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THE ]\ 0RTHEBH STAE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1841. (SATURDAY BEING CHHISTMAS DAT.)
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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THK AM > EESS OF TSB DELEGATES OF SOUTH iA 2 fCASbIBB TO THEIB CONSTITUENTS , AND THE C 3 AHTISTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED KINGDOM . Fello-v-Uboarezs in the cssse of truth , justice , and political emancipaiian , — -We , the delegate * asaetablsd in Brown-taeet Chartist Boom , Dec 19 th , 1841 , beg to lay before you our views on the line of eondaet to be pnrsaed by you and us atthia mo * t importaBt crisis ; anrt to mo you against the eunningly-devisid schemes intended to entrap yoa , as put forth by « body of men belonging to toe Com Law Leagse , whose object is , ft p » sible , to g *< n you confidence , assistance , and smpport to & half mewere , instead of a fall meed of justice . A ¦«« dap-trap , instead of "wfea * we sre entitled to by
reason , Christianity , and the lawa of Sod , as fally exenpli&ed is tbe irhols creation of nature , wnieb -abundantly proves that those wfeo are willing to labour ought to be supplied -with goed ¦ clothing , food , and shelter . Tbe step they are bow taking is for < t » purpose of proateting their ova selfish and faction * interest , aad not froatany desire to gain year riehts and liberties Coming forward , as they are , with sew faces , professmg CBbonsded sympathy and good feeling for tbo starving TPiiHfai « vhom , we believe , hare been as much , if not more , the means of bringing to such a deplorable condition then any other party ia -existence , by their greedy , gatpiaz , and grinding propensities ; by their
overspeculation , competition , improvsmenU in machinery , reduction of waf es , taking money oat of circulation , glutting the foreign market , and destroying the beet market , namely , home consumption , by . preventing the people from purchasing bats , food , shoes , stockings , famitcre , and other neoesaries . Yet they come forward pretending that they \ rish to benefit the poor , for-Booth , by their delusive cry of cheap food , plenty o £ employment , and high "wages , whilst they fi » vt > , in many instances , taken more from the wage * of tbeir workmen at s single reduction than \ rould proride tfcem -with bread for six -weeks . Who , then , are tbe parties who have made dear bread ? The cotton-lords —members of the League .
We argue that tbe working classes have hitherto been crucified between two kinds ef tbieTes—the landlord and the cotton-lords—the Whigs and ttie Tories ; and that before they can be pamaneni ' y btne&tted , they must be recognised by the law ; they must hire a power -which -will fortify themselves against tbe encroachments of both , and thus set both at defiance ; a power which trill better rejslata the distribution « f their own produce : bo that whilst the granaries aid 'Warehooses are cammed with food and raiment , those who labour are starring , and those who do cot labour enjoy themselves upon the choice and the fat of the
We wish , in tbos addressing yon , to write your parttcalsx attention te a " new move , " . which originated a few weeks ago , after a meeting of the League , in this town , relative to the question of the suffrage . The parties connected with this new move , having for the last two yean tried almost every scheme imnginahlfl to gain yoer co-operation ; and because , judging from their actions , -we considered their motive * were of an exeloaive and selfish nature , and woeld not bear the scrutiny and test of fair dtecosaien , we ably met them , and exposed their fallacious statements ; and the result to them -was , so far as gaining oar confidence and support , or making convert * to their pro-Corn Law policy humbug . a failure and disappointment .
We have given them , at all their meetings where we eould gvt a chance , dates , facts , and figures , and at every honestly convened meeting where we have had a chance « f laying oar arguments before the public ; at every meeting where we have beea allowed fair , equal , and free discussion , when the meeting has not been packed / nor surrounded by the blue police , to intimidate , we have ben able to carry a resolution for the Cbarter by a Urge majority against their cry fox a large loaf . What has beea the cause of our opposition ? Was it beeauss we did not want , and were hostile to cheap food ? Because we admired the conduct of the landlords , favourable to the Tories , and did not wish tor free trade and high wagea ? No . Bat because we tcok a retrospective view of th » past , and found that an
CXtacaioB of trade had been accompanied with a decrease of wagea , tad we concluded that no measure that night be passed would benefit the working dames so Jong as the privileged eUa had the power of taming every thing resulting therefrom to their own advantage , co long as one man having a thousand people under his employ had the power of taking tan shillings by way of seduction , from tbeir wages , and they not in a posi tion to hold >""> accountable , and on the contrary , if -the working mas only took one single ounce of stinking cotton from the mill , be was liable to be sent to prison for a month . And looking st tbe tyranny poetised by the mort inflaential and leading men of tbe League , and believing that such characters were not sincere in their intentions , and every act proved and
confirmed us in such belief , having many times fairly tried them as to how far they were favourable to liberty at various public meetings . They came forward with resolutions ennningiy worded , to , if possible , escape detection ; acd we st M « "yfr < » t- '' ri and in other { tarts of th « kingdom , have only taken the liberty to write Usiversai Suffngs upon it , before we would vote for it , sod behold , to our astonishment , » en who wanted to be Chartists in principle wanted to withdraw it , so that the simple act of patting Universal Suffrage spon it has completely ipoiled it in their estimation . "What amount of confidence , then , could we place in soch a put ; ? We had likewise an eje to the ripid improvements thfi were t * king pisee in machinery which , would deprive the working man from reaping
any benefit from an extension of trade , and to -use the Words of one of the leaders of the League , " There was , " aid he , " machinery equal to one hundred and fifty millions of operatives now lying dormant , which could be brought into requisition at zsj moment ; besides , on a moderate calculation , there were tifo hundred millions not yet brought into the market" We compared the great weight of taxation we have to pay in comparison to those Cott ' jienul nations against which we have commereiallj to compete . We saw there was no guarantee , that if » bad law of any kind was repelled one day , that the same parties , as tha House of Commons is at present constituted , could put it on again the next , if it suited them . We could , from cccoucts from other nations , see bow they were progressing in
machinery , and -we concluded that the statement of the League relative to foreigners chiming manufacturing was absurd , and tfeat is was foolishness on our part , ¦ whilst we kad land -which ought to be cn ' . t vat 9 d , to be dependant on the people of Russia , Prussia ,- and the burning «""' " of Africa for a breakfast ; and that it was monstrous to hold out the ridiculous and delusive hopes that in Russia , where there is a population of 52 . 000 , 000 , Prance 32 , 000 , 000 , Prussia and Austria . ' each 22 . , 000 , and the smaller states of Germany 25 , Quo , coo—total , 173 , 000 , 000— "vrould leaTe manufacturing , snd go to the plough tail , to gro-w corn for a population of 27 , 000 . 000 . What sort cf stomachs must they fancy the people of Great Britain to have ? Sorely
tins wuuld be suiacieit to cause our brstbrin of the distant parts of tbe world to conclude that ^ -e were nothing more er less tkan a race of gluttons—a complete insult The foregoing are , then , amoogst a ftw cf the reasons , in addition to our belief that there is no hope of relief but in the land , -why we deter mined to go for a fall measure of justice , -which -would pi jttct us alike against the avarice , tyranny ; and encroachisfci-ti of the landlord , cotton lord , Whig aad Tory , and tvery other factious party . No man , or set cf men , -wili blame us for our enduet , because we have agitated for equality , -trilling to Eire the same to others as Te claimed for ourselves . The Piagne , as a lest attempt , have now come for-srard , under another coyer , ia a new face . " A change has come o ' er the spirit of thtii dream . " They , alter all the opposition
which Ihvj have from time t : > time shown to cur movem-st , by tneir plans , press , and EpfefthtB , wou ; d have you to btiicre ( good , kind , patriotic soul * ! j that they were all at occe converted to the question of the Suflri £ e , -w hich they dedne as compete , but -which -we consider T&gae , iadtfiaite , and uEqualiSed , ana show their < iishuu * sty b desiring to blind us as to their real sn-ims ; beoause , if they meant by that term not to go so lar as TuiTeisal Saffraze , aa properly defired in the CuzrliT , as s test ef union , then they call jupon you to make a compromise—const , quently unworthy of oar iisd ycer snpport . And , if * ttty mean by the term to go further tban -we mean is our Charter , why of course , they ( -nly shew their hypocrisy and cajolery by - not con . ing at ones to uur snedard , ha-riug uertr proved U any other hut just c-4 reasonable .
In order so unite the middle and the worhlng classes fcr the agitation gf free trade and the suffrage , making tie lacter always a secondary measure , the uiemb-rs of the League appointed paitiea to draw up a declaration . At this metting there were deputies from all p&rts of tbe Kingdom , and in the lesjiuiioa they were
unaiii-JBOUS . This important document has taken ( according to thevrords of the party -who drew up the same ) , several weeks most serious consideration , before it was brought before tbe pEblic , and we are constrained to say , that it has again shewn their cloven foot It really put us in raind of the fable of the moentsin in labour which brsugtt forth a mouse . And for your information and amusement , we here treat yon -with a copy of this most important , this seriously considered , this very elaborate declaration , and if our remarks are not quite so pleasing as the " Plague" could wish , we beg them to remember that they emanate fr » m working men , theretore will deserve their pity for our misfortune inttiad of eecsure for our ignorance . We tike it from * thick » a 3 thin supporter of tbe League , i . e . the Maxchetler Times of last Saturday , bearirg the signature of Mr . SUirge , of Birmingham . Rub your eyes , then , and Tfesd tbe following wonderful production , of these great feelofophers , and would-be leaders of the people : —
" Deeply iinpresseci -5 ^^ coEviction of evils ftrwing from cats-legislation , and of the suffering thereby inflicted upon ' our industrious lcllow-subjecia , the undersigned affirm that a large majority cf M » people of tLis cou&ay are ur . jastly Excluded from that tur , fuu , ^ f ^ exercise of the tiwuv ^ fraaehiae , to which they bio entitled by tit great principles of Christian ecritr , and a ' . ^» by the BuusL Constitution ; for no sarjsct cf Es ^ aiy ! can constrained to pay " any aids or texes , even for the defence of the realm , or tha Bnppcrt of ihe GoTen :-» ea ^ , ant such Mwimpfijetf-by Ida own consent , or J » t of fcu representatives fa P « iaBenV
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There , then , is a o « py of what you will be called upon to give up the Charter to agitate for . As they have given the subject theiraerioos condderation , we conceive that is quit * as auuh as it deaervss ; at all ¦ eveat * , it 'will take but Uttie effect npom « a , as delegaiet 5 a&d , ao fa * as our judgment goes of the Cdxt-Usts generally , we are ted to COBolude they will treat it scaording to it * merits . ttiskoM , short , and does not come up to the mart ¦ , te say nothing of tbe shuffling and "" rrwamtng manner they apeak of the suffrage . We would ask them what they mean for us to do with the other points of the Charter , which are highly fwemttal to make even that measure beneficial to the gntt mats of society , namely , the Ballet , Animal Parliaments , no Property Qualification , Payment of Members of Parliament , and equal Electoral District ! ?
Are you , to © working men of South Tiaacsuhtre and of Great Britain , willing to compromise yo « r principles for such declaration , after the great e ^ nggt * 70 a have made , the perseoutioa and prosecution yoa have been subjected to , the support yoa have given to the two Conventions , and carried oa your cause againat all opposition , bidding defiance ( because armed and rtimulated by truth and justice ) to police spies , magistrates , Judges , Juries , and having tors from you five hundred of your virtuous leaden , who have braved the storm , and in every instance have come out better men , so far as determination was
concersed , than they were when firat incarcerated r For our part , we will not , and so far as you are concerned , judging fr » ni your former conduct , we think we hear you cry aloud , " hear , hear , and amen . " They must come to the Charter before we will have anything to do with them ; so far , then , we wish to inform the League , that their list move , if they anticipate gaining the cooperation of the Chartists , will prove a decided failure . We are very dubious of the consistency and intentions of men , who , but a short time ago , beeasse they could not meet oa in fair discussion , resorted to the baseminded means of hiring a number of deluded men to bludgeon us into submission .
We wish to pet you on your gaard against false statements put forward by the leading members of the League in order to lead you astray , statements which appear at first sight plausible , but when examined they turn out to be like all the rest of their absurdities ; we allude in particular to Mr . CoMes , who baa been figuring away in the Midland counties , and where he appears to have found & mare ' s nest , which because believed a something by the Editor of the Manchester Times , has been paraded as a leader . The gist of the argument put forth by these men is , that the Corn Laws alone have been the sole cause of the depression of trade amongst ttxe stocking-knitters of Leicester , Hinckley , ic . < Sce- He feels , and appears to feel confident in this position , because there have been no new machinery brought into requisition , nor any improvements introduced for the purpose of superseding manual labour . A child would , with a little study , be able to give an answer , tending to the confutation of this newly-discovered theory .
We would ask these gentlemen whether tbe tens of thousands who have been made surplus population in the manufacturing districts can wear as many stockings as they could when folly employed ; whether they eould wear as many hats , shoes , acd coats , as formerly , and whether even those who are employed , having had their wages reduced , can purchase the same articles as they could before ? and when they answer this question we shall have another to ask . What has been the number of stockings imported ists tbis country from Saxony ? the tendency of which has been to cause a competition with the knitters of Leicester and Hinckley .
We cannot give Mr . Cobden credit for his boasted patriotism , having closely watched him for some time . At many of our meetings , he many times said he was as good a Chartist as the best of us ; bat , before he could join us , we must throw one of oar best advocates—one of our most disinterested leaders overboard , namely , Feorgus O Connor , Esq . We wish to inform Cobdea that we admire that gentleman , O'Connor , because of his conaUtaney , and we discard him , Cobden , and his measures , for hit inconsistency . When a number of men belonging the late election committee , at Manchester , waited upon Mr . Cobden to ascertain whether he would stand as » candidate for this town ; he , by way of answer , told them be would not serve amongst each a set , even if elected . He aid they talked about things which his grandmother did .
In a short time after , this same geatlemaa went to Stockport , and personally canvassed the electors for their votes , and when questioned at the nomination , although he had declared repeatedly that he was a Chartist only six miles from the spot ; he said that he would not vote for Universal Suffrage , nor Annual Parliament * , and hoped they would not Kt him down as a five-point man under any circumstances tie at the same time said that if ever the lifting op of his finger wou \ d bring Frost , Williams , and Jones bock , he would not do that much ! Are we , then , to take this man Into our ranks , and discard Feargua O'Connor , who has done more for those suffering pv triots , than any other man in the Kingdom ? Mr . Cobden cautioned the working classes against men , who would mix the question of free trade with every other . Thus showing that if they could obtain a repeal , we might go to the devil for any further indulgence .
We now , by way of conclusion , wish to caution yon ag % Uut the Corn Law Repealers , who bout of obtaining 40 , 000 signatures to a memorial to the Queen , who save taken it into the factories and Sunday schools , and are now representing it as tbe National Petition . Many have signed this memorial under the idea that it was the Chartist National Petition . They have had recourse to that aitifice , because they , the ladies who have carried them from bouse to house , although treated with personal respect , the object they had in view was indignantly spurned . We hope and
trust you will' march forward in your glorious agitation for the Charter . Admit of no compromise ; and , as your determined conduct has moved them one peg , by a perseverance in the same line of conduct , you will compel them to move another and another , until they come " tbo whole hog , bristles and alL" We pledge ourselves to those undying principles contained in the Charter , and call upon yoa to rouse from tbe routine of your former energies ; and , ere long , -we shall , by our united efforts , be able to wring from a tyrannical Government our sacred rights . We remain , fellow Countrymen , On behalf of the delegate * , Your ' a , faithfully , James cabtledge , Wh . Gbocott . Universal Suffrage , and ao Surrender ! [ The Committee request the Editors of the Pindicator , Chartist Circnlar , and CommonvotaUhsman , to copy the address from the Star- ]
The ]\ 0rthebh Stae Friday, December 24, 1841. (Saturday Being Chhistmas Dat.)
THE ]\ 0 RTHEBH STAE FRIDAY , DECEMBER 24 , 1841 . ( SATURDAY BEING CHHISTMAS DAT . )
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WAGES OF LABOUR , AND "EXTENSION " OF COMMERCE . Ocb article of last week on this subject has , we are g ? ad to say , been received by the Work ing people in the manner we wished . We have communications from all quarters , informing us that pard « 3 are already actively at work in compiling the tables of wages for the period named , and which we asked for as most necessary for the ^ rousdinx of an opinion as to whether another " extension" of oar commerce was desirable . This is as it should be . We have had plenty of assertion upon assertion from all parties , upon the
subject of wages and its relative amount at difieient periods : it is time we had facts which none can gainsay : and if those who are most interested in the fullest investigation of this qaestion will bat second our efforts , it Eball be pJaced beyond the power of any theorising political economist , to palm his guesses upon the public as to the real condition of the working people , and the effect of our present anomalous and murderous system of applying machinery . We will know , and the world shall know ., what the real effects of our Commercial policy have been upon the producers of wealth ;
and tnen all will be able to say whether we ought farther to " extend" it , or not ! Again , therefore , do we earnestly call upon the several Trades to famish us with ihe facts . Let us have the tables of wages asked for ; and then we shall see how the matter really stands . ' Meanwhile , we beg to call the most serious attention of all parties to some statements given in another part of our paper , under the bead " State of the Country ,- " the major portion of which have beea culled from the report of a meetingB esignated u in the Morning Chnmcle . under
the head "CORN LAWS AJiD COMMERCIAL REFORM , " as a " Great Meeting al Manchester en ihe slate 0 / the Cotton Trade . " This meeting is reported to have been " composed of Deputies from the various towns comprised within the great Cotton District . " Row these deputies were appointed , or whom they represented , we are not informed ; bot from a list of the principal deputies who attended , which is given , we are sure that the " great" cotton lords of the great cotton district were represented ! though we doa'fc by try xuuns Itel so twe that Tom an
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Dick and Harry had had any share either ia tha appointment of these orea * deputies , or that of the leaser ones who may be excluded from the list . t { o matter ! here we have the mastkks themselves , in full conclave , giving forth statements aa to the condition of the population of the district , bath employer and operative ; the past and present state of wages ; the numbers of unemployed ; and the extent of pauperism . " It is therefore important that we Bhould know who were present at this meeting ; for the statements we allude to are given
bj them ; not bj some rascally Chartist , ' * or infidel Socialist ; " they are the evidence of the " ¦ great" masters engaged in the " great " , cotton trade , as to the effects of their t > wn blessed commercial system upon themselves and the operatives employed by them . It is important , therefore , that the names of those who thus testify should be recorded , that we may be able to find them another day ; for the testimony they give will have to be often , very often , referred to . That there may be no mistake about the matter , we insert the list ia
full , just as given in the Chronicle : — " The attendance of deputies was large , including—Richard Cobden , Esq ., M . P ., Joseph Brotherton , Esq , M . P ., Mr . R , b ; rt Hyde Greg , Mr . John Brooks , Mr . T . Bazley , Jan ., Mb W . R CaUender , Mr . George Wilson , Mr . William Evans , Mr . Samuel Lees , Mr . Wiliiam Rawson , Mr . James Eershaw , Mr . John Rawsthorne , Mr . William Lockett , Mr . William Resley , and Mr . A . Prentice , for Manchester and Salford ; Mr . Robert Benson , jun ., Droyladen ; Mr . Charles Jackson , Leigh ; Mr Timothy Whannby aud Mr . Oswald Moseley , Haselgrove ; Mr . Thomas Thornber and Mr . William Ecroyd , Colne ; Mr . John Rylands and Mr . John Allen . Warrington ; Mr . John Bright , Rochdale ; Mr . Wm .
NoLstrop ( mayor ) , Mr . Hollins , Mr . Henry Coppock ( town clerk ) , Mr . Charles Hudson , Mr . Seftan , and Mr . Wilkinson , and the Revets . Messrs . Smith and Watidington , Stockpoit ; Mr . Edmund Ashworth , Mr . Henry Ashworih , Mr . J . C . Datbishire , and Mr . Thomas Thoniasoa , Bolton ; Mr . Joseph Spencer , Mr . George Southam , Mr . Alfred Reyner , and Mr . George Higginbottom , Ashton ; Mr . Joshua Brooks , Mr . Bradley , and Mr . Pass , Mossley ; Mr . Robert Platt , Mr . John Chtttham , and Mr . William Bayley , Stalybrldge ; Mr . J . H . Roberts , Burnley ; Mr . H . Fletcher , Darwen ; Mr . William Holliwell and Mr . John Barker , Todmorden ; Mr . Holloday , O ' . dhazn ; Mr . Tilch ' oUoa , Lees , < kc T . Thomely , Esq ., M . P ., was present during the meeting . "
Well , then ; what do these parties say is the " condition of the operative" ! for it is in reference to Aim , that we shall examine and apply their statements . The " great" cotton masters hare organs who will take care that their " condition" is fully made known , if it should happen that the working of their own system has turned the screw so as to pinch where it is not wanted ; bat M the operative , " though so kindly taken into the account by these B great" deputies just now , has not many organs in which Aw condition or Wb wrongs will be set forth . We Bhall , therefore , confine ourselves mainly to what was said as to his " condition , and the past and present state of wages . "
What do these masters say , then ? What i « their testim ony \ They were met to promote the cauBe of the M extension of Commerce . " Their meeting was but another move , another shift , to bring the anti-Corn Law agitation into notice ; another attempt to promote the spread of " Free Trade principles . " What , then , do they Bay ! Their testimony is important . Many of them have been engaged in oar " great " Cotton trade for a considerable period ; they have had opportunities of observing tbe actual workings of the syBtem they are engaged in . They have had to do with our M great" Cotton trade , when it was not " great ; " they have lived to see it u extended " over and over again ; they know what the effects of each extension" have been . These are the parties , then , whose testimony we should seek . What , then , did they say !
It most be remembered that they were met to promote another w extension . " It will , therefore , be expected by every one that they set to work and demmutrated that every former " extension" had been of benefit to both employer and employed . They , no doubt , shewed beyond the power of contradiction , that the profits of the w great" cotton master , and the wages of the operative bad both been increased by each successive " extension , " and in proportion to the extent of the extension . " No
doubt they did this ; for this is the very firat thing that ought to have been done , to make the people in love with the project of another " extension . " What , then , did they say \ Our readers will read the entire artiolo we have before named for themselves . We shall , however , here give one or two specimens of the kind of testimony given by these " great" masters , as to the effects of their present commercial system upon the wages of " the operative . "
" A reduction of tbe wages of the factory hands of Hyde , to the amount ef 12 per cent has taken place in the last two years . All the manufacturers have been obliged to work their machinery with fewer hands , and have discharged every person with whom they could possibly dispense . Many workpeople who bad built cottages have been obliged to sell them . " " The decrease in the wages of cotton bands at Mossley , during the last ten years is 25 per cent . The decrease in the wages of woollen hands for the same time is 45 per cent . There are a many families in the deepest distress . Shopkeepers and tradesmen of all kinda cry out most bitterly ; complaints are universally prevalent , and prospects for the future exceedingly dark and gloomy . ''
" The cotton weavers employed at Leigh , have had their wages reduced about 20 to 25 per cent since 1836 , and they now receive 5 s . for weaving a description of cloth for which 30 s . were regularly paid in 1816 . An able-bodied and clever workman does not earn more than 5 s . per week in this branch . " " The handloom weavers of Wigan have been reduced since the year J 835 , from 7 a . to 6 s . per piece . The cotton spinners' rate of wages has not varied much for the last six years , except among reelen and mule spinners , whose wages have been reduced one-fifth . The power loom weavers have been reduced in a similar proportion to the mule spinners and reelers . "
" The colliers in Wigan and the neighbourhood , in the Jtar 1835 , got 6 s . 8 d . forgetting three tons of coals . In the present year 1841 , they get 7 s . for getting seven tons sixteen cwt of coals , and there is now more difficulty in getting the coals than there was in 1835 , owing to the depth of the pits , and the accumulation of water and itflimabie gas . " "The people , although in great distress , and in too many instances , positively starving to deaih , appeared to eDjoy momentary consolation from the very fact of persons being appointed to inquire into and sympathise with their sufferings . "
"The wages of spinners at Preston have been reduced this year about ten per cent , with a probability of a still greater reduction . The wages ef the weaver fell twenty-five par cent , during the present year . Some manufacturers have closed , and many ethers are reguiarly reducing the number of their hands . Weavers axe wandering about and willing to take work at any price . Every body ' s spirits are down ; the ( shopkeepers are complaining bitterly , and the small farms in the neighbourhood , owing to bad seasons and heavy taxes , are fast sinking into ruin . "
" There are 1 , 177 individuals at Oswaldtwistle , constituting 243 fa : ailies , whose average earnings per week is 3 ^ d . No account was taken of any family where the earnings amounted to or exceeded 2 s . per week for each individual , ind a great number were just over that limit The general destitution is great In some cases the visitors foand only one bed for ten persona , without a particle of covering , and in ruany Instances , four , five , and six had to occupy one bed , with nothing to throw over them . A great many whose earnings are more than 2 s . are almost entirely destitute of beds and clothing . " " Since 1836 , the reduction In wages at Gloasop has been on spinning 25 per cent , on card-r . v > ni hands 12 per cent , on power-loom weaving 14 per cent "
" Desirous of eliciting every information connected with the- manner in which the working people live both by night and by day , it was found that 1 , 194 persons slept three in a bed ( if such it could be called ) 712 four in a bed , 200 five , 156 sir , and 68 seven and eight in a bed , while a very many poor creatures were met with who had neither bed or bedding , nor anything but the bare floor to lie down upon when nature became exhausted . NIneteen-twentleths of the materials termed ' beds' and bsddlng' cannot properly be said
te have ciaim to such like terms , being nothing more , in the majority of cases , thanjold straw , chaff , ihavings , or some other such like materials , held together hy coarse wrappering , without either blankets , eheets , or coverings of any kind , and in many instances where there was covering , it was only a piece of coarse calico pieces . Some had sold , and others pawned all they could spare , even to their beds and bedding , to procure food for themselves and famishing children . However nnnstnral it may appear , ic is nevertheless true , that in some dwellings old age , youth , and infancy , six , seven .
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and eight in number , of both sexes , are obliged to huddle indiscriminately together in one 1 > ed , f or . want'of means t ? provide better accommodation . Several hundreds of famU lies , both parent * and children , have no change of clothes of any description , the linen of both : men , women , and children , has to be washed on the Saturday night , the parties baling to remain entirely destitute Until it is dried . Hundreds also complain of their inability to attend their respective places of worship on the Sabbath day , for want of decent clothes to appear in ; while many , after relating the appalling difficulties under which they laboured , wished "The Almightymi&ht terminate their sufferings before morning . '' In several houses , during our visit in the afternoon , the children were , crying' most piteonslyj and in reply to a question for their so doing , ifc was stated they were crying for bread , not having tasted any kind of food ttuA day . Some of the dwellings contained scarcely anything but the bare walls ; In many of this description , there being no seats or any kind of furniture , we were obliged to write standing with out books upon out knees . " ;
What ! and is this tho sort of testimony that Messrs . Cobdkm , Brooks , Gregg , and Ashworth give as to the condition of those who have been in their employ ! Is this the " condition of the operative" enagoged in our "great" cotton trade ! Is this the end of our former tt extensions" of commerce ! Is there any reason here why we should have more " extension" ! Have they not revealed too much ! Is not their testimony sufficient to make us halt in our course , and ask " where are we going to ! " Have not these " great" masters proved themselves " great" fools to ask the operative to aid
them in further " extending" that system which has already reduced him to starvation , misery , and death ! Could there by possibility have been stronger evidence given by any party that toe have already gone too far , than these "great" wiseacres have adduced to induce us to allow thorn to go farther ? Really we have had enough of extended commerce" if this be the end ! It did not use to be so There were times wten the working men of Lancashire were not in the condition their *• great " masters now describe them . They wore not always without bods and linen and furniture ! What is it
that has taken the beds ! What is it that has taken the linen f Who is it that has gotten the furniture t Where is the eight days' clock , and the good bedstead , and the feather bed , and the linen sheets , and the quilted coverlett , and the " meal-kist" ! Where are they gone to ? Who has taken them ! Where is the pig , the bacon , the potatoes , and the beer ! Where are they gone to ; forgone they are ! The " great" masters of the " great" cotton ; diatrict describe their workmen as being so destitute of every thing like food or furniture , that they found them in many instances wishing the Almighty might
terminate their sufferings before morning ! " Again we ask , where ia the foodgone to ! Why do the dwellings of working men " contain scarcely anything but the bare walls" ! How is this 1 Where is the food , and clothing , and furniture gone to ? We want this question answering I It must be answered ! Time was when this state of things did not exist . When was that \ Was it before we had " great" masters in our "great" Cotton trade , or since ! Who has gotten that which formerly made the workman ' s cottage comfortable and happy ! Has it disappeared since ear commerce was extended ! " Was he as
badly off , or worse , than bis master now describes him to be , before we had the steam-englno , or selfacting mule , or power-loom ! Has improved machinery aad " extended" commerce bettered his lot Has every new improvement , and every " economical" process , and every u extension" of commerce , given him greater command over the necessaries and comforts of life \ These are questions which the "great" masters should have answered , when they were asking the working men to help them to " extend" the system which has produced the state of things they describe as existing ! They are
questions , too , which most be answered 1 We must know why the workman ' s cottage has been stripped , and where the things are gone to ! We must know whether the fact that we have a Gorr and a Marshall in Leeds , worth their millions , is sufficient compensation for the destitute condition of the operative , who once had plenty ! We must know whether the fact that Mr . R . H . Greg is the " largest" cotton spinner in JBn fi land , and that he has large " concerns" in Belgium and Germany , atones for the condition of those who work his machinery ! We must know
whether the score of " large" masters , who have risen up in a short time from nothing , to be worth more than would purchase up the aristocracy of England , is a good exchange for the happy homes and well-provisioned larders of onr working men ! We must know how many ** meal-kista" there are in Marshall ' s " floating" and " fixed" capital ! We must know where the beds are . and the beef , and the bacon , and the beer ! Who has them ! The working man has not . They are gone from
him . An adroit attempt was made by these assembled Deputies to enlist the shopkeepers on the side of an " extended" commerce , by pretending to sympathise with them for their want of custom , and consequent difficulties . With tbJB class the " great " masters will be likely to succeed : for in the first place , they have not " sucked-the-hammer" bo long nor so often as the working man has ; nor have they ever yet , unfortunately , been ready or willing to make common cause with him from whose
wellrequited industry they live ; bat have , on the contrary almost invariably taken part against him , aud joined the " great" masters in sinking him in the scale of comfort and being . With the shopkeepers , we repeat , the " great , " masters will be likely to succeed . The nostrums will be swallowed , and an " extended " commerce asked for by those who have been brought to ru n by the " extensions" we have already had ! It matters not to this class of the community , that the operation of the manufacturing system has been to leave the workman without wages , and consequently ihe till without pennies ; it matters not that
the custom of the cabinet-maker , and the grocer , and the draper , aad the provision dealer , has declined just in proportion as the wages of labour have been lessened , and both in the same proportion that commerce has been " extended ; " it matters not or these things ; their class prejudices , which cannot bear to look upon a working man as a "fellow" mortal , will prevent them joining those with whose comfort and well-being their interests are inseparably bound up . Spaniel-like to those "above them" in the scale of sooiety , they will continue to lick the hand that smites them , and press destruction to their bosom !
Shopkeepers are without custom . How could it be otherwise ? Where are the wages ! They are gone ! and custom has followed them ! What dolts the shopkeepers have been ! They would not open their eyes to the fact , that when they reduced the working men to a state of starvation , they cut their own throats ! Who are the customers of the shopkeeper ; or , rather , teho werei The " great" masters ! Not a bit of it ! but the prior despised , put-upon , reduced working men ! Whose pence filled the till ; and whose pence is now wanted ! The working men ' s ! O ! ye of little foresight , what fools ye have been ! Just look here ! Take this one fact , and then wonder no longer that yon are without custom 1
The number of persons engaged in actual labour , in the production of wealth , has been stated to be somewhere about 5 , 000 , 000 . We will take it at that amount . If these 5 , 000 , 000 labourers received wages on an average , amounting to 30 a . each per week , the amount of money that would circulate through their hands yearly would be £ 350 , 000 , 000 . But if they only received on an average ten shillings per week each , the amount circulating yearly would only be £ 130 , 000 , 000 5
w here do the wages of the labourer go to , when ho gets them ? Into the till of the shopkeeper . A working man does not hoard up money . He buys food , and clothing , and furniture with it , when he gets it . A reduction of Aw wages , therefore , i 9 60 muck abstracted from the shopkeeping class ! And who getd it 1 ThoseSwho jump from their [ clogs to
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their carriages ! 'Pioae who make , or , rather get , millions of money in about twenty years 1 Theseare the parties who devour the comforts of the cottage and the business of the shopkeeper ! And then'they employ' their capital ! n Jftenoh railroadsior Belgip factories * or in ^ Foreign "StoolV' of somedeacriptiou or other ; and the shopkeepers help them to do thiB , and will be ready to aid them further ! Will it be always thus ! Will this class never open their eyes to their true position 1 Will they ever continue to kiss the rod ! Let them look here ! and see the value of our foreign trade ( to / 1 * extend ** which so much fuss is made ) , as compared with that hohb TBfDH which they have helped the " great" masters to destroy .
The real value of the whole of British manufactured produce exported from the United Kingdom fox the year ending Jan . 5 th , 1841 , was £ 51 , 406 , 430 For this we received payment in all sorts of things ; a portion of money , but a great portion of it in things of no real value or earthly use . A reduction of the wages of labour generally , of ten shillings per man per week , would amount to £ 130 , 000 , 000 per year . Have not the wages of our labourers been reduced , since " extensions" of commerce began to be made , more than ten shillings per man !
If the average of wages fifty years ago , were 30 s . per week , ( a low amount , ) is the average now 10 s ! If this reduction has taken place , we have sacri-Jiced £ 260 , 000 , 000 yearly to seoare a yearly foreign trade of £ 51 , 406 , 430 ! 1 ! a great portion of which is worth less than nothing !!! ! ! The loss has been experienced , first by the labourer , and then by the shopkeeper ! Another " extension" of commerce , that will absorb every iota of wages and profit left , must be desirable ! Operatives and Shopkbemss ! what say you 1
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NATIONAL EMIGRATION . We make no apology for again introducing this Bubject to the notice and consideration of our readers . Its vast importance demands that there should be no mistake about it ; and we hold it as our duty so to develope it in all its bearings as that let tbe Government plan of transportation assame what shape it may those most interested may be prepared to meet and defeat it .
We do not deny that a ease may occur when it may be necessary as well as desirable that "the hive should swarm . " We are perfectly aware that the laud is limited ; we also know that a given quantity of food is necessary for a given number of months , and that , of course , if months multiply faster than food can be provided , the surplus must emigrate or starve . We engage to show , by and by , that thiB is not at present the condition of this country , nor is it likely to be for many years after onr present state tinkers are buried and forgotten .
Before we do thiB , we will suppose , or the sake of argument , that this is the case , —that the hire mast 8 warm or the bees periBh , —and we will inquire what , under such circumstances , emigration ought to be . Emigration to be really effective most be voluntary , extensive , and well organised . To make this dear , let us contrast it with the thing called emigration , as it has been practised for many years past ; and which , in reality , is not emigration , but transportation and gambling speculation . Those who have left this country to seek a settlement in our
distant colonies have chiefly consisted of two classes ; speculators who invested a certain amount of capital in colonial land , intending thereby to realise ample fortunes by monopoly and indirect taxation ; and parties , wretchedly poor , seat ont for the most part by parochial authorities or by the Government at the nation ' s expence , who , whatever might have been their expectations , soon found themselves reduced to the condition of serfs or bondsmen . Doubtless many families possessing small capitals have left this country , but the larger portion of these have gone to the United States . The rolling tide
of emigration into our own colonies has consisted chiefly of those who had no property , and who , therefore , were entirely dependant upon their own industry for support in the land of their exile . These , it is clear , were actuated by no voluntary motive : they went because they were compelled to go . Thus , then , the first necessary ingredient is wanted . Let us look at the second . We say em * , gration to be effectual must be extensive ; that is , it mast be a consecutive band of men , women and children , married and single , having in view one object , and directing their course to one
locality as the point of settlement . This spirit of nnity , this combination of purpose , forms no part of our present system of what is called emigration . We admit that the system has been diffusive , but that very fact has prevented it from becoming extensive , in the sense in which we here use the word . All has been individualism and disjunction ; scarcely have two families emigrated with the same purposes and designs ; and the reason of this is that the third ingredient necessary to successful
emigration has not been even thought of . So far from judicious organization having been the order of the day , there has been no organization at all . The tide has rolled on without let or hindrance ; every man has done that whioh was right in his own eyes ; no calculations as to supply and demand have been made ; and the cousequeaoa is just what might have been anticipated ; the poor creatures have fled from oppression and distress at home to encounter still worse oppression , and stiil greater
distress abroad . Let us contrast this modern abortion with emigration in ancient times . The Phoenicians and the anoient North Men , understood the science of colonization perfectly ; and they were the only people who ever did understand it so as to carry out its princi ples into actual and succesful practice . Among them the voluntary principle was tho ruling springof action . They moved forth ; not at the bidding of class legislation or when reduced to starvation point by the insane and foolish social arrangement of their kind ; but , feeling themselves pte&s'd
for room , they collected their means together , and marched in compact phalanx to conquer and subdue a territory for themselves , in some distant and , according to their views of the matter , more desirable region . Here then were two ingredients of the essential pre-requisites for successful emigration ; independence of action and extensive combination . Nor was the third wanting . The necessity for organisation was duly felt and nndeviatingly acted upon . The capitalist took with him his capital and his arms , and such a number of retainers , together with their amilies and what property they had , as were
sufficient for laying the foundation of that new Social Community , which was the summit of their hopes . Those anoient migratory tribes never moved without bearing with them ample means for securing their success . One remarkable feature in those anoient colonies was tbe entire absence of monopoly , in the ordinary acceptation of the term . Genuine liberty was unknown ; bub a commonality of interests supplied ita place . The capitalist—that is to say , the daring bandit ( for such were all the capitalists of the time ) , shared with his followers the fatigues , dangers , and privations of the enterprise ; and the humbler
marauders , who followed him , shared in the triumph and success . We are aware that these bands of anoient emigrants were , for the most part . 'bands of daring and unscrupulous robbers and cut-throats ; that most of them preferred war to industry ; that they were wild , savage , and determined ; that the arts of peace were unknown to and u&praotised by them ; but as rapine and confusion , had they become universal , would have defeated their own ends , some of the peaceful pursuits must bo adopted , to secure existence ; add hence those tribes were ever ready to move forward to a land more fertile and better cultivated than their own . We have not referred to those proceedings of ages long gone by for the purpose of advocating a
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literal imitation of them in the nineteenth century : we know that our whole colonial system is a close copy of the anoient system as to all its vices , with * out one feature of ita redeeming qualities ; what we want to impress on the minda of our leaden is the fact that in these early migrations the various hordes acted conjointly , and not individually ; and that they neglected none of themeans necessary to secure theur object . They fixed their eye upona ^ pot which they deemed desirable , and they resolved to obtain it . It might be that it was already appropriated , boi arms and
bravery might subdue the natives and give , their possessions into the bands of the invaders ; ana * and bravery therefore were never lacking in as emigrating expidition . Bat the men who had crossed the ocean in search of a distant home , and bad cutthroats by thousands in order to secure it , were too a noble , " too "right honourable" to attend to matters of trade and industry ; and thus an inferior race of bondsmen became necessary to provide for the wan t 3 of the blood-stained conquerors ; and hence were always , to some extent , snatched from the jaws of
death to be manacled with the chains of slavery ; and slavery was ever an ingredient in the ancient states . But , to preserve the state from perishing ia its new home , civil government , or rather military government with civil functions , was absolutely necessary . Hence the capitalists , or chiefs , were absolute but not despotic . They might rnle , bat , as a condition , they most provide ; to have left tho people in want would have been virtually to abandon their right to role . From all this it is plain that the ancient system of emigration secured to
those who engaged in it ample provision agauiB want and a doe protection for life and property Now , let it be carefully observtd that in every system of colonization the spirit which animated tho Phoenicians and the northern tribes mast rule or its failure—its utter and entire failure—is certain and inevitable . The manner of its developement , however , in the present age , must be essentially different from that whioh prevailed in times of old . Like the Chartists , the emigrant's motto must be—11 God is our guide ; no sword we draw ; We kindle not wars battle fires . "
Their object must be to obey the Divine command ; and , taking to themselves yet unappropriated portions of the earth •* subdue them" to their will ; ani on plains rendered fertile by their own industry " increase and multiply . " To this end , it is clear that the emigrants most be organised . They should be formed previous to their leaving their native shores into joint stock companies of at least one hundred ; couples with children and dependants forming a society of not less than one thousand souls , with rights guaranteed and privileges secured . Each of these tribes would form the
nuoleus of a future state ; and it should be , and must be provided with all the requisites for its comfort , prosperity , and permanency . To each of these collective joint stock companies should land be appropriated in shares proportionate to the number of adult emigrants to be their property and that of their successors living in the colony for ever . This would secure the independence of the colonists , who , after the first year , should have the election of their own governor and officers , and the entire control of their internal affairs and the most free and unrestricted rights of trade and commerce with the mother oonntry . One of the most essential requisites to the ; success of these infant colonies
is capital—not accumulated but diffused throughout the whole mass . And this must ba supplied in ample measure by the parent state ; the Government being the agent . All sums advanced for this object should be by way of loan : not a penny should be given without a provision made for its repayment ; and all the loans should , after the first year , become chargeable with interest at five percent ., and be repaid by moderate instalments , as the colony became prosperous through united and profitable industry . Every shareholder would of course , have the right to sell his property after a given time ; subject to the condition of the pur > chaser becoming a resident ; no absenteeism should be allowed on any account .
This is what emigration should be when necessary ; next week we shall try t show that , if this country wore rightly governed , no such thing would be needed for ages to come .
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JOINT MEETING OF CHARTISTS AND CORN-LAW REPEALERS , AT BATH . Elsewhere we give a report of a large meeting at Bath , which seems justly to have excited much attention . It seems that the Chartists and Corn Law Repealers of that city have coalesced , and thrown iuto ono stock their grievances . We rejoice mod oordially to see this . It is evidence of onward progress . The Liberals" are on their last legs when they require Chartist crutches . Let the people but beware . Let them not forget 1830-1-2 . Let them keep their own place , and this Bath meeting may be the initiative of a nearer approximation to a cordial unioa with the middle classes than
was by many hoped for . But be cautions . Be wary . Do not let us be again cajoled into thinking that we have got then to help us for universal justice , when , in reality , they have got us to help them for class crotchets , without rendering a quid pro quo . We confess that , though this Bath meeting affords us matter of gratulation , we don ' t see ; much to admire in it . We hope the Petition founded on the joint resolutions of the meeting will be full and strong for the Charter as a first and most necessary measure . Our reporter has not informed us how
the Petition is to be signed , whether by the Chairman " on behalf , " or individually ; we hope the latter way . Tho manner in which this petition is expressed and signed will shew whether Mohammed has come to the mountain , or the mountain has gone to Mohammed . If it represent the repeal of the Corn Laws as the primary , and the Charter merely as a secondary , object , the Chartists of Bath have been " done . " If it be well and properly got up , and the repeal-mongers hesitate to sign i 6 , the sure inference ia—that their attempted purpose was to entrap and not to assist the people . , In either case , from that moment the connection becomes an unhallowed and mifcohievous one , and should be instantly dissolved .
• We have written on the matter as one of mere expediency , without reference to our own opinions on the Corn Law question . Some of our Chartist friends may and do differ from our opinion on that point ; but there can be no difference on the necessity of the people ' s keeping their eyes wido open . The Whigs are like pigs with soaped tails they are hard to hold when caught . The tenor of the speeches of the Liberals leads us to view this meeting as a stratagem of the Repeal-mongers to steal a march upon the people , who they knew would not permit them to have a meeting to themselves . We shall be glad to find our opinion incorrect ; but let the people , at all events , look out . ,
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A MERRY CHRISTMAS . Aftkb the appalling revelations of the ** great " Cotton Lords above alluded to , with squalid misery , and want , and wretchedness abounding through the whole land of Merry England , who can sit down to bid good-morrow" to his friend ? , and pasa coollrround " the compliments of the season . " We cannot . Our feelings and our religion alike forbid us to mock misery or fawn on vice . We are not fearful of any man ' s mistaking as for votaries of " rueful su » perstition , "bntweareriowconstrainedtoeschew merriment , and mast recommend in place of it amendment . To the rich oppressor we say , " Repent , ere it be too late , and the reward of your unrighteousness have visited von . " To the
peor oppressed we say , » Arouse from t » rp 9 r and inactivity . Cast aside jour differences ; lay hand , one and aU , on ihe axe whioh your sufferings have sharpened ; lay it at once to the root of the foal tree , and let corruption . & 11 before you to be no more planted . " \ Then snail nght be done , and peace obtain , and plenty be diffused ; and old England shall again become " marry England , " arid the grateful consciousness that the precepts of our great God and guide are' mi ' de ' the Jaw of social life Bhall causa the widows heart to sing , and the fece of the labourer to be brightened as he hails the future celebrations of his advent as the " merry Christmas , " which , as it " comes bat once a year , " is anticipated with delight by old and youde ' . ' '
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A THE NORTHSRIf STAR . •¦•• - -- - ¦ - ¦ ¦¦' -
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 24, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1141/page/4/
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