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Leader (1850-1860), 2nd April 1853, Edition 1 of 1, Page 328, <f>pra CtratmL

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      shreds and patches of news—of some interest and value to the poor man , who cannot get better , but of no interest and no value to the gentleman , the tradesman , or the regular middle class newspaper buyer . No penny journal can command the highest sources o £ news , nor will the excise duty and cost of paper and necessary salaries of editors , writers , and reporters * ever permit any penny proprietary in this country to compete with the regular newspaper . The nature of things is against it . The events of the week can never be recorded for one

      penny , and the usual newspaper buyers want all the news , and that early , and they will have it . Take off the taxes on knowledge to-morrow , and we shall have cheap papers for the poor , and better papers for the rich ; but the same class distinctions founded on price will exist . The penny paper will be a penny paper still , and the higher priced paper will be better in proportion to its price , and will , as now , be sought after by all who want a perfect journal , and the regular Newspapers will have this advantage , that more readers will be created for them by the Penny Pioneer Press .

      Some urge , that the provincial press is in some districts indifferently edited , and that the working man ' s press might compete with it . The only result in these cases would be , that the gentleman ' s Journal would be quickened and improved—not superseded . The greater resources of the rich Proprietors would always enable them to keep in the first rank . The Penny newspaper compete with the Sixpenny or Tovirpenny or Threepenny one ! As well argue that the Third Class on the Railway will displace the First and Second —that the Omnibus interest will destroy the Cab interest—that the Beer-houses will abolish

      the Hotels—that the Sixpenny Ordinary will supersede the Half-crown and Five shilling table d'hote—that the Threepenny Concert will attract the audience from the Royal Italian Opera . No ! all these preferences are part of human nature , and they have their seat in what is nearly as strong as human nature—inhuman custom , pride , and convenience , which an act of Parliament did not make , and which the repeal of the Newspaper Stamp Act will not change .

      "What gives the Times its predominance—the penny stamp , or its inexhaustible resources and commanding ability Y If Great Britain , were overrun with penny newspapers to-morrow , the Times would still be the King of Journals , while the present public taste remains . I see men grow pale with wrath over its pages , and yet they buy it : they curse it—and take it in . Watch the habitues of the News Room where all the Dailies lie , and you will find that those who hate the Times the worst read it the first . The same is true of all

      ability , all the world over . Whatever journal , daily or weekly , is first in power , will retain its readers , and multiply them in the good ( unstamped ) time which is coming . The ltepeal of the Taxes on Knowledge will create a small Pioneer News Literature—a second-rate Newspaper Trade , which doen not exist now , and which will carry small portions of light , knowledge , and refinement to thousands who now get none—and who are prevented getting any by those who ( with shame be written ) can command all sources

      themselves , and command them without stint or fail—but who act thus under the- impression that tho sale of tho humble penny paper will supersede the sale of its proud Bixpenny predecessor : as well argue that the sale of common calico for tho poor man ' s child will destroy tho consumption of fine linen for the rich man's heir . It is like Haying that the poor man with only one penny in his pocket , shall not propitiate 1 mb hunger at that price , lest that privilege should wtop the sale of sixpenny lOf tVCH .

      iSuH ' er me , in a second letter , to complete ihvue roprrsontatioHH , by explaining how the High Priced PresHiH an . iDuglinh Institution which n deliigo of operative newHpapi'i-H can never disturb , nor defraud tho Inland Revenue . 1 luivo tho honour to he , Sir , Your obodiont servant , ( human Javou IIolvoakk . Wohurii-buililingn , KiiHton-aqunre , Aliiich : il , 1 H 53 .

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      "THK rOMTIOAli 1 CXAM . INKR . Tiiib carefully written penny weekly democratic journal luiH reuehed uh in il , H lirnt monthly wrapper , miHtaimug Mid extending | , } to elmruot < tr $ Hti < rn wo notieod in tho fintt weekly number . Ah an operative journal , the Political JCxaminer

      might take the name of tho " Political Exemplar , " and the public will find in its pages that industrial politics are none tho less forcible for being practical . The various articles are penned with a mature knowledge of the bearings of every question treated . We are glad to remark the pen of Mr . William If ewton among the contributors . What is the Stamp O ffice about , indicting the Free Press that sprung from Hanley ' s remote offices , and passing over the claims of the London Penny Examiner to the friendly patronage of Somerset House ? If we are to have prosecutions , let them be without partiality . The news in this penny Examiner is entitled to the attention of the new Bowstreet censorship ..

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      THE TOTTNO CLEBGX . We have great pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to the following letter , which we print for- the honour it does to its writer . It shows what a spirit of true Christian tolerance there is rising in the church . Were its examples inore frequent , that strange mission we have before alluded to as being Mr . Holyoake ' s mission—namely , that of promulgating his views of religion with the same untiring energy as distinguishes the missionaries of Christianity—would be rendered almost nugatory , since the church would then be fulfilling much of what . Mr . Eolvoake complains it does not now fulfil . This letter is addressed by a minister of the Gospel to Mr . Holyoake himself . Mouicterhall , near Todmorden , March . 28 , 1853 . My deah Sib , —I hardly think that you will recollect me amid the many ministers with whom you are continually meeting in various parts of the country ; however , at the risk of your construing my letter into impertinent familiarity , I yield to a strong prompting , which I nave for some time past felt , to write to you . If you were in general fairly dealt with , and pettifogging and unjust opponents were the exception—not the rule—of those who publicly oppose or privately discuss you , I should feel inclined to keep neutral , but as it is , I cannot feel it right any longer to do so , since neutrality would be acquiescence in the prevalent tone respecting you . I am but a young man to be a minister—very young indeedbut weak and insignificant as may be my voice , I wish to give it against tie gross injustice with which you and those holding your opinions are everywhere treated , and treated especially , I grieve to say , by recognised teachers of Christianity . I have for long eagerly watched the progress of the controversy between yourself and Christianity . I have seen much of the way you are spoken of , and to , by Christians , both by voice and pen . I have mingled with many of different sects , and hardly do I find anywhere a man who does not rouse my indignation by the unjust and uncharitable ( I would say unchristian ) way in which you are spoken of , the plain meaning of what you say perverted , and even your generosity and courtesy of debate attributed to the worst motives . On tho otlioi- h » ud , I hove heard mucn and seen something of you , having on one occasion heard a lecture of yours , at which time I opposed your views , and have for more than a year taken

      in your Ricuoner , have read most of it , always with interest , not Beldom with profit , though not perhaps of the kind you would expect . I tell you candidly , that it has sometimes given me doubts about details and minor matters , but these very doubts leading me to examine more honestly for myself points which I had belore probably ( like many other men ) taken on trust , it has still ever in the end g iven me a stronger , deeper , and more living faith in religion itself . However , m all that I have hoard and read , though I have found occasional outburnts of indignation which I could not blame , I have folt that the spirit which I would fain claim aH " Christian" has been on your side . I do not regret that it has been so on your part , but 1 am worry and ¦ . shamed that it has not been so on tho part of Christians , and

      especially of Christian linniHters . I cannot join in the outcry against " Secularism . " I think your definition of it in the Reatoner and in tho late debate has been fair and definite . Believing , indeed , true Christianity to 1 ) 0 ( to apply an arithmetical sign to religion ) " . Secularism X a religious spirit , "—a roligiouH spirit , too , < I hat can work Out in a shorter way , and vitrer , us nmn ' H heart ia truer than hin intellect , tho painful problems of life and duty which " Secularism " proposes by science and philosophy to solve , 1 still admit that you take just exception to the current Christianity , which is too often a mere miserable Honl-Hiiving-by-hook-or-by-crook affair , making tho very opposition between earthly and heavenly duties which you allege , out which it is now attempted to deny . 1 am not a , believer in mankind reaching truth by a " pondfllous" motion between extren » en , else I should weleome your

      movement ,. As it ia , I look on it with nuin . I have , earnestly opposed it , und must over do so , —not with talk alone , however : — never , 1 hope , with scorn or abuse . AmiMiff my friends { p Todmordon I value very much tho friendship ol hoiuo of your friends andfoUoworH ; to Home extent 1 think , too , their confidence ; und 1 would now respectfully Holieit your frieiidnhip . % 1 know not , when you may be thinking of emiuntfto I ndmordon a / 'iiin , but if you do come hero , or aro pausing through at , any time , will you " take up your < nmrtern at my house ? Believe me , tlu ' H i « not ft t / enend invitation not meant to bo accepted , but ft most ntmuial ' olio , of which 1 hope you will avail yoiirnelf . 1 live about two miles from Todmordcn itself , near to hiwtwood Htation , in n eounlry place , retired and pleasant , whore 1 think a day or two's quiet , resting would at , tinu'H l > e not unwelcome

      ° """ Helieve me , dear flir , faithfully yours , Kuoomi U Kitn-OHD . To Mr . ( I . J . Holyoake , . tit ., Ac . I ' . H . Tho canileHMienH of expression and informality ol this letter will MiiflleimHly evinee that it jm written to you , not to or for the public in general . What , 1 have n » id herein , hovyever , I have Hai . I before , both in public and in private , and am , therefore wireless about secrecy . If , therefore , in anyway , v « u would like to make use of this letter , you « ir « welcome . 1 leave it with you .

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      THE SPIRIT RAPPEES . ( To the Editor of the Leader . ) Sir , —Having observed in your journal of the 5 th instant a statement respecting the alleged Spirit manifestations , from a correspondent who appears to ^ have hut partially investigated the matter , I take the liberty of transmitting to you a few additional particulars . The writer of the article appears to have had but one

      interview : he called the spirit of an old servantwhether an intelligent one or not is not stated—he obtained to the several questions put apparently incoherent affirmatives or negatives , which lie probably elicited either by dwelling upon certain letters of the alphabet , and by obtaining raps through that means , or by discarding the alphabet and considering a rap to signify yes , and silence no . My own case , sir , was somewhat similar to t hat of your correspondent .

      I , upon the first occasion , called the spirit of an old servant—the experiment was unsatisfactory ; I then attempted to help him but got on with difficulty j had I had the inclination I feel confident answers- could have been obtained equally absurd as those your correspondent prides himself with having so ingeniously succeeded in obtaining . I , however , did not throw discredit on , or treat with

      scorn , the oxperience of others ; I , therefore , determined to try again the next evening , believing that the failure rested either in myself or some other unknown cause . I called the spirits of two of my own nearest relations , who mig ht naturally bo supposed to be more intimately connected with myself ; they both presented themselves , giving proofs of their identity which could never have occurred to me to seek . ¦ I tested them in various ways . I was also anxious to ascertain whether by willing

      strongly , and dwelling upon wrong letters , I could obtain false answers , but failed to influence them in any way whatever , whether the alphabet was placed upon , or concealed under , the table , and at each of the sovcral euccessivo interviews tho rapport appears to be more thoroughly established ; whether I ask questions audibly or mentally , concise and clear answers are given , excepting in some few instances when no reply can bo obtained . So far as the moving of the table is concerned , I obtained my request , during the second interview , in so

      satisfactory a manner that I consider time may bo moro profitably employed than in Welting a repetition of it ; it moved out of reach of Mrs . Hayden , and soon after Hiuldonly regained its former position ; it also moved upon its axis in a peculiarly Hinootb , gliding manner ; not the top only , but tho whole table , us 1 particularly observed , commencing with an almost , inviHiblo motion until it gained a rapid puce , and stopped suddenly . I immediately endeavoured myself to produce ji similar motion but was unable .

      I will conclude by stating , that I have reason to con-Hirior Ml-H . Ilayden to ho a lady possessed of courage , hut , having a delimfo and sensitive mind , any insults directed against her , whether porfionally . or through tho medium of the press , may be likely to have a tendency to disarrange , and interrupt that . subtle and mysterious a-ijene . if so int . imaf . eh / connected with our higher nature , which we may look forward to as promising t . o heroine sooner or I a / er , according to'Us reception , an additional qrand and sublime source of enlightenment to all

      sober-minded , persons of our own and , future , ages . Mag I venture to recommend those who determine to ¦ investigate for themselves , t . o refrain from publishing the crude ideas of one . hour ' s experience , especially should , they arrive at conclusions opposite to those of the thousands who have been making the subject their earnest and constant , sf . tidg during the past five years . I am , sir , your obedient Hcrvant , 0 . K . I . March 21 , 1858 .

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      328 THE LEADER . [ Saturday , ^

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      NOTIOICfl TO OOKIUCHI'ONDISNTB . WiH our obli K iii tf correspondent , on " Urilish Indiri" oblige uh , in conformity with our rule , with his nilino mid / iddreHH . The Kifth article on " Oxford Univerhity lteform m unavoidably deferred till next week . " Lottoro on Hundiiy Itolorin , " " Tho Law of Oaths , Ac , in type .

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      There is no learned man but will confess lie hath , much profitedby reading controversies , his senses awakened , and nis judgment sharpened . If , then , it be profitable for him to read , why shoiildit not , at least , oe tolerable for his adversary to write . —Milton .

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      [ iN THIS DEPAETMENT , AS ill OPINIONS , HOWEVEE EXTBEMH ABE ALLOWED AN EXPRESSION , THB EDITOB NECESSABILY HOLDS HIMSELF BESPONSIBLE FOB NONE . l

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  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 2, 1853, page 328, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1980/page/16/