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Leader (1850-1860), 31st May 1851, Edition Town of 1, Page 506, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      Mr . Cobdenthen went over the points of Mr . Hume ' s plan of parliamentary reform , and contrived to bring new illustrations to bear in support of its principles . He was inclined to believe that Lord John Russell would give a pretty liberal extension of the suffrage ; but what would be the benefit of it without a redistribution of the franchise ? What would be the advantage of universal suffrage at St . Alban ' s , if it was to return the same number of members as Liverpool ?"

      " He would repeat that the question o ( reform was the most practical of the day . Legislation had come to a dead lock , even in the matter of the budget ; and the Government had kept up such an extravagant expenditure , that there was a glorious opportunity for a Reform Ministry to come in and reduce the burdens of the people . Even if the association left out their title of ' financial reform , ' the promotion of parliamentary reform would be sufficient to secure all their objects . ( Loudcheers . )" The resolution moved by Mr . Hume was duly seconded and carried unanimously ; the usual thanks to the chairman voted by acclamation ; and the assembly separated at half-past ten o ' clock .

      Untitled Article

      ADVOCACY OF NATIONAL SECULAR EDUCATION . ( From the Border Advertiser . ) At the public meeting held in the Commercial Assembly-room , Galashiels , on this subject , Mr . Wilson was called to the chair ; and Mr . Thomson moved a petition to Parliament . Mr . Holyoake , of London , one of the delegates to the late Manchester Conference , seconded the motion . We have occupied a portion of our columns with a condensed report of his speech . We confess we listened with considerable pleasure to the dispassionate way in which this gentleman handled his subject . There was none of that violent , inflammatory declamation with which some itinerant orators are in the habit of regaling the public ear—no supplementary seasoning of the dish to tickle a dull or deadened appetite , but plain and rational statements , put forth in a clear and temperate tone . We were not a little pleased to find the high standard at which Mr . Holyoake wishes the national education to be placed , and to observe that the curriculum required by the advocates of Secular Education aims at something higher than , the ordinary branches . Mr . Holyoake stated that those who had taken up this subject had done so from purely disinterested motives—they were men who felt that education was to the people a property as well as a power . Knowing the advantages of this property , he felt that whoever they

      were who kept a man in ignorance , deprived him of a property which was his right . They advocated education because they knew by experience that the educated man is more valuable for it . An intelligent negro , if taken into the slave market , would sell betier than one who was not possessed of this blessing : and so in proportion was every well-informed man of more value to society . Therefore , whoever proposed to make education national , proposed a generous thing . Of things necessary in education , he did not allude to the elementary brandies , as reading , writing , and arithmetic—these he regarded as the tools by which a man was enabled to lay hold of

      knowledge and saape it to his advantage . It could be demonstrated that tne existence of proper schools for the people was impossible without national aid . To be properly educated , a man must know the English Ianguage , so as to u « e it with propriety . As emphatic Cobbett had said : A man should uot only speak so as to be understood , but so that he could not possibly be misunderstood . One half of our mistakes arose from our not properly understanding one another . Whoever , therefore , gives a man such education , aa enables him to make himself properly understood by his neighbour does him a good—gives him peace and power .

      But further , he must know trench , or some other living language besides his own . French was spoken by many at this day , and it was useful not more by giving us new ideas , than by enabling us , by contrast , to understand our own tongue . Geometry , at least the first book of Euclid , should also be taught to every one ; and the reason was this : —useable knowledge comes to us in the form of a science—even metaphysics had been attempted to be reduced to a ttcientitic form . Now , the elements of Euclid had been followed as a standard of truth for two thousands of yeurs , and they were necessary to us to form scientiiio habits . Certain axioms become the testB by which we try whatever is brought before our minds . We must take cure that our leading terms are always understood in the Hume sense . Thus provided , we can ascend to the highest auiiur . itB of reasoning , in the same way us the astronomer , reasoning from a few

      simple principles of mathematics , uaceads to the highest truths i » i" astronomical science . And if anything occurs to inuke us dissatisfied with the conclusions we have attuined , we can , by the principle of deduction , descend the chain or steps of the ladder , till we reawli again the simple truth from which we aUrted . Scientific habits give a man the power of seeing his way : they are to him the steps of the ladder , and he is enabled to classify his knowledge . The importance of the latter conxidcration ia evident when we reflect that a man may have a great deal of knowledge , and yet be really ignorant , from the cruduneau of his ideas , und the inability of scientifically urraii ^ ing them . A mind without order in liko a pawnbrokcr ' M ahou . The scientiiio mind ia a muHCUin , where everything in in uH proper place , and ready to be laid liola of lor use . Of buch importance were scientific habitu in the acquiring of Education . Also , wo muat have as much of logic as will enable a

      man to lay down a proposition and prove it . In former times our ancestors had a ready method of settling accounts when they differed upon any point . The strongest went and broke his opponent ' s head . But we were novr come upon days when that mode of settling differences was unfashionable . The presumption of every right thinker is , that we must be reasonable even in our differences . Now , the rhetoric or reasoning which he referred to was not wrangling : he distinguished it from mere sophism . By it he meant that art by which he beat down his opponents' arguments and put better in their places . For the purpose , therefore , of enabling us to defend ourselves in the new way , since the old , the law of the sword , had been abolished , it was right that Government should place _ this art of self-defence within the reach of all .

      Half of the industrial crimes committed against society arise from a want of a knowledge of political economy . As far as he knew it was only taught in some of the secular schools founded by a friend of Mr . Combe's in London . Add to this , also , a knowledge of political economy . Now , Parliament refuses political privileges , because we are ignorant , and yet they withhold from us that knowledge which is to show us our duty . Wherever he went , the cry of the learned always was , that they feared the ignorant ! and when the ignorance of the poor is thus brought forward as a pretext why they cannot be enfranchised , is it uot seen that this needful education , the privilege as yet of the higher orders , must be given as the only measure by which they can come to enjoy the privileges confined till now to a few ?

      Such was a brief outline of the kind of knowledge which Mr . Holyoake thought ought to be made common among the people . He would not deny but much had already been done by various religious denominations for the cause of Education , but not equal to the wants of the times . Much had been done by voluntary contributions also ; but why should we accept that from a liberalminded voluntary as a charity which was the common right of all from the State ? His reason for preferring secular to any other kind of education was , that it was the simplest and purest . Some had objected to it as opposed to religion , and hurtful to its interests ; but such people

      ought to know that the ground of morality is independent of religion . The one can be taught without the other , and any one might see that to be neutral in regard to religious questions was not to be opposed to them . Neutrality is not opposition , and secular education is neutral ground . He objected also to the too familiar use of the name of God , by its being made a taskword in schools , and contended that the stern authority of the schoolmaster lowers the assumed nature of religion , and presents in a forbidden aspect to the child what is said to be mild , persuasive , and attractive . He then went on to show the excellent effects which

      education produced in softening the mind , implanting purer and loftier tastes , and exciting to the performance of those duties of morality by which the fabric of society is maintained in order and harmony . This he illustrated in a very lucid and forcible manner , by a reference to those literary soirees or conversaziones which are occasionally held in the houses of the wealthy and refined , showing the perfection of good manners , courteous civility , and the desire to please or benefit , which invariably mark the bearing of those who have enjoyed the blessing of an enlightened education . He urged , in conclusion , that education was needful to

      enable a man to cnoose his companions . The ignorant choose by caprice those who flattered folly or concealed defects , but the educated man by a reference to the worth and character of his associates , and with a desire to secure the conditions of aspiration and instruction . Finally , he urged on the meeting the adoption of the petition . Government raustgrant education whether the people ask it or not , for it might be vain to think of a nation asking for blessings , the benefits of which they never had experienced . They would find it out to be for the interest of society at large , for the educated man will invariably prove the best subject . The address was re - ceived with much applause .

      To a question from Mr . W . Sanderson , Mr . Holyoake replied . A show of hands was taken in favour of the petition , when the votes appeared to be unanimous save one . No opposition was offered by any present , as had been expected . After a vote of thanks to Mr . Holyoake , the meeting separated .

      Untitled Article

      CHURCH OF ENGLAND SELF-SUPPORTING VILLAGE SOCIETY . The annual meeting of this society , established for promoting the religious , moral , and general improvement of the working classes , by forming establishments of three hundred families on the land , and combining agricultural with manufacturing employment for their own benefit , was held on Monday , ut Exeter-hall , the Reverend Dr . Hughes in the chair . The report , after referring to the progress that had been made , alluded to the three prizes of £ 25 , £ 15 , and £ 10 , given by Mr . Morgan for the best essay , by the working classes , upon the objects of the society —one of which was gained by a London working man , another by a Yorkshire working man , and the third awarded to the wife of a working man in Devonshire . It having been deemed advisable to call the especial attention of the clergy to the ftubject , Mr . Morgan had offered three prizes of £ 50 , £ 30 , and £ 20 , for the bent essays from members of that profession , and the successful writera were the Reverviid H . Smith , senior chiipluin of her MajeHty'u prison at Purkhurst , the Reverend C Adey , and tho Reverend Stafford Finch . Tho report went on to nay that , notwithstanding the extraordinary efforts which have been made : by benevolent individuals and societies , within the luut half century , to improve the

      condition and to raise the moral and religious character of the people , destitution , demoralization , and crime have continued to increase . In the numerous parliamentary committees of inquiry into distress and crime , the evils complained of have been traced to a variety of causes , but scarcely one of the reports has failed to give the chief preeminence to the want of regular employment , idle and disorderly habits being contracted when work is scarce . Fortunately the British constitution is sufficient for the remedies required , since the self-supporting village is neither more nor less than their parochial system more completely carried out , affordmg facilities also of

      for superior normal schools and for the training missionaries . By securing to the people permanent employment and its just remuneration , the ministers of the gospel would reap a more abundant harvest than they now do . The children removed in a greater degree from the influence of bad example , could be trained in the way they should go—the ordinances of religion would be better observed , and whatever concerns the temporal welfare of the people , and , above all , their moral and spiritual improvement , brought more directly under the guidance and protection of Christianity . The whole of the expenses have hitherto been paid by Mr . Morgan , and the committee now appeal earnestly for aid to the

      public . The Chairman said it was impossible for any reflective mind to doubt for one moment the expediency of the efforts which this society is making for the amelioration and comforts of the working classes . Many plans have recently been set on loot for mitigating the miseries of these classes , and adding to their comforts , and all these plans deserve great praise as far as they went ; but the assistance they gave is only of a temporary nature . They may ward off the disease for a time , but what they wanted is a specific ; and he fully believed that the present or some

      such plan will be found efficient for the requirements . Independently , however , of other considerations , it was a sci . eme which deserved attention both on temporal and spiritual grounds , it being a development of the true principles of Christianity , and , moreover , exposed to no political objections . The reverend gentleman then entered at some length into the various ramifications of the society , and concluded by calling upon all present to come forward and assist by their influence and means in the furtherance of its objects . The report was adopted , and petitions , recommending the society to the consideration of the Houses of Parliament , agreed to .

      Untitled Article

      SERIOUS RIOT AT TAMWORTH . The attempt to hold a Protectionist banquet in the late Sir Robert Peel ' s stronghold has led to a rather serious disturbance . The dinner took place on Wednesday , in the Town-hall , Tamworth . Mr . Woolferstan , a landed proprietor of great influence , presided , and was supported by Lord Lewisham , M . P ., Mr . Spooner , M . P ., Mr . Newdegate , M . P ., Mr . G . F . Young ( candidate for Cambridgeshire ) , and other gentlemen of distinction . During the proceedings , which were of the usual character , the mob from without gave unequivocal intimation of their disapprobation . While the chairman was speaking , and

      alluding more particularly to the early life of the late Sir Robert Peel , the people outside commenced to batter the windows , and in a short time there was scarcely a pane left whole . Mr . Newdegate called upon the company to remain firm , and leave the hall together . As soon as they could effect their departure , the chairman and gentlemen who dined passed along the streets , and took refuge in the King ' s Arms Hotel . The house was crowded to excess , and in half an hour , like the Town-hall , was , so far as glasswork was concerned , a complete wreck . Many persons , in their progress from the Town-hall to the hotel , were seriously injured . The first inquiry was to be

      for a borough magistrate , and the only one found was Mr . Paraons , the deputy chairman of the dinner . The alarm had become very great throughout the town at half-past ten , and at this period Captain Dyott , Mr . Newdegate , and Mr . Spooner did all in their power to induce the company confined in the hotel to adopt offensive and defensive action against the mob without . Only two of the borough police were to bo seen , and one of theso was disabled by injuries received at an early hour . Mr . Newdegate , Mr . Parsons , and Captain Dyott proceeded to nwcar in special constables , and at half-pust eleven o'clock they proceeded to clear the streets . Tho mob had then nearly fled from the streets , and in an hour's time the thoroughfares were pretty well cleared , and several persons , aome of whom were severely treated by their captors , wero brought into the hotel . A large amount of damage has been dwne to the buildings in the town ; but although many persons are severely hurt , no lives have been lost . Captain Dyott , a magistrate of the county of Stufford , was about to feud for an attendance of tho military from Birmingham , when it was intimated thut this step had been already taken by tho borough magistrates . Subsequently , from the appourance of the town , the magistrates countermanded tho order .

      Untitled Article

      606 Gtt fUa *** . tfowm'ten

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 31, 1851, page 506, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1885/page/6/