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^ CHE DIFFICULTIES OF STATESMANSHIP. _2SJga ^ M—^1|_MJUMMaUMJHJ.____U_JB-M-l^Ul
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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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To reconcile the R : gbts of Property with the [ li ghts of Labour has ever proved the great Diffi-: alty of Statesmanship , and the antagonism now raging among various sections of politicians demonstrates that the problem is still unsolved . Experimental Legislation is constantly baffled , because it has never yet been based on a comprehensive
princip le of policy . Each succeeding administration poudcrs to the current prejudices of the day , and adopts measures calculated to retain themselves in office . National welfare is sacrificed to the retention of Downing-street ; and however \ Vhig 3 and Tories may vituperate each other in the pursuit of power and patronage , they always unite together to resist the just claims of the people to any participation in the Government . Both factious are fertile in
sophisms ; both are equally dexterous m preparing statistics ; both affect a profound reverence for public opinion ; but neither of them will move an inch beyond the narrow dimensions of the oligarchic circle . How happens it that so much misery prevails on this fair earth ? The sources ot production are illimitable in the animal , vegetable , and mineral kingdom , and labonr is ever ready to turn them to account The power of consumption , measured in the
implanted appetites and desires of the human race , is always equal to the power of production . Consequently , under natural law , supply and demand should never fail ; neither deficiences nor gluts ought to occur . The reward of industry would be ample and certain , and idleness alone would he subject to privation . That these results are not realised can only bo attributed to imperfect distribution ; for it is impossible to deny the premises on which this reasonin ^ is founded .
Political Economy has revealed some truths and subverted some errors , but it has not solved the industrial problem ; it has not reconciled the Rights of Property und the Eights of . Labour . It has chiefly studied the art of producing wealth , and been almost silent on the art of distribution . It has done little for the moral and social elevation of humanity . Wealth is the appreciation of material things , and a terra of comparison , which , has no positive sense , unless it is distinctly expressed at the same time to what it relates . Economists have treated it as an abstraction , and not with relation to man and society , d hence has
ar arisen the failure of tbeir science . For since wealth is the product ef human labour , which procures for us all the material good we seek to enjoy , the fundamental question to be answered is this—For whom is wealth created ? According to the answer given to this question , man belongs to wealth , or wealth belongs to man . Personal slavery is the sternest form in which man helongs to wealth ; a slave in Cuba is a portion of his master ' s property as he can be bongbt and sold , as well as the goodB ms industry creates . Wages paid to a free man , when scanty and precarious , scarcely raise him above the level of servitude .
Pauperism and privation are forms of the imperfect distribution of wealth , and legislation has dealt with them rather as crimes than as misfortunes . It has to some extent , sought a remedy in systematic emigration ; albeit , parliamentary documents prove that fifteen million acres of land , untouched by plough or spado , might l > e usefull y cultivated within the limits of the United Kingdom . Tho sum expended in rates for the able-bodied poor , willing to work , hut nnable to find employment , would soon reclaim largeportions of this neglected soil . With this field of labour
vacant and at our command , it is difficult , to believe in the theory of over population . It is aho a large demand on our credulity , when the great body of the people are badly fed , clothed , and housed , that our assent is claimed to the theory of over production . Politicaleionomy , however , as popularly taught , insists on the truth of both these doctrines . This science so dominates in Paitaent at the present time , that mere accountants , who get up statistical tables , are mistaken for statesmen .
What praises have no t the professors of this science lavished on cheapness , as the prime blessing of the working classes ! But , let us ask which of two dissimilar forms of cheapness we ought to commend ? -Slach money for little labour is the form of cheapness winch the sons and daughteraof toilare quite willing to accept ; but the form of cheapness hitherto offered them is the very reverse-it is little money for much labour . This distinction is fundamental " , but it is conveniently suppressed by the economists . Every r ± ! " ^ r of labour and a buyer of and his
money , wages are high or low in proportion to their purchasing pcwer over commodities . In a mere anthuietical sense , sixpence is less than nine pence , Main the same confined sense , a quartern loaf at aspence is cheaper than a quartern loaf at ninepence ; 6 utslnCetheW 0 rking man must buy money by the Mle of Ins labour , before he can buy bread , the vital question for him to determine is whether , in the same l'Oie , lie can more readily earn the ninepence than the ^ pence . Iu this view food is uollns first necessity —his first necessity is constant employment at living wages . ¦ a
The argument addressed to individual selfishness which urges all to buy cheap and sell dear , is hollow and false . All trade resolves itself into barter , and barter is the exchange of equivalents , that is equal labour , for equal labour embodied in commodities . If a shoemaker insists on cheap bread , the former is entitled to cheap shoes . This reasoning must be expanded . Capital , emlu"yed in business , must always yield two returnstfee profits of stock , and the wages « f labour ; if not , and
capital labour must , sooner or later , part company . Wages are paid for creating products ; if those products when exposed for sale in a market , jyh taeDioiiey . IwffMn the employer conf ^ V ^ aay Iaist 7 ieiie'l i ) eriodto ^' much mon e r fcriTi 5 " \ Proaucts ? Ifc is clear he will not ; tSSS \ rfce of «¦ P /« fite - He ' land or houses ! , r -i USlneS 3 ' lnvests his mone - in then he « holKV raiIwa ? > mortgages , or consols : But do « t ; ses t 0 be a ^ yer of wa * es ? - live on Cd a ""^ h > ' cheapness ? Yes : all who * hh » ZT" tes -ryconsumehnUhnotproduce , * buhm , hi « j " ulues - consumebutdonotprate , Cheaadds t 0 ? he
* in ? powetrT "' - " DeSS I ' " *<« efficient » ^ mcomes that P ower becoming mouit 2 Sn - Uy in T th ^ ro » ortion in which comfor two nSs of S ,- ^ ench boots sellin Londlin ° « e-third Of " w r ngl \ price « fteannuitantsaves l «* comment ., i l . before the com P eti-EnKlish "™> *>* * hat he gains is a clear 1 ^ to * & »« riPSZT rh a . P % « d- ^ s to their cl"sp wages eap g ° evidentl y mean •^ SSSSfTT * " ! mportant t 0 ™ te the *****> L ^ "" ™^ under the cheap T ^ t ^ lTZ that "P P fi ces Iule * £ ^ topti oiT ^ ? , ° - a week ' and ^ e taxes on ° - Cu ° tll 0 se twenty ; ti " * s is ten per ? that 4 * fan sir , a 11 prices ** & . ¦"" POrtS Jrt Free
P ..,, ^ - -n . . .. - n . . n . . ^ ° ms an tL ^ mt Tra < k- So Ion as hS ^ - notL ? ¥% * " ****** - SSl ^^ Si ^ t , T ^ i l edl '«»«» nercial on fi' but ^ s ai ? Xporf f dwuld be as ff ee as im-H the consent of fc de Pend on ourselves but **• »* 3 R 2 a * * tut we | Lnot
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Is the present political controversy one simply « f cheap bread ? Certainly not in the eye of a statesman ; it involves the further questions whether the poorer soils of this kingdom which require the most labour s hould be thrown out of culture , and whether the fifteen millions of waste acres should never be reclaimed ? Is it a question simply of cheap sugar ? No : it is whether our West India colonies should throw off the British connexion , and transfer their allegiance to some other power . Is it a question simply of cheap timber ? No : it is whether Canada shall annex itself to the United States . ^ « MI — ' —'
Is it a question of cheap freight ? No : it is whether our East Iudiashipping trade shall be transferred to the Americans , who have now an immense advantage , but little understood , since California was declared a part of their sea-bond . We commenced by referring to . the antagonism that now exists between the Rights of Property and the Rights of Labour . Land is appropriated bylaw to exclusive ownership ; we are not now inquiring
whether this be right or wrong , hut dealing with it as a fact . It forms the basis of private property . Is it not a fair inference from this arrangement that among the Rights of Labour is that which gives to our working classes , excluded from the soil , tho sole privilege of working up all the raw materials of the United Kingdom , whether proceeding from the surface or the bowels of tho earth ? Have they not a sacred claim to be protected against competition if it lowers their wages or throws them out of employment ?
What , then , it may he asked , do you oppose Free Trade ? No ; we oppose free booty . We must be more definite . A rational Free Trade would admit into this country , free of any duty , all those articles which our soil , climate , and industry cannot produce —as tea , sugar , coffee , wine ; but all these are now heavily taxed . An irrational Free Trade admits hats , boots , shoes , gloves , watches , clocks , jewellery , all of which we can produce among ourselves in sufficient abundance , and by so doing give employment to our people . In the former scheme , no national industry is displaced ; in the latter , the displacement is
se-, In the limited space to which we are confined , it is impossible to sketch out a comprehensive principle of policy . We cannot even indicate all the outlines which we propose to fill up . We ask indulgence on our first appearance in * The Star , ' The evidence will accumulate as we proceed , and the system advocated will develop itself in all Ub bearings . The Rights of Property have many organs—the Rights of
Laboar , few . These subjects may be viewed under aspects not yet familiar or popularised . There is much prejudice to be removed in various quarters . There are many differences which are verbal , not real . True friends are sometimes BUspected and rerepulsed , while real enemies win unmerited confidence . We will now only observe that , in our judgment , the strength of a nation mainly consists in the certainty of employment and the amplitude of wages . Aladdin .
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THE O'CONNOR FUND . Brought forward , £ 4 9 s . 2 d . ; a friend , Nottingham , per J . Sweet , Is . 6 d . ; J . Gillott , ditto , 6 d . ; Mr . Hudson , ditto , 3 d . ; W . Lakin , ditto , 3 d . ; T . Kirk , 3 d . ; John Gledhill , Longroyde-hridge , os . ; John Oldfield , Huddersfield , 5 s . ; Joseph Oldfield , ditto , os . ; James Logan , ditto , 2 s . Cd . ; a free thinking friend , ditto Is . ; William Blackford , Snig'sEnd , 2 s . 6 d . ; Mr . Stringer , per Mr . Reynolds , Is . ; W . Stokes , Grattton , 2 s . 6 d . ; Mr . Hitchcock , 2 s . ; Mr . Dixon , Is . ; Ralph Stringer , Sandbach Js . Gd . Total , £ 6 Os . lid . MONIES EECEIVED PEU MR . It . O ' COKNOK From Stockport : —J . Dawson , 2 s . Cd ., W . Dawson , 2 s . 6 d \ , J . Bates , Is ., J . Briggs , Is ., J . Lee , Is ., Sarah Lee , 6 d ., C . Hind , Is ., J . Waddington , 3 s . From Merthyr : —D . Lewis , 2 s . Gd ., J . Jones , 6 d .
TO MR . JOHN AHXOTT . Sib , —I herewith remit you a Post-office Order for ISs . Gd ., for the O'Connor Fund , from the undersigned Land members and a friend , which I shall thank you to publish , in order to induce others to do their duty . It is an example that ought to be copied by thousands who have urged . Mr O'Connor to continued exertions on their account , and who then promised to' 'Rally around him again and again "—promises which , for their own credit , I hope that they will fulfil—a 3 by so doing they misled that gentleman to go on , spending his own-funds in a cause , which , for the want of better support , has so involved him as to bring on a state of mind worse than death . I therefore hope that evory
i > ne will exert himself according to his means , and where shillings cannot be got , to get pence , &s a penny will not hurt the poorest , and may be the means of saving a deserving individual from penury and want . To the "Old Guards" 1 would say that the crisis has arrived when they should bestir themselves , and not to allow such a stain to rest on the escutcheon of Democracy as that of ingratitude to the man -who has spent bis thousands in their cause . If they do , can they ever expect a leader to devote himself to the cause of such a set of base ingrates , unless it be to repay them in iheir own coin ? Hoping that all will arouse from their apathy on the subject , I remain , yours truly , . John Oldfield .
_ P . S . —The parties are all Land members but one , and will hand over their scrip to Mr . O'Connor any time when it will ho beneficial to him , and hope there are plenty of others that" -will do so too ; and by tbat means he may be able to get . enough to become the proprietor of O'Connor-¦ sil le , and thus become independent . John Oldfield , 5 s John Gledhill , Lonjjroyd-bridge , 5 * . ; Joseph Oldfield ' , 5 s ' James . Loyam , 2 s . Cd . ; a Freetaiuking Friend . Is . Iludilerifieid , April Crh , 1852 .
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Handsome Testimonial . —A meeting of ratepnyers publicly convened was held last night in St . Aune ' s vestryroom , for the purpose of presenting a testimonial of respect and gratitude to Mr . Joseph George , the senior churchwarden . Mr . H . Tozer , churchwarden , in the chair . The room was crowded with ratepayers , and the most cordial unanimity prevailed . The address ( which was printed in gold letters , and handsomely framed ) , returned thanks to Mr . George for the benefits he had been the means of conwTif 1-lh WP 1 " 8 "is opposition to intramural burials which had cl ised the churohyard of St . Anne ' s by causing eight instead of four persons to represent the parish at the Board of Guardians , by which the rates were retraced from lOd . to 6 J . in the pound , while the poor were better cared for ; his dauntle / s exposure of ihe Edmonton union , and his opposition to all Puseyite practices . Dr . Cooper having read the address , which was loudly cheered , touched upon each point it contained . An acre to
ouano ougnt oniy contain 130 bodies , but they had contrived to make the churchyard of St . Anne ' s contain 1 000 per acre , and they were threatened that this nest-house should be re-opened Since 17 C 0 , there had been deposited w the vaults 1 , 020 lead coffins , hut , strange to say , only 490 were remaining . Having thanked Mr . Gforgeforhis unwearied esertions for the good of the parish . Dr . Cooper presented him with a handsome silver tea service of the value of ^ r ty guineas , raised by subscription in three weeks , as a mark of approbation by the ratepayers . Mr . George having returned thanks , Dr . Rogers proposed a re-SolUtion . which stated that during the iin . e Mr . George had
been a guardian , "a better and kinder made of treatment has been adopted towards the poor , and at the same time a gradual diminution has taken place in the rates and th 9 recent investigation and exposure of the mismanagement of the Edmonton Pauper Establishmen t , made by him in conjunction with Mr . . II . Cooper , St . Anne ' s , Mr . Hug hes , St . Mary ' s , and Mr . Cull , St . Clements , entitles them to the best thanks and confidence of the ratepayers . "—The r « 3 O ution was briefly seconded by Mr . Edwards , and carried unanimously . —Thanks having been voted to the chairman , the meeting broke up , after giving three hearty cheers for Mr . George . Death op Heb Serbots Highness the DucnEss Ida of Saxb Weimar . -Her Serene Highness the Duchess Ida of Saxo Weimar , mother of his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar , and Bister of the late Queen Dowager of England , died very suddenly on Saturday last , at Weimar .
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[ As the columns under this head are open for tho free expression of all opinions , the Editor is not responsible for , or committed to , any . ]
NATURAL STATE OF SOCIETY TO THE EDITOR OP TnE STAR . Dear Sir , —My last two letters deserve tho most serious consideration , not only of the working classes , but also of the whole religious world , inasmuch as the evidence . adduced is fairly selected from the Book which they generally acknowledge to be the Inspired Word of God , and able to make us wise unto salvation ; and , whatever Christians may think ot tue Jewish ceremonies and sacrifices , they all hold that the moral commandments and ordinances given by God to Moses , are of universal and perpetual obligation . " Think not that I came to destroy the Lnw or the Prophets , says the Christ , " but I came to fulfil them
whosoever , therefore , shall break one of the least of these commandments , and shall teach men so , he shall be called least m the kingdom of heaven ; and whosoever shall do and teach them , the same shall be called great in the k . ngdom of heaven . " And the object" of all the Laws of Moses that I have enumerated as I have abundantly proved , is , to establish sound morality truth and justice , among all the Jewish people ; to secure to every family , for ever , land whereon to earn their living by thdr own labour frco from rent , government charges , or any ? So ln T i ! > Wu * mM tax t 0 their P » ests ™ d Levites , the whole of winch amounted to I .-ss , even in proportion to their population , as compared with our population than we have to _ payto the established velirnnn or
breac unram : and for tho payments the priests and Levites received besides performing all tho burdensome ceremonials of their religion , they were the only lawyer ? - not law quibblers , but teachers of the laws of Moses-viz , national schoolmasters to the people ; they were nho tho physicians , the magistrates , the judges ; and the High Pr . « St the successor of Aaron , was the chief magistrate , and his court the Iligh Court of Appeal for all difficult questions-which tnust always be decided in conformity with tho Law of Moses-the elders of the people in the towns and cities acting as jurors . These payments to the priests and Levites , in shortwere the only of
, expenses their general as well as their local povernments , durin " the whole of the timo they acted ns Moses commanded them . They bad no standing army supported by the state . but _ . ill were voluntary soldiers who could be . ir arms equipped and accoutred by themselves formed into armies regiments , and companies , under officers of their own choosing . They had no pompous and expensive court , foreign ambassadors , costly colonies , no proud aristocracy no rents to pay for land , no interest for money , and no National Debt . It was a pure democracy . They had Universal Suffrage , and every man had his own proncrtv
nualification , in land , which he could not permanently sell and no man could take it away from him , secured to him simply by h . s land marks and by a correct genealogical rcsisfration . Tho Israelites were a Federal Republic of Twelve States , or tribes , besides tho tribe of the Levites . Their ' s however , was not a representative government , but a sovernment by the whole people . All their adult males wore strictly eniomed to assemble themselves together three tunes a year , at the City of the High Priest , the sanctuary and seat of government , to consult together , by means of the priests and elders , on national affairs , to hear the laws reail and explained , to pay their dues to the priests and Levites , and to feast , dance , sing , and enioy themselves .
in tnese vast assemblies ; and well they might rejoice , and be glad , for they had a most fertile land , flowing with milk and honey ; they ha < l the most perfect personal and political liberty , and every man received tho whole fruits of his labour . They had neither taxes nor tax gatherers . What the priests and Levites received was given to them voluntarily and was but just recompense for the great and arduous labours they performed for the people ; and , secondly , was a rightful claim , because no land was di ided and given to them with the rest of the tribes of Israel . For all these- reasons we may now safely affirm that tho government established by that great law giver , Moses , containing all the wisdom of that mighty and highly civilised nation , the Egyptians , the experience of a long life of one of tho most talented and learned men of ancient times , assisted by Divine Inspiration , is one of the very host , as well as one of the very cheapest forms of frovemmenf
, that was ever established in any country in the world , and the most suitable government that could have been devised and carried out at that time , for that superstitious , ignorant , and enslaved people . . The essential Laws of Moses consisted of a few plain hrst principles of justice , easily understood , and easy to be remembered by all tho people . The great beauty of Moses s Law is its comprehensiveness , brevity , and simplicity ; and these qualities are tie perfection of legislation . Having now laid before you tho means adopted for introducing and p rpetuating the Natural State of Society among the Jews b y Moses , let us now return to Dr Adam Smith , and contrast it with his description of tho principles and conduct of Christian capitalists , land owners and legislators .
' Wealth of Nations , " Book I ., chap . II .- "Rent , conudered as the price paid for the use of land , is , naturally , the highest which the tenant can afford to ptiv , in the actual circumstances of the land . In adjusting the terms ot the lease , the landlord endeavours to lnavn him no greater share of tho produce than what is sufficient to keop up the stock from which he furnishes the seed , pays the labour , and purchases and maintains the cattle , and other instruments of husbandry , toueiher with the ordinary profits of farming stock in the nei ghbourhood . This is evidently , the smallest share with which the tenant can
content himself , without being a loser , and the landlord seldom means to leave him any more . Whatever pnrt of tbe produce , or what is the same thing , whatever part of th » price , is over and above this share , he naturattv endeavours to reserve to himself , as the rent of his land , which is , evidently , the highest the tenant can afford to pay . Tho rent of land therefore , is , naturally , jv monopoly prico . It 18 not at all proportioned to what the landlord may have la , d out upon the improvement of tho land , op to whal he eanafiord to take , but to what the farmer can afford to give , a he landlord even demands a rent for unimproved land , and the supposed intereat , or profit , upon the expense ot improvement , is generally an addition to this original rent . Those improvements , besides , are not alwavs m . irffi
oytne stock of the landlord , but sometimes by that of the ft i \ ii . i the lease come 3 t 0 bo renewed , however , the landlord commonly demands the same augmentation of rent as if they had all been made by his own . Hfi sometimes demands rent for what is altogether incapable of human improvement . Kelp is a species of soa weed , which , when burnt , yields an Alkaline salt , useful for making glass , soap , and for several other purposes . It grows in several parts of Great Britain , particularly in Scotland upon rocks , within high water mark , which are twice every day cov- red with the sea ; tho produce of which , therefore w . v never augmented by human . industry ; the landlord ! however , whose estate is bounded by such kelp shore demands a rent for it as much as for his corn fields The spa , in tho neighbourhood of the Shetland Islands is mnra tnan
commonly abundant in fish , which makes a nreat part of the Subsistence Of their inhabitants . li « t in order to profit by the produce of the water , they must have a habitation upon the neighbouring land . And the rent of tho landlord , partly paid in fish , is , in proportion , not to ' whnt the farmer can make by the land , but in proportion to what he can make , both by the land aud by the water . " Chaps . VI . and VII . — " In that original state of things , which precedes both the- appropriation of land nnn the accumulation of capital , the whole produco of labour belongs to tho labourer , ilo has neither landlord nor master to share with him . But as soon as the land of any country has all become private property , the landlords love to reaD where
they have never sowed , and demand a rent even for its natural produce . The wood of the forest , the grass of the field , and all the natural fruits of the earth , which , when land was in common , cost the labourer only the trouble of gathering them , come even to him to have an additional price fixed upon them . He must then pay for the license to gather them , and must give up to the landlord a portion of what his labour either collects or produces . " The account given above of English Landlordism by Dr . Adam Smith , is surely bad enough : but this is by no means the worst of it . About a century ago there wore many millions of acres of unappropriated , waste , or common lands in those islands , which , rightfully , belonged to the whole of the British people ; but the aristocracy and
landowners having large majorities in both nouses of Parliament , determined to pass laws to enable them to divide this land among themselves , their friends , and others , who already held large tracts of land , a great deal of it lying useless . If Moses had had to divide this lan ^ , he would , first of all , have ascertained who had alread y as much land as they could cultivate by their own labour , and who had not ; and then he would have divided all those millions of acres of common lands among that part of the people who either had too little land , or no land at all , a larger or a smaller portion to each man according to the numbers in his family ; and , if any patt of them were too poor to find capital to oultivate their lots , he , would have called upon their wealthy brethren , in . the awful name of the God of Israel , to give or to lend to their poor fellow countrymen
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^ ¦ ' ¦ ^^ ¦¦¦ ^ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ " ¦¦ ¦¦ wSiS all that they stood in need of , without asking or receiving either usury or increase ; and if they were , through poverty or misfortune , not able to repay it before the end of the sixth year , they must have freely forgiven the debt in the Beventh . ^ We live under a very superior , political , moral , and religious constitution and dispensation , it is said , than the Jews did . But how have our Christian legislators and landowners acted in this matter ? Tiiey have passed some hundreds of acts of Parliament for the enclosure , or rather seizure , of these lands of the people ; and then they have driven the poor from off this land , wbioh was justly their inheritance , and the inheritance of their fathers , anil in direct opposition to every principle of God ' s and Moses ' s law , he who had tho most land already got tho largest share—he who had tho least land before had the smallest IITWnH - ITTTT—Hl «| ijiin ~~^
portion ; and the labouring peasant , tho cottage squatter , . and the muss of the people , without their consent being asked , or theleast power to prevent it , were robbed of these millions of acres altogether . And how the large proprietomre now using these , and other lands , and treating the unfortunate tenants they have engaged in cultivating part of them , Dr . Adam Smith lius informed you . Besides these tilled lands , there are millions of acres that would , in a few years , pay tho labourer a good profit for cultivating them , but they are suffered , generation after generation , to lie idlo , because the labourer for tho first few years probably could not afford to pay any ront for them . Other landowners , regardless of the miseries of unemployed thousand . " , keep largo districts of this small connfcryforhuntingand shooting grounds—extensive parks , woods , and pleasure grounds , producing neither food nor
employment tor the people , surround many of their princely habitations . In years that are past , and when vote 3 for members of Parliament were wanted , Irish landlords divided their estates into numberless little patches . Tho votes of the peoplo being destroyed , the landlords now will it to turn all these little patches into large farms ; and , thoreforo , without remorse or pity , they have pulled down , overturned , and utterly burnt by fire thousand of houses , little cottages , and other buildings , erected by the labour , and entirely at the expense oi their poor tenants , who have consequently been turned out , houseiess and penniless , into the fields and lanes , where hundreds of thousands havo perished with hunger—hundreds of thousands have burdened the workhouses—and millions havo emigrated , to live under a more humane government , in America , leaving large portions of Ireland more desolate than if it hud been the seat of war , and for years ravaged by an invadinc
enemy . Christian Priests ! Christian Legislators ! These are facts , of the truth of which your own scribes and writers have given us abundant , and the most undeniable , evidence . Read these three letters of mine , then , and be your own judges , whether your Christianity have anything in it superior in these respects , which ave the most essential to human virtue and happiness , to the laws of God , as given by his servant Moses . Working men ! Let me again intreafc you to read your bibles , understanding ^ , they contivin unfcxthomed mines of the most valuable treasure for you ; and I shall bo able to show , you , still more plainly , hereafter , that , to the poor , both the law and the Gospel were first preached . I am , respectfully , dear Sir , yours , Liverpool , April 3 rd .
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WOLVERHAMPTON CONSPIRACY CASE . 10 THE EDITOR OP THE STAB . SiR , ~ Since our last communication to you we havo been steadily , and , in a great measure , successfully , agitating the Trades of Scotland on the above case ; and all we have yet visited have promised to do more or less to consummate the great and substantial victory gained for labour in Novembev last , in the Court of Queen ' s Bench . 1 be following , among other trades , have agreed to render immediate- assistance :-The Joiners and Carpenters of Glasgow have voted £ 10 from their funds ; the Type Founders of Edinburgh , £ 3 ; the Moulders of Greenodk und Mlnburgh , have each unanimousl y agreed to make a cenera subscription on behalf of this case . The Tailors of Mmburgn , the Boot and Shoemakers , the Hatters , the Pipe Makers , and the Curriers , have all agreed to exert themselves in procuring assistance towards liberating the defendants ifom incarceration .
Wo have also had interviews with the United Block and Calico Printers of Scotland , who have mado an appeal to all their Branches to raise subscriptions for the object . On Saturday , April 3 rd , we attended a General Dt-lcato meeting of the Cotton Spinners of Scotland , which was held in Paisley . There were from thirty to forty delegates present , representing Paisley , Glasgow , Greenock , Barrhead , Johnstone , < fcc , &c ; all of whom were deeply interested in the case , and expressed their determination to obtain Fompt aid from their respective localities and mills . Mr . Duncan Shorrington , whoso name and patriotism is familiar to every reader of » Tho Star , " rendered us great and important service . Ilis appeal to the delegates was truthful , stirring , and effective . Every word he uttered seemed to proceed from the very depth of his heart , and to roach tho hearts of . ill nwaent w « „•« ,. „
poor in our thauks ; but on behalf of the Central Defence Committee , we return him our sincere thanks for his valuable assistance ; and we trust that each menibor of their Association will adopt the same views , and act with the same earnestness at > . d good feeling which governed Mr Shcrrington , and which we believe actuated each delegate ' It so , a large subscription will be tho result . * We , also , Mr . Editor , tender you our sincere and heavtfultgratitudfi , for the able and disinterested manner that has characterised your powerful advocacy of Labour's Rights and we trust those whose cause you so nobly defend will render you that assistance you so eminently deserve . ' The improved , intellectual , and moral tone of "The Star" is satisfactory to every intelligent and right-thinking mind . We are , yours , &c ,
Edward Humphries r ,,. , , . .. William II . I 3 urs . Edinburgh , April 6 , 1852 .
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TO TUB EDITOR OP IHE SIAR . Sin , —I find in the columns of your valuable journal that a subscription is about to be raised to replenish the funds of that excellent and patriotic gentleman , Mr . Feargus O'Connor , whose noble and humane principles forced him to act beyond his means . I regret exceedingly to find it becomes necessary to open a voluntary subscription for the relief of Mr . O'Connor , whoso property and position in society should place him beyond want ; but , like many other good men , ho has attended to tho wants and necessities of others , and totally neglected tho interest of himself . I have known Mr . O'Connor for thirty years , and 1 will say , without fear , that a more noble or goncrous-ininded man never existed . I remember that gentleman , when elected M . I . for Cork , to beescorted tomy houBe ( theEgmont Arms Hotel at kanhirk ) by about ten thousand of as honosn men
as any county contains . Yes ; and Mr . O'Connor deserved it all , and even more , as his whole life and study was devoted to the welfare of his fellow man . I have known Mr . U Connor to give much of his valuable time , and spend large sums of money , to bring to justice a number ofmeu whose butchery at Watergrass Hill is beyond description , res , fair , on that occasion . Mr . O'Connor ' s valuable talents , tune , and cash , were spent , aud never did man , or could man do more , to br ing down vengeance upon the heads of those murderers . I beg you will put my name down for ten pounds ; and I only regret I cannot , at present , make it ten times ten , au I know Mr . O'Connor well de-! ^ * L " . ^ . * "f . ry S ?? d ™ n- 11 ° earnestly call who value
upon every man , his liberty , to come for ward o ( Wm 7 $ } i " / i- . a lie ] Ping hand to draw Mr . O Connor out of h . s difficulties . Mr . O'Connor ' s endeavours wore not unconstitutional-they were jus " and reasonable . lie was , and is , only seeking the rights of his fellow tZ ? ^" m £ , tliat ' a dishonourable and tiuckllig member should hold Mb seat for seven lone Sm n ent e 8 Pite f Ofhi 8 T titUCnt 8 - St ipTesinto terestof li /' n 7 ' , f 4 ? reatest S ood-ffi 11 ^ r the inoffiV * i « J i ? 1 F ' , , mome " fc the gol ^ n tait of lie h \ P . ? ° T' ^ the welfare of his friends . ^^ SS SS ^^ SS ^ and t 0 thed -
abhS infi ?! ! i 'A ™ llda 8 k ' ^ i 8 m ° ™ «™> - HSHSrs ««« Senas iq rMiniiin .,. * i i ? buch a want of common or one mif the b \ re , ldea should ^ ** onterUined tor one moment amongst honest men What does the SK mell ° l * l *?\ V knoi Sm the win " f his i . in » r £ Znn m ? f . C ' aboufc their miBerv ? He ta £ mt „« ? n ° ^^ ' P °° " > d the destihaveanuV . n , } " ° "g g . for what he cares . To h ! rinP , 5 Zrt r ( f 2 ° ««> ment , you must have men of ensure thS Sf" 1 '' ° , 1 ) ePaid for their time , so as to come nni ^ rff \ * ' ' ™ , 8 hould thev tigress , or
beth £ tmn ,. » f t , ,. " chlS 0 " too limited . Is there any-,,. aH r ^ fooh 8 h ' that because I do not possess what I used to ham I cannot vote for a member of Parliament , ~ or that because a man does not pay an inconvenient rent , he is not to have a voice in the choice of » n M . P . ? « » non Benie—nonsense—downright nonsense .
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I call upon every m » r . to come forward ; first , to help Mr o Connor out of his difficulties ; next , to agitate fov theit n , 'hts . I do not only call upon Chartists , for I do believe tliat every honest , well-meaning mind is a Chartist—I do ueiieve her Most Gracious Majesty , if she understood the , wants of her people , is , or would he , a Chartist . There is nothing unfair , nothing disloyal in a Chartist , or I Should not be found amongst them . I havo the honour to remain , with great respect , , Your humble servant , A ,. , „ . , William Dockrall . Albert Street , Bhoreditch .
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BINDING UP OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . vnn ' n'Tif hav ? afc diff 0 ™ 811 * times thought I would write to nn « 5 H « r Vr , n 0 U 8 ™ < l e" 8 entlal matters connected with tho 5 Sin ? T -ft 0 V * 0 UP ^ ' - fionoralljr ; but for the nio ^ HnnnJ ;' * } ^ P «™»« on , call attention totho n on h , l ad J «» tion of tho Land Company . Many Ih ^ tt « ; ° . no v elapsed since the injunction went forth n «™« f ' T ° f th - e ComP- ™ y ^ ould bo wound up . Tho process went on until a certain dute , when , because Mr , niiP . H « n ° 0 Uld 4 n 0 t l fl 0 in moml Incapacity , master certain Chwof f \ to . outlay and expenditure , the Master in ^ ifiSSSSS ?' aU pV 0 CC 3 dings ' Md whero afc hrSfff hJf ° l rireh . 1 1 ( ' r "" 8 branch are anxious to bung before the said Mister , and the public , the necessity ?!_ VAB Prosent moment overlooking the ineanaoitv of
Ainu . " ° ° " Ivo pi ' ° P were to the questions of ? Ki r ncomc ' antl t 011 r 0 CUL > d with the examination of SlSii ' ^ S'i 110 Company . The members of tho Newcastle branch of tho Company havo resolved to hold a series of meetings on tho subject of tho Windine-up of tho Company , the first of which will he held on Sunday , April mil , atthe Joiner ' s Hall , Neweustle-on-Tyno . iUc Committee are also anxious to impress upon tho other branches of the Company , tho necessity of taking suoli steps as may force upon the Master in Chancery the utility of making nil possible speed in the Winding-up of theaffiairs of tho Company , Eeeing that the hard earnings of many poor men are locked up in tho concern . i 1 Ji i mera fn ^ ftbeNewcast ! e branch trust that other branches of the Company will bestir themselves in tho same direction . lam Sir vonvs tmlv Keiroastle . on . Tyna , April 7 th . ' "' u ? tlk
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Co-operative- conference
On Sunday last a well-attended and interesting meeting ( composed of representatives and friends of .-evoral asaociative experiments in the district , ) was hold in the rooms o , the Bradford Co-operative Society for the puiBOSO Of advising , bearing reports of the progress of the movement ami to consider the practicability of uniting tho societies m the district mto a closer union , for mutual advantages , and the purchase and distribution of goods . " A preliminary meeting having been held , in the earlier part of the day , it was announced by the Secretary , that the following societies had rosponded to the invitation to attend the Conference represented by the following gentlemen : — &
Redemption Society :-Mr . David Green , and Mr Holmes ; Leeds Co-operative ¦ Society : —Mr . Egsleston , Mr . Richard Jones , and Mr . Hole ; Bradford Co-operative Society : —Mr , Tuomas Cavr , and' Mr . Hudson ; Halifax Society : —Mr . James Foreman ; Pudsey : —Messrs . Israel Shaw William Grange , William Wilcock , aud Henry Gambles ; Huddersfield :-Mr . S . Piikethley . iun ., Mr . Franoe Wilden , and Mr . Jones Brookshank ; Bin ° ley — Mr . Thomas Foster ; Howarth : —Mr . Joseph Wood . — Yeadon Co-operative Society : —Mr . Joseph Marshall : leadon Working Man ' s Society : —Mr . James Preston . . At the preliminary meeting , after hearing reports , of the prgsentpOHtion JBf the moioment in the district , and considei Ing the necessity of making all purchases in the best markets —giving , however , a preference to establishments based on tho associative principle—it was decided to bring tho subject before tha friends intending to assemble in tho afternoon . Upon re-assembling at two o ' clock , it tms found that a goodly muster of the more active supporters of the cause in tho district had met together .
Mr . IIouies , of Leeds , was called upon to preside , who , after some pertinent remarks upon the subject , requested the delegates present to give such reports on tho state of their several experiments a 3 their actual position enabled them to do . Messrs . Foreman , Carv , R . Jonas , Pitkethlcy , Preston , Egijleston , and llole , favoured the meeting with their experience and views on the subject . Mi-. CousciiAOtt Hawson , ot Bradford , a ; ave a lengthened account of tho rise and progress of the Flour Mill Society in that . town . Mr . Llotd Jonks , who happened to be in the district , favoured the meeting with an account of the present position of tho Central Agency , and of tho state of tho Cooperative Movement generally . Ihe
opinion expressed by most of tho speakers on the practice of giving bonuses to tho purchasing members , was to the eftect that such practice , however much it might in the infancy of the movement tend to make it attractive , must militate against the importance it would otherwise acquire , if capital was allowed to accumulate . One of tho members present expressed a strong wiab . that the Central A « ency should extend its operations to tho provision trade generally , by establishing a branch in Liverpool , as it was a department of their operations in which the Stores found the greatest difficulty to effect satisfactory and beneficial purchases . The sumo speaker intimated hia willingness to advance a little sparo cas'h in the undertaking , provuted it , was taken up by the Central Agency . On the motion of Mr . Hole , ' seconded by Mr . A . Bald ^ win , the f liowing resolution was agreed to : —
That a primary object in the establishment of Co-operative Stoves being to promote generally increased communication between the members of similar souiutie * . with a view t <» mutual , economic , und trading advantages , this meeting is of opinion that ft more frequent iutureoui'sc , fov the pwvpuse i . f organising , from time to time , orrjiii Kcnents in the purehasiiijr and dis riuutiou of gojd , move esjisolally the products ( if anj ) of societies , based on similar principles , in the districts , lias now become desirable . The following resolution was then submitted to tha meeting , and agreed to : — That , with a view to curry out the foregoing resolution , flu ' s meeting advises tliat . 1 series of meetings be held in the district , dur nif the ensuing summer , for the purpose of reporting progress , julYisiiifr , and , wherevwr practi nblo , emonn ( r into arrangements for mutual alvantages in trading- ; and that such meetings beheld ifi the depots , orotlier convRiiirut place of ihc respective Stores .
A suggestion was here mado by Mr . BucnuunN , that at the next meeting the officers of each storo should come prepared to enttr into any joint purchases that might be deemed requisite , should it . then appear that any advantages might accrue therefrom . A resolution , appointing the next meeting to be held at Bradford on . the Sunday preceding "Whit Sunday ; and another , requesting Mr . Barker to forward a report of tha day ' s proceeding to " The Star , " ' ¦ Leeds Times , " " Glasgow Sentinel , " " Leader , " and " Journal of Association " were proposed to the meeting , and adopted . '
Thanks were given to Mr . Holmes for his services in pre « aiding , and tlie meeting adjourned to partake of a cup of tea provided by the Bradford friends . .
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LA . TEST FOREIGN NEWS . FRAKCE .-Paris , Thursday .-Tho French government has granted 50 , 000 ffor a monument to Marshal Noy . SPAIN . —A decree was published on the 5 th instant , afc Madrid , annihilating the liberty of tho press , establishing a censorship , the government to suspend and suppress journals at pleasure .
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Riot at Barringtun Uouibby , Northumberland . —The pitmen in the employment of Messrs . Longridgo and Company , at Barrington Colliery , near Blythe , on tlio sea ooaat of Northumberland , received notice aboufc bix jreeka ago that at the expiration of a month , the period for which , they weve Hired , new regulations would come into foroe , the effect of which vrould be a partial reduction of wages , The number of men and boys employed at Barringtoa U iibout 200 . At the expiration of the month , as most of them refused to work at the reduced wages , they were orderd to quit the t houses , to make way for new men who were willing to work at the terms offered . This they refused to do and on Tuesday iV forcible ejectment was attempted . Tho men , Jiowever , assembled in great force with sticks and stt nes . The police were overpowered , and several of the party wore severely injured
with bloa-s from mo oiaogeonH 01 tee pitmen . The mi itary were then applied tor , and early on Tuesday mornine a troop of infantry was despatched by a special tram from Newcastle . bamolw . TWj ^ ppoaW at Once quelS the outrage , len families were ejected , and thev famed n e nStr t 1 !^ , rS ^ rOad 9 ide ' " mS 1 W then retired , and further proceedings were stayed . Five or six of tha leading rioters are in custody . The reduction is not confined to Barrington , but has ftt ) een extended to many other collieries in the diBttioc .
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AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 10, 1852, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1673/page/1/
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