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THE WORTHEMT STAE SATURDAY, JULY S, 1843.
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THE CARLISLE CHARTISTS—THE SHEFFIELD CHARTISTS AND THE TREASURER OF THE DEFENCE FUND.
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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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A CRY FROM THE DUNGEON ! HELP I HELP Ii HELP !!! 10 THE XDITOB OF IKE KOBTBEBS STAB . Sib , —T % lEserEng'tr-B folio-wing letter In-jour valua-Kejooin ^ joii-wiUiTtatly oblige , ycmrs , truly . Isaac Hotlb . TO 2 EAMUS O ' COKXOB , 3 SSO ^ KESPEC 1 BD Sib , —I Isope ym -win excuse me for presuniingto address yon in jqr familiar a manner , but ¦ while Shot iB : ? ni 2 i a disparity jmoofst ifce CnarUrt body ,-1 canhoVlielp hnS ^ peafc ont t » P « h > fte *»*!?«*• 3 u a letter ol jhaa T * 5 cb seated inibeSterof tie ¦ B eEeJnfiiBJim » iJdi «* m 8 nfe feeentnet ** iheSpe ? Uil ComsnKkiu field ailiroipoea , * fouiaTe no donbt fcnt
w > me rf-jw-wiH isro been transported . In ibis © pnflonl perfecSy J ^ iee ; wnireWfc itfp le ^ rog to roina the fact thai i * e « t « re menv&o did gel transported ! and , I lave every reason to believe , \ b&& a part , IT not bD , are anfeing innoeenfly . I vrouia also ^ akk , arertnesff not men ? and hare fliey not 1 eelinfr as well as Thomas Cooper , ' and thereat of those for-whom there are so many appeals beingmade $ o the CGimtry for support ? Itmay be saia that they do not belong to the GoartMboay . IblB jnay , or may not , betrne : hut it is my opinion that the -way to make all good Chartists , 3 s to support their families . What ran be a greater stimulant to those "who axe not Chartists to join cor ranis 2 and moreover , I maintain , that this feeling onghtId ph ; t r f ^ TiT a <>' gffT 7 : fS > gT ' ^' ^ ' * be lanfl . I isve
saia that the GhartMs may ay thasa men do not belong to Siein * therefore they have do claim npon them for support ; hoi I am sorry to say that these are sot the only individuals "who have been treated in the same manner . -Etereitemeninthis gaol , -who axe suffering greater punishment , both meniaBy-and physically , th ^ n CooPEB , and "who fr ? 3 sot the same opportunity of defending themselves against the feel charges that irere preferred against them ly a set of perjured -tjTHhtjb ,, ¦ w ho are ioajrona to "beg , aafi teolsiy to "sroril Yes , cndaeseisenareE&iiriisiil ^ . ' . 1 trill here giTe yoa a few cases 'which baTe coeqb imflermy own observation , x& persons ^ eboh&ve 'been in ibis gaol for nearly ten
months . 32 iey are as followB : —1 st . Mi . J . Williams of Preston , T ? bo hath got two years ; he is a single man and ' a cripple ; has suffered mneh from bad health ; is a member of the Chartist Association , I ^ restoa , and "bath never ^ received anything from them . SntL ilt Wmr Ssoth , Secretary to the GharHst AssoctaHoD . ' XoytOD ; iathleflflve motherless ehBdrentomotim his misfortune , and hath got eighteen -pK ^ thw in thisgaoL 3 rd . Mr . Thomas Og&en , Treasurer to 4 he ~ Royion Chartists , likevise pne of the council ; bath left a -wife and four children ; -wife in _ a bad state of health ; hath got eighteen . months in this gaoL The next ease is my o » a , ana is as follows : —I am & member tif the Chartist
Association , Royton , likewise a member of Use connciL IPrerions to my Imprisomnei ? C ~ I "had been out of employment sixteen " weeks , I had a wife and four small children starving upon two shIQisgs a week . For the part 1 took 3 n ^ he stbucb I was taken before the Oldham magistrates , underwent an examination , and held to bafljimyseif in £ 400 , and two sureties in £ 20 & eeea , to appear to answer any charge that might be preferred against me . Aceorfiingly I appeared ntthe Special Commission , Iaverpool , and was sentenced to eighteen sioBtia -imprisonment in this gaoL I would here beg leave to « tsie that all throsgh the stbiks I ^ dvissd the people sot to be dnped by the spedons ery of "high wages , " nor yet to destroy property , but to stand jot fiH bribe Charter . J won ! d here beg leaTi
to ask , if these men and their families sxe not as much entitled * to rapport , as either Coopib . or any one else , who "sras so xmfortunat © ss to get imprisoned ax the tame Ems ? ! most emphatically say yes I If not , why do the Ghsxtiataczj oat against that greatest of all monopolie s , class -legislation ; while ~ they themselTes are supporting one portion « f those who are in prison , and aBosing the families of the others to pine away with starvation ? I wiHgiTe one case more , and th 6 nconcln . de A man of the name of WOliarn Williania left this gaol on i- 1 TthJnne , after serriBgnine months ; and on the S 8 th vi the same month we received a letter from him staling that on bis axriTal at Oldham he found Ms - -wife and cSOSxen in a garret , 7 ittdaied togeOer amongst some J&oru&s , tdih xo ! a inorsd of bread in the place ; and , horrible to-State . THESE POOR MISBBJLBLB CB . KATDBBS
HAD SOT BBE 5 UMJBBSSKD , 25 OB IS A BED , FOB HOBS IHAS 3 TTO XO 5 THS 11 ! It wonld be useless to attempt anything Eke comment on the ab- > Te : it speaks for itself ; Twill therefore lea-se it to the xefl ^ ction of the Charfastboajv lam , yonr humble , bat persecnted fnend , bnt still a Chartist until death , ' Isaac Bosxb .
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HO JHE 2 DZTOS -OT mx 2 SOK 3 HBEH SIJ ^ E . D £ aS . Sra , —In adiressJug Hie following letter for the perusal and cansideration of the Chartist b # dy , I consder that I am only performing my duty ; a&d . whether I aacceefl in ny object or not , it will be some satisfaction to know that 1 have fearlessly and honestly eBdeaTonred to brmi ; the Chartists to a Bense of iheir -inty * by reminding fiiem of * b « course they ought to puisne . A ^ tri ^ i ^ nn ^ h Wtcm juay be some "wio may ieel thfimsdTss aggsievsd . < m the psmsal of fics letter , and may consider that I am acting with a precipitation premature and uncalled for , yet I feel myself justified 3 b the coarse I have adopted .
I am sure that erery honest man will say with me , that after the length of time I hare nrffered , without any sappazt- whatever , 2 sm jnstiSed in upbraiding the Charlxds vn&neg ' . ed ! inasmndi as-they hare remained ^ p * fh » B « - to "the sufferings of me 2 nd my fsllow pri-Boners . It was the dnty of aie Char&st body , as soon m * the excitement had abated , to hare raised an agitation isourisTonrr tohars eadesnmxedasfaras lay in their power to sapport the wires andfamiliea of ihoes indrTiduals who belonged to the Chartist body , who , throngh their honest zeal had been entrapped in the snare that bad been so axifolty laid for them by the anti-Corn Xaw ** Plague . * ilany of onr best men trete pomn » fl npoa tj the . iarpiea of ths law , —not for destroyiBg property ; not for ecfisEgering the Bra of thai feBow-ofizajsj
but simply bfccause ttity , on all occasions , endeavoured to show "np to public execration the fraud and trickery of polificai impostors , -who -wished to palm themselTes uiwn the public as Teal frlpnflw -of the people . Because ihey wer * Chartists , tfeey were deemed fit objects for the unprincipled facfe # ns to wreak their-vengeance on . Hub is a fact that cannot be denied ; and therefore the Chartists were in dnty bound to lender them all the assistance in theb ? power . Did they do sal Quite the contrary ! They Ml them to "fill back upon their own resources ;™ > nd the « onseguence is , ttat their ¦ wives » ad fi » TpTiip « are in actual starvation ! Some are i&iktBastilt ! others are covtpdled to teg their bread fwm door to doorj sad all are now anfisriug extreme hardship in ' eonsegnEocs of beong deserted by those who ought to hare befriended them .
It may be a&ld , there are some individuals who take a particular delight in creating dissension ; and in almost bU cases they may £ ad some apparent cause to gZft&fy thtir love of contention j and ttat in all probabiliiysaiii may be the case in the present instance . If there be say who have the hardihood to think so in this case , I-sronld direct attention to the following BarratiTe . It is now upwards of nine months since we received onr sisjast sentence . There were upwards of two hundred-confined here for the fliststrous snd ever-to-be-Ixmented outbueae . of Axigdst last . Of this number , ji great many belonged to tiie Chartist body ; and , as a nstersl coESfqaepce , expected that the difitrentAssoctitaons-wonld have convened roeetiiigs in their difft ^ ent localities , 2 nd have forwarded memorials to
the Horns Office ,, praying for a mitigation of their sentence . They expected that every town , village , and hamlet would have poured forth its memorial . This expecta&m was only reasonable J and it is my opinion liad such 9 line of conduct be pursued , we shcold have beexi ai liberty ai this mameat . After WsltiZIg a period of eight months , during which we have suffered unspeakable hardships bath in body and Blind , and finimg wh ! ch ? iime iiio Qf-oarJeHoi&stgfcrers hone paid fbe JleSlofnalBrc ; and still finding that no efforts were being made on our behalf , wo resolved to attempt aometbipg * or ourselves . We accordingly wrote to thirteen different Associations , reqnesting them to convece meetings , znd adopt memorials , su > d forward them to the proper cpsiter on onr behalf . Of the above number ^ fouf only returned answers to onr letters , signifying their intention of complying » ith oar rtqoest !
let us aoow tarn onr attention to the parJiea wiio -trere tried * t XascaEtez . £ y letters we liave received from . several friends , -we are informed that no expense nx spared to defend those who were tnea at the la * e 31 &rch Aeeiss ; that a Defence Pimd was nised ; snd with . Kt » a Cqacsel and great exertion feey -sere subse-^ n ently difictsrjed in the Queen ' s Bench . Ko-w -waa it ^ ot their dnty , rf ^ er Qieir acq uittal , to turn their attention toward * : those who were still ssfTsrisg in different parts of ifce ' Bjngaom ? Save toey actedthos ? No ] ! EbeT bavejascaped UiesiaelTEa ,: aia appear qaite calluns
to those who are sUIIhj confinement , with one exception , namely , Mr . Cooper . It appears they are determined to inoTB ' heaven and earth to bring about hi * release ^ at least they will leave noihing untried which is in any Tray calculated to bring about so ^ tairable an 61 g-cL This " is all -reiy just , as fsi as itgoeE . They have a perfect light to memorialise on his behalf . Kay , itisthsdr doty to do so ; and It woold be very iUibsral , aMi unjnst onxay -part , to wish otherwise . BnSat the same ffiae , 7 eaonst but express my sarprlBe , that -srblist they are endeavouring ts obtain the release o ! esc mas , hundreds are left to -Buffer in silence and
neglect . is ili . Cooper of more importance to the Chartist cause T *>* n the whole of those who ara > nfF = riBg with iim ? Is he made of a composition &omethn > g more than iicsh and blood ? A » his ieeliMs j&oxe seate tJjao 3 BI 59 , or those vt my fellow prisoners ? 1 * ay ¦ witfcoat itsi of contradiction , they are not . Sath Cooper strife snd family ? Bo havB the others . Bath Ls feissos snd ^ relatives , "wboare beund and endeared to bins bv the sacred ties of iofe asd esteem ? So have efess ^ ^ afl thns ^ larareiihey egual , andentiQesL to ihe same unouct of iryinpsthy and support
Acd sow with regard to myself j let tis fiaMy and « aaGksij mmfeg our relative cases . Xet us see how Xfc ^ y ita ^ aaaTphsheT he is mora embairasEed , 2 nd u » : c * =. tUi £ a Va public sympathy than myself . For ¦ ff ' . i > v is ^ aopEr conScec ? ' "Far the psrtbe loos in the » - * - -- -x- » ksl 5 j am I . What is tie term of tis a ~ f : & 5 * -tt ? Sk- otssbs . So i miss Hefcathto
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live upon the priwn diet . 60 hav « X . His health is impaSed inxossequeoee of the food and coaflnraient So is mine : for it is « oly » month f iaoe sinee I left the hospital , and am still under the ttartoj'a care , and have contracted a disease wMdi lrininallprobabni Tejaain with me during life . j Ihos , fsi then , axe we aport an Jtteqnaiity . ; Bat the comparison will extend no further ! 1 for while I am left completely destitute , withont any ^ support whatever , -without a single friend to cheer me in zny solitary abode , Coopbb is sympathised with by the country generally
Ponds are raised for his support . Petitions and memorials are adopted in almost every town , from iondon to Edinburgh , in order to obtain bis release ; and hehaa only been confined , about three months , while I have been coffering nearly eleven months , and cannot so much as receive an answer to my letters ! I ask , is THIS CHAEHSM ? IS THIS JUSTICE i IsOiti tarry , isffoidihe princip les of egvalUy , jo highly prisld by the Coartist body ? There is bat one answer ; and I will leave thatanswer to be given by the Chartist body !
May I hope that the Chartists will arouse themselves from the slumber into which they have Buffered themselves to fall , snd by their future conduct endeavour to make amends for their past condust 3 1 lam , Sir , a lorer of justice , Jakes Williams . KirkdBle Goal , July 8 th , 1813 . { The foregoing appeals ought to have instant effect . The -writers speak truly . Xegbxi can be , Tavrff be , laid at the Chartist door . It is time this was remedied . Wheie 1 bthe "Yictix Fund" ? Has it been
disbursed ? If so , who to ? If not , why nol ? The rielimt axe neglected ! Their wWows and orphans are jtarcijtg 1 Look at the Qldbam garret , with a Chartist prisoners ' * wife and children huddled together in a heap of shavings , and cstjkesseD fob . moke than Two KOKTHS 1 Is it not time a Victim Committee -was appointed ? Is it not time relief was afforded * Chartists l to the good wotk instantly . Lose not another moment t Too many have been lost already 1
I / etrio one take exception to the tone of complaint running through the above appeals . The complaint is more than justified . If one of us have done OUT duty to the T'ieiims . They have been forgotten . It is no wonder that they should cry ont and reproach us . The wonder Is that they bare not done so long since ! They ought to have done ! If we , out of prison , have forgotten those within , they should not have forgotten to . remind us of it We are glad they have at last done sol They have given expression to thair complaints . Under the circumstances , the tone they adopt is mild and forbearing .
True they institute comparisons between the ntQleci they have received at the bands of the Chartist body , and the efforts made on behalf of Coopeh and Richards . This is not be wondered at Men lingering hi prison , neglected , with bnt few opportunities for information , and possibly that information xnadictd , are sure to become jealous . This very natural effect has followed in this instance . He would
be a hard-hearted man who would Judge the writers harshly , because they have given honest expression to the feelings he has been one main cause of engendering ! In prison , the Inmates know not correctly what is passing in the outer world . That this is the case in this instance is evident The Kirkdale Tidims speak of "funds raised for Coopkks support . " We are sorry to say that such is not the fact ! An appeal had to be made in last week's Star to save Mss . Coo ? KB
from being turned into the street But these , letters serve another purpose . They show the futility and evil effects arising from isolated efforts to relieve particular persons . Jealousy is tbe result . And ne wonder 1 it is unfair , unjust , to confine attention to one or two well-known prominent characters in the movement , who have been trammelled by law , ; and to leave the others to pine hi neglect I It shows us that
we ought to have a Gxnbhax Yictim Fojoj , from which all should be relieved , without distinction or favour , ssfar as the funds will allow , and in proportion to the wants and dependencies in each ease . ! Then all are treated equally . Then we do no violence ; to our own much-loved—( theoretically )—principle of equality . Then , if the fund fails , all suffer alike . Attention and succour is not heaped npon one , and the rest left out of our consideration . :
Most earnestly do we conjnre the Chartists of the three Kingdoms to take this matter in hand Instantly ! Let not another week pass withont efforts being made ~ te xemore from our door tbe heavy load of disgrace already laid there by former inattention . Gat up a Gexebal Yictix Fcm > . Merge all the particular relief funds in the one general purse . Elect a Commit * tee in a central place , say Manchester , to whom all cases for relief shall be addressed , and by whom the . necesjsary relief can be administered . Let there be no exception to this rule . Wound not tke feeling of those who are suffering the herrors of our prson hells for our sake , by exhibiting partiality in our relief 1 Prefer net oae before another . All are equally dear ; and all ought to be equally dealt with .
Is there not a sum of money already In band , as a Victim Fund ? If so , set to work , some Committee or other , to disburse it Tbe wives and families of tbe P'idims are St ^ &visg ! Peed them I Succour [ them ! I Mate their " homes" at least bearable , until it please I the Factions to release their natural protectors . U Win not the country approve our suggestion , that the Manchester Chartists appoint , on Sunday next , a j Yictrn Cohmitteb , jpro . tem ., to see to th » B business j immediately ? We are sure no one will object . We I say Manchester , because Manchester is the great centra ] from around which nearly all the victims have been I drawn . When elected , let the Committee correspond j with Mr . Cleave , the Treasurer to the Victim Fond- ; 1 and see what money , if any , remains in his hui&a .
Again do we energetically call the Charrist body to this most sacred duty . Get up a General Yictix Fuss . Merge all particular efforts for individuals in one general effort for equal advantage to tbe ' ¦ neces sitous . Remove the crying cause for jealously now existing . Remove , toe , the cause for just complaint and reproof on the part of the neglected . To -work ! Wotk double tides to make up for lost time . ]
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STRIKE OF THE COLLIERS . It is a dangerous thing to leach men their power in the hope that tie lesBon will be lost when the conning have made the intended use of it I This country nas suffered much from mis-government ; but it has Buffered much more from misdirection of that popular power which in every country shonld give a proper direction to public opinion . After the ' peace of I 810 , the alternations from bad to vforse ; from Wioe to Tory and Tory to Whig , « ompletpJy
classed the English character . As the Whig faction fonnd itself capable of dividing the spoil vritb the Tories , by the same graduating scale did they slacken their ardour op to 1832 ; when having , as they fsleelv imagined , based the franchise upon a permanent Whig footing , they tfonld have gladly relapsed into aristocratic quiet bnt from a dread of those wholesome lessons taught fay themselves jwhile looking for power ; lessons from which the people had learned their own strength . :
The same reasoning that applies to the general principle of government , is equally applicable to the management of sections of society j and tbei same dear 4 > onght experience which tanght the fWhig party that Englishmen bnt required to know their rights to possess them , has taught the " Free Trade *' Mine Owners that knowledge is a searching thing j that it will Snd its way even into the bovrels of the earth , and communicate its influence to the most ignorant and degraded . The great importance of tfcB Colliers was taught them by their tyrant masters , when they , like the Whigs , anticipated an ; " extended" trade from a sndden bntburst of the
. angry passionB of their slaves . The preaching i demagogues , who were readj to plunge the country : into confusion , revolution , and anarchy , impressed ; npon the mindB of the Colliers that of so great importance were they to society , that one month's ; cessation of labour coald stop thb wheels op ; COTZBKHEKT / ' " aXREST THE K 10 CBESS OF LECIS 1 A' tioh / ' and compel the Parliament to grant 'j'Pree ' Trade . " It will be fresh in the reeoHeotion of out 1 readers that such was the advice of the " Free Trade" preachers ; and such was the anticipation from the success of their inflammatory harangues 5 while those harangues , intended but to serve the
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political purpose ; of the masters , hare had the effect of opening the eyes , of the men , not only to their political inequality but to their social degradation . The great activity used hp the Sturge section ; of" Free Traders" to insure thf co-operation of the miners , led to the transportation of Ellis and to the Staffordshire riots ; and the causes of complaint which then existed still livei while we trust that the colliers themselves have learned too muoh wisdom from experience to allow themselves to be again used for other political purposes , than for the acquirement of those rights by which , and by which alone , their proper position in society oan be ; achieved . While we would strongly urge upon them [ the neoessity of discussing the
principles of the [ People ' s Charter , in which the elevation of their order is recognised , we would as strongly advise them io abstain from miring up the question of the Charter with that of Wages further than as a means ] to show , that without political power , it is useless to look for social comfort . We learn that a deputation of Staffordshire masters are to wait upon ] Sir Ro » ebt Past , with a view to the settlement of the question ; that the pending disputes between them and their men may be patched up . The ; men , however , may rely upon it , that neither their condition , nor iheir grievances will constitute any portion of the master ' s anxiety , beyond the mere effect that their sufferings may entail personally npon tho employers .
Who that has read the evidence adduced by Lord Ashley in his able and eloquent exposition of the abominations , the beastialkies , and the cruelties practised by the slave drivers , with the perfect knowledge and consent of the slave owners , but has felt his English blood boil in his English veins ! Will the sanctified deputation remind the Prime Minister that their profitsIha \ e been hitherto made by the sweat of infant females , and amid the agonies and labour-throes of English women 1 Will they remind him of the fee lid atmosphere ; the gloomy cavern ; the intricate mine ; the fire damp ; the chain
dangling between the legs ; the excoriations , the sores and the Blisters upon the infant limbs ! Will they depict all the horrors of an ENGLISH WOMAN CHAINED TO A : COAL' CART , and crawling UXB A BEPTILB O ? 0 N HBK PACK AND HANDS , icilh a hone ' s burden tied ; 4 oherneck f Will they remind him that as their power has increased , their tyranny has increased with it ! Will they tell him of the slack ; of the large riddle ; of the increased labour and diminished wages ! Will they tell him of their cruelty as masters , and their persecutions as justices 1 Will they admit the princely fortunes that they hare amassed by all their hellish machinations ,
and attheBame time point to the desolation that they have caused ! Not a bit of it ! They will tell him that their straightened circumstances havo compelled them , reluctantly ( 1 ) , to reduee the wages of their hands . They will vow upon their musty honour , that rather than dismiBB their men they have cmployed them at a ruinous sacrifice . They will urge u Free Trade" as a nostrum , and threaten defection as thepenealty of refusal . They will assure him that during a cessation of labour , the principles of democracy are elaborately discussed ; and will pray protection not £ 0 much for themselves , as for the purpose of enabling them to resist the growing spirit of Chartism .
With a recollection of the past and a full length portrait of the present lying before us in one perfect picture , though drawn by many hands , we feel ourselves called upon to give the colliers the benefit of our counsel . The great valuo of a strike , when it is justly entered upon as a means of resisting tyranny , is , that it brings the several sections of tbat order upon ft perfect equality ; and the most favoured and best conditioned , who in the day of prosperity are deaf to the just complaints of the oppressed of their class , are , in times of great distresB , compelled to make ' common cause with their oppressed brethren ;
until at length the real cause of complaint breaks through discussion , and a general , instead of a mere partial , remedy is unanimously demanded . If there is no work , there is no nesessity for an overseer ; and even that autocrat is theu compelled to take the whole question of distress into consideration . If there is no work , there ia no profit or interest upon sunk capital . If there is 00 work , tho " top sawyers , " who can earn the largest amount of wages , can no longer ridicule and laugh at the lesB fortunate " pitmen . " Therefore , it is that we see value in a strike * when based on justice ; for it is sure to enlist the sympathies of the whole
community for the amalgamated unwilling idler ? . If , however , those on strike allow themselves to become mere tools in the hands of any party ; forgetful of their own interest , and unmindful of the principle and provocation upon which the cessation is grounded ; they loose all sympathy and their very virtues are charged upon them as vices . There is little doubt that the masters , the overseers , and the " pets" will endeavour to warp the general body of miners to an agitation for " Free Trade" as a means of general and immediate relief . We have perfect reliance , however , upon the already scorched and burned that , as- a body , they will resist all such hypocritical temptation .
We highly approve of the Organization now being adopted by the Colliers ; and would above all things impress upon ; them the necessity of engaging real practical honest working men as their lecturers . For oar part , we shall cheerfully publish the progress of their cause . It not unfrcquently happens that discretion , when opposed to indiscretion , meets with a momentary denunciation ; but in the long run , when justice holds the scale and judgment puts in the balance , the value of discretion is discovered . There have been three striking instances of this fact , within the last four years ; in 1839 , when the Bankers of Birmingham proposed a Central Strike as a means of insuring a return to Twenty Shilling Notes ,
Mr . O Connob risked his popularity , and for a time lost it , for resisting the conspiracy ; in 1840 , when a proposition was brought forward in the Ccn-Tention to rrsiat the payment of rent 3 , rates , and taxes as a means of carrying the Charter , Mr . O'Connor again interposed ; and after several days debate in London , and subsequently by adjournment in Birmingham , he succeeded and saved the Convention from government prosecution ; in the last Convention of 1842 , the question of a strike was again partially discussed , when Mr . O'Connor in counselling them against any interference said : "let us be cautious in what we do , and in what tee recommend others to do ; for ^ rely upon it , if evil results from our counsels , what beloaqs to other
circcustances will as saddled on the 3 ack op Chahtisu ; and when the collateral attempt fails , Chaktists and Chartism alone will suffer . " Now these are facts within the memory of all men ; and we submit them to the consideration of the Colliers on strike . As it ever has been the practice of dissatnficd masters to turn unprofitable guilt into experimental confusion , the prrsent opportunity will be s- iisd for driving the impoverished colliers into confusion and outbreak . Emissaries are already abroad ! Anonymous scribes , profeSEBing to feel a deep interest in the cause of the colliers , have insolently endeavoured to make Our columns the means of ronBing the mad passions of the slave class against their tyrants . We have been invited to
address them emphatically and boldly upon tho subject ; and we have thus fulfilled the rcqueBt , by cautioning the colliers , of all other things , to beware of the counsels of those ; who -would urge them into rebellion , that they may profit by confusion , and destroy them after failure ! We know of some excellent working colliera of sound judgment and discretion who are now employed in the work of justice . Let the people jjivc ear to them , aud to them only ; and a favourable result from the present struggle cannot fail of conferring general advantage npon the working classes of all other denominations . Upon the other hand , let them fail from indis-CRfc / rioN , aud the riddles will be widened ! the torlum improved ] . ' tfie labour : c-cisrd !!! the wage diminished ! I ! 1 and the co herb I u f . rd at J ' < ' 1
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pRCrANIZATIONWwh extreme pride and plepjre do we direct the attention jbf oar readers to the report of the Mary-lebone meeting , whioh will be ! found in our eighth page . From that we learn that the cause of democracy has , as yet , suffered little or no damage from a deficiency in our Organization ; while it will inspire thb working classes " with a strong desire so to marshal their fotoes t that henceforth victory shall not depend upon mere chance , or upon a muster of tho Chartist body to achieve ifcjapoa sadden impulse . It . is true that a deep . rooted affection for the
democratic principle , added to the determination to resist anything shorj ; of the whole principle , may be relied upon in qpposieion to any attempt to curtail the People ' s Charter of any of its fair proportions . But such means cannot be confidently relied upon without such a marshaling of oar forces as will ensure their hearty cooperation upon all fitting occasions . When we call to [ mind the many sections , having different names and professing different objeots , ( although having but one real one , and that being the subjugation of labour ) , that are engaged in skirmishing
against thje principles of the Charter , and who are ready upon tbe first announcement that the time has arrived to ] " sink all minor differences" and to join in a general onslaught against the people ; all of whom are well drilled , well trained , and well Organized ; in the tactics of agitation ; it then becomes the bounden duty of the Chartist body ! so to marshal and Organize themselves that they may be at all times capable of receiving , jand successfully resisting the combined attacks of the enemy ; while they should be in a state of readiness to take advantage of all passing events , as a means of strengthening themselves . Tbe
Whig party , having failed in their first open and unblushing attempt to create a reaction in favour of Whiggeryj will now pause for a little , in order that they may shape their after course upon the popular will . Should the people fall back , the slippery Whigs will cheerfully slide after them ; while , upon the other hand , if the people advance , the hungry crew will ] follow them , as a hungry dog follows a man with a bone in his hand . The producers of wealth should never lose sight of the one great fact , that they , and they only , hold tho bone ; while the Whigs ] and Tories are two : hungry packs snarling to see who shall snap .
We gave ; an elaborate amount of matter upon the question of Organization in our last number ; and from that ¦ the people will have discovered that however tho several disputants may differ npon matters of detail , all are nevertheless agreed upon the necessity that exists for a through and perfect Organization of the Chartist body . The next step , then is , that a delegate meeting should be holden for the purpose of embodying from tbe wisest suggestions of all , such a plan as will give general satisfaction ; which should
be followed by the election of an Executive Committee , in such manner as the delegate meeting shall decide upon . We think we may vouch upon the part of Mr . O'Connor , that the suggestions contained in his letter upon ; the subject , and republished in our last number , were merely intended fer the purpose of discussion , which object they appear to have effected . while no one will be more ready than that gentleman to aid in the completion of our Organization , and to assiat in carrying it out when completed . It is only out of a contrariety of opinions , and after deliberate
disoHssion , that wholesome decisions can be arrived at : and therefore we trust that : the Chartists of the several localities , where differences of opinion now exist , will see that the proper time and place for making this variety of opinion instrumental to the establishment of a perfect system of Organ izition will be when the delegates are assembled to take the whole question into consideration . Some difference of opinion appears to exist as io the number
which should constitute the Executive . Without attempting dictation , we strongly incline to a preference for five rather than three ; while we incline to think that tho question of payment will require but slight consideration , when it is borne in mind that the appointment to such an office is sure to ba followed by dismissal from work ; , and that none but working men can be relied upon for a faithful dis . charge of the required duties .
We are perfectly aware of tho increased expence that must attend such a cause ; while we have full confidence On the people ' s readiness to supply the means , if their officers prove themselves worthy of their support ; and the honourable compensation for service will have the never-failing effect of stimulate iog the recipients to deserve it . The organ of the popular voice should never withhold suggestion , or advice , fronl ) an apprehension or dread of a charge of " dictation . " It is all important that it should lay before its party subjects requiring discussion ; that it ishould suggest times for holding those discussions ; , and direct opinion as to that course which
may strike its conductors to be the most safe and prudent . If , then , we were to wait for an entire and unanimous opinion as to the most fitting time for meeting , the probability is that we should be hampered with such a contrariety of opinions , that the day would never arrive . In order therefore to digharge our duty , we submit tbe propriety of a delegate meeting taking place at Birmingham , on Monday / the 31 at of August , thereby affording ample time to the several localities to make up their minds as to the course to be pursued , and as to tbe delegates to whom their representation may be safely confided .
The one great and all-absorbing duty which now devolves upon us is , firstly , the accomplishment of a sound , a safe , a vigorous , legal , and efficient plan of Organization ; and secondly , the healing of all those differences which for sometime past have , we regret to say , weakened our cause and strengthened the hands of our opponents . To accomplish these desirable objects our best exertions shall be devoted . " onward and we conquer . " " Backward and we fall . *' " the charter and no surrender . "
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1 RBLAND . Postscript to "the real monster evil of Ireland , " a very happy device } of the enemy , by which it is intended to show that the conditions of one of the articles of Union , which guaranteed the expenditure of a certain amount of money in Irish improvements had been virtuously fulfilled ; Sir Robert Peel having declared that no less than £ 10 , 000 , 000 of public money has , ia twenty-eight years , been laid out fo : ¦ the exclusive benefit of Ireland ; and , as the writer observes , it has done more harm than good . In directing attention , some time
ago , to the flagrant manner in which the several articles of Union had been violated , we anticipated that some such statement would be made with reference to the obligation npon the part of Government to expend a certain amount of money annually upon Irish imprc vement ; and we admitted the lavish expenditure of English money in Ireland , stating at the same time that , in violation of the act of the Union , it had been expended upon jobbing of every description ; finding its way into the pockets of the
parliamentary supporters of Orange principles , without conferring a eiDgle benefit upon the Irish people- The writer of the largo type article not only enumerates the several grievances to which the Irish people are subject , but he further informs us of the several boons , that they enjoy , and the several advantages that they possess over the people of England . He informs us that the poor people pay no income tax , no duty on horses , dogs , or carriages , while they are exempt from many other revenue charges . Surely with a long catalogue of
admitted and undeniable Irish grievances , the writer does not mean to set those exemptions down to partiality ! Would he not rather say , tbat Irish pauperism more than mi nisterial clemency is the cause of this favour shown to Ireland ? Does he not know , or did the Editor who paraded his communication in large type not know , that taxes and duties are laid on England upon the articles which are subject to them with all the nicety of calculation as to the effect that such and such scale may have upon the revenue ! while the poverty of Ireland would baffle the best arithmetician in his nicest calculation , inasmuch as a tax amounting to the sum paid for its collection would lead to a total prohibition of the
taxed article . A perfect illustration of this fact will be found in the instantaneous decline in the coach making and harness making business , when a tax of £ 18 49 , was laid upon jaunting cars a while the effects of the window tax was visible in -darkness ; every Parliamentary light hole being stopped up ; and the tax upon dogs and horses , and the ] surcharges consequent upon wrong returns , led to false oaths , to murders , and to wranglings which were found to be too expensive ' As soon , however , as those taxes were ta ' ien off * jaunting cars again beoame a cheap luxury ; the light of heaven was restored ; the dogs Were allowed to breathe the free air 1 of heaven : and the horses
were relieved from j the aniilar amount of labour in the plough , the harrow , and the cart , and were once more restored to the saddle . Let as bear no more then of those boons which necessity forces from au unwilling haud . Let us hear no more of a Parliamentary standard of a shilling a-day for able-bodied men , whose labour if applied ] to their own soil , for tfaeir own benefit , would establish its legitimate standard
in the labour market . We rejoice to find that in the midst of petty fogging j proposals for temporary remedies , Mr , O'Connell and the Irish people , aye and the English people too , look to a Repeal of the Union as the lever by which Ireland is to be raised from provincial degradation to national independence . As we have r-y ^ nded our English article with a demand for our Juarteb , so do we conclude our Irish article with "Repeal op the Union , and no Suhhender . "
ANOTHER GLORIOUS TRIUMPH . The middle dosses called an anti-Repeal meeting to be held at tho London Tavern on Wednesday last . The Chartists and JRepcalers got notice of the enemy . They mustered their forces , attended , and upon the motion that an Anti-Repealer should take the ^ ohair , au amendment was moved in favour of an Irish Repealer , which was triumphantly carried ; and thus the intended Repeal extinguisher was turned into a whole hog Repeal meeting ! This is as it ought to be ; aud so determined are we to compel the friends
of Ireland to do tardy justice to those who have extended to them their untiring support , that we abstain from making a single comment upon the letter of the Rev- W . Heabnb , of Manchester , to Mr . O'Connell , in which a most foul , ungenerous , and unchristian attempt is made to mix up the Manchester Chartists with Irish Ribbonism ; while it triumphantly coramanicates the glad tidings that the Reverend Gentleman has found himself compelled to dismiss a Collector of Repeal Rent for
TAKING A SUBSCRIPTION FROM FEARGUS O'CONNOR ! ! Such are the means resorted to for enlisting the co-operation of the English working classes for the accomplishment of a Repeal of the Union ! However , no machinations of this kind shall succeoel ; as we are resolved to heap coals of fire upon the heads of our traduce *? , by dQing for them that , whioh without our aid , they could not do for themselves . In justice to the gallant sons of Hibernia , and thanks to Father
Matuew , we are bound to say , that being sincere themselves in purpose , they begin to look with suspicion upon those who cry out " Repeal , " and reject the means of oarrying it . In the long run , working class intelligence and discrimination will triumph over ignorance and sophistry .
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which the internal trade of the country generally could be improved , and tbe population maintained in a more healthy state of employment Tbe progressive redactions in the prices of iron , the rate of wages , and tbe state of pauperism , as exhibited in the enormous increase of the poor-rates in the Unions comprised in this district , were stated in extensive detail by members of the deputation , and the operation of the American and the various Continental tariff * was adduced , as noting most prejudicially on the iron trade of this country .
It was explained that a strong impression prevailed that the great Jailing off in the exportation of commodities to the United States , resulting from the restrictions of the late American Tariff , teas makcly attributable to THE CONTINUED EXCLUSION OP AMERICAN COEN by theopo-ation of the late adjustment under our own Tariff , and which a moderate fixed duty would be calculated to femove . In conformity with this view Mr . Thoraley stated the rault of his impressions on a recent visit to the United States , and toe improbability of any treaty being negotiated without some modification of our Corn Laws on this point
Sir Robert Peel stated that he should most willingly give his best attention to any remedies that might suggest feemsefves to tbe tnfnds of the Daputalion , but that he feared the production of iron had been forced by the requirements for railroads and other causes so much beyond the ordiiinry-demand , that now that these sources of consumpt |« had been supplied , ho could hold ont no prospeoliPfimmediate improvement from any measures within tap power of the Government . The Members of the Deputation stated , that they were nearly unanimous in the conviction that the depression under which their trade was suffering , as well as that affecting most other branches of productive
industry , was attributable to the great falling tfff in the demand , OCCASIONED BY THE VICIOUS OPfifiAXrON OF OUR PRESENT MONEY LAWS , AND TUE CONSEQUENT wani OF A SUFFICIENT CIRCULATION TO MAINTAIN A RANGE OF PRICES ADEQUATE TO TUE DISCHARGE OF THE F'XED PUBLIC A . N 1 V PRIVATE BURDENS WHICH FORM SO LARGE A PKOPOHTION OP THE COST OF PRODUCTION IN THIS COUNTRY ; that without some change of these laws there was , in their opinion , but little hopo of any improve * menfc in tbe condition of t&e working classes , which would gradually approximate to that of the same classes in Ireland .
Sir ROBERT Peel expressaed his dissent from these conclusions , and after thanking the Deputation for the temperate and judicious manner in which they had stated theit views on tbe important objects v ? hlch had engaged their attention , the conference terminated . What wiseacres these Iron Masters are 1 Just contrast their two " remedies . " Just imagine a Bet of men , pretending to be politicians ; pretending to be political economists ; pretending to ba informed : just imagine a set of men , who would sink you into the earth with a look of supercilious contempt , wete you to hint at their possible ignorance , or want of knowledge : just imagine men of these pretensions .
going to tho Prime Minister and asking him , in one and the same breath , to adopt one set of measures for the avowed purpose of making " prices still lower ; " and to adopt another set of measures to make " prices still higher " ! Yefc both these things bare the " wise" men of Staffordshire asked of Sir Robert Peel ! How he must have laughed in his sleeve at their enormous folly ! Peel knew the difference in the only two " remedial measures" the Iron-men hinted at . He knew that they led totally and distinctly two different ways I that they were as much
opposed to each other , in effect upon commerce and production , as any two measures that could by possibility have been named ! And yet the Iron-men recommended him to take both ! How he must have despised them ! and how he must have chuckled at the prospect of the duration of the present system , when he 8 ees thosa who are beine ; reduced from affluence to beggary by its operations , so innocent of all knowledge of the causes of the evil that scourges and strips them , as to recommend to his adoption , for a remedy , two distinct and opposing modes of treatment !
But there is one comfort to be derived from this monstrous exhibibition of astute ignorance , humiliating as it may be to the pretensions to political wisdom on the part of " our merchants" and " masters . " Attention is at last drawn to " the vicroes operation of our present money laws ;" and the "FIXED PUBLIC and PRIVATE BURDENS , which fork so large a proportion of cost of production in this country . " This is found out at last ! The " property-men" are just getting their eyes opened , and see , —indistinctly it is true , but still they do see , —what it is that has transferred their accumulated thousands
into the hands of the Jews and jobbers ! Well , thank God , light has come at last ! This cause was plainly pointed out to " our merchants and masters " when it first began its transferring operations : but they would not see it . And it ia only now ; now , ¦ that it has brought them to the " verge of bankruptcy "; now , that they are "ruined "; now , that we have had " progressive BEDupnoNS in the prices of iron and the rate of wages "; now , that we have a " progressive increase in pauperism , and an enormous increase of poor rates " : it is only now , when
all these plainly foretold consequences of the " vicious operation of our present money laws" with "the FIXED and private BURDENS , " hava become matter of history : it 13 only NOW , that the ail-sufficiently wise men of Iron begin to see what it is that has eaten into their " substance" !!! They have a deal to learn yet , though , before they are at all fit to prescribe " remedies . " Next time they go to Robert Peel , they must confine them * selves to the recommending of oiier line of policy . They must not ask him tO " modify the Corn Laws , " for the purpose of
effecting ANOTHER PROGRESSIVE REDUCTION IN THE PRICES OF IRON and THE RATE OF "WAGES" ! and ask him also for an alteration of our " present money laws" so as to give a "sufficient circulation to maintain A BANGE OF PRICES ADEQUATE TO THE charge of our FIXED public and private bubdens" ! The two thioga are incompatible ! You cannot , Messrs . Iron-men , have both " high" and " low" prices ! Just think of these things ; and try if you cannot find out the difference between the two sets of ' principles yoa-urged upon the Minister for adoption ! And try , also , if there be not another way of meeting the difficulties with which we are surrounded , than
by a > " sufficient circulation , to maintain a bangs ob prices ADEQUATE to our FIXED burdens . " Reflect that that" ADEQUATE range of prices" mast be " HIGH" ; muoh , much higher than the presene range . Reflect also , that with your present range , " low" as it is , you are driven out of tho marketsof the world by those who can and do undersell you . Reflect on all these things : and then ask */ it would not answer betteb to REDUCE our " FIXED PUBLIC and private BURDENS to a point commensurate With tbe " Progressive re * duotions in the prices of iron , and the rate of wages , and the state of pauperism . " Try this on , next time you go to Sir Ro BeRT Peel !! You will do some day , Kttfe as you may think of it now !!!
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My dear Friends , —I have read your suggestions both from Carlisle and Sheffield , with that attention and respect they demanded . With regard to Carlisle first ; I must say that that locality , though perhaps the poorest in England , has subscribed much more than any other of the same extent , to every fund that hafl been collected ; and my answer to them is , that it was never my intention to receive Mr . Robert ' s services without remunerating him as they justly deserve ; and therefore they need have no apprehension npon that score : for while I object to seeing *
guinea down in a Solicitor ' s account erery now and then for running across the yard to counsel , I object equally to receiving the services of a professional man upon any other than professional Serins ; and if ever man deserved ths fulfilment of this rule , Mr . Roberta is thai man . Wi . h respect , however , to the Sheffield resolution , I thiok my friends there will at once see not only tho ii justice of it , but the odium and trouble which establishing such a precedent would entail upon me . Would to God tbat our fond was large enough to comply with the wishes of all , snd to relieve the wants of all , * but I oa¬ see with what colour of right I could rofnse aa applicant n from the Ashton meu f < - -r means to brini' Aitkin back from America ; with wha ; pretension could I re-
The Worthemt Stae Saturday, July S, 1843.
THE WORTHEMT STAE SATURDAY , JULY S , 1843 .
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THE " TIMES" AND REPEAU The new light , or rather the varied shadows of light , that beam upon the . * ' Cosmopolite Journal " must , no doubt , afford a considerable share of amusement to its readers ; and we can scarcely wonder at the indecision with which it charges the Government ; when we find its own policy varying with eaoh passing breath . The Times of Wednesday is now lying before us ; and we wore not a little amused by the perusal of a letter
( From a Correspondent , ) and dignified with largo type . The writer has dished up for us all the old and hackuied complaints , the existence of every one of which our friend of the Times , not long since , assured us was merely ohimerioal . , But now that the danger thickens , they are not only admitted to exist , but a remedy is actually pointed out , and the writer goes so far as to recommend a legal standard of wages of a shilling ft day , with tbe entire abrogatiou of the " middle-man" system . This antidote , however , is
not to be administered without the patient having previously been prepared with the poison of coercion ; as thd writer proposes that the present agitation should I be firstly put down by the stroDg arm of the law ; that some twenty of the leading demagogues Jsball be poked into prison ; and that in the calm , justice , full and ample justice , shall be administered to the people , through the aforesaid legal rise in their wages . We * are apt to think ,
however , that as it has been , so it ever will be ; and if the required calm was oncfl produced by the poison , the promised antidote would be lost sight of , until the next querulous demand for its administration had presented itself as a further ueccssiiy for the strong arm of the law , and the poking into prison of another batch of the dissatisfied . There is also in the Times of the same date and under tlu ; h > »* ,
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THE IRONMASTER'S ! DEPUTATION to THE PRIME MINISTER . In our article on the "Strike of the Colliers , " we have alluded to a Deputation appointed by the Iron Mastera of Staffordshire to wait upon the Prime Minister , to represent to him the "great depression " in the iron trade , and tho consequent suffering to both masters and men .
Since that article went to press , we have received an account of the " interview , " which we hero give , tbat the reader may judge for himself how far our anticipations of the tone and statements , and remedies , of tho " masters" were from being correct . Their first object , was to obtain a " modification of the Corn Laws . " No doubt ! " Tho Americans will not take our iron because we will not take their corn . " The dolts
The Americans will take our iron when they have none of their own : bat while they have , and oan employ their own labour in its manufacture , they would be as great asses as oar Iron Masters to think of getting it from abroad , either in exchange for corn or anything the . The fact is , we are being regularly driven out of the American market ! Nay , she has followed us into our own , and is actually underselling us there ! She can send us manufactured cottons cheaper" than iwe can produce them ourselves , "low , " miserably " low , " as our wages are I Our manufacturing game ^ as far as America is concerned , is up !
Here is the account of tho interview . Let those parts we have marked io italics and capital letters be carefully conned over : — The deputation of ironmasters from South Staffordshire had a long interview yesterday morning by appointment wltn Sit Robert P < jal , for the purpose ot presenting a memorial hoa& thla district , setti-Tjf forth tbe extreme state of depression under which the iron trade is at present labouring , and the condition of the
working population * [ Tiie tusfaeM- was opened by tbe Chairman of tte Deputation , James Foster , E q , who stated the extreme falling off in tbe demand for iren , the great depression in the price , and the consequent reduction in the wages of labour and ] contraction in the . means of employment , together resnUsd in a condition of the workmen which could not be contemplated without eerious apprehension . It was stated tbat the obj ct of tbe deputation was in no way connected vtitli . nv iutttution f soHcitiuR support from the
Government by way « f f / r-uuni-iry assurance to t'nafcle tbc-. ti to continue tf : « 'r ^ orfes in operation , but to disciua i-he prnciiciibi . ' - > of XUo application of any measures by
The Carlisle Chartists—The Sheffield Chartists And The Treasurer Of The Defence Fund.
THE CARLISLE CHARTISTS—THE SHEFFIELD CHARTISTS AND THE TREASURER OF THE DEFENCE FUND .
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4 " THE NORTHERN STAB ,
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 22, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct660/page/4/
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