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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th October 1851, Edition 2 of 2, Page 1, NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION. Offices—14...

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    • " We were slaves T ill greatly rifling in his country's right, Her Kossuth—'her deliverer, sprung to light; A race of brave Hungarian sons he led, Guiltless of courts, untainted, and unread, "Whose inborn spirit spurned the ignoble fee, Their hearts scorned bondage—for their bands ¦ were free."
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      " We Were Slaves T Ill Greatly Rifling In His Country's Right, Her Kossuth—'Her Deliverer, Sprung To Light; A Race Of Brave Hungarian Sons He Led, Guiltless Of Courts, Untainted, And Unread, "Whose Inborn Spirit Spurned The Ignoble Fee, Their Hearts Scorned Bondage—For Their Bands ¦ Were Free."

      " We were slaves T ill greatly rifling in his country ' s right , Her Kossuth— 'her deliverer , sprung to light ; A race of brave Hungarian sons he led , Guiltless of courts , untainted , and unread , "Whose inborn spirit spurned the ignoble fee , Their hearts scorned bondage—for their bands ¦ were free . "

      . To The English People. My Fniekds—The ...

      TO THE ENGLISH PEOPLE . My FniEKDS—The ' Times' of Thursday Las a ferocious article abusing Kossuth who is now about to arrive in this country , and whom I hope you will receive with laudation and cheers , as he contended for liberty inhis own country . The « Times' is , no doubt , fearful lest the

      appearance of so brave and independent a a patriot should have an effect upon the Eng lish mind . The 'Times' also reviles O'Brien , the Irish patriot , who has been transported from his country for attempting to secure liberty for his countrymen ; but I do hope and trust that when KoSSUTH arrives in England that the people will give him that reception whichhe sojustly deserves . Think of the population of Ireland falling off from

      EIGHT MILLIONS TO SIX MILLIONS AND A HALF since the last census . Tint the ' Times * cares for no country but ihat which will support its own paper . Avhen I was making over £ 15 , 000 a year of the * Northern Star , ' I gave it ail in charity , and if I were to make a million a year of the * Star ' I would give it all in charity ; for , as I have stated to you before , I would rather live upon one humble meal a day , and not see a drunk * ard , a criminal or a pauper in the laud , than have a HETKDBED MILLIONS A YEAR , and be emperor of the world , with drunkards , criminals , and paupers in the land .

      I have told you before , but I will tell it you attain , that in tbe days of Good King Awred the tweuty-fonr Lonrs were divided into three parts ^—eight hours for labour , eight hours for rest , and eight hours for amusement ; and not a dog to watch the > sdoor , and not , a lock upon the door , as there was neither drunkard , criminal , or pauper in" the land . However , I trust that when Kosstnn and taehravemen wliohave contended for liberty in that country arrive here , that you will give them that reception they deserve .

      Is it not enough to make your hlood boil when you know that you pay eight millions a year in this country , to support unwilling idlers , while the whole Governmental expenses of the United States of America , larger than all Europe , is only EIGHT MILLIONS A TEAR ? While you are paying in this country , to support black slugs , archbishops , bishops , and parsons TEN

      MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND A TEAR . But do you suppose that the manufacturers who coin your very sweat , hlood , marrow , and bones into money , care what they pay for unwilling idlers , as long as they can make profit of idleness ? The * Times' and other papers abused and reviled the English people for attacking that ruffian Hayxatj , who murdered so many poor people ; bnfc the papers would praise you if you were to murder Kossdth ; hut I hope and trust in Go » that he will receive that reception which all men deserve who contend for liberty for their country .

      Chartism is . now apathetic and doad , hut , as I have always told you , I will rest upon my oars until it revives again ; and , although many who profess to he Chartists , are now catering for popularity by abusing me , yet I am resolved never to abandon Chartism , or any part of the PEOPLE'S CHARTER , hut that I will struggle for the whole hog , bristles and all . No man in this world has ever suffered the persecution and prosecution that I have suffered , in endeavouring to elevate the working classes ; and , however I may he abused 1 am resolved not to abandon the PEOl'LE'S CHARTER . Your Paithfal and Uncompromising Advocate , Feakgcs O'CoJRfOB .

      The Fears Of The « Times.' "Open Your Mo...

      THE FEARS OF THE « TIMES . ' "Open your month and shut your eyes , and see what Farliamtnt will send you . " Mr . EDITOR , —The ' Thunderer' is at his old work again . There are indications of a coming storm , and this Jove of Puddledock is especially anxious to make its effect as

      unimportant as possible . ' / JVhardly see , ' says the * Times , ' of Monday last , speaking of the proposed enlargement of the Franchise , 'the necessity for . any precipitate pressure from without . ' Why ? Because ' Parliament , even as now constituted , has proved itself fully competent to exact further reforms . ' How ? "When ? In the adoption of Mr . Locke Kixg ' s motion one ni ght , and rejecting it on another ? In the approving of the Ballot by a small majority , and the negation subsequently of the principle by a large one ? Shown itself competent to exact further reforms ! Some

      ( nae hundred men have , certainly , moved in this direction ; but the Parliament—the House of Commons — 658 men—how have they Signified . ? For further reform , or for the perpetuation of the present system ? Answer , thou know-all of the daily press . You arc as conscious in this instance , that you are again about to hoodwink the people by the publication of false generalities , as it has ever been your pride to chuckle over your mighty influence in controlling the dlspositivus of a certain class of the community . You are a dangerous enemy

      —because you are a dishonourable one . More admired for your talent than for your -wisdom or honesty , the public mind , it is to he hoped , is becoming nauseated vrith your political trucaleuce . Your game is now to suppress popular feeling by deluding the public into a false belief , that it has but to trust to Parliament , even as now constituted , * and the work of reform will be - well done for it in the ensuing session . It will be time enough to complain , you say , ' when we find ourselves dissatisfied . ' " Not so , Mr . Jove . It will then he loo late—the cards will have been shuffled—the honours

      counted—the game scored ; and the working classes must he content with the result . "Well do you know this ; and so you say , in meaning , if not in words : —* Bl > quiet , you unenfranchised . The part for you to play during the interregnum is that of acquiescence . Follow your employment , you that have any to follow , and meddle not with agitation . Your interests are in safe keeping . Give unto those who govern you confidence ; and trust to than so to enlarge the basis of the representative

      pillar , that you may be included therein . ' This is the gratuitous advice of the ' Times , ' and I should say the Cabinet feels itself very grateful that so learned a quack has thus prescribed for the nation ' s complaints . Heaven forbid that the people should swallow the dose ; or that they should regard such opinions , as here published , in any other way than the statements of an imposter—one who pretends to he honest , but whose pretensions -only serve as veils to cover the deceit and fraud

      which lie imbedded beneath . The great gathering at Manchester has acted upon the ' Times' as a strong aperient . Such a declaration as that made by the meniher for Bolton , of consigning the Czar of Hussia and the King of the Two Sicilies to the merciful hands of 'Jack Ketch , ' has proved too much for its organisation . Of the -two schools of Reform , tha * leading journal '

      is decidedly preferable to the Homoeopathic "Where Mr . Fox would write grains , our diurnal hero would pen globules ; and as the * Unitarian Dissenter' is for an allopathic . quantity , the * Times ' is determined to mix jay in it as much of the aqu < s vita as it well -can , to render tho draught perfectly harmless , because powerless . There are men , however , -who prefer the prescription of Mr . Fox to that cfiered to the nation b y the ' Times j' sad . I

      The Fears Of The « Times.' "Open Your Mo...

      am of that number . There are those who think that a people ' s indignation against the monster acts of kings should be expressed in words , purporting what is really meant ; and I think in consonance with them . And , though the honorable member for Bolton . did not" desire to feast his own or tho eyes of the British people , with the spectacle of two ' dangling bodies , yet he , doubtless , meant to convey that intense feeling of detestation , ( which the conduct of these sovereigns have

      deserved , ) breathed b y a free people to a humane government against tbe acts of fiendish men , crying shame upon the bloody deeds committed , and consigning those who committed them to the ignominious death of the hangman . But , in so doing , Mr . Fox has incurred the displeasure of the ' Times , ' and , as such expressions were loudly applauded by the audience , the impression made by them is destructive of that Russio-Austrian policy , which the « Thunderer' and its ' own

      correspondent ' have held up to the admiration of the world since the days of June , 1848 . Mr . Fox spoke too plain ; and the meeting , by its approval of what was stated , obviously went too far ahead . As the pioneer of many town ' s gatherings and great public meetings , this indication of the popular will was far too democratic . Both speakers and the cause must be silenced . The former by ridicule and logical disproof ; the latter , by showing that there is no necessity to follow the Manchester

      example . The leader of Monday last is one of the * Times'' peculiar pieces of writing ; which , while it says be quiet to the people , really means be slaves still longer of that home and foreign rule that has beggared the population , and made England , by its passiveness at continental wrongs , the Stock Exchange of Emperors and Kings , wherein they may contract their heavy loans , avowedly raised for the suppression of the liberty of their unfortunate subjects .

      Oh , Sir , for that day , when the men of England , and Scotland , and Ireland , may bo able to array against this powerful organ a journal as well armed as that of the ' Times , ' to circulate by its side ; so that as tbe poison runs , the antidote might follow . Such a day will be a bright omen , if properly inaugurated , for the English people . Such a falsehood , as that which says , there is no occasion for the nation to bestir itself in tbe crisis fast approaching , would not dare be uttered then , —like facts prevailing . The defences which this paper has set up for the

      despots of the continent , would not have blackened paper , were it known tbat in these cities of despotic rule one truthful correspondent dwelt , whose duty was , as dictated from the ' home office , ' to write facts , and those only . It is because the working people of all European countries aro powerless in the press , that their intentions are so maligned , their characters so inhumanly pourtrayed , the opinions they hold so miserably perverted . An

      unstamped press in England would be to the people of this country a lever that would place their political rights within their grasp , in a brief space of a few years ; and do more to gain for all classes that true social equality , which would give to the meritorious reward , and to the undeserving disproval , than any parliamentary enactment can ever hope to accomplish . Such is the effect of concentrated power . The 'Times' presumes upon that which it knows it holds over the monied

      classes . This is its chief source of greatness . But the cause of Reform is to find a" valuable servant in the person of Sir James Graham . This is the Minister in posse . As the mouth-piece of the Peel party , he is supposed to have meant , in his Address to the Burgesses of Aberdeen , ( but he did not say so , ) that he would vote for ' the electoral franchise being materially extended . ' This is the deduction of the 'Times . ' Of course , very ambiguously put , yet sufficiently clear to be capable of two opposite renderings , should occasion call for so extreme a notice . I have , however , no word of

      favour to bestow upon the owner of Netherby Hall . His antecedents are extremely bad ; his tergiversation more than ordinarily faulty ; his post-office Paul Pry proceedings are despicable . Ho was a Minister—a Home Secretary —when he thus violated the privacy of correspondence ; and whether aa one , in esse or in posse , such an un-English act would seem to say to the people— ' This man must not be officer of yours any more . ' As a member of the opposition , so to speak of him , Sir James Graham may be a useful adjunct—so aro all men similarly capacitated . But that he is a friend of the people , anxious to bestow upon every man that right of suffrage which is inherent within him , not as a matter of time ,

      but as one of principle , I say the evidence is wanting on the ono side , but the proofs are many on the other , leading to such a conviction . Let us not bo deceived in the mere power of words . Some of our best speech-makers have been the worst enemies to the progress of humanity . I would rather couni the vote of a member of Parliament as of sterling gold , than I would receive his word y declaration on the hustings as of copper value . The Belfast constituency may find in Sir James Graham a talking and serviceable man , but that the men of Belfast will deceive any political power , in consequence of his advocacy , speaking of them in the aggregate , I have very sincere doubts .

      To every man who reads these lines I would press upon him the necessity of not only treatin" the advice of the * Times' with disdain , but as a reason urging him to do his duty upon the present occasion . The enemy is in the field ; and whilst he is saying to the people agitato not , he is likewise saying to the Minfster , the peop le want not Reform . You ( the vorkivg meu ) must speak out , and that loudly , or you will certainly not be heard . The harvest is in your own hands now , if you will only show y ourselves diligent in its gathering . Speak in your thousands , and you will he listened to . Complain by the wayside , as a

      single grumbler , and you will be jeered at . The power of the people rests only in their unity ; and the strength of that portion of the people , called the working classes , consists only in the advocacy , one and all , of a principle . It is not Household nor Tenant Suffrage that will satisfy the country ; tbat is an expedient measure , at best ; it is Manhood Voting which the people require , and less than it will only prolong discontent , and assure the labouring orders that they have a great work of Agitation yet to accomplish , in the performance of which they have but few friends in the British House of Commons .

      _ Censor

      NATIONAL LOAN SOCIETY . This body met as usual on Wednesday evening , at 26 , Golden-lane , and transacted its usual routine busiuess . Considerable discussion took place , relative to the Master in Chancery appointing Mr . Goodchap as interim Manager , and also as to the beet means of forwarding the interests of the shareholders . The members resident in "Westminster , Marylebonc , and Lambeth were requested to aid in the appointment of a Central Committee , and ether businesswas transacted * . .... .

      That This Meeting Resolve To Petition Pa...

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      AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL .

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      National Charter Association. Offices—14...

      NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Offices—14 , Southampton-street , Strand . The Executive Committee of this body held their usual weekly meeting as above on Wednesday evening last . Present : Messrs . Arnott , Grassby , Jones , Milne , and O'Connor . Messrs . Harney and Holyoake , being in the country , were absent . Mr . Hunt was also absent through other unavoidable engage * meats . Mr . John Milne presided . Correspondence of a highly , encouraging character was read . On the motion of Messrs . Jones and Arnott , it was unanimously agreed : — ' That 500 subscription sheets be printed , the same to be forwarded to the various localities and friends ,

      who felt an interest in collecting monies in aid of the National Charter Fund . ' Ernest Jones then read the Tract he had written , at the request of the Committee , for insertion in the October number of the 'Monthly Circular , ' which was highly approved of ; and the Secretary was instructed to announce that , in consequence of the peculiar position in which the Executive had been placed , the publication of this month ' s circular was postponed until Wednesday , the l § ih inst . ^ Other business having been disposed of , the Committee adjourned to Wednesday evening , October loth .

      Signed on behalf of the Committee , John Arnott , General Secretary . The following letter has been received from Mr . ' G . Julian Harney : —

      at Mr . G . Patrick ' s , Temple Hill , Troon , Ayrshire , October 7 th . Mt Dear Auxoot , —On September 2 G : b , I addressed a meeting at Dumbarton , at which place there is a steadily progressing association . The members of the Committee are intelligeut , reading thinking men , and in their moral conduct exhibit an example which must be advantageous to the Democratic cause . September 27 th , 1 addressed a meeting at Alexandria , Yale of Levcn . jN ' o association existed previous to my visit . At the condition of my address fourteen volunteers came forward and constituted themselves a Provisional Committee for the formation of an association .

      September 29 th , I addressed a numerously attended meeting at Hamilton . A number of the democrats of that place are organised . The leading men aro a credit to their order—particularly Mr . Archibald Walker . I may add , as something uncommon , that a few men of the middle class in Hamilton do not hesitate to avoir their sympathy for the Democratic cause . September 30 th , I addressed a well-attended meeting at 'Wiahaw , a place situated in tho midst of a populous colliery district , and which hitherto has been unknown in the history of * our movement . A strong Provisional Committee was formed at the close of the meeting to organise the friends in that district .

      I expect to be here for about a fortnight to come , and to be in Glasgoir within three weeks on my way to England via Edinburgh , < so ., & c . Health and Fraternity , G . JULlfcH Habset .

      The Aggkeoate Monthly Meeting Of The Met...

      The Aggkeoate Monthly Meeting of the metropolitan members of the National Charter Association was held on Sunday afternoon , October 5 th , at the South London Hall . Mr . G . F . Nicholls , of the Hoxton locality , having been called to the chair , explained the objects of the meeting , aud called on the secretaries present to report the present state of their localities , when Mr . Foxwell reported from Greenwich , Mr . Baker from Bermondsey , Mr . Bush from Hoxton , Mr . Fenuell from Plusbury , Messrs . Peltret aud H . T . Holyoake from Victoria-park , Mr . Henry Nicholls from Chelsea , and Mr . Farrow from Cripplegate . The

      reports , taken as a whole , were of an encouraging and progressive character . The Chairman then read the address from the Executive , and strongl y impressed on the meeting the necessit y of responding thereto . Mr . Osborn moved , and Mr . Fennell seconded— That it is expedient that the Metropolitan Delegate Council he forthwith re-formed . ' After some discussion an amendment was agreed to , adjourning the question to Sunday , November the 2 nd , to which day the meeting adjourned , then to meet at the Literary and Scientific Institution , Leicester-place , Little Saffronhill .

      South London Hali . —A large attendance gathered in this hall , on Sunday evening last , to hear a lecture from Ernest Jones . A considerable collection for the National Charter Fund was made at the close of tho meeting . Popi . au . —The noble Lecture Hall in Hall < street , Poplar , capable of holding 1 , 000 persons , was densely crowded on Tuesday night last , on the occasion of a lecture by Ernest Jones . Great numbers were unable to gain admission . The enthusiam of the audience , throughout the address , proves that the spirit of democracy is indeed awakened in this populous aud important district .

      Sheffield . —At the weekly meeting of the Council , held in the Democratic Temperance Hotel , 33 , Queen-street , on Sunday evening , and by adjournment , on Monday evening , when the letter from our chief , Feargus O'Connor , was read from the 'Star , ' and likewise one from our friends at Nottingham ; a proposition was made and accorded that , in the event of Mr . O'Connor complying with

      our oft repeated invitation , tbat a soiree be got up on a magnificent scale , and tbat several trusty friends be invited from the country to bo present on the occasion . A deputation was appointed to make the necessary inquiry for the largest building in the town ; and the Secretary was also instructed to write to the above gentleman upon the subject . The meeting was adjourned to next Sunday .

      Mr . Thomas Cooper delivered two lectures in the Athenaeum on Tuesday aud Wednesday evening , for tbe benefit of the Polish and Hungarian Refugees . Subject : ' The History of Poland and Hungary , ' on Tuesday ; and ' Ballad Poetry , ' on Wednesday . Although tho charge was 2 d ., 4 d ., aud 6 d . for admission , tbe p lace was well filled . ^ Mr . Cooper openly declared that ' No half measures now must be entertained . '

      Hamilton . —On Monday evening , upwards of 300 persons assembled in the Masons ' Hall , for the purpose of hearing a lecture by Mr . G . J . Harney . Mr . C . Forest a staunch democrat , occupied tbe chair . After a few appropriate remarks , he introduced Mr . Harney , who was received with great applause . Mr . Harney said , tbe subject they bad met to discuss was ' 1848 and 18 o 2—Reform and -Revolution *—the Coming

      Struggle . ' He congratulated tbe people on the liberation of Kossuth , and spoke m terms of approbation of the inhabitants of Hamilton who , along with others , had been successful in their efforts in procuring his liberation . 1 he people of London would g ive Kossut h a warm reception , which would prove to the Governments of Europcthat they honoured the patriot , and the cause of freedom for which he had suffered . The lecturer reviewed the struggles

      of 18 i 8 , the successful efforts of the democrats on the Continent , and the fearful reaction that had taken place by tho conduct of base traitors . Tho signs of the times indicated that the people of the Continent would renew their effdrtafor freedom in 1852 , and the lessonsihe

      The Aggkeoate Monthly Meeting Of The Met...

      ho ped they had got would lead them to act m such a manner as would establish the true principles of democracy . He also reviewed the reform that Lord John Russell has promised 1 U . 1852 , and gave it as his opinion that no radical measure would be brought forward unless the . people united and brought a powerful influence to bear upon the Government . He called upon the working classes not to be misled by any sham reform , but to stand firmly by the principles of the Charter , and persevere until the principles of freedom were made the basis of governments throughout the world . A vote of thanks was given to Mr . Harney and the chairman , and the meeting separated .

      Chartist Organisation . — The second aggregate monthly meeting , of the Chartists of the metropolis was held on Sunday afternoon at tbe South London Chartist Hall , Webber-street ; . Mr . Nicholls in the chair , The secretaries from tho various localities gave in an account of the state of the organisation in their district . Mr . Foxwell , of Greenwich , complained of the omission of the mention of his locality from the Monthly Circular , which led to a protracted discussion . The system of propagandise by means of tractBj ,, was strongly enforced , and funds annoujpcWta be collected for that purpose . A motion was made for the establishment of a

      Metropolitan Delegate Council , which was ultimately lost , and the meeting adjourned . Manchester . — A meeting of members was held in the People ' s Institute , on Sunday last ; Mr * William Grocott in the chair . After the transaction of local business a resolution was unanimously agreed to , empowering the Council to call a Delegate Meeting , to he held in the People ' s Institute , on Sunday , the 26 th October , at one o ' clock in the forenoon , and to request the attendance of delegates from Oldham , Stockport , Droyles- ' den , Ashton , Stalybridge , & c , for the purpose of devising the best means of extending the Chartist organisation , and developing

      more fully tho principles of Chartism . Instructions were also given to the Secretary to urge upon the localities the necessity of complying with the request of their brethren in Manchester , so that advantage may be taken of the present favourable opportunity , by an increased and determined agitation . The meeting then adjourned until Sunday , the 19 th October . In the evening Mr . Thomas Cooper , of London , addressed a numerous audience in the same hall , on the ' Life and times of the late Sir Robert Peel . ' Mr . Cooper handled his subject in a masterly manner and after speaking for two hours , he sat down amidst considerable cheering .

      Finsbury Locality . —A meeting was held on Sunday last ; Mr . Dicey in the chair . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Mr . Nicholls was nominated to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr . G . W . M . Reynolds from the Executive . The financial atiairs of tho association were then considered ; and after some discussion it was resolved— ' That the Secretary keen a list for subscriptions towards

      liquidating the debt . Messrs . Newsome , Weedon , and Herbert were appointed to collect subscriptions . A report was received from the monthly meeting . It was then agreed that a metropolitan delegate council be Organised as soon as possible . Mr . Hawley was then elected as a delegate to the Kossuth Demonstration Committee , and ihemeetingadjourncd to October the 12 th . —Alfred Fennell , Sub-Secretary .

      Political Victims' Association. October ...

      POLITICAL VICTIMS' ASSOCIATION . October 5 th . Mr . Young in the chair . After the confirmation of the minutes , it was agreed : — " That the Secretary get a copy of the deposition ( if possible ) of the convict Rndciiffe , or such information as would load to a knowledge of the nature of the evidence brought forward upon his trial , so as to ascertain whether the witnesses were policemen , or other government hirelings . " The Secretary was ordered to have the third address ready by next Sunday , for the approval of tho members previous to publication . Mr . Martin gave notice of a motion for next Sunday , relative to the atlendanco of members ; and Mr . Jeffries also gave notice , relative to the resolutions of the 27 th of July . Monday , October 0 th . —Tho Association gave a Democratic Concert at their place of meeting , tho Two Chairmen , W : \ vdouv-stroct , Soho .

      Mr . Bezer in the chair ; Mr . Biyson vice-chairman . When a number of the male and female democrats of the metropolis attended to give mirth and beauty to the scone . The president gave original compositions written for the occasion . Mr . Bezer , with Ids usual drollery , turning the "Victims of ' 48 into " The King , God bless him ; " while tho vice chairman gave "Tulioch Gorum and the Charter . " Messrs . Arnott and Leno gave appropriate recitations , and the Treasurer of the Association was not wanting in Hibernian democratic songs . Among the ladies , we must not forget Mrs . Ash , tho founder of the Sheffield Female Chartist Association and Mrs . Martin , who , by their talents , added greatly to the harmony of the evening : and the company found that " The wee short hour ayont the twal was an unwelcome intruder . ' '

      Lancashire And Cues Hire Misers' Meeting...

      LANCASHIRE AND CUES HIRE MISERS ' MEETING . On Monday morning , October , Gtb , the minGrg of Ashton-under-Lyrie . Dukinfield , and neighbourhood walked in procession , preceded by a hand of music and banners , to the " Tommy field , " Oldham , to meet the miners of the Oldham and Bardeslcy districts . After the band had been allowed half an hour for refreshments ; the procession was reformed , the Bardcsley and Oldham districts now forming part of it , and returned to Hurst Brook , Ashton , to hold a public meeting . Mr . J . Price was called to the chair . Mr . A . Pcmow was introduced to the meeting , and spoke above half an hour in an eloquent style , pointing out the miners' grievances . He stated that their average earnings would not amount to 2 s . 0 d . per day . Mr . Fellow proposed a resolution , pledging the meeting that they would memoralise her Majesty ' s government to increase the numbers of inspectors of the coal mines .

      Other resolutions were unanimously adopted , i . c . to petition parliament to restrict tho labours of miners to eight hours per day—to have all . coal worked by weight , and not by measure , and also to use their utmost exertions to obtain a rise of wages as soon as possible . My . Swallow spoko at considerable length , pointing out the necessity of more inspectors being appointed , there being only three at the present moment . Mr . Dickinson , the inspector for this district , had not only all Lancashire and Cheshire , hut all Staffordshire J Shropshire , Sorth Wales , and parts of Worcestershire to look after ; which districts would take tho inspector at least five years to inspect eveiy pit in it , as it contains not loss than 7 S 0 different collieries . The fatal accidents from 22 nd November , 1850 , to 30 th June , 1851 , are 2 S 0 , in the short apace of seven months and eight days . Messrs . jr . Dennett , R . Whitworth , J . Gordon , and other friends addressed the meeting .

      The meeting was a truly glorious one—there coul not have been less than 5 , 000 people present . After a vote of thanks to the chairman , the vast assembly gave three hearty cheers for tho success of the union . A delegate meeting was afterwards held . Mr . James Taylor in the chair . Thirty-six delegates wore present . It was agreed that each colliery should send a delegate to tho special delegate meeting , to be held at the Fleece Inn , Bradshawgate , Bolton , on Monday , October 20 th , to meet delegates from all-the other parts of Lanchashiro , and to fix a day when the statements arc to be sent to the masters , desiring an advance of wage * , also What amount is to be asked for . The delegates present were of opinion that it would not he wise to ask a grc . iter amount than l ^ ooeaee to th e-shil-Jing at the prcstafc time . ,

      Miners' And Seamens' United Association....

      MINERS' AND SEAMENS' UNITED ASSOCIATION . A public meeting of the seamen of Hartlepool was held in the large Concert Room ( which was crowded , ) of the Dock Hotel , on Wednesday , Oct , 1 st . Mr . Holraan was called to the chair , and after delivering a very effective address , introduced to the meeting Mr . W . Daniells , one of tbe seamens ' and miners' missionaries , who spoke at great length on the grievances suffered by the above useful bodies of men , and evidently made a great impression on the meeting . The meeting was also addressed b y Mr . G , T . Lockett , who moved a resolution in favour of supporting tbe missionary fund , which was seconded by Mr . F . Walker , and carried nim dis .

      At the close of the meeting an earnest appeal was made to the audience on behalf of the Wolverharap on Tin-plate Workers' trial , which was well responded to , and a handsome collection made , which will be forwarded by Mr . Holman , seamens ' secretary , to the proper quarter . Meetings of the same kind have been likewise held lately at North and South Shields , Blyth , Bedlington , Seahara Harbour , Haswell , " New Durham , Sealon Delavel , Cramb ' ngtou , S ^ aton Burn . & c , and addressed by the seamens' delegates and missionaries . As a whole , the good cause wears a favourable aspect .

      GREAT DEMONSTRATION OF SEAMEN AND .. MINERS ON NEWCASTLE TOWN MOOR . . The important meeting of seamen and miners took place on Saturday last , on the Race Course , Town Moor , and it is computed tbat at least four thousand were present , accompanied with numerous flairs , banners , and bands of music . One affair , from Hartlepool , attracted ranch attention ; it was the English flag on the right , and the Ameri . can flag on the left , with the significant motto , between of ' Which shall we take ' ? ' The seamen of Hartlepool , Sunderland , Seabam Harbour , North and South Shields , & c , came up the Tyne in steam vessels , forming a fleet of twelve sail , and were met on the quay by the miners and the seamen of the port of Newcastle ; and tbe whole then formed into a procession ( which extended upwards of a half a mile ) through the town on to the Town Moor .

      Mr . J . Smith , of South Shields , was called to the chair , and opened the meeting with a fev : printed observations ; aud then called on Mr . Judo to move the following resolutions on behalf of the miners •—That the different modes existing at present in ascertaining the wages of miners , some being ptiid by weight and others by measure , necessarily leads to much uhci-i-. tainty and consequent injury to " the workmen . It is therefore resolved to petition Parliament to pass a law whereby all miners' wages earned shall be ascei tained by weight only . That the statute standard weight , viz ., 20 cwt . to the ton , and 112 | lbs . to the cut ., be the foundation of sucVi enactment , anil that the workmen bo paid fti Ml good coals and iron-stone sent to bank .

      That whereas boys and young persons employed in coal mines are obliged to remain continuously at work for twelve and fourteen hours each day , thereby preventing them obtaining a proper and efficient education . Hence this meeting further resolves to embody in the said petition a prayer that the legislature will provide by an enactment that no boy or young person , under eighteen years of age , shall work longer in any mine or coal pit than eight hours each day . That the Legislature having recently passed a law providing an inspection of themincsof this country , butas only four inspectors have been appointed , the extensive nature of the districts they hare to examine renders the bill almost valueless as regards the saving of life aud preventing casualties . It is therefore resolved to lnemorulise her Majesty ' s government to augment the number ot inspecters and their power , and to appoint sub inspectors , so that the districts may be so arranged that no pit shall be longer than one month without personal examination by the inspectors or sub-inspectors of the district .

      Thatthe practice new becoming generaliu tho collieries of putting in large tubs , carrying from nine to twelve cwt . each , and which so block up the air ways that the current of air is considerably impeded in its progress , and thereby influences and leads to explosions and other casualties and dangers . That the practice of ( recently introduced ) using so many ponies or galloways down the pits , is also liLjhlj injurious to the health of the workmen ; the air being sc much vitlntrd and rendered unwholesome where they are used . This nieeting , therefore , resolves to memorialise her Majesty ' s government on this subject , that a commission may be issued to inquire into the evils thereby induced , and to report thereon to the said government . Mr . Juoe , on coming forward , was loudly cheered , and explained , in forcible language , tbe evils and grievances under which the miners suffered , and sat down amid trreat applause .

      . Mr . T . Pratt secondtd the resolutions . The speaker entered into the spirit of the resolutions at some length . As to weight and measure , he believed the rule in Northumberland and Durham was twenty cwt . to the ten , aud 1121 ns . to tbe cwt . ; ' but there were exceptions . He knew places where there were neither weights nor measures used . ( Hear , luar . ) I [? . noticed Brancepeth Colliery , in the county of Durham , as ou / i of them . The men , not being united , had no redress ; if they dared to complain " they were turned off * and kept out of employ , for there « as an understanding among masters not to employ men who had the spirit to complain . If a poor miner should unfoitunately send a portion of fo " ul coal in his tub at New

      Durbam Colliery , ( and no man could help it at times , ) he was fined 2 s . 6 d ., so that for all his hard aud dangerous labour , he could not average 2 a . per day . ( Shame , shame . ) As to the boys , hfi could as ' sure the meeting , that at New Durham they hap to work from fourteen to fifteen hours per day , and had full two miles to travel to and from their work , under ground , from the bottom of the shali . ( Sensation . ) He had been thirty years a pitman , and though , from his grey hairs he may be thought old , still he was only thirty-eight years of age' . ( Hear , hear . ) In fact , miners , from the exhausting nature of their employment , became prematurely old , and died one-third be / ore their time . The speaker then went on to show tbe great necessity

      of better ventilation of mines , and more inspectors and sub-inspectors with extended power . There was greater necessity for this lhan ever , for ventilation was decidedly getting worse ; and though , in some parts of Durham , explosive gases did not abound , still as they were in want of fresh , air , being sometimes working 100 yards before or be ' yond the current of air ; so that if they were not burnt to death by hydrogen gas , still they were murdered , by slow degrees , for the want of fresh air . ( Hear hear . ) He considered so many ponies down the pits as very injurious to health , and thought the legislature ought at once to interfere to protect the lives and health of the miners . Mr . Pratt concluded an able speech amid loud cheers-The Chairman then called on

      Mr . Wm . Daniells to move the petition founded on the above resolutions . Mr . Daniells was received with cheers and clapping of hands . —He said they had heard a great deal about the Great Imbibition that was about to close—theirs was just about to open , ( Cheers . ) The former speaker had told them of some of the grievances suffered by tbe northern miners , but lie would tell them how the miners in the midland counties were used . The sailori were cursed with an official log-hook , wherein all their actions were noted down at aee , and by which they were fined as pleased the captain and mate ; but if the miners had not an official log-hook they were flogged with a colliery fine-book . Thev knew what "laidout" and " stUva" was . Why , he knew one colliery , of only about seventy-four men , that had £ U 2 a . 4 d . stopped out of ' their wages , during the last fortnight ' s pay for" laid out "

      and " set out . " ( Hear . ) Twenty hundred weight w as considered a ton , according to Cocker ; but it was not a coal miner ' s ton . ( Hear . ) Why , in Derbyshire a ton was 29 i- cwt . ( Shams . ) And n << t content to get 29 * cwt . to the ton , the owners of Leng ' s colliery enforced 120 lhs . to the cwt ., and I 29 i of these cwts . to the ton . ( Si-. ame . ) In the midland counties , too , the yard , instead of being thirty-six inches had grown to forty-two and a bait ' , and the half day in South Staffordshire was from nine to ten and a half hours ! The speaker then showed the evil effects of working long bjurs and exhorted the meeting to unity of action and ' oneness of purpose , and concluded a pointed address bv cordially moving the petition ; which was seconded by Mr . Andrew M'Lwxhlin , and , with the foregoing resolutions , carried unanimously , with heartv cheering , Mr . R , Young was then called on to move the follQWing : j- eaolutioii 8 :

      Miners' And Seamens' United Association....

      That this meeting resolve to petition parliament for tha repeal of all clauses in the 7 th M > d 8 th Vict , cap . 112 , a * relates to seamen ' s register tickets , for the total and un * conditioned repeal of the 13 th and lith Vict , cap . 93 , known as the Mercantile Marine Act , for the Removal of Shipping Offices , and for aa amendment of the present Navi gation Laws . ¦ - ¦; This ineeting also , considering the dangers to which sea * men are exposed by vessels being sent to sea ivithout'being properly manned , resolve to petition parliament to pass a law to compel ship owners to properly man their ships , ac ' */ cording to the following scale—viz ,, ships of six keels , and under ten keels , two able-bodied seamen before the . tuast } 1 ke fl > aild "wder fifteen keels , three able-bodJed seamen ; fifteen keels , and under seventeen and a half , foutf awe-bodied seamen ; seventeen and a half keels , and under twenty keels , five able-hodied seamen ; and so on , m line proportion according to the tonnage of vessels . , i ^^ p That this meetine resolve to petition parliament for tnd

      , After reading the resolutions , Mr . Young' explained in an able manner the working of , and tha evils resulting from , tbe working of the Searrien ' a Ticket Act , Shipping Offices , and the infamous operations of the Mercantile Marine Act . to British Seamen . In relating the fact of sailors being fined for not being shaved on a Sunday morning , whatever wind or weather may prevail , also hi ? being fined / orsRsoking below , the speaker asked whera he was to take his pipe ? was the saiior to have a rope tied round his middle , and be slung over tha ships side to smoke ? ( Loud laughter . ) Tha speaker concluded an eloquent speech amid the approbation of the meeting . ^ .

      Mr . R . Holman rose to second the resolutions , aud strongly complained of the improper way tbafi vessels employed In the coal-trade were manned . During the storm last week , great loss of life ha 3 ta en place , and much valuable property destroyed , through the culpable neglect of ship-owners ia not properly manning their vessels . Owners complained of the operation of tbe Navigation Laws $ but if they were sincere , why did they not come outt and assist the seamen and miners , not only tqr amend that law , but to get repealed all other bad laws . ( Cheers . ) What caused the owners to have low freights ?—because , like the coal owners , they were underselling and underbidding each other iut the market . ( Hear . « Thats true . ' ) In / act , low

      freights for ships and low prices for coals were brought on by blackleg owners , who were encouraging foreigners to man their ships at low wages a « ainst the Englishmen—their own countrymen . What did they care fer their " country or countrymen . All they cared for was to get money anyhow . ( Hear , and . cheery , ) The speaker . then alluded to the ruinous Hailway monopoly , and insisted that that monopoly would eventually ruin the nursery for British seamen , —he meant tba Northern Ports of England . He maintained that the government ought-to interfere to prevent this national evil being carried out ; for if they had power to grant bills to open railways , they bad power to fi strict their operations , if they had a

      tendency to injure the country , nhich he contended , they were doing . The speaker severely taxed Sir Charles Napier about his intended conscription bill , his heavy salary , & c , and hoped the seamen would exert themselves to prevent Sir Charles Napier ever again getting a seat in parliament . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Holman then earnestly entreated the meeting to unite , in order to obtain their political rights If they had the People's Charter they would not long be humbugged by such things , as the Mercantile Marine Act , shipping offices , and other shameful things . Let us go , said tbe speaker , at once for the Charter . ( Loud cheers , and ' aye , that ' s it . ' ) He would sit down by seconding the resolutions . The resolutions were then put to the meeting by the chairman , and carried unanimous y .

      Mr . A . Hamilton came forward to propose the petition founded on the foregoing resolutions , which ho did in a sensible speech . In allusion to tho English sailors entering the American service , he stated that Mr . Anderson , of South Shields , Shipowner-, hrtd statod that seamen were so fond of England , that however had they were used they would never leave it—that , like the dial to tho sun , its face was there whether the sun shone on it or not . jS ow ho was convinced Mr , Anderson Wil 3 here wrong , for injustice is not done to them ( the ) seamen ) they would not only enter the American service , but light for them if wanted . ( Hear . ) Seamen loved their country well , but loved justice better . ( Cheers . ) British seamen did iiot "ant a

      Dutchman , like Labouchcre , to legislate tor them ; they wanted Englishmen , who knew their wants and feelings , to make laws for them . He perfectly agreed with the foregoing speaker as to »!¦ ¦ * , caused low freights ; and it should ho roii ' . euibei'eor that since the Navigation Laws were repealed that ; foreign tonnage had increased about eighteen per cent ., while English had decreased from seven to eight per c .-nt . ( Hear , ) Labourchcre had stated that English ship-masters were a set of ignorant , useless men , and that seamen were a class of dissipated , drunken characters ; but he would shortly find to his cost that they , both together , wore wisa and sober enough to overthrow him and his miworthy patrons . ( Loud cheer ? . ) Ho would conclude by moving that the petition be adopted .

      Mr . II . Gkeexsides would most willingly second the petition ; and in tho name of justice and truth ho iittreated tham to gain information—to read tha Press , and judge for themselves . The speaker then took a rapid and eloquent view of tho position of tho" Seamens' and Miners * United Association , " and the grievances under which tho seamen labour . The remed y , he contended , was to he found in union , and by spreading tho principles of the association to every port and mining district of tha kingdom , and entreated the meeting to send in tha means to tho Executive to carry out such object . They were there that dny to etl ' -. -cb such an union

      as the world never had yet seen , and ho , on behalf of the seamen , pledged to the miners the right hand of fellowship . ( Hero Mr . Creonsides seized the baud of a miner and shock it heartily , the meeting cheering lustily ) . In reletoiiee to the American and English flags , and the motto of which shall wotafce , the speaker said he loved hii country , and the governors cuttle to he fathers of the people ; but if instead th « y became oppressors , hu would leava his unnatural father and go over to his brother Jonathan . ( Loud cheers . ) lie exhorted tiicm to Stand together like men and true Uritish sailors , and nothing then could prevent them obtaining their liberty . ( Hear . ) He would sit down , trusting they would do their dutv .

      The Ohairmax put the petition to the meeting which was carried unanimously . Mr . Thomas White moved the following resolution : — That this meeting having heard read and explained the various grievances of the respective bodies of seamen and mineis , as specified in the resolutions aud pctUi » ns adop : ed by this meeting , r-js . Ive to aid and assist each other by ail legal and constitutional means , to obtain u redress of the said grievances , and never to cease agitating until the said grievances of cadi body . ; re redressed .

      lne speaker said hu W . 13 there to stand father to a woddmg of the miners and stamen ; which was tha wife he did not know , but he hoped aud believed they would agree and make each other happy , liesides being father be should bo the priest to tho wedding , and us part of the ceremony , he should tia the union jack and the colliery " flag together . ( Immense cheering . ) Now , said Mv . White , iho wedding is completed and may they novor be separated , but keep firm together to uproot oppression and keep tyrants in awe . ( Cheers . ) \

      The resolution was ably seconded by Mr . It . Armouu in a sensible speech , and was supported by Mr . B . EMr . i . uTox , in a short address , and earned unanimously . A vote of thanks was moved to tho Chairman by Mr . Hamilton seconded by Mr . Daniells , and carried with three hearty cheers . The flags and banners were again unfurled , tho bauds again began to" discourse SWGOt inusip , ' and the immense assembly walked in procession , wiih the tied flags , symbolic of union , through Newcastle . Thus ended this important meeting—a meeting not soon to be forgotten by the seamen , miners , and inhabitants of " ' Canny Nenx-astlo'' and " Coaly Tyne . "

      Freedom Fboji Skkpests.—Ireland Is Not T...

      Freedom fboji Skkpests . —Ireland is not tho only country supposed to he inimical to reptiles . I may , purhaps , bo allowtd to add to tho " Note " <; f your correspondent as to Ireland , that the Maltese declare that St . Paul after his shipwreck cursed all the venomous reptiles of the islaud , and banished them forever , just as St Patrick is said to have afterwards treated those of his favourite isle . Whatever be the cause of it , the fact is alleged by travellers to be certain that there are no venomous animals in Malta . " They assured us , " siys HryJonr in his " Tour through Sicily and i \ alta , " "' vol . ii \ ' 35 , " ihat vipers have been brought from Sicily j > n i id lmosimmediatel

      dea t y on their irrival . " Although perhaps more strictly coming under the ! cm f fnlli lore . I may he . e advert to the traditions found , in several parts ot tngland , that venomous reptiles w » ro banished by saints who came to live there I 1-aviread that Ksynsham—tha hermitace of K-vnis . ' Cambrian bdy , A . D . 4 M- „» i „ fit 3 wiih c " S . "S : J ? ; = ' C ( mvmed b > ' her prayers into the serpent stones -tbe eornua awmoafe-that now cover the land A similar story is told at Whitby . iweie these hoe fossils of the lias are called " . Sc . iLlda sserpent atones ; " and sotcoSc . God /> e , the amous hermit of Finchale , near Durham , is said to have destroyed the native race of ssrpsnts . —NvUs and Queriif .

      The Natioxal Rkporm Association . —Cou : » try . —A mevtinu in furtherance of ( he views ol 1 \ . ; . liamentaiy and Financial Reform . waOiehl m St . Marv ' s Hull , Coventry , on M ' . nday night , a id \ v ; u tolerably well attended . Sir . Joshua W « lmsley . iW . I" , Mr . Thompson , M . P .. and Mr . Rupert Kct le . attended as a de putation from the National ltdo . ui Association : and the meeting was ureamei ONer by ho Mayor , Mr . James Sibley Whitham . .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 11, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_11101851/page/1/