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THE NORTHERN STAR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1841. (SATURDAY BEIJSG CHRISTMAS DAY.) \CA4tUi/Al JJbl.KJ ^U-m^l^U^O ±SAltj
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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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THE ADDRESS OF THE DELEGA . TE 8 OF SOUTH I . ANCASBIBB TO THEIB CONSTITUENTS , AND THE CHARTISTS THROUGHPUT THE UNITED KENGDOM . ¦ Fellow-labourers in the mom of truth , justice , and yeBttcalemaocipaaaB , —We , the delegate * swemWed in BNVB-ttraet Chartist Boom , Dee . 19 th , 1841 , beg to lay Won 70 a oar views on the Use of conduct to be purmed by you Kid its at this most important crisis ; and to varn you agai&st the cunningly-devised schemes intended to entrap yon , as pnt forth by a body of men hekmging to tbe Corn Law league , whose otject is , if passible , to gain your confldenee , assistance , aad support to a half measure , instead of a full meed of justice A mere clap-trap , instead of what we are entitled to by
n—mi . Christianity , and the laws of God , as folly excmpUfied in the whole creation of nature , which , abunasntiy pro-re * that those who are willing to labour oaght to be supplied wttfc goad , clothing , food , and shelter . Tbe step they are bow taking it for the porpoae of promoting their own selfish and factions interest , sad sot from any desire to fain your rights and liberties . Oc « aing forward , u they are , with new faces , professing sotboonded sympathy and good feeling for the starring million * , whom , we believe , hare been as much , if not mow , the means of bringing to such a' deplorable condition tfaaa any other party in existence , by their greedy , grasping , and grinding propensities ; by their
over-¦ peculation , competition , improvements in machinery , ndaetton of wages , taking money oct of circulation , glutting the foreign market , and destroying the best nacket , namely , home consumption , By preventing the people from purchasing hats , food , shtfes , stockings , ferniture , and other necessaries . Yet they oome forward pretending that they wish to benefit the poor , for-• octh , by their delusive cry of cheap food , plenty at employment , and high wages , whilst they hare , in ntasy instances , taken more from tbe wages of their workmen at a single reduction than would provide them wttti bread for Eix weeks . Who , then , are tbe parties who hare mads dear bread ? The cotton-lords —members of the League .
We argue that the working clswetr have hitherto been crucified between two kinds ef thieves—the landlords sad the cotton-lords—the Whigs and the Tories ; and that before they can be permanently benefited , they ' ant be recognised by the law ; they must have a power which will fortify themselves against the encroachments of both , and thus set both at defiance ; a power which will better regulate tbe distribution of their own produce ; so that whilst tha granaries anl warehouses are crammed with food and raiment , those ¦ who labour are starving , and those who do not labour enjoy themselves upon the choice and the fat of the
We wish , in thus addressing you , to iavite your partkalar attention te a " new more , " which originated a tow weeks ago , after a meeting of the League , in this tows , relative to the question of the suffrage . The parties connected with this new move , having for the last two Tears tried almost every scheme imaginable to gain your co-operation ; aad became , judging from their actions , we considered their motives were of an exdu-Mve and selfish nature , and would not beaz tbe scrutiny aad test of fair discusslen , wa ably met them , and expaved their fallacious statements ; and the . result to them was , so far as gaining our confidence and support , or making converts to their pro Com Law policy humlux , a failure » " <* disappointment .
We have given them , at all their meetings where we could gsta * h * . rirx > dates , facts , and fi ^ nrea , aad a * every feoBBsUy convened meeting where we have had a chance T laying out arguments before tbe public ; at every sneeting where we have been allowed fair , equal , and free discussion , when th » meeting has not been packed , nor surrounded by the bine police , to intimidate , we have ben able to carry a resolution for the Charter by a large majority against their cry for a large loaf . What has been the cause of our opposition ? Was It because we did not want , and were hostile to « beapfcod ? Because we admired the . conduct of the sanalardi , favourable to the Tories , and did sot With for free bade aad high wages ? No . Bat beca&se we took % retrospective view of tha past , and found that an
txtanaon of trade had been accompanied with a deuiiiiwi nr wages , and we concluded that no measure that Slight be passed would benefit tbe working classes so saag m the -privileged class bad the power of turning every thing resulting therefrom to their own advantage , ao long as one man having a thousand people under his caiploy had the power of taking ten shillings by way of Mdnetion , from their wages , and they not in a position to hold him accountable , and on the contrary , if tbe working man only took one single ounce of stinking cotton from the mill , ha was liable to be sent to prison for a month . And looking at tbe tyranny practised by the most iTiflnwrtial and leading men of tbe League , and believing that such characters were not afaaoare in their intentions , and every act proved and
CBofirmed us in such belief , having many times fairly tried them as to how far they were favourable to liberty at various public meetings . They came forward with . resolutions gnnningly worded , to , if possible , escape detection ; and we at Manchester , and in other parts of the kingdom , have only taken the libeity to write "Universal Suffrage npon it , before we would vote for it , and behold , to our astonishment , men who wanted to be Chartists i& principle wanted to withdraw it , so that the simple act of putting Universal Suffrage « pon it nas completely spoiled it in their estimation What amount of confidence , then , could we place in sack a party ? We had likewise sn eye to the npid improvements that were taking place in machinery , Which would deprive tbe -working man from- reaping
any benefit from an extension of trade , and to use the words of one of the leaders of the League , " There was , " said he , " machinery equal to one hundred and fifty millions of operatives now lying dormant , which could be brought into requisition at sny moment ; besides , on a moderate calculation , tiere were two hundred millions sot yet brought into the market . " We compared the great weight of taxation we have to pay in comparison to those Continental nations against which we have commercially to compete . We saw there was no guarantee , that if a bad law of any kind was repealed one day , that the same parties , as the House of Commons is at present constituted , could put it on again the next , if it suited them . We could , from accounts from other nations , see bow they were progressing in
naebinery , and we concluded that the statement of the league relatrre to foreigners ceasing manufacturing was absurd , and that is was foolishness on our part , ¦ whilst we kad land which ought to be cult ' . vat id , to be depen&nt on the people of Russia , Prussia , and the burning sands of Africa for a breakfast ; and that it was monstrous to bold out tbe ridiculous and delusive hopes that in Russia , " where there is a population of 52 , 000 , 000 , 3 ? rance 32 , 080 , 000 , Prussia and Austria each 32 , 000 . 000 , and the smaller states of Germany 25 , 000 , 000—total , 173 , 000 , 000—would leave manufacturing , and go to the plough tail , to grow corn for a population of 27 , 000 , 000 . What sort of stomachs must they fancy the people of Great Britain to have ? Surely this wonid be sufficient to cause our brethren of the
distant parts of the world to conclude that we were Bot&ing more sr less ^ tkan a race of gluttons—a complete insult . The foregoing are , then , amoagst a few of the reasons , in addition to our belief that there u no hope of relief but in the land , why we deter mined to go for a full measure of justice , which would protect qs alike agaimt the avarice , tyranny , and eneroachmeiiti oi the landlord , cotton lord , Whig and Tory , and every other factious party . No mm , or set of » en , wiu blame us for our conduct , because we have agitated for equality , willing to give the same to ethers as we claimed for ourselYes . The Plague , as a last attempt , have now come forward , under another cover , ii » a new face . " A change has come o ' er the spirit of their dream . " They , after all the opposition which they have from time t 3 time shown to our
movement , by their plass , press , and speeches , -would have j ; 70 a to believe igood , kind , patriotic soul * U that they ; were ail at once converted to the question of the Suf- j frage , -which they define as complete , -but which we ; consider vague , indefinite , and unqualified , and show : their dishonesty by desiring to blind us as to their ' real motives ; because , if they meant by that term not ' to go so far as Tnmml Siiffraee , as properly -defic « d ! in tha Charter , as a test ef union , then they call upon \ you to make & compromise—consequently unworthy ' ' ¦ of our and your support And , if they mean j by the term to go farther than we mean ' in our Charter , why of coarse , they only shew ¦ their , hypocrisy and cajolery by not coming at ' once to our ttmdard , having never proved it any other but just a ^ - ' . reasonable . !
In order to unite the middle and the working classes | for tbe agitation of free trade and the suffrage , making < the latter always a secondary measure , tbe members of j the League appointed paities to draw up a declaration . At this matting there were deputies from all puts of the Kingdom , and in the resolution they were
unanimous . This important doeumtnt has taken ( according to I the words of the party who drew up the same ) , several weeks most serious consideration , before it was brought before the public , and we are constrained to say , " that it has again shewn their cloven foot . It really pnt as in laind of t * " * fable of the mountain in labour which tnagbt forth a mouse . And for your information and amusement , we here treat you with a eopy of this most -important , this seriously considered , this very elaborate declaration , and if out remarks are not quite so pleasiag m tbe " Plague" eo&Id wish , we beg them to remember that they « mwMto frim working men , theretore will deserve their pity for oar misfortune irutsad of eeniure to our ignorance . We take it from a thick aad thin supporter of the League , i . e . the Mcutchaler Times of last Saturday , bearing the signature of Mr . Stsrge , of Birmingham . Rob yonr eyes , then , and read the follewing wonderful production of these great fielosophers , and would-be leaden ot the people : —
" Deeply impressed with the conviction of the evils arising from c ' ta us-Ipgi si nti on , and of the ~ Buffering thereby inflicted upon our industrious fellow-subjects ; tbe undersigned affirm that a large majority of th » people of this country are unjustly excluded from that fair , full , and free exercise of the elective franchise , to whieh they are entitled by tbe great principles of Christian equity , and also by tbe British Constitution ; for no subject of England can be constrained to pay any aids or taxes , even for the defence of the realm , or the support of the Government , but such as are imposed by bis own consent , or tot of bia zepnitttettTM ia Pidtoeat "
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There , then , is a copy of what you will be called upon to give up the Charter tcxagitate for . As they have given tbo subject their serious consideration , we conceive tbsMs quite as much u it deserves ; at all event * , it will take bat little effect apoo va , as delegates ; and , sete as our judgment goes of th * Cnaxtists generally , we are led to conclude they will treat it according to its sprite . It is lame , abort , * nd does not come up to tbe mark ; to say nothing of tf » - ^ h n ff Ir g " - " ^ unmeaning manner they speak of the anffmge . We would ask them what they mean for as to do with tbe other points of the Charter , which are highly essential to make even that measure beneficial to the great mass of society , namely , the Ballot , Annoal ¦ Parliaments , no Property Qualification , Payment of Members of Parliament , aad tiqual Electoral District * 1
Are you , tbe working men of South Lancashire and of Great Briuia , willing to compromise you principles for such declaration , after tho great straggle yon have made , tbe persecution and prosecution you have been subjected to , the support yon have gives to the two Conventions , and eaniea on your cause against all opposition , bidding dafi » nof > ( because armed and stimulated by troUi and justice ) to police spies , magistrabea , Judges , Juries , and having torn from yoa five hundred of your virtuous leaden , who have braved-the storm , aad in every instance have come out better men , so far as determination was
concerned , than tb ^ y were when first incarcerated ? For our part , we will not , and 00 far as yoa an concerned , judging frtuBfanrformer conduct , we think we bear you cry aload , " hear , hear , and amen . " They must come to the Charter before we will have anything to do with , them ; eeiar , then , we wish to inform th » League , that tbeir last move , if they anticipate gaining tbe cooperation of tbe ChartUU , will prove a decided failure . We are very dubious of the consistency &&d intention ! of men , who , but a short time ago , because they could not meet us in fair discussion , resorted to the baseminded means of hiring a numbtr of deluded men to bludgeon us into submission .
We wifla to put you on your guard against false statements put forward by tbe leading members of the League In order to lead you astray , statements which appear at first sight plausible , but when examined they turn out to be lifce all tbe rest of their absurdities ; we allude in particular to Mr . Cebden , who has been figuring away fax tbe Midland counties , and where be appears to have found a mare ' s nest , which becaus believed a something by tbe Editor of the Manchester Times , has been paraded as a leader . The gist of the argument pat forth bjr these men is , that the Corn Laws alone have been tbe sole cause of the depression of trade amongst the stocking-knitters of Leicester , Hinckley , fcc . Ac He feels , and appears to feel confident in this position , because there have bee * no new machinery brought into requisition , nor my improve * ments introduced for £ he purpose of superseding manual labour . A child woald , with a little study , be able to give an answer , t * " * 11 ^ to the confutation of this newly-diacovered theory .
We would aak these gentlemen whether the tens of thousands who have been made surplus population in the Manufacturing districts can wear as many stockings as they could when fully employed ,- whether tbef ooald wear at many hats , shoes , and coats , as formerly , and whether even those who are employed , having bad their wages reduced , can purchase tbe same articles as they could before ? and when they answer- this question we shall have another to aak . What has been tbe comber of stockings imported iut ? this country from Saxony ? tbe tendency of which has been to cause a competition with the knitters of Leicester and Hinckley .
We cannot give Mr . Cobden credit for bis boasted patriotism , having closely watched him for some time . At many of our meetings , be many times said be was as good a Chartist as tbe best of us ; bet , before be could join us , we must throw one of our beat advocates—one of our moat disinterested leaders overboard , namely , Feargus O'Connor , Esq . We wish to inform Cobden that we admire that gentleman , O'Connor , because of Ma consittency , and we discard him , Cobden , and his measures , for hit inconsistency . When a number of men belonging the late election committee , at Manchester , waited upon Mr . Cobden to ascertain whether he would stand as a candidate for this town ; be , by way of answer , told them he would not serve amongst such a set , even if elected . He said they talked about things which his grandmother did .
In a short time after , this same gentleman went to Stoekport , and personally canvassed tbe electors for their votes , and whan questioned it the nomination , although be had declared repeatedly that he was a Chartist only six miles from the spot ; he said that he would not vote for Universal Suffrage , nor Annual Parliaments , and hoped they would not stt him down as a five-point man under any tfrcumstwees . He at the same time said that if ever the lifting up of his finger would bring Frost , Williams , and Jones bade , he would not do that much ! Are we , then , to take this man into our ranks , and discard Feargus O'Connor , who has done more for those suffering patriots , than any other man in the Kingdom ? Mr . Cobden cautioned the wotting classes against men , who would mix the question of free trade with every other . Thus showing that if they could obtain a repeal , we might go to tbe devil for any further indulgence .
We now , by way of conclusion , wish to caution you against the Corn Law Repealers , who boast of obtaining 40 , 000 signatures to a memorial to the Queen , who u&ve taken it into the factories and Sunday schools / and are now representing it as the National Petition . Many have signed this memorial under the idea that It was the Chartist National Petition . They have had recourse to that artifice , because they , the ladies who have carried them from house to house , although treated with personal respect , the object they had in view was indignantly spumed . We hope and
trust yoa will march forward in jour glorious agitation for the Charter . Admit of no compromise ; and , as your determined conduct has moved them one peg , by a perseverance in tbe same line of conduct , you will compel them to move another and another , until they " come "the whole bog , bristles and alL" We pledge ourselves to those undying principles contained in the Charter , and call upon you to rouse from the routine of yonr former energies ; and , ere long , we shall , by OUT united efforts , be able to wring from a tyrannical Government oar sacred rights .
We remain , fellow Countrymen , On behalf of tbe delegates , Your - a , faithfully , James Caetledge , Wm . Gsocott .
universal Suffrage , and no Surrender ! [ The Committee request the Editors of the Vindicator , Chartist Circular , and CommonireaUhsittan , to copy the address from the Star- ]
The Northern Star Friday, December 24, 1841. (Saturday Beijsg Christmas Day.) \Ca4tui/Al Jjbl.Kj ^U-M^L^U^O ±Saltj
THE NORTHERN STAR FRIDAY , DECEMBER 24 , 1841 . ( SATURDAY BEIJSG CHRISTMAS DAY . ) \ CA 4 tUi / Al JJbl . KJ ^ U-m ^ l ^ U ^ O ± SAltj
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WAGES OF LABOUR , AND "EXTENSION " OF COMMERCE . Our article of last week oa this subject has , we are glad to say , been received by the work ing people in the manner -we wished . We have communications from all quarters , informing us that parties are already actively at work in compiling the table 3 of wage 3 for the period named , and which we asked for as most necBBEary for the grounding of a . u opinion as to whethai another " extension" of onr commerce was desirable . This is as . it should be . We have had plenty of assertion upon assertion from all parties , upon the
| subject of wages and its relative amount at different periods : it is time we had facts which none can gainsay : and if those who are most interested in the fullest investigation of this Question will bat second our efforts , it 6 hall be placed beyond the power of any theorising political economist to palm his guesses upon the public as to the real condition of the working people , and the effect of our present anomalous and murderous ByBtem of applying machinery . We will know , and the world shall know , what the real effects of our Commercial policy have been noon the producers of wealth :
and then all will be able to say whether we ought farther to " extend" it , or not ! Again , therefore , do we earnestly call upon the several Trades to famish us with the facts . Let as have the tables of wages aaked for ; and then we shall see how the matter really stands ! Meanwhile , we beg to call the most serious attention of ail parties to some statements given in another part of onr paper , under the head ** State of the Country ; " the major portion of which have been culled from the report of a meetings desigBated tin the Morning Chronicle , under the head
"CORN LAWS AAD COMMERCIAL REFORM , " as a ** Great Meeting at Manchester on the state of the Cotton Trade" This meeting is reported to hive been " composed of Depntiea from the various towns comprised within the great Cotton District . " How these deputies were appointed , or whom they represented , we are not informed ; but from a list of the principal deputies who attended , which is given , we are sure that tbe " great" cotton lords of the great cotton district were represented ! though we don't H sjy ouzos ft el to tuie that 1 cm an
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Dick and Harby had had any share either in tbe appointment of these great deputies , or that of the lesser ones who may be excluded from the list . Mo matter 1 here we have the hastebs themselves , in fall conclave , giving forth statements as to "the condition of the population of the district , both employer and operative ; the past and present state of wages ; the numbers of unemployed ; and tke extent of pauperism . " It is therefore important that we should know who were present at this
meeting ; for the statements we allude to are given by them ; aot by some " rascally Chartist , " or "infidel Socialist ; " they are the evidence of the M great" masters engaged ia the " great" cottou trade , as to the effects of their own blessed commercial system upon themselves and the operatives employed by them . It is important , therefore , that the names of those who thus testify should be recorded , that we may be able to find them another day ; for tbe testimony they give will have to be often , very often , referred to . That there may be no mistake about the matter , we insert the list in full . just as given in the Chronicle ; —
" Tbe attendance of deputies was large , Including—Richard Cobden , Esq ., W . P ., Joseph Brotherton , Esq , M . P ., Mr . Robert Hyde Greg , Mr . John Brooks , Mr . T . Badey , Jan ., Mr . W . R . Callender , Mr . George Wilson , M * . William Evans , Mr . Samuel Lees , Mr . William Rawson , Mr . James Kershaw , Mr . John Rawsthorne , Mr . William Lockett , Mr . William Resley , and Mr . A . Prentice , for Manchester and Salford ; Mr . Robert Benson , jun ., Droylsden ; Mr . Charles Jackson , Leigh ; Mr . Timothy Wbarmby and Mr . Oswald Moseley , Hazelgrovej Mr . Thomas Thomber and Mr . William Ecroyd , Colne ; Mr . John Rylanda and Mr . John Allen . Warrlngton j Mr . John Bright , Rochdale ; Mr . Wm . Nelstrop ( mayor ) , Mr . Hollins , Mr . Henry Coppock
( town clerk ) , Mr . Charles Hudson , Mr . Sfefton , and Mr . Wilkinson , and the Revds . Messrs . Smith and Waddington , Stockpoit ; Mr . Edmund Aahworth , Mr . Henry Ashworth , Mr . J . C . Darbisbire , and Mr . Thomas Thomason , Bolton ; Mr . Joseph Spencer , Mr .. George Southam , Mr . Alfred Reyner , and Mr . George Higgtnbottom , Ashton ; Mr . Joshua Brooks , Mr . Bradley , and Mr . Pass , Mossley ; Mr . Robert Platt , Mr . John Cbeetbam , and Mr . William Bayley , Stalybridge ; Mr . J . H . Roberts , Burnley ; Mr . H . Fletcher , Darwen ; Mr . William HoUiwell and Mr . John Barker , Todmorden ; Mr . Hollodsy , Oldham ; Mr . Nicholson , Lees , fee . T . Thornely , Esq ., M . P ., was present during tbe meeting . "
Well , then ; what do these parties say is the " condition of the operative" 1 for it is in reference to him , that we Bhall examine and apply their statements . The " great" cotton masters have organs who will take care that their " condition" is fully made known , if it should happen that the working of their own ByBtem has turned the screw bo as to pinch where it is not wanted ; bat " the operative , " though so kindly taken into the account by these " great" deputies just now , has not many organs in which Aii condition or his wrongs will be set forth . We shall , therefore , confine ourselves mainly to what was said as to his " condition , and the past and present state of wages . "
What do these masters Bay , then 1 What is their testim ony 1 They were met to promote the cause of the " extension of Commerce . " Their meeting was but another move , another shift , to bring tbe anti-Corn Law agitation into notice ; another attempt to promote tbe spread of "Free Trade principles . " What , then , do they say 1 Their testimony is important . Many of them have been engaged in our " greai " Cotton trade for a considerable period ; they have had opportunities of observing tbe actual workings of the system they are engaged in . They have had to do with our " great" Cotton trade , when it was not " great ; " they have lived to see it " extended " over and over again ; they know what the effects of each " extension" have been . These are the parties , then , whose testimony we should seek . What , then , did they say !
It most be remembered that they were met to promote another "extension . " It will , therefore , be expeoted by every one that they set to work and demomtrated that every former "extension" had been of benefit to both employer and employed . They , no doubt , shewed beyond the power cf contradiction , that the profits ot the •* great" cotton master , and the wages of the operative had both been increased by each successive " extension , " and in proportion to the extent of the " extension . " No doubt they did this ; for this is the very first thing that ought to have been done , to make the people in love with the project of another " extension . " What , then , did they say ! Our readers will read the entire article we have before named for
themselves . We shall , however , here give one or two specimens of the kind of testimony given by these " great" masters , as to the effects of their present commercial system upon the wages of " the operative . " " A reduction of the wages of the factory hands of Hyde , to the amount ef 12 per cent , has taken place in the last two years . All the manufacturers have been obliged to work their machinery with fewer hands , and have discharged every person with whom they could possibly dispense . Many workpeople who bad built cottages have been obliged to sell them . "
" The decrease m the wages of cotton bands at Mossley , during the last ten years is 25 per cent . The decrease in the wages of woollen hands for the same time is 45 per cent . There are a many families in the deepest distress . Shopkeepers and tradesmen of all kinds cry out most bitterly ; complaints are universally prevalent , and prospects for the future exceedingly dark and gloomy . " " The cotton weavers employed at Leigh , have had their wages reduced about 20 to 25 per cent since 1836 , and they now receive 5 s . for weaving a description of cloth for which 30 s . were regularly paid in 1816 . An able-bodied and clever workman does not earn more than 5 s . per week in this branch . "
" The handloom weavers of Wigan have been reduced since the year 1835 , from 7 s . to 5 s . per piece . The cotton spinners' rate of wages haa not varied much for the last six years , except among reelers and mule spinners , whose wages have been reduced one-fifth . The power loom weavers have been reduced in a ' similar proportion to the mule spinners and reelers . " " The colliers in Wigan and the neighbourhood , in the ytar 1835 , got 68 . 8 d . for getting three tons of coals . In the present year 1 S 41 , they get 7 s . for getting seven tons sixteen cwt . of coals , and there is now more difficulty in getting the coals than there was in 1835 , owing to the depth of the pits , and the accumulation of water and iiiflioiabie gas . "
" The people , although in great distress , and in too many instances , posilixxly starving to death , appeared to enjoy momentary consolation from the very fact of persons being appointed to inquire into and sympathise with their sufferings . " 11 The wages of spinners at Preston have been reduced this year about ten per cent ., with a probability of a Btill greater reduction . The wages of the weaver fell twenty-five per cent , during the present year . Some manufacturers have closed , and many ethers are reguiarly reducing the number of their hands . Weavers are wandering about and willing to take work at any price . Every body ' s spirits are down ; the shopkeepers are complaining bitterly , and the small farms in the neighbourhood , owing to bad seasons and heavy taxes , are fast sinking into ruin . "
" There are 1 , 177 individuals at Oswaldtwistle , constituting 243 families , whose average earnings per week is 3 ^ 1 . No account was taken of any family where the earnings amounted to or exceeded 2 s . per week for each individual , and a great number were just 0 T « r that limit . The general destitution is great In some cases the viattora found only one bed fox ten persons , without a particle of covering , and in many instances , four , five , and six had to occupy one bed , with nothing to throw over them . A great many whose earnings are more than 2 s . are almost entirely destitute of beds and clothing . " " Since 1836 , the reduction in wages at Glossop has been on spinning 25 per cent , on cud-room hands 12 per cent , on power-loom weaving 14 pet cent "
" Desirous of eliciting every information connected with the manner in which , the working people live both by night and by day , it was found that l . ie * persons slept three in a bed ( if such it could be called ) , 712 four in a bed , 200 five , 156 six , and 66 seven and eight in a bed , while a very many poor creatures were met with who had neither bed or bedding , nor anything but the bare floor to lie down npon when nature became exhausted . Nineteen-twentieths of tbe materials termed ' beds ' and ¦ bedding * cannot properly be said
U have claim to such like terms , being nothing more , in the majority of cases , than old straw , chaff , shavings , or some other such like materials , held together by coarse wrappering , without either blankets , sheets , ox coverings of any kind , and in many instances where there was covering , it was only a piece of coarse calico pieces . Some had sold , and others pawned ail they could spare , even to their beds and bedding , to procure food for themselves and famishing children . However unnatural it may appear , it is nevertheless true , that in some dwellings old ace , youth , and infancy , six , seven .
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and eight In nnraber , of both sexes , are obliged to huddle Indiscriminately together in one bed , for want ot mains ta provide better accommodation . Severalhundredsof fami . lies , both parents and children , l » v « no change of clothes of any description , the linen of both men , women , and children , has to be washed on the Saturday night , tha parties having to remain entirely destitute until it is dried . Hundreds also complain of their inability to attend their respective places of worship on the Sabbath day , for want of decent clothes to appear in ; white many , after relating the appalling difficulties under
which they laboured , wished « The Almighty might terminate their sufferings before morning . '' In several houses , during our visit In the afternoon , the children were crying most piteously , and in reply to a question for their so doing , H was stated they were crying for bread , not having tasted any kind of food tkatday . Some of the dwellings contained scarcely anything bat the bare walls ; in many of this description , there being no seats or any kind of furniture , we were obliged to write standing with our books upon onr knees . "
What ! and is this tho sort of testimony ( bat Messrs . Cobden , Bbooks , Gregg , and Ashworth give as to the condition of those who have been in their employ 1 Is this the condition of the operative" enagoged in our "great" cotton trade ! Is this the end of our former " extensions" of commerce t Is there any reason here why we should have more " extension" ? Have they not revealed too much ! Is not their testimony sufficient to make us halt in our course , and ask " where are we going to ? " Have not these " great" masters proved themselves " great" fools to ask the operative to aid
them in further ' extending that system which has already reduced Aim to starvation , misery , and death 1 Could there by possibility have been stronger evidence given by any party that we have already gone too far than these " great" wiseacres have adduced to induce us to allow them to go farther ? Really we have had enough of " extended commerce" if this be the end ! It did not use to be so ! There were times wk en the working men of Lancashire were not in the condition their u great " masters now describe them . They were not always without beds and linen and furniture ! What is it
that haa taken the beds I What ia it that has taken the linen \ Who is it that haa gotten the furniture 1 Where is the eight days' clock , and the good bedstead , and the feather bed , and the linen sheets , and the quilted coverlett . and the - meal-kist" ! Where are the ; gone to ! Who has taken them 2 Where is the pig , the bacon , the potatoes , and the beer 1 Where are they gone to ; for gone they are ! i % e " great" masters of the " great" cottonLdistriot describe their workmen as being so destitute of every thing like food or furniture , that they found them in many instances" wishing the Almighty might
terminate their sufferings before morning 1 " Again we ask , where is the foodgone tol Why do the dwellings of working men contain scarcely anything but the bare walls" ? How is this ! Where is the food , and clothing , and furniture gone to ? Wo want this question answering ! It must be answered ! Time was when this state of things did not exist . When was that ) Was it before we had " great" masters in our "great" Cotton trade , or since 1 Who has gotten that which formerly made the workman ' s cottage comfortable and happy } Has it disappeared since our commerce was extended ! " Was he as
badly off , or worse , than his master now describes him to be , before we had the steam-engine , or selfacting mule , or power-loom ! Has improved machinery and " extended" commerce bettered his lot 1 Has every new improvement , and every H economical" process , and every " extension" of commerce , given him greater command over the necessaries and comforts of life ! These are questions which the " great" masters should have answered , when they were asking the working men to help them to " extend ' the system which has produced the state of things they describe as existing ! They are
questions , too , which must be answered I We must know why the workman ' s cottage has been stripped , and where the things are gone to J We " must know whether the fact that we have a Goir and ft Marshall in Leeds , worth their millions , is sufficient compensation tor the destitute condition of the operative , who once had plenty I We must know whether the fact that Mr . R . H . Greo is the largest' * cotton Bpinner in England , and that he has large " concerns" in Belgium and Germany , atones for the condition of those who work his machinery ! We must know
whether the score of " large" masters , who have risen up in a short time from nothing , to be worth more than would purchase up the aristocracy of Eugland , is a good exchange for the happy homes and well-provisioned larders of our working men . ' We must know how many " meal-kists" there are in Marshall ' s " floating" and " fixed" capital ! We must know where the beds are . and the beef , and the bacon , and the beer ! Who has them ? Tho working man has not . They are gone from him . An adroit attempt was made by these assembled
Deputies to enlist the shopkeepers on the side of an " extended" commerce , by pretending to sympathise with them for their want of custom , and consequent diffi culttes . With this class the " great " masters will be likely to succeed : for in the first place , they have not " sucked-the-hammer" so long nor so often as the working man has ; nor have they ever yet , unfortunately , been ready or willing to make common cause with him from whose wellrequiled industry they live ; but have , on the contrary almost invariably taken part against him , and joined the " great" masters in sinking him in the
scalu of comfort and being . With the shopkeepers , we rep 1 at , the "great" masters will be likely to succeed . The nostrums will be swallowed , and an" extended " commerce asked for by those who have been brought to ruin by the " extensions" we have already had . ' It matters not to this class of the community , that the operation of the manufacturing system has been to leave the workman without wages , and consequently the till without pennies ; it matters not that the custom of the cabinet-maker , and the grocer , and the draper , and the provision dealer , has
declined just in proportion as the wages of labour have been lessened , and both in the same proportion that commerce has been " extended ; " it matters not or these things ; their class prejudices , which cannot bear to look upon a working man as a "fellow" mortal , will prevent them joining those with whose comfort and well-being their interests are inseparably bound up . Spaniel-like to those " above them" in the scale of society , they will continue to lick the hand that smites them , and press destruction to their bosom !
Shopkeepers are without custom . How could it be otherwise ? Where are the wages 1 They are gone ' and custom has followed them ? What dolts the shopkeeper have been ! They would not open their eyes to the fact , that when they reduced the working men to a state of starvation , they out their own throats ! Who are the customers of the shopkeeper ; or , rather , who were ? The " great" masters t Not a bit of it ! but the poor despised , put-upon , reduced working men I Whose pence filled the till ; and whose pence is now wanted f The working men ' s ! O I ye of little foresight , what fools ye have been ! Just look here ! Take this one fact , and then wonder no longer that yon are without custom f
The number of persons engaged in actual labour , in tbe production of wealth , has been stated to be somewhere about 5 , 000 , 000 . We will take it at that amount . If these 5 , 000 , 000 labourers received wages on an average , amounting to 30 a . each per week , the amount of money that would circulate through their hands yearly would be £ 390 , 000 , 000 . Bat if they only received on an average ten shillings per week each , tho amount circulating yearly would only be £ 130 . 000 , 000 1
Where do the wages of the labourer go to , when he gets them ? Into the till of the shopkeeper . A working man does not hoard up money . He buys food , and clothing , and furniture with it , when he gets it . A reduction of his wages , therefore , is eo much abstracted from the shopkeeping class ! And who gets it ] Those who jump from their clogs to
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their carriages ! Those who make , or rather get , millions ofmoney in about twenty years ! Theseare the parties who devour the comforts of the cottage and the business of the shopkeeper 1 And then they employ Ihenr capital in French railroads , or Belgic factories , or in Foreign . * Stock" of some description or other ; and the shopkeepers help them to do this , and will be ready to aid them further ! Will it be always thus ! Will this class never open their eyes to their true position ? Will they ever continue to kiss the rod I Let them look here 1 and see the value of our foreign trade ( to " extend " which so much fuss ia made ) , as compared with that home tiude whiob they have helped the u great" masters to destroy .
The real value of the whole of British manufaotnred produce exported from the . United Kingdom fox the you ending Jan . 5 th , 1841 , was £ 51 , 406 , 430 . For this we received payment in all sorts of things ; a portion of money , but a great portion of it in things of no real value or earthly use . A reduction of the wages of labour generally , of ten shillings per man per week , would ameuntto £ 130 , 000 , 000 per year . Have not the wages of our labourers been reduced , since " extensions" of commerce began to be made , more than ten shillings per man ?
If the average of wages fifty years ago , were 30 s . per week , ( a low amount , ) is the average now 10 $ ? If this reduction has taken place , we have sacrificed £ 260 , 000 , 000 yearly to secure a yearly foreign trade of £ 51 , 406 , 430 J 1 ! a great portion of which is worth less than nothing !!!!! The loss has been experienced , first by the labourer , and then by the shopkeeper ! Another u extension" of commerce , that will absorb every iota of wages and profit left , must be desirable ! Operatives and Shopkeepers 1 what say you 1
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^^ W ^ r ^ r w v ^^^ r ^^^^^^^^ eB ^ B ^^^^^ - ^^ r ^ r ^^* * * ^ r ^ r ^^ NATIONAL EMIGRATION . Ws make no apology for again introducing this subject to the notice and consideration of our readers . Its vast importance demands that there should be no mistake about it ; and we hold it as our duty so to develope it in all its bearings as that let the Government plan of transportation assume what shape it may those most interested may be prepared to meet and defeat it .
We do not deny that a case may occur when it may be necessary as well as desirable that "the hive should swarm . " We are perfectly aware that the land is limited ; we also know that a given quantity of food is necessary for a given number of mouths , and that , of course , if mouths multiply faster than food can be provided , the surplus must emigrate or starve . We engage to show , by and by , that this is not at present the condition of this country , nor is it likely to be for many years after our present state tinkers are buried and forgotten .
Before we do this , we will suppose , for the sake of argument , that this is the case , —that the hive must swarm or the bees perish , —and we will inquire what , under such circumstances , emigration ought to be . Emigration to be really effective must be voluntary , extensive , and well organised . To make this clear , let us contrast it with the thing called emigration , as it has been practised for many years past ; and which , in reality , is not emigration , but transportation and gambling speculation . Those who have left this country to seek a settlement in our
distant colonies have chiefly consisted of two classes ; speculators who invested a certain amount of capital in colonial land , intending thereby to realise ample fortunes by monopoly and indirect taxation ; and parties , wretchedly poor , sent out for the most part by parochial authorities or by the Government at the nation ' s expence , who , whatever might have been their expectations , soon found themselves reduced to the condition of serfs or bondsmen . Doubtless many families possessing small capitals have left this country / but the larger portion of these have gone to the United States . The rolling tide
of emigration into our own colonies has consisted chiefly of those who had no property , and who therefore , were entirely dependant upon their own industry for support in the land of their exile . These , it is clear , were actuated by no voluntary motive : they went because they were compelled to go . Thus , then , the first necessary ingredient is wanted . Let us look at the second . We say emi . gration to be effectual must be extensive ; that is , it must be a consecutive band o £ men , women and children , married and single , having in view one object , and directing their course to one
locality as the point of settlement . This spirit of unity , this combination of purpose , forms no part of our present system of what is called emigration . We admit that the system has been diffusive , bat that very fact has prevented it from becoming extensive , in the sense in which we here use the word . All baa been individualism und disjunction ; scarcely have two families emigrated with the same purposes and designs ; and the reason of this is that the third ingredient necessary to successful
emigration haa not been even thought of . So far from judicious organization having been the order of the day , there has been no organization at all . The tide has rolled on without let or hindrance ; every man has done that which waa right in his own eyes ; no calculations as to supply and demand have been made ; and the consequents is just what might have been anticipated ; the poor creatures have fled from oppression and distress at home to encounter still worse oppression , and still greater distress abroad .
Let us contrast this modern abortion with emigration in ancient times . The Phoenicians and the ancient North Men , understood the science of colonization perfectly ; and they were the only people who ever did understand it so as to carry out its principles into actual and snccesful practice . Among them the voluntary principle was the ruling spring of action . They moved forth ; not at the bidding of class legislation or when reduced to starvation point by the insane and foolish social arrangement of their kiad ; but , feeling themselves press'd for room , they collected their means together , and
marched in compact phalanx to conquer and Bubduo a territory for themselves , in some distant and , according to their views of the matter , more desirable region . Here then were two ingredients of the essential pre-rcquisites for successful emigration ; independence of action and extensive combination . Nor was the third wanting . The necessity for organisation was duly felt and nndeviatingly acted upon ; The capitalist took with him his capital and his arms , and such a number of retainers , together with their amilies and what property they had , as were sufficient for laying the foundation of that new Social
Community , which was the summit of their hopes . Those ancient migratory tribes never moved without bearing with them ample means for securing their success . One remarkable feature in those ancient colonies was the entire absence of monopoly , in the ordinary acceptation of the term . Genuine liberty was unknown ; but a commonality of interests supplied its place . The capitalist—that is to say , the daring bandit ( for such were all the capitalists of the time ) , shared with his followers the fatigues , dangers , and privations of the enterprise ; and the humbler marauders , who followed him , shared in the triumph
and Buccess . We are aware that these H > ands of ancient emigrants were , for the most parCbands of daring and unscrupulous robbers and out-throats ; that most of them preferred war to industry ; that they were wild , savage , and determined j tkat the arts of peace were unknown to and unpractised by them ; but as rapine and confusion , had they become universal , would have defeated their own . ends , some of the peaceful pursuits must be adopted , to secure existence ; and hence those tribes were ever ready to move forward to a land more fertile and better cultivated than their own . We have not referred to those proceedings of ages long gone by for the purpose of advocating a
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literal imitation of them in the nineteenth century we know that our whole colonial system is a close copy of the ancient system as to all its vices , without one feature of its redeeming qualities ; what we want to impress on the minds of onr readers is the fact that in these early migrations the various hordes acted conjointly , aad not indivi . dually ; and that they neglected none of the means neoessary to secure their object . They fixed their eye upon a spot whieh they deemed desirable , and they resolved to obtain it . It might be that it was already appropriated , but arms and
bravery might subdue the natives and give their possessions into the hands of the invaders 1 arms and bravery therefore were never lacking in aa emigrating expidition . But the men who had crossed the ocean in search of a distant home , and Taad out throats by thousands in order to ssoure ft , were too H noble , " too " right honourable" toattend to matters of trade and industry ; and thus an inferior race of bondsmen became neoessary to provide for the wants of ' tb blood-stained conquerors ; and hencewere-always ,. to some extent , snatched from the jaws of
death to be manacled with the chains of slavery ; , and slavery was ever an ingredient in the ancient states . But , to preserve the state from perishing ia its new home , civil government , or rather military government with civil functions , was absolutely necessary . Hence the capitalists , or chief 3 , were absolute but not despotic . They might rnle , but ,, as a condition , they must provide ; to have left the people in want would have been virtually to abandon their right to rule . From all this it is plain that the ancient system of emigrate secured to
those who engaged in it ample provision agams want and a due protection for life and property " Now , let it be carefully observed that in every ByBtem of colonization the spirit which animated the Phoenicians and the northern tribes must rule or its failure—its ntter and entire failure—is certain and inevitable . The manner of its developement , however , in the present age , must be essentially dif ferent from that which prevailed in times of old . Like the Chartists , the emigrant ' s motto must be" God is our guide ; no sword we draw ; We kindle not wars battle fires . "
Their object must be to obey the Divine command } and , taking to themselves yet unappropriated portions of the earth " subdue them" to their will ; and on plains rendered fertile by their own industry , " increase and multiply . " To this end , it is clear that the emigrants must be organised . They should be formed previous to their leaving their native shores into joint stock companies of at least one hundreds couples with children and dependants forming a society of not less than one thousand souls , with rights guaranteed and privileges secured . Each of these tribes would form the
nucleus of a future state ; and it should be , and must be provided with all the requisites for its comfort , prosperity , and permanency . To each of thesecollective joint stock companies should land be appropriated in shares proportionate to the number of adult emigrants to be their property and that of their successors living in the colony for ever . This would secure the independence of the colonists ,, who , after the first year , should have the election of their own governor and officers , and the entire control of their internal affairs and the most freeand unrestricted rights of trade and commerce with the mother country . One of the most essential requisites to the success of these infant colonies
is capital—not accumulated but diffused throughout the whole mass . And this must be supplied in ample measure by the parent state ; tha Government being the agent . All Bums advanced for this object should be by way of loan : not s > penny should be given without a provision made for its repayment ; and all the loans should , after the first year , become chargeable with interest at five percent ., and be repaid by moderate instalments , as the colony became prosperous through united and profitable industry . Every shareholder would of course , have the right to sell his property after a given time ; subject to the condition of the purchaser becoming a resident ; no absenteeism should be allowed on any account .
This is what emigration shomd be when necessary ; next week we Bhall try to show that , if this country were rightly governed , no such thing would be needed for ages to come .
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JOINT MEETING OF CHAKTISTS AND CORN-LAW REPEALERS , AT BATH . Elsewhere we give a report of a large meeting at Bath , which seems justly to have excited much attention . It seems that the Chartists and Com Law Repealers of that city have coalesced , and thrown iuto one stock their grievances . We rejoiee mosi cordially to see this . It is evidence of onward progress . The " Liberals" are on their last legs when they require Chartist crutches . Let the people but beware . Let them not forget 1830-1-2 . Let them keep their own place , and this Bath meeting may be the initiative of a nearer approximation to a cordial union with the middle classes than
was by many hoped for . But be cautious . Be wary . Do not let us be again cajoled into thinking that we have got them to help us for universal justice , when , in reality , they have got us to help them for class crotchets , without rendering a quid pro quo . We confess that , though thiB Bath meeting affords us matter of gratulation , we don't see ^ much to admire : in it . We hope the Petition founded on the joint resolutions of the meeting will be full and strong for the Charter as a first and most necessary measure . Our reporter has not informed us how
the Petition is to be signed , whether by the Chairman ' * on behalf , " or individually ; we hope tha latter way . The manner in which this petition ia expressed and signed will Bhew whether Mohammed has come to the mountain , or the mountain has gone to Mohammed . If it represent the repeal of the Corn Laws as the primary , and the Charter merely as a secondary , object , the Chartists of Bath have been "done . " If it be well and properly got up , and the repeal-mongers hesitate to sign it , the sure inference is—that their attempted purpose was to entrap and not to assist the people- In either case , from that moment the connection becomes an unhallowed and mischievous one , and should be instantly dissolved .
We have written on the matter as one of mere expediency , without reference to our own opinions on the Cora Law question . Some of our Chartist friends may and do differ from our opinion on that point ; but there can be no difference on the necessity of the people ' s keeping their eyes wide open . The Whigs are like pigs with soaped tails ; they are hard to hold when caught . The tenor of the speeches of the Liberals leads us to view this meeting as a stratagem of the Repeal-mongers to Bteal a march upon the people , who they knew would not permit them to have a meeting to themselves . We shall be glad to find our opinion incorrect ; but let the people , at all events , look out .
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4 THE NORTHERN STAR . _ __
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A MERRY CHRISTMAS . After the appalling revelations of the " great " Cotton Lords above alluded to , with squalid misery , and want , and wretchedness abounding through the whole land of Merry England , " who can sit down to bid " good-morrow" to his friends , and pass cooUrround ** the compliments of the season . " we cannot . Our feelings and oar religion alike forbid us to mock misery or fawn on vice . We are not fearfur of My maji » amist * kingusfor votaries of " rueful superstition , '' butwearen <> wconstrainedtoesohew merriment , and must recommend in place of it amendment . To the rich oppressor we say , > " Repent , ere it be too lat « , and the reward of your unrighteousness have visited you . " To the
poor oppressed we&ay , Arouse from torpor and inactivity . Cast aside your differences ; iay hand , one and all , on the axe whieh your sufferings have sharpened ; lay it at once to the root of the fcul tree , and let corruption fall before you to be no more planted . " Then shall right be done ; and peace obtain , and plenty be diffused ; and old England shall again become M m « rry England , " and the grateful consciousness that the precepts of our great God and guide are made the law of social life shall cause the widow ' s heart to sing , and the > face of the labourer to be brightened as he hails the future celebrations of nis advent as the " merry Christmas , " which , as it u comes but once a year , " is anticipated with delight by old and young .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 24, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct410/page/4/
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