastation. ' Supply Aud ...
the works too closely also in order to geT » T ^ s out of it ; the works , thus ori ginally < L > , ' ' j ^ ' a ll o wed t o g o to r ac k and ruin b y ail eorf ^ ' V t h em , because they were unprofitable , 4 ^ » f . lv done to prevent , ' what is called by a bi ( j e "S \ sion of words , ' the accident' which ever ^ N * saw , until at last tha waters burst their hft 5 ' % body , and spread death , ruin , and desolii * * 1 b . fore them . " ^ ulh 1 But for this great crime against the first of society , for these murders , this wholesal ^' ih % tion of property , the l a w off e rs n o r e d r ess ^ S no punishment . The poor starving i ^ M ® taught , uncared for , demoralised by W ' vicious companions and contaminating ^^ i
who picks a pocket of a handkerchief , or rnl ! ° i a few shillings , is sent to the hulks or n ? ° N colony—the murderer , infuriated b y d rink o r N who destroys a single victim , is hung u j 8 a ! oil ! t gallows . But corporations who murder JL ? ^ w hen they do n 't get a profit , who won ' t exl , H two hundred and fifty shillings to prevent a ^ tion which destroyed one hundred lives «• ^ the extent of at least a quarter of a million . ^ f '^ out of work tea thousand persons , escape ml ** It has long been said that corporations !) c ! H souls . ' It now appears that they are also / ^ bodies . At all events the coroner ' s i ' Wl S puzzled to find a corpus delicti ; for they aL ^ * ' verdict' We regret that the reservoir iJL > B Mi tut
, H "»"' " » .. c . v . c ,, * , ,, , reservoir , heir , * 7 ' the management of a corporation , prevents r > bringing in a verdict of manslaughter an " < convinced that the gross and nnln « . M « ' ? . an < convinced that the gross and culpabl nceli flri
e * . ' the Commissioners would have subjected i ? ^ ' c h a verdict , had they been in the position ^ ' private individual or a firm . ' of * l T h is , we s uppos e , will be accepted by fllaa ( , I cat e s o f the m er e tr a ding interests , and the 1 trading philosophy of the day , as a glorious trii over the anarchical socialistic doctrines which cate the duty of society to appl y th e ' science " 2 capital , labour , and intelligence , at its disposnl f the protection , security , welfare , and progress of ' ft community at large . ^ Well , perhaps we are very stupid—perhaps f 1 may be ' anarchical' and ' red republican , ' in thiol /'' so ; but we must confess that we should rather dJ '
the' anarchy' of socialism to the ' or d er ' of' aLi and demand / and the Gospel according to St . H Per Cent . We think that such ' order , ' and ft ! doctrine which produces it , are quite on a p « \\ i the superstitions which make men worship imugfj rf clay , and cast themselves underneath idol airsfe ; . crushed to pieces . The sooner legislators and mL discover ' there are more things in heaven nnd eM th a n a re d rea med of in the philosophy of % Manchester School , ' the better for both rulers m ruled .
Sfraw Ettiettignwe,
SfraW Ettiettignwe ,
National Association Of United Trades. ....
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES . . "jfiat : JUSTniA . " "If it were possible for the working classes , by coaibiciv among themselves , to raise , or keep up the general vals o wages , it need hardly lie said that this would be a thin ? notto ' -i punished , but to be welcomed and rejoiced at . "—Stoast Jliti , "
W e h a d b e en i n hopes th a t we sh o ul d this w e e k have been enabled to have congratulated our mem . bors and friends upon the liberation of Messrs . Greea and Peel from their uomerited imprisonment ; because , as we announced , the prosecutors , havino- 4 tained their order for an attachment against tho five defendants , we , good naturedly , coaxed ourselves ictj the belief that it was just possible that the prosfcators' thirst for revenge would have been satisfied wtUi
the imprisonment their victims had alread y . suffered and that they would not have carried out the orfe they had thus obtained to tho extremity . An ] rather so , fr o m th e fa c t , th a t they have the securiij of eighteen individuals h > r all costs which they ara legally entitled to ; so that this further imprisoumeat of the defendants is a wanton act of unmitigated vengeance , pure and simple . It is tho Jew exacticj his pound of flesh .
On Monday , the 23 rd ult ., the five « convicted conspirators' were duly discharged by the Keeper of fc Queen ' s Bench Prison , and at its threshold politely in v i t ed int o th e cust o d y of the Sheriff of Surrey , ail as politely shown into cabs , which were drawn up is readiness , iu the presence of about a thousand of their friends and pympathisers , who had assemble ! in the vain hope of welcoming and participating with them in the first enjoyment of their recovered liberty , These generous anticipations were doomed to disappointment . They were driven across to Horsemoiiga Lane Gaol—the very name of which , from its sad ana melanchol y not o ri e t y , must , we aro sure , soun d h a rsh and gr at ing upon th e ear s of our friend s , though , perhaps , upon those of the remorseless prosecutor ; , like the ' music of sweet waters . '
For the space of three days , the five ' convicted conspirators' had the high privilege of becoming duly initiated into the pure and moral mysteriesti this receptacle for vice and misfortune . And for thsa professing a morbid , but a common , animosity , wen tho chapel , where the condemned are made a public show of the Sunday before execution , an d the gr a n stones , marking the spot where many a wretcbei victim to ill-regulated passions and a vicious state *' society lies rotting . Among those the murderfe } Mannings were the most recent , and , we suppose , ^ most interesting relics .
These soul-enobling recreations were happily terminated on Wednesday , by their removal to thetf . le as t ) pur e r atm o sp here of the Queen ' s Bench , vrt »» they n o w are aw a iting their l ib er a tion , from eitla the fidelity and spirit of their fellow workmen , or 6 humanity of their prosecutors . Of the former , * have little doubt ; of the latter , they rememta * sentiment ascribed to one of them— 1 would hi them therefor life ;' Yes , sir , we will give you credit for even morefM that—say , ' for ever , and a day ; ' and then tho n * li gning of your desires would he unsatisfied .
Mr. Dtjncombe's Resignation Of Thbi'| Pr...
MR . DTJNCOMBE'S RESIGNATION OF THBi' | PRESIDENCY OP THE ASSOCIATION ! | It is with feelings of deep regret that we havetj ** v week to announce the resignation , by Mr . DuncomW- ^ of th e pr esident s hi p of the National Association "' i * United Trades . } His motives for this step he has himself Mb '? ' | plained in his communication to the committee . ' | would ill become us to complain of his having 1 * % this step , or of the time and manner of doing it . , , | For more than three years his state of ^ S rendered it impossible that he could give that F p tical supervision to the business of the Assoc * J which his high sense of honour would promp t ^ ^ essentia ] rp / micifa nf liio n ( K , > a Tinrintr that P t , lt > vv fUUbt
... .. ^ u . v . Vi ... ' . ^^ W .. M . , r ) ,: % th i ng s m a y ha ve b een d o ne w hich he mi g ht n « t " ^ J approved , and important measures omitted , ^ ; J from ignorance or inadvertence , which iiis su l ' ' ; judgment and foresight would have prompted- | At the same time the Central Committee co ^ U , tiously aver , that upon all occa s ion s , in w ^ | public proceedings , they never lost sig ht of tw ' yd that the public character of Thomas Slings' *? . p combe , was to a certain extent mixed ami boon ^ \ with their proceedings ; and it will be to them » jj times a s ou r ce of pride and satisfaction , that J ^ | | act o f thei r s h a s t ha t g entl « m a n s hig h { iub " , -
racter at any time been compromised . t ^ ' | We feel strongly assured that the members" ( | Association will unanimously and cordial !) ' w ^ | the sentiments of gratitude and respect "W ; committee hare felt it their duty to offer t « - jijj tleman , in their reply to his communication' ¦{ 1 Palace Chambers , St . J ^ f'S . J February 25 tb , l ^ # : . , j GRNTLEUKH .-In opening tbe Annual Conference ^ , ^ Association last June , I stated that "During tw » d -. q years of th » existence of the Association , au ( i » 0 j > i < health permitted , I took a constant and an a « , r Vtfitt' (;; j part in its management . I was deeply w ' P /^ fJ ^ - '' 'J sense of the importance of such a society , and mo » t 8 ef . ^ that the benefits it was capable of producing ati ,. ^ l ** %
oyed alike by tho honest and independent * ° \\ & W , W aud the honest and fair dealing employers . M ) ^ !¦» duringtfiese years were a source of gratification . ^ ^ . ^ , remembrance now is ft consolation . But for }* ° „ , cti ' , ; , years past I have been incapacitated from'takM . 0 $ t ? "•'« part in your affairs . It gives mo pain to sever ^ u ? s > connexion which has so long subsisted betn « ^] £ ' j t ) sP \ M fully and maturely considering the subject , J » 9 t j 0 fl J || time has come when I should tender my rm . y . «*• ffi President of the Association ; " but I t ^[! ; t jWf * i I had no wish that voy resignation should ia » " /_ , - p 8 if' p the ordinary operations of tho Association , , ° ^{^ i M [ efficiency , I would-should such ba your v ]« " nt t » ' « tinue until tha elnss of the Session of cM ii
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), March 6, 1852, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_06031852/page/4/
-