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Northern Star (1837-1852), 19th June 1847, Edition 2 of 3, Page 1, TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.

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    • TO FEARGUS O'CONNOE, ES^
  • Text (12)
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      To Feargus O'Connoe, Es^

      TO FEARGUS O'CONNOE , ES ^

      Eldersfield, Worcestershire, 28th May,18...

      Eldersfield , Worcestershire , 28 th May , 1847 Sis Sis .- * Tf . ¥ . teI ;? f th * r th m * 6- to Lo ^ John i ^ n ^» P Sr 1 ~ mQl ® Northern Star , job state J ^ EpOn Tuesday , a labourer , 56 years of age , ie & rf yon very imploringly if he might leave work rforSbie * ne osnai 1 ™ 6 . as his wrfe was not expected to L te , » ato ^ t ^ fam £ y ' Md BeTeraTmil es to SS- t 0 I ,. him £ g \ tbeD « and not ^ op way ££ * £ her ; and he saii / she won't live , the doctor %% & hersomesonp . but the overseer ordered Mm Si Stt a ** " * " ™ « otgivehin & i « r . '" Aid then you ^; ^ the man s nme is Richard Curtis , of the pa-% | , of EWersfield . " Ton then say , " Flour is ISs . * J ^ tehel and wages 7 s ., 8 s . and in some instances

      11 Tter tfeek ; * i ? »«» man , wife , and femily can 2 ^ half a bushel of flow per week , and have no-% Cleft for rent , feng clothing , 4 e » . Yon also Z S § at " 50 U gl « 12 shlffing 8 perweekwages . ,, * % e , « r . wa do think before any person of re' Jdability publishes any statement he ought to be % 5 * ^ it is true , or he may be chanted with , wil-S Stotfcrinsthat which is false . We do not charge 2 SVHb fitful mistake , but we do say that what you it i <« s » d on the matterof Curtis ' swife , and his ^ ^ Scatitvn for relief for her , is untrue , and you 5 Set ba « k ™ nus , ed * y the man Curtis wfl en he * ^ ehis statement to you . 1 Constate that Curfis ' s wife was not expected to , J on the Tuesday , the 18 th inst . Now , she was tneiitn

      K x «]! on , ana settled with herem-& for her work , which was hoeing wheat , at 3 s . F jae , and at this werk she couldgetfrom lOd . to Pg , dav ; for hoeing vetches she was paid 3 s . 6 d H as . Sha was at work the 19 th , 21 st , and 22 nd ; ILthtf she was at work the 18 th or no , we cannot jl fort we believe she was , as the work was set by Siae , andshecouldgotoitwhen she pleased . ™ ow * omld not haTC been ' * " yott 8 tated i " not jJed to live , " when she could go regularly to fgand * et 10 d . or Is . per day . * latbe next place , you say " the doctor ordered her jg soup , hut the overseer ordered him ( the man ) ^' on < J « w « W not gfw faro amy J' Now this is ^'« false as the rest of the statements you make .

      ££ never applied to either of the overseers , or to the ^ 5 » n , « lieving officer , or any one of the parish of-E « - neither was there any order from the doctor , stated by you , and if there had , it would have ta for meat , and not for soup , as tie overseers are IT expected" to J" * P sonplready made ; and if the £ > arhad seenherand ordered anything for her , it JSihave heen theirown fault if they did not obtain •^ mediately , as we can prove that Curfis's family Lhad meat many times through , the winter and Zgaz of this year , by the order of the medical man ; lj therefore , if he had an order , he knew how to Sneat or any article ordered for himself or family , fedothink he would > ave needed but little assist

      Ij e if his wife was ill , as he was at work for you jjjk per week ; and as you felt so interested for ( L * you would have given him a part of his wages sjabad asked for it . jjisstated he had several miles to walk : the disjj ^ from Lowbandsto the man's cottage is about Muffles auda half . foe text thing is the large family . He has five Ajton : of these , two are at service some way from v-gg , and earn wages besides their food . Another , jtjr , wrks for Mr William Hawkins , and gets ier g work 6 ? . per week . Another , a girl , for Mr jjgsa , at 2 s . 6 d . per week ; so there is but one at j ^ enable to get her living , and that six or seven « sof age . '

      _ ... __ . " iad now , sir , we will take the ease of Curtis , as gslistbe one yon build your arguments upon ; and tjsiy , a man , wife , and family get half a bushel of iji per week , and have nothing left for rent , < fce . s . d . { r £ s , at work for Mr O'Connor . 13 0 per week , £ wue , at Mr Psnsam ' f , lfli . to Is . perdat 5 0 " £ >» a , at Mr Hawkins's , Is . per day ... 6 0 s gftrnghter , at Mr Morgan's , 53 . per a » v . 2 6 "

      £ 15 6 S 3 that this family are earning more than 20 s . per fgk , and only five to be maintained . Ion state wages to be 7 s ., 8 j ., and , in some in * isses , 9 s . per week . You should remember that suets give from 12 to lSouarts of drink to the men pseek , and 10 s . wages , fand if you will do the same , ^ tMnkyourmen would sooner have it than 12 s . ri drink water . Toa say flour is 18 s . per bushel , and , a few lines Ether on , you state it to be £ 4 . per sack . Now cch of these statements are we to believe ? And we believe that a man with a wife and family a get a little more than half a bushel of flour s week . With 25 s . 6 d . per week they can have " . a . d .

      Specks of flour . 0 12 0 51 b . of meat . 7 d . 0 2 11 3 ditto of bacon ,,,,,,,, „„„ 0 2 6 vroc ^ zy . •¦«•« . ««•««•««¦•«•••• .. u x % xiTing ...,,,,,,, „„ ,, „ ,,. ,., v a u

      1 011 Rent ..,.,.,....,.. 0 16 Pat by for clothes 0 3 0

      £ 15 6 So we think , if you will just look the matter rcr . you will see you have made a small mistake or FO . 1 st—The woman was not in the state described . 2 nd . —The doctor never ordered her any soup . 3 rd—The man never applied to either Overseer , Gsardian , or Relieving Officer at all , and , therefore , raid not be ordered away . & , —The family are not in the distress you sreseat them , when they can earn 20 s . to 25 s . per

      -5 ib . —Curtis has not a large family , nor several !& 3 to go to work . Cm , —Farmers' men ' s wages are not what you re-5 aant them to be . They , the farmers , give as much Etna , if yoa will add the ralae of the drink to the njes . With the other parts of your letter we have no-&§ todo , and , therefore , shall offer no remarks on ' kt You are quite welcome to your own political einions if you will leave other people alone , or if ! ffl do print let it be the truth . We should not have teu & 'i you at all if you had not stated that which , if fine , would have been a disgrace to any parishioner , i & efore have written in self-defence .

      "To bear an open slander is a crime ; Bjt not to find an answer is a worse . " [ 2 ere follow the signatures of the churchwardens , Sosecrs . an'J guardian of the parish . ]

      To Tjie Churchwardens, Overseers, And Gu...

      TO TJIE CHURCHWARDENS , OVERSEERS , AND GUARDIAN OF THE PARISH OF ELDERSFIELD . '' To hear an open slander is a crime , Bat not to MAKE an answer is a worse . " Gkxtlemes , ; In the correspondence which you have bought proper to open with me you have a Seat advantage over me ; you write as a

      fommunity or body—I as an individual ; as ^ is an acknowledged fact that men in their s & porate capacity will commit acts which the " osest amongst them would blush to aeknow-Wge as an individual . However , I shall not ^ riiik from the individual responsibility of * kt I have stated upon my own knowledge , * biJe I propose to strengthen the statements ttade by Curtis , and published by me upon the ftidence of his parishioners and neighbours or working for me .

      With this view I shall first repeat what I * ated on ray own authority . I stated that Curtis worked for me ; that he was fifty-six ters of age ; that he had a wife and five chil-V ; and lived in the parish of Eldersfield , hving several miles to walk to his work ; jj « A 1 paid him twelve shillings per week ; ! *& he asked me for permission to leave work ^ the afternoon , to see his wife , who was dane ^ ously ill ; and that 1 gave him permission ; ^ tflour was 18 s . per bushel , and iL per sack ; * k * labouring men in the parish receive

      S & ., and 9 s . per week ; and that with the { je hestrate of wages a man could only pur-^ a se half a hushel of flour per week . Such , S & tlemen , were tie statements made upon my ^ n authority , and I now reiterate them . Hlen I read your letter in the Gloucester * oiT » d on Sunday morning , 1 confessed my ?& gnation in believing that I had been so to posed upon by Curtis . I thought seriously * f * it upon that day of rest , and retired in Je fond hope that I should indulge in « B delicious dream of an Eldersfield labourer ' s ^ viable condition . I pictured to my self the *« rrid vision of a starving family crying for

      W to the anxious father , who had toiled Jk ough the week in expectation of heing able to satisf y their wants—the scenes of woe depicted in the daily journals vanished from my "" "guts , and I said , ' -Here , in Eldersfield , J " true standard of Labour's comfort has " * en established ; thank God I live within the ty ^ ere of so much happiness I " I longed for daybreak to take vengeance * Jton the ingrate who had so deceived me as to Jjs condition and your administration of the ?*» hut , alas ! gentlemen , on Monday morn-, D £ " a change came o ' er the spirit of my

      To Tjie Churchwardens, Overseers, And Gu...

      dream . "Upon examining not only Curtis hut nine or ten of his neighbours who also work tor me and resolved to do you justice , and to make the amende if I had wronged you , I put them io possession of your statement and of my own , and asked them which was true , and I will give you now the substance , if not the verbatim answers that I received from Curtis and which was corroborated by all : — « w l ' Aii y ° wife work on the 18 th * ' ' u n ° J V ° nW E"e my oath sne did n ° t " ' ;„; iffl "ttedoctororder her meat which therelievwg officer refused to give you an order for ?" Iream . * ' TTnnn wa «; .:.. j . i . 7 ^ .. .

      Yes , sir , bntnot the day that I came to you , hut ?«? " v befor f' w » en she was so bad that 1 thought she wouldn't live , and the doctor saw her at work in the field and told her that she had no business there and that he wouldn't answer for her i » 8 ne didn t stop at home , and two women carried Her to the house . * * ' Curtis , mind , yon will be punished if you state tateehoods , sobeonyourguard . " - ., " } , know that , sir , for they've told me already they 11 drive me out of the parish , and I got a lawyer s letter already for £ 19 $ . that I don't owe . and l near they vegot a warrant for my wife to go to Upton for taking some boughs that Mrs Pensam gave her leave to gather for firing ; but sure the poor creature will never live to go there . ' - '

      ' 9 " , . canyon and yoar family earn 25 s . 6 d . per W 66 r 5 « f * 0 , Lord ! sir , who says that !" " Never mind who says it , can you earn it and your family . '" "No , sir , not from the day I was born , nor a pound a week in harvest , and sometimes without work . ' "Have you five pounds of meat , three pounds of bacon ,. three pecksof flour , 2 s . « d . worth of groceries , a shiHings-worth of firing , Is . 6 d . for rent , and 3 s . for clothing every week ?" "I could give my oath that there hasn't been a pound of any sort of meat in my house for a week these three or four or five months . I had half a pound of bacon last Sunday , and we ' re oftener without that than with it on a Sunday . " -

      ""When your wife is at work does she earn from 10 d . tols . aday ?" " No , sir ; when she is at work she will earn 1 & . or 6 d ., and work hard . " " Does she get constant work at that ?*' " God bless you , no , sir ! a day now and then at bean-setting , hoeing , and haymaking . " "Is your daughter working for Mr Morgan at constant work ?" "No , sir . " " Is your son at Mr Hawkins's in constant work J " " He has what he earns himself , sir . " '' Now , Curt's , what are the wages usually given by farmers in your parish ?"

      " Well , 7 s . and 8 i . a week , and 9 s . in busy times , and sometimes 10 s . ; but when they ^ give 10 s . they give no drink , and s » me gave 6 s . in winter . " " flow much drink do they give you V " Why , some two quarts a day . " " And whafsthat worth ?" " Why , fivepence a gallon , if it is good . " "Which would you rather have—my wage , * , 12 s . a week , without drink , or the 9 s . fcilh drink ?" "Why , the 12 s . a great deal ; it does me more good and my family . " "Now , what can you earn , upon an average , throBghout the year ?" " Why , with good and bad times we never bring home 9 s . a week the year round . " " Now , what groceries have you in the week ?"

      " Well , sir , the most we ever have is an ounce of fourpenny tea , and twopence tor a quarter of sugar . " " What is the real state of your wife's health ?" "Why , the neighbours know , sir , and the doctor knows , that she is in a bad and low state , and wasting for want of nourishment , and can only work a day or two now and then . " " Well , but I have heard a most excellent character of your medical man from everybody ?" " Oh , if they were all like him , sir , the parish would be different ; but they don ' t give what he orders . ''

      Now , gentlemen , I have only to add that your description of an Eldersfield labourer ' s condition has been the cause of much laughter and general merriment since you had the folly to publish it . Still anxious to arrive at the truth , I requested Curtis to send his wife to me on the following morning . She came , and her appearance bespoke her condition , and corroborated her husband ' s statement . However , resolved upon being satisfied , I repeated my questions to her , and she described her state and her family ' s state just as her husband and neighbours did . I asked her "if her husband was a drunken man , or if he wasted their substance ! " and she replied , "No , sir , far from it ; be is only too glad to have it for his family . "

      Now , gentlemen , I have rendered you the easy task of dealing with my assertions and Curtis ' s fabrications , and , in order to enable you to deal summarily with them , I repeat them . To my own knowledge the maximum rate of wages with cyder is 9 s . per week ; that flour was 18 s . per hushel ; that I paid it to Mr Crews that week ; that Mr Richard Aston , my neighbour , paid the same price 5 and that I had contracted with a Mr Barrett , miller , of Gloucester , for 32 J . a ton , or 41 . a sack , for flour during that week ; that I have his note in my possession , and here allow me to explain what to you appears a conundrum—how flour could be 18 s . a bushel , and Al . a sack . Now , a sack is five bushels , which at 18 s . per bushel would

      be Al . 10 s ., leaving the retailer 10 s . profit upon the sack that cost Al . JTow , surely there was no great difficulty in solving this riddle , especiall y as you are aware that the quarter of a pound of sugar which the huckster sells for twopence , costs him little more than a penny ; so that in the case of flour the retailer has about twelve and a half per cent ., and in the case of sugar nearly 50 per cent . How could you confess yourselves so ignorant as to require the solution of so understandable an assertion , such an every-day occurrence ? You say , " \ Ve do think he would have needed but little assistance if his wife was ill , as he was at work for you at 12 s . per week , and , as you felt so interested for him , you would , have given him a part of his wages if he had asked for it . "

      It was not my business to make a parade of my feelings for the man ; but as you have indulged in this sympathetic figure , I beg to tell 3 'outhat I gave him As . of his wages and that 1 did give him a good supply of READYMADE SOUP to take home to his wife , although your dignity takes fire at the notion of-dealing in such an article . Gentlemen , you do not appear to me to attach the proper meaning to simple terms . I stated that the man had several miles to walk

      to and from his work , and you put the distance down at two miles and a half there , and two miles and a half back . Now , that implies a walk of five miles a day or thirty miles a week . It implies two hours' labour of walking each day , which increases the day ' s work to fourteen hours ; and although I would not say that the man who had travelled five miles by the railroad had travelled several miles , yet I do say that the term " several miles" is well applied to the man who walks five miles a day to his work .

      Now , gentlemen , I have looked the matter over , and I find that 1 have not made even a small mistake ; but , perhaps , if in your calmer judgment you WILL LOOK THE MATTER OVER 3 ou will find that you have made more than a small mistake or two ; you will find that not two per cent , of the * labourers of Eldersfield parish earn 10 s . a week throughout the year , while you have averaged it at lZ . 5 s . Gd . per week . How could you be so silly ? how could v « u be so foolish ? * how could you be so inconsiderate , as to enter into an unprovoked contest with me , when you must have been convinced that every one of your assertions were untenable , and merely made for the purpose of saving yourselves from that disgrace which

      To Tjie Churchwardens, Overseers, And Gu...

      you have artfully distributed ^ amongst the parishioners , but which solely attaches to you as administrators of the law ? Gentlemen , you must have felt mortified that none of the daily papers published your letter , which , to the Free Trade portion , would have been a Godsend . They did not publish it for this reason—because they felt convinced that the Lord had delivered you into my hands , and they did not wish to participate in tie exposure . When you quoted from my letter to Lord John Russell you should have

      published the whole letter , as I do yours , because , in that letter , I ha ve exonerated the farmers from every share in that blame which properly attaches to the law and its administrators ; while , in your reply , you seek to bring me into collision with that class . I know but little of the farmers of the parish of Eldersfield , but 1 will say of those residing in the parish where I live , that such men as Mr Joseph Stallard , Mr Charles Stokes , and Mr John Beach , are an honour to their country , an ornament to their class , and a credit to

      society . Gentlemen , as to your sheerest 12 s . a week and cold water , I think that you will find that I should be a large gainer by giving Qs . a week and three gallons of sour cyder worth Is . 3 d . However , if you feel yourselves wronged , or in aught misrepresented , I am prepared to afford you every possible facility of proving your innocence and my misrepresentation , and , believe me , that nothing will give me greater pleasure than assisting at an inquiry which will enable you to prove that the labourers of Eldersfield

      are supplied with three pecks of flour , five pounds of meat , three pounds of bacon , 2 s . 6 d . worth # f groceries , Is . worth of fuel , Is . 6 d . for rent , and three shillings for clothing weekly . Having got so far I looked for the luxuries ; for the ale , the spirits , or , indeed , the wine at least , on Sundays ; and , as you say , that , receiving 12 s . a week from me , Curtis could stand in little need of parochial assistance , ' surely , from other sources , drawing 13 s . 6 d . more , he must have been in a most enviable position .

      Gentlemen * , I have forwarded a copy of this letter to the Gloucester Journal , and I have printed your letter to which this is an answer , at full length , and the only favour that I have to request at your hands is , that when next you do me the honour to address me you will attach your proper names to the document . During my residence in your neighbourhood you cannot . ' say that I have joined in any cabal ,

      or attempted to create any schism between the labourers and their employers ; but in the end , as we must be judged by the unerring standard of public opinion , if you again charge me with falsehood or misrepresentation , ! I , will call a public meeting in that parish where Labour is so well remunerated , and where the Law is so humanely administered , and by its verdict you and I must be judged . *

      Gentlemen , I have not provoked this contest , nor shall I shrink from any responsibility the result may impose upon me ; but , in the outset , allow me to warn you against the attempt to make the parishioners parties in the cause , as between you and me , and between us alone , the difference exists . I have the honour to remain , Gentlemen , Your obedient servant , Feargus O'Connor .

      To Tjie Churchwardens, Overseers, And Gu...

      fine for his violation ' of duty ; Now , men of Derby , is your time-England looks to you--tbe enemy ' has given you a glorious opportunity of testing the dying Ho ^^ Wfli ^ ery u pon the question of Constitu . tionalLaw . This blow will destroy all hope of Whiggery at the ; next general election . Our battlecry . will he , «« DOW N WITH THE BASE , BLOODY AND BRUTAL WHIGS I" Men of Derby , forward your petition at 0 ri % ; sign it night and day ; state every grievance ^ and send it to your constitutional adviser , our friend and champion , ' . TV ' s . Buncombe . ; : £ ^ Y 6 ur faithful Friend , ~ -iS > i '¦ . '•;¦ : ¦ ¦ ' . Fbabgus O'Connor .

      To Tjie Churchwardens, Overseers, And Gu...

      to foster and strengthen this mighty agent of human happiness neglects the most important function that falls within its province . If , gentlemen , you wish to produce in abundance the fruits of morality , patriotism and philanthropy , the soil you must cultivate is the national mind . ( Cheers . ) I am opposed to government interference with the religious education of . the people . Government can , however , promote both religious and secular education without vexatious intermeddling . There seems to me to be nothing inconsistent with sound principle in parliament appropriating every year a sum for educational purposes , in which the whole community , without distinction of sect or patty , may participate . Let every sect , in every town or villageappoint its own

      , souoojmaster , who can teach its peculiar tenets , in addition to a sound secular education , and government aid be rendered in proportion to the number of children educated . By this plan the double object of mundane and religious instruction may be secured ; government aiding and assisting , without annoying nterferer . ee . ( Cheers . ) Such a scheme of education shall have my hearty concurrence and support . ( Loud cheers . ) Gentlemen , ourattention has been directed to the great changes that have taken place within the , last half century , and the credit of all good measuces has been claimed exclusively for the "hiRS . This is an error which I will very speedily dispel . Ihate alike Whiggery and Toryism ; both are the enemies of national improvement , and will sever

      yield but . to intense popular pressure . My sincere aspiration is , that the day may soon come when tho eternal requiem of theso two destructive factions may be sung by the people of this country . But to the point at issue . Which were the two greatest measures of the pasttwi-nty-fiveyears ? Catholic Emancipation and Free Trade . Who pushed Catholic Emancipation through the Legislature ? A Tory Cabinet , led by Wellington and Peel . Who gave us a greater measure of Free Trade than was ever sought for by Cobden or Bright ? A Tory administration led by Sir R . Peel , and opposed with relentless pertinacity by the old Whig and Tory rumnsof the Church and Queen genus . ( Loud cheers . ) Thus , gentlemen , have I stripped the Whigs of a little of the gewgaw frippery in which they were dressed up for exhibiting before you this day . ( Cheers . ) [ Mr M'Grathhere ran through the catalogue of Whig

      criminality , commenting on each malefaction in a manner that elicited the most enthusiastic peals of applause from the great majority of the meeting ) Mr M'Grath next proceeded to tho great question of the franchise . He said : I do not think my honourable opponent has been sufficiently definite upon this vital , this au-engrossing topic . He professes his readiness to make the elective right co-extensive with popular education . He should inform us what he meons by education ; the word means , according to my acceptance of it , the educing of the powers of man ' s mental an d corporeal nature . ^ If this be a correct definition , where is the working man who is uneducated ? The working men cannot boast an acquaintance with the learned languages , neither are they deeply read in abstract science ; indeed , we know that " There are bookful blockheads ignorantly read ,

      With lots of learned lumber in their head . " In the absence , however , of polished attainments , the working men of England have strong common sense , which constitutes the polar star that will enable them to steer their course with safety through the stormy ocean of politics . ( Loud cheers . ) lam for the extension of the franchise , and I will tell you in understandable language the length I am prepared to go . I will vote that every male Brithk subject of full age , of sound mind , and not suffering the penalty of crime , shall participate in the election of members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament . ( Loud and continued cheering . ) Mr M'Grath then entered upon a most conclusive line of argument , demonstrative of the justice and necessity of

      the principles of the People ' s Charter , which wash ' stened to with the deepest attention . He adver ted next to the fallen condition of Ireland , and instanced several measures which he contended were necessary for its improvement . On the question as to the miti » gation of the criminal code , Mr M'Grath said that his opponent was not sufficiently clear . Mr Gower tells us that his mitigatory career shall be regulated by a " regard for the public safety . " This promise has a kindred affinity to his promise of the franchise to the people , when they are intelligent enough . Promises are the stock-in-trade with which the Whigs have ever purchased popularity—but if the people on , this occasion , after years of experience , are not resolved to demand something more

      substantial , they justly merit deception as the penalty of their gullibility , ( Loud cheers . ) There are same who cling to the sanguinary gibbet as an instrument of moral power ; there are some who , in tho plenitude of their stupidity , deem tho existence of . the gallows necessary to awe human depravity into innocuous * ness . Let experience correct the errors , of those timid persons who , in the disuse of the horrible machine , see murder stalking unrestrained through the laud . Certain crimes have diminished with the disuse of the hangman ' s vocation . I think , then , we may safely conclude from analogy , that a similar result would attend its utter annihilation . ( Cheers . ) ( . The Mayor here exclaimed : " But what says Holy Writ ?") To which Mr M'Grath immediately

      said : I am asked by the Mayor , "What says Holy Writ ? " It says you must love and forgive your enemies , but 1 believe yon do rot require my attention to the parts of Holy Writ that breathe charity , but those that enjoin vengeance . You wish our attention to the passage that says , " Whoso sheddeth man ' s blood by man shall his bload be shed . ' I believe this to be one of the ancient ordinances set aside hy the Christian dispensation . The Scripture contains other ordinances that it would bo neither wise nor politic to enforce in the year lSi ? . It was an ancient law that the Sabbath-breaker should bo taken to the confines of the camp and stoned to death . Would the worthy chief magistrate justify such a horrible proceeding , on tho ground that

      scriptural warranty could be produced in support of it ? ( Cheers . ) With this question there should be no paltering—no delay . Judicial murder is regularly committed by strangulation in the presence of collected thousands . Such atrocious spectacles desecrate the sanctity of human life—vitiate the head , and obdurate tho heart—and I from my inmost soul say God-speed tho efforts of the humane to accomplish the speedy abolition of the horrific practice of " launching criminals into eternity ! " ( Loud cheers . ) Mr M'Grath next took up the question of severing the Church from the State . He said , I have again to complain of Mr Gower ' s ambiguity and want of precision . He says , ho will voto for the abolition of " Church Rates , " but he says it

      not a syllable about " Tithes . " Wow , unurcu rates are oppressive , tithes are much more so . Hence the same reason that would induce a right-minded man to vote for tho abolition of the rates , would act with double force in impelling him to struggle for the abolition of tithes . Mr M'Grath entered ably into this subject , and evident ' y imbued the assembly with a sense of * the truth and justice of the course he said ho was resolved to pursue in the event of being returned . He concluded this topic by saying that the taking by the Church of pans , pots , saucepans , tea , sugar , soap , and candles for church-rates is a course which docs not redound to the honour of tho Establishment . This system of public seizure might become the tyrant of some oriental state , but it

      harmonised very badly with the character of the successors of the humble fishermen of Galilee . ( Loud cheers . ) I am in favour of the immediate separation of Church and State , thereby unshackling conscience , and freeing from the manacles of human despotism the adoration of Almighty God . ( Choers . ) I now , gentlemen , leave the business of the day in your hands . I wait with anxiety for your selection . Your wretched countrymen and women in the Whig made bastiles look to you for justice . Seven millions of English call aloud to you this day for justice . Gentlemen , I implore you concede their prayer . You can do your share in tho good work , and then you can walk proudly from this place with the pleasing consciousness of having discharged your duty to yourselves , your country , and your God . ( Immense cheering . ) „ ,, „ . the Times

      Wo take the following account from : — The Matob , before putting the nomination to a show of bands , observed , that no person had a right to be present unless he was an elector ; he therefore hoped that , now they were going to the vote , none but electors would hold up their hands . Mr M'Grath was about to malcosome observation , but tho Mayor refused to hear him . The Mayor then put the names of tho two candi- * dates to the vote , and declared the majority to bo in favour of Mr Gower . Mr M'Grath and Mr Gorsb protested against the decision . The Matob . —Do you demand a poll ? Mr M'Grath . —I do . The Mayor . —Let me have your money , then . ( Cheers and disapprobation . ) 1 am entitled in fees for your share to the amount of # 23 10 s . ; lot nic have your money before we proceed .

      Mr M'Grath and his friends looked exlroincly downcast , and were evidently not prepared for this " untoward event . " ,, , , The Mator .-WUI you pay me the fees to which I am entitled ? I want £ 2310 « . . it ± . , My M'Gbatu and his friends intimated that

      To Tjie Churchwardens, Overseers, And Gu...

      fSon r ° ' ° DOt prepared ' ( Gmt m ' » J ik & ? -lM ? auoh as Mr ' M'Grath-bar not offered to pay fees and expenses , I declare hat no poll has been demanded , and that the Honourable Frederick Leveson Unwer is duly returned as member for this borough . ( Gi-uat confusion . ) The Honourable Mr Gower re ! urned thanks * and a vote of thanks , amidst , considerable disorder * having been voted to the Mayor , tho " court broke up .

      In addition to the fees of £ 23 IQi ., the haU' of the election expenses in booths would have amounted to £ 150 more . Wo have been supplied by our own correspondent with the following account of these extraordinary proceeding * : — When the tremendous applause which greeted the termination of Mr M'Grath's truly eloquent and powerful speech had ' subsided , the Mayor rose , as we thought , with the intention of putting each candi « date to the meeting for approval or disapproval , but we were doomed to disappointment . Never , in our lives , did we either hear or read such . a declara tion as

      that made by " his worship , " ere he took the show of hands . He said that no man present should raise his hand in favour of either candidates , unless he was an elector of the borough , we believe such a course to be unprecedented in the annals of previous elections , as it is certainly grossly unconstitutional . The Mayor then called upon such of the electors as were favourable to Mr Gowcr to hold up their hands , when about fifty out of an assemblage comprising fourteen hundred persons , were raided in tavour of this precious scion of the house of Cavendish . He next called for a show of hands for Mr M'Grath , when thcrowas an overwhelming majority in-, that gentleman's favour .

      Upon the Mayor seeing this manifestation of popular strength in support of just principles , he cried out , " Let none but electors hold up their hands ; non electors , put down yours , " and , that the despotic mandate should be carried into effect , policemen were stationed in different parts of the Hall , several of whom absolutely put their hands to the uplifted arms of many individuals , and-forced down their hands . This illegaLmode of procedure , together with the Mayor ' s further announcement , that persons , not being electors , were liable to imprisonment if they voted , had the effect of iutimi * dating a considerable number of individual ? , who had held their hands uu at first ; but even then there was a clear majority of at least two to one ; and yet , to our utter astonishment , this local nabob declared there was a majority of electors in favour of Mr Gower !

      Mr M'Grath immediately rose and protested against the decision of " his worship , " upon which the latter hastily rose up from the seat of justice he had desecrated by his mendacious decision , and poured a torrent of vulgar and brutal abuse upon tho former , and in the course of his Billingsgate effusion said , — " If you don't desist speaking I shall be under the necessitv of taking notice of you , " meaning thereby , that he would hand Mr M Grath over to the " tender mercies" of the gentlemen bedecked in blue . " You have said a great deal that was beside the purpose , much that was unconstitutional , and many things that the law of th ' o land

      would not permit ; " adding , — " a great deal of what you said was rubbish . " During this time the vast majority of the meeting did not fail to exhibit their hearty disapDrnrmtinn of the unfair eourao pursued by "his worshipful" the Mayor , whereupon he ordered the police force $ to take any person into custody who would dare to make a noise , and added , * " If I have not enough of fore present , I can very soon get it . " However , this threat had not the effect desired , for when a vote of thanks was putjbyMr . Gower , the opposing candidate , for the impartial conduct of his Mayorship , there were only a few who responded to it ; while a forest of hands were held up against it .

      We have only time to > dd , as we are in haste for post , that the general opinion of the inhabitants of the town , whether for or against our principles , is that the conduct of the Mayor was partial in the extreme , and many of the town councillors who were present at the meeting ) distinctly declare that the Chartist candidate had the show of hands .

      The Ram Of Derby. War To Extermination! ...

      THE RAM OF DERBY . WAR TO EXTERMINATION ! UP , CHARTISTS , AND AT THEM I TO THE MEN OF THE MIDLANDS . March ! March ! Derby and Nottingham , Why , my lads , don ' t you march forward in order ! March ! March ! Leicester and Birmingham , And drive the base Bloodies over the border . Friends of the Midlands ,

      I was just about writing a letter of thanks and congratulation to the brave Chartists of Westminster , for having so gloriously rescued our cause , our principles , and our honour , from the snares of Faction ; but , as I understand that a vote of censure has been passed npon me by the METROPOLITAN COMMITTEE for the part I took at the late Crown and Anchor Meeting , I shall reserve what I had intended to say till I am in possession of that vote .

      I defer any further notice of the subject , because I hold myself responsible to public opinion ; and because I may have unintentionally erred , and may consequently be deserving of censure . Having dismissed the subject foi the present , I now turn to the consideration of the most important subject just now to the Chartist body—I mean the treatment of our friend M'Grath , at Derby , by the Mayor of that town .

      The conduct of the BASE , BRUTAL , AND BLOODY , was not only illegal , but unconstitutional . He had no right , as Returning Officer , to play the highwayman , and demand of M'Grath , " YOUR MONEY OR YOU R LIBERTY . " He had no right to forbid the non-electors holding up their handshe had no right to make the payment of fees the conditio ! of opening the poll . The blow thus aimed the dou ' ile blow at the , poor privileges of nonelectors and the right of electors , is a blow which , if not resented , would at once crush all hope of liberty . This is the signal of what we are to expect when we next . meet the foe in the field . Just when a Minority-Minister is about to appeal to the country , his local coadjutor shows how in-door toleration is to be strengthened by out-door

      despotism . Is it not enough that your voices should be stifled , but must your hands now be muffled ? Having starved you into submission , are they afraid to see the blisters that overtoil has raised ? Read Doyle ' s true and unadorned description of the BLOODY'S conduct , and ask yourselves then what you have to expect from Whiggery ? Now , friends , my Hood so boils at the recital , that I fear the value of my incarceration to the Whigs at the next contest , were I to give free expression to my feelings .

      It is not a usual or a common act of tyranny that has been committed , it is an atrocious act , for which there is no precedent ; and straightway , and without a moment ' s loss of time , a strong , an indignant , and unmistakeable remonstrance must be sent by the electors and non-electors of Derby to Mr Duncombe No time must be lost , as we must know the terms upon which the approaching battle is to be fought . Let us have a clear and explicit definition of Whig constitutional liberty from the tools of the constituent body , in order that we may clearly understand our position , and , if the « RAM OF DERBY' is right in his constitutional law , " Death to the Liberty Slayers ! " " Death to the Base , Bloody , and Brutals ! " " Death to Whiggery ! " shall be our battle-crv and wateh -word at the next conflict .

      This atrocious act will raise the pride of insulted freemen from John . O'Groats to the Land ' s End . When our friends nobly step forward , as M'Grath nobly did , to declare our principles and our views , are we to abandon them in the hour of trial ? I now tell you . in contradiction of the RAM'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL DECISION , that the Whigling Gower is wot the member for Derby ; and if the question was submitted to a committee , he must be unseated . I further tell you that the base official has rendered himself amenable to the ^ Iaw , and subject to a heavy

      O ( J ' Hfc /Ktj^-^^J /L^^>Z^47 / ^^^A^^...

      / KtJ ^ -O ^^ j (/ l ^^> z ^ 47 J / ^^^ a ^^ £ - / £ / 4 ^ /^^ ^^^^ ^ j ttkyfaoji '

      And National Trades' Journal. 504.

      AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL . 504 .

      J H E Dream. "Upon Examining Not Onlcurt...

      j ^ j ^ g LONDON , SATURDAY , JUNE H 1847 rmcE FM ^—~ ^ . r *« t > iya *&* -... . . -.. . * ¦ . •¦ . - ¦ Five SIiiHiugH and Sixpence pCr Quartet ¦ — r .

      Theaderby Election. Illegalyandjtyrannic...

      THEADERBY ELECTION . ILLEGALyANDjTYRANNICAL COKDHCT OF 4 : - > W £ B & MAYOR . ¦;¦¦ : ; -ijjf" . "' ,--- ¦ - m v . " ¦ i iiS DERBY ; Wembsday . Night . The nomination of candidates -to represent this borough , in the ptece of Lord . Duncannon ( now Earl BesboroujbJ ^ tOok . place this morning . -The only candidates we ^ theHon . Mr . jGower , the brother of LordjGranyiy ^ andiMr-M'Gratb ; President of ; the Exeputive *| 3 ommittee ^ ot ^ W : National Charter Association .

      On the opening-of the court at 9 o ' clock , the room was speedily densely crowded . Mr Gower shortly afterwards entered , supported by Dr Bent , Mr J . Moss , Mr S . Barber , Mr Douglas Fox , Mr Thomas Madeley , Mr H . Mozley , Mr J . E . Mouseley , Mr F . Jessop , and Mr S . Fox . Mr M'Grath was attended by Mr Gorse , and a number of the most active of the Derby Chartists , and Mr Doyle , from London . The oaths having been administered , and the Bribery Act read , Mr Douglas Fox , in a slobbering Whig speech , lamenting the death of Lord Besborough , and licking the " Cavendish family , " proposed the Hon . Frederick Leveson Gower as a fit and proper person to represent the borough of Derby in the Commons House of Parliament .

      Mr MADBtar , who talked a great deal of fudge about Whig reforms , seconded the nomination . Mr Gorse , in rising to propose Mr M'Grath , was icceived with vehement cheers . He was , he said , a Chartist , and Mr Douglas Fox , who proposed Mr Gower , was a finality Whig . ( Cheera . ) He ( Mr Gorse ) had had enough of Whiggery . Mr Fox said Mr Gower was a lawyer . Now , they wanted less law and more justice . ( Cheers . ) Mr Fox said , that Toryism was nearly done : away with ; in his ( Mr Gorse ' s ) opinion Whiggery was upon its last legs . ( Cheers . ) Mr M'Grath , the candidate he was about to propose , was a public man of unblemished private character , and well qualified to represent the working men ot England in Parliament . He begged leave , 'therefore , to propose Mr M'Grath as a fit and proper person to represent them in the Commons House of Parliament .

      1 he . nomination of Mr M'Grath was seconded , says the reporter of the Times , by a Derby elector , whose name did not transpire . He was apparently a humble working man . The Hon . F . L . Gowbr , who was received with cheers from the Whigs , said the first claim he put forward to their favour was , that he was a friend to civil and religious liberty . He maintained that no man should be denied the exercise of any civil right on account of the opinions which he conscientiously holds , ile considered it unjust to tax one man for the support of the religion of another . He was a member of the Church of England , but he was opposed to the oppressive and unjust tax imposed upon Dissenters , in the form of Church rates . Headmitted the grievance of the Irish Churchwhich was not a

      , national institution , but the Church of a small Protestant minority of the people , and whose surplus revenues ought , in his opinion , to be applied for the eduoation and benefit of all . Objecting as he did to taxation of the Irish Roman Catholics , he equally objected , on principle , to taxing Protestants for the endowment of . the Roman Catholic priesthood . With regard to the important question of Free Trade , both reason and experience taught him that Free Trade was wise and politic , and that it would ultimately benefit those who were protected as well as those who were consumers—the people at large . Passing on to the question of shorter Parliaments , he expressed his decided opinion that the present term of seven years was . too long : and that the protection of

      the ballot ought to be conceded to the elector . His opinion on the question of the franchise was , that the extension otthe franchise should be coequal with the extension of education . Ho would not deny that many person * were excluded from the franchise whoso intelligence and position qualified them for it . He held that a certain amount of intelligence was necessary to qualify a man for the proper discharge of electoral duties ; and whilst he retained that opinion , by conceding Universal Suffrage under the present state of things , he should be conferring a curse rather than a blessing . The government measure of education certainly did not go as far as he could desire—but what was this much-abused measure ? It was intended to aid voluntary efforts in

      dispelling ignorance and ' vice , and elevating the morals and . intellects of the rising generation of the working-classes . It was not designed to interfere with the religious instruction of Dissenters , who would have an equal advantage with other sects , provided they subscribed their quota to meet tho government grant . He did not say but that he might have preferred " secular education , but a barrier to such a scheme would be erected by the religious public . The measure was framed in a spirit oi religious equality , and it ' was not just to say that he was nothing better than a Tory , because ho was favourable to it . Their opponents , the Tories , were powerful , and if division prevailed in the Liberal ranks , the Tories would profit by it .

      Mr M Grath , on coming forward , was received in the most enthusiastic manner . lie said Mr Mayor , Electors and non-Electors of Derby , —You are called upon this morning to exercise one of the most iraportant functions that can devolve upon the denizens of a civilised state . The purpose of your assembling here to-day is to make your election of a competent individual to represent theintorosts of this borough in Parliament . Your character as friends of progress and promoters of your country ' s welfare is involved in the manner in which you discharge your duty this morning . ( Hear . ) The consequences of your proceedings here to-day will not be confined to Derby , they are destined to affect , however remotely , an empire which extends over a seventh of the globe's

      surface , and which comprises a population of more than oqo hundred millions of human beings . Gentlemen , these ' circumstances calmly considered will imbuo your minds with the momentous responsibilities of the work you are about to perform . ( Hear . ) The duty of the candidates at this meeting isa disingenuous exposition of their principles , yours is the calm investigation of such principles , that the candidate of your choice may be a wise selection . ( Cheers . ) We live in an era which demands new principles of legislation . Whig and Tory politics are far in the rear of the spirit of the age , and the sooner they sink together into one common grave the better for the best interests of tho human race . ( Cheers . ) Gentlemen , I am persuaded that the man who aspires to the

      honour of being a legislator , who is unprepared to sail on with the current of popular improvement , should be at once pronounced by the people wholly unfit for the office which he solicits . I trust , gentlemen , that the exposition of my political principles , which I shall presently feel it my duty to submit to your consideration , will evidence in mo a solicitude to place my humble shoulder to the wheel of Progression . ( Cheers . ) With much of what has been said by the proposer and seconder of my opponent in this contest , I fully agree ; at the same time , from much of what has been advanced , I in tofo dissent , Mr Gower ' s seconder has thought proper to pour his laudation profusely on the Whig plan of education . In doing so , however , he has slipped into a strange

      solecism ) he has arrived at his conclusion by a logical process , to my mind , wholly incomprehensible . He boldly assures us that schools are unnatural institutions ; and , in proof of hiaposition , he calls our attention to the roaming American savage , who instructs his children without the aid of schools . He likewise tells us that in his opinion Heaven ' s will is , that the parents should be the tutor of their offspring . This gentleman , however , intlie same breath professes his unqualified admiration of the Whig educational scheme ! lu other words , according to his own showing , he magnanimously relinquishes the plan annrovedby God and Nature , and tenaciously clings

      to the unnatural project of the Whigs ! ( Loud cheers . ) To the education of the people I attach paramount importance . I hold the fullest development of the national mind to be a primary duty ef * a good government . The mind is tho noblest part of man ' s organisation : it is susceptible of continuous improvement and expansion ; it can circumnavigate the extensive world of art and science ; it can explore the darkest caverns of earth , and there enrich itself with gems of rarest knowledge ; it can soar aloft on the pinions of astronomy , survey the immense realms of Nature , and calculate with the nicest accuracy the celevity with which the heavenly bodies swim the ocean of space . Any government , I say , neglecting

      Great Meeting Of Electors And Nonelector...

      GREAT MEETING OF ELECTORS AND NONELECTORS AT HALIFAX . The 0 Jd-fellows' Hall was crowded on Monday night last , for the purpose of taking the sense of the electors and non-eleptors as to the prinoiples which should guide them at the approaching election . Mr Warrington was called to the chair , and a resolution was carried unani . mously , declaratory that a candidate should have the approval of tho non-electors as well as the votes of the e ] ector £ . Mr Ernest Jones was then proposed as a fitting candidate to represent this borough , and that a requisition should be signed by the chairman , requesting him to become so . This resolution was carried with great cntbueiaara , only two bands being held up against it out of the vast assemblage , The requisition -was accordingly prepared , and the meeting separated highly dt-lighted with the triumph an * ticipated over the monopolising Whigs .

      To The Chartists Of The United Kingdom.

      TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM .

      Brother Democrats , A General Election is at hand ; we must endeavour , by all the legal means within our power , to secure the return of a few sterling patriots to the next pa rliament , who will aid our own Duncombe in making the popular voice heard in the House of Commons . To effect this desirable object , it is necessary to raise funds wherewith to pay the expenses likely to be incurred . Nottingham having been selected as one borough for trying the experiment , will bring forward a candidate , take him to the poll , and , if possible , return him , in the person of the working man ' s friend and the oppressor ' s foe , Feargus O'Connor , Esq . We call upon you to rally ^ around us , and forward your subscriptions at once , in postage stamps or post-office orders , every farthing of which shall be duly accounted for in my balance sheet . Onward and we conquer ! I remain , yours truly , James Sweet .

      To The Members Of The National Land Comp...

      TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . Friesds , —You must , no doubt , have observed my route announced in the Northern Star for the purpose of agitating the important interests ol your Society . I now proceed , in accordance with the usual practice of lecturers , to give a brief summary of my proceedings , loaving it to the local secretaries to send a more enlarged report , should they think proper to do so . I attended at Winlaton and North Shields , where excellent branches were formed . Winlaton has been long famed for its good and true men , but the opening effected in North Shields is something unexpected , new and cheering . I also made a promising commencement at Windy Nook and Wreckington , although the holidays were certainly a drawback .

      I left the Newcastle branch in a most flourishing condition , and only felt sorry in consequence of the large influx of new members , that the whole stock of rules had been appropriated , so that I could not take one copy into the new district of tho Wear . I proceeded to Shiney Row , where I addressed a goodly meeting ; the result of which will be developed in time . At Easington Lane I found an active co-operator in the person of Mr John Hunter . We had a spirited meeting , attended by some of the principal inhabitants ; at the conclusion of which several new members announced themselves . )! walked on to Thomley , and had to regret missing many populous places , in which considerable good might have been done . We

      had a capital meeting at this colliery , composed chiefly of miners . I opened the branch with eleven names—all of whom made their appearance at the society ' s meeting in a chapel on Saturday following , to elect officers , pay contributions , and regularly proceed to business , On the 3 rd of June I visited Caisop , where we had a most excellent meeting , the schoolmaster of the place officiating as chairman . Some of the overmen were present , and expressed their approbation of the plan . I enrolled seven members as a start . In Thomley and Cassop wo are likely to have a very considerable influx of members . The colliers merely want to understand the plan to take it up with their characteristic enthusiasm .

      From Thomley 1 walked on to Durham , and from , thence , on Monday , Juno 7 th , I marched on through as a delightful ^ country ( the crop looking magnificent ) far as Bialwp Auckland , No arrangement had been made here for a meeting , but I made arrangements for one at a future date , when , I hope , the carpet weavers will come out and assist me . OnJuneSthlhadafinemeeting in Old Shildon . Many took the rules , announcing their intention to join and pay their subscription ^ the first members meeting . I will hold a meeting to-night , June 9 th , in Darlington . 1 wish some one atRcdoar , Hartlepool , Durham , Chester-le-strcet , and Birtley , would communicate with me asaoon as possible at the Post-efheo , Stockton-on-Tees , to which place they can direct their of services

      letters . Any locality desirous my near to those Towns I pan through , as announced m my route , will have their request attended to . The Carlisle branch will be good enough to make arrangements for roe in and around their town and district , the route to begin on Monday , June 28 th . I feel much pleasure in announcing a sound and friendly feeling wherever I have been—an anxious acquainted with the principles of honest , earnest enthusiasm for its Vancemcnt . It will bo my duty to prove this favourable state of localities which 1 have visited testimony to my sincere exertions I remain , friends , ! r

      The Existence Of Towards Thg._Cause ^ De...

      the existence of towards thg . _ cause ^ desteib ; become *^ the society / and an- ^ prosjfifrjLty ¦ ar / d , jd-: ' - ewtyayoto-ttym- . thhigs ^ andNal ^ tttpse' ? will , "t < beHe * e , bear . . Vi ¦»} \^ 9 [ t . faithfuljjyonw . fe- ^ II ' <®« Y \ W . „«?/ . K . vj ? the existence of iwards th § - _ cause ^ ^ desicei ^ tocomei ^ Sv ihe society / and an ? , > f \ \ mmWw M-- WrJrto a enWavour-U . im- ' . vgjjl VI Wm ings ^ ahdNalLtupse'f , ^ J rill , kfeUeteYbear . 3 JJ Nsw « fe * yi' /; wvwj J v ? . -M 2 ^ - '¦¦'&' ¦¦'¦ £ * .-v x ^ m

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 19, 1847, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_19061847/page/1/