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Northern Star (1837-1852), 21st August 1852, Edition 2 of 2, Page 3

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      United States. Our American Corresponden...

      that tne nshenes question had been temporarily settled , and that Mr . Crampton had sent a despatch to the British Government , urging it to suspend orders and to withdraw the naval force . INDIA AND CHINA .

      THE BURMESE WAR . By the overland mail we have received intelligence from Calcutta to the 2 nd , and Bombay to the 4 th ult . A second attack of the Burmese on Martaban took place on De 2 Gth of May , at 8 a . m . A Burmese force , said to amount to hOOO man , with an equal number in reserve , attacked our outlying pickets and drove them in . A party of the 49 th beinorent out to reconnoitre , was met by a heavy fire , and returned with several men wounded . The Burmese force then advanc e d

      to within 200 yards of the camp , and kept up a smart fire . The artillery opened on them with grape , and , after a few rounds , they dispersed and took up a position on the Pagoda-hill , above the town , where they set up a flag , as if with thejntention of m-iking a stand , or of driving our troops out of camp . A welldiwcied fire of round-shot being opened on them , they took down their fhg and retired . Commodore Lynch , with three of the cutters of the Feroze , proceeded up the Salween to intercept them , while Captain Tapley , in his armed cutter , with a boat of

      the Medusa , and the marines of the Feroze and Medusa , has proceeded south of Martaban , and will beat to the westward to gain such intelligence as lie can of them . The attacking force is slid to have been commanded by the ex-Governor of Martaban and to have marched from a Burmese post called ShoavGyn ! It is stated that it was a military blunder that we did not take and occupy the post instead of Martaban it would , no doubt ha desirable to occupy both Shoay Gyn and Pegu , but General Godwin lias not at present any troops to snare for distant

      detachments . The Peguesc , having defeated the Burmese garrison of Pe ^ u a :-d driven all Burmese detachments from their neighbourhood ' tho ex-Governor of Rangoon had marched on Pegu with a stron ^ ; kx and retaken the place . The atrocities indicted on the i \> . gnese by the Burmese after the recapture of Pegu are described as dreadful . Whether or not hopes of support had been held out to the Peguese is not known , but their cry of desnair last the General to send

      at iadujed an expedition to drive out tin Burmese . This expedition consisted of about 250 troons . It was intended to send double that number , but sufficient cirriage ( boats ) could not be procured in time . The force was ¦ aMy assisted by 3 , 000 Talians' ( the Burmese cultivatin g c ista ) , vrho joined clo . ^ e to Pegu . When our troops arrived in the neighbourhood of the Burmese position the sun was still high , and they halted , intending to defer the attack untif the evening . The Burmese , however , marched out with two n-oU

      u . nhrellas , and a strong body of cavalry to attack us . They were allowed to approach quite close , and then dispersed with a v-iUey , and pursued into and through the woods . They r . m too fast to suiter much loss . It was considered doubtful whether the Peguese and Talians would hi able to prevent the Burmese from re-occupying Pe . < ni . The health report of our troops in Burmah is most satis & ictorv The King of Oudh has of late acted the part of a faquesr , or r digious mendicant , in his own gardens , hidden under trees , while his women and servants are in search of him !—a highly kingly amusement , and an innocent one withal .

      CHINA . The rebellion is still talked ol it seems to be formidable , nid to occasion much apprehension .

      August 21,1852. The Star Op Freedom. 19

      August 21 , 1852 . THE STAR OP FREEDOM . 19

      Fcte Jtab - Aitsfoers

      fcte jtab - aitsfoers

      'No. I. Why Do The People Grow More Apat...

      ' No . I . WHY DO THE PEOPLE GROW MORE APATHETIC AND INDIFFERENT ABOUT THEIPv POLITICAL EMANCIPATION ? To the Editor of the " Star op Freedom . " Sir , —It is a question which admits of no dispute that the people are becoming daily and hourly more indifferent , to all political questions . No amount of peril , nor any warning can rouse them to a sense of their degradation . They appear to be a dull , senslcss , inert mass , which nothing can move . Why is

      it so ? Is it that the people are satisfied with their present condition ? By no means . The frequently-recurring strikes which take place in almost every branch of industry , and the deep underhand growl which is heard wherever one * goes , shows clearly enough that contentment or satisfaction is nowhere to he found among the toilers—any statement from Manchester philosophers to the contrary , notwithstanding . Neither can it be for lack of agitation , for of that there has been a superabundance . Why is it , then , that the people are disatisfied with their condition ,

      and yet make no efforts to improve it ? They are aware of their political bondage , but use no means to knock off their fetters . It has become necessary that this question should be answered , if those who are alive to the importance of it are ever to succeed in their labours . Something is evidently wrong , for if we compare the pDsition of the democratic party now with what it was fourteen years ago , it will require no philosopher to discover that our influence lias greatly declined ; vast numbers of the working classes who were then with us are now

      directly opposed to us . Whole districts have disappeared from the democratic map , while those who remain active in the field are split up into hostile factions , and spending their time in cutting each others throats , to gratify the ambition of those whose only object is to delude them . There is no effect without a cause , and it is my intention to point out what I conceive to he some of the principal causes of the state of things which I have just mentioned . The first and most important of which

      is , that those who have been at the head of the Chartist movement did not understand the character and genius of the people of England . They have been mere agitators , and nothing mom and as sucn were only useful to rouse the people to a wnse of the importance of the object they had in view . Having done this , they had fulfilled their mission- , it then required practical men of business to take advantage of the awakened state of the public mindto store it with valuable information ,

      , and point ont a clear practical method of accomplishing the object in view . Instead of this , the people have been treated year after year to the same old . hash ; vituperation and abuse of every class , sect , or party , but themselves . The lower paid trades were told that the ' higher paid ones were their sworn enemies ; a spirit of enmity was thus engendered between the different grades of the working classes , which ended in driving from our ranks all but the humblest class of labourers , and these

      'No. I. Why Do The People Grow More Apat...

      had neither the mind , means , nor stability , to carry on and sustain a movement sufficiently powerful to force from a eslfinterested and reluctant government a measure of rel ' orm so radical and sweeping in its character as the Charter . Moreover the systematic and determined manner in which wc opposed every other class of reformers multiplied our enemies on every hand , and convinced the timid and doubtful that a party who could act in so intolerant a manner towards every other party were not themselves in a condition to be entrusted with the power of governing the nation . Our absurd attempt to gain our object by physical force , and the ruinous and expensive persecutions which followed , likewise acted most disastrously for our cause .

      The failure of the Land Company was likewise a heavy blow , and sore discouragement to us . It completely destroyed the confidence of vast masses of the people . The eggregious blunder , not to use a harsher term , of attempting to govern a democratic institution by a personal and irresponable dictatorship , was a most fatal step . It rendered it impossible for men of character and influence , and whose minds had attained the full stature of intellectual uianhou I , to remain in the society , and pull on in harmony with a system wholly at variance with the principles of the party . Hence those bickerings and personal quarrels , which have so damaged our

      character and our prospects ; . and which have been instrumental in driving from our ranks the best and most useful of our body . Just at a time when it was fondly imagined that this ruinous state of things was at an end , and that all obstacles to the free and harmonious action of the leading democrats were removed ; at a time too , when the govermental factions were split asunder , and were busy devouring each other ; a time most propitious , and when it only required a little self-sacrifice , judicious , and harmonious action on the part of the democratic

      body to make sure of advancing a stage towards perfect victory . At this favourable moment the democratic ranks are again torn asunder . It is necessary for us well to understand our position . The first step towards getting right , is to know that wo arc wrong ; and the first step towards removing the wrong , is to know what it is , and where it lies . Unless we are prepared , fearlessly to examine our condition , and acknowledge our errors , and abandon them , wc shall remain where wc are , the slaves of our own stupidity .

      I propose , Mr . Editor , with your permission , to address a few letters to my fellow working men , on what I conceive to be the best policy for us to pursue lor the future . PHILO .

      Co-Operation In America. The Phalanstery...

      CO-OPERATION IN AMERICA . The Phalanstery and thf , Phalaisstepjans . — From a letter in the New Yorh Tribune , we extract the following account of the Phalanstery , Monmouth County , New Jersey : — ' There are six hundred acres of land in the domain of the Association , most of h of the ordinary quality of' Jersey land . ' About two hundred acres are under cultivation , much improved within a few years by dressing with marl , two beds of which , of superior quality , arc on the property .

      A stream of water running through it , gives a small milling-power . The nearest tide-water is five miles distant , where steamboat communication may be had daily , but at irregular hours , with New-York , a poor sandy road to be travelled over between . The laud cost twenty-five dollars an acre , and I believe I have . stated all the material advantages of the location . The Association have a grist and a saw mill driven with tho aid of a steam-engine that they have added-to the small water-power . No other branch of mechanical or manufacturing industry is carried on , and

      the labor of the members is mainly given to farming and market-gardening , and it is from , the sale of agricultural products almost entirely that they must get their living and their profit . " The Phalanstery is much like the large hotel of a watering place or a sea shore house , made to accommodate 150 persons . There are chambers for single persons , and suites of rooms for families . There are also tenements detached

      from the main building , but having a covered way , that the members may reach it dry-shod in rainy weather . — These are each occupied by a f amily . There arc certain common apartments also in the phalanstery , such as a reception room for visitors , a reading room , a dining hall ; the kitchen , dairy and other domestic offices . A small steam-engine is employed for washing , mangling , churning ,

      & c , and the arrangements of the domestic department are all admirably contrived for saving labour . I should guess roughly that one woman could do the work often , with the ordinary farm-house kitchen conveniences—in other words , as far as this goes , fanners would save their wives and women folk all but about one-tenth of their now necessary drudgery by living on the associated plan .

      " There is some pretty natural wood and a picturesque ravine near the house , but no garden or pleasure ground ; indeed the grounds about tho house are wholly neglected , and have a shabby and uninviting . appearance . It is evident that the Association have neglected everything else in their endeavour to make the experiment successful , financially . They have worked hard and constantly for this , and though , from entire inexperience at the business of market-gardening , to which their attention was chiefly directed , they at first made numerous mistakes , similar to those playfully alluded to by Hawthorn at Blythedale , and

      though they had a great many peculiar difficulties , they have been rewarded in finding it pay . Last year , after paying the members at a rate of wages for labour , _ higher than that ordinarily given by farmers in this vicinity , the Association divided five per cent ., on the capital , invested in the undertaking , among the shareholders . When we consider how hard it is for farmers in general to make a decent living , we must acknowledge that they have proved a great advantage in the co-operative principle , as applied to a griculture .

      "That the financial success of the community is the legitimate result of the association of labour and capital , I am satisfied , mid I should judge the peculiar description of hu sbandry to which its attention has been directed , was that in which it was least likely to have been profitably employed , because it is that in which labour-saving implements and machinery can be employed with the least advantage . In addition to the profits divided last year , it

      Co-Operation In America. The Phalanstery...

      should bo mentioned that extensive orchards , as yet making scarcely any return , are growing . kt The Refectory is a tine , spacious hall , with perhaps twenty tables , each long enough for a dozen persons to dine off . There are bills of faro changed every day , in which the dishes provided for each meal are mentioned , with their cost—as at an eating-house . By buying at wholesale , and using all possible contrivances to lessen labour in preparing and cooking food , of course the cost of living is very low : but every little item counts . Thus ;

      bread 1 cent , butter | cent , as well as roast-beef 3 cents , and ice-cream ( a huge ration of the richest 'Philadelphia' ) 2 cents . During drouth and short pasture the butter-cakes are graduated by the stamp a trifle smaller , which I mention as an indication o ( the systematic exactness to which the . domestic economy of the establishment is brought . There are several summer or transient boarders at the "' establishment , and these are charged , in addition to the cost

      of tho food they choose , and a small rent for their bed chamber , 2 dollars a week for the profit of the Association . The waiters are mainly from among the most refined and pleasing young ladies of the Association . On taking a seat you are introduced to the lady who attends your table , and you feel yourself to be in the relation of guest , not of superior , to her . She takes part in the general conversation of the table , but comes and goes as there is need—is a

      very good water indeed , doing her duty with tact , sweetness , and grace . ' Why do so many of the best of your young people choose to be waiters , and so deprive tnemsclves in a great measure of the social enjoyment of dining with their friends ?* ' They all dine together afterwards ; and , as they are among tho best of us , it is a privilege to dine with them—of course to vcait with them . " One great point they have succeeded in perfectly ; in

      making labour honourable . Mere physical labour they have too much elevated 1 think , but at any rate tho lowest and most menial and disagreeable duties of a civilized community are made really reputable and honourable , as wdl as generally easy and agreeable . A man who spent a large part of his time in smoking and reading newspapers , and chatting it away , or in merely recreative employments would feel ashamed of himself here , would feel small and consider it a privilege to be , allowed to black boots , or sweep , or milk , a part of the time . "

      The Six Mile Tragedy, Vekoict Ok Wilful ...

      THE SIX MILE TRAGEDY , VEKOICT OK WILFUL M 15 KDE 11 AGA 1 XST 'l'HE SOLDIERS This long-protracted inquest was brought to a close on Wednesday evening . The jury having come into court , the foreman announced that 12 of the jurors had agreed to a particular finding , and they resolved to have the verdict drawn up in a

      iU' ^ ti . l iUlill , The Coroner then read the finding , as follows : — " ' Yv o arc satisfied that John ( . ' . Dehnege , J . l \ , John Gleeson ( first )} James Postings , William Barnes , John Thompson , John Dwyer , James Simrpc , Thomas Clarke , and John Carter , soldiers of the lilst Regiment , are guilty of the wilful murdei of Jeremiah Frawlev . '

      Five jurors dissented from the verdict . Their names are—John Holmes , It . B . Walton , William Mahon ,-William Morris , and Patrick Mahon . Mr . William Mahon stated , that although they had not agreed to the above verdict they did not acquit th & soldiers of all criminality , and that they would all . have agreed to a verdict of manslaughter by soldiers whose persons were not identified . The five dissentient jurors also acquitted Mr . J . C . Dehnege o 2 having either fired himself or given tmy orders to fire .

      Mr . Graydon then applied to have the eight soldiers admitted to bail , but the Coroner refused . He could make no distinction between a red coat and a dark , one , but was there to do his duty fairly but firmly to . all parties ' . Mr . Graydon pressed tha application , but the coroner decided upon refusing it . The jury having returned similar verdicts in the other cases , the requisition was engrossed in due form . The coroner then issued his warrant for the a . irest of persons implicated in the verdict , and it was intrusted for execution to Sub-Inspector Donovan and a party of constabulary , by whom the eight soldiers were conducted to ennis gaol . Mr . Dehnege was not pre sent in the Court .

      Cekti1al Criminal Court. Murderous Assau...

      CEKTI 1 AL CRIMINAL COURT . Murderous Assault . —Martin White , aged 63 , described as a labourer , was indicted for feloniously cutting * wounding Ann Hurley , with intent to murder her . Ann Hurley deposed that she had been living with the prisoner about twelve months before the event happened . During portion of that time she had been in service . While in service the last time she went on the 8 th of June to see him , to get a

      ticket for some clothes , and she found him in a public-house After drinking at this and another public-house he asked her to go home and make his bed , observing , that he would not detain her more than half an hour . This was about a quarter past ten o ' clock at night . On going into his room he locked the door , and told her she should not go home until the morning . She then went to bed , and between two and three in the morning he put his hand across her face and kissed her . Witness saw that lie had a razor in his hand , and she cried

      out , " Oh , don't murder me . He replied , "I shall serve ymi out now , " and then cut * her first on the left side of the chin and cheek , and then on the other side . She endeavoured to protect herself with her arm , and received two cuts upon it . Witness exclaimed , " Oh , you have done for me at last . " He said , " You are not murdered yet , ' ' and was about to inflict further cuts , when she jumpod up , unlocked the door , and ran down stairs into the streeet . A policemad saw her , and took her to the hospital , whero shad remained ever since . There was nothing ; the matter wtth prisoner ' s throat when she left him .

      Cross-examined bv Mr . Bopkix . —I am a married woman , but my husband has left me . When the occdrrence happened I was living witn a Mrs . Edge , who keeps a brothel . Ine prisoner had been drinking but knew what he was abou The prisoner was found Jguilty and sentenced to 12 years transportation .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 21, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_21081852/page/3/