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(EharUgt ifateVHsents
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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1841.
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Irornmr Mitr Eomegtu
irornmr mitr eomegtu
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SPAXNWSerioas differences are expected to wise between the Spanish Regency and the Court of Spain , ob the subject of the dissolution of the Rota Court . The Seitlsmest of the Douro aneslion , by the favourable vote of the Portuguese Upper Chamber and ( he sanction of the Queen , had given very great satisfaction in Madrid , where it had noieoly reaored all fears of war , but had added much , to the p » pnlarity of Espwtero and the Regency . - r FW FT 1 ffTypr-A * 1 r > - —A sufficient smmber of e * nt » D 8 in Switzerland have united in the demand of an extraordinary Diet to consider the question of the Bappression of the Arjtevi&n convents . The Tote of NeufchateL a Protestant state , has decided
BRUSSELS , Fs > . ~ L — We learn that the Minister of Public Works is engaged on the means of introducing into Belgium one of the greatest improvements that have been made in our time , namely , a uniform rate of postage to letters . TBS POiES . —The Pott Ami Gazette says that the Rgyiy government is about to transport a great number of that class of Poles who hold « T&ok between the nobles aad the peasants into the southwestern governments of Russia , to colonise vacant lands .
IKS&A . —By aa express received froa _ Marseilles , intelligent has armed from Calcutta to the 16 th December , conveying the news that India is generally pacific , and no event had occurred , since ihe Last dates , of much political importance . ' Afghanistan remained tranquil . The news from Khiva and Central Asia was of a satisfactory character . An action had occurred in Scinde , on the 1 st of "December , at Kotriah , between 4 , 000 Belooches , posted among the hills , and commanded by Nusseer
Khan , 900 Sepojs , 60 irregular horse , and two field-pieces , commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall . £ he Sepoys attacked the position ; and a desperate defence was made by the Belooches till four of their chiefs aad 500 men were slain . Six other chiefs ani 132 followers were taken priseuerSr Nusseer Khan escaped on foot ; but all the baggage , &c wer « captured by the British ; who . only lost one officer and ten privates ; thirty more were wounded .
THB UmTTED STATES . —New York papers to the 9 th January , brought by the Cambridge , hare been at length delivered . Tney contain intelligence of which no trace had been found in the papers of the 8 th , wbith only the passengers preriously landed had brought ashore with them . A warm and somewhat threatening discussion had arisen between Mr . Fox , ths British Minister at Washington , and the Foreign Minister of the United States , in eonsequence of the arrest and approaching trial , ander the authority of the State
Government of New York , of a British subject , Alexander M'Leod , oa the charge of piracy and murder , as one of the party who destroyed the Caroline , an American steamer , within the jurisdiction of the United States , daring the Canadian revolt . XTAXiY . —A letter from Naples of tb » 25 tb ult ., stows that , on the night of the 22 ad , a considerable slip took place on the mortmain above Gragnano , sear Casteilamare , and that sixty houses were crushed by the falling matter . It is supposed that 100 persons perished by this sudden calamity .
Marriage nr High Life . —On Tuesday morning , the Honourable Miss Spring Rice , eldest daughter of Lord Monteagle , and grand-daughter of the Earl of Lixkbick ( lately one of the maids of hononr to her Majesty ) , was married to J . G . Marshal ! , Esq ., of Leeds . The ceremony was performed , by special license , at Ail Souls' Church , Langham-place . Thb Duke op Wkllikgtox . —Although the noble and gallant Duke has quite recovered from hi 3 late illness , the inquiries , on Tuesday , at Apsley-house ^ were very numerous . The answer given by the porter was , ** The Duke is recovered . "
Dccht of Lancaster , Februart 5 . —The Queen has been this day pleased to appoint Thomas Bernard Birch , of the Hazlea , Bart ., to be Sheriff of the County Palatine of Lancaster , for the year ensuing .
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UNSWT 3 RTH . —On Tnesday evening Mr . C . Doyle , of Manchester , delivered a lecture in the Methodist Chapel , Unsworth , to a numerous ' audience , which gave great satisfaction . IiOKDOK . —Wesmixstbl—At a meeting held at the Marlborough Coffee House , Great Marlborongh-ssreet , Golden Square , on ' Sundaj evening list , it was resolred— That Mr . Southccmb represent thb body at the Council , in assisting them to draw up petitions to both Houses of Parliament , for the liberation of Frost , W illia m s , and Jones , and all political offenders . " Mr . Wall lectured here , according to promise , to the great gratification of a numerous and respectable audience , among whom were a great many of the fair sex , by whom he was rapturously applauded ; after which , Mr . Parker addressed the meeting . Six new members were enrolled . It was then resolved that the thanks of the meeting should be given to Messrs . Wall and Parker .
Bloomsbcrt . —The National Charter Association held their weekly meeting , at No . 9 , " White Lionitreet , Long Acre , which was numerously attended , and passed the following resolutions : — "That two petitions be sent from this Association to the Houses of Lords and Commons , for the release of Frost , Williams , and Jones ; and two for the rele&so of all political prisoners . " "That a vote of thanks be given to Messrs . M > rfrh « nn and Sal , for their noble conduct at Leicester , in refusing to meet Ban and Co ^ on a Lite occasion ; also , that a report of the above be inserted in the Northern Slar . "
Walworth axd Cahbkrwell . —A letter was read to the Association from Mr . Ransley , convening a meeting to be held at Mr . Castlinjps Coffeehouse , Borough Road , on Sunday evening next , for the purpose of forming a county Council . Three brothers were appointed to attend . Two were appointed to attend a meeting to be held at Lnnt ' s CoSee-house , Bethnal Green , oa Tuesday evening , at seven o ' clock , to appoint a delegate to attend the delegate meeting to be held at Manchester . It was also agreed that the meeting should support a public meeting , to be called on account of the refusal of
Lord Normanby to see the deputation , ( Messrs . Neesom , Spurr , and Boggis , ) appointed at the public meeting , held at the White Conduit House , on the -4 th of January , to present a memorial to Lord Norm anb y , for an alteration of the treatment of Mr " . Feargus O'Connor , and to adopt the best means to carry it out . It was resolved , that on the death of a brother , the members of the Association be informed of the same through the class leaders , and be requested to attend the funeral , S 3 many as can make it convenient . Four new members were enrolled , and the meetiDg separated .
WILTSHIRE . —According to previous announce ment in the Star , the first meeting of the County Council w * 3 held on Sunday morning last , at the house of Mr . Tndgey , Monklon Deveril , at eleven o ' clock , when delegates were present from the following p ! ace 3 : —Trowbridge , Bradford , Hull , Westbury , Warminster , Kinston Deveril , Monklon Deveril , and Mere . After the Secretary had read the minutes of last week , the Chairman called upon each of the delegates present to give a report of the atate of Chartism in the districts they represented ; when a most cheering statement as to the progress of the cause generally was given . Several resolutions were unanimously adopted to the following effect : —1 . " That the expences of the tracts the
delegates had given away on their journies be paid from the funds . " 2 . ( Alter the address from the County Council had been read ) T £ as the County Council recommend to the inhabitants , i n t h eir different localities , to support the Chartist press , so far as it lies in iheir power . " 3 . " That the Secretary be empowered to write to Mr . Vincent , to know when he tninks to be in Wiltshire , and to report the same to the local councils . " 4 . " That a vote of thanks be given by this Council to the friends of Mere , in offering to provide a suitable place to hold a public meeting in , when Mr . Philp should come . " The following sums of money were
paid in , towards having the address printed : — Trowbridge , 5 s . ; Holt , 2 s . 6 d . ; Westbury , 53 . ; Warainster , 2 * . 6 d . ; Bradford , 2 * . 6 d . ; Mere , 2 s . € d . ; Kmston Deveril , 2 a . 6 d . ; Monkton DeveraL 2 k . 6 d . In the course of the sitting , one of the delegates said , that the Trowbridge and Westbury delegates had given away a number of Chartist tracts , to- the amount of 200 , and that he had Crer been bo well pleased in all his life as when had seen many agricultural labourers reading " What is Chartism f * as they went to church . Thanks were voted to the Chairman and Secretary , and the meeting broke np .
BUZKFRXXS . —On Tuesday , the 2 nd instant , our patriotic friend , Dr . M'Douall , arrived in this town . The Trades' Hall , before the hour of meeting , was filled to overflowing , and a thousand west away unable to get admission . On entering , the Doctor was greeted in the most enthusiastic manner . He delivered a lecture , at once eloquent , practical , and spirit-stirring , but which we cannot report at length . Suffice it to say , that thereby many were converted to the glorious principles of the Charter . The Doctor entered into an able and masterly
exposure of tne cruelties ana barbarities of the factory system ; in the course of which he denounced O'Connell for having betrayed the poor factory children for a bribe he received from Sir Thomas Potter . The Doctor was here contradicted by a son ol Erin , who , at the conclusion of the lecture . mad £ several remarks , and was fully replied to by the Pjoetor and Chairman . A rote of thanks were given to the Doctor ; three cheers for the " Charter , and no Surrender f * and three groans for the betrayer of the working millions of Ireland .
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CASTiB JDOUGtAS . —On Friday , the Doctor visited Castle Douglas , and aa the magistrates would uot allow him the use of the Town Hall , another place was provided , in which , just before the Doctor entered , the crowd in the galleries was , so great that they"broke down , whereby several were seriously injured . Having done all he could do as a doctor , our worthy friend acquitted himself as a patriot , and as we have learned , succeeded in arousing hundreds to a sense of their , wrongs : and a determination
to have their rights . At the conclusion of his lecture , a friend of justice and liberty proposed a rote of thanks to the Doctor , whereupon the agent in Castle Douglas of that silly thing called the Dumfries Titnbe , rose and moved as an amendment "That while they appreciate the Doctorfor his talents , they deem the principles of the Charter inexpedient . On a shew of hands being taken , the champion of the silly Tones and his seconder , were left alone in their glory , and the vote of thanks in unqualified terms was given to the Doctor .
STRIDES . Chaktist Dbbatiho Societies . — There has been a Society ef this kind in Dundee for some time past ^ in connection with the Chartist Association , and it is getting on well . It is attended by young men particularly ; and there are a good many of them who are learning to ipeak and argue without any sort of fear . The subject that has come under their notice , for the last three nights , is " the best-formed Government . " BATH . —Sundit Lectures . —On Sunday , Jan , 24 th . a lecture was delivered in the Chartist-rooms ,
by Mr . R . K . Philp , on ** the present condition of the people , and the best means to effect a beneficial change . " On the following Sunday , the 31 st , Mr . T . Bulwell lectured upon " the necessity of extending marH . and political information amongst the people . " On Sunday . February 7 , W . P . Roberts , Esq ., lectured upon " the contents of , and evanis connected with , the Tower of London . " These Sunday evening assemblies hare been extremely interesting , and attended by a large portion of the intelligent people , both of the middle and working classes .
Household vntvs Univbbsal Suffrage . —On Monday , Feb . 1 . the comparative meritB of Universal and Household Suffrage were entered into by the various speakers , at the Chartist Room . The attendance was numerous , and the proceedings highly interesting . Bills bad been issued , inviting persons favourable to Household Suffrage to discuss the important question , but no one appeared . Universal Suffrage was adopted by the meeting . A meeting , to consider " which will most benefit the middle and working classes , Household or Universal Suffrage , " was held on Monday , Feb . 8 th . Bills had been plentifully issued , announcing the meeting , and , from the rumours afloat in the course of the week , opposition was anticipated , as it bad been earnestly invited . The weather proved very
inclement , and prevented great numbers from attending . The assembly was numerons , but no one ventured to oppose the advocates of Universal Suffrage . Mr . Clarke presided , and repeatedly urged opposition , and pledged himself that all parties , on either side , should be impartially heard . Mr . T . Bolwell first addressed the meeting in an argumentative speech , and was followed by Mr . R . K . Philip , and Mr . C . BolwelL Mr . Alderman Crisp came forward amidst loud cheers , to advocate the right of Universal Suffrage , and to argue that nothing Ehort of this could benefit either the middle or working classes . Mr . C . entered at some length upon the subject , and deeply interested the meeting . At the conclusion , it was announced that on the following Monday the consideration of the same subject would be repeated .
NEWPORT . The bark of Chartism rides proudly on here . The labours of Mr . Black have been attended with very beneficial results ; we had a glorious meeting on Monday night at Llanarth Inn , Llanaxth-street . Mr . John Morris occupied the chair , and the meeting was ably addressed by Messrs . Jones , Black , and Cronin .
The Northern Star. Saturday, February 13, 1841.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 13 , 1841 .
ESB . ATA . —In our leader of last week , upon Colonel Thompson's letter , for " humbug , " in the first line of supposed extract from Col . Thompson ' s History of the Wars , read " numbers ; " and in Mr . O'Connor's Letter , for " ride them in tcrinkles , " read " ride them in teinkers . "
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LORD MORPETH'S IRISH REFORM BILL . We hare now enough of the leading features of the rival Irish Suffrage qae 3 tions before us wherefrom to judge of the animus , if not of the ability , of the antagonist Lords , whose offspring they are . We almost shudder at attempting even an outline of these opponent measures ; however , as the question is now fairly afloat , acd no longer a subject of mere speculation , we apprehend that little apology will be required for ( although a lengthy , yet ) . as brief a comment as the importance of the subject demands .
We do not pledge ourselves , in the ontset , to discuss the two measures separately , inasmuch as it may , and probably will , happen that the consideration of the one will force upon us some reference to the other . At present , our object at starting is to con-Eider the proposition of Lord Morpeth per se , by pointing out its manly and gigantic stride , which we can best effect by contrasting it with the crippled step of the ranchise conceded to Ireland by the Reform BilL
In our comment upon this question , we shall best explain to our readers the beneficial result of that advice so often given in our columns , to the effect , that while we , with the people , struggle for the grand aad unequivocal measure of Universal Suffrage , we are , nevertheless , ready to accept and say " thank you , " for any lesser measure of relief , which may be forced upon us without a
compromise . We declare then , unhesitatingly , that the Bill of Lord Mohpeth , for regulating the Irish Parliamentary franchise , is the most Radical measure ever seiionslj proposed to Parliament , and when we say seriously , we fear we shall be obligedi in justice , to limit the solemnity as well as the justice of the measure , to th « Noble Lord personally . We have in the course of our many articles upon the question of the Irish Suffrage , been compelled to
use the term £ 10 beneficial interest , the requisite qualification for an Irish county voter , without much explanation to our readere—sixty-four , out of one hundred and five Irish members , being returned upon votes based upon a ten pound beneficial interest ; we sball now , a 3 it forms the present county franchise , describe what it means , and then see how it would carve up into a bonajide five pound rateable possession , and how far , by the touchstone of justice , those who sit for boroughs can refuse to county electors the privilege which they themselves eDJoy .
Every one who knows anything of the history of Ireland , will readily concede the factthat . a beneficial interest , of any amount , is a thing of very rare and uncommon occurrence ; writers and travellers of all ranks , countries , and politics , ascribing much of the distress , and no small portion of the subserviency , of the Irish tenants , to the system of letting lands upon " rack rent " . _ We have heard the recent declaration of the two
Protestant tyrant landlords , Sir Arthur Brooke and Sir Jo&n Maxwell , that they are willing to sacrifice as much as thirty per cent , of their rentals , rather than allow Papist voters to vote out of a beneficial interest held under them . This amounts to a total refusal to let to Catholics ; in fact , to an adoption of the clearance system ; and Sir Arthur B . R . OOK . B and Sir John Maxwell are samples from which the sack of Irish Provestaut landlords may be fairly estimated .
Let us now see the immense gross tenure required in order that what is called " a beneficial interest " may be carried out of it . If a farmer hold twenty acres at an avenge rent , ( and we will take a high one , that being more against us , and in favour of our opponents , ) say twenty acres , then , at £ 1 per acre ; here , what has the tenant seeking to establish a vote , to swear , and in presence of the landlord , to whom he may owe arrearg , and to whom he has
been declaring that the spot is too dear , m order either to get an abatement , or time for payment of arrears ! He has to swear that his twenty acres are well worth 30 s . per acre , over and above all rates , tithe , and taxes ; and that , on his oath , he could , if inclined to underlet , procure that rent from a good and solvent tenant . No matter if himself and six sons , all able to work , and to earn more than £ 10 a-year each , can make the farm more prouctive by the expenditure of their united labour
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such is not an item to be taken into acoount , and , incase the landlord , or two respectable Protestant neighbours , will take upon themselves to swear that the farm is not worth the one pound ten , the applicant , in such case , is told to go home for a perjurer , and , although having come twenty or thirty miles to register , and having remained in attendance three or four days , that he has his remedy in an appeal to the Judge of Assize , when he may walk forty , fifty , or sixty miles , and go home , if the best comes to the best , with his very dear whistle .
Suppose a tenant holding thirty acres , he must , in like manner , sweat that he has a beneficial interest of six and eightpence an acre over and above the rent . If he hold forty acres , he must swear a beneficial interest of fire shillings an acre , and if he hold fifty acres at a pound an acre , he must swear before his landlord that the land is worth one pound four
per acre . Now , we imagine that these stumbling-blocks in the way of registration , fully account for the great discrepancy between English and Irish county constituencies , and also that the fifty-pound tenant-atwill clause , in the English Reform Act , is a much larger measure of franchise than a ten pound beneficial interest of the Irish Reform Bill , as interpreted by a majority of Irish Judges .
A ten pound beneficial interest , then , must amount to an average holding of , at least , sixty acres of land , at one pound per acre , and fourteen years the original term . Now , a fifty pound holding , for foarfceen years , would be a more extensive franchise than a ten pound beneficial interest ; while a fifty pound tenancy-at-will , which we learn is now becoming a very fashionable term in Ireland , would be , by at least cent , per cent ., a more extensive measure . .
Starting , then , at sixty acres , held at a pound an acre , sworn to be worth one pound three and fourpence over and above all rates , tithes , and taxes , as the lowest amount out of which a beneficial interest , according to the narrow constructions of the Irish Reform Bill , can be carried , let us see , according to Lord Morpeth ' s plan , how this joint would out up . He proposes that all tenements for an unexpired term of fourteen years , and which shall be assessed at £ 5 to the poors' rates , shall confer a vote upon the tenant .
From the above statement it appears that the tenregistering a ten pound beneficial interest in twenty acres , at one pound an acre , must have had granted to him an interest of fifty per cent ., instead of being required , according to the Brooke and Maxwell proposition , to walk out at a loss of thirty per cent , to the landlord . If he register out of thirty acres , he must swear to an interest of thirty-three per cent . ; if forty , to an interest of twenty-five per cent . ; if fifty , to an interest of twenty per cent . ; and if , as we have established it , at sixty , an interest of more than sixteen per cent . So muoh for amount , and now a word upon the term .
Here , then , is a natural presumption against the existence of any benefieial interest during the first half of the term , and a natural barrier to a proof , or even assertion of it , during the latter half . For in the former period , lands cannot so fluctuate in value as to give the advantage of a chance rise in favour of the beneficial interest , while , during the latter period , the poor tenant who has spent bis seven years of labour , and" made a kind of location , is thinking how he can best persuade the landlord , at the expiration of bis lease , that the spot is too dear ; and surely no mode could be more Irish than by swearing to a beneficial interest of from sixteen to fifty per cent .
In passing , let us observe that Lord Morpetu showed from some , we admit very slender , authority , that in very many instances ( where information had been furnished upon the question of rent and valuation with a view to rates ) , it appeared that ten pound tenements were , in many cases , rated at a less amount , and even in some so low as five . This document , which should not have been imperfectly or unseasonably used , furnished Lord Stanley with his best leg , and procured for him , as it was sure to do , a loud cheer from his party . The Noble Lord has yet to learn , however , that , in few instances , do
tables for the assessment of rates furnish , nor are they intended to furnish , an unerring test of value , and provided the rule is observed , property , to the amount of millions , may be as equitably assessed by a table of pence , as by a table of pounds . He must further bear in mind , that the same critical value was not likely to be put upon tenements , with th single view of rating them for payment of poor ta , tes as would be likely to be laid on if designed with the further object of establishing an elective franchise . Of this branch , more anon ; when we shall prove that a cheer in the Hoase of Commons may have neither rhyme nor reason in it .
Judging , therefore , from the received opinion of Irish landlords , as well as from the presumption that the valuation did go pretty near to the wind , let us establish some understanding about the rate as we have about the rent . Let us , then , in Irish phrase , " split the difference , " and suppose that the rate valuation woald , instead of presuming a beneficial interest , rate a tenement , held at £ 7 10 s . rent , at £ 5 to the poor laws ; thus if the £ 60 rent was carved in the most judicious way , it would cut up into eight votes . Allowing for the large farm mania , let us talve it again , and it would render four votes , besides enfranchising the many small holdings which are now beloT par .
These observations must be received as if we were now arguing a desire upon the part of Irish landlords to enfranchise their tenants to the fullest extent which Lord Morpeth ' s Bill would admit ; they must not be received as if we imagined that the measure would have such a tendency , as we prove that its tendency would be quite the reverse . So much for Lord Morpeth ' s standard of value , and let us now , in as far as we can , guess at his mode of satisfying Stanley , with regard to an appeal against the vote once acquired , and against which we protest in themost unqualified terms .
Starlet ' s proposition is , to allow the parties objecting to the voter , an appeal to the Judge of Assiis , for the purpose of producing better testimony , or of meeting with one of the beneficial Judges and a mixed Jury . In fact , a last resource , and he has the uncommon justice , doubtless , to allow , in cases of frivolous and vexatious appeals } costs and recompence . Silly , silly Lord I Morpeth , ako , proposes an appeal , but here he leaves us in the dark . We understand Stanley .
His is a new trial at common law of the country , but Morpeth ' s is before , we presume , a Court of Equity , presided over by three Barristers sitting in Dublin . If this is to be a Court of Equity , which , in fact , it must be , Hi he never could dream of briuging parties from all parts of Ireland , to the metropolis , for the mere purpose of re-registering a vote , he should have told us something about the machinery of his Conrt ; but having failed so to do , we
shall presume that the pleadings are to be confined to the simple exhibit of the rating-books ; but if interrogatories are to be put to the valuators , and if the appellant is to substantiate his case viva voce , where is the thing to end ! and if the exhibit of the valuation-book is all that is to be required , why not make it conclusive evidence at the time of registration , and submit it then to any test which it is to undergo !
We must observe , that npon the details of this question of appeal , the Noble Lord not only clouds the matter with doubt , but actually talks legal nonsense—a jargon which can only be tolerated in those who are paid for perverting plain terms into legal ambiguities . He says that he would " allow annual revision upon ALL new matter ; a right of appeal , both ways , upon all points of law , and the fixing of the franchise upon the Poor Law valuation . "
Upon the question of appeal , then , dark as Stanley is , he is sunshine to Morpeth . In fact , if we are to judge from the whole context , we must
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presume Morpeth ' s -appeaf to be intended as a m 6 t » exhibit of the valuator's books ; -while , judging from the bit of explanation which he unfortunately offers , we have no other alternative but to look upon his Appeal Court as a tribunal having even the power of directing an issue to be tried at the bar . Doubtless , all the bursting young patriotio legal members of the Royal Loyal Regulation Association , will support the measure , if it had bat this one paramount advantage over all others which could be devised . This part looks very like a job .
We bare bow pointed out some of the abuses which Mobpeth ' s Bill would remedy if i { could be carried in the House of Commons , and put into practice in spite of the Irish landlords . Let us now direct attention , for a moment , to the fallacy of a system which makes one man ' s caprice the basis of another man ' s vote . In the debate upon Morpeth's motion , as well as upon every other occasion where it can be insultingly dragged in , we are told that the intention of the Reform Bill was to represent wealth ; we know
it , but what a pity that scope so free was not given to reform tongue before the measure was carried . Bat even allowing that property was the one and only thing to be represented , was it also intended that a capricious use should be made of that property , and that the vote which it conferred was to be a part of the tenure ! The value of the barren surface of the soil is as nothing compared to the value of capital and labour expended upon it by the tenant , and yet is all ruled by the caprice of the landlord , so that even his own land is not repre " Bented . Let us adduce an instance of this .
Lord Mobpeth , in his table of calculation , stated that the property of Lord Downshire and others was , in some cases , valued to the poor ' s-rates" higher than the rent , and we ara willing to admit that English-absentee noblemen appear to be better and more encouraging Irish landlords , than either absentee or resident Irish landlords . We even admit that Lord Stanley is beloved by his Catholic tenantry of the county of Tipperary ; but what of that ! a negro may love the man who holds his life in his keeping , aud by whose will alone he exists . Such love proves the characteristic gratitude of a people * but is no bulwark against a tyrant ' s power . We give aow an instance ; the oas 8 of the Duko of
Dbtonshire , one of the largest lauded proprietors in Ireland . In 1823 , when lands got a serious fall in Ireland , ihe Duke of Devonshire , as we learn from registration reports in Irish newspapers , reduced twenty-five per cent upon nearly all farms held by occupying tenants ; and mark the consequence ! This noble act of the Duke , had the effect of disfranchising everyone of his tenants , whose rents were thus reduced . The reduction was made , it appears , from memorials setting forth that the lands were too dear , and when a tenant of the Duke of Devonshire came to claim his franchise , arising out of his interest , suppose in a hundred acres of land , he then learned that the Reform Bill had
disfranchised htm . We give the form of application for , and necessary proofs of title , to acquire the franchise . We will best illustrate it by a conversation between the opposing attorney and applicant : — Attorney—What ' * your name I Applicant—John Styles . Of where I Sacks , in the parish of Bags , and barony of Bruff . How do you claim \ As a ten pound leaseholder . Who is your landlord ! His Graco the Duke of Devonshire .
How many acres do you hold ? A hundred . And the rent ! Saventy-five poun'dq . And do do you swear , Sir , that any solvent tenant would give you eighty-five , if you were going to leave the farm to-morrow t I do , indeed , and more . Is the right stamp on your lease ! I suppose so . Let me see it . O , oh I why , I find your rent is a hundred a year . I thought you said seventy-five ! I say so still .
Why , Sir , here , in your own lease , it is stated to be a hundred 1 Well , but that's nothing , I ' pays' seventy-five , and' gets' a receipt ; for the hundred . Now , Sir , answer me one question upon your oath ; would a good and solvent tenant give you a hundred and ten pounds for that farm ? No , indeed , ho would not . ' Reject this man , your worship . Go home , Sir , we ' re registering " beneficial interest" over and above the rent reserved in leases , and not his Grace of Devonshire ' s word . How is that ! Turn him out , police , and call the next case on .
This , | we think , will serve as another satisfactory mode of accounting for the discrepancy between the rural constituencies of the two countries . We have now shewn that , if enfranchisement was the object of Lord Morpeth ' s Bill , that the minimum from whence a £ 10 beneficial interest can now be acquired , namely , Bixty acres , would carve into eight enfranchising lots ; but as subdivision is not
the desire of Irish landlords , we are merely to consider the number of small holdings now not conferring a vote , which the Noble Lord ' s Bill would enfranchise . Taking it , then , perse , as a means of producing a very extensive franchise , we have no hesitation in deolaring it to be the most sweeping measuro ever submitted to the House of Commons . So far our readers have looked on that picture , now we invite their attention to this .
The result of Lord Morpeth's Bill , with or without the Ballot , would be to produce another electoral rout , similar to that of the forty-shilling freeholders , by knocking all small farms into largo ones ; and , if that process was considered rather hazardous , just behold how , under a vicious system , we blow down his Lordship ' s baseless vision with a single breath . An original term of fourteen years by lease , constitutes the title of the voter ; and how easy would it be , either to give no term , but a mere possession-at-will , or a term short of that requited by the Act .
Moreover , let it be understood , that leases are not given of small farms in Ireland : they are merely held upon accepted proposal , which is no plea against an action of ejectment at common law , nor yet such a document as can be registered ; not being on a stamp . It is an equitable title , but not a legal one , and becomes a good instrument in the Court of Chancery , if the tenant of straw has an inclination to try titles with his landlord of steel , in that expensive department . Just take the fact of nearly all the wealthy landlords of Ireland backing Stanley ' s Bill , and then let the reader ask himself if such persons are likely to allow their land ta be carved up for a purpose the very reverse of that proposed by Stanley .
Nothing can be more Bhort-sighted than the hope which the ignorant attach to this proposed measure ; while the Ministers have brought it forward' with a two-fold aim—Firstly , as a good back door for an escape from the Repeal agitation , by a concentration of all Ireland ' senergies to thisonegreat andsurprising point . Indeed , Howick , who puts his foot in evei | thing , had the folly to confess as much . Wo may therefore fully expect to see a royal loyal Morpeth Registration Association established forthwith in Dublin , and the repeal put comfortably to rest , after having famished the current year ' s needful . This new windfall is worth all that has yet presented itself , and if accomplished to-morrow , its only fruit would be to make the cruelties practised in annulling it another souroe of profitable abuso to
demagogues . Another object which this Bill has in view is to get a good dissolution hobby , and a cry of "Down with the Lords , " should it pass the first toll-bar and come to the check-gate .
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We do not saj that MoRpeth would lend himself knowingly to the hoax , but this we assert , that if there was any , the slightest chance , of the thing passing into a law , her Majesty ' s Ministers wonld oppose it to a man , if they had not that reliance for obstruction in the Irish landlords , which never fails tyrants at a pSnch . ' > A thirty pounds' tenancy , 'that is , an undertaking to pay thirty pounds rent , would be , ten times over , a more extensive franchise , and would more than quadruple the present constituency of Ireland ; because landlords would be loath to make small
disfranchising farms in the first instance , and they could not altogether exterminate the Catholic tenantry , while they can evade any Act which makes the franchise depend upon a lease , or any other term , than mere occupation . Here then we find the truth of our assertion worked into practice ; That so long as one man ' s property constitutes another man ' s title to vote , sojong will the property man either confer the title upon a slave , or evade all those technicalities so cumbrously and ingeniously woven around the magic machinery necessary for conferring it .
5 xam . et ' s triumphant cheer OTerMoBPKra was as ridioulous and ignoraa ; as it was premature , and for this reason ; the fact of houses in an Irish borough , constituting a ten pound franchise , being rated at fire , or three , or two pounds , proves neither perjury nor corruption upon the part of the voter ; bnt we tell Lord Stanley what it does proveoppression , cruelty , and tyranny , upon the part of the landlord ; for surely those gaping fools , who swallow folly and vomit admiration , must be aware that the mere occupancy of a ten pound house constitutes a borough qualification ; so now where is the laugh t
As this question of Irish reform is now becoming of importance , it is necessary that our readers should understand the different descriptions of property which constitute a aounty and borough franchise in Ireland . - * ¦ For counties there ara three separate ' qualifications . A £ 50 freehold , a £ 20 annual profit , arising from leasehold , which need not be in the possession of the voter , and a £ 10 beneficial interest in lands occupied by a tenant for an original term of fourteen years .
The qualification for city or borough , is a £ 10 tenancy—that is , a simple undertaking to pay £ 10 a-year : Freemen , living within seven miles of the borough ; and forty shilling freeholders in existence antecedently to the Reform Bill . Now , can anything be more ridiculous than to confer the right of voting upon the occupant of a ten pound tumble-down old house , who may not do a day ' s work from one end of the year to the other , and to refuse a vote to a maa who holds fifty acres of land , upon which himself , and perhaps four or
five hearty eons , expend their every day ' s labouraye , though he occupies 1 , 000 acres for a term less than fourteen years 1 Why not , then , at once say , instead of a rateable sum , occupancy at such an amount of rent , which would do away with all the complication of registration and appeals f The answer is easy . Because its simplicity would do away with the Whig job , while its extension may load to the correction of many ] profitable abuses , so that in suck case , the Whigs and the demagogues would « ach lose a rang of the ladder .
The thread of our Constitution has become too weak and attenuated to admit of the Morpeth knot : it is too strong a weld for the rotten material . But shame , eternal shame , upon a British Ministry , who could have recourse to so base a subterfuge as a last resource to prop a falling house . They neither hope , desire , or expect to carry this measure ; but , alas ! it furnishes another sad proof that we have arrived at that period of our country ' s history , when the existence of a weak , an imbecile , and profligate Government , and not the character of the House of Commons , nor the efficiency of its measures , establishes the rule of cabinet action .
What ! then , exolaims thereader , will this show , of liberality end in smoke , and produce no profit 1 Nay , in faith . He , for whose sole benefit it was produced , told the House , in clear , distinct , and emphatic terms , that , for such a measure , the Irish were ready and willing to cut German throats , or French throats , or any throats . And this measure will snap the last cord by which Irish society was bound : it will be a fuze which , set to the combustible materials of centuries' gathering , will ignite a flame which will not end in smoke !
This measure , intended as an extinguisher for Repeal , will , eventually , lead to a separation . War , between the tyrant landlords , as well Catholic as Protestant , ( for there isno ^ pin to choose between them , ) and the long oppressed Catholic tenantry , must be the result ; and that the latter may conquer , and teach justice to such monsters as their Brookes and Maxwells , is our sincere and devout wish .
In this struggle , the glorious effect of a standing army of over 8 , < J 00 rifle police , will be felt in Ireland ; and now we shall be enabled to judge of the measures intended for the protection of Irish liberty . These 8 , 000 police , mostly Catholics , will have as little compunction in cutting their Catholio countrymen ' s throats , for pay , in opposing the measure , as the rural population , it appears , would bave in cutting French Catholic throats for the
measuro . The Irish landlords , Churchmen , and patronage trustees , know well that , in the event of such a measure passing , and not opposed by depopulation , or restriction of a fourteen year's tenure , they would lose all borough , as well as county , parliamentary influence ; for , although it may appear , by Lord Morpeth ' s tables , that the effect of the measure would be to disfranchise some of the lower-priced , and therefore , more liberal houses , yet , inasmuch as borough and parlia mentary towns in Ireland are , even now , and would be much more under Morpeth ' s Bill , subject to county influence , the change , as regards borough election franchise , would not counterbalance the increased rural influence which the measure would
give . In every county in Ireland , it is the non-electors who return the Members called Liberal . The labourers and small farmers influence the voters ; and the voters , with the non-electors , can carry exclusive dealing in their borough town to a sufficient extent to influence a sufficient number of Liberal voters ; this is just what Lord John Russell declared constitutional , at Bristol , when he very properly assigned it as a reason for opposing the Ballot ; he said , that the Ballot would deprive the nonelectors of their legitimate influence over the electors : it is true that we said so long before the Noble Lord thought of it , but bis admission is of more importance than best proof . Upon the whole ,
then , we have no hesitation in deolaring the Morpeth Bill to be a match for the Stanley Bill lest the latter should have a walk over . A Bill , which the minority have neither the means , the hope , nor the wish to carry A Bill , whose real character is that of a counterirritant . A Bill , which opens a trap-door to save them from a collision with their crutch . A Bill , which , if carried , would depopulate Ireland , and reduce those who did remain upon the land to the conditions of mere tenants-at-will , subject to the vicissitudes of a feudal lord ' s whim and caprice . In fact , as the agitation about tithes increased the real burden upon the poor , bo will the very shadow of this Bill increase rents , diminish tenures , and multiply cruelties . '
But let it work . It is a fire-ship in full sail , a Charter safety-valve , a universal bomb-shell , thrown into the moral-force camp of peaceful , starving Ireland . Yes , we hail it as the first indirect Charter fire from the Ministerial battery . Wait , wait a wee—wait for the dissolution , and then our Chartist physical force will be aa the gentle zephyr compared to the rude blast which will cxobs the Channel from our moral-force neighbours .
The Government have all , in one body , turned Chartists without knowing it . Dan asked but for equality with England , as an instalment , and Mor-
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peth Bays— "No , that ' s . too ' litfcltf ; you shall harj forty shillings in the pound . England has a £ Iq franchise ; we ; can trust you with a five . " , Now atop Universal Suffrage who can . Hurrah I for the W dajs of Whiggery 1 If preparation for going o ^ promises bo much , what will the turn-out gir ^ j Answer : —Anything that renders the key of tin Treasury in return . Hurrah ! for an honest Whi » minority and the Charter !
- The incomparable bluntness with which every one of the Establishment , from " the leading journal 1 * to the tip of the tail , has approached this question proves that they one and all are aa ignorant upa Irish . affairs , as if the country was but just disco , vered . We never witnessed a more miserable exhj bition than the Establishment ' s attempt at . illustr * tioh of the beauties and deformities of the Nobfe Lord's abortion .
We shall watch this question in its progress ; if ty does not meet with a sudden death , to prove moje electrically than natural dissolution , that " Ireland has nothing to e * pect iff way of justice from a * English House of Commons . " Das will understand the last sentence .
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WANTED , A CHARTIST HORN BOOK FOR
» MOTHER GOOSE . " There is nothing more amusing , where igg * . ranee is shorn of its powers of mischief , ihan % observing of the frequent instances in which « novice , in politics , either becomes a dupe to his o * b imagination ; or , upon getting npon his own legs , fa the first time , is lost in amsiement at the ' strang » position m which he finds himself . Last week Mother Goote heads an article , a very stupid oat
"Universal Suffrage and No Surrender" ; and tbur proceeds to denounce those who assume , the motit / and vociferate it , instead of supporting the prinoi plt ' upon argument . Why , our friend should b » i » known , that it was , after sixty years and morerf argument , that the motto was adopted . That *» ' have challenged and beaten the who !* press opeg argument ; showing its superiority over all oth » standards of Suffrage . '
We can best account for our friend ' s ignorance by a similar puazle into which we were once led ow . eelvea . About twelve years ago , we happened , fa the first time , to pass through the lovely vale of Todmorden , when the full and luxuriant foliage of her many woods and groves , made rich by the spl « a . dour of a summer ' s eve , and enlivened by the song of the joyous feathered tenants , rendered the beauty of the scene complete . We occupied the box-seat , and were literally lost in delightful contemplation In the midst of our most pleasing reverie , induced by the many surrounding objects of attraction , wi could not avoid noticing , with undisguised surprise , the cool indifference of our travelling
companionthe coachman , who throughout never turned an eye right or " left , but kept both steady on his " dog ' f . meat , " which , being none of the best , appeared & require his every attention . After he had " tooled " them along , with long thong whip , and short " Tommy , " and when we had passed the vale , h shook himself and said , "Well , that ' s over : d- » that bit of road ; it ' s the worst in all England fbn heavy coach . " We replied , " You iost a beauti ful sight . " " Nay , nay , " he replied , "its new to y « Sir , but I've had it in all seasons ; it ' s cost me man / a doctor ' s fee . Just yon take my place for twenty years , and see whether you'll like it as well at th » end of that time . "
Now , such is precisely our friend ' s position ; for the first time he begins to hear something about what every body else is thoroughly familiar with ; and he wants us , for hit edification , to go over tb whole A B C of Universal Suffrage again . Wf cannot Just afford that amount of time and trouble , for the , gratification and instruction of our joanr friend , at present ; but we advise him to attend tin youth ' s political debating club , just opened at th * Chartist News Room , Vicar-lane ; if he find hii powers there overtasked , and beaten oat of oenntt . nance , we may yet be able to serve him , as it is ia contemplation shortly to open a Chartist Sunday School , where , we have no doubt , the teachers wE have as much patience with his natural dnlnea and inexperience , as may be necessary .
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MR . FROST'S FAMILY AND O'CONNOR . " Words are bat wind , ¦ Actions speak the mind . " Some time ago , O'Connor threw out the hintrf procuring an annuity for the family of Mr . Frost , by the following means—London to engage for tin payment of £ 20 a-year , the rest of England foru equal sum , Scotland also for £ 20 , and Waleafor £ ® O'Connob undertaking to answer for Ireland .
Well , notwithstanding the vociferous bawling for the accounts ( of which we have heard nothin since the balance was shewn to be on the wronj side ) , how stands the matter now with the bawlersl Why , O ^ Connor has remitted his first quarter instalment for Ireland , while the other quarters have yet to do likewise . This will never do ; ft man ' s family who cannot work must be allowed to starve , while he is working without remuneration in a foreign land .
O Connor has told us , Frost had a smile npon Ms countenance , which broke through his load of can * when he ( O'C . ) assured him that the people woald never desert his family ; but it is not fair , or jos ^ that one man should be expected to perform the covenant for the empire ; to stand sponsor for Ireland is , in all conscience , responsibility quite suffi « cient . "
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"TOO MANY LOVERS PUZZLE A MAID . " Manx friends inform ns that some of their most prominent agitators are in correspondence with various parties , and ask our advice . We adviso them only to remain firm ; and whenever a pnblio meeting is convened , for any purpose , no matter what , shove in the Charter amendment ; or , if ths enemy refuse to fight a H-o-u-s-e , put it forward a ? an original resolution ; and insist upon e very amendment or resolution being read over loudly and distinctly , three times , before any vote is takes upon it . . This will arouse the torpid . The more they hear of Universal Suffrage the better . And always pass a vote of censure upon any man , be he whom he may , who once advocated Universal Suffrage , and now declares for any other .
Declare all resolutions worthless which are pot to a paying audience ; we shall register none except where there is free admission and free expression of opinion . We represent poverty , not property ; and we ; know well how meetings can be packed , even by a penny , or ticket , admission . Our publisher informs us that he has ordered * very handsome device for the head of the Star , which will represent the Charter Vessel in full sail , with the Five Points , and No Surrender flying the mast head , and then take it down from the highest H-o-u-s-e chimney-pot who can , but wi Wlli NEVERWKVERHEVBB BTBIKB IT .
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THE PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE AND THB DELEGATE MEETING FOR FEBRUAB 20 , 1840 . Upon this subject ,-we have received the following sensible letter , which we publish , and to vfhioh we call attention , with great pleasure : —
TO THE EDITOR . OP THS HOBXHEKN STAB . Sir , —Ever since the Delegate Meeting at Manchester , b y which the National Charter Assoc } att « i was established , I have marked elo « ely the proc *»* ings of | he Provisional Executive Council , tneB appointed , to carry out the first means necessary ** bring the National Association into action . Tj » deliberations of the delegates who assembled at tna meetiue I have alluded to . commenced on Monday i
July the 20 th , 1840 , and ended on «• following Thursday or Friday , It «» then agreed that a Provisional Executive should be appointed , to manage the . business off " Association until the 1 st of January , 1841 , previous to which they should have secured the election « an Executive for the next twelve months , W £ should come into office immediately npon the proTJ aional managers retiring .
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& u . THE NORTHtellN STkti . . . .. - ' , . ,... _ ^ .-,. - V :.
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 13, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct694/page/4/
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