On this page
-
Text (11)
-
cited bthe Canon lawIn 1225 tephenmade f...
-
THE DOLLY'S BRAE MASSACRE. Lord Rodex an...
-
The totai receipts at the Birmingham Mus...
-
rur RECEIPTS OF 'HE n AT(0NAL LAND COMPA...
-
THE MINISTER AND THE ITALIAN REFUGEES. M...
-
Alexander von Humboldt.—This distinguish...
-
L'AMI DU PEUPLE. The usual letter of " L...
-
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES. (...
-
THE ACT VI. GEORGE IV., WITH ADDITIONS A...
-
GREAT MEETING OF THE MINERS OF THE SOUTH...
-
Day of Humiliation.—Wednesday having bee...
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.
.Mb ^M^. More Parson Plunder. Having Sho...
cited by the Canon law . In 1225 , Stephen Ijaxgtox decreed : — " Firmiter inhibemus ne cuiqutmtproali quapecuniadenegetursepultura " — - *| we strictl y forbid that any man ho refused burial for money cause . " "Money cause , " however , made its way in spite of the prelate and the canon . The "firmiter inhibemus" in process of time , received this ingenious gloss . i ( Albeit the clergyman may not demand auy l flung" forhnrial , yet the laity may be compelled fa observe pious and commendable customslie , mating gifts to the clergy ] and if the cfer / 6 shall allege that for every dead person so much Talk been accustomed to be given to the minister or the Church , he may recover it" Of course the clerk make the required allegation and in blTPn H ? TflD f lotlAtl 1 m « tt T « TO- ) rr Cmnnmii *
the face of the canon , " the pions and laudable custom" of pay ing burial fees , became anew , fixed source of income . It was literall y a case of "no compulsion only you must . " The amount of fiie exactions thus squeezed from the public exceeds half a million . The Rev . Jte . Cote estimates the surplice fees alone at aboui 40 / . annuall y for each parish . His estimates , however , are generally admitted to havebeenbelow the truth . Another authority calculates that nearly a million of the entire income received b y the parochial clergy , was composed of Easter offerings , surplice fees , and various small endowments . The amount derived from these sources may therefore be fairly set down at 600 , 0007 .
xvo official value has been affixed to parsonages and glebe lands . Indeed the Ecclesiastical Commissioners deny thatthey are sources of income ; as if houses , gardens , and paddocks did not constitute a serious item in the annual expenditure of a femily . A writer in tbe Quarterl y Review , not likely to be inimical to the Church , stated some years since , that there were 8 , 000 g lebes , which he valued at 20 Z . each . But the parsonages were omitted from the estimate , which b y other omissions and substractions was pared down to the lowest amount . An average value of 301 . would be still below the truth , and the total annual revenue from this source may be put down at a quarter of a million .
The revenues appropriated to the support of Chapels of Ease , amounting to 100 , 0001 yearly , form another item of clerical emolument—perpetual curacies being included under the denomination of Chapels of Ease . From these various sources the State has directl y provided the Chorea with a munificent yearl y income of nearly xixe mllioxs , for a purpose , which we have shown in the outset of this
examination , to he essentiall y impracticable , which never yet has been fulfilled , and from its very nature never can be so . Now 9 , 000 , 000 / . is a large—a very large—sum of money , and any other body of men but the parsons would have been content with it . But their rapacity knows no bounds , and they make the fact of their receiving so much money the means of getting more .
In addition to the amount directl y paid to them , in the capacity of ministers of the Established Church , there are various sources of emolument to which their position as chnrch ianctionaries g ives them access , and which must be taken into account to have a correct idea of the amount annually received b y them . Among these we my enumerate lectureships , supported by endowments or b y voluntary
subscriptions . These are aboat 350 in number , and y ield 50 , 000 / . yearly . Chaplaincies , in connexion with public institutions—corporate bodies—Commercial companies and embassies—and also those of the army and navy , which alone amount to l ^ OOOJ , a-year . To these may he added the domestic chap laincies of the nobility and gentry—these p laces being generall y monopolised by the clergy of the State Church . The amount of revenue
flowing through these channels into the Church Exchequer , cannot be reckoned at less than 25 , 000 / . more ; and wherever there are salaries attached to the posts of secretary , trustee , or librarian , these pions and disinterested gentlemen generall y secure their own appointment to these " good things . " The next item in the account is the public charities , over which the parsons , from their position exercise an almost exclusive clerical controul , especiall y the educational charities . Many of these benevolent institutions were founded before the Reformation , for the
express purpose of providing sound education for the poorer classes ; and according to the provisions of a statute of Edward IV ., the property belonging to charities and relig ious nouses , was applied to the endowment of grammar and other schools . Private individuals , stimulated by laudable zeal for the education of the peop le , devoted considerable property of the same purpose . The benefit that would arise from the faithful app lication of these funds to the purposes orig inall y contemp lated , may he estimated by a g lance at the state of Birming ham , where the provisions of
the statute of Edward IV . are carried out . The large sums left for educational purposes , are in that town reall y devoted to the education of the inhabitants . In one or two other p laces , as at Bedford , the same is done , with similar advantage to the district ; but in the great majority of instances , these noble bequests have been seized b y the rich , and made the portals throug h which their children and relatives enter active life , and seize on its p rizes . The poor , for whose benefit they were founded , are excluded from all participation in their advantages .
In this most foul and detestable robbery , the parsons have home a consp icuous part ; they have shared the p lunder with the wealth y classes , who have usurped possession of the property left for the common weal , because that was the only way b y which they could ensure a monopoly in the controul andmanagement of thesecharities . Kb one was elig ible to the mastershi p ofa grammar , or , indeed , ofany school , without a hishop ' s licence ; and the reli g ious instruction was , in all cases , to be that of the established church . The masters of
thesefoundationsmustsubscribe the thirty-nine articles , as well as a " declaration of conformity to the liturgy of the United Church of Eno-land and Ireland , as it is now b y law established . " As these subscriptions and declarations are indispensable , the mastershi ps are usuall y held by clergymen ; the hest subordinate p laces are filled by clergymen the inferior b y their dependents ; the educational and other advantages are mainly , if not entirely , confined to members of the Church ; and in . fact , the whole administration of these charities has fallen into the hands of the
parsons , who have taken good care to appropriate their various endowments to their own use These endowments , according to the ^ authorities , ^^ i } j ff ^ om Of this large sum , full y one third , or £ o 00 , U 0 U , is consumed in clerical salaries ; while the remainder , instead of providing , according to the Sal intention , instruction for the poor alone , supp lies cheap education for the sons of the aristocracy and the middle classes , who Se members ofthe Church by law established , fhe SSsi & s of Oxford and Cambrid ge ihich are monopolizcdby the parsons with all 3 £ nice snug fellowshi ps ^ dpastorships vield according to the Bev . H . L . JO * es , oi SSttta Cofege , Oxford the sum of j ? -fi row which is thus made up : —Uxtora ISLtmMge W . 0 K . I * parof take " the uon ' s share
ens , course , Theyare incapableofcrying " Soldi enough With them " increase of appetite doth grow by what it feeds on ; " and Parliamentary Sants , town assessments , and Church bmldfw ack are milch cows , out of which they SlUge to extract a considerabl y . additionto SSlmmal revenues . The last item , how-Se ? weshaH enumerate of that revenue ^ is ™„ Jh rates , an impost which has been KonlSom ^ unitlhy parsonswhh-SSe shldow ofa rig ht to do so . _ In the ori ^ distriHtiou of tithes , p rovision was
.Mb ^M^. More Parson Plunder. Having Sho...
made for the very purposes for which this rate is raised . The clergy were , formerly , only entitled to one-third ofthe tithes , and the remainder was to he appropriated , in equal proportions , totherepairsof Churches and the support ofthe poor . The parsons have , however , with their characteristic fraudulent and encroaching policy ,. managed to grasp the whole of the tithes , and to throw the dutv of « v . ^ i 1 . £ .. ll . * . ~ J » _ «•
supporting taepoor , and repairing ecclesiastical edifices , as additional burdens upon the people—nay , even the Universities , with all the wealth they enjoy , are exempt from poor rates ! The amount of Chnrch rates levied mtheyear ending Easter , 1839 , was 363 , 103 / . ; and if to this sum be added the proceeds of pews , sittings , and other sources—this item may be set down at half a million sterling
A review of these various sources of revenue , which have not been in any way exaggerated ' leads to the conclusion , that , after malringevery reasonable allowance and deduction , the net annual income of the established Church of England and Wales is upwards of ten millions sterling . A close and scrutinising investigation , aided by correct returns obtained throug h the medium of an impartial commis sion , would , we believe , show the amount to be much larger , but the facts adduced full y warrant us in fixing the amount we have named .
The whole of this enormous amount of money is misdirected , and app lied to other than national purposes . It is national property , and yet it is appropriated b y a favoured and dominant sect . Taking the ' population of England and Wales at 15 , 000 , 000 , the parsons p lunder the peop le of 15 s . a head yearl y , or a famil y of six persons of 4 . 1 . 10 s . It is hi gh time this monster abuse was looked into , and the national propert y restored to its legitimate owners —the people . ' J ' . In a subsequent article we shall g lance at a few of the national purposes to which that propert y mi ght be applied , and the benefits that would result therefrom .
Cited Bthe Canon Lawin 1225 Tephenmade F...
• - - > - - ' */ . . . i . . # ? , .. . . £ . -, .: wc - .,. .,: , Jy ^^' K >' : ^^ ' <^ i ^ : <^ c ^» : 'Atf *'" - "" sj : S ^^ ' - ,. ; .. - ' - ' -. y ^ iCA '' September 22 , 1843 . " mT »« ^^« m „««^ T r , ' . __ £ 1— . ' ¦¦ - '' ^^^^^^^ k ^ ^^^^^^^^^ j ^^ ' ' - THE NORTHERN STA R , ^^ i ^^^^ mmm ¦•¦ ¦ . ¦ - ¦*•?** ¦ " -r ^ X ^^^ *"^ " ^*~ - ii , 11 mi , a ,,, ,, —¦ — n ¦¦¦ n in i i i i — — ¦ . —__ . . - \
The Dolly's Brae Massacre. Lord Rodex An...
THE DOLLY'S BRAE MASSACRE . Lord Rodex and his brother magistrates have refused to grant warrants for the apprehension of the Doll y ' s Brae murderers This is a specimen of lame and lop-sided jus tice for which , even in the history of Ireland , we cannot find a parallel . On the 12 th of Jul y , 1819 , a body of men calling . themselves " ¦ Orangemen , " make their appearance on Lord Roden ' s premises . They
come b y his Lordship ' s leave , if not b y his express invitation . Most of them are armed . They are graciousl y received b y the Lord , who wears the insignia of then * order . They drink his Lordshi p ' s beer , eat his beef , and listen to his patriotic speeches . Both he and they are fall of lip-loyalty ; and after toasting the Queen , and the Pkince , and the Prince os Wales , and the Royal Family in general , and cheering his Lordship , and wishing the Pope in the hottest of all climates , they set out for their homes .
They have a choice of roads . On one of these , at a point called Doll y ' s Brae , a large body Of the opposite faction—the Rlbbonmen —are assembled . These are exasperated b y previous outrages and insults , and a hostile collision may be expected . All this is pointed out to Lord Rodex b y the chief of the Constabulary Force ; "who at the same time begs his Lordshi p to induce the Orangemen to take the other route . A word from his Lordshipwhose power and popularity among these ruffians are unlimited—will be sufficient . He
refuses to g ive that word , on the plea that it would be of no avail ! In a sp irit of bravado and fiendish recklessness , the Doll y ' s Brae route is taken . The Orangemen feel strong and secure , under the favour of a protecting mag istracy , andajnefcedpolice . Doll y ' s Brae is crossed . The anticipated conflict occurs , and the Ribbonmen are driven from the ground—not by then * Orange antagonists , but by the military and police , who capture a score men , beating them with a marked and wanton brutality .
In the skirmish , several ofthe Orange party are wounded ; and their comrades ^ in the spirit of retaliation , make an attack upon the nei g hbouring houses , dragging forth their defenceless dwellers . A . massacre ensues—a massacre of aged women and boys ; a massacre that , for cold brutality , cannot find its parallel in the history of vindictive warfare . A woman ei ghty years old is shot down , dead , and trampled in a sink ' . Another , bedridden by a
chronic disease , is battered with huge stones , thrown down upon her with violence ! Hei sou a harmless youth , is dragged forth before her face , and sp itted npon a dozen bayonets ! An idiot is shot through the heart , while smiling in the face of his murderer I A lad running across the fields is wantonly fired upon , and killed , and a young girl receives a bullet throug h , the thigh ' . To make the picture comp lete , it is illumined by a holocaust of blazing huts !
2 fow , it has been proved beyond a doubt , that all this occurred on the 12 th day of July , 1849 ; that it occurred in the broad lig ht of day , under the eyes ofthe military and police ; nay , more , a host of witnesses have sworn that a county magistrate—to whom we will allow the benefit of celebrity by g iving his name—a Mr . F . Seeks , was on the spot , aiding and abetting the massacre by such loathsome expressions as— " Come , boys , you are into M'Muixes ' s land , d—n their souls ! blow them—man , woman and child—out of it !" "D—n her , boys—pop her ! " "Fire and kill on !"
AU these facts have been established—if ever facts were established—by oaths and probability ; and yet , in the face of all this , the Big ht Honourable the Earl of Roden , at the head of a bench of magistrates , officiall y refuses to bring the offenders to justice ! Nearl y a score of the opposite party—many of them without the shadow ofa charge against them—are dragged to gaol under brutal insult ; while the real aggressors , who are seen firing their gunsburning houses , and murdering women and children , under the eyes of the police and mag istrates , are suffered to go free , and , by likel
the grace of the Earl of Rodex , are y to remain so . His Lordship deigns to defend his conduct in a speech—or rather an apologyso filled with remarkable doctrines , that , but for the serious natureof the subject , we should havebeen compelled to believe that he meant it for a burlesque . Hear him : — "Icannot hel p lamenting that the Government has seen fit to bring forward such , a charge , after Her Majesty's visit to this country , which had put down , in a great measure the angry feeling which was prevailing this country . Irepeat I cannot but lament that the present
, proceedings have been instituted . " Can this be the serious expression of a man in his senses ? or must we look upon his Lordshi p as a lunatic ? " Cannot Mp lamenting '' what ? —that the Government has seen fit to institute a search for a set of the foulest murderers that ever cheated the gallows , and whom Lord RodeN thinks should be allowed to go scot free , j ust because Her Majestt has visited Ireland ? If this be the usual logic of Irish justice , we sincerel y pity That
those to whom it is administered . Her Majest y ' s visit to Ireland should cancel all liability for crime is a virtue that , among the many otters , we have not yet heard ascribed to it . But , although we cannot see any relationship between the Queen ' s visit and the mnrders at Doll y ' s Brae , Ave can clearly appreciate the position of the Earl of Roden , in relation to these melancholy events ; and we are not at all surprised at his Lordship s anxiety to stay all proceedings in this case .
The Totai Receipts At The Birmingham Mus...
The totai receipts at the Birmingham Musical Festival were £$ 340 ; number of visitors , 10 , 209 .
Rur Receipts Of 'He N At(0nal Land Compa...
rur RECEIPTS OF 'HE n AT ( 0 NAL LAND COMPANY For ins wbek Endiko Thursday , Sbphjmbeb 20 , 1849 . SHkres . £ a . d . £ s . a . £ eigb .. . 0 12 C J . Lewi , .. 0 5 0 Preston , Brown 112 0 W . M'Leau .. 0 5 0 Little Town .. 012 8 Westminster .. o 2 e Nottingham .. o 6 . 0 . tynn .. .. ne 10 £ 5 jia 6 EXPENSE FUND , Yarmouth .. 0 2 0 Little Town 0 4 0
.. ' _ 0 _ G _ 0 TOTALS . Land Fund ... 5 12 e Expense ditto ... ¦ 0 6 0 * f athon 376 7 5 Bonus ditto go 1 0 Loan ditto 0 3 0 lransfcrs ... o 1 0
£ ff l 10 11 W . Dixon , C . Doh , e , ^ mmmmmmm T . Cjmrk , Cor . Sec . P . M'Gbath , Pin . Sec .
EXECUTIVE FUND . deceived by V . Rideb .-W . Hyde , Milborne Port . ?? i . ? ? , 5 s - Rwwea at Lakb Ohicr-Mis . Heath , Is . FOR COSTS OF MACNAMARA'S ACTION . Received bv W . R ; D £ B . _ Dewsbury Chartists , per B . Newsome , 10 a . ; Gamelford , per B . Brown , 3 s . ; It . Crow-Uier , Birmingham , per J . A . Fusscll , 2 s . ; William Shaw , Birmingham , Is . ; B . Carter , Birmingham , Is . ; J > . Pott Birmingham , 2 s . 6 d . ; J . A . Fusscll , Birmingham , 7 s . 6 < L FOR WIVES AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS . Beceived by W . Rimb . —W . Hyde , Milborne Port , 5 s . ; Holmiirtli Chartists , per H . Marsden , 5 s . ; S . Guinaman , Timbridge Weife , Is . ; Camelford . per B . Brown , 2 s . ; Hull , perG . Barnett , 4 s .
EXPENSE AT INQUESTS ON WILUAMS AND SHARP . Received by W . Rider . —T . C . Ingram , Abergavenny , Is . ; Bruce Ingram , Abirgavenny , 6 d . Received at Land Office . —Leicester , per Colliers , Is . 8 d .: per W , Rider , 2 s . 6 d . ; "Westminster Locality , 5 s . FOR MRS > JONES . Received at Lisn Office . —T . J . Croivtber , Is . ; James Buclsbridge , Is . ; Hanley , per Silvester , 8 s . FOR THE HUNGARIANS . Received by W . Bideb—S . Guinaman , Tunbridge WeUs , 6 d . TO EXEMPT E . JONES FROM OAKUM PICKING , Receved by W . Rider . —Halifax , per John jCulpan , £ 1 . FOR THE WIDOW OF J . WILLIAMS . Received by W . Bideb . —Camelford , perB . Brown , Is . FOR G . WHEELER . Received at Lasd Office . —G . W ., Is .
VICTIM FUND . Received by S . Boonhah . —W . S ., Is . ; Hanley , per Silvester , 8 s . ; a Friend , Burslem , Is . ; Newport , Isle of Wight , 5 s . ; Galashiels , Is . ; Mr . Rider , 17 s . ; Mr . Martin , Somers Town , per John Arnott , Is . - . Mrs . Heath , 6 d Total , £ 114 s . Od .
The Minister And The Italian Refugees. M...
THE MINISTER AND THE ITALIAN REFUGEES . MR . HUME TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL . Mr Lord , —As chairman , for the time being , of a committee of members of parliament and other gentlemen , which has been formed in aid of the Italian ( Roman ) refugees in tbis country , I am desired , in their name , to address your lordshi p , as the head of her Majesty ' s government , with respect to the recent conduct ofthe governor of Malta in refusing an asylum to the refugees from Rome . The broad facts of the case , as brought to the attention of the government and the House of Commons on the closing day of the late session of parliament ( facts which have been corroborated and developed in greater detail b y subsequent information ) , are more than sufficient warrant to address your lordship , without reference to any individual cases .
The Governor of Malta has thought fit to refuse a landing at Malta to political refugees from the Boman States , who took shi p for that island , relying with confidence on passports vised by the English consul at Civita Tecchia or at Rome . Had there been reasonable cause to apprehend any misconduct on the park of these unarmed refugees the garrison of Malta was surely a place where sufficient security could have been taken against such a contingency : whilst , in considering the probabilities of so unworth y a return for the hospitality they claimed , it should not have been forgotten by a British citizen so high in office as the Governor of Malta that the unfortunate wanderers were ofthe number of those defenders ofthe
city of Rome who had won the respect of the civilised world by an observance of law and order and of constitutional government within its walls as remarkable as the valour and humanity they displayed in its defence . Amidst all the diversities of op inion , in this and in former times , concerning the foreign policy of onr country , there is one rule of conduct which has been invariably observed , and hasmet with universal and heartfelt assent , namely—that of extending a generous and fearless hospitality to political exiles of every class , from every country , and of every cause . It is a bitter mortification to fine that rule
of conduct in the present instance disregarded , and the character of this country for hospitality needlessly sullied , by an officer bearing her Majesty ' s commission , and in command of one of the strongest g arrisons of the British empire . The committee ventures to express a confident hope that her Ma esty ' s government , if it have not already done so , will visit with marked disapprobation this discreditable act of its representative in Malta , so as to manifest to the world that the British government in no way countenances conduct which is as foreign to our national character as it is disgraceful to the British name . I am , & c Aug . 31 . Joseph Hume .
LORD SOWS RUSSELL TO MB . HUME . Balmoral , Sept . 5 , 1819 . Sib ,-t-I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 31 st of August—written in yous capacity of chairman of a committee of members of parliament and others , which has been formed in aid of the Italian ( Roman ) refugees in this countrycomplaining of the conduct of the Governor of Malta . Lord Grey has sent me all the papers which have reference to the conduct of Mr . More O'Ferrall , Governor of Malta , to the Italians who sought refuge . It has been our practice , as you truly observe , " to extend a generous and fearless hospitality to political exiles of every class , from every country , and iu every cause . " You may remember that , on the occasion of tho French revolution of February , 1848 , when you asked me a question in the House of Commons , 1
adverted to this honourable practice , and expressed my determination to adhere to it . I may observe , that the refugees in this country at present are " of every class , from every country , and in every cause ; " and a proof is thus afforded how well the usual rule has been observed . The Governor of Malta , however , was of opinion thati although the refugees from Rome ( not Soman refugees , in great part ) might safely be allowed to proceed to England , be could not be responsible for their remaining in Malta . They were therefore detained on board ship for some ten days or a fortnight , with the exception of the sick , and of tbe women and children , who were allowed to land . You are probably aware that there has existed during the past year a sort of circulating society of revolutionists , who have appeared sometimes in Paris , sometimes in Berlin , sometimes in Baden ; and who were especially in great strength and numbers at Rome .
It is not consistent with the peace and good government of Malta , although it may be consistent with the peace and security of London , to have numerous bands of this revolutionary association at Malta . It would be as pleasant an occupation to them to stir up dissensions in Malta as to head a riot in Berlin or in Baden . One of these refugees was avowedly only taking Malta in his way to Venice , to assist in defending that city against the besieging troops . After all , what has hcen the hardship inflicted ? These persons were in no danger of their lives while they were on board a French vessel . They were not detained longer than a vessel put in quarantine . They took their passages to England , or to Greece if they chose . They were prevented from disturbing Malta , and that was all .
Lord Grey has therefore , with my full concurrence , expressed his approbation of the course pursued by the Governor of Malta . I have the honour to be , & c , Ac ., J . Russell . P . S . I presume there is no doubt of the legality of the course pursued by the Governor of Malta ?
Alexander Von Humboldt.—This Distinguish...
Alexander von Humboldt . —This distinguished philosopher accomplished his 80 th year last Friday , he having been born upon the Uth of September , 1769 . It will be gratifying to his admirers and friends in England , and in many other parts of the globe , even to the mighty Andes and far-distant Himalayas , to hear that the illustrious author continues in the full enjoyment , not only of sturdy health , but of all those mental faculties which have crowned his name with immortal glory , shed lustre upon his native land , and conquered for him 'a permanent place among the princes of the intellectual world , , ,
L'Ami Du Peuple. The Usual Letter Of " L...
L'AMI DU PEUPLE . The usual letter of " L'Ami du Peuple " cannot appear this week , in consequence of the ill-health of that writer .
National Association Of United Trades. (...
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES . ( Established 18 i 5 . ) The apathy which attends the termination of periods of unusual excitement or suffering , appears now tho distinguishing feature of the industrial world , viewed either in its political or social aspect , or , to borrow the expressive words of the sentimental Jack Ragg : " There isnotldng stirring but stagnation . " R would almost appear , that , not only all power , but even all desire on the part of the working classes to better their position , had been utterly expended in their past struggle , and that thopossessors of power and capital were for
the future to be the undisputed arbiters of tho liberties and privileges 0 t Labour . The National Association , m common with every other movement of an industrial character , finds its progress impeded by the slugg ish insensibility . However much his state of things is to be deplored , there is nothing m it which should cause surprise , or deter from steadil y endeavouring to perfect the great work we have in hand . As surel y as day follows night , or any other of . natures operations pursues its inevitable course , so surel y will this cold fit pass away ; and the working men arouse themselves shortly ls , t 1 Vere , troma tranc " greatly instructed by the experience of the past ? rush with redoubled energy into those social an ,
political movements , whose vital principles have carried them safel y through the storms of the past ; or such as may be called into existence by the changed circumstances ot the times . And it may be safely predicted , that all future movements of the working classes , whether social or political , will differ materially , from the past , by their superior practical character and tendencies . Conceiving that the National Association is most peculiarly one of this description , the central committee are fully determined to maintain 4 ts position , and to force even its enemies , ( for unfortunately it lias enemies ) to admit its superior power and influence m dealing with the wrongs and grievances of the working men : ' Within these few weeksseveral
, important advantages have been obtained for members of this Association in Birmingham , Daventry , Lynn , & c , without any of those losses and privations , which usually , nay , almost invariably , attend the successes of other movements . Such facts , when known , must have their weight upon the working classes , notwithstanding the constant endeavours of certain influential . officials in some parts of the country , to misrepresent tho policy and principles ofthe Association to their members . Had the factory operatives , who in their hundreds and thousands for a short period , in 1847 , attached themselves to this movement—but were compelled to withdraw from it , the late depression in trade , and in many instances the total shutting un ofthe
mills , depriving them of the means of keepin" up the very small contribution required from themrejoined the movement upon resuming their employment , their prospects of obtaininingan advanceupon their present miserable pittance would have been much greater than wo fear it is at present , notwithstanding the heavy contributions exacted from them to support isolated strikes in Bolton and elsewhere ; which , with the present imperfect organisation , and the unimproved policy of their present leaders , can only end , as all previous strikes of this sort have ended , in disappointment and loss to tllO operatives tliomselves . That this will be the result of tho present movement in Lancashire , we are justified in predicting , because all the elements necessary to ensure success are wanting in the present movement . That the demand foran advance is justified b
y the late improvement in trade , and would have been conceded generally if urged a few weeks later , we have reasons to know . But the present very questionable policy , of trying to force it by sectional strikes , in the face of a rising cotton-wool market and a depreciated market for the manufactured goods , speaks but little , at all events , for the judgment of those who advised it . The Central Committee have the promise of the manufacturers of Warrington , that an advance will be given to the hands in their employment , as soon as the present feverish state of the cotton markets shall have subsided , and the employers of other towns , buying and selling their goods iu the same markets , shall be prepared- to follow their example . These gentlemen expressed the utmost desire to be placed in a position to give the required advance , fairly conceding the reasonableness and justice of the demand .
The Central Committee . will not fail to watch for an opportunity of renewing their application under more favourable circumstances , on behalf of those belonging to the Association ; and they hope that their success will be as early and as ample as will be obtained by the bands in tiny other town . ; while , at tho same time , they will be free from the heavy imposts wiiich their follow-workmen are submitting to , with the slightest possible chance of any ade ^ quate advantage . ^ The Central Committee cannot let this opportunity pass without again calling the serious attention of the Factory operative , and the leading men possessing their confidence , to their present position . There is one great fact which stands in the way ofany successful movement for an advance of
wages ; that is , the different prices paid for the same description of labour in the several manufacturing towns in Lancashire ; indeed there arc scarcely two towns that pay the same rate of wages . This is an evil of such magnitude that nothing but a thorough confederation of tho Factory operatives of Lancashire is equal to cope with , but with such a confederation it would be easy of adjustment ; and not onl y would an equalisation of wages be accomplished by this means , but tho adjustment of the hours of labour to the demand in tho labour market , could be effected more completely , and far more satisfactorily , than by special acts of legislation . This is evidently the opinion of 0 . Ilindley , Esq ., as expressed by him at a meeting in Manchester , upon the question of the violation of the Ten Hours Bill , when he advised the Factory operatives to pass a Ten Hours Bill for themselves , by combination .
The advantages to be derived by a thorough organisation of the operatives of Lancashire is not confined to the above-named special grievances , but would be found of inestimable value in the adjusting the disputes and remedying the evils which the irresponsible power usurped by the factory mastez-s constantly entail on their work people , from a conviction that there exists no tribunal which their victims can appeal to for protection or redress . It is this reliance upon the supremacy of their usurped power , which lias rendered the Ten Hours Bill and the Truck Act mere waste paper ; for it is too notorious that these Acts—but move particularly the Truck Act—are openl y violated in every part of the manufacturing districts . Kor is it in the power of any local union to protect the operatives from the vengeance of the guilty law-breakers —the secretaries and committee-men themselves
would need protection if they were found moving m such proceedings . The Central Committeo hope that these remarks will be received by those whose interests are involved , and be considered worthy of their deepest consideration . They must surely begin to perceive the inefficacy of their present organisation for any useful purpose . Let thorn at once call a meeting of delegates of every branch , from every town or district , to consider tbe propriety of forming a Confederation ofthe Textile Trades of Great Britain , for mutual protection . The question of nationalising such confederation , ' when formed , would be the subject of future consideration . But the present petty huckstering system is a gross delusion—of benefit to no party , aud an injury to all .
The Act Vi. George Iv., With Additions A...
THE ACT VI . GEORGE IV ., WITH ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS , BY MARK NAPIER , SHERIFF-DEPUTY OF DUMFRIES-SHIRE .
IMPORTANT COMBINATION CASE . One of those scenes of power , " working its wantonness in form of law , " which demonstrate the utter servility to the interests or supposed interests of the governing classes otthis country ; of tllOSC wlio arc sworn to do justice between man and man , ( perhaps not between master and man ) was witnessed on Friday week last iu tho Court Bouse of Dumfries . No _ blood was shed , and no bones broken ; but it was clearly demonstrated how in this free and enviable state " laws grind the poor , " by seven industrious and respectable tradesmen being immured in prison for what , save by an atrocious quibble , was no crime against Dives , even by his own unjust laws . " The case was tried by Napier , the county sheriff ; the accused were ably defended
by John Millar , Esq ., advocate , who did all that logic could to upset the indictment , which was altogether a iion sttpiitor , and to stop the uneqularities with which the proceediMgs abounded '; but , it was no use , the victims were foredoomed . If this infamous trial have no other effect , it will have this . It has been often argued , that while it is manifestly unjust to allow such a case as the one underactive , to come before a jury of employers , who arc all indirectly parties , justice might bo attained before a " gentleman " removed from such influence ; hut while fully allowing the first , we can now add another fact to those already existing , which prove that the special sheriff is still the same animal , not a whit improved since the time when the clothyard shafts of tho bold foresters of Sheerwood and his democracy were required to keep him in order ,
The Act Vi. George Iv., With Additions A...
and to mete out to him tho justice so often denied to others . When the people get the reins it will be a question onl y , we hope , of one solution , whether the executive should be allowed to retain the appointnient of at least local judges . To our thinking it is to the full as dangerous in another way as the French system of allowing tho mayoralties to be filled by their executive is politically . I ho court was crowded , tho gallon- filled by a sympathising body of " aliopmates , " and Messrs . Jamos M'Oaii , j ; imc 3 jiannab , James Beck , James Scott , William Dodd , Joseph Glover , and James Renwick , journeymen shoemakers ; all honour to , and all good men ' s sympathy with them , were placed at the bar , before her Majesty ' s sheriff , charged , in a rigmarole of an indictment , which
would occupy about a column of your paper , witli violently obstructing Wm . Henderson , master shoemaker , in Dumfries , and Benjamin Walker , his journeyman , & o ., & c , and in so doing , contravening the Act VI . George IV . Mr . Henderson , tho employer , whom we believe to have been nz . unwilling witness , was the principal one . The chief portion of his evidence were to the effect that he was called upon , and invited to a meeting of committee of the cordwainers society , requested to act up to the just requirement of the society ; and if ho did not , he was told quietl y and civilly , that his . shop would be " blocked , " namely , that no man belonging to the society would be allowed , that is , by its laws , to work with him , by laws to which all tho members had agreed . There was no compulsion used nor any wish to use it . The only show of
ground for assuming any such thing was the phraseology of some of the men , the true and honest signification of which ' will be seen by tho following evidence , led in exculpation : — " Andrew Fraser Johnston examined : Is a journey man shoemaker in Dumfries , and a member of the cordwainer ' s society . Its objects are for upholding wages , for supporting sick members , and relieving tramps . Benjamin Walker wrought with Mr . Henderson in June last , refused to join , and said , with an oath , ho did not care for tho society . Witness left Mr . Henderson ' s employ , because ho kept Ben . Walker there ,- There vsaa no compulsion used , but vritness withdreiu of his own accord . There were other members of the society with Mr . Henderson who then imthdrew from his employ also . It was entirely of his ovm accord , and no one used any threats towards them of any kind .
Five of the prisoners were sentenced to two months , and Messrs . Glover and Renwick to three months' imprisonment ; Napier being determined , as he said , " to exercise the authority with which he was vested to put down sucli illegal and dangerous practices . " Mr . Renwick , on receiving sentence said , " This is a taste of the glorious liberty of Old England ; but a systen under which such injustice can be enacted cannot last long , " fto doubt it will not—God forbid it should . , But is will last three months , and during two of these , five good and true men will be lying in prison for not only the shoemakers , but every other working man not only in Dumfries , but the entire country . Let all the zealous , then , be up and stiring—let no time bo lost in . ^ canvassing the town ; and although perhaps nothing can be done to mitigate the sufferings ofthe victims of class-made law and king-made officials—leiitneir brethren see of it , that the
innocent families and dependents of those who havefallen in the breach do not suffer . A mere trifle from every man in work would make up their little incomes , and encourage others in tho day of need . Let the business of the society , too , be , in future , more cautiously . conducted—let there be for one thing foirer " conferences" with employers , they may prove traps ; but , above all things , cling to your organisation , Sons of Crispin , and " never give up the ship . " And when Justice (?) lets go her grasp be you prepared to welcome your prisoners . Why not bring them forfeit with royal honours and all your insignia ? besides , to make up for tho privations of their dungeon , inviting them to your board on the evening ot the day when they shall be restored to the little liberty left to the toilers of Britain . Hundreds , there are of all crafts in Dumfries who would flock with eagerness to the " Victims' Soiree . "—Correspondent .
Great Meeting Of The Miners Of The South...
GREAT MEETING OF THE MINERS OF THE SOUTH . TO THE EDITOR Of THE JfOKTITERN STAR . Sin , —In accordance with the previous announcement , the general public meeting of the Miners of Northumberland arid Durham waa held on the Black Fell , on Saturday last , a brief account of which I forward for insertion in your valuable journal . At about an hour before tho time of meeting , the great gathering was going on . Colliers , preceded by their flags , were seen advancing from the south , the north , the east and the west , all forming around the base ofthe hill , where , iu times gone by , thousands had . met together for tho holy purpose of checking the onward march of tyranny and oppression ; which , but for these solitary gatherings , would ere now have reduced the miners to the lowest depths of misery and degradation . At a lew minutes after . twelve o ' clock , Mr . Elliott was elected to preside , and opened tho meeting by a few brief , but pertinent remarks , upon the necessity of
those present being calm and collected , to hear with all attention what had to be laid before them , and so to conduct themselves as to gainjthat respect , which upon all previous occasions had been freely awarded them . The chairman then called upon Mr . Charles Hardy to propose the first resolution as follows : — " That all experience goes to prove that when the miners of this district are disunited , their wages always decrease , fines are increased , measure tubs enlarged , additions made to the standard weights , & c , all of which form an aggregate reduction in our earnings within the last few years of about thirty-three per cent . That from the almost general attempt made during this year by our employers to still further reduce our wages , tbis meeting pledges itself to use its best endeavours to unite the whole of the miners in the district , as being the only remedy against such frequent , continued , and extensive reductions in the price of our labour , "
Mr . Hardy said , that in moving this resolution he must say that the presence of so many of his brother miners , made his heart glad , and afforded another proof—if more were wanting , that the oppressions they had to endure were so manifold and keenly severe , that they could not endure them longer ; and he hoped that from this day they would be enabled , to date their relaxation , and , ultimately , the entire freedom from such unheard-of tyranny . Having made a few more observations bearing upon the subject , Mi * . Hardy concluded by moving the resolution .
Mr . F . Smith being introduced by the chairman to second the above , stated it to be his unqualified opinion , and he was altogether guided by his experience and observation , that iu the language of the resolution , the . want of union engendered all the evils therein expressed . In his district they were bound to have a measure tub , and to be allowed to see a surpected tub measured , but though they had applied for the privilege , it could not be granted . They had respectfully intimated to their employer that they wanted a copy of the bond , but he coarsel y denied them such a boon . Mr . Smith next entered into the various grievances to which they were subjected , which were ofa most serious character—especially the practice of
sending young boys to gaol tor the sli ght offence of laying idle a day , and sometimes for only balf-a-day —the describing of which , elicited frem the meeting , the deepest execration . He most cordially seconded the resolution ; but before he sat down the meeting would allow him to state , that though he had been in the army , and had experienced enough of the evils of despotism there , yet be must say that the man ( not the gentleman ) who was their employer at present , exceeded by far all he had seen in the shape of tyranny and oppression . The second resolution , moved by Mr . J . Fawcett , was as follows : — - " Thaf inasmuch as the laws of this country allow the workmen of any calling to meet together for tbe -purpose of fixing the hours of
labour , and tho prices to be paid for the same , be it therefore resolved , that we take the earliest opportunity of ascertaining the best manner of regulating our labour , so as to ensure employment to all our brother miners , and to produce a greater uniformity iu our future cavniugs . " My . Yrwcfctt calicu the attention of the meeting to the necessity of making good their pledges , and of keeping strictly to what they promised , Ho elucidated with a clearness of perception rarely evinced by coal-hevers , the invaluable truths embodied in the resolution , and their relative bearing upon the well-being of the collier and his family . Tho principle of moral justice inculcated by the resolution was dilated upon by the speaker , with happy effect ; who concluded an able address with the following illustration ofthe practical of the resolution . Suppose a pit with 160 hewers , and that with the master ' s arrangementor non-arrangement , for they care nothing about
the matter—fifty of them get 4 s . Cd . each per day , fifty more get 3 s . per day , and the other fifty ls . Sd . per day . Now this is the real state of an unregulated trade ; therefore , by uniting together and regulating our labour the whole 150 men will get 3 s . per day each , and that is but what the trade at present will afford . Mr . Fawcett sat dowa with moving the resolution . Tho Chairman then introduced Mr . B . Embletox , veteran collier , to second tho resolution . Mr . Emblcton said , that in addressing the miners this day upon the question of restriction , or of regular ting their labour , ho felt bound to observe , that the present deplorable and miserable condition of the miners was entirel y attributable to the absence of such regulation . Ho could inform them that in Scotland , where ho had once laboured , the miners there , by a strict observance of that just principle of so regulating their labour as to allow their fellow miners an equal chance to live , and thereby ensure a uniformity of wages , had not only brought aba / at a better feeling amoog themselves , but had in-
Great Meeting Of The Miners Of The South...
creased their rate of wages fifty per cent ., and instead of altercation with their employers there had arisen the greatest harmony . He cordially seconded the resolution . * Mr . H . Fuycett was then called upon to move tho following resolution , upon tho ventilation of tho pits m this district . - - "That the immense sacrifice of human life m the pits and mines of this country , calls aloud for legislative interference , ia providing some remedial measure . That , m the opinion of tin s mooting the providing of an efficient system of inspection of mines—such inspectors being practical man—would go far to prevent this fearful destruction of life ; but to ensure that to the greatest possible extent , such inspectors should bo empowered by Act of Parliament , to enforce a
healthy and safe ventilation ot mines , by compelling the use of brattices , doors , stopp ings , and proper air-ways ; and that ire resolve to petition tho legislature at the next session of Parliament to pass an act embodying these views and opinions . " Mr . Fawcett began by declaring that though he was an unhappy sufferer by the present unhealthy state of the air wherein so many thousands had to earn their bread , yet he felt altogether inadequate to faithfully describe the real state ofthe case . Ho could draw their attention to the extreme anguish of his own feelings when ho witnessed the sufferings brought about by tho Haswell tragedy—mothers weeping for their sons , and wives for their husbands—but ho saw clearly that the picture would
bring again the tears from their eyes ; many of them , indeed , had but too ample experience in the loss b y these direful events of their friends and relatives ; to dwell upon such sad scenes was only causing those old wounds to bleed afresh , therefore he would change the theme , and ask , was not tho constant presence ofthe carbonic acid gas equally destructive of human existence ? the only difference being , the one killed instantaneously , while the other was the work of time , but no less sure . What could be expected but that their constitutions should bo broken up in middle age . Did they not toil day after day in the sunless mine , and during each day they never breathed the wholesome air ? Gas- was present when they began—more abundant while
the work lasted—aud almost suffocating before-thcy left off . The masters have put in horses to supplant tho labour of our boys , but these animals consumed what little air there was , and contaminated tho whole much sooner than it otherwise would be ; tho largo tubs blocked up the passage in such a way that a man was literally locked in , and if gas came off , he would be roasted alive ; for—like i ' orick-3 Starling— "hn cannot get out . " Ho begged to move the resolution * Mr . James hmoi seconded the resolution , in at few brief remarks , illustrative of the position that the carelessness on the part of the employers was , in a great measure , attributable to our divided and disunited state .
The Chairman then announced that Mr . Wy ! d , M . 1 ' ., would address them upon the subject of colliery explosions . Mi ' , Wyld , who was received with the most enthusiastic cheering , proceeded to state , that upon this matter , the loss of lives by explosions and other accidents in the mines . of this country , his mind was-made up that something should be done , and that as speedily as possible . That although their well-tried friend , Mr . Duncombe . had laboured assiduously to bring jrcotedtioiv to v \ kj miner , yet had the ministry of the day always succeeded in frustrating the benevolent and humane intentions of the miners' friends in providing a proper inspection of miners by Act of Parliament . Since ho first
saw tho disastrous effects of an explosion , whether viewed in tho light ofa serious calamity as affecting the comfort and happiness of those deprived of their ordinary support ,, or , in the shock to your own feeling in beholding so many of your fellow-creatures so suddenly cut off m the pride of manhood , he had resolved to use all his influence to bring about a different statc of tilings , and though he was not acquainted , nor had anything to do with minesyet he felt as n man ,, and as a member of parliament , that it was his duty to investigate this matter ; and to do that most efficiently he had determined to visit the miners , and hear and see for himself what was best to be done ; and such was the strong desire he felt to be present at this
meeting that he had travelled five hundred miles since the previous day , having been in Cornwall on business connected with his parliamentary labours . Mr . Wyld concluded an able speech by calling upon the miners to support their iriends , when parliament shall again meet , hy numerously-signed petitions , and not to lose siglit of tiiis fact , that their wealthy employers would considerably influence the House of Commons . But if they ( the miners ) could secure public opinion—and to ensure that they must work with energy—the time may not be far distant when they would have a- like protection accorded , as was provided for the protection of the sailor and the emigrant , and also to the factory operative and railway travellers .
The following resolution was then put to the meeting , and carried unanimously : — Moved by M . Jude , seconded by J . Fawcett" That this meeting having learned the arrangements come to by the meeting of viewers , and professor Philips , in selecting a lew collieries only for inspection , as affording a true index of the state of the ventilation in the whole ofthe collieries in these two counties , beg to enter their sincere and earnest protest against such proceedings , and trust , for the honour of the commissioner and the cause of humanity , that he will not persist in making to the government any report calculated to leave the impression that the state of tho ventilation of the whole of the collieries are in accordance with those few which he has inspected , inasmuch as such impression would be a gross imposition , and tend to frustrate the humane object of providing by act of parliament some efficient remedial measure for the prevention of such disastrous accidents in the mines of this district . "
Ihe arrangements made by the viewer with Professor Philips to visit only a certain number of the pits in the district , was then read to the meeting , when tho following protest against the proceedings was adopted : — " That a letter bo wrote to Professor Philips , and another to Sir G . Grey , apprising them ofthe feelings and convictions of the miners in this district , as expressed in the above protest , and urging the necessity of increasing the number of inspectors , so as to insure a fair and impartial report in regard to the real state of tho ventilation of the whole collieries in these two counties . "
A vote of thanks was then given to Mr . Wyld , M . P ., forjiis attention and endeavours to provide a protection for tho lives of the miners and also for his visit that day , which , to use an old phrase , made the " Welkin ring . " That gentleman briefly returned thanks , assuring those around him , that , if spared with life ana health , he would be at his post as soon as the parliament met ; and any and all information necessary for him to be acquainted with they would best serve their own cause by forwarding the same to him . and all their friends in parliament . A vote of thanks being given to the Chairman tho
meeting broke up , and all wended their way to their several homes , hundreds of whom had come upwards of twenty miles . With respect to the number present , I feel certain there were not less than seven thousand men ; and when it is considered that this is tho first general meeting since the miners began , to re-organise their union it maybe safely said to have been a bumper . I have been at many first meetings when unions have began , and this is tho largest that I have seen . Indeed , all parties . wcro highly delighted with the meeting , and the greatest harmony of feeling prevailed throughout . Yours , obedicn ^ y , M . Ji'UK .
Day Of Humiliation.—Wednesday Having Bee...
Day of Humiliation . —Wednesday having been appointed by the Bishop of Winchester as . a day of liumiliation and prayer to Almighty Godw in consequence of the prevailing epidemic , it was observed as a close holiday by abstinence from business , Ac , in the various parishes on the Surrey side of the water , and , with very few exceptions indeed , all the shops were closed . Boiler Explosion axd Loss of Lip ^ t Burxlev . —A most painful catastrophe occurred .-on Tuesdaymorning at the mill of Mr . Slater ,, Snudygate ,, Burnley . Shortly before six o ' clock , the boilcc . burst with tremendous violence , blowing up tho ; ceiling of the card-room , which is , situated imme * diaicly over the boiler-house . Thojiiaiuls who wera engaged in the card-room , and the raeia immediately , above it , fell through into the boilsr-bo-ose ,- and-. ona poor fellow , a .-warper , named JeliU . Ihirkinson , w , aa preci p itated into the exploded boijex itself , andwas
taken out dead . Henry RoUinSOtt , of Saudygate , was so severely burnt that he . . survived bvi . three hours . Margaret Salmon , © £ - S & rford , an'l , Jame , s > Pickles , were dangerously hyjitj 'and Thomas tat- « tersall , of Saudygate , whoso . < aseapc from death was , almost miraculous , was u ^ till burnt . At Rome tho idea is-, industriously circulated among the populace , fli-at Saint IJe . ter lately appeared to his Holincssiia a vision , a ?; d announced to him that he had lost , oil chance of salvation , in consequence of his hayijug encouraged infidelity by grajitiag political rtfpijns to his subjects , and that the only way to repin , the favour of Heaven was by at once retracing his steps , and restoring the old regime as in the days of Gregory XVI . It ins beer , ordered , that in futaxfc all the assessed taxc- ?* including the income tax , shall be received by . tho collectors of the inlaad revenue . The separate offices now held vtili , therefore , shortly be abolished . —Oloh ,
Susmswx Bridos tor St . Jwrc & r ' s Pahk . —Th * Commissioners of Woods arid Forests are about erecting a suspension bridge across the ornamental water of the enclosure , St . James ' s Park , similar t » those thrown across the Regent ' s Canal , to . connect Primrose Hill Park and Regent ' s Park The proposed bridge is to be constructed djjfctly opposite Queen-square gate ,
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 22, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_22091849/page/5/
-