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August 14,1852. THE gTAR QF FBEED0Mt u
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DEMOCRATIC
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TO THE REFORMERS OF ENGLAND. It seems to...
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PUBLIC MEETINGS, &c. Our friends Avill o...
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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August 14,1852. The Gtar Qf Fbeed0mt U
August 14 , 1852 . THE gTAR QF FBEED 0 Mt u
Democratic
DEMOCRATIC
To The Reformers Of England. It Seems To...
TO THE REFORMERS OF ENGLAND . It seems to be admitted upon all hands that the most e efficient safeguard of such liberties as a nation has already a acquired , and the best guarantee for the attainment of g greater freedom is a free press . That is at once the most p perfect and powerful agency for the formation of opinions a and the machinery by which they are most widely
distri-1 buted . So sensible are all parties of this , that hv all ™ - .. t butea . so sensible are all parties of this , that by all orc ganized political sections the establishment and maintei nance of a press is regarded as an essential condition of j power . There is scarcely a shade of opinion the advo-( cates of which do not seek , either by occasional pamphlet 1 by unstamped magazine , or by duly taxed broad-sheet to : influence thought , and to spread their peculiar doctrines and it is obvious to all who
are acquainted with the subject ' that success has been generally proportioned to the energy and intellectual power with which such efforts have been carried out . In proof of this , it is scarcely necessary to adduce more than two facts . First , that tyrants have never been able to destroy freedom without destroying the press which gave it voice : the second , that the power of any party may be measured by the talent and circulation
of its newspaper organs . It is hardly necessary to say that hitherto what are usually called the upper classes of society have had the hest of this battle of the press . Their resources have enabled them to give permanency and stability to their organs , and to purchase the best of that talent which is hought and sold in common with other marketable
commodities . Toryism clinging to the corpse of the jr , st . and endeavouring to chain the progressive life of a great nation to dead corruption ; Whiggism , belonging neither to the past nor the future , and unable to abide the present ; Sectarianism , elevating theological feuds into disastrously important struggles ; Commercialism , regarding the acquisition of wealth as both the means and the end of human
happiness , have been , and still are all as Avell advocated as —their nature considered—they can be ; and what is perhaps of as much consequence is the permanent character of that advocacy . The history of Democracy presents a sad contrast to this . Its supporters have appealed to the largest but the worst , organized of all classes ; the class which has had the least opportunity for intellectual culture , and is , from its habits , the least able to appreciate mental effort . They have been compelled to work with deficient and imperfect machinery . For Avant of necessary means
their efforts have often been fitful and interrupted ; or when persevered in , in spite of all obstacles , their energies have heen weakened by the necessity for seeking in other channels for that subsistence which has been beyond their reach as journalists . It is scarcely to be Avondered at that , surrounded by circumstances like these , the people have
never , had a press worthy of them , and that Democracy has appeared to assume rather a physical than an intellectual or moral character . It is true that in times of great excitement , when the passions of men have been raised almost into frenzy , the fever of the moment has given an impulse to a democratic press ; but the agitation once passed , indifference has again asserted its dominion .
Of all Ave have said , the history of this very paper , which ( under its present and other names ) is the oldest existing advocate of popular rights , Avould furnish ample corroboration . When men met together by tens of thousands , and listening to the voice of some enthusiastic orator , dreamed that liberty was within their reach , that they had only to put forth their hand to grasp it—when Avateh
words were shouted , and banners waved , and long processions lined the streets , the Star was a widely-circulated paper ; but when discouragement came upon the People , when the voice of the speaker Avas stilled , when shouts no longer rent the skies , when the torn banners were furled , and the processions dispersed , the circulation of the paper sank again , till men shrunk from the loss , if not ruin , which the advocacy , of the cause of the many threatened to
entail . Of the causes which led to the loud demand for the Charter subsiding into silence , of the reasons which worked the degradation of the cause of the politically unenfranchised into powerlessness , there is no necessity to speak at any great length . The subject is at best but an unpleasant one ; there were no doubt faults on both sides . In some respects leaders and followers were alike wrong , but beyond mere personal and petty errors , there was the gratia mistake of supposing that movement could be carried
any by the mere force of numbers desiring its success . It seemed to be forgotten that the largest mass without discipline , intellectual training and organization , is only a mob , and is helpless in proportion to its hugeness ; that the best banners of the millions are not of calico , inscribed with popular golden legends , but . the broadsheets of the press , covered with living thoughts , and that the onlv real procession to actual liberty is the procession ot minds of
opinions and ideas through the hearts and men . That period of fierce excitement and of false confidence , was like one of those early spring days , when the sun , bright and warm before its time , tempts out the tender bud to be nipped bv the hoar frost of the night . 1 he etteet was almost as disastrous , and when the vision of f reedom near at hand , faded away like the mirage which shows palaces in the desert , to the overstrained activity and hope which had prevailed , succeeded lethargic inactivity and
hopeless despondence . It seems to us that must always be the case witn movements which , however holy , are the objects they tend towards , are built upon simple impulse . They lack the steadfast power which is conferred by calm thought ; they are destitute of those deeply laid foundations which are only obtained by earnest preparation ; they are too sudden and too violent to be secure against reaction , it
To The Reformers Of England. It Seems To...
is not the violent storm with its sudden deluge which forwards the golden harvest , but the gentle continuous rain , b-reat ri ghts do not spring into existence like toadstools , in a night . Like all that is good they grow slowly , imperceptibly , and are no more to be had at once than next year ' s apples before they have grown . We have had the sudden deluge of meetings and processions , speeches and shoutings , bauds and banners . We have seen the same effect produced ?; *? c usec ° y tempests among corn—our hopes have been ' laid . " We must , if we are to succeed at all , try now what can be done by earnest persevering effort , and for that the press is the only medium . We must make a press for the People .
We have already noticed the fact that the democratic press has the widest circulation , and brings the best chance oi profit to those engaged upon it , in times of the greatest excitemen t ; but we omitted to state the truth that it is just at such times that its true influence is the least felt . What the organ of any party should do , what is more particularly the duty of a Peoples paper is to support its views by clear , calm argument , and to enable those who read it to give a reason for the faith that is in them . But at periods of wild agitation , popular columns are filled with large type headings , strongly-emphasised declamatory sentences , and " hear hears" and " cheers , " which in the
conspicuousness of « italics" may be said to look loud . It is a scene of hurley hurley , and topsey turvey , from which thought creeps away affrighted . With a c knowled ge of all this , once more the attempt is to be made to create a really popular paper ; and our object now is to tell the world , or such portion of it as we may be able to reach , what sort of paper Ave mean , and the course we intend to adopt .
In endeavouring to carry out this attempt , the principles of the Star will be what they ever have been—the principles of the People ' s Charter . We believe that to thousands of thinking men those principles are dearer than they were Avhen it Avas hoped that they were destined speedily to bo successful . The Chartist organization may be dying or dead , but the spirit of Chartism has a far greater vitality . The desire for liberty which the Charter expresses more perfectly , comprehensively , and simply than any other document has spread wide among the masses become more thoroughly identified Avith their best hopes , and sunk more deeply into their hearts than ever . We shall endeavour to
advocate those princples , not for the benefit of a class , but for the good of all , as the basis of the only settlement complete and just enough to make a happy future . We shall neither blame nor vituperate those who cannot think with us , convinced as Ave are that their inability is a misfortune rather than a fault ; and though we shall not hesitate to give free expression to our thoughts respecting opponents Avho interestedly and knowingly support a bad system , Ave shall avoid those terms of opprobrium which more frequently create a prejudice against those who use them than those against whom they are directed . We have had quite enough verification of the adage that i ; Curses like chickens come home to roost . " What we conceive
to he wanted—what we shall attempt to supply—is argument without vituperation ; disapprobation Avithout violence ; and earnest appeals without frothy declamation . If we can succeed in doing that—if we can blend extreme opinions with moderation of tone , and separate firmness from fierceness , we may hope to win the ear of those who have hitherto stood aloof , to reassure the timid—to fix the wavering—to command the respect of conscientious opponents , and to excite the hatred of none but those who
against their better knowledge- support the wrong . A paper doing that may , we trust , live even in times of political lethargy—may serve as the machinery for careful organization , and prepare the minds of all for future and successful action . We cannot omit from this address at the commencement of a new series , some mention of our social creed . We are not of those who would separate social and political
reforms , but would see them go on together . All experience tells us that they are mutual aids—sometimes one a little in advance , sometimes the other . They are the wheels upon which human progress runs , and neither can be spared . We Avant political power to render social progress more possible — Ave need social progress to render political power beneficial . Either alone would be unable to sustain itself . While therefore Ave raise the
banner of equal political rights , we shall maintain the necessity of individual and collective effort for social advancement . We want not only to be wiser but betternot only more powerful , but more happy . Impressed with these notions . Ave shall devote a part of our space and attention to the explanation and advocacy of industrial and commercial Co-operation , as of equal importance with political organization .
Of the other departments of the Star of Freedom in its new form , we would rather let time speak than praise ourselves by anticipation . A newspaper to be successful must be something more than a political magazine . It must not only contain opinions , but facts ; not only indicate Avhat should be , but describe what is ; and beside the world of men , a paper for the People must also take in the world of
books , so as to let the masses know the progress of science , and bring them into acquaintance with the great minds , which in the region of fiction , are developing the resources and pointing out the direction of human intellect . In these respects we shall labour earnestly and thoughtfully to make the Star of Freedom at least the equal of the best conducted journals of the day .
Worldngmen and brother Reformers , it is for you to say whether such a paper as this shall exist . Without your aid we must fail , whatever energy , devotion , and talent Ave may bring to bear ; with your help we must succeed , not only for ourselves , but for you-succeed in giving to your aspirations for liberty a basis of real thought ; in making the intellectuality as well as the phy-
To The Reformers Of England. It Seems To...
sical power of your movement appreciated and respected ; in conciliating and enlisting the best feelings of those who have hitherto been opposed ; in creating an effectual organization , and in ensuring ' ultimate victory . We make the effort , to you we leave the decision , telling you in all candour and sincerity , that if you will not have a popular press , popular in the best sense " of the word , you neglect your best interests , forego Avhat should be your
dearest hopes , and bequeath to your children the condition of political and social serfs . Such a press , if you areas earnest as we are , may be supported Avithout individual sacrifice , and be made an engine of such power as to gradually undermine and beat down the remnants of the tyranny of the past , and the prejudices and wrongs of the present . In your own hands you have your own and our fate , and to you hopefully and trustfully we leave the issue .
We have , in order to ensure directness of expression , and clearness of meaning , spoken as though we were about to take upon ourselves the practical conduct of the paper . That , however , is not the ca e , the management still remaining in the hands of the Editors . This address , however , is written in accordance Avith reports made by them to us , and embodies our common sentiments and opinions . For ourselves , our intention is to remain a committee , for the purpose of promoting the circulation , and increasing the influence of the Star , and we invite our fellow working men in every town throughout the kingdom to form corncommittees for the same purpose , and to communcicate with us through the Star .
William Newton—Chairman . JOSIAK MeKIUMAN , A . E . DiiLAFOilCE , James E . Mowing , George Fakiiaii , James Fenwjck , Joiix Washington , Augustus Pibucy , Jamess Gbassby , T . S . Clauke , John Mathias , John Shaw , Isaac Wilson ,
D . W . Euffey , J . E . Leno , W . Isiiam , T . Fakrah , William Davis , George Taylor , William Travers , J . Wilkes , W . MlLFOED . J . I . FerDINANDO , J . Pettie , R . Levy , William Eobson , John Milne , Walter Cooper , Secretary .
Public Meetings, &C. Our Friends Avill O...
PUBLIC MEETINGS , & c . Our friends Avill oblige by forwarding reports of Democratic and other meetings . POLITICAL REFUGEES .
The ' -committee formed to render aid to the destitute exiles driven to this country by the tyranny of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte , and the other continental despots , held its first quarterly meeting on Monday evonimr last , at the Literary and Scientific Institution , John-street , JFitzroy-squarc . Mr . G . T . Boiyoake was called to the chair . Letters expressive of regret at being unable to attend were read hy Mr . Julian Harney from Messrs . sshaw , Furnival . Lockhart , and G . W . M . Reynolds . The latter gentleman also expressed the deepest sympathy with the objects of the committee , and stated that , if others would do the same , he would subscribe to the funds . *
The following report was read , and , on the motion of Messrs . Arnott and Piercy , unanimously adopted : — QUARTERLY REPORT OP THE DEMOCUATIC BEFUGEB COMMITTKB . " When the champions of Freedom are proscribed from the land of their birth by a reckless despotism- —when on another soil they beheld little before them but the prospect of ^ arvation—there can be no worthier opportunity for the manifestation of that hospitality which lias so long been applauded as
the attribute of the English nation . Impressed with this consideration , and liOiTorstrielvfii at the hopeless , friendless , j ; osit ; oii o / ' it number of refugees from other lands , where despots reign supreme , we , the Central Refugee Committee , some three mouths ago , took some initiatory steps to organize relief for ouv unfortunate brethren , by forming at once a , committee for the object . " All means open to us were adopted of making our purpose known as widely as possible . We appealed by addresses , and by other means , for that assistance without which no cause can be successful . We distributed some
hundred collecting-sheets among such triends as are personally known to us , or whom we believed to be embued with generous sentiments . We published lists of the refugees , in which they were classified according to their trades , and called upon our English brethren to exert themselves to obtain employment foe as many as possible , and thus relieve the committee , and place the exiles in comparative independence . We called upon friends to form local committees to assist in carying out our object . Nottingham responded , and , independently of pecuniary assistance , lias contributed employment for a small number of the refugees .
" With such an object as that we had in view , we nursed the hope that the aid afforded us would be of no insignificant character , but would be worthy of so good an object . We lament to report that we have been disappointed . The funds raised have fallen far , far below our anticipations , aud can go but a short way to relieve the necessities of our unfortunate brethren . "To those noble-hearted individuals who have contributed to our assistance we pay a tribute of our esteem . To those who have been willing but unable to assist we wish a better future . To those who have neglected their duty we say , ' Come forth now—it is yet time to retrieve the character of Englishmen from the odium of suffering our brethren to fall a sacrifice . Such
a calamity for them and dishonour to our country may yet be prevented . '" The balance-sheet for the past quarter was then submitted , and , having been duly examined was , passed as correct . It appeared . therefrom that the receipts amounted to £ 23 Os . 3 d ., and the ex- ¦ penditure to £ 9 lis . Id ., leaving a balance in hand of £ 13 9 s . 2 d . . It also appeared that the principal items in the expenditure were i for printing circulars aud forwarding them to friends throughout t the country ; and , further , in paying the expense of conveying * refugees who had procured employment to Nottingham and i elsewhere .
The disbursement oi the funds in hand was next considered , I , and after seme discussion , during which several of the committee : o expressed their deep regret at the paltry amount to be distributed , 1 , it was agreed that the sauui be divided as equally as possible lo between our proscribed and suffering brethren , aud that Messrs . s . > lamey , Hotyoake , and Arnott be requested to superintend theies appropriation thereof . On the question arising of the necessity for future and energeticic : action , G . J . Harney rose , and having briefly alluded to thedesti-itution and misery at present existing among the exiles , thionghdn their inability to procure employment , advised the formation ofoff local committees in all the principal towns , lot * the purpose of pvo-o--curing them such employ as would afford them the means of sub-bsistence .
The Chairman said he was going on a tour tnrough the country , y „ and he should be most happy to render all the aid in his power to too the committee . ¦ I -. , , I' ... . I - " " " —* * A letter was received from Mr . Thornton Hunt and Mr . Ludlow , but nonoo until a day or two subsequent to the meeting .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 14, 1852, page 11, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_14081852/page/11/
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