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TO THE CHARTISTS.
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&!)«U'ti0t Suttiiigettce*
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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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Mr Friexds , The time is coming when you must "be " up and doing ; " and as "to be forewarned is to be forearmed , " let vaa now explain to you the necessit y of an exhibition of Chartist strength , Chartist mind , Chartist power , and Chartist resolution .
The Press and faction are "beguming , as of ' yore , to boast of the lull of Chartism ; and although , ag you are aware , I have most cordially joined in the present union between the middle and the working classes , yet I never entertained Buch an idea as allowing the Press of that party to base its strength exclusively . upon middle-class power , nor would such a misrepresentation be beneficial to the veritable middle classes ; and I will show you why .
The middle class , as heretofore represented by the Press , means the owners of active capital , whose sole object it has ever been to support any ministry—irrespective of politicswho would transfer taxation from their order , no matter upon whom it fell . Upon the other hand , the present union between the middle and working classes has been established , not for the purpose of transferring taxation from one party to another , but for the . purpose of measuring taxation by State necessity , and not by aristocratical idleness and ministerial necessity ,
Nownothing is more indispensable than that parties joining in such a cause should have a thorough understanding of their respective positions ; and the position which I wish Chartism to occupy is this : —that * its power should be acknowledged in the -movement ; -a £ , otherwise , you may rely upou it both middle and working classes will be deceived—not by the movers in this agitation , but by the Government and the House of Commons . ~ We have straggled long enough together to be known to each other ; and that we have not struggled ineffectuall y is demonstrated by the fast , that we have taken the odium off
our principles , and that they are now becoming the adopted of all , all seeing the necessity of Labour being represented , and the impossibility of the Labourer devoting his time to legislation , if he was not honestly paid for his services . In America and in France—where the representatives of the people are paid—you will never find vital and important questions detided by the votes of a third , a fourth , a fifth , a sixth , and sometimes not an eighth of the
representative body ; and , as I have frequently told you , Labour never will be represented in the British Parliament by paid officials , nincompoop sons of peers , toadies looking for oflSce , admirals , generals , colonels , majors , captains , lieutenants , commissioners , landlords , railway directors , ship owners , bankers , inerchauts , manufacturers , architects , cotton lords , capitalists living upon Labour , andabove all—lawyers , whose living depends upon mystifying law .
. Aow , a true thing cannot be too often repeated ; and is it not true , that the English labourers are represented as I have stated—and is it not equally true that the English labourers have it in their power to completely alter the system BY THEIR UNION 1 The present union even of the middle classes could not be sustained—nay , could not havebeen established—without funds . ! Sot a lecturer on behalf of that body travels without his expenses being paid—and very properly so— . while , in support of that movement , I travel at my own expense . The Chartists have invariably acted upon
the principle , that" what's every man's business is nobody ' s business ; " and if enthusiasm and patriotism can be proved by comparison , let me draw your attention to the different manner in which that patriotism is developed in oppressed and starving Ireland , as compared with comparatively free and flourishing England . In Ireland , the Repeal agitation was revived on Monday last , and , with very little notice , subscriptions to carry it on amounted to 25 J . ; while all England , fScotland , and IVales saddle one individual with the payment of 57 . a month , to exonerate their friends from slave labour , and allow their wives and families to starve .
You may rest assured that I have given my most anxious consideration to this new fraternisation ; and that , while upon the one hand justice would not allow me to offer the slightest opposition , yet , upon the other hand , pride , vanity , ambition—and , I trust , a sterling love for the poor—urges me on to keep the spirit of Chartism alive . But how is this to be done ? Let me show you . I have jslready told you that , without the necessary funds , neither this movement—the Vrso Trade movement—the Repeal movement —Catholic Emancipation movement—nor the Reform movement , could litive been conducted to a successful issue . And by the strength of fiindo alone—if properly applied in 1839 and
KMO . instead of beiug lavished upon " poor geatieinen , who were too proud to work , aud too poor to live without labour "—if it was not , I say , for the desertion of those rapscallions wlicu our funds were exhausted , we should have earned the day ; while I and manv others suffered incarceration and persecution , awl obloquy was heaped upon our principles , by the desertion of those ruffians . The Petition presented by Attwood , in S , contained over TWELVE HUXDUED THOUSAND signatures ; that presented by Dcscomi-. e , in ' 43 , contained nearly THREE yf . L-LlONS AND A HALF ; and that presented bv Me , in ' 48 , contained over FIVE MILLIONS AND A HALF .
Doubtless many of you -will recollect the tables that have ' been ' furnished , as to the auicunt that may be supplied by the weekly payments of your order . Some made a calculation to show you that a penny a week subscribed by each of one million , would suncont to FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX POUNDS a week , or TV . 'O HUNDRED AND SIX TEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED
AND THIRTY-TWO POUNDS A YEAR , or nearly a million of money in four years . Nor do I think—taking the professed enthusiasm of the Chartists as the basis of calculation—ihat these arithmeticians were guilty of juiv exaggeration beyond their faith in popular enthusiasm . Indeed , I can scarcely ceusider rour order worthy the principles you profess , if a miffi "Hi are not prepared to pay a penny a week for their accomplishment
How ' oeit , I have shown you that no agitation can be carried on without the means , and I shall measure British enthusiasm by a minor standard . I will take a hundred thousand as the maximum number of professing Chartists , able and willing to subscribe a penny a week , that would amount to four hundred and sixteen pounds a week ; it would enable us to engage fifty able , sober , trustworthy lecturers , at our pounds a week ; to pay a Chartist Execut . vc of five , ten pounds a week ; leaving a balance of tiro hundred and six pounds aweck , to hold a Convention of sterling men , and to get up a
Jleiropolitan demonstration . Now , such a society as this , or rather such a representation of our society is indispensable , a *< l in less than one year would so develop tjie « = ouud mind of this country , as to secure tor vour order a full , free , and fair representation i . « the Commons House of Parliament , upon the piUs of the PEOPLE ' S CHARTER . L -in I * ell you , that " what ' s every mans t&X nobody ' s work ; " while / upon the other i " ^ M there ate not a hundred thousand -i- « r men iu England , Scotland , and ^ SnSed togivcupahalf-pint o ^ aiewi
r oue p ipe of tobacco a week , tney u ,, g o-ve * aid deserve that oppression of which sWc the up holders . If even fifty thousand tl&l , hc a peniiY a week , it wdd enable us
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to employ fifty sound lecturers , at four pounds a week each , beside s pa ying the Executive , while the active men in the districts could establish unpaid committees . I i . i ?? plau is ad ° Pted , and if more funds should be necessary , I will to such an object devote the entire profits of the " JVorthern Mar , and will take my full share of the labour and responsibility . ¦ fft ATYiniatYr £ ft- « ¥ ¦» . ¦ j
Now then , working men , if there are not fifty thousand of your order—that is , one in two hundred—estimating the population of England , Scotland , and Wales at twenty millions , prepared to support your principles at an expense of one penny a week , or four shillings and four-pence a year each , as such a movement need not exist louger , you deserve to be slaves , and I hope aud trust in God , you may remain so .
I think I have put the question hi the most simple form before you . I have shown you that every previous agitation has succeeded from the ability ofprenjDj ^ to ^ uphold . it— , while ours has failed , and its supporters been consigned to the dungeon , the transport , and the grave , fromyeur apathy , indifference—and I will add—dishonesty , and injustice . However , it is not yet too late . You shall
have my service , my purse , my energy , and talent , if they are worth anything ; while , depend upon it , if we allow Chartism to appear to merge into any other movement , through the misrepresentation of the press , the promoters of that movement , namely , the veritable Middle Classes—who live upon the Working Classes—that is , upon profits legitimately made by their ability to spend—will also find themselves deceived .
One of the great benefits that I anticipated from this fraternization , was the opportunit y that it would aflbrd to the Working Classes to develope then- true principles before their former opponents , with a view to dispel those prejudices so injurious to both parties , and upon which alone the strength of their opponents is based . If , therefore , this is to be a veritable union , aud if the united parties are to have a thorough understanding—I think it but right and just that a discreet Chartist council should be appointed in every town in the kingdom ; aud that upon the announcement of a meeting to take place , the Chartist Council
should meet the-- Parliamentary Reform Council , not with a view of altering the programme of the Association , or to offer any , the slightest , opposition to the movement , but for the purpose of nominating Chartists to take part in every debate—no , I will not call it debate , but meeting . I jwill not call it debate , which implies controversy , as I am quite sure that the good sense , not only of the audience , but of the speakers themselves , would point out the absolute necessity , not only for a union , but for harmony between the two parties ; as they may rest assured the watchful enemy would take advantage of any , the slightest , rupture or disagreement .
Such a course would give the Working Classes the advantage of being reported in the "Daily Neics , " the "Morning Advertiser , " aud the " Sunj" while , Avheu the advocacy of tlieii cause is confined to me , those papers give but a very scanty report of my sayings . However , we never before had in any popular cause so large au amount of Press generosity . As I have previously stated , it is my intention to make a tour of England , Scotland ,
and Wales , before Parliament meets , as it is necessary that Lord John should have the mark of the squeeze he asked for , while it would be healed if the breeze was got up now , and vre allowed a lull of two months . . My attendance at iYberileen on Monday next is not the commencement of my tour . My tour will not commence till after Christmas , and then I shall have six weeks of it before Parliament meets .
Chartists , I can do no more than I have offered . If you do not do your duty , you are willing slaves ; and when hunger pinches your bellies , do not come to me then and say ,
"LEAD US ON TO DEATH OR GLORY NOW WE ARE READY ! " Winter is coming , the foreign markets are glutted , pauperism will frightfully increase ; the Middle Classes will feel it in the shape of poor rates , and the want of customers ; the evicted Irish tenauts aud labourers will come aud compete in your labour market , in the hope of realising enough by the spring of the year to transport themselves to America ; England will be embroiled in continental feuds and strifes to suppress wars in which she could not take part ; the Irish lickspittle-representatives , when there is no patronage to offer as compensation for tlicir depreciated property , will become a nest of hornets—they will join the Protectionists . Russell dare not dissolve
Parliament in the teeth of the present Protectionist rancour ; workhouses will be crammed to overflowing ; haggards , barns , and ricks will be blazing ; you will be pining and piping , while by one glorious and unanimous developement of your mental power , you may compel the Minister to discard the idle drones that live on your sweat and blood , to reduce taxation to the standard of national reouircment ,
and your ability to bear it , instead oi—as uow —hearing one party rejoicing in " Cheap bread , high wages , and p ' lenty to do ; " while you are gapeing through the baker's window at the cheap loaf , without the means to buy it . Within eight months of the present year , ending on the oth of September , avc have imported the following amount of produce from foreijm countries : —
For the sake of brevity we liave hitherto omitted the comparison made in these tallies Between tlie first eight months of the two years ; but , as it is a fact of sonic magntttuk ' , v . e may observe , by tbe way , that in Viic eiiiht months ending fast . September 5 th , tvc admitted for home consumption no less than S . $$ 7 fM quarters of foreign * vlicat , l , 018 , S 5 S quarters of barley , S ( i » , O 77 quarters of oats . ily , i > 10 quarters of rye , 1 , 735 , 778 quarters of maise , and 2 , yjC , S 7 Sc « 1 . of flour , besides some other considerable items of a similar nature . Dunnr the two months
comjiarcd we have entered respectively 21 , 575 cwt . and 27 . 2 U 7 cwt of currants ; 3 , 4-9 cwt . and 4 , 45 S cwt . of raisins . In provisions there has been a temporary , aiul doubtless an accidental , decline upon the month , but . taidng the comparison between the first eight months of the two years , we find an immense difference in favour of the present vear . The importations of bacon were rospectivelv l . S ; , o < £ » cwt and 34 t » , 727 cwt . ; of salted beef , 87 , 000 cwt * and liy , € G 7 cwt . ; of salted pork , ' 20 G , U'J cwt . and 30 G , 40 Ucwt ; GGJfiifHScggs , and 73 , < i 03 , 750 ; and of rice G 50 . SI 9 cwt and 781 ,- ' G 5 cwt .
Now , allowing three quarters of wheat to the English acre , an- ! over four quarters of oats and barley ; allowing an ox or a cow at five cwt . to tlie acre ; allowing more than eight bushels of flour to the acre—making a calculation of the amount of land that would produce the amount of bacon imported , aud rice and other edible commodities at tlieir fair standard , as substitute forotherfood ; aud without taking currants , raisins aud eggs—which arc also substitutes this gives , upon the eight months' importation , and at a very high rate of produce , estimated by the year , the produce of four million English acres , and Free Trade is as yet only in its infancy .
2 Cow if you take the evidence of that muddlc-pated Eaves , that was examined before the Laud Committee , and estimate the number of agricultural hands employedr . t the rate of two to the hundred acresyou have eighty thousand English agricultural labourers thrown out of employment ; which , at five to a family , constitutes two
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" IIB WM « H « Mi ^ M ^« hundred thousand individuals who glut the labour market , reduce wages , or become pensioners upon the poor rates—of which the middle classes have to pay their full share , while the disheartened farmers aud labourers become poor , and are unable to become customers in the trading market . Thus , as 1 often tell you , cheap and dear are relative terms , and ^ ^ ^ ^
MO—you will soon be starving in a cook shop ; while , if Free Trade was based upon free representation , foreign produce , coming from untaxed countries , would neither affect the grower , the consumer , nor the dealer—because , then we should see our taxation measured by the same standard as our forei gn competitors , who are now , by CHEAP GOVERNMENT , enabled to undersell us in
our own market . I shall now conclude by begging of you to read the ] speeches of Lord Dudley Stuakt , M . P ., and George Thojitson , M . P ., delivered at the meetings held at Marylebone and . St . Gwrge ' s-in-the ^ SBt ; ' " on" " Wednesday night , and at which both members "' boldly , honestly , and eloquently advocated UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE , whole aud entire .
Chartists ! " Awake , arise , or be for ever fallen ! " Let us show ourselves and our principles once more in their full-length form . Court all who will join you . Join with the Parliamentary Reform Association . Explain your principles calmly and logically before them , and the day is our own . Your Faithful and Uncompromising "Friend and Representative , Feargus O'Connor .
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GLORIOUS TRIUMPH ! THE LAW AND THE LAND COMPACT . TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMPANY . My Friends , — When I first established the Land Company I was perfectly aware of the difficulties against which I would have to contend . In its infancy , neither the Press , nor its most virulent opponents anticipated its hasty aud gigantic growth ; and , therefore , both were silent upon the subject . When , however , it promised to invite the national mind to that great social benefit which alone could result from political equality , it not only became the target for Press and employer , but many of its most devoted adherents became its tormentors .
Mr . Gcbbixs and a few others summoned me for the recovery of monies that had been expended in land and houses ; and to acquire possession of which they had had a fair chance in the ballot box , the mode by which they and all others knew the estates where to be alloted ; and thus , iu my opinion , they were guilty of a fraud upon the Company . In passing I may observe , that I have only received eight summonses of the same nature ; and when Ave reflect that the Company contains over 70 , 000 members and that many of them are destitute , the fact of a greater number not having sued me , is a strong proof of national latitude .
. I believe that all who have taken out summonses have been urged on by some solicitoi or agent connected with some
FREEDOM FOR THE MILLIONS society , in order to wean the public mind from a plan , which , above all others , is calculated to secure the independence of the working classes . If these summonses in the County Courts had continued , as a matter of course the Company would have become bankrupt . And in order to secure the funds of the Company , I resolved upon appealing to a higher tribunal , and with that view I applied to Judge Talfourd , on Tuesday last , tor a ceriiorari , to remove such cases to a higher court—that is , to take the power from the County Court Judge , and try the case before a judge and jury .
The summons upon which I moved was in the case of a person named Tiwtree , who had employed two professional gentlemen to oppose the application . Judge Tautoukd , however , without considering any argument necessary , granted my application , stating , that he considered the question of great importance , and one which should be tried in one of the Superior Courts , and by a Special Jury , or , perhaps , by au Appeal to the House of Lords ; and , therefore , tho property of the
Company is now , thank God , saved from tho grasp of lawyers ; while the very decision of Judge Talfourd will , as a matter of course , urge the Queen ' s Bench to give judgment early next Term , upou the question of complete Registration ; aud Term commences next Friday fortnight , and the members may rest assured , thatuo exertion shall be wanting upon , my part , to urge the matter on as rapidly as possible , while they should bear in mind , that the legal expenses must come out of my own pecket .
If I required stronger proof than I have already received of the villany of a portion of the working classes , and their opposition to a plan most calculated to benefit their order , it will be found in the following letter . Of course I do not apply any censure to the writer of the letter ; but what will the working classes thiuk of the members of a club , who undertake to pay more in costs than would pay off the prisoner ' s demand . Here follows tho letter , and the reader shall judge for himself : —
Sir , —As I hold four paid-up shares in the Land Company , I am anxious , under present circumstances , to ascertain what power 1 have to demand , withdraw , or dispose of the samp , for tho benefit of my wife and family , who are iu distressed circumstances . The club which 1 belong to has been assisting them ; they refuse it > ny longer while I have money in your hands , unless I will consent to prosecute you after I get my discharge , and they will assist me iu so doing . I am of opinion that you will consent to allow me the amount without having recourse to any such means ; the stern cause of necessity alone compels me to
apply to you ; I have wrote twice to the Directors , and to no effect . " 1 believe they answered both letters without you ever seeing them ; I am of opinion had you seen either of them , and knowing the circumstances 1 was placed in at the time , aud , also , what would be the consequences of a wife and family deprived of their sole \ ivotcctov , you would not have hesitated one moment ; she expects to be dietressed in a sliprt time for rent , unless you comply with this letter , which 1 am of opinion you will never let take place , but will stretch out your hand in the time of need , aud allow me the amount . Your early answer will much oblige your humble servant ,
AViiiiAji Wimerboitom . Now what will the reader say to the proposal of this working man ' s club ? But as it appears that Avhat is " sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander , '' we learn that the
COBDEN-SCIIOLEFIELD " FREEDOMFOR THE MILLIONS " Socioty is also in a fix , as the barrister lias refused to legalise their "FREEEOM FOR THE MILLIONS ; " that is , to give the occupants the vote , but of course the Press will sympathise with those honest Trustees and sufferers ; in their case the law \ rill bo all wrong . ; the Barrister will be a nincompoop , a partisan , or a tool ; while , however , it may be strained against me , the law will be all right—I shan be a juggler , and the sufferers my dupes .
I am sure that the decision of Judge Talfoukd Arill be matter of no little consolation to the honest members of the Land Company ; while Tuiptree , and his associates , will , Itriist ; have acquired sufficient wisdom to inspire them
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T € feff s ^ W 5 & | 8 $ in ^ me ' sih ^ ntj-legcil unhands their : pr&p ^ js * £ a % nWefene u * to ^ W $ l&tti ( ffi $ M > W& * $ ; $ !?§ n p * t month those wjib are ? go $$ jcated ^ 9 : fe ? fcates > and are preparS £ i | r % aV their rent ,, ^ . receive their lease ) M » require no | egal construction o £ ftfj $ jj ^ v . $ > insure tjeigpe / ivote ; while thMwlip & 6 not pay thfflgx ^ ts and those ; ^ ,, hare , purchased ^ liWtfnberB , and have ; - not refunded the °$ & ^ l * ^ mauds , , wiil \ , be ejected ; then PSJS ^ ' * vita % and ! . stabuity of . the Com-Pj || an d the honesty of the Trustees , will be rifi ^^ J— : _ - _^ i . ¦ ., — . ¦¦ . ^ ; . ¦ ,- ¦¦* '
111 * ' * me add , ; that ! am resolved to a fifee remind tK §« of 4 e ; febt- !' SHP ^ ' fP ^^^^ tr ^^' ilMMf whose affairs not a fraction of a farthing has been uselessly or unprofitably squandered . I feel assured , that every honest member of the Company will agree in the decision of Judge Talfourd ; while every one who would have otherwise sued me , will have saved his money , and ultimatel y find himself in a better position .
I shall now conclude with the following extract from the "Daily News" of Thursday , copied from the " Ihiry Post , " and which will , perhaps , give my Lancashire friends some notion of tho value of oven a quarter of an acre of ground , with which they receive neither loan nor aid money , and which is doubtless given to them in a rough and uncultivated state , while it puts a blush in their face , and makes them comparativel y independent of employers . It should be headed
A HINT TO SIDNEY SMITH . . Here it is :- — The Condition of Farm Labourers . —\ Tc understand that the government has instituted an inquiry into the state of the peasantry of this county , with a view to emigration measures . It would certainly be a great relief to many parishes to be relieved of tlieir surplus population . It has been shown , however , that there ave . not more agricultural labourers in this county than ought to be employed upon the land , In too many easel farmers have not capital sufficient for their holdings , and they cannot employ labourers to the extent that would be profitable to those possessed of adequat * means . The present low prices also operate against employment , and both causes , combined with the cessation of railway work , will , we fear , tend to lower the rato of wages , and to degrade the condition ot
the peasantry . Lord 'Wodc'house , in his address at the meeting of th » Ferehoc Association , made some very judicious observations on the subject , and on the means of improving the condition of the labourers . From what we have observed in this county , we can assurehislordship and all other landowners , that if the labourers had a quarter of an acre allotment granted to them at moderate rents , they Tfould very Bpeedily improve their own condition . Allotments are general in the Shropham and Guiltcross hun dreds , in the parishes of Attleburgh , Bm-Ueiiham , Uridgham , Larling , Hociihun , Snetterton , lianham , Lophain , Hailing , Quidilenham , Kcnninghnll , and Garbolilisham , and in those parishes the labourers are comparatively comfovtaWy situated , and they arc a robust , good-looking set of men , while in many other parts of the county they present a very miserable appearance , even at meetings where they are rewarded for honesty and industry .
I have often told you , that if Prince Albert built such cottages as I have for the poor , that there would be an office in every street , where tickets would be issued gratis—or , perhaps , sold—to visit the magnificent villas erected by the philanthropic Prince—while the nearly 300 that I have built , together with four splendid-school-hou ' ses , ave an eye-sore to tho country . Now , as a proof of the fact , that " one man may stoal a horse while another dare not look over the wall " —road the following , taken from tho "Daily News" of Wednesday : —
Improved Dwellisgs ron Lauoureiis . — Last week the first public meeting of tho Tunbridge Wells branch society for improving the dwellings of the poor , was held in tli " e Corn Exchange in that town . Notwithstanding the extreme wetness of the day , which no doubt prevented many attending , the large room was well filled with a highly respectable and attentive audience . The chair was taken by Lord Ashley , M . P . The report stated that the society hall last year purchased about live acres of land on the London road , on which were at present erected six cottages fur
separate families , as well as a lodging-house , cnpahlo of accommodating fourteen unmarried labourers of good character . To each cottage was attached apiece of land for garden-ground , of about the eighth of au acre . On the remainder of the ground the society contemplated building eighteen additional cottages . Among the rules to lie observed by the tenants were , that the children were to be sent regularly to a day school , and a strict observance of the sabbath was to be attended to , and a punctual attendeuce at some protestant place of worship .
iNow , there is a happy uuion of church and communism ; tho fourteen billeted bachelors , of course , living upon the principle of communism , and yet obliged to profess the Protestant faith , and go to church on Sundays , I will conclude with aprayor . —
'GOOD LORD DELIVER ME FROM SUCH A SET OF HUMBUGGING HYPOCRITES . AMEN . " "Your Faithful Friend , Feargus O'Conxok .
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THE MATHON ESTATE . I now wish to draw tho attention of the poor , as well as the comfortable of the middle classes , to tho moans by vlucli they may become possessed of a portion of this magnificent estate . In the first place , let me observe , that I can defer tlie payment of tlio purchase money for two months , upou a very trilling sacrifice of interest upon the amount , while tho title has been accepted by the conveyancer as valid and unexceptionable . Tho mode by which I would propose to dispose of that portion of the Estate not yet disposed of . is as follows : —
Tho money required to be paid is 3 y / . per acre , of which ;?¦ an acre , and more , will be returned , when the standing timber and old materials are disposed of ; therefore I will presume that thirty-seven persons—having a pound each , but not 37 / . —shall put a pound each into a lottery , and that the successful man shall receive an acre in fee ; tlie seven next hi ghest—that is , Nos . 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 0 , 7 , and 8—receiving back the pound paid from the amount produced by timber and materials : and it the parties so balloting wish to make it less of a speculation , that the successful man shall pay back annuall y a povtiou of tho 301 . put m by the unsuccessful candidates .
As regards two-acre allotments , seventyfour should put in a pound each , and the fourteen whodrow from Nos . 2 to 15 should receive back then- money from the sale of timber and materials . The price of three acres would be 111 / . ; tho members receiving back 2 U , which should bo returned to those , drawing from 2 to 22 . The price of four acres would be 148 / . ; tho successful man receiving the four acres , and those drawing from 2 to 29 receiving back their pound ; and in all cases it being optional with those joining iu the ballot to make the
successlul member repay the amount paid by the unsuccessful members , by yearly instalments or not . Or thirty-seven men may put in 21 . . each for two acres / 3 / , each for three acres , , \ a ea ? 11 fov ^ acl > 0 S ) imd tllen tllere would bo , in every instance , a prize to every twenty-nine blanks . And if a still poorer class of men choose to venture a shilling , a half-crown , five or ten shillings , they may try tlieir luck ; . in all those cases where the ballot is confined to tho poorest of the poor the drawer of tlie prize to be entitled to tho % an acre , as well as the land ; as in such cases tho 7 / ., or the 14 / . if it was two acres , may be
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riieeid ^ Bp ^ rabns belonging ! - ^ 6 rer plMSilfT '' - ^ -: ' ¦ ; • !?*! " . j . ? - Sq . ' i ' * r . Y K > lf- 'Ihiri ^ -se ^ ei men wished | S tut'H 4 / . ' ^ h ^ fbrfb ttf 'i aiBres , they m ^ n ^ . au ^ fs&ge | 46 nt-am 6 ng 8 t themsel ^^ ih ^ t . io ^ rteeri ijf $ ifeunsucce&M' caudM ^^ may . ' receive bw *; 3 j ^| ich btitjpi'ilie it . ' iwpnstead of the ^ MiW ^ m ^^ ' P' ^ ° ^^ . % opinion , this Jr . a map 1 $$ ; er . lottery ; ' than raoing j ' pep ^ and other schemes which are Advertised | fid ; . pufied by the Press ;• -while-: a trifling amount eared from drunkenness and dissipation , would put the : working classes in possession of , the most beautiful estate , in the most healthy ^ ahd be autiful part of England , and help to thiutho , Labour market .
1 have nofc , j 5 p ; much . anxiety about losing my own £ 500 , ^ ha , ! fcI paid as a . deposit , as I have about , losing t % hive where the industrious may , j 8 wanu ., " Iv-hope that I shall have-an m ; mM < i ; :-im ^ m stand that , at two ticres to a man , this estate would enfranchise 250 of their order , and make them free aud independent voters , without the barrister ' s construction of law ; and those with money should understand that many solvent tenants—good agricultural labourers , have offered -16 / . a year for four acres , which would cost the purchaser 120 Z ., leaving him over thirteen per cent , for his money and well secured .
I do not consider it necessary to say another word upou this subject . Feargus O'Connor .
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A YOICE PllOJI TOTillLL-FJELDS PRISON . "We have scon a private letter from Robert Crowe , one of tho political inmates of Tothill-Fields Prison . The kUcv is chiefly filled with private matter , but the following extracts may be rend with interest by our readers;— " J live—that is to Bay , I bi'eatlie—walk—work—and to a very limited extent , I talk : still for all this T am far from bciny in a healthy condition . * * ' The slightest exertion out of the ordinary way produces very painful cflects , namely , a general lassitude and nervousness , headache , a ml " a strong inclination to sickness ; added to this , 1 can gee no sleep at night . A constitution suuli as I have cannot be said to be in a healthy state . Xor can I expect to be otherwise
while I remain subject to a system , which after thirteen months experience , 1 unhesitatingly pronounce , one of the most unnatural that this or anv nation over sanctioned for the management anil correction of offenders ; a system that not only saps , and eventually undermines the physical , but depresses , crushes , and eternally deranges the mental powers of its victim . * ' * I am in a very critical and uncertain condition , surrounded , as 1 am by 300 or 400 prisoners—elbow to elbowstrange faces daily—and many of them tho very outcasts of society ; in a word , I breathe a contagious atmosphere , and I wonder that so many of us are alive .
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TEE CHARTISTS OF UXBRIDOE TO THE CHARTISTS Ol GREAT U 1 UTA 1 X . Brother Democrats , —Aro wo doers as well as talkers ? Aro we true to the cause we have embraced ? Are wo men—and do we act as such ? If so , how is it that the heart-rending accounts of tho wives and families of the victims have hitherto resulted in little more than li p sympathy ? If Chartism is not worth a sacrifice it is not worth having , and if we arc not prepared to make such sacrifice we have no right to call ourselves Chartists It is no use trying to shift the blame ; we arc as much the murderers of Sharp and Williams as the base and brutal "Whi gs . Had wo done our duty they would have still been living . "Wo had the
power to save them had we possessed the will . We have proved ourselves to be not that which wo professed to bo . We led these inen to believe that we were prepared to second tlie efforts they were making—did we do so ? Had they gained their object wo . should have eagerly grasped the fruits of their energies , and the air would' have vibrated with oiu- plaudits ; now they have fallen—we forsake them ! Brother Democrats , lot us no longer be guilty of such base ingratitude , but make an effort to place both the wives and families far above the sting of want , and thereby prove ourselves worthy of possessing that for which we are now struggling .
l ours fraternally , ' The UxBimioE Bemociuis . Uxhridgo , October oth . P . S . —Wo inclose £ 1 for the Victims , to be fairly divided , and 5 s . for the Executive .
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THE UNIOJf BETWEEN THE MIDDLE VH ) WQRKIfiG . CLASSES . ' : TO TIIK BDITOROF TUK NORTH KHN STAn . Sir " , —It is with the ' most pleasurable fc- ' ings that fnow lopk forward to a lasting and ponn . ii : cnt Union ubtwecn tW working and veritable uii-idto classes , an union / which for tho real interests of ^ oth classes has been too'long delayed . For this fatal error , no doubt , both parties have been Wane .-. able ; and I am satisfiefothat beth parties ou that awiimt have beon limmtO f losers . That tho income of j . -naU tradesmen and ^| i > pkeepers , in nine instance ; out omevy toil , dc ^ ds pit the working chsst + vw ) . &
mmmsHmmmm labourer must also improve the social com for s of the shopkeeper and' small tradesman , while the labourer a wretchedness nnd misery , consequeu- on want of employment , will as certainly be proportionately felt , b y the shopkeeper and small ti-. « -lesman . This being the case then between the pa ;•; ies , { and no one knows the real truth here set ; ' i-tli better than the shopkeepers themselves , ) it is ; heir interest , " as well as their duty , " to support i- \ cry measure calculated to ameliorate the miserable condition of their best customers , as by doing so : iicy ace most effectually helping themselves . Om \ j is almost apt to wonder how they could have been so long blind to their own interest ? . Every shop
confers thu franchise on its owner ; and ' the niiidlc classes , backed by the whole bod y of tlie woi . dng classes , with a real reform for the object , would be all powerful in the towns , —without them they arc all but powerless . The people need have no fear of being deceivod , —indeed , this elass never di < : deceive them , they were deceived thomselves . IViore tho so-called Reform Bill they wero unoiifrane . \ i » ed themselves . In the Covn-Law agitation the L-reat bulk of them were honest in their endeavours ^ believing that the ascribed benefits would flow from , them . Besides , tlw people have nothing to lo ; -.. ! l ) y union , but every thing to gain ; they will noc be asked to give up their own principles , but omy to
give their most energetic support to a rather less measure of reform than { heir own , but havint tlie ultimate tendencies ; a measure which , if cai : ied , will , without doubt , bring the whole Charter , in all its entirety , iu the first parliament that meets after it is passed . This then is worth y of some forbearance on the part of the long " unjustly" used labourer , and concession is ndHicr asked woe required . Give heartily and freely your undivided support to your only and real allies—tho shopkeepers ; aud give the real reformers , who are nowtendering you their assistance , such a cordial support throughout Urn icugtU ;\\ w \ bvisunh oi' the ' .. md , as shall make the foundations of corruption am ! tvranny tremble .
I hope the middle classes will not be misled by the rumoured reforms of the present Government , — they have no such intentions , unless compelled to it by the firmness and unanimity of the veritable reformere . From Lord Grey ' s conduct abroad lie is not likely to turn reformer at home . On tho veritable middle classes and working classes reform entirely depends ; attend to tho elections , both Municipal aud Parliamentary . Every gain is double loss to the Government , and a double gain to refttvm , as by crushing an opponent we gain a friend . The Whigs aro weJl known as needy ami greedy place-hunters , and will concede any " thinr ? rather than vacate the Treasury benches . ' Refi-r . iicis on the one side , and . Protectionists watching , tor place and venaion on tho other , will soon make them capitulate at our own terms . I am , &c , Ax Old llr . rony . Ki :. Breclun , October Gth .
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THE LANCASHIRE MINERS . TO THE rDlTOit OF THE KO !! THi : ! iX STAR . Sir , —At the delegate meeting held at Itlr . R . Dixon b , Tyldesly , on the 1 st instant , it was found that 500 members had enrolled during tho fortnight It was also rw-olved : "That tho resolution as regards victims being supported from liio county board lie not entertained for the present ; but that each district do support its own until the couniv is m a hotter state of organisation . " Tho cou ' ntv meeting , was adjourned to the 15 th instant , lobe hold at the Woodman , on tho Oldham ami A »! iton road .
On Wednesday , 3 rd instant , I met Mr . i > toher ' s meu working at the Stoape ' s Colliery , Littlis Lover , at six o clock in tho morning , at tlie Unicorn , on account of their employer attempting to reduce a portion of his men ' s wages , woi-kinsr in the two yards coal , sixpence per load . At the . meetin" an unanimous resolution was agreed to , " Tliat ' thw would not work any more until all the men working m tiic two yards coal were advanced sixpence pi ; r load , and threepence per yard thvouithout the eouVi-v . " A deputation was appointed " to wait upon Mr
. Fletcher to inform him of tho men ' s rosohitwi :, but no refused their propositions . In the overlie - , at nve o clock , another meeting was hold , eoMpiisino ' men from all the principal collieries h t"o fnrrounding districts . It was a bumper iu number as wellaseiithiisiasm . Att . hismcetingi (; w ;; sa" ; ei'ii — " That if any master attempted t ^ infrin- 'omion the rights ol the minors , that tl ; c men should deliver in a statement for an advanco of one shilling \ wy load , and cease working until tho masters aro ' williiw to give the required advance . " 3
The deputation waited upon lh \ Fletcher a « -ain in the evening ; and when he found [ lint the men were unanimous and determined , ho very reluctantly consented to give the desired adv . Wo of sixpence per load , and ' threepence per yard . This is tlie first victory of the . union iu this campaign , and the men appear to bo iu good earnest . „„ . Yours rcsueelfuUv , 2 y , Sutoey-stroi't , Bolton . * D . Swallow October 7 th .
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The Behmoxdskt JIuhder . - 'Wo understand that ho property of Patrick O'Connor , for whose mimler the Mannings stand charged , is about to be divided amongst his relatives , residing in the county oi Jipperary , one of whom is the present parish priest ot lemplemore ; the others are persons in rather Humble circumstances . It is supposed thai , it wiU amount to 7 , 000 l . oT 8 , mi .-Clolmtl Chnn ! . k . * he " floating island" has reappeared in Derwc-nt water , and the " se-vserpent" off Nantasket .
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"• THE VICTIMS . ' O ^^ ^ , To ' inYEtirfon of the kortukrx star . .: £ . bK ;* . You ? may insert : tho following letter , if vou $ mnk proper , aa an example worthy of imitation . ' , -V :- ,- ' : : ., r-,, - . . - \ y . pv |[( i : 1 , i -v > k ¦' , ' " T . v" -. vr- ! 'po . l . Ncath , Oct . riih .. . ; . . '•; Dbab bin , —I herewith enclose to you a Post-Office order for £ 1 , which-1 ' give to exempt the brave and talented Ernest'Jpri ' cs from the degvada-; iion and punishment of oakum picking . I an : glad thafitls once in my power tb' contribute my mite to alleviate the . suffering of sifcii a bold and fi-ivless
adrooatevof . the . ri ghts andlibortios , which every man : j 5 entitled ' tq , ; . 1 rcme ^ nbev vending in tiro . Star that liraejjt ' Joriesvwas saying at the 2 falion . il Ooih vention irr " That if ' . the " Go .-crii'iient shouta ' . nt- ' tempt to hnr . t , aaiArit of . his head , the men of Yorli-Bhiro . would run / dawri from the mountain io ; s to nw TCscp . ^ SpVr ^ thw showed his confidence . I concl ^ li ^ to ' yfinfletter in lnst week ' Star that 1 * ir ?^^»^? . Mends ^ ri ' vei-y sparing with their ¦ BWlm ^ fe ^ av ^^ te ^ ietim ' rVcra Jabour , or oiber-; W » % i , ^ w . ! 'vJ / :.-: . r . . ' . IwmaBnnj / oSd £ os npluding for the presei 5 , ¦"' '' Eo ' spectfully yours , -: " Mr ; W . Eider . " . * _ .. /; [•• wiuuu j 03 fM . »; V .
To The Chartists.
TO THE CHARTISTS .
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Dalston . —A public meeting was lately held in the parish school house , for the' purpose of establishing a public reading room . The vicar of the parish in the chair . Mr . Wilkinson Corry , a Chartist , asked the rev . chairman what news ' papors he should have to read if he became a , member , in answer to which several papers were mentioned . Mr . Corry then proposed that the Star be admitted . The chairman objected to the Star , and said that the gentry of the district would not contribute to the support of the institution , if that paper was
taken in . The motion on being put was carried unanimously , and the meeting was adjourned . Paisley . —A public meeting was held in tho Exchange Rooms on Wednesday evening , the 3 rd inst ., to memorialise the Queen for an amnesty to all political prisoners . —Mr . J . Flenvng was called to the chair . —Mr . Duncan Robertson , in proposing the first resolution , said it was proper for them to consider whether the persons on whoso account they were met deserved the punishment inflicted upon them ; for his part , he did not believe they did . He was deeply mortified to think that
twenty thousand persons cheered Ernest Jones , while uttering the sentiments for which he is incarcerated , and that so few had practically shown their adherence to those sentiments . —Mr . Samuel M'Kine briefly seconded the resolution , which was ably supported by Mr . Daniel Pawl , from Glasgow , in a long and eloquent address , and earned unanimously . — Mr . Andrew Robertson road and submitted a copy of a memorial to her Majesty , for tho adoption of ' the meeting . —Mr . John Howie seconded the adoption of the memorial , which was carried . —After a vote of thanks to Mr . Paul and the Chairman , the meeting dispersed .
South Shields . —A meeting of delegates from various localities of tho Chartist Association , was held in South Shields , at the house of Mr . Jackson , when . matters touching the strengthening of the Association were discassed . A resolution was likewise passed , " That for the hetter organisation of the district , each locality elect a councilman to represent his locality in ' the district council meetings , for the next three months , and that tho first district council meeting be held at the Cock Inn , IIo ; ul of the Side , Newcastle , on Sunday , October 21 st , at two o ' clock , and that the Chartists of each locality in ^' ortliuniberlaud and Durham be particularly requested to send a councilman , or a written communication of their willingness and means to aid in rallying around the old flag of Chartism . "Letters to be directed to John Hudson , Dawson ' s Court , Westpatc-streot , Ncwoastle-unon-Tvnc .
Dudley . —The Chartists of this town arc glad to see the attention of the Chartist body called to tho debt due to tho printer , and are of opinion that the plan recommended in the letter of Mr . llarney , which appeared in last week ' s Star , is the best way to raise the money . AVhen the several districts know how much is required from them , they will not fail to discharge a just debt which has hce ' n contracted on their account . As soon as the general secretary has made out his scale of the amount
required from each district , we will forward our share . The Chartists of Dudley are desirous that the agitation should be revived in this district . The towns of Stourbridgc , Bilston , Wolverhampton , and Smcthwick , where formerly there existed energetic associations , have been allowed to dwindle out ol existence . If the few true men in those towns would unite and revive their associations , we should be happy to assist them . It is intended , in conjunction with those towns , to hold a district meeting , to regulate future proceedings . —John Davis , Sec .
EDixumton . —On Mondav evening , October Sth , a concert and kill was held ' in the Waterloo Rooms , for the benefit of the wives and- families of the late Messrs . Williams and Sharp . Tho benefit was a bumper , and it is expected that the profits will amount to about eight or nine pounds , besides which subscriptions ave still going on for the above object .
&!)«U'Ti0t Suttiiigettce*
& !)« U'ti 0 t Suttiiigettce *
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" Union is strength . "
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DEATH OF AN ADVOCATE OF THE MINERS RIGHTS . TO TUK KO 1 TOR O ^ TJIK SOUTHERN' STAR . Silt , — This Miners of JsVl'iiiinlierhun : ! and Durham have suffered a srrievoiis loss in tkr <' o ; ui « of Air . W . lii'il , of Settlon D .-Iuvai ; Colliery , - . - .-ho died last week of cholera , attended with thi ; nmst acute and agonising suli ' erings . Mr . Dull has Endeared himself to liis brother Miners by thu devotion aud sincerity with \ vhU-l < . ! io : ulv 6 eafnl th"ir interests , and it was to him and a low st < -rtiii" and unhinchinjj men , that tlie present organisation of the Miners owes its origin—it havim ; \ . ^ v at Bulcval Colliory . The epidemic lo which i : « " lius liiucn a sacrifice , has been uncommonly fcevero in that neighbourhood ; and , but i ' or him , ' and a l . mrul ol humane brother Minors , many more would have been carried off by thu disease . The friends and
neighbours being alarmed , nnd consoijuentfy unable to render assistance , Bell nnd others formed a committee to give their assistance , stationed themselves at various parts of tho Coliiuv . and warned every nei ghbour to call upon them wln-n assistance was required . This they have done for several wecua , and tho deceased being but a ai ! in » man could but ill afford to loso that rose nucessarv to follow his employment . Yet he never complained , but laboured at the work ol" luniY . uiitv nil , !! w"l i " i - hours of llis ( Ieut ! l ' fflli « l « toot puce whilst being surrounded by hk net"hbours au eager to do tlieir utmost to save so gooil a man . iJio deceased had been up to the last forlnk'iit , l
generasecretary to the Miners of tho Xorlh , and but resigned the office on account of his cmiilovi-r consenting to allow him to begin his usual work again at the Colliery , of which heiiad been deprived tor tho conspicuous part he took to arouse his lellow workmen to resist the : ittempted reduction of their wages . But his loss to the Miners is not nJl — he has left a discoissolf . tc widow and four orphan children , . some of them of tender wars and « w ] io | jod she will Iid honourabl y m \^ n \ Uy her ate husband s numerous , friends and adii ^ re-s 4 little from each wi ! i place her above w .- . nt V . ' . i that is all that humanity can do to comfort her m S her dire misfortune . Your- ; , &c . M . Ji'iiv :.
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! gL _ fflJ ° . 625 ~ LONDON , SATORDM 0 CiBffil 3 l 849 - S ^? ^ ^^^^^ 1 , ¦¦¦¦¦ i ¦¦»¦¦ hi ¦ . --- ?¦¦ " '' ¦ . ¦ , ' . I' ¦ ¦ —— ¦ i—— ¦ - - ¦ : ¦ ' ' - •• - " :.. • . "J'ffi- ¦ - ' . ' . ' ¦ .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 13, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1543/page/1/
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