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TO THE OLD 6UABDS.
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" To your tents, oh Chartists!" Old Fmen...
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,... .« ... tSyattm inttUitttntt
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- fi^Ac ^^o^ Otrot' Us , CS-tt C*<4vf**A...
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AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL.
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WL«M Government for the imposition rathe...
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THOMAS CLARK AS CANDIDATE FOR SHEFFIELD....
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Pjiobimuti- of a General Eiectiox—Calcul...
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National Registration and Election Commi...
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TO THE ELECTORS AND NONELECTORS OF THE B...
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Mb. BLIGH AND THE GREENWICH CHARTISTS. T...
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE WEST RIDING. In ...
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MR. THOMASON. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOItt...
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR Sin,—...
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ADVANTAGES OF HOME COLONISATION. LOWBAND...
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^' THE LITE FESTIVAL AT CHARTEBVILLE. TO...
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CO-OPERATION. TO WE EDITOR OF THE NORTHE...
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DEPUTATION OF IRISH MEMBERS TO LORD JOHN...
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Old Saw* axd rnovEHi!S..™~A handsaw is a...
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A j v, K \ 'X r\ \V v^ '• * r--V
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
To The Old 6uabds.
TO THE OLD 6 UABDS .
" To Your Tents, Oh Chartists!" Old Fmen...
" To your tents , oh Chartists !" Old Fmends . Wc ^ des , The honr is ~ come when the industrious classes of tMs country must indisputably and unequivocall y express their wants , and aevelopethewresolution . Lastyear the Whig G o v e rnment hel d o ffi c e upon n o b e tt er tenur e
than the apprehension of a revolution , Strengthened—nay concocted—b y government officials , for the express purpose of alarmin * the upper and middle classes . That , however " is a dodge which may secure the co-operation or themost violent opponents once , and through fear ; but it has lost its charm , and we are now upon the eve of a great and mig ht y change .
The Landlords in the House of Commons , and out of the House of Commons , are mad enough to talk of the restoration of Protection ; while the Free Trade party attempt to tickle popular feeling with a demand for a reduction of t a x a ti o n , of which I was a most strenuous advocate , as Hooked upon it as the means of destroying aristocratic power by the destruction of patronage ; and , therefore , I askedyou not to resist the movement . But the proposition has been submitted to Parliament not as a demand to reduce taxation distinctl y , and at once , by ten millions a year , but as a proposition which the Government will take into its consideration , and pledge itself to , when feasible and practicable .
It was my opinion—and I presume it was y our opinion—that this proposition for a redaction of taxation was to have been " Yes , " or " No ; " however , it merged into the more moderate appeal to Whi g sagacity , based upon governmental convenience . Well , that has passed away , and Mr . Cob-BEX , the author—or , at all events , the adopter of the proposition , has since paid a visit to his constituents at Leeds , where , no doubt , pricked by the smallness of the minorit y that supported him , he has come out for a large extension of the Suffrage . Kbw , for myself , I confess that I never can understand the construction that the several
parties professing liberal principles attach to the extension of the Suffrage . Mr . Cobden does not define his extension ; while Mr Roebuck , the Candidate for Sheffield , and formerly a whole-hog-Chartist , would define it by its extreme limitation , bo that you will at once understand that as long as the House of Commons is constituted of members professing liberal principles , but making profit of limited representation—the most liberal constituencies , consisting of the middle classes , will endeavour so to entangle , encumber , and trammel this question of the Suffrage , as m e rel y toenlist the
pressure of non-electoral power in aid of the half-and-half candidate of their choice , and they do this for the purpose of persuading the opposing classes in the House of Commons that you , the Chartists , are with them ; and thus it is that our weakness has been unfairly presumed . W eh a vealwaysbeenl oo ke d up o n a s the mere reserve forceof middle-classliberalism , and the reason why I address you at this very trying and critical juncture is to ask you , for the onehundredthtime , TO STA 3 JD ALONE , marshalled under your own banner , advocating your own principles . And , my friends , I think I have placed both you , and myself and our cause , in a better and more honourable
position , by not resisting the plausible pretext of those who mi ght have used our opposition as a just ification for abandoning then- own project . We have now , however , seen the extent to which they propose to carry it ; we have seen ffiat they were not in earnest , an d for these reasons I ask you no longer to rely upon their professions . Mark me , and mark me well , when i assure you that those who make merchandise of poverty and destitution , will be the very last to destroy their traffic in those commodities ; while , being more nearly allied to you socially than to the upper classes , they will endeavour to use you for the perpetuation of their
own power . If yon are not more dull of comprehension than I give you credit for , you must understand that you are upon the eve of gre a t and mi ghty changes—you must perceive that the Whigs" are about to be kicked out of officeand you must be prepared with such a firm exhibition of National Will natioaal union and streng th , as will prevent those out of power again using you for the achievement of power , as , depend upon it , in such case you will again discover the difference between men seeking power and men exercising power .
The question of the Land is now the allabsorbing question—not alone in Parliament , or in England and Ireland , but throughout Europe and America . Both , bantlings , as I have often told you , I have rocked and nursed when you were asleep and apathetic ; but both have now arrived at a giant's growth . The Trades , formerly our greatest opponents , have adopted Home Colonisation and the Suffrage—not , I presume , Educational Suffrage , which is a mere buggaboo with those who , ignorant themselves , dread the knowledge of the -working classes .
If the State requires soldiers , they do not require the country Jonfc , with his lounging step , to stand erect , heads up , eyes right , attention , stand at ease , right foot foremost , and the several technicalities of discipline he is wholl y ignor a nt o f ; he need neither read , w r ite , nor spell , and he soon , from drill , walks upright and becomes a disciplined soldier . And so it would be with the most iguorant , if once enlisted < iu the political service of his country . He
would be drilled and trained in better and more honourable service , and would be a much more useful and honourable member of society , armed with a spade to feed man , than armed with a musket to shoot him . Therefore , payno attention whatever to this Knowledge Suffrage . When we were well united before , t h ey tried to disunite us , by outbidding us with Woman Suffrage , and eig hteen vears as the Standard . But do von stink to the whole
animal , unchanged and unmutilated , and let me beg of you no longer to be governed by that destructive policy of choosing the BEST CANDIDATE THAT PRESENTS HIMSELF , for m i n d your true and adopted motto , "HE WHO IS jS'OT FOR US IS AGAINST VS " . It is my intention , as soon as you are prepared with your petitions , to propose the whole animal to Parliament—or , rather , it is my sanguine hope that I shall he able to second the proposition when introduced by Duncombe , our leader , whose health—I rejoice to tell you —is so farimproved as to enable him shortly to take his seat .
I do not know the price that you could name , that I would not give for another national monster ; and , despite of all opposition , it ahonld go in the Kennington Common triumphal car to the door of the House of Commons . HoArever , it is my intention once more to tall y the scattered forces of Chartism , and with that view I will attend public meetings in London and the adjoining districts on Monday and Wednesday evenings ; and had it not been for the drain of my finances by the
National Land Company , I should traverse the kingdom once more , as after the last two sessions' experience , and after twenty-seven years ' agitation , both in and out o f Par liament , I have come to the unshakable conclusion that no power on earth , save the possession of land b y the working classes—who Cannot otherwise procure labour—will save this country from bankn ptcy or re / clation ; and I feel as convinced that nothing but the Charter will secure this wholesome , profitable , and beneficial distribution of the land .
Let me digress to tell you an anecdote . 1 vojted with the Government for the repeal of the Navigation Laws : I voted with the
" To Your Tents, Oh Chartists!" Old Fmen...
Government for the imposition , or rather , the restoration of the sixpence in the pound upon Irish landed property , to support the starving Irish ; and I voted for the £ 50 , 000 grant ;—m fact , I voted in five divisions with the Government—and upon the last division , a member said to me , " Well , Mr . O'Connok , how do yon feel ? " I replied , "Why , very queer , I have had three violent spasms , and Government far t . fcn ™ nncH ; m ^„„„* t — * i . _
have scarcely slept for fourteen nights , and now 1 feel another qualm coming over me , and I fear it ' s a judgment for voting with the Government . " " What ' s that ? " asked Sir George Gret , and I repeated it . " No ;" said the member , " but how did you feel during these several nights' discussion upon the Rate in Aid ; hare you heard anything throughout , that was not the STRONGEST
ADVOCACY OF YOUR LAND PLAN ?" "Yes ; " I replied , " even Peel and all have adopted it . I thought I'd instruct them at last . " Now , Old Guards , listen to me and pay att e nti o n , while I tell you that you have no more chance of any improvement in your condition , while the present system of representation lasts , than you have of " catching larks when the sk y falls . '' If you turn to the old book of propheciesthe " Northern Star' — you will find that in April last , in the House of Commons , I predicted two things—the one Colonial , the other Domestic . I told the Government and the
House , that this country would speedily lose Canada . Well , we have had a little foresig ht into this matter from the discussions in the House of Commons ; but last week I travelled with a most intelligent American merchant all the way from Paris to London . He told me that he had come over with two most intelligent Canadians , who made no secret whatever of the determination of the Canadians to sever themselves wholly and entirely from Eng land ; and if you read my work on Small Farms , written in 1813 , you will there find it predicted , that Eng land would be compelled to abandon the monstrous and hideous monopoly of Colonial Governments .
The system reminds one of a little old wizened mother , of sev e nty o r e ighty , whipping a big , two-fisted man-child oi five or six and twenty , and putting him to bed because he was not home in time . Well , that was my colonial pr o phecy ; an d my domestic prop h e cy was , that if the wet weather-we had last April continued for a fortnight longer , we should have a deficient yield and bad wheat harvest in this country , and I think the result has proved that I was right .
Old Guards , I was in Paris , and at the National Assembly during the recess , an d I never was more astonished in my life ; it was a complete bear-garden , and the only man who made a speech defensive of the policy of the Provisional Government , or upon any subject worth hearing , was Ledru Rollin , who made a most powerful and enthusiastic speech ; but , as I intend to confine this letter to the Land and the Charter , I shall give you a description of my tour next week , and it will amuse
you . Let me now ask you to meet in your several localities , and come to some wise and defined resolution as to the re-organisation of our forces ; for although older , and a little tinged with grey , I have vowed to my country , to my God , and to you , never to abate my ardour in the cause of Liberty—never to abandon one bristle of the animal , and to struggle for the possession of God ' s g if t t o man , " so that all may live independently in the sweat of their own brow . In conclusion , bear in m- ' nd that " God helps those who help themselves , " and that those who help themselves by your destitution are not likely to help you out of your destitution .
Old Guards , I am ready and willing as ever to march onward in the good cause of man ' s redemption and freedom ; and if you are not prepared to march with me , wh y then you must take your own course . I remain , Your faithful and unpurchaseable Friend and accepted Leader , Feargus O'Conxoe .
,... .« ... Tsyattm Inttuitttntt
,... . « ... tSyattm inttUitttntt
- Fi^Ac ^^O^ Otrot' Us , Cs-Tt C*<4vf**A...
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And National Trades' Journal.
AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL .
Wl«M Government For The Imposition Rathe...
WLJLjQ . 600- L 0 « M , SATURDAY , AHBL 21 , 1849 . . ^ gagSg ^ W , - » .. ) i j ^ ¦ '" " "
Thomas Clark As Candidate For Sheffield....
THOMAS CLARK AS CANDIDATE FOR SHEFFIELD . I have had many letters pressing upon me the desirableness of Thomas Clark going to the Poll at the approaching Election for Sheffield ; and some ask me what description oi man he is . I do not like to praise men , because those I have most praised have generally become my greatest revilers ; however , at the risk of repetition of such p a ym e nt , I will give his biography . He is a young man of very prepossessing appearance—of lively , animated , but inoffensive manners ; he is one of the most e l o quent men i n th i s or any other country ; he is a sound reasoner ; an admirable debater ; he is witty , but not sarcastic , and when he descends to sarcasm he is not illnatured . He
is a teetotaller ; and as to his honesty , I would trust him with untold gold . T . G . asks me , how it will be about his Qualification ? To that I reply , that Clark will have as good and legal a Qualification as any candidate that ever went to the hustings . I have often told my friends , t h at a l ong and lingering agitation leads to apathy and slumber , and that the real and telling agitation is like the lightning that precedes the , thunder ; and , following this opinion , as soon as the Writ for Sheffield is moved for , I will p lace myself at the disposal of the Democrats of Sheffiel d , to aid in the return of Thomas
Clark ; f o r my friend ' s constituents must understand , that , when duty calls , the tinsel of Membership has no charms for me ; and God only knows that I long for a good rattling , reviving , intelligent Chartist agitation , to take the rust and fust and dust of the House of Commons off me . This is selfishness ; for if I abstain much longer from addressing a Chartist audience , and hearing Chartist speeches , I shall lose my eloquence and my intellect , and become a mere spouter of twaddle and nonsense , and a li s tener to the l o lly of bygone ages , and barbarous times . Feargus O'Connor .
Pjiobimuti- Of A General Eiectiox—Calcul...
Pjiobimuti- of a General Eiectiox—Calculating on the defeat of the Ministerial measures in the Lords , certain influential parties are preparing for the contingency of a general election after harvest . It is believed that Ministers will resign ; and as no political party at present numbers sufficient votes i n the Commons to take , or , at all events , hold office , an appeal to the country will be necessary . — Sunday Times . Saluues ix Pcblic Offices . —An official return , ordered to be printed on the 23 rd of March , exhibits an increase during the year 1848 of the number employed hi public offices ofl , 215 , anda concurrent decrease of 300 . The total increase of expenditure amounts to £ & 5 , 003 , and the total diminution of the same to £ 88 , 772
Racing Sweeps axd Betting Lists . — At the Middlesex Session on Monday , several licences were granted to public houses which had been susp ended by the magistrates , © n their respective owners promising not to keep Racing Sweeps or Betting Lists o » then : premises .
National Registration And Election Commi...
National Registration and Election Committee . —This body met at the " Two Chairmen , " Wardour-street , Soho , on Monday evening , April 16 th . —Mr . John Milne was called to the chair , when Mr . Grassby reported that the sub-committee had compiled and written the " Handbook to Registration , and Guide to Elections ;" that it was now in the hands of the printer , and would be ready in a few days for publication ; and that they had found , from the immense quantity of matter it would contain , that its price , must be threepence . —Mr . Arriott reported respecting the borough of Lambeth registration ; 250 names had already been added to the rate book p rior to being added to the electoral roll .
Sheffield Election . —Mr . Grassby read correspondence , including Mr . Clark ' s address to the electors and non-electors , and a letter from the secretary of Mr . Clark ' s Committee , when it was resolved , — "That the secretary should write to the committee in Sheffield , requesting to know what number of Radicals are on the register , and the number of those who have already promised to vote for Mr . Clark in the event of a poll , " & c , after which the committee adjourned until Monday evening , April 23 rd , at half-past seven . Tower Hamlets . —On Sunday , April 15 th , a densely crowded audience attended at the
Mechanics' Institute , Commercial Hall , Philpot-street , Commercial-road , to hear Mr . StahVood deliver » lecture on "The Life , Character , Writings , and Principles of Thomas Paine . " In a forcible and argumentative address , the lecturer pointed out to his audience the great good that had arisen from the adoption of the political principles laid down by Thomas Paine in America , the advantage that must flow should his principle of " Agrarian justice" be generally carried out , and the vast knowledge to be acquired from such an inquiry into true and false systems of theology as that commenced by Thomas Paine . The lecturer called on his audience
to adopt the theory of representation put forth by that " great Englishman , " whose life and writings so many had that night come to hear discussed , by returning a working man as their representative at the next election , in connexion with George Thompson . The lecturer was listened to with breathless attention . At the conclusion of the lecture , Mr . Stokes addressed a few eloquent sentences in favour of the political principles of Thomas Paine . —Totes of thanks were then given to the lecturer and to Mr . Stokes , for the information and instruction they had afforded ; and Mr . Stallwood , at the request of several friends , consented to repeat his lecture at the Finsbuvy Rooms , Clerkenwell-green ( Deadman ' s Coffee-house ) , on Sunday
evening , in the Mechanics' Institute , Philpotstreet . We are happy to find that the committee have already collected a library of very useful books , which are in much request amongst the members , and that lectures on a variety of useful subjects are delivered in the Hall every Sunday , Tuesday , and Thursday evening . A d ' scussion class is in course of formation . The registration is attended to , and the men of St . Goorge ' s-in-the-Easfc hare just achieved a triumph—the parochial officers recently returned being Chartists and Democrats , replacing old Tories . Hence , the under-current of democracy rolls on , giving promise of a far brighter political foture . We heartily trust the men of the Hamlets will find many to follow their example , and thus
raise some bright and brilliant specs hi the present dull calm of the political horizon . Hartlepool . —We have just had two splendid lectures from our friend Thomas D . ickinson , of South Shields , and at the conclusion we enrolled seventeen new members to our association . We are about forming a library , and have been presented with a parcel of books by Mr . Dickinson , to begin with . We invite the co-operation of all localities in this district to aid us in reviving our cause , and getting up meetings to promulgate our principles , and also to send petitions to parliament . Secretaries of localities in this county are respectfully invited to correspond , without delay , with Mark Parkinson , secretary , Shire ' s-yavd , Hartlepool . Cheltenham . —The Chartists of this place being
obliged to give up their room , the Mutual Improvement Society met to dispose of the funds they had in hand , which amounted to 14 s . 6 d . ; 9 s . 6 d . was voted to the Victim Fund , and the remaining 5 s . to the Defence Fund . It was further agreed to get as many as possible to continue their penny weekly subscriptions , the proceeds to be sent to the Victim and Defence Funds , and to meet the first Sunday in every month . It was further resolved , — " That , while we duly appreciate the noble and invaluable services of Mr . O Connor , we likewise tender our heartfelt thanks to G . J . Harney , for his manly and talented advocacy of the cause of universal
democracy . " Tower . Hamlets . —A general council meeting of the Tower Hamlets was held on Sunday last , at the Commercial Hall , Philpot-:-treit , Commercial-road , when the committee gave in their reports as to the places to hold public meetings in , to petition parliament for the People ' s Cnarter . The meeting decided upon taking the British School-room , Cowper-street , City-road , for the above purpose , on Wednesday , May 2 nd , and a sub-committee was appointed to carry the above into effect . The council at its rising , adjourned to Sunday next at three o ' clock in the afternoon , when all members of councils in the Hamlets are invited to attend .
Fixsbukv . —A public meeting was held at the Finsbury Lecture-room , Clorkenwell Green , on Tuesday evening , to adopt the petition of the People ' s Charter . Mr . A . Fuzzon in the chair . W . Salmon moved , and R . Fuzzon seconded , the first resolution , " That in the opinion of this meeting the present system of legislation is opposed to the rights and interests of the people . "—Mr . E . Nobbs moved , andMr . Cater , seconded , the next resolution , " That in the opinion of this meeting the monopoly oflegislationbyaclnssiscalculatcdto further the interest of that class , in opposition to those excluded from the right of legislation . "—After which the meeting having " passed the petition , resolved themselves into a committee to obtain signatures . A resolution was adopted relative to getting up a public meeting to sympathise with the victims now in prison . After which the meeting stood adjourned to Tuesday next .
To The Electors And Nonelectors Of The B...
TO THE ELECTORS AND NONELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF SHEFFIELD . Gentlemen , —The efforts which my Friends and myself have made to effect a Meeting before you , 'with a view of discussing in your presence the important matter of UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE , for the purpose of procuring ha r m o ny and unanimity o f act i on amongst the several sections of Reformers , at the approaching Election , having failed , there is but one course open to me , and which , in justice to the unrepresented millions , I am b ound to a d o pt , and that is , again to offer myself as a CANDIDATE for your suffrages
and support . Having upon a former occasion , stated fully in a published address , and also from the hustings , my views upon the general questions of Government , Commerce , and Finance , it will not be necessary for me , in this paper , to do more than briefly recapitulate those opinions which , upon a former occasion , I had the honour of urging upon your attention . I am for a " lull , free , and fair " representation of the people in Parliauient ; by which I mean , that every man who has attained the age of twenty-one years , who is of sane mind , and not undergoing punishment for the violation of law , shall exercise the right of voting in the election of members , to serve in the
House of Commons . I am opposed to all State Endowments for Religious purposes , and would therefore vote for the immediate separation of the Church from the State , at the same time making provision for the present ministers and other dependents of the Church of England . I am for the most perfect system of Free Trade , audwonM to that end vote for the amotion o ' f all taxes , as at present levied , under thetitleof " Customs , " . "Excise , " "Stamp Duty , " & c , & c . ; and would propose , in lieu thereof , a direct tax , to be imposed upon the property of the country , thereby freeing industry from those trammels and impositions which at present afflict the community . _ _ j am opposed to wars , armies , capital punishments , and to all those remnants of bar-
To The Electors And Nonelectors Of The B...
barism and ignorance , which serve to degrade and to keep alive those feelings of antagonism which it oug ht t o b e the first obj e c t o f al l h uman institutions to repress . I am opposed to the principle and practice of the present Poor Laws , and think their alteration and amendment a subject of the greatest magnitude . As I , shall shortly have the pleasure of appealing person-ll y before you , I will delay any further statement of my opinions until that time ^ when I will be read y to answer such questions as may then be proposed to me . lam , Gentlemen , Respectfully yours , April 13 th , ma . Thomas Clark . . _ .. r ^ TT" . .
Mb. Bligh And The Greenwich Chartists. T...
Mb . BLIGH AND THE GREENWICH CHARTISTS . TO w HE ? DIT 0 R 0 F THE NORTHER !* STAB . l ' ~ 7 ' undersigned persons , having seen in the Star of last week a letter signed James Bligh , in which the writer states he has been scouted as a spy by those men who urged him on to take a leading part in the agitation oi last year . It is true that Bligh was strongly suspected of either being a spy or a tool of Davis , for he was more with him than any other person in the movement , and from their intimacy , we must say , the one knew well the actions of the other . So far from urging him ou we were always opposed to his h arangues . Our opinion of Mr . Bligh is , as ever , that if he was not a spy he
was the tool of that base and desi gningknave , Davis , and this being the case , how can we , as democrats , recognise or associate with him ? It is surprising to us that Mr . Bligh should have delayed writing to the Star upon this subject for so long a time , but we suppose the reason is because his principal accuser , Air . John Robinson , has left this country for America . In reply to his assertions , that he did not know anything of the vile plots of Davis until he was subpoenaed by Mr . Roberts ' s agent , we can bear witness to the fact that he was publicly accused , before a meeting of Chartists , in company with Davis , six weeks previous to his being subpoenaed . SlMMONDS SWKETLOVB , SAMUEL BrKWERTOX .
George T . Fi-otd , Thomas Estecott , Thomas Lbweb , Josepjj Morgan , Thomas Paris . P . S . —We wish all our old friends to meet on Monday evening , April 23 rd , at Jenny Lind's Coffee House , Greenwich-market . Greenwich , April 17 th .
To The Chartists Of The West Riding. In ...
TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE WEST RIDING . In consequence of a number of inconsistent reports having been circulated with an intent to injure my reputation , I beg leave to say , that as I had been appointed at the last West Riding Delegate meeting to bo on the plan as » lecturer , such towns in the West Riding that I am appointed to attend this quarter must not expect me . I think it is very hard for a man to labour strenuously in the cause , so much so that I have materially injured both my constitution and circumstances , and then be repaid by calumny . I am charged with neglect for not giving publicity to the lecture that was to be delivered at Birkenshaw , by Mr . Harris , of Leeds , on Sunday evening last . How , I ask , could
I give publicity to . the lecture when it was at halfpast eleven o ' clock on Saturday night , that a person accidentally got one of the lecturing plans and put it into my hand ? I likewise saw upon that plan that I was to lecture in Bradford on Sunday evening . Now how could I conscientiously lecture in Bradford when I knew nothing whatever of the circumstance until the time above specified ; not only that , but I made arrangements with my Bingley friends at the commencement of the week to lecture there twice on the same Sunday . Whoever was intrusted with the lecturing plans to distribute in this district , is to blame , and not me . I am also charged with neglect for not attending an appointment of Mr . North , at Leeds ; I promised Mr . Kovth on
Saturday that I would go , but I had no directions where to go to , except that the meeting was to be on Woodhouse Moor . The day was very wet ; the rain descended in torrents , even at the time the meeting should be held ; my Birkenshaw friends requested me not to walk eight miles in the rain , as they believed there would be no meeting . I acceded to their-request , and staid with them all day . I am informed that I went half way , into apublic « h 0 USG , and there got drunk . My Birkenshaw friends can prove this to be a fabrication . The above are the circumstances which cause me to have my name struck oft' the list . Another cause is , that some would-be conscientious Chartists want to gag me at meetings and lectures , but as I resolved not to be gagged by the government , I never will be gagged by men like myself .
I am still an unflinching Chartist , Edward Hitrlet Birkenshaw , near Leeds , April 17 .
Mr. Thomason. To The Editor Of The Noitt...
MR . THOMASON . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOIttnEItli STAR . Sir , —Having seen a statement in your valuable paper of the 14 th instant from Mr . Thomason , stating that he has suffered a loss by the Chartists of Wednesbury , we beg to state that with regard to the school that nothing but his own negligence caused the breaking up of that establishment . The number of scholars was near one hundred , besides the district subscriptions to him as a lecturer ; while so engaged we supplied him with food at our own expense , till the district would not subscribe any longer . We hope the men of Manchester and other places will not be taken in by the artful dodger as we were . I remain , Sir , yours respectfully , Benj . Daxks . Wednesbury , April 18 th , 1849 .
To The Editor Of The Northern Star Sin,—...
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR Sin , —The re-organisation of the Miners' Union in Northumberland and Durham , ' continues to progress . At a delegate meeting , held at the sign of the Cock , Newcastle , on Saturday last , there were additional delegates from Trimdon , Castle Eden , and Wallsend collieries . The number of miners enrolled at present is upwards of two thousand , and as the employers throughout the entire district are attempting reductions , it is anticipated that in a short time the whole of the miners of these important ceunties will be once more in a position to secure " a fair day's wage for a fair day ' s labour . " The
delegates , among many resolutions calculated to forward the extension of the organisation , adopted a petition to the legislature , praying an enactment for the bettor protection of the lives of the miners from explosion by fire damp , and to compel a more healthy system of ventilation . It having been also resolved to hold another meeting on Saturday , April 28 th , at eleven o ' clock in the forenoon , the meeting was duly dissolved , all parties being in high spirits at the position achieved in so short a time . Yours , « fcc , M . JuDB .
Advantages Of Home Colonisation. Lowband...
ADVANTAGES OF HOME COLONISATION . LOWBANDS , SNIG'S END , AND MOAT ESTATES or the NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . At the annual meeting , on Thursday week last , of the parish of Redmarley , in which Lowbands is situate , the business was conducted in a strai g htforward manner , by calling on the allottees to investigate the accounts and scrutinise the vouchers , as well as nominating one of them , Mr . Henry Porter , to act as parish constable , when it was deemed prudent not to disturb the harmony existing in the parish , more particularly as those selected to fill offices have given satisfaction . As a portion of the Snig ' s End Estate is in Gloucestershire , and the residue , with the Moat , in Worcestershire , battles had to be fought iii two parishes—Staunton and Corse . After some skirmishing at the Staunton meeting , Mr . Boswell proposed , and Mr . James West seconded ,
Mr . W . Coulson ( late of Derby ) as Churchwarden . This was carried by a large majority : a poll was threatened but subsequently declined . The unity of action amongst the occupants was trul y pleasing . Messrs . John Clarke , Kinross , and others , replied in good style to the arguments adduced by their opponents . The Chairman ( an intelligent one ) , the Curate of the parish , acted with impartiality , except in one trifling instance . It was then , pvoposcd to build a bridge , which would cost the parish over £ 200 . This proposal was likewise quashed by the efforts Of tile allottees . At Corse parish meeting , on the Rector taking the chair , a young fanner , possessing more land than sense , and who said it was strange of men who had only a few acres of land contending with those who had hundreds , protested against Mr . O'Brien having anything to do with the business of , the . weetjng , Mr , Ifcwliuftt
Advantages Of Home Colonisation. Lowband...
produced an act of Parliament showing that Mr , O'B . was entitled to take part in the proceedings . It was then resolved that Messrs . Dewfiursfc , Lambert , and O'Brien audit the books . When they did so , they found that they had not been audited since 1833 , and not even cast up since 1843 , and they could not refrain from condemning the slovenliness and carelessness apparent in them , but at the same time remarked that the last year ' s expenditure reflected credit on the Churchwarden , Mr . Wilkins . There is a sum of over £ 20 due to parish . Messrs . Cullingham and Lambert were severally proposed as Churchwarden for the parish . Mr . Cullingham declined j on which . Mr . John West proposed , and Mr . Rogers seconded , that Mr . John Crofts ( late of
Leicester ) , be the parish Churchwarden : the last named person was carried by a groat majority . The y then commenced about a church rate . Mr . Cullingham showed that no rate could be laid for the liquidation of old debts ; that whatever was made must be in perspective . The large farmers then agreed to pay the old amongst themselves ; though talking of a sixpenny rate , they then considered threepence would do . Eventually , they proposed a penny rate , but even this they could not obtain . Then did they bellow that all was illegal ; that Dr . Phillimore would grant them a . rate despite the Allottees . Mr . Crofts is a local preacher of the Wesleyan Society . The Rector acted with the strictest impartiality in the chair , and very kindly granted a request , made by Mr ; O'Brien on the part of the Allottees , for three months' indul gence in the paying of tithes now due .
^' The Lite Festival At Chartebville. To...
^ ' THE LITE FESTIVAL AT CHARTEBVILLE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERX STAR . Sin , —In your account of the proceedings at tho tea festival at Chartervillc in last Saturday ' s paper , m the renort of the short speech I made , I observe an omission , which appears to me of some importance . In the beginning of my speech , I begged to disclaim any participation in tiiB . political part of the sentiments expressed by other speakers , not being yet prepared to give an opinion on the question of politics . An insertion of this explanation will much oblige , Sir , your humble servant , Minster Lovel , p . w . Bimx . near "Witney , Oxon , April 17 .
Co-Operation. To We Editor Of The Northe...
CO-OPERATION . TO WE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —Your broad sheet being literally a working man ' s paper , I am sorry that so long a lapse has occured between my last and present report , respect , ing the Rochdale Co-operative Society , ' The Equitable Pioneers . ' The society , after a few years ' experience , finding it necessary to alter and amend its laws , sent the new laws to the Revising Barrister for his'approval ; but so accommodating to the wants of the labourers hav « been the law-raakers , that it has taken our people and the law dispenser some six months or better to understand each other . Being in this fix , and knowing that applications for copies of our laws would be the result of a notice of our society appearing in your paper , we held our peace until our laws were arranged and printed .
Tracing the causes of failure in co-operative societies to a system of credit , and leaving the management of business in the hands of an agent or storekeeper , who , through incapacity or dishonesty , involved the society , and determining to make a more equitable division of profits , by giving a fixed rate of interest—five per cent . —to shareholders , and the remainder to purchasers , in proportion to the amount f . vpended by each , not giving ail profits to the money holders , and thus keeping the poor man eternally so . In the hope of evading the evils noticed , and effecting the following objects—namely , the establishment oi A Store for the supply of genuine articles of food clothing , & c . ( at cost price to the members ; A Working Man ' s Savings Bank , where sums from threepence upwards could be deposited at five per cent , interest , and withdrawn in cases of distress :
The fostering of prudence and economy amongst working people , by inducing them to abstain from petty shopping and debt contracting ; ' And of giving to those , whose limited means or large family prevented them from saving money , a fair share of the profits arising from their trading transactions . The society commenced operations with very large hopes , but a very small stock , the sum total of its possessions being £ 24 worth of goods and chattels ; its weekly receipts £ 14 ; and balance in treasurer ' s hands £ 5 ; at the close of its first quarter , March , 1845 . But the close of the quarter , ending March , 1849 , shows the increase of stock and reglisation of hopes , as follows t—
Value of stock ( cost price ) , £ 385 ; cash in band , £ 120 ; cash withdrawn , £ 49 ; weekly receipts , £ 105 ; number of members , 220 ; admitted during tbe quarter , 80 ; dividend per pound , purchase money , Is , 8 d . Such is our present position—and , next to the free labour and enthusiasm of some of our members I think we awe our present prosperous condition to our rigid adherence to buying and selling for ready money only , aod neither intrusting nor tempting any individual with the sole management of our business . Parties desirous of possessing copies of our laws er further information , can receive such by sending six postage stamps to Yours , & c , J ^ mes Daly . Secretary , Pioneers' Store . Milkstone-road . Rochdale .
Deputation Of Irish Members To Lord John...
DEPUTATION OF IRISH MEMBERS TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL . A numerous attendance of representatives from Ireland took place on Wednesday atDowning-street , pursuant to the request of Lord John Russell , to hear the views entertained by the government on the subject of Irish taxation and the rate in aid . Among those present were lord Kildare , Lord Ca ' stlereagh , Sir D . Norreys , Sir A . Armstrong , Lord Milton , Sir J . Young , Lord Kcwry , Sir ii . Howard , Colonel Rawdon , Sir E . M'Naghten , Lord J . Chichester , Sir W . Somerville , Sir L . O'Brien , Sir E . Hayes , Sir T . Burke , Messrs . Shell , Herbert , Monsell , Archdall , Dawson , R . Bourke , M'CulIagf ? , Ten ' ison , Cole , French , Maxwell , Bateson , Tennant , J . O'Connell , M . J . O'Council . Devcreux , Mooro , Ffolliot , Keating-, ' St . George , Bruen , O'Flaherty ,
M . Power , Blackall , Jones , Sullivan , Dunne , Duller , Bellcw , Fox , Browne , Magan , Scully , Alexander , Green , Lawless , Meagher , Sadleir , Leslie . At a few minutes after eleven o ' clock , Lord John Russell , accompanied by the Chancellor of the Exchequer , and Sir George Grey , entered the room . Before entering upon the business for which the deputation had been called together , Mr . J . O'Connell complained of the treatment a deputation on behalf of Mi-. Duffy had recently received from Lord Clarendon , and also of the report of the meeting which appeared in the Times newspaper . Lord i . Russell , however , declined to give an opinion one way or the other . Mr . Tennant , and Mr . O Flaherty , supported the views of Mr . O'Connell , and Viscount Castlereagh added : — With reference to what foil from Mr . O'Connell , I believe people are now getting pretty well aware of the one-sided nature of the reports in the Times with respect to Irish matters .
Lord J . Russell—I will now refer to the object for which I have requested the gentlemen present to meet to-day . It is an extraordinary step which I have taken thus to ask Irish members of all partics to attend me here . I have to apologise for any trouble which I may have given to them ; but I reall y thought it mig ht be of great advantage to them and to their constituents that we should know as members of the government what the views of the Irish members arc . You will recollect that in the early part of the session the Chancellor the Exchequer moved for a grant of £ 50 , 000 -so relievo distress in certain parts of Ireland , in which there wasffreatsufferinsr , and in which there did not
appear to be local means sufficient for the relief of those districts . In doing so we followed the course which had been taken in 1822 , and some subsequent y ears , and which had been taken in 18-10 , 1847 , and 1848 It was objected , and objected not solely by members of one party , but objected by gentlemen whoso names will occur to you , to whom I do not wish to refer as not being present , but members of the House of Commons of very different political parties , th at it was plain that the evil was increasing --that it was hot an occasional relief which was sought , but that it was a relief going on from year to year , to be paid out of the imperial exchequer for Irish distress . They therefore thought that there should be some explanation given , or some course adopted , by nliioli the House of Commons should
Deputation Of Irish Members To Lord John...
be enabled to see what were the prospects for the futurfe , and some of them expressed their hope that no further grants would be required . I was asked especiall y by a gentleman who is the leader on the opposite side of the house , to state that this was intended to be the last grant . I said I certainly could not pledge myself that this should be the last grant proposed by the government , because we must act according" to circumstances , and in any extraordinary degree of distress which could not be otherwise relieved , we would not preclude ourselves from
asking for a grant for that purpose . However , the opinion , I tVmk you will allow , in the House of Commons gen ially was that there ought to be some course adopted by which grants having been made for several years' * , and the prospect being very uncertain as to the Vufh ' cicncy of local funds for tho next year and the , vear after , there should be some I contributions made ^ rom Ireland more than was | made in the last yeai ' for tho purpose of the relief of Irish distress . Now t here were two ways by which this could be effected ; the one was , putting on a special tax or a special rate on Ireland for the occasion , making it limited in point of time , limited in point of amount , and leaving the country at the end of that time with the immediate want sunolied . and without at all raising a
precedent that should be injurious Iffr the future . On the other hand , it was said th . it such a precedent would be most injurious—that it would b * a separation of Ireland , which was contrary to- the principles of the Union—that the way irc which the rate * was proposed to be raised would niake-it press-more severely upon one class of persons and- ' upow one kind of property than upon others ; and-that the * better course was to consider whetbe . * 'there ' wereany taxes which wove paid in Great Etataiti i- and were not paid in Ireland , to which Ireland' might befairly called on to contribute ; and then in theeontemptation of such taxes to make such grouts asr were required in peculiar exigencies , whether * they occurred in the west of Ireland , or whethei'" they
occurred in the Hi g hlands of Scotland , or hvatry other part of the United Kingdom , from the liaiperial Exchequer . The proposal which the government made was founded upon the first of these twoviews ; but , upon tho proposition being made , an . amendment was moved by Major Blackall that thereshould be a property tax instead of that which wasproposed . There was a very considerable division . The amendment was supported by a great number of Irish members , who were in favour of that view ; while , at the same time , I think many explained afterwards that what they wished to infer was , that they were against the rate in aid , and not in favour of a . property tax . Major Blaokam .. —Might I interrupt your lord-Ship ? TilO question was , whether a rate in aid should be fixed upon all descriptions of property above a certain amount .
Lord John IIvssem ,. —I quite admit that it might ; be considered that it was not in favour of an income tax , but in subsequent debates that view of the question has been very much pressed . Several gentlemen have said they should be ready to support an income and property tax , if it was thought advisable to extend it to Ireland , to be imposed upon the same persons and to the same extent as it is in England , though they should not be willing to agree to the rate in aid . I may mention another suggestion which has been thrown out—indeed , I think : i division was taken on it in the House of Commons—namely , that there might be a tax which would not be completely an income and property tax , but which would require
contributions to be made from the funds and from tho salaries of persons holding official situations , ami not requiring any contribution from trades and professions . Now ) I should say with regard to that proposition , that it has been always held , I believe , from the first imposition of the income and property tax by Mr . Pitt in this country , and at all subsequent times , that you can take nothing in the nature of a tax from the public funds , without a breach of faith , and that therefore tho only way in which you can reach the public funds is by imposing a tax upon all kinds of income—income derived from the public funds as well as other sources . Therefore whatever m'ght be the expediency , and whatever might be the reasons in favour of such a tax as I have
mentioned , it is one which I think no minister could propose for Ireland , indeed not for any part of the empire without immediately incurring on the part o the fundholders an imputation of a breach of faith and such objections it would be impossible to over , come . I therefore conclude that the alternative is cither a rate in aid of the nature we have propescd , or some such proposition as I sec notice lias been given of by Mr . Herbert , the member for the county of Kerry . ' When we propose a rate in aid , he proposes to leave out all the words after the words "distressed unions in Ireland , " in order to add tl words , "And in consideration thereof , that an income and property tax be assessed on incomes ai \ d property in Ireland not liable to income and
property tax under the act 11 and 12 Victoria , chap . 8 . That is , that there should be a grant , and that that grant should not be charged on a peculiar income and property tax for Ireland , but that as there is such a grant to be made the ii-comc and property tax should be extended to Ireland . That I conceive is the meaning of that proposition . Sow , if tl « H wove a general tax affecting the United Kingdom , supposing the exigene ' es of the public service required that there should be either a land tax imposed , or an income tax and property tax , it might be very fairly put before the House of Commons ,, they agreeing ffLmonilly thai the exigencies of the public service did i-equhvs a tax to a certain amount , whether ' they would agree to the one proposition , or
whether they would take the other . But in this peculiar case what I feel is that there might he a . great majority of the Irish members in favour of Mr . Herbert ' s proposition , that that might in fact be the sense of the representatives for Ireland , but that the other proposition being supported b y the government , being tho government proposition , those who placed their confidence in the government voting for that proposition , there might be a majority of the House of Commons against that general sense of the Irish members . Such being the case , therefore , I wish to obtain from you some intimation , nob immediately , but in tho course of the next twentyfour hours , ' as to what would be the course of tile Irish members , or tho majority of the Irish mem
bcrs , in respect to this proposition . I should not , however , act fairly , and fully explain the intentions of the government , if I wore not to say that , according to all the information which we have collected , both in the past year and the present yev , with respect to an income and property tax upon the same classes and to the same amount as in England , if we were to make that proposition we should feel it necessary to accompany it with other propositions with respect to taxation in Ireland . Whoa I so speak , I may at once declare that I do not conceive that there would bean objection in point of justice to the extension of the assessed taxes to Ire - land , but I do think there would be an insuperable objection in point of wisdom and expediency . I think
the reasons for which Lord lhpou thought it necessary to repeal tho assessed taxes in Ireland were reasons which were very powerful at that time , but I think they are far more powerful at the present time . Therefore the proposition I should make would not bo an extension to Ireland of the assessed taxes , but wo should , if we proposed to assent to Mr . Herbert ' s proposition for the extension of tho income and property tax to Ireland , hold ourselves at liberty to propose an extension to Ireland of other taxes which are now paid in Great Britain , and which arc not paid in Ireland now , to a certain amount . The whole amount would not be more
than we now expect to raise by the rate in aid . I have stated generally the view which the government take . I do hope by eleven t / clock to-morrow morn in sr , I mav bo informed of what the course is which at five o'clock the Irish members would generally take with respect to Mr . Herbert ' s motion . I shall now retire from this room , but it may ocejir to you that there may be some questions which vou would wish to ask me , or some further explanation which you wisli to have , and therefore I shall bo in the room next to this , and if you will send me a message that you wish to sec uw > any further , I shall be readv to attend vou .
An Hon . Membku . —There is an answer at case to lie given to vour lordship . Lord J . IIussell . —I think ft hcttov that I . " should retire . On Thursday , at a meeting of the Irish neemhers convened for the special purpose of replying to tho preposition of Lord John Kussell , it was resolved : — "That , as a body wo are not prepared ! fro pledge ourselves to the adoptioa of any particiukr tax to be imposed upon Ireland . We ave , not 'jttVvUmg to discuss any proposal for this purpose , v , » on its own merits , iii the House- of Commons ; - out without hearing the arguments which mi glsa & e adduced upon the question , aad ascertaining ithe capability of Ireland to hear hwreased taxation ^ we could nch be in a position to answer for ous ; - constituencies ; and , must , therefore , abstain fvssfc offering aay opinion to the government as to t , he course which it might think proper to adopi-.. —( Signed ) Lw-ti's O'Briex . Chairman . "
Old Saw* Axd Rnovehi!S..™~A Handsaw Is A...
Old Saw * axd rnovEHi ! S .. ™~ A handsaw is a good thing , but sot to shave \ i \ ih i a good wovd is as easily said , as a bnd one \ an inch is not much , but in a mun ' s . nose it ' s the * l eal ; a plaster , is a small amends , for a broken head ; a little pot soon hot ; a runaway king never ^ vids es his sub jects ; a sorrowing byain was never tat ; an old naught will never bo aught ; a wild goose never laid iv tame egg ; a . wqru , before is'worth two behind ; better come st the , end of a least than at the boghinin * of a fray ; he not a baker if your head bo- of butter - , Wner keep the devil out than turn hb . fi out ; empty vessels make the iuost noise ; feather-by feather tho gooss is plucked ; an old knave i $ no babe ; bojtcr Into thrive than never do well ; better an empty . house than a bad tenant ; a fool knows more oi his own house than a wise man of smother ' ? . J hi \ Y 0 wide cays , ap . 4 a short tongue ,
A J V, K \ 'X R\ \V V^ '• * R--V
A v , \ 'X r \ \ V v ^ '• * r--V
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 21, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_21041849/page/1/
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