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Northern Star (1837-1852), 3rd March 1849, Edition 2 of 3, Page 1

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  • Departments (2)
    • TO THE CHARTISTS
    • €i)atU0t$itteWflettce
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      To The Chartists

      TO THE CHARTISTS

      Mt Fbiends, There Is Nothing More Essent...

      Mt Fbiends , There is nothing more essential to the gjpyigth and character of a party , or more conducive to the success of its principles , than a thorough understanding . I have frequently told you , that the Utopian notions promulgated by well-paid but' treacherous delegates and lecturers in 1839 and 1840 , as to the practical results of Chartism , -went further than perseccution and tyranny to weaken our cause .

      A well-paid lecturer or delegate , -who mainl y—nay solely— -depended upon shouts and approval for his weekly salary , went into the nicest details , and told his audience critically what the People ' s Charter would do for the se veral labour classes ; and nothing so much tended to injure us with the middle classes—with the jury and all classes—as the undefined , Utopian and ridiculous expectations held out by those trafficking politicians .

      * I early foresaw the danger of such a practice , and I instantly told you and frequentl y repeated it , that " I would not * and could not , tell what representation , based upon the People ' s Charter , would accomplish . " I told you that it would he a despotic asssumption upon my part , or upon the part of any person , and that all that I would say was : — "That it ¦ would make a small and insignificant minority subject to the laws of the large and powerful majority ; instead of , as at present , subjecting an overwhelming majority to the caprice of an interested and insignificant minority . "

      2 fow , that is my definition of the People ' s Charter , and I have invariably cautioned you against taking any part whatever in the struggles of foreign countries . I have told you that the effect which those struggles would otherwise have upon the BritishMimsterwould he weakened—nay wholly destroyed—by popular interference , Ihavexepeated the words of your own greatest bard—Siiakspeake : — "IF S ^^^ TCAWOf ^ KEEP THE

      DOG FROM HER OWN DOOR , LET HER BE WORRIED ;" and I have told you that no other people upon the face of the earth care three straws for you , but would merely use you for their own purposes . And a gentleman -who sat in the National Assembly , and who was wholly and entirely unknown to you , and of whose name -vou had never heard—although you elected jam —sought an interview with me to submit bis French credentials from some French Club ; and , no doubt , had I in anywise encouraged hjin , we should have had more victims , and those that have been made owe their martyrdom , in a great measure , to that gentleman .

      "When it was discovered that we could not be broken up , Dr . BowniXG and his party sought to outbid us for popularity , by declaring for what they called Woman Franchisethus trying to make the people believe that they went farther than we did , although they went none of our own road with us . This , then , Chartists , has been the manoeuvre by which dissension has been created In our ranks . I have studiously avoided

      mixiug np the question of religion , or Socialism , or any other party question , "with our princip les—and I think every Chartist of sane mind -will admit that I adopted the prudent course ; and now that I find that the cry of Republi canism is attempted to be raised—certainly without much support from the Chartist ranks —I consider it my duty to address you upon the subject , in order that the apple of discord should not be thrown amongst our ranks .

      The odium has been considerably taken off Chartism , and will be entirely removed , by its fair , temperate , but energetic discussion , both in and out of Parliament ; whereas , if tinged with the character of Republicanism , it at once raises the opposition—the most tyrannous opposition—nay , invites the persecution of all classes . ! S * ow , Mmo show you ^ 'hai a , CRY ie , and what Republicanism means . In the first place , the very term " Republic" covers its advocate

      with the mantle of Democracy , and not one m a hundred who advocates the principle , uses it for any other purpose than clap-trap . It is a mask to cover ignorance , while the real discussion of politics subjects the speaker—and properly—to vigilant popular control . If a speaker gets upon the platform , and says , " I am a Republican , " Ho may T > e cheered , but neither he nor his audience know the meaning of the term , or what the effect of its adoption and realisation might be .

      You have no rig ht to contrast America with anv Monarchy , and for this reason—because America never was a Monarchy ; and , therefore , Republicans would not be arrayed against Monarchists , and Monarchists against Republicans , as ever has been the case in countries which have changed from Monarchies to Republies-while , in addition , th e FREE SOIL advocates declare that in America there is as much class distinction , national suffering , and popular discontent , as in any Monarchy in the world .

      The difference betwen a Monarchy , as you understand it , and a Republic , is simply this —that in the one case the head is called King , and derives his title from descent ; while , inthe other case , the head is called President , and owes his title to election ; and , if there is one circumstance more than another which prevents the full developement of popular power and opinion in America , it is owing to the mode of electing a President — the several

      candidates canvassing the electors according to the prevailing opinion of the several classes of electors . An election takes place every four years ; two years previous to it the country is divided into canvassing cabals , and it takes two years for the irritation to subside ; so that , as two and two make four , you have a continuous period of incessant strife . Every democratic paper that comes to me from America , is full of class tyranny and popular discontent ; so much for free America .

      Xo \\\ for France . The Napoleon was first Consul , and the French fonght and bled for the establishment of the Uejmblic ; but they subsequently fought as enthusiastically , and bled as profusely for the establishment of a Monarchy , and Napoleon assumed the dignity of Emperor , nay , of Autocrat . The tyranny of the Bouhboxs led to the Revolution of 1830 ; and the old woman , Louis Philippe , was pledged to the maintenance of a most liberal Constitution . His tyranny and his violation of faith led to the Revolution of

      February , 1848 , and now France is a Republic , with a President , with a bag of moonshine as its Constitution , and the people tamely submitting to more galling and oppressive tyranny , and to a greater abridgement of rights , than they were subjected to under the reign of Louis Philippe . . Upon the other hand , we have Belgium , only separated from France by agate , with a population , as compared with extent of country , much larger than that of England or Ireland . The people of Belgium have all but the Charter , and thev are more satisfied with the government of their elected King than they woufd be with a Republic . Belgium is only

      divided from France by a kind of landmark . You walk or drive from one country into the other . Belgium is only separated from Prussia l » y an arch without a gate ; and although l ' rnssia and France have been revolutionised for more ihan twelve months , the people of Eel giam have never adopted Republican prin * fj j-lcs . And whv ? Because there the Labour Fk-ld is open ; the transfer of Land is facilifcutd ; no feudal impediment is thrown in the ^ ay ; the people cheerfully pay from £ 5 to £ «» per acre rent , and can purchase it at over i 2 ( W au acre j ^ jjg gjjj f nine years , which > s the usUai lease ; and , therefore , every house ^ . a soairv-box , and every peasant is a - ^^ Giartsiian .

      Mt Fbiends, There Is Nothing More Essent...

      When I visited the plains of Waterloo last I had a very intelligent guide . He was at the battle of Waterloo . I asked him what was the feeling of the people as to the anticipated result ? He said that the Bel gians were all in favour of Wellington , and against Napoleon ; as he was such a tyrant , they did not know what would become of them if Napoleon gained the battle . Switzerland is a Republic . I stopped for a week at the frontier town of Italy , close to the barrier . My landlord had kept an hotel for

      ten years—I think in Liverpool , and , I think , had followed business in Ireland—spoke English very well , and communicated a great deal of very valuable information to me . . One morning as I was writing a letter to the " Star , " I heard a great row , and ran down Stairs , I found this landlord , a very lust y and influential person , cuffing a peasant most soundly . "Halloa '" I said , " are you allowed to perform those pranks in Switzerland ? " "Oh , yes , " he replied , " there is one law for the rich and another for the

      poor IN SWITZERLAND AS WELL AS IN ENGLAND !" Now , what conviction did this establish in my mind ? Why , this ;—That until the Labourfield—Nature ' s pap—is universally opened for JihftMjRbffg kfld exercise of industry , the poor would continue at the mercy of the rich , whether the form of Government was Republican or Monarchical j and therefore it is that , for a number of years I have endeavoured to map out for you a perfect social system , and the politicial means by which it is to be achieved .

      And now hear my opinion—canvass it wellit is this : that with the Charter , exercised as its privileges would be by the best enli g htened people in the world , there would be no difference—not a particle—between Monarchy and Republic , provided THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE WAS GREATER THAN

      THE THRONE ITSELF . And if you had the Charter to-morrow , and if the casting vote devolved upon me for the choice of a head for life , or for any limited time , I would vote for the election for life , well-knowing that every act of Monarch or President would be subject to popular vig ilant control ; that those who made could unmake ; while the incessant canvassings and elections for President or Monarch would keep the national mind in a state of perpetual turmoil , and would deprive the Monarch or President of all self-will and action , and subject him to the caprice and control of the dominant faction .

      For these reasons , my friends , and because we have kept the ANIMAL unblemished , unsealed , and unmntilated ; and because , for its preservation , I have suffered more in mind , body , and estate , than any other man ; let me beg of yon—let me pray of you—let me implore and beseech of you , not to put another iron in the fire , merely that it might be heated by the warm breath of perhaps well-meaning , and perhaps artful persons . Do not , I beg of you , allow any question as to the form of Government to be mixed up with our denned principle of representation ; get the Charter , and your united will is omnipotent ; no matter whether the Pope , the Devil , or the Pretender is on the throne .

      I You must wean your minds from the con-! sideration of foreign questions farther than the effect they may have upon Ministerial action . Keep your minds steadily and steadfastly fixed upon " Home , sweet Home . " Lot the monopolists of power understand that the now powerless would know how to distribute justice , to make and administei' laws , to cultivate the national resources , uphold national dignity , and make England , in truth , the envy and admiration of smTounding nations . Prove this , Brother Chartists , to your rulers , by

      exhibiting your knowledge of local aflairs , your fitness for self-government , and your willingness to rely upon self-exertion ; but , in God ' s name , do not perplex the question with moonshine , absurdity , and nonsense . As , believe me , that nothing more tends to frustrate our exertions than the dread which the folly of madmen creates in the brain of fools . "One thing at a time , " is an old and a good maxim , and I conclude by imploring you to stick to the Charter , as , believe me , the Ministers' Irish difficulty will presently unite Celt and Saxon in a hond of union too powerful for tyranny to resist . Your faithful Friend and Representative , Feargus O'Conxoh .

      /Gy, T%^#^£^ / 7^ ^^^D Al^^—-/ .^8br *. ...

      . AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL . *

      Tol M. P. W. Mm, Nitmit, Mm S, M ¦ - _ J...

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      Anticipated Reduction Of Interest On The...

      Anticipated Reduction of Interest on the National Debt . —The Mas , noticing the extraordinary rise which has already taken place of late in the price of government securities , and more particularly in Consols , refers to various rumours current on the subject , and , amongst the rest , to the following : — " It is confidently stated that the government intend to reduce the interest on Consols from three to two and a half per cent ., and , as it is known that this can only be done when the stock is at par , it is asserted that the influence of the Bank and the government combined has been called into exercise , in order to prepare the way for this great measure , bv supporting the funds , and has thus

      occasioned the sudden and yet decided rise we have referred to . The reduction of the Three per Cents . to a lower rate would produce an immense difference in the national expenditure . The total public funded debt of the United Kingdom is £ 766 , 672 , 822 , of which £ 364 , 164 , 787 are Three per Cent . Consols , and £ 123 , 438 , 000 Three per Cents . Reduced—forming together more than half the entire public debt . A saving of a half per cent , per annum on this enormous sum would enable the government to do ¦ without the income-tax , the malt-tax , and a variety of other minor imposts , equal to those struck out of our tariff by Sir Robert Tecl when the income-tax was first imposed "'

      Sm Charles Napier ' s Steamer , " Sidox . "—The Sidon is a failure . Her first cost , when built in 184 C and the alterations necessary to get her to " goj" after she was " ready for sea , " are briefly as ° ° " cQ of the ship " ( 1 S 16 ) &?*>}*? " Cost of engines" ¦••• 3 * iW £ "Fitting for sea" ( 164 fi ) 3 i < jj 7 More "fittingfor sea" ( 18 iG ) 1 , 226 More " fitting for sea " ( 1846 ) 1 , 076 More " fitting for sea " ( ISili ) J , « S More " fitting for sea " ( 1 S 46 ) 1 , 023 More "fitting for sea " ( 181 *) ........ J , ww More " fitting lor sea " ( 1847 ) 155 More "fittingfor sea" ( 1 S 41 ) , « 50 More " fitting for sea " ( 1 S 47 ) - - - *» Coals used on trials of " fittmgfor sea" m

      Total in getting the Sidon to sea .. £ 86 , 244 This seems a pretty experiment for Sir Charles Xapier , who wasted considerably more than a fair shaVe of thetime of the House of Commons for three or four years , vexing the Government until [ he was permitted at tiring his hand at budding a ship after lis own plan , witS something else than his own money . —Uvetpool Financial fic / orm Tract . The Passport Ststem . —A step in the right direction has been taken by the English and French companies interested in the promotion of the tramc between London and Paris , by folwaruing a collective petition to the Minister of the Interior , showing the advantages that would result to both cities , from abolishing the passport system for travellers between the two countries .

      , „ £ f , ™ nm tJmteb States . —From » a official statement , it appears that the total value of the exports from the United States in the year ended June 30 , _ 184 $ , -was 154 , 032 , 131 dollars , of the imports , 154 , 977 , 876 , a singularly close approximation . As compared with 1847 , there was an increase of 8 , 432 , 238 dollars in imports , and a decrease of 4 , 616 , 401 in exports , the latter accounted for by the smaller shipments of grain . Effects of Yeast . —The Albany Knkterboclcer mentions that some robbers upset a jar of yeast while entering a house , which ' raised' the family , and prevented the accomplishment of their designs .

      To The Rochdale Chartists. Barnard's Lin...

      TO THE ROCHDALE CHARTISTS . Barnard ' s Lin , London , February 26 th , 1849 . My Friends , —By an error in the copying of my letter for the "Northern Star , " and inserted in that paper of the 24 th inst ., it was addressed "To the Chartists of Bradford , " instead of " To the Chartists of Rochdale , " to whom I repeat my thanks , and trust it will be a precedent to your great body . Although the mistake occurred , I feel assured I shall have the opportunity of addressing the Bradford Chartists very soon .

      A very trifling subscription from each would speedily amount to a sufficient sum to discharge my claim ; but if it is to proceed at the present waggon pace , it will indeed be a long time ere it is liquidated . At present 19 s . 4 d . has been subscribed ! !! A little more energy , my good friends : railroad " express ; " no coaching or waggoning where character is at stake—but speed , energy , and reflection in all your movements , and the General Body will not only soon be in the independent position of paying everybody their just demands , but save themselves from obloquy and discredit , so long as those demands remain undischarged . Believe me to remain , your faithful servant , J . E . Nixox .

      To The Chartists Of King's Cross, J Sear...

      TO THE CHARTISTS OF KING'S CROSS , j SEAR HALIFAX . My Friends , —I find by the " Northern Star , " of the 24 th February last , that you have , from " your moderate means , subscribed 14 s . 4 d . towards liquidating my account for professional services , in defending your advocate and friend , Mr . Vernon , upon his trial in July , 1848 . This makes 19 s . 4 d . that lias been contributed !!! However , receive my grateful thanks , my friends , trifling as the subscription is , in comparison with the largeness of my claim ; but let all the Chartists subscribe their mite—be it ever so small—and

      the amount will quickly sink into insignificance . Believe mo , it is not because your means are small that I appreciate your efforts the less . No ; on the contrary , if the subscriptions were larger , I would say no more than I do now ; but I thank you for it , and for the principle recognised by you and the Rochdale Chartists , viz .: that the professional man ' s bill is not to go unpaid , for defending their leaders and friends , and that if it is to be paid—and which ought to have been the case long agoyour powerful and zealous friend , Mr . Feargus O'Connor , ought not to be made the

      scapegoat for that purpose . If a man does his business badly , do not pay him . If either of you made me a pair of boots , and they did not fit , I should not pay you for them ; but if they fitted , you are entitled to your money directly . The latter was my case—I transacted my business creditabl y for your leader ; the boots fitted , and I ought to be paid . The principle is just the same . The professional man must live as well as the tradesman ; but there is a vulgar prejudice against us ; we are looked upon as a

      sort of necessary evil—a dose of physic—and no one applies to us unless obliged : but if either the professional man or the tradesman does his work properly , and to the satisfaction of his clients , and customers , discharge bis bill offhand . Now , let me again ask you , what inducement can there be for any professional man to devote his time , pocket , and . abilities for your benefit , if his services are to go unrequited ? Does he not live by his profession , as well as you by your trades ?

      Mybillaccraedin July , 1848 ; your leader was ably defended , as Mr . Feargus O'Connor , and several others , have been pleased to observe . So much the better ; hut an Angel from Heaven would not have averted the verdicts , and those who are now suffering incarceration are suffering for you , on your account , and are the martyrs to your cause ; you ought not , therefore ^—now that they cannot speak for themselves—to leave them in the lurch , by not paying the costs of the struggle that was made for their liberty . ' I say again , is it creditable to you all—as a body—whilst a paltry

      subscription of a penny a piece would place Mi * . 0 ' Connor in ample funds to discharge all claims upon him , on your account ? This should have been done long ago ; not an undischarged biU ought to he in existence , that is , if the great body of Chartists value their reputation . But , in my case , it has been a downright injury to me ; and I feel assured that all good-meaning Chartists will see it in the same li ght , and will not hesitate longer in subscribing sufficient funds to discharge my demand . Believe me to be your faithful Servant , J . E . Nixon .

      Phonetic Tea Meeting.—Stockport.—On Satu...

      Phonetic Tea Meeting . —Stockport . —On Saturday last , a tea meeting of the friends of the spelling reform was held at the Lyceum . About 300 persons were present . The Rev . J . Thornton took the chair . The numbers -were considerably increased after tea . —Mr . Thomas Davics , a working man , moved the first resolution : — " That this meeting , regarding education as the birthright of every human being , earnestly desires the removal of all impediments . toits diffusion , and the adoption of such facilities as may tend to promote the universal instruction of the people . "—Mr . Stephen Robinson , iu a short , but able address , seconded the resolution . —Mr . Bradburn proposed the second resolution , which was seconded by Mr . "Withers : — " That , in the opinion of this meeting , one of the greatest hindrances to education is the extremely irregular and complicated character of the instruments of education—reading and writing ; that the many

      cannot command the time requisite to acquire these arts in their present form ; and that , if ever education is to be universally diffused , the simplification of these important means of instruction is indispensable . " - ^ The Chairman next called upon Mr . Facey , who proposed the last resolution , namely : — " That this meeting , having had its attention directed to the attempt now being made hi this country , and in America , to remodel , and , at the same time , to simplify the orthography of the English language , most cordially approves such endeavour;—Believing that the adoption of the Phonetic Spelling , will do more to ensure the education ot the masses , ' than voluntary and legislative effort with the existing system of spelling . ' —The meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr . Langley and Mr . Pitman . After a vote of thanks to Mr . Withers , Mr . Pitman , and to Mr . Langley , the meeting concluded by a vote of thanks to the chair .

      Labourers' Cities . —A new French journal , Lt Pays , gives some account of a philanthropic scheme conceived , and about to be executed , by M . Chabort in the interest of the labouring classes—which extends in some useful respects the princi ple of the English model lodging-house . His project is , to erect in each of the arrondissements of Paris what he calls "Labourers' Cities . " Clean and airy lodgings are to be provided for the tenants , at . a price below that of their present tainted abodes ; consisting of a kitchen , bed-chamber , and sitting-room , heated by stoves in winter , which are to be ventilators in summer . " A common wash-house will be established for " each city" —and bathing-houses , the tickets for which will be so distributed as to allow a certain number of baths per month to each inhabitant .

      The Invalids at Stanfield Hall . —In the early part of last week Mrs . Jermy had experienced more suffering than lor some time past . On Sunday a further portion of the bone of the arm came away , and since that time , the cause of the irritation bavin" been removed , we learn that the wound has againlissumed a more favourable appearance . The servant , Eliza Chestney , continues to progress in a most satisfactory manner ; but neither in one case nor the other , have the patients been able to leave their beds , nor in fact to be moved from the position in which they were placed at the time of the injury .

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      Maxenester. —A Preliminary Delegate Meet...

      MAxenESTER . —A preliminary delegate meeting of lorkshire and Lancashire was held in the committee room of the People ' s Institute , on Sunday , the 25 th uit . liie following districts were represented — Manchester , Mr . Sidley and Mr . G . H . Smith ; Oldham , Mr . Tristram and Mr . R . Ashworth ; Rochdale , Mr . Bake ; Todmovden , Mr Mooney ; Stalvbndge , Mr . Cooper ; Mr . S . Kydd of the Executive Council was present . Mr , Smith was nominated chairman , Mr . kydd secretary . The annexed resolutions were unanimousl y' agreed to . " In the opinion of this meeting , the' distribution of tracts , explaining the principles of the People ' s Charter and contaimnggeneral useful knowledge , for the

      enlightenment ot public opinion , would prove a useful auxiliary for the ; popular cause . " Moved by Samuel Kydd , seconded by Mr . Tristram . " We express our satisfaction attho policy pursued by the Council of the National Charter Association , and pledge ourselves to support them in the districts we represent , and to express to our constituents the deliberations of this meeting . " Moved by Mr . R . Ashworth , seconded by Mr . T . Tristram . ' ' That a delegate meeting be convened by the Executive Council , to be held at Todmorden , on Sunday , March ISth , and that one or more of the members of the Executive be requested to attend , and that the districts of Yorkshire , and North and South Lancashire be invited to send delegates . " Moved

      by Mr . Mooney , seconded by Mr . Bake . '' That the delegates pay the expenses of the meeting , and that the travelling expenses be proportionately borne br each district sending a delegate . " Moved by Mr . Sidley , second < M ' by Mr . Bake . " That we recommend our constituents to consider the propriety of holding periodical public meetings , on week nights , for the consideration of subjects before parliament on political interests . " Moved by Ralph Ashworth ' seconded by Mr . Bake . " That wo recommend the districts to consider the admissibility of arranging a regulated and proper system of local lecturing , with a view to an efficient organisation . " Moved by Mr . Sidley , seconded by Mr . Mooney . Finsbury-. —At a public meeting , held at the Finsbury Lecture-room , Clcrkenwell-green , on Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., it was moved by Mr . Nobbs , and seconded by Mr . W . Salmon : — " Tuat , in the opinion of this meeting , the people have a ri ght to whatever form of government the majority think most conducito

      ve their interests . " Moved by Mr . Allnutt , and seconded by Mr . Fennell : — " That , in the opinion of this meeting , an interference of the European powers between the people of Rome and their government is unjust and tyrannical . " Moved by Mr . T , Salmon , and seconded by Mr . A . Fuzzen : — " That a petition founded upon the foregoing resolutions be adopted and presented to the House of Commons . " Moved by Mr . AL' nutfc , and seconded by Mr . Robert Fuzzen : — " Th ; it Mr . Wakley be requested to present the petition , and to support the prayer thereof . " The meeting then adjourned to Tuesday evening , March Gth , at eight o ' clock . IIebden Bridge . — Some time back the Chartists _ of this town began aa evening school , for reading and writing , and arithmetic , and a number of youths from the factories attended . But two firms gave notice that if any of their hands attended the Chartist school they should be discharged .

      KKWTOWN , IliiDDERsraLB . —The Mowing resolutions were first passed at a weekly meeting on Wednesday the 21 st ult , and have been this day confirmed at the district delegate meeting , —Moved by Enoch Sykes , and seconded by TV . Murphy : " That we deem the comment in tho Northern Star of the 17 th ult , upon the letter of Mi-. A . Walton , in reference to ' Home colonisation , ' of great importance to the labouring classes , and that we are of opinion , that the present organised Chartists are imperatively called , upou to use their influence with the trades , to bring the subject efficiently before the legislature . " Moved by T . Hirst , and seconded by John Woodhouse : " That in consequence of the failure of the last National Petition , we are of opinion that the recommendation of the Executive , with regard to petitioning , should be immediately

      acted upon , that our rulers may be made sensible of our determination to be politically free . " Tower Hamlets . — Commercial Hall , Philpot street—A lecture was delivered in the above Hall on Friday , the 23 rd ultimo , hy the Rev . B . Parsons , of Ebley , on the " Bible and the Six Points . " The lecturer clearly proved , to a crowded audience , that the principles of the " People ' s Charter" and real practical Christianity are alike . After a vote of thanks to the lecturer , and to the chairman , ( Mr . Kendrick ) , the meeting separated . Westminster . — At an adjourned meeting of the members of this branch , at their room , 17 , Rydcr ' s-COUl't , LciCCStCi-aquai-o , on Sunday , February ' Joth , Mr . Dixon delivered a very able lecture on "The Condition of the Mining Population of England . " After which it was announced that Mr . M'Grath would lecture at the same place on Sunday next , at half-past seven , on " Revolutions—their Causes , and Consequences . "

      Rational Ilaitk Company,

      Rational ILaitK Company ,

      The Camberwell Asd Walworth Locality. — ...

      The Camberwell asd Walworth Locality . — A meeting of the Land Company was held on Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., when it was resolved -. That the memben who cannot make their payaents by the 25 th of March next , or show to t ^ e ommittee , their reasons for not doing so , at the exliration of that time , will be struck from the looks and forfeit the monies paid by them to the ompany .

      The Miners Of Northumberland And Durham.

      THE MINERS OF NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM .

      TO THE EniTOR OF THE ' NORTHERN STAR . ' Sir , —Knowing the deep interest you take in the welfare of the working classes , I forward for insertion , the following details connected with the movement of the miners of Northumberland . At a delegate meeting held last week , and which was attended by an increased number of delegates , it was resolved to engage two lecturers to agitate the colliers in this district . The parties engaged are B . Embleton , and R . Turnbull ; the former is an old veteran in the miner ' s cause , and one of the ' Old Guards' of Chartism , and the latter is a most devoted advocate of the poor man ' s rights .

      A general meeting of miners of this district , is appointed for Saturday , March 3 rd , at < Botany Bay ' near Cranbington , at which every miner should make it his duty to attend . The Cowper miners have nobly done their duty , and by standing firmly together have obliged their employers to give them all they asked . The Seaton Deleval miners are all at work again , and have succeeded in preventing the extensive reduction ot prices offered them from being carried into practice . Thus we have the colliers at work , and although the trade is extremely bad , —many pits only working two and three days a week , yet as the

      union will bring restriction or regulation of work , the time > s not tat distant when prosperity and a proper remuneration for their labours will be the lot of the bard-toiling and industrious miner . It is intended shortly to petition parliament to pass a law for the better protection of the lives and health of miners ; for it is a fact that more injury is done to the miners through the defective ventilation in pits where no explosive gas accumulates , but where carbonic acid gas abounds ; and wherever this deadly g as prevails , ventilation is but imperfectly carried on . Explosions such as occurred at the Darley Main and at Haswell Collieries strike us with alarm

      and arouse the sympathies of the human heart for the sufferers , but carbonic acid gas kills iilowly , and consequently brings no alarm . The fact , however remains undisputed , that more miners meet a premature grave in collieries where this deadly gas abounds , than are killed by explosion . Yours & c , S . Jude , February 27 th .

      Liberal Donations. — About Two Years Sin...

      Liberal Donations . — About two years since , a retired tradesman called upon the Secretary of the Orphan Working School , and stated he was desirous of leaving all his property at his death to charitable institutions . At a aubf equent meeting he stated he was willing to give up a portion of his accumulations at once , provided he could receive an annuity in return . Seven societies were selected , and Mr . Soul had the pleasure of presenting £ 100 to each of them . The person referred to , " a Mr . Barker , is now deceased , and the residue of his property , whatever that may be , will be divided among the institutions previously selected ,

      The Working Classes-The Spv System. Leic...

      THE WORKING CLASSES-THE SPV SYSTEM . Leicester , Feb . 20 th , 1 S 49 . Mr . Editor , —I felt much gratified in reading L Ami du PeuplcV letter in the Star of February 17 th , and 1 am sorry to say there is too much truth in his remarks , concerning the apathy the Chartists have fallen into . since the imprisonment of some oi then- best leaders . I was in hopes that the victories gained by our brethren on the Continent wcrosurhcient to have raised their spirits , and made tnem redouble their energies in using all legal and constitutional means to gain their rights . There are hundreds of young men in Leicester who protend to be Chartists , and have been members of the Association , and good onos , too , at the time of a panic , when they were half-starved with hunger , but , as soon as they got emDlovment . thev totallv

      torgot their political duties . It appears to me that if they can got as much by working fourteen or fifteen hours per day as will keep body and soul together , they are perfectly satisfied . I am sorry to have to censure my brother Chartists of Leicester for their apathy . This letter is not written with any desire to give the least offence , but to remind all of their duty , and not to forget the incarcerated prisoners and their families , who are suffering for advocating the cause of liberty . "L AmL . du Pcuple" mentions , that an old friend of his saw Wilson executed at Glasgow , some thirty years since . I was in Glasgow at that time , but did not see him suffer . I was working with four shopmates—shoemakers—at the time , who rose from their seats , and asked me if I would not co ? I

      told them I would not , and if the inhabitants of Glasgow were of my mind , the magistrates of Glasgow should finish thef' dirty work they had began , for that was another government plot , and one that I had a very narrow escape from . This plot originated from four men , or devils , calling themselves committee-men , who held meetings at three or four different houses . I think the numbers attending those meetings did not amount to more than three or four score . There was not to be less than fifteen , nor more than twenty-two , at a house at one time , and those spies made them believe there were twelve thousand in Glasgow holding meetings in the same way , and several thousands m Strothavcn , and that meetings were being fiolden in the same manner throughout England and Scotland , and a dav would

      be appointed when the whole of Great Britain were to rise and march to London to demand their rights , like Wat Tyler . I doubt not , but those vagabonds had agents in England , for they used to read letters from England very frequently , informing them how well they were getting on—that they would have plenty of arms and ammunition served out to them when they arrived at a certain place—and that one thousand men wore to join them when they arrived at Carron Iron Works , and at that place they were to receive further instructions . At length the fatal day arrived , and bills were printed and posted in all directions of the city . Those bills requested the people not to interfere who did not wish to have anything to do with the rising , but keep at home , as they did not intend to injure either person or

      property . 1 he next morning they were to be on their march for London—and now for the villany of those infernal spies . They directed those men to meet on Glasgow-grccn at twelve at night , and if they did not meet with the main body , they were to march on to Bonnie Muir , and if they did not find them there , to wait their arrival . Those deluded men met on the Green at the appointed time , but , not finding the main body , norone ot the committee-men , they marched off for Bonnie Muir , as directed , about three score in number . At length the main body arrived in the person of Lieutenant Burdctt and a troop of the 10 th Hussars . The consequence was , that twenty-one were taken prisoners , and the remainder escaped . Those prisoners were taken to Stirling Castle to await their trial for high treason ,

      and the whole were sentenced to death , according to law , for that crime . Two only suffered that punishment—Hardio and Baird—the remaining nineteen were transported for life . The Strethaven party were to meet at Cathkcn Braes , where peor Wilson was taken , and brought to Glasgow , it being within the limits of Lanarkshire , but Bonnie Muir is in the limits of . Stirlingshire . Now , Mr . Editor , I suppose you will think I was somewhat connected in this affair , but I assure you I was not . There was one Robert Gray among the nineteen transported , a young man of good character , and a very intimate acquaintance of mine , and , as sure as 1 am writing this , so sure was Robert Gray innocent of the crime he suffered for . I am certain ho never had anything to do with that affair . lie called on me the day before , when the bills were out , and told me he

      had a groat desire to see Carron Iron Works , and if I would go with him , we would go as far as Carron , antf wo should see -what sort of a turnout they made . To this I agreed , and promised to meet him on the Green at the appointed time . The night was very wet , and I missed my time about a quarter of an hour . I was on the Green at about twenty minutes past twelve . It was wet and dark . I traced over different parts of the Green , and could discover no one , so I returned home , and went to bed , thinking that no one had gone on account of the wet night . The next day a rumour sprang up that eighteen thousand insurgents were entering the city from the Broomielaw Bridge , and the Rifle Corps were going to meet them . I ran up to the Trongate , and saw the soldiers , with the Lord Provost and magistrates at their head , and looking as bold as Hector , knowing , as they did , that they had nobody to meet .

      JSow , Mr . Editor , lest you or any other may wonder how I came to know so much about their meeting and deny having anything to do with it , I will tell you that I worked with a shopmate afterwards who was in the whole concern , and who made his escape from Bonnie Muir , and he told me the whole affair . Hardy and Baird , who suffered death , were very intelligent young men , and of good moral character . I remain , your most obedient servant , Geohoe Wray .

      Emigration From Europe To The United Sta...

      Emigration from Europe to the United States . —R . B . Minturn , Esq ., of New York , a commissioner of emigration for the state of New York , has recently reported that the increase to the population of the United States by emigration in fifty years from 1790 , when the constitution was formed , exceeds the whole population oi the States at that period . The number of emigrants in 1840-41 was ostimatedat 125 , 256 in 184142 , 157 , 660 ; in 184243 , 112 , 738 ; in 184344 , 111 , 910 ; in 1844-45 , 153 , 622 ; in 1845-46 , 220 , 476 ; and in 184647 , 300 , 000 . It is estimated that about 50 per cent , of this emigration

      is from the United Kingdom . Of 120 , 000 who arrived in New York from the 5 th May to the 31 st Dec , 1847 , 52 , 946 were Irish , 8 , 804 English , and 2 , 354 Scotch , and this would be a fair criterion of the average proportion of the three races for three or four voars past . In the same time there arrived 53 , 100 Germans , 3 , 330 French , and 1 , 047 Swiss . The Germans emigrate more completely as I a community than the Irish or English . A large proportion devote themselves to agriculture , particularly in Pennsylvania and the new states in the west , where they purchase large tracts of land and form settlements by themselves .

      The Glasgow Accident and the London Thea-TRES . —We will venture to say that there is not a Theatre in London which at this moment would bear inspection , with a view to the safety of all its avenues , paesages , and staircases . There is not one in which , in the event of fire or the false alarm of it , in sonicoiio ' quarter ' or more than one , there would not be a jam of crushed and smothered bodies like that of Glasgow , but probably on a greater scale of destruction . But the legislation which so sagely and carefully levels the powers of the law against penny theatres and unlicensed performances , takes no precaution to guard against this frightful mischief . There is an authority to prevent the performance of a play in which a word offensive to morals is to

      or decorum may be found , but there none prevent performances in a theatre so defectively constructed that the false alarm of any drunkard , fool , or pickpocket may cause the destruction of masses of people inextricably jammedandpounded together , and perishing more cruelly than the sufferers in the black hole at Calcutta . —Examiner . _ Awfully Sudden Death . —On the night of the 23 rd ult ., Captain D . M'Adam , of the 40 th regiment , stationed at Tcnipleinore , went to bed in his usual good health , and was found dead on the morning of the 24 th when his servant went to call him . T O'Mea ra Esq , coroner for the district , held an inquest ot \ tWbody \ fith a respectable jury , when a verdict of " Died by a violent fit of apoplexy was returned .

      Child-Murder at Liverpool .-On Saturday last Catherine Herbert , a young woman , was taken into custody charged with tbe murder of her newborn child . The pr isoner , win is not a resident in this town , but had come here with the view of emi . gration to America , was lodging at a house in Sherwoud-street . She there , it is alb ged , unknown to the other inmates of the lious . e , delivered herself ef a child , and , by . tying her garter round its neck , afterward s strarig ' ed it ,

      Emigration From Europe To The United Sta...

      -.. latest ™ . ( Dublin , Tn «« isnAv Tub \ V * it « v !?„»/ . » LATEST NEWS . , w Dublin , Thursday .-The Writ of Error . —It has been intimated to the state prisoners that the arguments on the writ of error , in the case of Smith O'Brien and othsrs against the Qaecu , cannot be entered into , at the v ^ ry earliest , before the 20 th of May , but more probably not until a month later , namely , the 20 th of June . Removal of John Mitchf . l . — The Cork Examiner says : —« ' Orders , we-understand , have hppn issued fnr tlin removal nf TnVin \ -i ; tvi / . iwi wi tuikiuuthi ui

      „ , „„_ nvu . » » uvuu IVIHUIICI ICQR 1 Bermuda to the Cape of Good Hope . The climate of the latter colony is very genial , and peculiarly adapted for persons affected with pulmonary com . plaint ' s , —so much so , that it is considered a Ma . deira for the East Indians . " The Times adds : — 11 Of Mr . Mitchel ' s removal from the Bermudas we believe there is no doubt , and that it has been already carried into effect is suspected froai the . fact of the last West Indian mail bringing no letter from the convict to bis family in Ireland . "

      THE ROMAN STATES . Evacuation of Ferbaba . —A telegraphic , despatch has been received here ( Paris ) from Ferrara , dated 25 ih ult ., announcing the complete evacuation of that city and the papal territory by the Austrian troops . OPENING OF THE PRUSSIAN CHAMBERS .

      N , rEB . 20 . — ihe Prussian unamuers were opened this morning , at half-past eleven o'clock ; by the King . Cologne , Fen . 26 . —The day before yesterday being the anniversary of the French Revolution , it was kept here by a grand political dinner , which was attended by a numerous party . Some ultra democratic speeches were made , especialiy by the Deputy Geadbach , against the bouse of Ilohenzollern , the Count of Brandenburgh , & c . & c .

      Central Criminal Court. Falsv. Chargr Of...

      CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT . Falsv . Chargr of a Ciuminai . Assault . —On Thursday S . Cooper , 59 , soldier , was indicted for feloniously accusing Henry Charles Sellers , clerk , of an offence punishable by the statute , but of a nameless character , with intent to extort money from him . Mr Bodkin and Mr . Rickavd conducted the prosecution , and Mi" . Ballantine defended the prisoner . The charge made by Cooper against Mr . Sellers will be in tho recollection , of otir ^ readers . Sir . Bodkin said : —That two bins'hAdihfien preferred against Mr . Sellers at the ^ ifulfflesex Sessions , both of

      which were thrown out by the grand jury , but tho prosecutor , feeling that this result was not a sufficient vindication of his character , had decided upon tho present proceedings in order fully to prove to his own friends and the public , that there was no reality or foundation for the odious accusation that had been made against him . After the examiliatiod of several witnesses , Mr . Justice Cresswell summed up , and the jury immediately returned a . verdict of guilty . The prisoner was then sentenced to be transported for fifteen years . Just before the vising of the Court the grand jury returned four true bills for manslaughter against Bartholomew Peter Drouct .

      Vuolella. The Following Fresh Cases Were...

      VUOLEllA . The following fresh cases were reported to the Board of Health on Saturday : — St . George ' s-in-the-East Workhouse , 3 ; Hexham , 1 fatal ; Edinburgh , 1 ; Glasgow , 23 , " 8 fatal ; Kilmarnock , 4 , 3 fatal ; Riccarton , 4 ; Largs , Ayr , 1 ; Loudon , from 10 th inst , 24 , 11 fatal ; Lecroft , by Stirling , ! fatal ; Fewton , Dalkeith , 1 fatal ; Stow , 3 , 2 fatal ; Greenock , 1 ; Hamilton , 2 fatal ; Auchinlcek i ; Galston , 'J fatal . —Total , 75 new cases ; 31 deaths . On Monday , the following fresh cases were reported to the Board of Health : —Whitechapei , 1 j Bethnal Green , 3 ; Bethnal Green Lunatic Asylum , 4 ; Refuge , Hackncy-road , 1 fatal ; Kensington , 1 fatal : Weston Uitclvin Union , 2 , 1 iaial ; Carlisle ,

      T fatal , EdmlMttaVJ &*& i Ghwgow , ft * 24 th , 24 , 10 fatal ; ditto , 2 oth , y lUiU ; nioearton , 13 , ' 2 fatal ; Old Kilpatrick , 3 , 2 fatal ; Galashiels , a fatal ; Greenock , 5 , 3 fatal ; Alloa , 7 , 2 fatal ; Stirling , 8 , 1 fatal ; Kilmarnock , 5 > , 3 fatal ; Shotts , from Dec . 26 , 84 , 46 fatal ; Hamilton , 3 , 1 fatal ; Paisley , from 18 th inst ., 33 , 10 fatal . —Total , 22 h now casca ; 100 deaths . On Tuesday , the following fresh cases were reported to the Board of Health : —Bethnal-grecn , 3 ; Bcthnal-green Lunatic Asylum , 1 ; Stepney , 1 ; Kensington , 1 fatal ; Edinburgh , 1 ; Glasgow , " 14 , 9 fatal ; Hamilton , 2 , 1 fatal ; Riccarton , 6 , 2 fatal j Galashiels , 4 , 3 fatal . —Total , 33 new cases ; 16 deaths .

      On Wednesday , the following fresh cases were reported to tho Board of Hralth ;—Whitechapei , 3 fatal ; Bethnal-grcen Lunatic Asylum , 2 ; lloxton ,. 1 fatal ; Refuge Hackney-road , 2 fatal ; Dreadnought Hospital-ship , 1 fatal ; Carlisle , 2 fatal ; Glasgow , 12 , 4 fatal ; Riccarton , 13 , 3 fatal ; Greenock , 1 fatal ; Galashiels , 1 ; Dunfermline , 3 ; Girvan , from 13 th ult , 21 , 10 fatal ; Ncwcastle-upon Tyne , 11 , 4 fatal . —Total , 00 new cases ; 40 deaths . Ciiolkra at imb Fjbmale Refuge , IJackneyuoad . —On Saturday lust , before Mr . lkkor , at the Lansdowiio Arms , Thomas-street , on Mary Ann Vaughan , aged 14 , an inmate of the above asylum , who died of Asiatic cholera . It appeared that the deceased had been some months in the Refuge . During tho last fortnight she suffered much from

      premonitory symptoms of cholera . On Sunday week she was seized with cramps , and soon after with Asiatic cholera , of which she died soon after . There were nine patients under treatment for cholera , thirteen have died , and twenty have recovered . The other inmates , forty-two , have been removed to Walworth . Mr . Ball , tho medical officer of the institution , attended deaeased at first , but he being taken very ill , Mr . Reynolds , another surgeon , attended her latterly , and adopted the treatment of Dr . Billing , which is recommended by the College of Physicians . Dr . Cobb also saw deceased daily , Mr . Reynolds considered the cholera was caused by the inmates going to chapel in the morning at halt-past eight oclock ,-when it was damp , and of too low temperature for persons who had just gofe

      out or bed . lhc matron also stated tuat the chapel was built on a site that was formerly a cesspool , and tho inmates had frequently complained of the effluvia which prevailed in the chapel , which she believed arose from that circumstance . Verdict , " Natural Death from Cholera , " The jury recommended that a stove be placed in the chapel . Death from Asiatic Cholera . — On Saturday Jast an inquest was held by the coroner for the southern division of Cheshire , in the manufacturing village of Gatlcy , near Stockport , on the body of Ann Pauldcn , the daughtcy of a labourer at that place , reported to have died of cholera . The mother reported that the g irl was taken ill on Thursday

      morning with vomiting and purging . She was very cold about the body , ( particularly so at the extremities of her limbs ) , and the attack was accompanied with fits of shivering . She continued in tills state until within a few hours of Tier death , ' which took place the next morning ( Friday ) , soon after ten o ' clock . —Mr . Thompson , a surgeon , said he was sent for to attend Ann Pauldcn , but on his arrival found she had expired . She appeared to have sunk in a state of collapse ; and he was of opinion , from tho appearance of the body , and the statements made to him on his arrival , that she had died of Asiatic cholera . —The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the surgeon's opinion .

      The Following Appeared Iu Our Third Edit...

      The following appeared iu our Third Edition . of last week : — Dciili-v , Wednesday . —Trial op Mr , Duffy . — DlSAQBEEMEST OF IUbJvRY . —TJlCl'O Will be 110 VC 1-dictinthis " monster trial . " The Solicitor-General replied on the part of the crown at the sitting of the court this morning . Mi " . Justice Ball , whose charge occupied five hours and a quarter , sent the jury to their room at half-past seven o ' clock in the evening . At eleven o'clock at night the jury came into court , when it appeared that there was not the remotest chanco of their agreement . They were then locked up for the night . The jury are to be discharged this day without a verdict ; and , if Mr . Duffy is to be tried again , tho proceedings must commence do novo .

      Tho jury were discharged on Thursday in Gavan Duffy's case , not having been able to agree . It seems admitted that one of the jurors ( Mr . Burke ) , the proprietor of tho Shelburne Hotel ( the largest in Dublin ) , was in favour of an acquittal on all the counts . Mr . Burks is a Roman Catholic . Three others of thejury , says the Freeman ' s Journal , Messrs Stokes , Barrington , and Taylor , a Catholic , a Quaker , and a Church of England man , were for acquitting Mr . Duffy on those counts which charged him with attempting to depose tho Queen . After tho jury were discharged Mr . Baron Lofroy said , that as it was probable that there would be a further trial in that case , he wished to say that he had not given any opinion , to the effect that it was necessary to prove the actual writing of an article to make a prisoner liable for the publication under the net . On the 7 th of April , at the next commission , Mr . Duffy is again to be tried , but will remain hi durance till that time .

      DjsroruL . vnox . — A letter from Athlone , dated the 20 th inst ., and published in the I'Vccwm of this morning , says : — " The work of extermination goes on here with railroad velocity . About one hundred of the most substantial of the farmers of this neighbourhood have , within the last few weeks , fled from the homes of their fathers — tho sheriff and his levellers fly from village to village , their track is marked by tho hideous ruins of farmhouses and cottages , onco tho homes of happy and contented inmates . " Doxkgal Election . — Mr . Thomas Conolly , son of the late member , was elected ou Tuesday without opposition .

      Sr

      Sr

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 3, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_03031849/page/1/