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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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thou sand cattle , apparently depriving them of the m eans of subsistence . But the result did not folllow ; on tne contrary , the consequences were as disastrous and fatal as could have jucceeded a defeat instead of a victor / . The Kaffirs * driven from their mountain retreats , spread themsdves over the open country , carry ing ruin and desolation wherever they made their appearance , and » weeping off twenty thousand head of fat cattle , in
exchange for the three thousand lean beasts ecjzed by the redoubtable Governor . By the last mail , we learn that these ravages have continued ever since—that spoliation upon a large scale has been committed , and that in the whole of the districts of British Kaffraria the settlers have had their homesteads utterly destroyed , and all their moveable possessions carried away by the really victorious Kaffirs . The colonial papers thus describe the destruction going on in the colony : —
Above Graham ' s-town to the Orange River , a distance of 300 miles , the * fhole line has been de-Tastated—sheep , cattle , horses , all swept away or destroyed ; the whole border being marked by the rains of fired farmhouses , the once happy homes of a peaceful , industrious people . Lower Albany , with some little exception , had until last week escaped the ravages . Bat tness " wolves" having been unearthed by the troops iu British Kaffraris lave rushed hither , and already we have the dismal tidings of burning houses and beggared families .
The Colonists at the Cape , alarmed at the threatening and serious aspect of affairs , have memorialised the Governor for a system of tactics , which will at least offer tome chance of protecting the dwellings and property of ihe white inhabitants ; but his ' Excellency ' taunts them with not having given bun the support he demanded at an early stage of : the contest , and persists in conductiug it in a way that makes ruin certain to those who maintain allegiance to the British Crown .
"We have on former occasions shown that this lamentable , destructive , and expensive warfare , never would have occurred if the colonists had possessed the power of self-Government . It would have been their interest to live upon good terms with the natives , and if the limits of the colony had gradually extended themselves , it would have been by mutual cement , and upon terms mutually advantageous . The policy of the office in Downing-street , and the officials it sends out , is diametricall y opposed to this . It is
essentially aggressive and exterminating . When military Governors , secretaries , and subordinate functionaries are entrusted with the destinies of a distant dependency , what is more natural than that they should look upon it as a capital opportunity of distinguishing themselves professionally , and of having a little practice at the cost of John Butt , who they know to be either too apathetic or too ill-informed on such matters , to be able to check the items of the bills they send in as the price of these colonial ' wild sports V
And truly this Kaffir hunting is 3 , costly process . It is not long since we cleared off our last bill , with considerable grumbling , and received assurances it should be the last . Instead of that , we Bad ourselves involved in more costly hostilities than ever , with no prospect of their termination . Instead of adjusting , modifying , or repealing the income-tax , we shall have to double it , as the annual cOBt of iaving Eael Gbet in the Colonial Office ,
of whom we may literally say , m the pecuniary sense , ' A man he is to all the country deai' . ' It remains to be seen whether , when the day of payment comes , the day of reckoning arrives along with it , and whether even an aristocratic and middle-class Parliament may not be of opinion , that not even a Geey is worth the expenditure , and the disgrace incurred by these hostilities with savage races , who have at least a right to water , pasturage , and tent-room , in their native land .
That the war was caused by the measures of the Government , and was , in fact , the inevitable result of the policy which has been as steadily pursued in South Africa as in Hindostan , there can beino doubt , ' notwithstandin g the tricks by which the Parliamentary inquiry of last session was rendered abortive . Sir ANDiuES Siockensxkom , in a pamphlet just issued , shows that the inquiry was condncted in such a manner as not only to fail in the disclosure of truth , but absolutely to prevent it He deliberately and openly accuses Mr . HAWEsof conducting 4 ttie investigation iu a ¦ way which precluded the reception of important evidence , and with having mutilated , suppressed , and omitted important passages of evidence actually given before the Committee , '
Irat never suffered to meet the public eye . This is not the first by many a time that a similar charge has been urged against the ex-Boap-boJler in Lis official capacity . He has Lad so much practice in the congenial duty of clearing the dirty reputation of ' my noble friend , ' that he must now be quite an adept at falsification . Whether that qualification ¦ will be any recommendation to the voters of Lambeth , at the next election , remains to be seen ; we rather suspect that a small nomination borough will be more suitable for such a thorough-paced hack . SirAifDBiES Siock-ESSIROM distinctly states that on the second occasion he was summoned before the Committee , Mr . Haves interfered and prevented him from giving evidence on the real question for which the Committee waB appointed . He
says : — Sir Joshua "Walmsley showed me a string of questions which be was going to put to me . Most of them were to the point 5 but I bad hardly repeated ay declaration , that the measures of government had caused toe war—that its injustice to the Tambookies , particularly the massacre of men , women , and children , at midnight , in Guada's Kraal , living , unsuspecting , under the protection of our diplomatic agent , had exasperated that tribe against us , and that documents which ought to have leen before
ike Committee were in Downing direct—when the Ucder-Secretary cleared the room ; and when the public was re-admitted , we found that Sir Joshua was not allowed to continue Ms interrogatories and that the general question , " // at / 6 you any further information to give ? " was substituted . * * * I " simply answered , that there was a greal deal more to ' be said , but that that ought to be said on the spot , where all partie 3 concerned might be beard ; and that if this were not done , I was bound to declare ihe whole inquiry incomplete .
It was by such discreditable and disgraceful meacs as those that the British people were hoodwinked , and that the Ministry gained time to prosecute a war so disastrous to the Colony , bo expensive to the taxpayers at home , eo utterly fruitless of beneficial results to any party . It would appear that the Colonial office has resolved upon ' extermination ;* and we may ponder with a feeliug of direct interest , the following words from a man who knows what he is writing
about : — All must depend upon how you terminate the war . Ton cannot deal with the Kaffirs either as wolves or as lambs . They are neither irreclaimable savages aor mild gentle shepherds . They are fierce , warlike , barbarians . Vigour is as necessary as justice in your dealings with them ; and if you allow them to become masters , you must give up the colony . This much 1 predict with certainty—you mutt go on exUrndnatinq , or vou must restore the power of the chiefs . You must enact the Hottentot history over a » ain , which with the Kaffirs aud others -will not be so easy a matter ; or yon must respect those for xrhota the natives have a natural and even a super-Btitious veneration . Such is the advice of an experienced aud
intelligent person in the face of a grave estlamity . What is the course actually pnr-8 flBd hy Earl Geey ? Let the Times' of Thursday answer—Disaster having succeeded disaster , —confusion , and desolation , and rain being to be seen in every part of the colony , —what then does the noble Secretory for the Colonies ? Nothing . He looks on in bewildered imbecility , and betakes himself , as the Court Newsman informs us this morning , to his Beat hi Northumberland . The lesson read us by the last Kaffir war has been entirely forgotten . The fierce and wily character of the foa , which that war bad made manifest , was supposed to be wholly changed , and childish antics . and ridiculous mummery were t hought the proper instruments to em-
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ploy in order to counteract the machinations of the deadly and vindictive baked burning in the breagti of the native tribes by whom the colony is surrounded . Behold the result ! A protracted war , a ruined colony , a disgraced commander , a baffled army , a heavy bill of costs behind all ! Such are the admirable consequences of the unrivalled skill n colonial government of our present Colonial Secretary ! And let us add , of depriving our Colonies of
the power of self-government . If Lord Gbet was driven from office to-, mprrow with ignominy , the system would remain of which he is the instrument . Release the Cape—release Australia , New Zealand , and the Canadas from the trammels of Downing-streefc , and we shall then have flourishing , progressive , and prosperous communities , instead of dependencies , peopled bv almost rebellious settlers , and a source of continual expense and dissatisfaction at home .
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J ^ * w +- * . *^** S * ' * + **^^^^~***** ******** THE MINISTERIAL INTERREGNUM IN FRANCE . M . Bonaparte is ' off with the old love , ' but finds it difficult to ' get on with a new . ' We do not wonder at it . His motives for proposing the repeal of the law of May 31 , are so obviously and purely selfish , that not a single sincere Republican could take office to subserve so paltry and personal a policy . On the other hand , the Parliamentary factions feel—with M . Giiukdis—that the President has played a strong card against them , and one which is likely to spoil their game . Whatever may be the result of the restoration of Universal Suffrage to other parties , they cannot gain by it . ¦ . .
_ One thing is observable as a novelty , in this last and latest of political changes in France : the profound calm by which it has been accompanied out of doors . In several departments there have been disturbances ; but these were antecedent , both hi time and motive , to the dismissal of the Faucher Cabinet The intelligence of that event had so little effect even on die Bourse , that it only caused a Blight fluctuation of ten centimes , or about twopence on the five per cents , a fluctuation from which the market speedily recovered . It is clear , therefore , the French people do not think MM . Faucher , Baroche , and Co ., worth twopence , and believe they can get along much better without them .
But this calm at the moment of so sweeping and complete a change in the policy of the Executive is gratifying on another account . It proves that the people are acquiring the art of settling their quarrels by parliamentary and constitutional means , instead of having recourse to arms for that purpose . The more ibis spirit can be cultivated and exercised , the better for the political future of the nation .
Every victory won by the people for the people will then be permanent in its results , whereas , the triumphs of brute force are always at the mercy of brute force , and may be re-conquered by the same means which won them . The absence of all commotion , tumult , or conflict on this occasion , is to our mind proof conclusive that the popular party fully comprehend the part they are called upon to play in the great struggle of 1852 ; and , that
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should any coup d ' etat be attempted by the reactionary and despotic party , they will take care to place them before the world as the real anarchists , revolutionists , and enemies of order in France . So far the Constitutionalists havegained by thelast move of M . Bonaparte ; and we adhere to the opinion expressed last week—that whatever may be the result as respects his own dynastic or personal pretensions , it must , in any case , powerfully tend to the consolidation and development of republican opinion and energy throughout the country . If there
must ultimately be a renewed struggle between the factions , and the people who have repeatedly fought for bona fide republican institu tions , every occurrence which retards that Btruggle , and gives time for the masses to educate and prepare thoiriselves for it , must be a benefit . The battle will . take place with more chances in favour of the rule of the many instead of the"few ; and though some political prophets affect to see direful portents in the present and future condition of France , we believe that she is menaced by no dangers
which cannot be surmounted by her brave and intelligent people , if the Absolutist conspiralors will but stand out of the way , and let them work out their own destiny without interposing physical force or Jlachiavelian treason iu the way of its accomplishment . And even if they do not , they can but delay , not prevent , the consummatioB . France will be true to itself , and all the puny efforts of placemen , adventurers , and spies , will be but as dust in the balance , when compared with the determination of its people to achieve self government .
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CHARGE OP PERJURY AGAINST MR EDWARD PERRY , TIN-PLATE WORKER .
On Friday last at the borough police court a charge of perjury was preferred against Mr . Edward Perry , tin-plate manufacturer , by Mr . Win . Peel , secretary of the National Trades' Association . The case was heard before S . Leigh , Esq .. 3 . Hartley , Esq ., J . Shaw , Esq ., S . Cartwright , Esq ., and J . Underbill , Esq . The room was crowded to excess by a respectable auditory , who evinced the deepest interest in the proceedings . The charge arose out of the evidence given by Mr . E . Perry at the trial for " Conspiracy , " at the last Stafford Assizes . Mr . Roberts of Manchester , commonly known as " The Miners' Attorney-Ceneral , " appeared for the prosecution , and Mr . Huddleston , barrister , of the Oxford circuit , appeared for the defendant .
Mr . Roberts , in opening the case , said that he appeared on behalf Of William Peel , to prefer a charge of perjury against Edward Perry , the tinplate manufacturer , of Wolverhampton . In set terms the charge ran thus : — " At a trial at Stafford , in July last , on an indictment prosecuted by George Henry and Edward Perry , it became material on the part of tho prosecution to prove that William Peel was , in July , 1850 , in the neighbourhood of the Star bear public-house , in Wolverhampton , in order to raise the inference that he was eopiiant of a certain handbill placed , ( luring that month , in the window of the Star beerhouse , and that at the said trial Edward Perry falsely swore that the said William Peel was , during the said month of July , goin in and out of the beerhouse aforesaid , with the
corrupt intention of causing the said William Peel to be committed on the same indictment . " With respect to the legal requisite , the materiality of the charge , he should have no difficulty in showing that the evidence given by Mr . Perry was material for convicting Peel ; and with respect to tho charge of having given corrupt evidence ! he should be able to show—though it was not possible to tell what was passing in a man ' s heart—that Perry , s attention was repeatedly called by the counsel for the prosecution , on cross-examination by the counsel fur the defendants , and by the learned judge himself , to that portion of his evidence which was charged as false . At first Ferry swore that he had seen Peel go in and
out of the Star beerhouse frequently during the month of July , I 80 O , at which time a handbill was exhibited in the window . There was no direct evidence that Peel wrote that hadbill , or that he had anything to do with it ; but it was alleged that as he was continually in and out of the Star beerhouse in that month , be must hare seen the handbill , and have been cognisant of the conspiracy . Oa being pressed , Mr . Perry limited tho times he had _ seen Peel enter or leave the house to twice . Without that evidence there was strong reason to believe that Peel would not hare been convicted of conspiracy , as it was the only evidence which connected him with the conspiracy . After a few other observations , Mr . Roberts called
Wm . Pkel , who deposed that ho resided at Kenniogton , aud held the office of secretary to the National Trades Association , who had their offices at 259 , Tottenham Court Koad . In July last he was ; i defendant in a case of conspiracy , in which Messrs . Richard and George Honry Perry were the prosecutors . Mr . Justice Erie was the judge , : md the case was tried by a special jury , Henry Row « lands , Georgo Duffield , Henry Wpodnortli , and others were indicted with him , A placard was produced , similar to the one he ( witness ) then held in his hand , and Mr .. Perry swore that ho saw it in the Star window , and that he saw both Grcon and Peol frequently go in and out of the Star iu the month of July , lie also stated that he ( witness ) lodged at the Star . The counsel on both sides and the judge
particularly directed Mr . Perry ' s attention to the evidence he was giving , and Mr . Perry pledged bis oath that lie ( Peel ) was at the Star in July . Mr . Parry , the counsel , asked Mr . Perry if he was not mistaken , ' but Mr . Perry answered that he was certain he saw him ( witness ) go in and out of the Star in July , It -was not true that he waB at the Star beerhouse in Wolverhampton in July , 1850 ; during the whole of that month he was either in London or in Kennington . In his capacity as secretary to the association it was his duty to make entries iri a memorandum book (( . roduced ) , and also in another book ( produced ) , relating to accounts between him and the treasurer of the association . By those books he was enabled to say that he was not absent a day from London or Koimirigton during tho whole
month of July , 1850 . —Cross-examined : The handbill produced was his composition , and the name at tue bottom of it , William . Peel , was his najne . Copies of the handbills were sent to each body in connexion with the association . He had been at the Star beerhouse , to the best of his knowledge , tbrea times—at the end of April and beginning of May , 1850 , and on the 21 st of October , 1850 . He was not at the Star in August , 1850 . He attended the meeting at the theatre in Wolverhampton , in October . He declined to say wh . it he had a week from the association . When at Wolrerbarapton he stopped at the Seven Stars . He was at Wolyerhampton early in June , He was at that time in communication with Mr . Perry . It was at the
period Mr . Perry had said he was " amusing " him ( witne ^ ) . The witness aero declined to answer several questions upon the ground that , by his so doing , his answers might possibly tend to criminate himself , and Mr . Iluddlestone next asked him whether an entry in one of the books produced relating to Rowlands , dated 27 th July , was respecting a letter written , to Rowlands ov a letter received from him ? This question the witness also declined answering . Mr . Iluddlestone next saul there was no entry in the book from July 27 to July 30 , and asked how that was ? Witness re-P ' that thero were-no letters to receive on the 29 th . —Re-examined : He was in Wolverhampton up to the 5 th or 6 th of June ; after that time he was not in Wolverhnmpton again till October . The
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handbill vtas not exposed in the Star window with hi 8 knowledge . Mr . Perry complimented him upon the manner in which he had conducted the negotiations he had with him and the men . John Griffiths , a tin-plate worker , was next examined . —He heard Mr . Perry swear at the trial at Stafford that he ( Perry ) saw Peel go in and out of the Star beerhouse in July , 1850 , and this after questions put to him upon the subject by tho counsel on both sides , and by the judge . Cross-examined : He was one of the bail for the defendants in case for conspiracy ; all the defendants , except one were convicted .
W . Mourns , stamper , 'deposed that he was one of the hail for the defendants in the conspiracy case . He heard Air . Perry swoar at the trial at Stafford , that Peel lodged at the Star beerhouse , and that he had seen him go in and out of the Star . Henry Ghees deposed that he was a reporter , and that he was present at the trial at Stafford . lie heard Mr . Perry say that he saw Peol go in and out of tho Star beerhouse in July . Edwabp Humphries was next called , and , he deposed that he was a member of the committee of the association spoken of , and it was his duty to
attend daily at the office in London . Ho saw Peel at the offioe in London every day in the month of July , except Sundays . The books produced enabled him to swear this . —On cross-examination the witness still adhered to his statement that he saw Peel every day except Sundays , in July , 1850 . The handbills were sent out on the 23 rd of July , and the amount of 5 s . 6 d ., entored in the book for their postage , including all that were sent to the secretaries of the society in various parts of the country . —Re-examined : No complaint was made respecting Peel ' s absence in July ; a complaint would have been made if he had been absent .
Chaulks Ha-xses , keeper of the Star beerhouse , deposed that he had been imprisoned twenty-ono days for leaving Mr . Perry's service . After returning to work Mr . Perry had Borne conversation with him , and told him if he could get a case against Duffield , Woortnortb , and Gaunt , he would not mind £ 5 or £ 10 , and as to the London delegates , he would not mind £ 30 or £ 40 if he ( witness ) could bring a case against them . ( Hisses . ) Poel never slept in his house in 1850 . He ( witness ) was at his work during the day , and could not tell who visited his bouse in his ab 3 enoe .-. Cross-examined : Did not see Peel in the month of July , 1850 . He could not tell who put the handbill in his window . Mr . Pbei , recalled , deposed that he , on the 29 th of July , 185 D , was with tho treasurer , in Walvrorthroad , and afterwards at the office in Totteahamcourt-road . This closed the prosecutor ' s case ,
Mr . Huddlbstohb submitted to tho bench , whether the case as it stood called for any defence . After some deliberation , the magistrates decided to hear the defence . Mr . Huddlesxone then addressed the court on bohalf of the defendant . He was , he must ssy , in the outset , not surprised to find that Mr . Perry had to meet from time to time with annoyances from the party whom he had been compelled to make an example of—a party who had been tried by a patient judge and jury , and after four days' hearing convicted of conspiracy . After allowing some months to elapse this charge was made upon the eve of the conspirators being brought up fov judgment , and there could be no doubt that in the event proving favourable to them it was intended to make use of it in moving for an arreat of judgment . When the defendants put in their affidavits , he would
take care that proper use should also bo made of what had come out'that day . It was material to the issue to prove that ; the placard in question had been exposed iu the Star window , and of this there could be no doubt . The Star was the acknowledged rendezvous of the delegates ; Peel was oRe of those delegates , and the placard was doubtless placed in the window with his knowledge . But the question did not so much rest upon the face of the hand bill being in the Star window , as -whether Peel was the author of it , and this they had heard him acknowledge . Peel had admitted the very thing necessary to connect him with the conspiracy . It wa 9 not the day when the bill was exposed in the window , but who was the author of it , that was material ; and it mattered little whether the writer wa 3 in London or at the world ' s end . It was , however , not very clear that Peel did not see the bill in the window iu
July , a& it was very possible for him in these days of rapid locomotion to pay a visit to Wolverhampton and back again in London in a very short time . There was do doubt that Peel was a man of great ability , and could so order his proceedings as to make entries on a certain day , putting the dates to suit his purpose . The learned counsel contended that it was ridiculous to suppose that Mr . Perry had wilfully stated that which he believed to be false . He asked them to contrast the position of Mr . Perry , who had borne a respectable character in that town , with that of Peel , a convicted conspirator , aud anxious to escape the punishment due for his offence , and then aay whose testimony was worthy of the greatest credit ,
Mr . Huddlbstonbcalled Duncan JOauohton : He deposed that he understood that Peel lodged at the Star , and he told Mr . Perry that he lodged there . At the end of July or tho beginning of August Uu saw n handbill similar to that produced , in the Star window ; he also saw it there several weeks after that . He had no recollection of seeing Peel near the Star . Air George Hbkrt Perry deposed that he had Seen a similar bill to the one produced in the Star window , and at the same time that the bill was
exhibited in the window he saw Peel there . Ho believed it was at the end of July or the beginning of August , —On crosa-examination he 9 tatod that he coutd not swear positively that ho saw Peel at the Star , either in July , August , September , October , November , or December , 1850 . —Re-examined : He aaw Peel there whilst the handbill was in the window , about the month of August . He could that he saw Peel at the Star several times after swear June , 1950 , but he could not swear to any particular month .
Wm . Wii . mams , clerk in Mr . Perry ' s employ , said , tha the saw Peel in Wolverhampton in July , 1850 . He was certain of it , because it was stock taking week , which was always the first week in July , and Peel aud Green came to the warehouse about ten ' o ' clock in the morning of about the third day in that week . lie had seen a similar bill to that produced in the Star and Swan windows , but he could not say that he saw Peel thore whilst they were thus publicly exhibited . On cross-examination he firmly persisted that he saw Peel at the warehouse in the first week in July , bat he did not remember the precise day , Ho came with Mr . Green between ni » 0 and ten o ' clock in the morning . He might possibly be mistaken .
Wm . Turner deposed that he went into Mr . Perry ' s service on the 22 nd of July , 1850 ; he lodged at that time in Haynes ' s house , the Star , and for a week or fortnight afterwards . He had seen Peel , Winters , and Green at tho Star . Winters and Green lodged at the Star . He had seen Peel writing in the kitchen , but could not say on what day or month . He remembered seeing Howlands with somo printed papers , and he gave him some to take to Birmingham ; they were similar to the handbill produced . — Cross-examined : During tho time he lodged at the Star , which was from the 22 nd July till the 3 rd August , he did not see Peel at the Star .
Alfred Easthope examined . —Said he remembered seeing Peel at the Seven Stars during the time of the Wolverhampton races in 1850 , which took place oa the 13 th August . He was certain it waa Peel , because he had known him before . He remarked at the time that it was some months since he had seen him . —On cross-examination , which was continued for some time , the witness adhered to his statement , giving satisfactory reasons for his belief that he saw Feel in the Seven Stars in August , 1850 . H . Summbrfield , in tho employ of Mr . Nosida , deposed that be saw Peel twice in the month of July , once in Cock-street and the other time at the Star . —On cross examination , the witness said he was a tin-plate worker , at prseent . in Mr . Perry ' s employ . The witness was closely questioned by Mr . Boberts , but hia testimony was unshaken . This closed the defendant ' s case .
Mr . RonKRTg claimed a right of reply , hut Mr . Iluddlestone objected , and Mr . Leigh said the practice of * the court was not to allow a reply to the coni " plaisaut , and that the rule musb be adhered to . The magistrates having consulted for a short time , Mr . Leigh said that , apart from the question whether the defendant , as a man of reputed honour and veracity , would wilfully depose to what was not true , a doubt existed in the minds of some of the magistrates , after the conflicting testimony given before them , as to the main fact in dispute , whether in a certain month in last year Mr . Peel had or had not been seen in Wolverhampton . The Evidence was contradictory . Upon this evidence , and without entering Upon the other point in the case submitted to them , the magistrates thought it was their duty to decline to commit . The decision , however , would not debar Mr . Roberts from proceeding by indictment . The case occupied the attention of the bench upwards of four hours .
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PEEL versus PERRY . [ From ( h IFoJuertoipto' / i Ikmld . ] A . report of this case will l > e found in another column . On reviewing the whole of the evidence , which isrernarkably conflicting , we think the magistrates gave the onlylpo 38 ible decision , under the circumstances . Mr . Porry may or may not have been guilty of perjury , but wo will defy any man or any number of men to decide the question UDOn the contradictory evidence of the witnesses examined One thing , however , we gain from the report and that is , that , notwithstanding thedefendant has re ceived , at least for the present , an acquittal Oil the
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ohargo of perjury , he has added nothing to hia reputation by the facts elicited on the trial . Itis unnecessary for U 8 to analyse the evidence to indicate our meaning , but simply expressing a conviction ,. leave the reader to examine the evidence , and draw conclusions for himself . We believe that there is strong probability of theindictment of Mr . Perry , on the charge of perjury , by the secretary of the National Trades * Association , in another court ; but should be glad to hear that ine intention waa abandoned , as without stronger evidence the chances are as ten to one that it would only be incurring a useless expense and fostering a feeling of animosity , which may in time , if allowed to remain undisturbed , smoulder quietly away .
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WO VERHA . MPTON CONSPIRACY CASEANCHESTER DEFENCE COMMITTEE . Let Labour have its due , iny lot shall be , From chilling want , and bitter murmuring free ; Let Labour have its due , then peace is mine , And never , never shall my heart repine
Fellow Countrymen and Fellow Toiler ! , — The next important movement for justice to your class will be made early in old coughing foggy November . See to it ; that no fog stands between us and justice in the Court of Queen ' s Bench , and thai no cough , lie it ever so long standing , shall drown the voice of truth on tbat auspicious day . The Tin-plate Worker's Case will not only decide tbat hanging over the heads of the iron trades , but the legality of every Trades' Union in the Queenilora .
It is a national battle ; and in our success every trade , large or small , will he benefited ; and , therefore , every trade is in duty bound to perform its part . And shame , burning shame , be upon thecowardly craven soul who would shirk the active part that interest and the dignity of labours rights have assigned him . The battle shall be fought , whatever he the isawe at the Queen ' s Bench . The battle shall be fought manfully , bravely , End determinedly . - The battle will be fought , and even if lost perhaps it will be money and time well expended , for it will open the eyes of the trades to the unprotected position they stand in , with regard to law . if lost in November , it will only help us to win with greater ease in May ; for if the laws give us 110 protection now , they must be abolished , and new laws made .
We tttU&t all become Radicals or Parliamentary Reformers . We must raise such a clangour in the country as shall compel the Ministry either to resign or give U 9 the suffrage ; and if we cannot then get laws made to protect our labour from the tyranny of capital , why , then , we deserve to be slaves all our lives . The struggle , in reality , is not with the Perrys . . The point at issue is a principle , and one so important that the liberty and lives of millions hang upon it . In plain words , shall the labourer live by his skill or shall he be starved like a Tat , and crushed beneath the iron heel of the capitalist ? It is a principle of slavery or freedom—life or deathand as euch commends itself to the notice and support of all who live by labour .
It is gratifying to us to know that Lancashire , has done its part towards giving support to thiscase ; and Manchester , particularly , has kept its old character for generosity and love of liberty . It is only those who have been engaged in canvassing the trades that can form a perfect idea of the unanimity and oneness of om ' uion and sympathy tbat runs through all trades , and of the perfect state of organisation that this case of the Tin-plate Workers has brought about . Let no one suppose things are as they were twenty years ago , when each trade only knew its fellow by reading as we know—how about the South Sea Islanders ?
Our friends , as well as onr foes , must now learn that , should imminent danger to our order threaten us , the sun shall not have set twice ere we can assemble representatives o ( more than one hundred trades in this town to consult and act for the best interests of our common rights . We have to thank the Perrys tor this . In conclusion we , the Manchester Defence Com- tnittee , along with the Committee in London , require the trades of England and Scotland to do their duty in subscribing to the defence of the Tin-plate Workers' Conspiracy Case , and that without delay , as the caBe will be tried in the Court of Queen ' s Bench on the 4 ih of November ; so if the British workman would have justice let him win it and wear it . Yours , in behalf of the Manchester Committee , J . Gotjlden , President . T . Dickenson , Secretary .
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STRIKE AT THE GKEAT tfORTHEKIf RAILWAY . A strike which will , in all probability , for a time suspend the progress of toe works now being Car * riod on with a view io ihe formation of the permanent station of tho Great Northern Railway at King ' s-cross , took place on Friday . Ifc appears tbat the men who have struck amount : to ^ between three and four hundred earponters , bricklayers , and labourers , in the employ of Messrs . Jay and Co ., the contractors for works on the Great Northern line and its terminus , and that the dispute upon which it has arisen is in reference to the stoppage by the contractors . of an hour and a half time on Saturday afternoons , it being the rule
of the trade that the workmen shall leave off at four o ' clock at this period of tho year on Saturdays , instead of half-past five . The disagreement on this point bstween Mr . Jay and his men has been going on for somo weeks past , and on Friday afternoon the men held a meeting at the Duke of York Tavern , in Maiden-lane , and passed a resolution to submit to the deduction of the hour and a half no longer , and a deputation having been appointed to wait upon the contractors , the result of the ininterview was deemed so unsatisfactory that imme « d \ ftteiy after ifc was resolved to strike , and , in pursuance of the resolution , a placard was issued , of which the following is a copy , and posted on the walls , and circulated in tho shops throughout the entiro neighbourhood in great profusion : — " notice , —to our fellow workmen . —great
northern IUILWAT , KING S CROSS , " Whereas , in consequenco of the disagreement between tb . e workmen ( bricklayers , carpenters , and labourers ) , employed on the above works and their employers , in consequence of the stoppage of tho hour and a half on Saturday afternoon , they have been compelled to cease work until the disagreement is settled . —Friday , Oct . 17 , 1851 . " On instituting inquiry as to the details in connexion with tho strike , our reporter was informed that it is the rule in the trade to consider , at tho present season of the year , ten hours a day a day ' s wprk , and that the hour and a half less than that amount of hours is allowed them on a Saturday by the employers , unless the workmen lose time bymeans of their own neglect ; but if they lose time through unavoidable circumstances , such as wet weather , < fcc , it is always allowed . It is stated that Messrs . Jay and Go . are the only firm , who repudiate this 9 ystom : and if a man loses two hours
and a half per diem from any cause , then they compel him to forfeit the advantage of payment for tho hour and a half on Saturdays . This the men consider a very great hardshi p , and Wednesday last being a thorough wet day , caused them to lose a vast amount of time , and to entail on them a consequent forfeiture ( in accordance with Messrs . Juya ' rule ) of the payment of the hour and a half on Saturday , and which rule , it appears , on applica « tion , they refused to relinquish . Another ground of complaint which the men make is this—they say that it is the practice of the trade to pay men on the worka , and it is carried out even on the terminus of the Great Northern Railway with regard to the masons ; but , although in the event of the loss of time above described , the men are docked the hour and half on the Saturday , they state that all illO Carpenters , builders , at » d labourers have to walk from tho works , to the offices of the Messrs . Jay , in Macclesfield-street , City-road , for payment of their wages . ¦
Tho men held another meeting on Saturday , and again sent a deputation to treat with Messrs . Jay upon the point ; the only termB , howercr , | 'he contractors would make with the men were that they should not bo permitted , under any oir- cumstances , to lose more than ten hours per week If the loss of time in each should ' not exceed ten hours , then they should be entitled to the hour and half on Saturday , but in every case where the ten hours were exceeded-or , in other words , that a man did not make a clear five days week th rt
a ^ n ho shnnlri fovfoil- * K ^ V . « , j , . . « eSK , men he should forfeit the hour and a haTf 7 n sTtu ' rday The men have refused to accede to tUBmo ? osal and thuniiecaso stands at the pr ^ ntSSS 2 Sf wTmiuta queski (? a that ^ SffiEStKnn S . n ? K gr 6 afc UlC () n ver . ienCe and loss to the contractors , who were bound down by thecompanym heavy penalties , to havo tha permit terminus of the Great Northern Railway complete and at for occupation in eighteen months from tho time 01 making the contvswrt ,, which ospwes about April or May next . —Sundmt Paw * .
Setilbment of the Strikb , —On Monday morning the delegates waited upon Mr . Jay , to come to terms respecting the strike , when an offer was made by Mr . Jay to pay an extra W ., which was refused ' , and the " nieu left . Shortly after Mr . Jay returned another message to the men , that he would asiee to the terms they proposed ; and tho meu r «« turned to work on Tuesday morning .
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CHARTISM AMONG THE FARMERS . If we may judge by the tone of some recent meetings in the agricultural disiricts , the farmers have begun to emancipate themselves from political subserviency to the landlords . They see plainly that Disraeli has no remedy for their condition , however his . measures may be adapted to the wants of those who live npon rents . They are equally convinced , that iu adapting themselves to the altered position of afiiaira , the interests of the landlords and the tenants will be the reverse of
identical . It may suit asph'ants for office , or ancient aud powerful families , that the public expenditure should be large , because ihe pickings will be plentiful , and the patronage to be exercised in favour of the younger scions abundant . The tax-payer has a very different way of looking at the matter ^ It is his interest that Government should be carried on as cheaply as possible , and to take care that do man dips a hand into his pockets without giving him an equivalent for what he takes out .
The perception of these truths is causing the farmers already to make speeches terribly like those made at Chartist meetings . At the Bury St Edmunds meeting , speaking of the malt tax , the chairman said , the whole amount received from that tax would be swallowed up by the Kaffir war , and asked 'if the farmers aud labourers of England "were to be oppressed for snch purpose as that , or in order to put money into the pockets of sinecurists and foreign potentates like the-Kings of Belgium and Hanover , the Dukes of
Schomberg and Mecklenberg Strehtz , and the palatine of Hesse Homberg V He proceeded to deal with the question of tithes , and the apportionment of church revenues , in a manner which must have produced terror in the minds of the parsons , had there been any present ; and after adverting to the necessity for an equitable tenant-right , representation of the tax-payers at ihe county boards , and other radical measures , he came to the same conclusion as the Chartists—that the only way to secure them , was to have a bona fide representation of these opinions in Parliament .
11 The majority , " said Mr . Welch , " of their present magnificent , and intellectual , and clever members of parliament , had their ears scaled to the complaints of the people , but their eyes wide open to their own interests . The laws that they made were like a set of ready made boots and shoes intended for exportation : the makers never condescended to take their measure , or to ask them where they pinched . ( Cheers . ) When they should obtain all these objects—when the bulk of taxation should be shifted from the productive to the unproductive classes—from industry to wealth , then he hoped that the drones would no longer be able to eatu ^ thehoney ( of the bees , but tbatevery man would obtain that justice to which he was fairly entitled . ( Loud Cheers . )"
* These be rare words * at an agricultural meeting , and prove that pinching necessity is compelling the occupiers of the . Jand to make common cause with the masses in their resistance to aristocratic plunder and class government . The movement for Suffrage , Reform , and financial Retrenchment , is no longer confined to the hard-worked denizens of our crowded towns , or those who live by incessant underpaid toil . Let the oligarchy look to it . The utterance of such sentiments as those we hare quoted , in a Town Hall filled to overflowing with tenant farmers , betokens the advent of a new era in the political history of this country ; and if there was any doubt about Ihe Meaning of Mr . Welch ' s words , there can be none about those of Mr . HougHtoN ;—
He trugted that the day was not far distant when they should measure men not $ y their family out by iktir brains , and they must remember that if they were bought they must also be sold . He was for the upholding of our sovereign and the maintenance of the House of Lords in its integrity ; tut the Mouse of Commons should Ufor the peopld ( Great cheer « ing and waving of hats . ) Bravely spoken , and rightly received . And yet in the face of these unmistakeable symptoms of substantial and increasiug public opinion in favour of a Radical Reform in our Representative System , a daily ' Liberal '
paper , talked this week about Chartism being dead never to rise again ! Chartism has ceased to be a class movement , and has become a national necessity . The absence of noise , declamation , and rant , is a healthy and a hopefa ] sign of progress . When the time for action comes , the people will strike with a giant's arm , and speak in a voice not ' to be re > sisted or gainsaid . If Lord John mistakes the present calm for apatby or indifference , and offers a peddling , pigmy measure , instead of one commensurate with the wants and the intelligence of the nation , he will speedily discover his error .
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. ARRIVAL OF KOSSTJTH . This anxiously-expected event has at length taken place . On-Thursday tho illustrious patriot landed at Southampton from the Madrid , amidst such enthusiastic demonstration of popular admiration and affection , as never before greeted any -visitor to these shores . The meeting between the ex-Grovernor and his compatriots who have been resident in this country was deeply affecting . Exile , hardship , and captivity , had endeared them still more to each other , and rendered more sacred the cause for which they had mutually struggled . The speeches of Kossuth , spoken under the extraordinary and difficult circumstances in which he waB placed ; fully suBtain his great reputation and the possession of a commanding intellect . We have not space to say more in connexion with the subject this week , than that the thanks of every lover of constitutional liberty are due to Mr . Anbeews , the Liberal Mayor of Southavnpton , for tbe admirable and spirited manner in which , on this occasion , he has acted as the representative of the British nation .
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NATIONAL LA . ND COMPANY . It will be seen by reference to an important advertisement in our present number , that the Master in Chancery has finally appointed Mr . Goodchap , as Official Manager , and that that gentleman has commenced his arduous and onerous duties . We commend this advertisement to the careful attention of all parties nterested , and shall have some remarks on tbe ubject in our next .
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES . T . S . Duncoubb , Esq ., M . P ., President . " fiat jdstitm . "
" If it were possible foe the working classes , by combining among themselves , to raise , or keep up the general rate of wages , it need Iiardly be said that this would be . a thing not to be punished , but to be welcomed and rejoiced at . " iStuabt Muvi .. The Committee of the Association have been prevented , by the pressure of the important duties devolved upon them in connexion with the late prosecutions , from continuing their usual weekly reports with their wonted punctuality . They , however , avail themselves of an opportunity , of presenting their members with a condensed summary of their late proceedings . The most important case immediately arising from the operations of the Association , is that of the Walsall Brown Saddlers . The facts of the case are simply these;—The manufacture of brown saddles is a staple in Walsall and Birmingham , two towns eight miles from each other . The employers in either town dispose of their goods in the same markets , and upon every principle of sound reasoning and common sense , they should pay the same price for their labour . But Walsall has hitherto been in some respects to the Saddle trade what Wolverhampton has been to the Tin-plate workers , Preston to the Cotton trades—notorious for low wages . The Birmingham masters have long felt and complained of the injustice done to them by this state of things , and required , at the hands of their men , an effort to remedy the evil , or to submit to a reduction of their wages to the Walsali { standard . The men in both towns were disorganised ^ and 5 iuconseqaence . incompatent to grapple with the difficulty . They at length agreed to connect themselves with the National Association , and , when duly qualified , invoking its influence in rescuing- them from their dangerous position . When appealed to , the Central Committee sanctioned certain resolutions come to by a committee organised for both towns to equalise their wages , to which the assent of the masters of VValsall
should be invited . This reasonable request was , almost as a matter of course , rejected by the employers , who were each of them served with a month ' s notice ; at the expiration of which the book price would be required for all work . This notice having- terminated , and the employers having refused the men's terms , they left as they finished up their work , according to the usual Rustom , and are supported from the funds of the Association . One of the men who had left , owing his employer an unpaid balance of a loan of money advanced to him , was arrested upon a warrant for neglect of work and breach of contract . The young man was taken out of his bed a few minutes before twelve o ' clock of the evening of Saturday , the 11 th inst ., and locked up for the remainder of that night until Sunday morning , in the cell of the station-house . There is reason to believe that the employers of Waleall were stimulated to resist the just requirements of their men by the notion that the National Association were placed kors de combat by the most valiant (?) Perry of Wolverharopton . We beg to assure that immaculate personage , and those who think with him , that the Association has been immensely strengthened by bis persecutions , and that should he succeed in accomplishing the imprisonment of the whole of its present committee , not the slightest interruption would be caused to its urogress .
Mr . GreeD , after attending to the Walsall case , proceeded to Westmoreland , where a case of difficulty existed among the Bobbin-turners , who are suffering from the double infliction of an influx of cheap , unregulated labour , and improved machinery . Such cases present unusual difficulties to those who present themselves in the character of mediators . T » e conflicting interests of capital and labour became daily more apparent and difficult of adjustment upon any equitable or satisfactory basis . In such cases we have no faith , in strikes—they cannot remove a feather s weight of the injuries inflicted upon working men by the monopoly of machinery in the hands ' of capitalists . The only effective remedy is for the working men to possess themselves of this machinery by co-operative arrangements , and blend in their Trades' UnionB the double characters of capitalists and workmen . And let us remind our members that , although from a variety . of circumstances , this great principle is for a time in abeyance
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t Btill forms the hiost , valuable , because the most useful feature of our movement . It is the 1 want of intelligence and unanimity otthe working classes , which alone prevents th « realisation of this and many other desirable reforms . eJZftw ^ Mr ' Buries has been K !^" g . UP ft , r contributions to the De . 7 Z V a i othlsend , he has successfully visited rvLn ' . tl ° r I 8 to 1 ' at ) d is n <> w supplying Mr . Green b absence m Birmingham and its neighbourp « i n m- as attended-in conjunction with Mr . «? H « n ? m eetln * 8 in Coventry , of the Ribbon miJ ? nfr 7 ?' Ter 8 J of the O «»> -lo <* Forgers and fift . ? r laaton : the Qlass-blowarB , an 3 Glass-Ra » j ° X ? n Wire-drawer 8 , Tin-plate Workers , haters , &c , &c of Birmingham : ak e . inh nf whinh
meetings , resolutions , pledging assistance to the n £ m ? > ? ? fo - ftwur of the principle of idoSd . £ TT ? > hare been unanimously fnr ? h » l ; 7 / th tKkat 0 the' Centr » l Committee , ifil -w / ? lned and uncompromising defence fi a rt . "Au - of British industry . We aroproud to find that the trades of England and Scotland appear to be fully aroused to the imminence of the danger to which they are exposed , by the Stafford verdict , and Judge Erie ' s version and construction of the Combination Act , and are evincing a corresponding zeal » defence of their industrial rights . We trust this newly-awakened spirit will not be permitted to evaporate , but that they will see and acknowledge the paramount necessity of a National Confederation for the defence of their liberties , and the promotion of- their interests . Sectional and isolated ettorts are unavailing against the machinations and conspiracies of the Perrys of capital . It is a hydraneaued monster , which nought but union can grapple with .
It this attempted in vasion ' of our rights produces a Labour League , such as Mr . Duncombe advised and invited the working classes to do in i 845 , when a 8 m ) j attack uPon their rights was threatened , and defeated by that patriot's vigilance , we shall hail this persecution as qne of the happiest events in our experience . " If from this nettle , danger , we pluck the flower safety , " the stings received in the gathering may well be treated with
indifference . - The latest , but nofc the least important of our Operations , is the attempt to bring E . Perry within the cognizance of the violated Jaws of his country , for perjuries which he has been charged with having committed at Stafford . A report of the examination before the Wolverhampton Magistrates will be found in another part of this day's paper .. Mr . Huddlestono , with his large experience , never , we will venture to say , was engaged m a dirtier job . The defence , both in manner and in matter , smacked strongly of the old Bailey—it was bold and unscrupulous . The averments in the information , charged as untrue , were boldly admitted ; and five men produced to swear to their truth . We abstain from any comment upon the evidence produced , except to observe that , although as many as seventeen witnesses of a similar oharacter were in attendance the learned barrister , though
accustomed to such cases and such witnesses , seemed 80 thoroughly disgusted with his task , that at the end of the fifth witness , he closed what we suppose we must call the defence , and refusing to the prosecution the usual privilege of replying to the magisterial decision . We bow without a murmur ; we have no grouud of complaint in that quarter . We believe ttiat decision to have been dictated from a high sense of honour and principle . A higher tribunal can alone settle the point . And to that tribunal tre shall certainly appeal , with so stroDg an array of unimpeachable testimony , as shall leave no peg to bang a doubt upon . We have but to add our public testimony to the consummatD ability displayed by Mr . Roberta , in the conducting of our case . Wo owe that gentleman an everlasttng debt of gratitude . Wm . Peel , Secretary , 259 . Tottenham-court-road .
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October 25 , 1851 . .... ..:.. l ]^) ir \^^ k ^ Mk ' L . t ^ jMii .,. ¦ - -. , - -. , ..,,, - ., --,...... , * ,-.. 1
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 25, 1851, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1649/page/5/
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