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Northern Star (1837-1852), 20th October 1849, Edition 2 of 3, Page 4

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    • TO THE HUENDS OF POLITICAL PROGRESSION THE XATIOXM. VICTIM COMMITTEE
    • €0 QTOtTfttlOitiViU
    • THE NORTHERN STAR. SATUUOAY, OCTOBER 30, tS49.
  • Adverts (10)
  • Text (9)
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      K Direct Collision ' N 4 The 0rthernjsta...

      4 THE N 0 RTHERNJSTAR' October ao , K 4 a

      To The Huends Of Political Progression The Xatioxm. Victim Committee

      TO THE HUENDS OF POLITICAL PROGRESSION THE XATIOXM . VICTIM COMMITTEE

      Ad00408

      KJspectfuUy announce that they have taken that elegant tstablisnment , the ( STANDARD THEATRE , . * mv ? ? rt & e aHe directorship of Mr . J . Douglass , Ana which is now one of the best conducted theatres , and possesses one of the best companies in London ! For WEDNESDAY EVENING , October 24 th , 1 S 49 . "When it is stated that the Fncd raised will be applied in rapport of the Wives aud Children of those now suffiering a long incarceration for mere so-called Political offences . -It is hoped that public ssmiftthv anA support wtt not be Withheld , bnt that SOXES aud PIT will yrore aaoverftm OB the occasion . The Performances foil consist of a A DOMESTIC DRAMA , A FARCE , AND A

      Ad00409

      HALSE'S SCORIJCTIC DROPS . A SURE CURE FOR SCURVY , BAD LEGS , AXO IMPURE BLOOD . Another surprising cure b y means of Hake ' s Scorbutic Drops . BECLiBATION' OF THE GUABDUX 3 OF BKEXT , DEWW . We , the undersigned , solemnly declare , that before Thomas Rollins , ( one of . our parishioners ) commenced taking "Halse ' s Scorbutic Drops , " he was literally coreml with large running wounds , some of them so large that a person might have laid his fist in them ; that before be had finished the first bottle he noticed an improvement ; and that , by continuing them for some time , he got completly restored to health , after everything else had failed . He had tried various sorts of medicines before taking "Halse ' s Scorbutic Drops . " and had prescriptions from the most celeorated physicians in this country , without detmng the least benefit "Halse's ScorfiutiC Drops" have completely cured him , and he is now enabled to attend to Jus labour as irell as any man in our parish . From other cures also made in tins part , we strongly recommend "Halse ' s Scorbutic Drops" to the notice of the public Signed by Jons Elliott , sen ., Lord of the Manor ; Jobs I & kkisg , William Peakse , Hrxbt Goodman , and Abthbr ItAseirosxar . —June 21 st , 1 S 13 .

      Ad00410

      YOU MAY BE CURED YET DOLLOWArFoiXTMEXT . CURE OF ItHEUMATISMASD RHEUMATIC GOUT . Extract of a Letter from Mr . Thomas Bronton , Landlord of the Waterloo Tavern , Coathsun , Yorkshire , late of the life Guards , dated September 2 Sth , 1 S 4 S . Sib , —For a long time I was a martyr to Rheumatism and Bheumaiic Goat , sua for ten weeks previous to using your medicines I was > = o lad as not to be able to waBr . 1 Bad tried doctoring aud medicines of every kind , but ail to BO avaB , indeed I daily got worse , and felt that I must E & ortly die . Brcm seeing your remedies advertised in the paper I take in , I thought 1 would give them a triaL I did jo . I rubbed the ointment in as directed , and kept cab-Iwge leaves to the parts thickly spread with it , and took the Pills night and morning-. In three weeks I was enabled to walk about for an hour ov two in the day with a stick , and in seven weeks I could go anywhere without one I am

      Ad00411

      flST OF P , OOKS AND SHEETS JJ SOW PCBUSHISG BX

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      PAINS 1 STHE BACK , GRAVEL , LUMBAGO , & o , ONE trial only will prove the value of the celebrated RENAL PILLS , for speedily curing nil k in / is of nains in the back , diseases ofthe bladder , kidneys , nnd urinary organs generally , resultingfrom . imprudenceor otiie ™ Pnce Is . 2 d ., 2 s . U „ and to . 6 d ., per box . They - have never been known to fail , and will be sent ( free ) with full directions , . & e „ on receipt of Is . and two stamps , 2 s . 9 d . or 4 s . Cd . in postagestamps , by Dr . iVaUoos i . Elv-p lacc , Holborn Hill , London . A , « HEs-TicT * ss tiMosiAi . s .-Mv . T . Barry , Ruthin , writes : «« W me one box for a friend ; the one I had tas quite cured nuV ' -Mr . King , Aylesbury : "They arc a perfect S » " » The late Dr . Hope -. •« They are the only thing « f the Kind I can recommcnd . » -Addvess Dr . Walter Be vnna I Elv-place , llolborn-hill , London ; where he may be consulted on all these diseases daily , from 10 till 1 , ItUl 8 ; Sundcys , 10 till 1 only . Advice with medicines , sent to all parts of the world 101 £ 1 Patients corresponded with till cured . Those cases deemed LVCtraAntE are particularly invited .

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      CAUTION . RUPTUEES PERMANENTLY CURE D WITHOUT A TRUSS 1-Dit . WALTER DE BOOS , 1 £ iy-place , Holboi-n-hill , London , still continues to supply the afflicted with his celebratSd cure for Single or Double Ruptures , the efficacy of which is now too well established to need comment It is easy in application , and causes no inconvenience . WiU he sent free with full instructions , « fcc , on receipt of 6 s . 6 u ., by Post-office orders or otherwise . Dr . De R . has a great number of old trusses left behind by persons cured , as trophies of his immense success , wlueh he will readily give to those who need them , after a trial of this remedy . Hours . —10 till 1 ; and i til 18 . Sunday , 10 till 1 only . Mrs . HHJ , Deal— "I amquite cured of nty rupture , and now return my sincere thanks for your attention and care . " Mr . Daniclls , Woburn . "It has quite cm-ed me , and I feel in duty bound to recommend you all I can . N : B . —Sufferers are cautioned against youthful , newly started impostors * , who for obvious reasons , copy this announcement . Their ( so-called ) remedies being useless , and dangerous imitations only .

      Ad00414

      ON SALE , THE SCRIP Ol ? FOUR SHARES IN J . the National Land Company , paid up in full and clear of all expenses , both local and general . No reasonable offer will be refused . Applications to be made to l'homas Cook , stone-mason , Ware , Herts . Mrs- Elizabeth Riciukdson , Marsh-gate , Doncaster , in consequence of the death of her husband , wishes to dispose of Four Shares , paid in full , upon easy terms . Applications to be made to her address .

      Ad00415

      ROBERT OWEN'S- BEPLY TO MONSIEUR THIERS . This day , in one volume , s ' vo ., price 7 s ., in cloth . 1 * HE REVOLUTION in the MIND aud J . PRACTICE of the HUMAN RACE . By ROBERT OWEN , london : Effingham ' Wilson . Fublislier , 11 , Royal Exchange .

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      SOUTH LONDON CHARTIST HALL , Corner of Webber-street , Blackfriars-road . T H & EE ORATIONS , AYill be delivered in the above named Hall , IS AlO OF THE FD . SD FOB THE SUl'PORT OF THE WIVES AND FAMILIES OF THE

      Ad00417

      THE CHEAPEST EDITION EVER rOMASHED , Price Is . Gd ., A new and elegant edition , with Steel Plate of the Author , of FAME'S POLITICAL WORKS .

      €0 Qtottfttloitiviu

      € 0 QTOtTfttlOitiViU

      Mr. O'Connor Will Visit Bradford, Todmov...

      Mr . O'Connor will visit Bradford , Todmovden , and other towns to which lie lias boon invited , on his tour . Victim Fu . m—J . Sweet begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following sums : —Mr . Knott 3 d ; from the Seven Stars , as . —Debt Due to 1 'bistek—Mr . Chipindale , ( id . T . P ., Ncilstou , blames the working classes for the deaths of Williams and Sharp , and says that the price of a pot of porter from every Cliartfct would have placed their families in an independent position . W . F . Ellis , Reading . -The Pcterloo Massacre was committed -by the Yeomanry cavalry , and not by regular troops . We cannot advise our correspondent to take the steps he is desirous of doing , J . Vt ' intebs . —Received . We would liave published your letter but for its being marked private . Leicester . —The secretary of the Leicester Chartists is requested to send his tddress to James Sesllip , care of Mr . Parrel ! , 62 , Richmond-row , Liverpool . E . vcusji-IinsHMEN . — - 'Can any one learned in the law give a trustworthy solution to this question : ' If a married couple , both being English , go to Ireland , and there hare children bom to them , are the children English or Irish ! ' "

      Isaac Wilson . —Mr . Walton ' s letter in tins day ' s Star renders the publication of your letter unnecessary . UusoAttV The following appeared in the Sun of October 18 th . —Six small subscriptions , per 6 . Julian Harney : — Collected at a Meeting at Kerry-Edge , 13 s ; Collected at a Meeting at Asbford , Kent , lis 8 d ; James Powell , Monmouth , Is ; A Chartist Prisoner , Kirkdale , Is ; " Wallace , " 4 d -, S . Gninaman , Tunbridgo Wells , lid . J . Tavlou , Junb . Birmingham . —Press of matter excludes . ' ' your letter until next week . Jons Askell , Kingdown . —No room . U . N'IOM OP THE Mll > DL £ XSD WORKING CLASSES . —GEOnfiE Webber , Halifax , writes , that although , the advocates of the Charter appear to agree as to the union of both classes , still lie thinks the subject should be discussed in every Chartist locality , cither for or against the jn-ouysed union .

      Agents "Who Have Neglected To Discharge ...

      AGENTS "Who have neglected to discharge their accounts , rendered on the 29 th ult ., will not receive a further supply of this paper , unless they remit infulloa , ov before , Thursday next .

      The Northern Star. Satuuoay, October 30, Ts49.

      THE NORTHERN STAR . SATUUOAY , OCTOBER 30 , tS 49 .

      The Great Unpaid. A New Li Ght Has Been ...

      THE GREAT UNPAID . A new li ght has been thl'OWll upon GUI' representative system by the publication of what are termed "Attendance Accounts , House of Commons , 1819 , '' in tho " Spectator '' of last week . The compiler of the list must have taken much pains with his elaborate and protracted task , and the explanation given as to

      the course pursued in order to arrive at the result stated , must satisfy all as to its accuracy and impartiality . The list is , consequently , a correct test of the degree of attention which is paid by every individual member to the discharge of his duties as representative , and we imagine that the result of tho investigation will be equally annoying to "hon . members , " and surprising to their constituents .

      It is not expected that every unit of that large aggregate—tbe House of Commonsshall make a figure as an orator or a statesman . If , indeed , each of the G 5 G members , of -which that Assembly is compased , was to insist upon giving a verbal statement of his reasons for voting , business would come to a stand-still altogether . Heaven knows , little is done as it is ; but we should then bo in a " dead lock . " Our legislative machinery would grind out nothing but words , just as the labourers on the treadmill churn the wind . But though nobody either expects or desires

      that every Member of Parliament should be a speaker ; the very fact of candidates seeking , and of constituencies electing Members to seats in the Legislature , implies that the members , when elected , are to be in their places , and g ive their attention to business with reasonable constancy and vigilance . If all cannot speak , all can vote . As the " Spectator" truly observes : —" Voting is the tangible function of the member—the great act of his Parliamentary life—the definite deed by which he is to

      be judged . " On the way in which they vote depends the continuance of Cabinets— -the settlement of disputed questions—the weal of the community at large , Tho vote of tho most silent and obscure member is as potential at the " division" as that of tho Piiemier or Sir Robert Peel—or any other of the leaders and luminaries of political parties . The " attendance accounts , " which have now been posted up with every member for the last session , prove that this palpable eviJence of attention to Parliamentary duty , is deplo-

      The Great Unpaid. A New Li Ght Has Been ...

      rably deficient among the members of all parties ; Conservative , Whig , Liberal , and Radical , seem to be unanimous on one point ; namely , to absent themselves from the " New Palace at Westminster . " as often as they possibly can . The only persons who make a tolerable show on the list , are the officials whose business compels their attendance , and tho placemen and place-hunters , whoso interests hind them to back the Government for the

      time being . There were altogether 219 divisions last session , and it is exceedingly curious to run through the list of names with the figures placed opposite to them , and to see the vast preponderance of figures in the " absent " , column . It is seen that not half the members attend half the divisions ; indeed , that for one division at which so many as half the members are present , there are ten from which , move than one-half are absent .

      As we have said , this non-attendance characterizes the members of ail p arties alike . It also , strange to say , may be charged against even those who occupy most of the time and the attention of Parliament . Mr . Cmsuolm Anstey , -whose awful verbosity was the subject of so many jokes to " Punch , " and the theme of so many fiery leaders in the Morning Journals , was absent from 1 G 9 divisions out of 219 . His twin brother in " vast eloquence , " Mr . Urquiiart , only divided fifteen times out of the 219 ! Mr . Disraeli was

      absent from the division lobby in 157 divisions , and Mr . Cobden , the head of the opposite party— " the Manchester school" —129 times ; Mr . George Bankes , a great man among tho Protectionists , was present eight times ; Mr , Grantlejt Berkeley , whose electioneering contests and quarrels with "the Castle'' set air Gloucestershire by the ears—and all the rest of tho nation into a fit of laughter—attended precisely seven times . He , again , is exceeded by B . B . Cabbell—a name of considerable celebrity for donations to charitable societies , but the owner of which ' seems to have

      much more money than time for parliamentary duties . He was present four times ; and we find four or five others present exactly the same number of divisions—with a great many , five is the favourite number , others range from six to seven—a large body are content with less than a score of divisions ; whilst Viscount Alford , the member for Berkshire — Mr . Bell , South Northumberland—Sir B . Hall , Marylebone—Viscount Northland , Dungannon — Mr . T . Wakxey , Finsbury—Mr . It . Walker , Bury—and Colonel Westekba , King ' s County , were absent from the whole of the 2 W divisions !

      In fact , a careful inspection of tho list will show that the power of legislation is virtually left to Ministers aud their understrappers . The attendance of equerries from Buckingham Palace , and of subordinate officials from Government offices , at divisions , is quite edifying , when compared with the laches of the voluntary ami unpaid members—many of whom seem to have spent a great deal of money , and involved their constituencies in the turmoil of a contested election , merely that they might have the pleasure of writing M . P . after their names .

      It may be urged as an apology for this lax attendance , that many of the divisions were ou trivial questions—" private" bills and routine business—but that docs not affect the great point at issue , namely , the obligation of a member to attend in his place . If these trivial questions and private bills were as harmless as they are said to be , we hold it would be no excuse for neglect , of duty , But , in reality , many of these so-called private Bills , affect the public more directly , more generally , and , in many cases , more mischievously , than any Government or public Act . At a time when the

      supply of water , gas , the means of locomotion , and the provision of sanitary arrangements , are in the hands either of monopolising companies , close corporations , or interested jobbers , it is imperatively required that the public interests should be carefully and constantly watched and protected . These " private" interests are powerful within the Legislature , aud tho absence of independent members opens the way for tho perpetration of every species of jobbery at the expense of the public healthy comfort , and money . The importance attached

      to these private Bills by their promoters , is evidenced by the large " Houses" they can " whip , " when there is any danger of their being beaten , or when two "jobs" are pitted against each other . We have seen a "House " of upwards of four hundred members at halfpast four in the afternoon , of a sweltering July day—we have seen , when a railway job was on tho tapis , that the moment the division was over—the job perpetrated—there was a general rush to the door . The benches were left empty , and the " House" resumed its usual humdrum

      appearance , with the fifty or sixty old stagers thinly scattered here and there , " to make up a show ; " and this , too , when there were on tho paper questions of vital interests , both to the Home Empire and the Colonies . Again , we have frequently observed ou Government nights , when by courtesy " counts out" are abstained from , the business of voting the taxes , and other important matters , carried on with less than forty members present . In fact , the national affairs are transacted by a mere moiety of the members . It is very

      showy , and gives a mighty idea of importance to my Lord This , or Squire That , to ride , attended by his groom , "down to the House , " on a fine afternoon , through the double file of gazers after notabilities , who are visually congregated about the Palaceyard . It natters the amour propre to drive " the ladies" down—step into the Housepresent a petition , or perform some other routine and formal business , and then ride or drive off again with the feeling of self-importance considerablv elated . But we think such

      holiday-making is altogether out of place in so grave a" matter as legislation for the lives , properties , and well-being of the people of a largo and powerful empire . One argument invariably used against the proposal to pay Members of Parliament is , that it would introduce into Parliament a number of persons too poor to be independent in their conduct—who would be open to temptation , or whose poverty would make the

      additional salary to be gained b y the prolongation of the Session a matter of interest to them . How far any of these allegations are founded in truth , and what are the precautions by which they might ho guarded against in practice , is not now the question . We have very-briefly given tho results of the present system of sending " independent" gentlemen , without any pay ; and it is evident that these results are , in tho highest degree , injurious to the best interests of the nation .

      By paying the representative his attendance could at least bo demanded . The relation between him and his constituents would be clear and defined—and it is in all cases far better to pay a liberal and a fixed salary , than to allow agents to help themselves by fees , or by indirect means . If the services of any gentleman are desired by a constituency in the capacity oftheir representative , they are capable of having at least an approximate money value put upon them . It is too much to ex * - pect , that , in an age where everybody of eminent talent or ability finds a market for his exertions , aud a price for his services , thai such

      onerous , continual , and important duties us those of a member of the House of Commons , will be performed without a quid pro quo . By withholding that at present , the consequence is that they arc not performed at all by many—by none but office holders , and expectant office holders , with any degree of regularity . The " Attendance Accounts for IUQ" prepared b y our contemporary , are a valuable aud a practical addition to the former

      arguments in . support of that point of the People ' s Charter which enacts the Payment of Members ,

      American Politics. Political Parties In ...

      AMERICAN POLITICS . Political parties in the United States have long been known to be divided into two-Whigs and Locofocos , or what are called at homo Conservatives and Liberals . Of late , however , a third has arisen , which seems rapidly growing in power , numbers , and influence , which advocates a " Free Soil , " aiid represents a movement that , after daily gaming streugt hand purpose , promises , in the end , to absorb all minor ebbs and flows in the political ocean .

      The recent cession of New Mexico and California to the Government at Washington has , no doubt , contributed to bring the question at issue bo prominently forward ; but it is an old one , and being likely to influence , in a very material manner , the future fortunes and internal policy of the vast Republic of the West , it must possess great interest to all who look with hope towards that Republic , for the gradual and complete developement of Democracy in practice .

      There are , at present , thirty States in the great North American Federal Union . Ol these fifteen arc unpolluted by Slavery , and fifteen maintain that " domestic institution . " They are thus equally balanced in the Senate ; and the contested point is , in effect , whether the Free or the Slave States shall , in future , have the predominence in the Central Legislature and Executive , and , by consequence , whether Free Labour or Slavery shall prevail throughout the Union . According to the Constitution of tho Republic , as soon as any part of a territory governed as a dependency by the

      Central Executive , acquires a certain number of inhabitants , it may forthwith claim to be erected into a State , possessing full control over its internal affairs , and sending Representatives and Senators to Washington , to take part in the general Government of the Federation . Shall these dependencies—these enormous territories , as yet uninvested with political power , but destined to be so rapidly and successively—shall they add to the weight and influence of Free Labour , or bo suffered to augment the number of the Slave States , and perpetuate that blackest stain upon the escutcheon of the Republic ?

      Tho advocates of " Free Soil" insist that , in every succeeding charter conferring absolute or qualified independence on portions of these vast outlying districts , as they become successively qualified for such privileges , there shall bo inserted a clause , or proviso , directly prohibitive of involuntary servitude , or slavery . The Slave-holding interests deny both the policy of such a prohibition , and the power of the Central Congress to make it , or to compel its observance . It will thus be seen , that the question is a vital and all-important one , aud bids fair to be shortly at issue between the whole of the Northern States on the one side , and tho whole of the South on the other .

      Such a clause as is contended for by tho Free Soil Party , has been inserted in the Act of Congress , by which the Oregon Territory was lately constituted a Government . It is called the " Wilmot Proviso" throughout the' States , in consequence of a somewhat similar proposition having been introduced into Congress by David Wilmot , a Pensylvanian . The question at present specifically disputed between the Anti-Slavery and the Pro-Slavery party , is whether the immense tract of country ceded by Mexico is to be subject to the same proviso or not . The non-settlement of this question will account for the delay in establishing a definite and authorised government official in California .

      . The principle involved in tho dispute is , however , as we have said , an old one , and has , at various periods , shown itself on the surface of American politics . When England was finally and definitely deprived of tho allegiance of her victorious colonies , aud acknowledged their independence —there passed into the possession of the Confederated States , a vast , uncleared territory , of which the exact political . position was as little ascertained as its value and extent .

      Forests and prairie lands , extending over thousands of thousands of square miles , were surrendered to the emancipated colonists ; but whether they possessed them as an aggregate , or distributivcly as citizens of particular states , was unsettled , and , apparently , at that time little regarded . Some of the elder States , however , advanced claims to large , but vaguely defined portions of the unsettled territory . Among these—Virginia— aslavc Stateasserted rights of jurisdiction and possession over the whole country lying between the Ohio river aud the Lakes Erie , Huron , aud Michigan , and out of which the States of Indiana , Ohio , Michigan , and Wisconsin , have since been created .

      Matters remained in this position till shortly before the adoption of the Federal Constitution " , when tho old Provisional Congress—which fought the War of Independence—made formal application to the individual States to cede their unoccupied dependencies to the American people . The request -was at once complied with—tho separate claims of the States were extinguished by voluntary cessionand in the erection of the United States into a Constitutional Federation , sovereign authority over the uncleared and ceded territory was vested in tho Central Legislature .

      The point now raised is , whether that sovereignty was absolute and complete or qualified and restricted , like its authority over the members of the union . Probably at tho time such a question never occurred , and therefore no definite terms wore laid down . We can only judge , "however , of tho sense in which tho terms sovereign authority" were understood , by the actions of the contracting parties , when the cession was made by the individual states of their various claims . The old provisional Congress , we believe , without remonstrance or opposition , did assort a right to prohibit

      slavery in the dependencies of tho Federation . Tho code framed by that Congress for tho government of the territory ceded by Virginia , known as the ordinances of 1787 , declared that after the year 1800 there should be no involuntary slavery in these districts , aud these ordinances were afterwards adopted by the Constitutional Federated Legislature . In 1000 some hundreds of slaves were sot fvee in Indiana , under their operation . As far then as fact and precedent arc concerned , the " Free soil" party have the question as much in their favour , as tho objects they aim at are superior to those oftheir opponents .

      The matter was , however , allowed to sleep for several years . The great stream of emigration and population flowed from tho North-Eastern sea-board towards tho rich wilderness of the West . When it crossed the Mississippi the Slavery Question was stirred again . The geographical position and physical characteristics of the countries north-west of the Ohio , to a great extent determined their culture by free labour , apart from the fact that the immigrants were Northerns , who were opposed to slave-holding on principle , and grain farmers , who found it unprofitable in practice . The settlers , on tho other hand , who had been attracted by Napoleon ' s cession of Louisiana and the territ

      ories flanking the embouchure of the Mississippi , came chiefly from the States where slavery alread y existed , - and found in the warm and moist soil of their new settlements a direct incentive to use slave labour , as the instruments for extracting from it exuberant crops of cotton , rice , and sugar , Midway on the western side of the river , however , there is a debatable land , capable of raising either cotton or corn . There the two streams of immigrants encountered each other and , as in 1820 , when a Bill was introduced into Congress for the erection of Missouri into a State . North and South arrayed themselves against each other on this precise question of Free or Slave Labour . Mr . Cla y then averted any

      American Politics. Political Parties In ...

      direct collision , by proposing wW ^ " — the Missouri line , W ^^ fM Congress as a definite settlement ' of < AS cult * . According to this arrant * * ** Z States formed m future of torrid ,., *» , ^ the parallel of 30 dog . 30 min ' ; ° I tluo States of Free Soil ; while those CZit J ? of the line were to retain or aboly "liT ^ hey pleased . The parallel thus dra S ' n , \'* l the Mississi ppi a little Mow its co < Uck with the Missouri , and divided I ?' u ? territory of the States , at that tit 2 * led portions , of which the larger kdf ^ ' J ! . tw ° to be cultivated exclusivel y by freelabd , ? C <* For a quarter of a century this connw set tho question at rest . Tho sS ? f have raised it again by their own rw and unprincipled conduct . With wW or time will show . They felt that the W" ? outstripping them , and in order to mw h balance , as they imagined , fliev su-l sX the annexation of Texas , an i , nmen ? S c - ritory lying within their line , and out S which ten or twelve slave-hold in «• Shto might be constructed . " Ann eVtion ' >

      is quite a favourite manoeuvre with cousin J 0 NATHAN , and practice has given wonderful ex pertness and dexterity in its performance " When they cast their eyes upon a toothsome island or territory , they quietly promote a con . siderable immigration of true Yankees , r ^ uW " go ahead" sons of the Republic , whose desire is to see the " Star spangled banner' * float in every clime . Once settled the rest ia easy . Their greater activity carries ail before them ; tho country is by " hook or crook " annexed . Thus it was in Texas—aud could the matter have stopped there , perhaps the Southerners would have really gained by their move . But it did not do so . The annexation

      of Texas entailed the war with Mexico—that again ended in the defeat of the latter , and tho seizure of California and New Mexico . The larger portion of these countries lies south of the Missouri compromise line ; and thus it is , that the question of Free Soil has sprung up into its present paramount position in the States . The North might have been content to see tho Slave-holding interest augment its power by the seizure of Texas ; but the prospect of the immense additional territories included in the recent conquest , going to swell the

      peculiar power and influences of the Southern slave-holding States , was too much to endure . Even if no hi gher motive than jealousy as to the balance of power was called into actioi , it was not likel y they . would sit tamely by aud witness such an immense increase in that of the rival interest . We believe that higher motives , and au earnest desire to cleanse and purify the future of the Republic from the fearful aud infamous pollution of slavery , actuate many of the Free Soil party . That they have reasons for active and general exertion , will be

      admitted b y all who have watched the unbridled , unprincipled , and shameless covetousness of territory by which the Slave-holding States seem to be devoured . Not content with the possession of Texas , and tho chance of a . huge slice of tho last addition to tho enormous territories of tho Federation , they have cast their eyes upon Cuba . There also the initiatory processes of jumexation arc in motion ; and so ripe did these appeal-, that an illegal expedition to take possession of it has latel y been denounced b y President Taylois , under

      the authority of the central Government ; several of the vessels engaged in it have been captured , aud the expedition put down for the present . How far the Government at Washington has the power to prevent the final consummation aimed at b y the pro-slave interest remains to be seen . One thing is certain , momentous issues are contingent on the mighty question which now agitates tho Transatlantic Republic , in comparison with which such trifles as diplomatic squabbles with French and English ministers shrink into utter

      insignificance . Such questions as those raised by the disputes between tho Government of Washington and M . POUSSIN , or Mr , Champion , the British charge d ' affaires about Mosquito , may servo for a temporary gossip among quidnuncs always on the search for novelties ; but the important and universall y interesting points to which we have adverted , ' arc enduring ; in their character , and time will only more strongly derelope the real proportions and magnitude of the interests at stake . We need not say on which side we wish the ultimate victory to rest .

      The Registration Reform Of The Reform Ac...

      THE REGISTRATION REFORM OF THE REFORM ACT . Tbe annual farce of the revision of tlie Lists of Voters is now being performed in t « c usual manner , in various places in town and country . The Overseers , Collectors , and Revising Barristers have it all their own way in very many of the Courts . Not a claimant or an objector appeal's before them . As far as these great constitutional battle-fields arc concerned , it might almost be supposed that a political Millennium had arrived : that the Tory lion had now

      lain down with the "Whig lamb , and accepted Chartism as the " little child" to lead them . A few loungers who have nothing else to dowho are sorely puzzled how to while away the dreary hours—do by chance wander into such courts , but even they feel a deeper emmi settle down upon them , as they listen io the substitution of " John for Thomas . " " Bamifcfc for Parratt , " " 11 ' s form ' s , " and "t ' s for l * s » — mistakes of careless overseers , blundering compositors , or inattentive readers , which the Barrister is paid two hundred guineas for correcting-.

      In the very few courts where the political t parties arc represented by agents , the perfor- ¦ mattco is not much more lively or interest- - ing . The combatants , armed with "Lut > - VTYCIIE , " " BAUBONlUld AliNOLD , " lUldotllCE' C reporters ofthe decisions cf the court of Com- 1-mou Pleas , enter into laborious and puzzling g arguments about what constitutes a street-door > r —sufficient occupation—sufficient residence— - — publication of rates-dates of claims and id objections—aud a score of other mmulise , that at appear to have been expressly contrived for or

      the purpose of surrounding the franchise by as as many difficulties and obstructions as possible , le . The Overseers and Vestry Clerics in the Cityity of London , where' their lists arc SOlllCUliatiat sharply looked alter , and their bills closely sly pared , complain that the preparation of thotho lists should be thrown upon them , * and thafciat they should be liable to penalties , while theyaey are refused remuneration . In the coantryitry districts where , from tho inferiority of cduca «

      cation , blunders may be expected to be moraores numerous , the Barristers do not trouble them-em- selves with examining the items , and actingting ' as tax-masters , but sign the bills in a kmp . mp .. I his has produced a remonstrance from the thee i oor-Law Commissioners , against the expenseensa of working the Act , which , it must bfc bu remembered , comes out of the poor-vatesateai . with the exception of the salaries of thi thu hamsters .

      It will therefore be seen that the machineriiier " of Lord John Bussbll ' s boasted Koform Aci Ace has completely broken down , and is [ iniductivtctivr of dissatisfaction to all who have to h oi * irk ii i with the single exception of tho lucky gciutemlee

      moil who arc paid the two hundred guineas fcas fob their uuuual participation in the revision . The knowledge of this fact has , wc undewdep ] stand veaehed -hi gh quarter * " \ it U sais sa that Lord John is b y no mtans averse to tito tn his hand at cobbling the old stwc-kiWanwana a little pressing from without . That is tlis til motive power of all action on tbe part « art << Government , now-a-days , it seems . Aft < Aftiti paying ver y highly for having the nationatioma ; work done , we are obliged to leave our ow oww avocations , and get up agitations to force brcc 1 persuade the Government functionaries to rs to ¦ > ¦ theirs t But thoug h , his Lordship is supposed to ha to hgig

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 20, 1849, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_20101849/page/4/