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Northern Star (1837-1852), 28th February 1852, Edition 2 of 2, Page 7

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      February 28, 1851 __. ~$B^Ft^^ ^^ 7

      February 28 , 1851 __ . ~ $ B ^ ft ^^ ^^ 7

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      France. M. Bocher Has Been Arrest!* T * ...

      FRANCE . M . Bocher has been arrest !* * ^ J , J *" Jebu been communicated on this £ * J « i te ? the Con-SSneh- 'One of the administrators oi ** ? " >? f * 5 the Orleans femily , an ex-duputy of the parliamentary coalition , who had been present on the 2 nd December a * tta sluice a t the Maine of the 10 th arrondissemeat , aw whom the generosity of the Prince President had ordered to be set at liberty , M . Bother , was arrested on Thursday when in the act of disseminating seditious publications , for s ome time back the police have been seizing on packages containing thousands of similar publications , and thev were aware that they were printed at London , intro-* * - - ..- «« . T » •_ J tl .... Jtw ^ kntnil in ilia and thence distributed in the

      duc ? d clandestinely into Paris , capital and provinces , where they were addressed to seteral members of the clergy , of the magistracy , bar , officers of the army , as well as 10 high functionaries in the administration . It was supposed that it was subaltern agents who carried on such manoeuvres , and no one imagined that one of the administrators of the house of Orleans would cnnilacsnd to exercise such a propagandise ! in person . We regret to be obliged to say that every kind of doubt appears removed on the point , and that M . Bocher really occupied in : Vs plot the double office of organiser and agent . The bip lanes of the administration led to the failure of t ais attempt . M . Bocher isd tained at the Conciergerie . ' The document in question is the opinion of six o f the most eminent statesmen and lawyers in Fiance upon the legal

      validity of the spoliatory decree of January 22 . M . Bocher , not having been permitted by the government to publish this important paper , the only resource which remained to him was to distribute the copies printed for private circulation . His conduct in undertaking this task in his own person , instead of employing subordinate agents , instead of meriting the offensive charges conveyed in iheofficial note , is deserving of all approbation , as if . Bocher too correctly divined the danger attached to sucb a service , and for this reason was unwilling to expose bis inferiors to the risk . The note betrays that hatred and suspicion of the House of Orleans which ' has betrayed the . President into bis greatest blunder , the confiscation decree , and which still inspires unpopular measures of persecution . M . de Montalivet , who has received orders to

      is confined to bed with the gout , quit France without delay . It is reported that some portmanteaus , with doable bottoms , containing publications printed iu England , and emanating from leading personages of the Orleans party , having been detected by the customhouse at Calais , have prompted these severe proceedings against the ex-administrator of the property of tbe Orleans . "The ' Patrie' states that bssides M . Bocher , three other persons have been arrested , aud are being prosecuted as accomplices in the same acts . He is ordered for trial before < he ordinary tribunals on the charge of 'hawking and distributing seditious printed documents without the name of a printer , aud unstamped . * The other three persons arrested are employees in the service of a parcels delivery company . They are to be tried as accomplices .

      Divisions are talked of more than ever between the President and General de S * . Aroand . It is even said that the latter has been pressed to resign , if he still refuses to sign tha dismissal of sixty officers accused of favouring the Orleans party . B at he declines to give up either his resolution or his post . Oa the 24 th , the anniversary of the revolution , there was no notice taken of this matter . Indeed , under the auspices of M- de Moray the favourite device of the republic 9 a 3 carefully obliterated from the front of all public buildings ; and M . da Persismy followed up the blow dealt at the symbols of the revolution by proscribing the celebration of its anniversary . Last year , on this day , six thousand republicans walked in orderly procession to lay their votive wreaths at the foot of the column of the Bastile . This year , serbeps , sir thousand republicans are crossing the seas towards various penal colonies in Africa and South America .

      A correspondent says : — ' At this hour tbe Boulevards are thronged with an immense stream of carriages and peopi < " , dotted here and there with the rag-fair frippery of ihe Carnival , and sending up a dissonant hubbub of conflicting sounds from earthenware trumpets , mixed with the roar of wheels . Such ara the pastimes of the multitude ; while their betters , equally oblivious of politics , seem more intent on discussing truffled turkeys than the decrees of the 1 Moniteur . ' Meanwhile ail official dignitaries are striving , each after their degree , to comply with the injunctions issued from head-quarters by giving balls and dinner parties , and thus atoning in some small measure to the mortified shopkeepers for the rigorous parsimony systematically adopted hv the opposition .

      The elections excite the least possible interest . The newest incident of importance ou this subject is tbe following announcement of the 'Patrie ' : — 'Thejandidateship oi several ex-representatives now under banishment has been spoken of . It is stated that the necessary arrangements are about fo be taken to put an end ( o such a state of things , which is in direct opposition to the measures of public safety which have been adopted by the chief of the state * A terrible event took place during the week in the Rue Richelieu , Paris . A young man of good family , M . E . Chanvreuls , the son of a merchant of Elbeuf . was shot dead by the sentinel on duty opposite the Bibliotheque Boyale . There are two versions of tbe story . One is , that the * young gentleman , with three of his friends , were returning home from a ball , and passing by the sentinel they addressed some insulting remark to him , such as

      thoughtless young men will do when they have taken too much wine . He called out fo them . ' Passez aa large . ' They went aa towards the Boulevard , but a few moments afterwards one of them left his companions and turned back towards the sentinel . It was about five o ' clock in the morning , and very dark . The soldier , seeing one of the men who had insulted him coming back again , fancied that be was going to molest him at his post . He called out c Go bsck , ' and , not being obeyed , fired . The guard , alarmed by the noise of the report , rushed into the street , raised the ' body of the unfortunate young man , and carried him to the guard-house , where he died in a few minutes . According to another account ( which has since proved to be true ) M . Chauvrealx was not one of the party that had insulted the soldier ; but be happened to be turning into the Sue Richelieu from the Arcade Colbert at the moment that they . went by in an opposite direction , and in the darkness the soldier mistook him . It is too true that sentinels in

      out of the way posts have lately been insulted , and even molested , and strict orders have consequently been given to soldiers on duty to use their arms in self-defence . But this event , occurring in one of the best quarters of Paris , has caused a most painful impression . The father of the victim has written this letter to the Journal de ' Rouen ' : — ( , —An afflicted family supplicates yon to do justice to Ihe memory of the poor child that it has so fatally lost . Several versions of the journals accuse bim , in company

      with two of his comrades , of having provoked the sentinel . Nothing can be more false . The poor young man had just left one of his friends , who bad brought bim in a carriage as faras theendofthe Rue Richelieu on the Boulevards . He was going home alone on foot when he was shot . The sympathy of all his fellow citizens , which he hadacquiied by his gentle disposition , is a sure guarantee of the moderation of his conduct under ail circumstances . We feel confident that yon will not refuse his unfortunate parents the insertion of a note restoring the truth of the facts . 'Ixox CHAtnrn . Em . x . '

      A genae , ' commanding a military division iu the south , lately received orders to liberate some of the most notorious rovges in the prisons nnder his jurisdiction . He was so surprised at the contradiction implied in such Aiders fo the announced policy of the government—its previous persecution of the Socialists ar . d the violent denunciations of that party in its leading organs—that he could not believe the instructions serious . He , therefore , sent bis aide-de-camp to Paris to explain to M . de Persignyin person that the meu marked for liberation were red republicans of the most dangerous and seditious description . M . de Persignyis said to have rep lied , ¦ Never mind , they must bs liberated . ' A communicated note in the ' Moniteur ' directs that the general and special inspectors of police are to take rank , the former immediately after the bishops , and the latter immediately after tbe presides of the Tribunals of Premiere Instance .

      The ' London Illustrated News ' was stopprd at the railway stations on Mcaday ; its circulation in France being forbidden . The prefect of the Isere has just issued a decree , forbidding any one , from tbe 26 in to the 29 th of the present month , from going through the villages and hamlets of any commune for the purpose of carrying on an anarchical propagandise ! by means of false news , calumnious reports or other fraudulent manoeuvres . Any assemblage of people , or any public speaking or discussion in the neighbourhood of the electoral colleges , is also forbidden , under pain of the -offender or offenders tieing immediately arrested . It is also prohibited for any persons to station ihennelves at the doors and force tickets hearing names on the electors .

      The Prefect of Ltons has published an electioneering address , recommending the government candidates , and concluding in these words : — ' You wfil consider with me every candida ture exefpt tbe candidatures above mentioned as a defiance thrown down to government , and every citizen who ^ ay be either the object or the promoter ol it aa hostile to the government of Louis Napoleon . '

      GERMANY . . PRUSSIA . —Privy Councillor N-ebabr , son of the historian , is on a mission to London , partly in order to notify * he satisfacjjon of the Prussian court at Lord Granville ' s appointraen t , partly in order to irquireinto complaints raised * o * t fte Prussian ambassador at London , Chevalier Bunsen ,

      France. M. Bocher Has Been Arrest!* T * ...

      in consequence of his famil y connexions with English society " , . does not P unu 6 P * Msian interests with the desirable energy . . ' * . , At Pe « sau , a former deputy , M . Fiedler , - who belonged to the suppressed free church , demanded to have a child christened by the clergyman of the established church . ' This was refused , unless he first formerly recanted his errors , and had his return to tbe church published from tbe pulpit . He replied that unless the clergy man made his appearance by a stated hour he would send for a Catholic priest . The clergyman waived bis objections , and performed tbe ceremony . To such scorn of all religion does constraint and per . secution lead !

      Dr . Kellner ' s escape from the fortress at Cassel was effected by the help of a compositor named Zinn , who enlisted in the Guards ; and did half a year ' s military service , merely to watch for an opportunity of liberating the doctor , whom he accompanied in his flight . Tbe affair was managed with wonderful sagacity and boldness . A political trial to which the high position and abilities of the accused have lent much interest tot k place on the 21 st inst . in Berlin . Count Henry Arnim , a member of the first Prussian Chamber , a titular minister of state , formerly minister of foreign affairs , and who 'has also represented his E > ng at tbe court of Versailles and in Belgium , was p laced

      at the criminal bar , and accused of calumniating tbe government by his writings . Count Henry Arnim ia a leader of the Liberal party . When M . Manteuffel went to Olmutz , in November , 1850 , and there surrendered to Prince Schwarzenberg every princip le of policy which favourably distinguished Prussia from her despotic rival ; when he gave up t he Union , and accepted the detested Diet ; when he abandoned Hesse-Cassel , and permitted Austrians to march to Hamburg—Henry Arnim published a pamp hlet , called , The Policy of the counter-revolutions ; two speeches , spoken and unspoken / From this pamphlet were derived certain passages upon which were based the charge of exciting to hatred and contempt of the ministry .

      An hour before tbe commencement of proceedings the court was crowded by aa anxious auditory , and at nine o ' clock Count Arnim appeared at the bar , wearing on his breast the royal decoration of the Iron Cross . With him was arraigned M . Bardebeben , formerly editor of the ' Constitutionelle , ' who bad reprinted in bis journal a portion of the incriminated discourse . The first act of the Kings Attorney General was to pray the Court that this important trial might be conducted with closed doors , pretending that in proving his case , namely the falsehood of M . Arnim ' s charges against the ministry , he should have to refer to diplomatic documents and acts not of a nature to be publicly exposed . This was strongly opposed by M . Ulferr , the advocate for the defence , who very properly observed that

      his client , who bad been both a minister and a diplomatist , knew well what was due to official secresy , and was prepared on bis part to observe the obligation ; but he must insist upon meeting in public a charge which was publicly made , and the result of which could not be kept a secret . Notwithstanding , tbe Court decided that it would not be for the public edification to proceed with open doors , so tbe hall was cleared . M . Arnim bad summoned , aa witnesses to prove the truth of his assertion ? , M . Manteuffel , M . Ladenberg , and other ministers and officials , of whom , however , none attended , but Justice Councillor Geffert , President Kleist-Retzow , and Deputy Ohm . The Attorney-General

      went over tbe connts of tbe indictment , seeking to show that tbe accused bad not acted with good faith , and con . eluded with demanding that Count Arnim might be imprisoned for six months , and M . Bardebeber for half that period . M . Arnim defended himself in an address of two hours' duration , and the Court proceeded to deliver its jud gment . Tbe remarks of the accused Count on the viola , tion of the union treaty by M . Manteuffel were held not to be cul pable since the treaty had really been abandoned , nor could be be condemned for stating that the ministry had changed its policy upon the demand of his despatches by tbe Austrian minister , since that demand was an established fact . It remained to consider whether Count Arnim was

      justified in asserting that M . Manteuffel , in his eagerness to surrender th ? policy of the government , had set out for Olmutz before being certain that Priuce Schwarzenberg would come so far to meet him . This was declared to be an outrage of the dignity of a minister of state . Tbe Court hereupon condemned tbe Count to pay a fine of 200 tbalers , or be imprisoned four months , aud M . Bardebeben to pay 100 thaler * , or suffer two months imprisonment . The substitution of a fine for the absolute imprisonment required by the prosecution , turns upon the fact that tbe Count was found guilty , not of the calumny imputed , but merel y of offensive reference to the minister . This is the first time a minister of state has ever been arraigned in Prussia . An appeal is spoken of .

      AUSTRIA . —The Vienna police are as active as ever , and an order has just been issued obli ging all lodging-house keepers , although they may only let a single bed , to make known immedia t el y the fact to tbe police , with every information about their tenant . In fact , there never was a time , not even during the most despotic period of the empire in France , when policemen intruded more perseveringly and vexatiously into the concerns of private life . The Chevalier Hulemann , Austrian Charge * d'Affaire at Washington , has received tbe knighthood of the Iron Crown , third class , for his conduct in the late crisis . The' Imperial Gazette' contains the sentence of Maria "Viehweger , a cigar roller , to four months * imprisonment in irons and twenty stripes with rods for inciting her fellowlabourers to strike for wages .

      ITALY . ROME . —An order has lately been given <• the Roman priests to baptise no more children with the name of ' Joseph , ' as there was reason to fear that the popular partiality for the name arose less from a peculiar reverence for the saint or patriarch , than from regard to the dreaded triumvir , Mazzini .

      SPAIN . We have advices from Madrid of the 18 th inst . On the preceding day the 'Clamor Publico , ' 'Constitucional , ' ' NacionaV * Novedades , ' Opinion Publica , ' 'Epoca , ' and the « Observador' were seized . The 'Gazette , continues to publish addresses of congratulation to the Queen on her recovery . A letter of the 18 th gives an account of the procession of her Majesty to the church at Atocba . The Queen left the palace at half-past two , amidst salutes of

      artillery . On the whole line of tbe procession the houses were decorated , and tbe balconies filled with elegantly dressed persons . When the Queen ' s carriage appeared , there was a perfect shower of flowers thrown from the balconies . The acclamations of the populace were loud and universal , The Queen looked well , and appeared deli ghted with her enthusiastic reception . The most perfect order prevailed , and the Queen returned to the palace amidst the same demonstrations of joy and affection . At night the whole city was to he illuminated .

      This morning , a priest , who was formerly chaplain to an artillery battalion , was sent into exile into Estremadura . His reverence has heen kept closely guarded these four days , notiu the public prison , but in a private room in the Homeoffice . His confinement has reference to the late attempt on the Queen . He was accompanied on his journey by two civil guards . A letter from Logrono mentions a murder committed by one priest upon another in the vestry of Brieves Church . A quarrel bad taken place between them

      as to who should say tbe first mass . After a furious personal conflict , in which they struck one another with the sacred vases , one of them , who is noted for Ids ferocity , beat out the other 3 brains with a cruoifis . The authorities have orde : ed an investigation which will bring to light facts showing into bow low a state of immorality the Spanish priesthood is falling . Even the nuncio is said to have complained of the facility hitherto offered to taking orders , and stringent measures will be probably taken by the ecclesiastical authorities .

      Bravo Murdlo , the President of the Council of Ministers , is preparing laws upon entails , to augment the electoral census , and to make the office of senator hereditary . The functions of the deputies are to be diminished .

      SWITZERLAND . The elections for the Canton of Tesino have resulted in the return of fifty-eight Conservative , and fifty-six demo cratic deputies . Disturbances are reported to have taken place at Lugano , but the statement is contradicted by tbe democratic journals . The papers of the canton of Vaud ssate that France has addressed three demands to Switzerland , viz ., one concerning the Jews of Bale Caropagne , another on the refugees , and a third on the press , besides some observations on the state of Berne . The Federal commissioners at Geneva have desired the cantons on the French frontier to sendim lists 0 f all ihe refugees residing there , and to report all new arrivals .

      KUSSIA . A letter from the Polish frontier , given in the 'Augsburg Gazette , ' has the following upon Russian military movements : — 'According to our latest advices from Kalich and other parts of the kingdom of Poland , the Russian govern ment appears to doubt either in the stability of Louis Napoleon ' d power or the sinceritv of his assurances , as military preparations are on everv hand again urged forward with surprising activity and upon a large scale . The westward movement of troops has recommenced , and the munitions of war are produced and accumulated with great zeal . The officers believe that the summer wiir bring with it a campaign ; and as the common soldiery believe absolutely that the Czar is the supreme and ri ghtful disposer of events on earth , they only wait the word march with alacrity wherever their master mav " bid them . "'

      TURKEY . A letter from Constantinople of the 7 th inst . states that the government has just imposed a personal tax on every Turkish subject , without distinction of religion . The minimum is to amount to twenty piastres ( 5 f . 40 c . ) a year , and it is thought that the whole amount will reach a sum of 100 millions-

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      The New Reform Bill . A Crowded Meeting ...

      THE NEW REFORM BILL . A crowded meeting of the electors of Finsburv win hold on Monday evening at the Music-hall in Store-s treet . Mr ifsiuXs ' it ™ vflted t 0 the cba , r ; Mr - Waklgy taki ° * Mr . Duvcoun was always ready to attend to the wishes of his constituents , by appearing at or presiding over heir meetings when his health permitted him . It » vould HI h « come him to antici pate any decision or resolution the meet ing might com © ton . reference to the subject » mVhT » called them together , but he thought that WiSb . M question of greater importance to a large constituencv suchas Finsbury , than the representation of Se people ' Since the Reform Bill was published the meeting was wdi

      aware that a little incident had taken place in the House of Commons . ( A laugh . } The bill and its authors were now defunct ; they had been destroyed by their old colleague Lord Palmerston , They had been dismissed from office and scattered merely upon a question of words He confessed his wish was that the noble lord ' s triumph had been gained on a better question . Ho wished that that triumph had been gained , not merely by rejecting the word "local " and substituting that of " general , " in reference to the militia , but on a motion for making the Reform Bill more popular . ( Cheers . ) That would have been a triumph worthy of a statesman like Lord Palmerston ; but -is it was , it looked more like petty pique against his old c 1-leagues han any desire to promote the interests of tho people . The Reform Bill was now shelved for this spsiimi

      of parliament at least . He was not able to say whether Lord John Russell would , on his individual responsibility take up the question , but , at any rate , the noble lord had in his speech to the House of Commons that evening , declared his intention to persist in the princi ples of Free Trade and the interest * of the people in tho amendment of the representative system . The new Reform Bill , thus shelved , contained nothing of much value , but it was worth a great deal in his eyes as an admission that that which he ( Mr . Dancombe ) had been struggling for during til © last twenty years , viz ., an amendment in the Reform Bill , waa necessary , and that he was in the right . ( Hear . ) In 1839 , he had moved an amendment on the address to the throne in favour of further reform ; on the division , ho was supported by eighty-six and opposed by 426 members . Uoon

      another occasion , he had proposed to extend the benefits of the elective franchise as it existed in England to our fellow-subjects in Ireland . His motion was negatived by 299 noes against eighty-one ayes . What chance had his hon . colleague and himself of carrying any amendments against such majorities . No later ago than last July he had proposed that the payment of the house duty should confer the right to vote , out the ayes were only sixty and the noes 119 . Though this had only happened in July last , and we were now in February , yet the people who had voted against him for fifteen years were now ready to bring in a bill for the amendment of the representative principle . That alone , combined with the speech from tho throne , was a great admission . ( Hear , hear . ) The details of the bill ho should have endeavoured to amend in

      committee . Tbe proposition which he made last year respecting the house duty was contained in the bill . He found also the franchise cut down one half , so that boroughs like Manchester , with 12 , 000 electors , would receive 25 , 000 . So far as that went , the bill was good . As the subject was nne of g reat importance , he hoped the meeting would give it mature deliberation , aud an impartial hearing to every speaker .- ( Loud cheers , ) Mr . Mooke , ia proposing the first resolution contended that the proposed Reform Bill was totally inadequate to the just expectations and demands of the people . By the additions it proposed the 23 , 000 electors of the Tower Hamlets and the 16 . 000 of Westminster would be swamped by tho petty boroughs . The evils of bribery and corruption , drunkenness and intimidation , had increased , and-six or seven of the boroughs had been clearly convicted of those practices . Take even the boroughs like Aylesbury , having

      more than 1 , 000 electors ; and he would remind them of a case in which a rev . gentleman brought up voters to the poll so drunk that they could scarcely stand . Such evils as these all sensible men would wish to remed y , but the ; hill of Lord John Russell was calculated to increase them . The reduction to £ 5 was a delusion ; it might add to tin : number of voters in some large towns , but in Finsbury he did not believe it would increase the constituency : by twenty . However , the bill must now be considered as defunct , and it was not worth while to enlarge upon it . Ho had no fault to find with their representatives as regarded their efforts in the cause of Purliamentsiry Reform—( cheers)—anil it would he superfluous to call upon them to give tho strongest opposition to any ministry headed by Lord Derby , or to ad . vise them to give their confidence only to a ministry who would guarantee a full , fair , and free representation of the people . He then moved the first resolution : —

      That in the opinion of this meenmg the bill now before the House of Commons , introduced by Lord John Hussell to extcn 4 the right of voting for members of parliament , and to amend the laws relating to the representation of the people , does not contain provision ? calculated to put au end to the evils of bribery and corrupt practices at election ? , nor to satisfy the just demands of the people ; aud this meeting invites the constituencies throughout the country to inatvuet their representatives in pirliainent to refuse their confidence to any ministry that is not prepared to give a full , fair , and free representation of the psople in the Commons' House of Parliament . Mr . Elt , in seconding the resolution , said the original intention of the meeting had been to organise opposition to the weak and ineffective bill that had been proposed by Lord John Russell . 'Would any sane man believe that even such a measure as this miserable Reform Bill , which waa " a mockery , a delusion , and a snare " would have

      been brought forward at all if the Whig boroughs and Whi g seats had not been in danger ? ( Hear , hear . ) The bill would have given votes to the wealthy , and kopt them from the working classes , who in indirect taxation paid as much as those who contributed to the direct Income Tax and lived half their time on tbe continent . Wh y not disfranchise these small boroughs ? The bill was a mere shuffling of the cards , keeping the trumps in the hands of the Whigs ; it was a mere thimblerig . There was now about to be a Tory Administration , and he did not think tho people would be worse off in respect of representation than they were under the Whigs , for it would tend to open the eyes of the exclusive Free Traders , and show tbem that there was no security for the continuance or extension of Free Trade , without a great enlargement of the franchise . ( Hear , hear . ) Tho people , when under this Tory Administration , must buckle on their armour as they did twenty years ago , and if they did not get so far as universal suffrage as a first step , they should ask for a great increase of

      tho franchise to bring their members under greater responsibility , and demand triennial parliaments and the protection of the voter by the ballot . Tho ministry had been turned out by their own militia bill . 'There ought to bo 110 militia bill without extension of the franchise , mid the motto of the young men of England ought to bo " No vote , no musket . "' ( Cheers . ) It was said there was danger of invasion . lie laughed at the idea . Still there really whs a rock ahead , and that was the bringing this country into any participation with the quarrels of the continent . There was a great difference between the relations of nations towards one another and the relations of governments with one another . Were our young men to be enrolled as militia to support the despots of Europe upon their thrones ? ( Cheers . ) If any government were to phmgo . tho country in a war , thus increasing burdens already too- heavy to bo borne , the result might be that Eng ' and would be blotted out of tho map as a first-class nation of the world . Ho most heartily seconded the resolution . The Chairman then put the resolution , when

      Mr . Wood , in proposing an amendment , begged ho might not be misunderstood , or his motives misconstrued , for ho was not there as an obstructive or an opponent , but as a journeyman mechanic standing up for the rights of tho working classes . ( Hear , hear . ) Tboropie-ientativesof tho borough ought to go away impressed with the sentiments of their constituents , and the amendment he should propose was not with a view to oppose , but to explain and add to the resolution . Without a demand for Annual Parliaments , Universal Suffrage , Equal Electoral Districts , the Ballot , the Abolition of the Property Qualification , and the Payment of Members , the resolution would be nought— - ( hear , hear)—and he desired their members to pledge themselves to those points . Mr . Wood descanted for some time upon the necessity of obtaining those points , and proposed an amendment to be added embodying the six points he had named . Mr . Joseph Parr / soy seconded the amendment .

      Mr . Fini . es , and others , who presented themselves , were refused a hearing , as they were not inhabitants ot * Finsbuy . Mr . A . Wood moved an amendment embodying the details of the People ' s Charter . The speaker dwelt upon the various points wherein his amendment differed from the orig inal resolution , and entreated working men to look to their own interests . The speaker obtained a geod hearing . Mr . J . Finish rose to second the amendment , but not being an inhabitant of the borough it was seconded by Mr . J . Pattison from the body of tho meeting . The Cuairhah then put the resolution and amendment twice over , the numbers being nearly equal , lie at length declared his opinion to be that the resolution was carried . Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed at tho decision . Mr . Dick moved the following as a rider : —

      That this meeting considers the measure recently laid before Parliament , and called by Lord John Russell a Keforill Bill , W be in reality only an idle mockery and a delusion ; expressed its sa . tisfuction at the removal of tbe administration from onice , and considers any lteform Bill that does not include tbe individual ri ,-ht of free . Manhood Suffrage , to be unworthy the support of the people . Mr . Bkzer seconded the amendment . Lord John said that his measure was " full , free , and fair . " Derby would say the same . The rider defined the meaning of the term . He was not at present a voter , but in a few months he expected to be intelligent enough to be a voter . They wanted a measure of Reform that would settle the question by leaving no one unenfranchised . There wag no difference between Derby and Russell lis related to working men .

      When workiug men had an opportunity to express their views , they were deficient in duty to themselves if they did not avail themselves of it . Mr . Dick ' s amendment decided tbe principle , leaving the adjuncts for further consideration . The amendment said , give the man a vote because he was a man . Ho had voted for the previous amendment , but ho and his fellow working men could , without inconsistency , vote for the rider aho . They were told that they were obstructives ; he thought tho contrary was the fact . If those who had cried the bill , and nothing but the bill , hud cried for something mere , they would not now be deciding upon this paltry measure of Reform . Be then dilated upon the six points , and expressed his full confidence in the honour of Mr . Buncombe , who was one of the very best membera of Parliament , ( Cheers . ) If all

      The New Reform Bill . A Crowded Meeting ...

      could not be g ? t at once , it wouldbe better to have gradual progress in reform' than none at all . He preferred Annual Parliaments to- Triennial , but would rather have Triemr > l than Septennial . The working classes valued the vote because until labour was represented justice to them would ' net be done . The Chairman then put the amendment , as a rider to the resolution , and both were carried by acclamation , Mr . Macuonald proposed the seconi resolution : — That a petition embodying the foregoing resolution be presented to Parliament ; that our members , Thomas l ? Uiig ? by Duneombo Esq ., and Thomas Wakley , Esq ., be requested to suuuort , its prayer . Ho argued that the Government bill was fraudulent in its pretensions and demoralizing in its tendency , and the people at large would be rather worse than better off wey it passed into law . Mr . Savage seconded the resolution . -

      Mr . Wakt-ey then addressed the meeting on the resolu . tion , which called . on him and his honourable colleague to support the prayer of tho petition , whichdemandedthat manhood suffrage should be granted to the people . That was no new thing . He had always considered that tho people had a natural rig ht to tbe Suffrage . ( Cheers . ) He had even gone further than manhood suffrage in his demand for the f ranchise , for ho should really like to see married women have a vote . ( " Hear , hear , " and laughter . ) For what was the object of good Government f A h appy home . And who was more interested in a happy homo than woman , and who was more likely to give an honest vote if she had one 1 It was- only by extending tho suffrage to the utmo st that bribery , intimidation , and cormptun could be prevented . The meeting bad been first called against the bill of the Government , but that was before

      the " little incident" that had occurred in the House of Commons . Speaking medically , he was of opinion that that bill was only a six months' offspring ; it was unformed , and not a thing that could live . Ho had never seen a more contemptible little dead body . ( Cheering , and laughter . ) Yet entire opprobrium must not bo cast upon its parent ; for , diminutive as the thing was , it was too much to be borne by t ho Tories . Lord John Russell ought to hava taken a different sourse , and have brought forward a measure upon which he could have appealed to the people , treating with utter scorn that odious party which hated everything that conduced to the advancement of tho people , He had heard somo of the Tories say at the conclusion of Lord John Russell ' s speech , that the measure , after all , was not so bad , and from that ho inferred that it was so

      bad that it would have done for the Tories , and ho camo to'the conclusion that if tho bill would do for them it would not do for the people of England . ( Cheers . ) In fact , the thing was stillborn , and bad never lived at all . It appeared to him that they were on the ove of a great crisis , and of a great contest between the princi ples of progression and of retrocession . ( Cheers . ) This country had made progress that other countries had not , but still the influence of the tyrants and despots of those countries extended even here . It was not to be borne that a foreign government should interfere for the removal of a Minister of this country . ( Hear , hear . ) Why this interference of foreign States with us ? Because the brig ht example of freedom in Eng ' and rendered tyrants unsafe in their own countries , and they feared their people

      would demand that right of self-government which England had . He firmly believed there was an alliance between Austria , Russia , and Prussia to put down tho advance of liberty in this country , and to substitute that despotic rule which was exercised by themselves . ( Hear , hear . ) But England would not submit to that , and there was a power in the mind of her people which would overcome the tyrants , and , triumphant at last , would exercise its influence over the whole globo . ( Cheers . ) He then deprecated all intemperance aud violence , and inculcated moderation , but firmness , in maintaining the cause of liberty in this country . Was there anything unreasonable in the demand for the Suffrage ? Tho difference between free men and slaves was that the first had self-government , and tho second had taxes imposed upon them without their consent . Our

      present form of government was the best in the world for the maintenance of true liberty , provided its essential principles were carried out . There was actually a Tory Administration in power , and the thought took twenty years from his age , and he felt younger and stronger at the idea of a contest once more with the old Tories , who thought the country could bo made crablike to go back . Nothing was more preposterous than to suppose that the country could be governed on Tory principles . Foreign despots were delighted at the removal of a certain Foreign Minister from office , and therefore our Tory government , whatever difficulties they had to encounter at home , had none to contend with abroad . Lot the meeting clearly understand the

      chameter of what he would call the present Administrationit was composed of the party always opposed to the progress of liberty in this country . Ho only recognised two parties in the oou'itry—that of progress and that of retrocessionand it behoved them not to quibble about details when princip les were at stake . It was now their business to obtain a direct avowal of principle from all public men , and to remember that it was tho undoubted prerogative of the Queen to choose her Ministers , but that it waa also the undoubted privilege of the people to refuse tho supplies . ( Hear , hear . ) Dr . Epps , Mr . Resbow , and Mr . Southrb addressed tho meeting , and a vote of thanks to the hon . Chairman was carried by acclamation .

      In returning his acknowledgments the C « AinM . ix said he did not believe that tho Tories would daro to carry out their professions and tax the food of the people . CM Mr . Herries had como to life again , and was placed at the head i > f tho Board of Trade . Could suoh an absurdity Inst Ion" ? Their first duty would be to turn out the present Ministry , and take care that the next was one springing from the people , knowing the wants and feelings of the people . The meeting then separated with three cheers for Mr . Buncombe .

      AGGREGATE MEETING OF THE CHARTISTS OF LONDON . A public meeting was held on Sunday afternoon at the Finsbury Institution , Leicester pl-ios , Clerkenwell , to consider the propriety of calling a Convention . Tho aitendance was good . Mv . Wood having been called to the chair , briefly opened the business of tho meeting . Mr . Osborne moved—That it is expedient that a Convention should be called .

      Their organisation was destroyed , and it was onl y by calling a Convention that it could have fresh life infused into it . The term Chartist was the great reason wh y tho people held back from them , and it was necessary that they should consult as to its being altered . Mi \ A . Grant seconded the motion , but differed entirely from the last speaker as to changing the name of Chartism . If men would not join them now , they would not when they had tho additional meanness of altering their name . He thought that a Convention alone couid re-invicorate the movement .

      Mr . GoonFELtow , an old Chartist , had never soon the movement in such a forlorn position as at present . Many of their previous Conventions had only served tho purpose of aggrandising a few leaders , and playing into the hands of the middle class . He did not think that a Convention would tend to bind up the movement or heal its many wounds . As a man who was about leaving his country through being a Chartist , he thought there was wisdom 111 consulting as to a change in their name . It debarred many from joining them who might otherwise do so . The majority of Conventions had done much mischief , and had net been productive of a corresponding degree of good . Mr . Nicuous moved a resolution to the effect-That when the present debts were paid , and they hud funds sufn cient in hand for that purposs , the Exeuutivi ) should call a Convention .

      He thought that the courso laid down by the Executive was a who one , and therefore he had adopted their words for his resolution . He had been told . that calling a Convention was the only way of paying off their present debt . He had ever found that Conventions left them in a still greater state of debt . The most eligible p , 1 > ty to call n Convention were the Executive . If called by any particular council , it would lead to still greater divisions in tho body . There was plenty of work to be done in all their localities . They must not look to a Convention , but to themselves , to arouse the movement . When they had done that , then would be the time for the assembling of a Convention .

      Mr . Lkno seconded the amendment . A Convention could not be culled without an expenditure of at least £ 100 . If ' the Chartists wero not enthusiastic enough to pay thoir present debt , they would not have sufficient enthusiasm to pay such an additional expenditure . It was actions liko that , of incurring debts without tho means of paying them , which brought disgrace upon the name of the Charter . There was equal fault to bo found with the members of the body as with their head . He had faith in tho honesty and integrity of tho men at tho head of the movement . If some Financial Reformers had been elected , tho fault lay with the members , and not with the Executive .

      Mr . Bryson supported the amendment . Tho reasons adduced for calling a Convention were that the movement was so poor and apathetic . Would a Convention remove tnese causes ? He believed not . He thought thoy had better pay off their present debts . Mr . Knowlbs read a resolution passed by the council and members of the Ship Locality , opposing the callin" of the Convention at the present time . Ha was in favour of a Convention when sufficient funds were in hand . Mr . Clarke supported the resolution . Three important reasons why a Convention should be called were—that the Property Qualification which compelled a person to be a member six months should be altered . The Executive h d forfeited the confidence of tho country by hooking in Messrs . Le Biond and Hunt . They needed a Convention to elect a now Executive , hIso to keep the Financial Reformers out of the Chartist ranks .

      Mr . Hugh thought the opposition to a Convention arose from a jealous feeling . They would not work themselves , yet tfcey attempted to keep men back who would do so . Air . Jones wished to bring out a Democratic paper : and that was another reason wh y they should have a Convention . Tbey could pay the debt , and call a Convention likewise . If they had an honest Executive they would have a good movement in the country . Mr . BfizsR said , that it appeared that all parties were agreeable to a > Convention being called . The only difference was as to paying the debt . Let the body show their enthusiasm by paying the present debts , and the Executive would Hpeediiy call a Convention . By that means they would do away with all cause for jealousy . Thoy had called a public meeting to expose their weakness for the purpose of calling . 1 Convention for a party purpose . The active men in the movement were but few , and if they were set at variance by rival jealousies the localities would entirely fall into ruin . He admitted that it was not right to have persons oa the Executive who were connected with other

      The New Reform Bill . A Crowded Meeting ...

      assouiations ' , ' tho fault lay in those who elected them , and not with tu ° "Jen , who honestly performed their duty . Mr . Muitnar sh ^> if Chartism was dead they must resuscitate it . Tho loJ'al'fc'es could not do so-Uicy must have a Convention to « oit . Ho supported a Convention , chiefly because it would support Mr . Jones in establishing a people ' s paper . Air . WiiBELKit thoug ht , th . it to call a Convention thai ; they miifht establish a paper fo . " an individual , Was not a sufficient ground for agitating t . > e country and expeniing largo fund * . Jl < j had , ori ginally , bflen in favour of calling a Convention ; but when he saw thntit was to he called for a party purpose , ho knew that it wosnf only he proJuattve of mischief , and consequently opposed is . They had plent y of worls to do in reorganising their Various localities

      , anu when this was done it would be time enough to call a « u ? i ! ' ^^^ w asting their time in party quarrels , thoy ought to bo- raising an agitation in opposition to i , w thL « f 0 P T ! vn ? olher M'lioa Bill , unless xevompmiett IL >> j ! i Let their wateh words be " no W >* e , no nvus-Mr t , !! ^ would respond to them . (& hms . } Tb * J > 1 , T ' 5 hM w * h * ve a Convention- , or not tlo movpmin ^ 10811 , ^ Aii wll & wore not for steangling ' SSefunds T dec l " itefe ™ r . Whyitodthey 2 ThStLtnT t , le > " wereB <> t trusted by lilt people : tnej weie told t / iere w . i aprf * . in the country Is was-because they had on > thir Tf « , n ? . ; i ooum . / . xt > Financial Reformers ? he ^ SEVT ° " ^ f ^ - calling a Convention . ThefS ? S h ° T" ^? the . , / A Convention , ^^ ZS ^^^ S ^

      unite emiii . ino people fiaii decided Maronrofartui vention , and « was tho daty- of the-lsS ! S 7 » » S * He knew the necessity of having a ? eoffi ^ i . S t denied that to Convention- was S ^ oXt SeS purpow , impress-Mr . & BRMiO ! Fsaid , he perf & ctly ag ? oed < w & h Mr Joneathat if a Convcation would purge - tlie- increment of tiny false god r who infested it , and caused ^ she di vision * - that existed- among them , itr would be- beneficial . il & differed with him as to who were thefhlse gods . If the > Convention was to be called , as- stated ' by- some of thespeakers , to establish a people ' s paper ,, he thought that an insufficient veaaon for calling it .. The •* - Nbw * ern Star " would be more democratic if tlio- Chartist' piwty would better support it . If the Chartist party aesder ) an organ they should follow the example of other partis ? ,, and pr » - perly support it .. A Convention called under tho present auspices would only be productive of ' mischief .

      Mr . James Frhgbn said , he was in favour of ' a Convention ; but did not agree with the steps- taken by She party who were so loudly calling for it . HO thought' that the eondnet of Mr . Jbnes towards the E ' xecutivewas- far from generous . His conduct in now calling a Convention against the wish of the Executive was utterly inconsistent ? with his previous opinions . It waa the duty of Mr . Jones and those who incurred that debt to assist the Executive in getting ifc paid , fins could not be done bv denouncotng the Eircautive . Let them prove that the Executive had done wrong : before they condemned them . They had not ftnds in bandi sufficient to pay their debts or to call a Convention ; , which , would give any dignity to the movement . The tunc having arrived when the hall had to be cleared , a motion was made for an adjournment ; . A vote having been taken , a division was claimed , and tha-adjournment lost . The motion and amendment were then put , when tha motion was carried by about three to two .

      A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman ,, and the mcottng adjourned until the following Sundav afternoon , to consider the question of a Militia Bid . Prior to the vote being taken , a considerable- number of the audience had left the meeting .

      BOROUGH OF MARYLEBCm On Monday evening a public muo ' . ing of the electors- of the borough of Marylehono , convened by tho vestries- of Marylebone and St . Pancras , was held , pursuant to announcement , at the spacious vestry-hall of St . Phncras , King ' s-road , Camden-town , for tho purpose of givio ° - pablic expression to opinions at tho present Ministerial crisis as to the measures calcuhted to benefit the couufcrv . Mr . Thomas Eld Baker , the senior churchwarden of St . Pancras , occupied the chair . Mr . Breitisouau moved the first resolution :. — That in the opinion of this meeting the fall nf the late Ministry is ' to be attributed to their want of political integrity , and that without a complete and thorough reform and representation in the Commons' House of Parliament there-can be no security , for the people or for the safety or stability of the throne .

      Mr . Michkll , of Marylebone , seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously . Mr . C . Fuektu moved the second resolution : — That , in tho present s'ate of public enlightenment and political knowledge , an extension of the suffrage to all occupiers is imperatively called for . That the Iiailot is indispensably necessary . That Triennial Parliaments are ab ? o ' utely required ; and that small boroughs should be extinguished , and electoral districts arranged , so that population , intelligence , and propeity may be more equally represented . Mr . Massing seconded this resolution , and denounced the projected Reform Bill introduced by Lord John Russell as a perfect abortion . Tbe resolution was then carried unanimousdv .

      Sir B . IIali ,, M P ., on presenting himself to the meeting , was received with immense cheering . The hon . baronet proceeded to give an analysis of the bill , which , he said , would have increased the electoral body by half-a-mUlion , which was a movement in the ri ght direction . The evils were , that the franchise was too hi , 'h ; there was no ballot ; the ratepayiug clauses and the Septennial Act were not abolished , and those miserable and despicable boroughs , to tlie number of thirteen , which had under the old Reform Bill been placed iu schedule " A , " had been reintroduced to the franchise . ( " Hear . " and " Shame . " ) These thirteen places numbered onl y 302 £ 10 llOUSPS , and they were to return twenty-six members to parliament .

      ( " Shame . " ) The hon . member then described the new ministry , and concluded by saying that , as tho new Chancellor of the Exchequer had once aspired to the honour of representing Marylebone , ho should iiko nothing better than to meet him on tho hustings . ( Liughter and cheering , amidst which Sir B . Hall resumed his seat . ) Lord Dudley Stuart explained his views on the New Reform Bill , and expicssed his general admiration of Lord Palmerston , hut voted against him on the Militia Bill because ho thought the government propossl the lesser evil . With reference to the new ministry , they might depend upon it that a government averse to popular rights , and determined to re-imposo a tax on the food of the people , would have no support from him .

      Mr . Sodbn , of Marylebone , moved the third resolution : — That any ministry which should propose a law to tax the food of the people will call forth such an expression of just indignation as will prove highly injurious to the revenue , and dangerous to the peace of tfee country . The ltev . Dr . ' Burns ( Paddington ) , in an able address , seconded this resolution , whioh was also carried nem . con . Mr . BiiBTiiNonAM then moved , and Mr . Barnes seconded , an address to the fyicen , founded on the resolutions ; and On the motion of Dr . Pritcuabd , seconded by Mr . Ross , thanks were awarded to tho chairman . About 2 , 000 persons wore present .

      C O NTEMPLATED RE CO NSTRUCT IO N O F THE AKTI-CORX LAW LEAGUE . On Tuesday night a meeting of a very spirited character was held at Newhali ' s buildings , Manchester , to consider whether , Lord Derby having obtained power , and being pledged to propose a re-imposition of the corn duty , the Anti-Corn Law League should be renewed . It was finally agreed to await Lord Derby ' s formal announcement of his intentions ; the executive council of the League moan while to watch the proceedings of the neiv administration , and the meeting to stand adjourned to Monday next ,

      BIRMINGHAM . A public meeting was called on Tuesday to consider the 1 Reform Bill of tho late ministry . Not above 300 persons 1 attended the summons . The bill and its authors were very <• freely censured , and on a resolution of confidence iu it S boing proposed , an amendment , to the effect , that nothing ; short of Universal Suffrage , vote by ballot , & c , would I satisfy thecountry , was carried , ni - ' twithstandingthnt Messrs . . Scholfield , Muutz , and Geuch supported tho original reso- - lution . "TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE . " The annual public meeting of tho " Association for Pro- - mating tho Repeal of nil the Taxes on Knowledge , mid I particularly tho Newspaper Stamp , " was held last night in 1 St . Murtin ' s-hall . The large room was greatly crowded on a tho occasion , and several persons were excluded from want t of space . Mr . M , Gibson , M . P ., Mr . Cobdcn , M . P ,, Mr . ¦ . Scholefield , M . P ., and Mr . Hume , M . P-., wero loudl y y cheered on making their appearance on the platform .

      Mr . M . Gibson , having been called to the chair , after % % few preliminary remarks , read letters from Mr . Leigh ; h . Hunt , and Mr . Douglass Jerrold , who wero prevented by > y ill health from attending tho meeting . Mr . Gibson , who 10 was subsequently interrupted by disturbances , caused ad by tho struggles of persons who could not make to their way into the 100 m , proceeded to say , that , at though the paper duty and the advertisement duty mig htht have been originally intended exclusively for revenue , thoho original object of tho newspaper stamp duty was to restrainlin tlie circulation of cheap literature and publication of cheapap newspapers , and the three had now been long considered as as constituent parts of one system , having this latter for its its object and its result . But it was for the best interests of of the country that there should be no obstacles placed in in

      the way of the freest dissemination of useful informatromon . among the great body of the people —( hear , hear ) : andindi that was a policy best calculated to promote the cause of of ; good government , and to enuble our institutions to standmdi upon tbe most solid foundation , that of an enlig htened andindi eiucated people . ( Hear . ) The honourable gentlemannuu having road the preambles of tho acts imposing the news-wspiper stamp act , said that there was a great demand for fore cheap publications among the educated portion of the ra- industrious classes , and as for the fear that . cheap nowspaperaersa would be vehicles of poisonous information , the lndustrionsonss classes wore as correct judges between good and bad ad ast

      those who wero better off . ( Hear , hear . ) It was stated iid iir evidence before the Newspaper Stamp Committee of lasllaslil session , that the best cheap publications , those that gaveavn valuable information , had the best sale , and that those oie oil an improper description were generally short-lived , and bat ba ( , l but a limited circulation . ( Hear , hear . ) It was known tha thai theiudgos had decided that the " Household Narrative "—;"—;¦ monthly publication—was not liable to the stamp laws ; bu ; bui the Board of Inland Revenue was not satisfied withtbo decidechi sion , and , as far as could be understood , they would pre prc < seeute any other publication of the same kind that mighnighfc be issued , and would drug tho publisher into a court of law lawn they paying their expenses out of the public purse . Thi Thiii was mo 3 tffectuaUy restraining cheap newspaper * , { DeaJIeait ? $ & 3 ^ S

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 28, 1852, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_28021852/page/7/