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them whichinpofiii of refined and agreea...
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BTJ BAftPtY-S HEALTH RESTORING FOOD TOE TtEVALESTA ARABICA.
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ggi^, - —¦ ; m,„«« ^" jTOTICE TO SUBSC]iBEIv&
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Now ready, for delivery with the Norther...
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sro Q FomftyoitHMU*.
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John Newiiouse, Birmingham.—As we hnve n...
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THE HOBTHERH STAB SA'ff -U tJDAlf, BKCEBSBElt 14, 185©
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A PATRICIAN DESCRIPTION OF REPUBLICANISM...
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JPOST OFFICE CENSORSHIP. If anything wou...
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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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Them Whichinpofiii Of Refined And Agreea...
_ . „ December 14 , iaka 4 THE NORTHERN . STAB , ^~ ^^ , JlL ^ - ^ * ' » iii 1 1 ¦¦ ¦ ! 1 . ^ .
Btj Baftpty-S Health Restoring Food Toe Ttevalesta Arabica.
BTJ BAftPtY-S HEALTH RESTORING FOOD TOE TtEVALESTA ARABICA .
Ad00407
CAUTION . —The most disgusting and injurious compounds bcin ; sold by unscrupulous speculator : upon the credulitv ofthe l ' ublic , under close imitation of the name of DO" BARRY'S REYALEXTA ARABICA FOOD , or wtih « pretence of being similar to tbat delirious and invaluable rsraed ? for Indigestion , Constipation , Xcrvons , Bib ' ous . and Liver Complaints , Messrs . DTJ BARRY and Co . caution Invalids against tbese barefaced ittempts at imposture . There _ is nothing in the whole ¦ ^ etaWekii ^ duni that cau legitimately tic called similar to ju Barry ' s Keraleuta Arabics , a planWhich is cultivated by Du Barn- aud Co . on their estates aloue , and for the preparation and pnlveri = ation of which their own Patent Machinery alone is adapted . Let Corn Chandlers sell their pease , beaus . lentil , and other meals unger their projier names , and not trifle vritb the health of invaUas arm infants , for whom DU BARRY'S REYAL ESTA AHAU 1 UA alone is adapted . , London
Ad00408
Politics : The wcrld a republic . Religion : To do all the good possible . G t C AVILL , Democratic Temperance Hotel f , 3 S , Qnecn-streat , Sheffield , TOBACCONIST AM ) GENERAL STATIONER , A cent for tho 'Northern Star , ' and other Cheap 5 rublicatious , Rees to announce that the above extensive premises have been refitted with a plentiful supply of good beds . Those iriends who visit this town will meet with ample accommodation on the most reasonable terms . jj B . —Chops , steaks , and all kinds of Temperance Beverages always on hand . Public News lloom up the Passage .
Ad00409
pALDWELL'S NEW , SPACIOUS , \ J AND ELEGANT ASSEMBLY ROOMS , Dean Stbeet , Soho . 21 b . Caldwell avails himself of this opportunity of returning his grateful acknowledgments to his Patrons , Pupils , and the Public ior the liberal support they have hitherto honoured him with , and begs most respectfully to announce that his Extensive Premises have heen entirely rebuilt , under the saperintendancs of an eminent Architect , and are now replete with the most scrupulous regard to accomodation and comfort , which artistic skill , combined with experience , could suggest . The whole comprehending . It is presumed , the cliefA ' cmre Terpsichorean Establishment at the West-end , which
Ad00410
< T < HE LONDON CO-OPERATIVE X STORES are now opeued at 76 , Charlotte Street , FrrzKor So . oare , In connexion with the Society for Promoting Working Men ' s Associations . 1 . —Object of the Stores . To enable members of the above-named Association , and other persons who may desire it , to obtain articles , of daily use perfectly free from adulteration , of the best quality , and the lowest charge , after defraying the necessary expense of management , distribution , and providing for a reserrefund . Co-operative stoves have been established with much success in different parts of the kingdom . The benefit to the subscribers may be judged of iivnn the fact that tha subscribers to the Pioneer Store in Rochdale , divided in the last year & JUD afterpayment of all expenses , although the goods were charged considerably below the ordinary price . 3 . —Operations of the Stores .
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RUPTURES EFFECTUALLY AM ) PERMANENTLY CURED WITHOUT A TRUSS . In every case of Rupture we have found Dr . Barker ' s remedy entirely successful , and earnestlj invite the attention of our readers to it . '—Shigicai . Times . DR . BARKER'S REA 1 EDY has heen successful in curing many thousands of cases of Single and Double Ruptures of every variety ; and has long been retoguiscd by the whole « f the Medical Profession , ts the only remedy ever discovered for this alarming complaint . All sufferers are earnestly invited to write , or pay Dr . B . a visit , as in every case he guarantees a cure by his 1 eculiar mode of ireatmenr . The rimedy is equally applicable to male © r female of any age , aud is easy aud painless in ust-, causing no inconvenience or confinement , & C . Sent pest free , on receipt of 7 s , by Post-office order , or Postage-stamps by Dr . Alfred Marker , 48 , Liverpool-street , Kinn ' t-cross , London , where he may be consulted dstily from 10 till 1 morning , and 3 till 0 evening ; the Sabbath excepted . P > -st-office Orders to be made payable at the General Poit Office .
Ad00412
LETTERS TO THE HIERARCHIES * B 7 Kobbbt Owen . Also to Richard Codden , Esq ., M . P ., with observations on the means to well-place , well-employ , and woll-educato tho population ; and other interesting matter , in BOBEET OWEN'S JOURNAL , No . 7 and 8 . No . 0 will contain LETTERS TO THE CHARTISTS , AND TO THE CABINET MINISTERS . Published weekly by Olayton , 265 , Strand ; and Watson , Queen ' s Head Passage , Paternoster Row . Price , Id ., and in Monthly Parts .
Ad00413
Education for the Millions THIS MY IS PUBLISHED , No . XXX . op
Ad00414
NEW POLITICAL AND LITERARY PUBLICATION . Publishing weekly , prico Onu Penny , The FKIEND OF THE PEOPLE , Edited , by G . Jatun Habnly . ThU Publication is the Fearless Advocate of Freedom of Opinion !—The Righs of Jjahonrl—The Soverei gnty ofthe People . '—and The Fraternity of Alcilt ' ons ! Ijgp The 'Friend of the Peofms ' contains special information of the proceedings of Trades Unions , Strikes , and the progress of Co-Operative and Labour Associations . London : Fuhlished by S , Y . OIHns , 118 , FleeUtrei t , and to he had { on order ) of all booksellers and news-agents .
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'Liberty—Equality—Fraternity . ' EARLY NEXT FEBRUARY WILL BE PUBLISHED The First Number of 'THE PEOPLE . ' ' We'll struggU on till aR he won the good God has designed . The Emmbe or tue People—the Monarchy of Mind . ' A NEWSPAPER esteiLlislied by private IX individuals is manifestly inadequate to the attain . ment of any groat National object . 'It is , ' says a distinguished Irish writer ,-in many particulars defective , in muny others injurious , nml in some dangerous , unsafe , and untrustworthy ; it may he bought or bartered ; it may bo traded with and trafficked on ; it may bo corrupted , conquered , or intimidated , and offers no guarantee for firmness , independence , or honesty . "—Influenced by these considerations , a number of Irishmen-dccply interested in the welfare of their Native Land—have resolved on the establishment of a National Weekly Journal , which , founded by the People , will be alone responsible to them , and will have for its immediate aim and object he uncompromising advocacy of their rights—their interestsand their liberty .
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THE RADICAL REFORMER . Early in the ensuing ycarw'U bc published , price One Penny , No . I . of the HADICAL UEFOKMEU , a weekly journal . To be conducted by members of the National Charter League . Further particulars will be givall in future advertisements .
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novelty , Amusement , and Instruction for the Christmas Holidays . MR . JOHN FOWLER respectfully l' -i announces that , on tho suggestion of numerous i emocratic and Social Friends , has been induced to throw the Wobkiso Man's Hall , 2 G . Golden Lane , Baubican , Open for a S 01 KEE , consisting of tea , conversazione , concert , and ball , on CimisTMAs Dat Next . Bronterre O'Brien . U . A ., will preside . Jlr . Fowler respectfully solicits the support of his numerous friends . Tickets , to admit for the whole evening , 9 d . each ; after tea . ( id . —Tea < m table at half-past five precisely . Os HoxixtJ Night the Democratic Propagandists will hold a tea , soiree . Tickets , !) d . each .
Ad00418
NOTICE . A MEETING will bo held on Sunday , the loth instant , at Two o'clock , at Mitchell's Coffee Huuse , Leeds , on business of great importance connected with the Land Company .
Ad00419
NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Oflice , IL Southampton-street , Strand , rr < HE PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE X hereby announce the following meetings : — ' On Sunday Evening next meetings will be held at the Rock TiiVern , Lisson-grovc—Princess lioyal , Circus-street , * uarylebone—King and Queen , Folcy-street , Portlaudplnce—Uricklayei's' Arms , Tiiubridge-sti'cet , New-road—City Hall , - ' (! . 6 < jldcti-lano , Harhicaii— Whittingtonand Cat , Church-row , Botlmal Green—Crown and Anchor , Cheshirestreet , Waterloo Town—and Oloba and Friends , Morganstreet , Commercial road cast—New Has tern Literary and and Scientific Institution , Movpeth-street , Green street , 3 ctluj . il Green . T . M . Wheuler will lecture on Sunday evening at the Literary Institution , ilorpetli-street , Grcen-strcet , flethnalgreen . On Monday evening next at the Brunswick Hall , Ropeniukers' Fields , the following qaestion will be proposed for discussion : — ' To what extent ought . Chartists to support the National lieform Association . ' ' Signed on behalf of the Committee , John Abnott , General Sesrotavy .
Ad00420
TO TA 1 LOHS . By approbation of Her Majesty , Queen Victoria , and 11 . 11 . II . Prince Albert .
Ggi^, - —¦ ; M,„«« ^" Jtotice To Subsc]Ibeiv&
ggi ^ , - —¦ ; m , „«« ^" jTOTICE TO SUBSC ] iBEIv &
Now Ready, For Delivery With The Norther...
Now ready , for delivery with the Northern Star , an authentic , highly finished , and beautiful » . « .. » STEEL ENGRAVING , TWO FEET LONG , From the contractors' ( Fox and Henderson s own Drawing of the CEYSTAL PALACE : OR GREAT BUILDING IN HYDE PARK v FOR FOB
The Grand Industrial Exhibition of 1851 . No expense has been spared in obtaining a correct and finished Engraving of this GIGANTIC UNDERTAKING , And we feel assured our Subscribers will admit , on seeing impressions , that tho Plate is only second to the Building itself in its extraordinary novelty and dimensions . Price . or Prints 6 d . J Proofi . la . each . Post Office orders for the number requred , muat be forwarded
by the Agents to William Eider , at tbe Northern Star Office , Great Windmill Street ; or to Mr . Pavey , Holy well-street , Strand ; or they may be obtained through their respective London Booksellers . The usual allowance to the trade . ( K & = Several persons hnve sent Postage Stamps for single plates ; but it is impossible to send a single plate by post without damaging it . Individuals wanting but one plate had better apply to some wholesale Agent in the neighbourhood .
Sro Q Fomftyoithmu*.
sro Q FomftyoitHMU * .
John Newiiouse, Birmingham.—As We Hnve N...
John Newiiouse , Birmingham . —As we hnve no Intercourse with the Turkish government , we cannot aaswer vour question . G . Smith , Globe and Friends . — Vour communication should have been paid for as an advertisement . WitLusi Walteih , Staleybridge . —We must decline the publication of your letter . If it was noticed , it would lead to a discussion for which at present we liavo ne room . J . Taylor , Ashton-under-Lyne . —Next week . Ma . BitowN , Preston . —Tlio £ 10 will be acknowledged in the subscription list laid at the bank . Mit . G . Cavil , Sheffield Twelve shillings for the three . We will comply . Jtfn . Gledhill , and an Old Radical , Leeds . —Yes , h » is in % . O'Connor ' s debt for the 'Northern Star . ' That is bis method of discharging the account .
Nottincuam . —Mr . J . Sweet acknowledges the receipt of the following sums ( sent herewith ) : —For Honest ? Fund—Messrs . Thurman Cd—C . Gwilliam Is—Breward "Jd—Meakin 3 d—Gee Is—King Is—Mellors 6 d—Menon Gd—J . Farr Is—Mrs . Burbage 3 d—Mr . John Smith Gd—From the Seven Stars 10 s—From the Eagle Tavern 10 s . —Windin g up Fund Messrs . C . Gwilliara , * Bhare No . 224 to 226 . Westminster branch , Is—S . Elson Gd-J . Elson Gd—T . Bend Gd—John Smith Gd—James Wright 3 d—James Wright , jun . 3 d—G . Cox 3 d—W . Brown 4 s . —Refugee Fund . —Mr . G . Haokett 3 d ! — MacnasuaA's Acnov . —Mr . II . Hextall fid . Polish and Hcngaihan Refugee Fund . —From Mr . Holyoake , per Captain Kolla Bartochowski , £ 3—Whittington and Cat , per ifr . Blcomneld , 3 s Gd—Collecfion from four of tho Committee 2 s—A true hearted Female Friend ,
per Walter Cooper , 9 s—From Julian Harney 6 s—Mr , Hall Is—C . Ferguson 6 d—J . Ferguson Is—Jim Crack ' s Cousin Gd—A , few friends to Democracy , per Douglas Snelling Is—Per John Arnoit £ 1 Gs 7 d . The above acknowledgments extend ovoi « the last fortnight . —T . Fejsguson . Tub Hungarian Refugees T . Brown ' s List . — 'ister of Mercy Is ; Mr . Binyan 2 s Gd ; Mr . Jones Gd -, Pearson 1 b ; Crocket Gd ; Scott Gd ; Smith ' s Workmen 4 s Id ; Milter ' s Book Oil ; WelcbmaR 3 d ; Roe Cd , Mr . Mauley Gd ; Mr . Murray 3 d ; Collected at South London Hall 10 s lOd ; WartoyrGd ; Mr . Moore , per Ladz , GJd . Any monies omitted application to be made to T . Brown . Mr . W . Robinson . Brom . ' grove . —Two papers over . Mr . T . Haggitt , York . —You aro not charged for them . SonscaiPTWN Lists . —Wcha > e not space for the long lists of names we have received from various places .
The Hobtherh Stab Sa'ff -U Tjdalf, Bkcebsbelt 14, 185©
THE HOBTHERH STAB SA'ff -U tJDAlf , BKCEBSBElt 14 , 185 ©
A Patrician Description Of Republicanism...
A PATRICIAN DESCRIPTION OF REPUBLICANISM . Sim-painted portraits , express trains , and electrio telegraphs , h ave , in their turn , excited our wonder . " This" as Byron says , " is the patent age of now inventions . " But , extraordinary as are our numerous developements of material and scientific progress , there is to us something more significant in the fact of a " Lord" lecturing to the members of a Mechanics' Institution . It removes us an
immoitsurablc distance from the ages when the baron and the serf were scarcely imagined to possess the same nature . If indicates a practical revolution in popular opinion , and an approach to that intelligent equality which is so often decried as Utopian or dangerous hy those who deprecate progress , and think they areonly safe when they " stand in the old ways . "
We do not forget that Lord Brougham has before this occupied the rostrum of Mechanics ' Institutions—but he was to the " manner born . " He co-operated with Dr . Birkbeck in their establishment , before he was a " lord , " and the continuance of , and his connexion with , them , after he received his title , was nothing strange in the active erratic and ambitious lawyer . His life has been spent in the forum . He has won rank and fortune by " wagging his tongue , '' and is known to enjoy great pleasure in hearing the sound of his own voice . But the now lord-lecturer has no such inducements or habits . He is the head of tho ancient historical and proud house of HOWARD . Ho has been trained as tho heir of vast
patrimonial estates ; and the distinctions and opulence which others must struggle for have come to him by birthright . It is , therefore , not less strange to find him acting so differently from his " order , " than to think of the subject on which , as an Earl , a Cabinet Minister , and , therefore , tho chosen counsellor of Royalty , he chose to descant to the mechanics of Leeds . Instead of taking some of the passages of our own history , which might have illustrated the part his own ancestry have had in influencing the current of events , the Earl of Carlisle , for the first time , told the impressions produced on his mind by a twelvemonths ' residence in the great Federal Republic on the other side of the Atlantic .
The reminiscences of his varied and extensive intercourse with the statesmen , lawyers , and literary men of America , interesting in themselves , were marked by all that kindliness of heart which is his own peculiar characteristic ; and in his estimate of the general results of Republican institutions , so far as they havo developed themselves in the States , wo see little that indicates a prejudiced or hostile animus . On tho contrary , ho gives full prominence to what ho considers the , merits of American society . In common with all other observant travellers , he remarks , that the
feature the most obvious , and perhaps the most enviable , is nearly the entire absence , certainly of the appearance , and in a great degree of the reality of poverty . " In no other part of the world , " said' the noble lecturer , " I imagine is there such general ease and comfort among the bulk ofthe population , and a gushing abundance struck me as the most prominent characteristic ofthe land . " The result of this " gushing abundance " is seen in tho enterprise and activity of tho whole
people . Then' industry , steady and persevering conduct has , in the merest span of time " cleared numerous tracts of forests , reared , amidst their untrodden glades , spacious and stately cities—opened new highways through the swamp and the desert—covered their unequalled rivers with fleets of steam boats and craft of every form—given an extension to canals beyond all previous experience , and filled land and water with lasting miracles oi successful enterprise . "
This is one of the most decisive testimonies that has ever been borne by any one , to the beneficial results of republican institutions , as far aa mere material developement is concerned ; and it is not the less worthy of notice because it comes from one whose personal position and traditions were not , of themselves , calculated to predispose him to look at the sunny side of American society . But his lordship does not allow it to be inferred , that while the nation is prosecuting these gigantic industrial enterprises , the intellectual and moral departments of aocial life are neglected . However absorbed in those pursuits the citizens of these young Republics may he , ' circles are nevertheless to fce found among
A Patrician Description Of Republicanism...
them which , in-pofiii of refined and agreeable intercourse , of literaryta-st ? and general accomplishment , it would be ai *^ &* * e great capital of the elder world to surpass . " We know not how this will bo receive Mayfair and Belgravia , or what the Mrs " . 'Tr plopes' and the vulgar preloaders of the " sifter " fork school'' "will say to it ; but , it is evident , that the Earl of Carlisle must be a good judge , as the most super-refined in the one case , and infinitely better than the other . it i .: _ i . : « « a ? w > of refined and flffreeable
It is not , however , by the taste , refinement , and accomp lishments to be found in certain small circles , by which we are to estimate the intellectual and moral character of a whole people . It is by tho actual condition and habits ofthe masses ; and here we think Lord Carlisle shows , that Republicanism has been as successful as in its industrial aspect . Fe mentions , with just praise , the universal diffusion and excellent quality of popular education — the ample provision of facilities for public worship through the medium of tho voluntary system . " With the most unbounded freedom of conscience , and a
nearly complete absence of polemical strife and bitterness , there is apparently a close unity of feeling and practice in rendering homage to God . " It seems , therefore , that both in educational and religious matters , they order these things better in America than we do at home . We have no " public or common schools , supported generally hy a rate to which all contribute , and all may profit by ; " and the consequence is , that the " excellency of what fell under" his lordship ' s " own observation , presented to his mind some very mortifying points of contrast with what we have hitherto effected at home . "
But though we have no national or established school system , we have au Established Church . Now , an Established Church ought to mean something certain , settled , defined . If in any nation " polemical strife and bitterness" should be unknown , it might be expected to be where the state has bountifully provided for religious instruction . The very reverse is the result . In no country in the world is there so much " polemical strife and bitterness " as among ourselves at the present moment . Not only is sect waring against sect , but the state church is torn and distracted by intestine divisions , both on matters of doctrine and discipline , which indicate that it is anything but an Established Church .
If John Bull was to imitate Jonathan , by making public provision for education , and leaving religion to voluntary support—in other words , do exactl y the reverse of what he now does , it appears that he would succeed much better in attaining some of the great and Cardinal objects of all good Government . Republican institutions , according to Lord Carlisle , are exceedingly unfavourable to idleness . Public opinion does not tolerate a class of men , whose sole title to the term
" gentlemen'' is that "they do nothing , " " Among the more opulent portion of society , " his lordship tells us , " an idle man without regular profession or fixed pursuit , is the exception which excites obaervation and surprise . " That , too , is a Bepublican feeling which we would gladly see transplanted to England , for just as industrious and active habits are contagious so are idle and desolate ones ; and we have far too many such examples on this side of tho Atlantic , who are continually proving the truth of Dr . Watts ' s assertion , that
" Satan always found some work For id ! o hands to do . " In the Free States we are told that , " the people at large bear an active , and , on the whole , a useful part in all the concerns of Government and practical daily life ; men of all classes , and especially ofthe more wealthy and instructed , take a zealous share in almost every pursuit of usefulness and philanthropy ; they visit the hospitals and asylums ; they attend the daiiy instructions of the schools ; and they give lectures at lyceums and institutes .
In a word , they accept with wealth its responsibilities , and feel themselves bound / because they have large means , to labour proportionately for the benefit of the society to which they are indebted for their possession . Lord Carlisle has caught the spirit , and added , with reference to the lectures , " I am glad to think that I may be treading upon their footsteps on this occasion . " He paid a high tribute to the pu * rity of the female character , and contrasted the female factory population of Lowell with those of the West Riding , not at all favourably for the latter .
After all , the exaggeration in which parvenus have indulged , as to the manners of the American people , it is gratifying to have the following statement from so unexceptionable an authority as Lord Carlisle . " It is something to have travelled nearl y over the whole extent of the Union without having encoun - tered a gingle specimen either of servility or incivility of maimer "—by the last , meaning " intentional rudeness j" and as to elections , which form so large a portion of the public business in a Republic , we have his testimony
that "they are , with but few exceptions , carried on without any approach to tumult , rudeness , or disorder . Those which I happened to see were the most sedate , unimpassioned processes I can imagine . " Why ? Because there is no large section of the population roused to indignation by being excluded from participation in the ri ghts and duties of citizens—because the institutions confer political equality upon all citizens ; and the machinery consequently works without tho friction which our exclusive and unjust system necessarily creates . '
On the whole , we have every reason to feel proud of Lord Carlisle ' s description of the practical working and tendencies of Republican institutions , so far as they have been developed in the United States . We wish that a few more of our legislators , hereditary and elective , would travel and observe for themselves , in the same intelli gent and frank spirit . It would have the effect of breaking down some of the narrow prejudices which cause them to stand in the way of progress and wo might soon , in place , transfer from our descendants such principles and modes of social action as their experience has demonstrated , to be generally beneficial .
. Of course , the picture la not without its shadows . . Foremost , Lord Carlisle places the foul blot of slavery , and forcibly describes its withering and baneful effect upon the States in which it exists . There is , however , one effect of Democratic institutions to which we cannot at present , advert so full y as it deserves , and which yet must not ho left unnoticed . In common with M . De TocquevilluLord
, Carlisle appears to think that Republicanism is unfavourable to individual independence of thought and action ; that a full developement of Democracy produces " a more implicit deference to custom—a more passive submission to wlmt is assumed to be the public opinion of the day and hour , than could bo paralleled in many aristocratic , or even despotic communities : " and to this source he
traces " the remarkable similarity in the manners , deportment , conversation , and tone of feeling , which has so generally struck travellers from abroad in American societ y . '' The point is an important one , and well deserving of the attentive consideration of the advocates ol Democratic principles . We think we see a foundation for the statement in the verv orealunation of
Man himself , aud in the reaction ^ such institutions upon that organisation : but the practical measures by which a beneficial direction could be given to this tendency , and by which a dreary monotony in society mfoht be prevented , cannot be indicated at the close of an article . Meanwhile , we have thought it our duty to present a few of the more salient SSL ? ^ . S ^ O MM ' s genialcriticism on the great Republic , as offering matter for con " pftotom j while , at the sametime , the fort
A Patrician Description Of Republicanism...
of a Cabinet Minister , and one who stands so high among our hereditary nobles , taking the position of a popular lecturer , must be ac . cepted as an indication that , even in . this country , we are not standing still . There is a Future before us , which the kindly union of # 11 classes may and must make a glorious one . Of a Cabinet Minister , and / inowL a »*„^ j . .
Jpost Office Censorship. If Anything Wou...
JPOST OFFICE CENSORSHIP . If anything would provoke a revolution in this country it would be an attempt to establish by law an authorized censorshi p ot the press . The Ministry that dared to make such a proposition would be speedily driven from power , no matter what their antecedents might be , or the party influence at their back . Yet , it appears , that what we would refuse to tho united action of the three estates of the realm . is assumed by the Post Office authorities , who , in a recent case , have copied the example of the King of Prussia , and attempted to suppress a Radical newspaper by refusing it the usual Post Office facilities ' for distribution ;
The circumstances , as we find them stated in an " Appeal to the Newspaper Editors and Proprietors of Great Britain and Ireland ' * are briefly these : —A new weekl y paper , called the Edinbwyh Examiner , hag just been established . The usual preliminaries had been gone through , the necessary securities provided and accepted , and the " red mark " of the Stamp Office legally stamped on the paper ; but when the first number was issued on the 23 rd of last month , postage was charged on every copy gent to country sub * scribersasifit had not borne that claim to
exemption on its corner . One shilling was charged for each copy from the parties receiving them . Upon making inquiry in the proper quarter as to the cause of this , the reply was , that " the stoppage was ordered in the regular course of duty . " To this the proprietors of the paper rejoined , that such a thing had never been done to any newspaper before , and that law upon which the stoppage had been founded only applied to unstamped periodicals . It would appear ,
however , that the local magnates were not to he moved from their course b y this truthful statement of the law and the fact . Accordingl y , a representation of the case was forwarded to Lord Clanricardb , the Post-Master-General , together with a copy of the paper on the 26 th ult ., and it was not until after repeated applications that this functionary condescended to give a decision on so plain a case in the following letter : — General Post Office .
Edinburgh , 6 th December , 1850 . Sib , —I beg to acquaint you that I have just received the authority ofthe Postmaster-General for the Edinburgh Examiner to circulate through the Post Office , under the usual newspaper privileges , and the necessary instructions shall immediatel y be given accordingly . I am , your obedient servant , ( Si / rned ) F . Abbott , Secretary . The Editor of the Edinburgh Examiner .
This document deserves notice for two reasons . First , the delay which shows to have taken place in deciding upon a matter on which there could not have been the slightest doubt ; and second , the implied assumption of a right on the part of the Postmaster-General to allow or to prevent the circulation of newspapers through the Post Office . Such an assumption ought to be met at the very outset with a vigorous denial . Neither Lord Clanricarde nor any oi his subordinates , have any authority or option in the matter , after the proper securities have been lodged with the Stamp Oflice , and tho requisite die
has been supplied to the proprietors by that office . It was the right to transmission through the post which that stamp conferred upon newspapers , which mainly enabled Mr . Spring Eice ( now Lord Monteagle ) to retain even that portion of the stamp duty at the time his bill was proposed . Although it was seen that it imposed a tax upon those who purchased papers in the towns where they were published , yet the convenience and facilities afforded b y tho arrangement for country circulation outwei ghed this consideration . . But for that , we have no hesitation in saying , that the stamp duty would have been entirely swept away .
The only apparent ground for this wanton and unjustifiable : conduct on the part of the Edinburgh Dogberries , that we can perceive , is the fact , that the Edinburgh Examiner is favourable to the People ' s Charter , and to some other measures of reform , which are too strong for the delicate stomachs of these Jacks m office . We have yet to learn , however , that the newspaper press of this country is bound in the slightest degree to consult them in any matter or manner whatever .
want nnnrsn it-, will fol ™ «„ „« .. _ .. i . i .- ' wnat coarse it will take on any public question . An authorised and definite censorship would be bad enough , but the idea of an arbi « trary irresponsible censorshi p , exercised under the mere whim and caprice of a legion of country Post-masters , is intolerable and monstrous .. The press of every shade of politics , is bound promptly and d ecisively to put down the audacious and unwarrantable stretch of authority , at once aud for ever .
We cordially concur in the sentiments expressed by our contemporary in its appeal . " In ordinary censorship , there is at least no decep . k ? 31 P , 1 t , transaction there is a species of Si i . i L ble- < ieariI 1 S "> which it is impossible ? S » i n * ? racte «* in ordinary language . JlnJ K ? ffico } s , il PubIic institution for public accommodation ofthe widest possible description , iivery person has a right to its agency , provided he pays the legitimate charges . The person who attempts to divert the current of its usefulness into a selnsk or party channel , is culpable in the highest degree j and if the newspaper press does not at ouca act its heel on the reptile in this the first exercise o ! , , w ?« onomed * l ' £ J' . ^ ma y yet have good on heYnlK r' ? VtS aP 3 thy . Officialism \ as quite enough of arbitrary nnwnv .. ironW „ ™ . m .. *
, „ Effii n i - A P ° with ^ I'ich to exterminate all who wuh to watch and criticise its coa-We trust that the subject will not bo allowed to rest , but that Lord Claniucabms will be questioned in his place in Parliament on the subject , and that if his answer is cot satisfactory , some Liberal member of the ¦ Le gislature will place the question beyond doubt or cavil The encroachment of the Post-office officials on the Liberty ofthe Press is a much more dangerous one than that of the Po e on tho prerogative ofthe Crown . With
a vreo Press , wo care not what opinions may be advocated by any party . "Let Truth and Falsehood grapple , " iu the emphatic language of John aIilton , and , liko him , we shall havo no fear ofthe result . But if red tapists and petty post masters are to decide what kind of political principles or information are to be permitted to circulate in the country , there will be an end of all that contributes to tho healthy activity of > pulav opinUmt E , d w 11 fall from its present position into the degradation and darkness that characterises all na ions in which the PreS 9 ia 8 hackled by tyrann y > ° StriCkeU dumb ^ P *
ANTI-PAPA L HUBBUB . The country has now spoken out in almost every conceivable form on the subject of what is called « ' Papal Aggression . " County meetjugs , parish meetings , ward meetings , meet * wgs of all sorts and sizes , have , with wonder , tul unanimity , expressed their determination not to submit to tho assumption of Roman Catholic supremacy , and prayed the Sovereign to resist it by such means as she may think requisite .
With few exceptions , we aro happy to say , that these demonstrations have been unaccompanied by any desire to trench upon any of tbe existing politicalor religious liberties enjoyed by our JKomf tu Catholic brethren . Hero A & 4
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 14, 1850, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_14121850/page/4/
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