Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 29th March 1851, Edition 2 of 2, Page 5

Page 5
Page 5
5 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (1)
    • mx Wmmo mxxxnx
  • Text (10)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Mercantile Moitallty. -Whole. Sale Adult...

      ileteiieleterious effects by long ]• *&& The r supir supp lies a substitute for breaicotapoSSd asterJaster of Paris , alum , potatoes , and other dienfedients ; but the grocers are the princes of ieraKterators . With thero , adulteration has to 4 to the dignity of an art , and is carried jenljtpenly , upon a grand and extensive scale , ien Y * aen vf ho a * ow &&* practices , and ar ugear upon their face that kind of satisfaction ill mica men feel when they ' ve done a virtuous ion . " : tion /' > ine tome of the revelations as to this new kind ~ . . - * , . ,.

      rjadejrade , at recent meetings , are reall y very r . f . \ W e are indebted for tbem , iu a . great nree , ree , to Sir Chables Wood ' s defence of long sing chicory with * coffee . This , it appears , 'i-omp ^ omparatively speaking , a recent practice ; Two Two ieI - e , retDat Teal chicory is , ia itself , cunwunwhoibL " 0111 ^ - at •*« same time , in < esfe estimation o » ma ? y Persons , it imparts a is- bHr bitter to the * toswiast beverage , Be tt as . t as it may , " how ler , it was dearly a > ee ofee of . dishonesty in the grocer to sell an aree , pe , professedly all coffee , orifl half or

      tworrds rds of which was composed of an article iht ditt did not cost him quarter the price of the cng bg he professed to sell . The consumer co wo wished to mix his coffee with chicory , »» ht » ht to have had the power of buying both 1 theitbeir pure state , and mixing them in such Jjponportions as suited either bis palate or his i rswse . But even adulteration hy chicory was Meat enough . We are obliged to Mr . Cojjdeb , nosaose firm , has , " for the last fifteen years , j astasted one-fiftieth part of all the coffee imi rtarted into thia country , " for a history of the i } e use and progress of adulteration , related at a

      t radradon Tavern meeting : — ; 'hicJhico rT had gradual *; crept-into the trade , and in i 8 s * S 2 so ranch was the government convinced of this , that ; ? y aty alio wed grocers to keep it on their premises . In 1849 e sv vev went farther , and allowed coffee and chicory to be i iedixed . The public at huge began to like the taste of : iroriroty . ( Laughter . ) Gentlemen mig ht laugh , bmitwas i denideniable . He and his partner had resisted the laboi ictiaetion of etotiwy jmtil they saw that if they went fnri er tier thev would lose the lialf of their bade . If the aduii rafiiafion of chicory coula" be prevented , a great benefit : » uld > utd be conferred ; for at present it was sold at a price wh which he well knew that It could not be produced .

      hethetrsand nproar . ) 31 Mr . Deaxe , another speaker , lets a little - * htjb . fc in upon the somewhat mysterious process v w which " chicory is sold at a price , " that it cocould not he produced'' : — llelle produced a sample of stuff for aflidt eratinfj coffee , hichich had been brought to him the other day . and Which manslsted of burnt peas , dog biscuit , powdered earth , and thether materials which he would not describe , as Vtty were » in horrid to n & ition . ( Cries of'Hear , hear . ' ) Anyone rhorho wished could obtain this mixture ; for ha had been oldold there were four tons of it ready now . It wjs a suhtititirate for chicory and snuffi { Great uproar . ) How could a la honest man stand the competition of people who were prrinding tons and tons of this , every week % ' . Thus the chicory with which coffee is

      adulaaai od is itself a subject of adulteration ; and fair . DJSAKE followed up his exhibition with the ioionifiea- it Mnk , " fchejr "knew what trade ra-as " meaning that the honest trader must blbllow the sxanvple of his dishonest competioiors , or go to the wall . Jfor is the adulteraidon confined to coffee : Mr . Patjte , of Eegent Stitreet , says— " The present state of the gro--eery trade in coffee , in arrowroot , and in cocoa , isis such , that if the grocers of London do not nmiad the trade will X » taken out of their [¦ hands "—by the adulterators . In other words , Utlie trade in coffee , arrowroot , and cocoa , will ccease—destroyed under the . competition ofthe tirade in burnt peas and other stuffs flavoured strith coffee , in potato starch , and in coloured ffloar , & c ., flavoured with cocoa .

      Tea is a concoction of sloe-leaves , thorn-Ueaves , and other indigenous andmanut ^ tured substitutes for the fragrant produce o \ the iflowery land . Sugar , according to the LanCfit , iis adulterated hy materials which ate sonit ? ¦ of them also "too horrid to mention . " In fact , by the admission of those engaged in the grocery trade themselves , it is a gigantic conspiracy of swindlers and plunderers . . Now , we are often told that competition is fee great protector of the public , against abuses . Will those who vaunt its virtues in this respect tell why it fails in this case 1 Is it not , instead of a protector , the cause of the eril itself ? If so , is it not clear that society wants some higher and more potent principle of action than that which is the basis of

      commercial morality , or rather immorality ? The practical and immediate conclusion which we are desirous of drawing from these facts is , that the only way in which the producing classes can protect themselves , is to become theirowa distributors , and to buy all their provisions through trustworthy and experienced agents , from the wholesale houses . By this means they will not only insure to

      themselves the advantage of the profits which now go to the dishonest retailer , hut the far higher benefit of receiving a pure article conducive to health and strength , instead of being slowly poisoned with the rascally and disgusting compounds now fended by the adulterators . This is a consideration which should give increased impetus to the Co-operative Movement , which ¦ we rejoice to see spreading in all directions among the industrious classes .

      T && Theand Eiht T Iu / Atoar Oi March 2...

      March 29 , 1851 , , „ THJB . NORTH-E RN STAR - - " - ' """ ! ¦!———————**^*~— n-rw «; ---- ^| , ' ** " * M 1 M > , > , * **** ^*^ * " *** * *«^*«*<*« "wr-M «^« M *»»*» > i ,, ; ^ j - > . ; < ' ¦ * " * "" . > . «? ti ftf i < ra •¦» . '„ : « ¦ _ * ' "'» .. "•

      Mx Wmmo Mxxxnx

      mx Wmmo mxxxnx

      Parliamentary. After An Absence Of Two Y...

      PARLIAMENTARY . After an absence of two years from the political stage , Lord Ltxdhukst has come forth from his seclusion , for the purpose of hounding on ( he Government to a persecution of the Patriots who , driven from their native land , are suffering in exile and poverty , the penalty of labouring to promote the cause of freedom . All the bitterness and Toryism of the Es-Chasceixob found vent in Ms attack on MAzzixi , and such men , on Thursday night ; and it would appear that , ¦ while Government is disinclined to interfere on political grounds , yet the subject has been forced on its attention , and has been under the serious consideration both of the Home

      and FoitElGX Secketaey . With the principle laid down hy E . MiL GEES , we cordi-tlly contw--namely , that our Government ought not to interfere , except in matters affecting the safet y of this country . So long as it acts upon that principle the Refugees have nothing to far , for whatever may be their feelings with sespect to other Government ! -, they feel the deepest gratitude to the country which has given them shelter in the hour of their need . -The ineffaceable stigma that rests upon the Same of Sir James Gbaham , for becoming the * py and tool of foreign powers , and delivering

      " ¦ "er the noble brothers , Uaxdiera , to be | butchered , and would he a warning to all juture English Governments not to soil their lands with such dirty work . "tt ith one exception the debate on the anti--Papal Bill was dull and decorous enough , and * e hare taten care that our readers should Sot he bore < i with the hacknied arguments , and thousand times told platitudes , repeated in ^ earisomemonotonousness by " hon . and right j * - * gentlemen . " The execution was caused

      by the eccentric and clever Member for West I fcu rrey , who broke the guarded reserve which I characterised other opponents of Popery , and I attacked , not the policy of the Papal Court , I but the doctrines of the Papal Religion . Such I a scene of turmoil and excitement has not I wen witnessed in St . Stephen ' s for many a I * 0 ng year ; and on a subsequent evening , Mr . I-wwiEss , the new Member for Channel , J ^ « atened Mr . Dkcmmosd with the fate of I fUtXAtr , if evpr ho Rhcwrurl himself in Ireland .

      -now far that threat was judicious or timely , Ve must leave to our readers . Certainly , if afr DMNMOJCtfs ^ 1 ^ showed an excess of polemical zed , the menace of Mr . Lawless is not over discreet Thehelligerent propensities j ^ " Geatian were wonderfully excited , J » d Jobs O'Cossbll—that small heer poli-^ ian—tried to manufacture a little political capital eut of the event , by enacting the ofavery of General Tom Thdmb , in the midst ° i the hurl y-burly . The close of the debate wowed a sweeping- majority of four hundred

      Parliamentary. After An Absence Of Two Y...

      and thirty-ei ght to ninety--fifC , iu / aTOar oi legislation , A . clear prepondefattce of tnte ® hundred and forty-three Members must be held derisive of the main question at issue ; hut what shape the measure will ultimately take , it is - very difficult * ° foresee . Its final passing into a law is far o 5 * ^ P to tJl - tin , e the second reading of this hot , , contested Bill is all that has been effected iu * session . What is to he done with reference J ° other matters appears to be , as yet , undetermined J though it is not possible that things can rub on much longer in their present unsatisfactory state . U „* * i .: l . i _ ' t * . ;¦¦; . « . __ " ^ favftn *^

      The Bill for Chancery Reform , introduced hy Lord John , on Thursday night , is very different from what was expected , and will leave all the real abuses of that Augean stable untouched , as we shall endeavour to show in a future article .

      HOME NEWS . j Rut little news , under this heading , requires comment tu ! _ vee - * - * - no accidents to which the industrious p Cpnlation are liable , and which we noticed last we ' 2 * . have been followed by the explosion of a boiler a * Manchester by which nine lives were lost . The' accident is supposed to hare been caused by the drunkenness of the engineer , who is in custody , ^ od the inquiry has been adjourned to Wednesday " next , in order to obtain the opinions of scientific and practical men . Thomas Drory and Sahah Cheshan

      were executed on Tuesday , at Chelmsford , the former for the murder of Jaei . Dejtnt , and the latter for poisoning her husband . Dboby confessed his guilt , but his companion " made no sign . " The usual disgusting behaviour of the crowd , on this , as on all similar occasions , shows the utter inefficiency of these legal murders to put an end to this horrible crime , and the sooner such disgusting and brutal exhibit ions are abolished , the better for society . So long as murders are legally perpetrated , so long will they be effected , to gratify vicious passions ; and every assize will furnish victims to this car of Juggernaut .

      Several Chartist localities have elected their delegates in the metropolis aud provinces to the forthcoming Conference , which will meet on Monday , in the Partheneum Assembly Booms , 72 , St . Martin ' Lane , at which meetings discussions have arisen that may be of service to the members composing that body . We gladly notice the concluding portion of the Executive report , which states that the localities unable to send a delegate , are requested to forward their opinions by letter .

      We hope they will do so , and that the line of conduct pursued by the Conference will he dignified , but , at the same time , conciliatory , and that , without abating one iota of their juat demands , they will respect the opinions of others , and adopt a line of policy which will put an end to the bickerings and party disputes that have too long divided the movement , and by their proceedings prove to the world the fitness of the working classes to the exercise ofthe rights of freemen .

      FOREIGN AS » COLONIAL . Continental affairs are not materially different in their aspect . Events are ripening , and a crisis in France , Germany , and Italy , is steadily approaching . In France , _ the repeated manifestations of Strong Socialist feeling in -various portions of the provinces , keep there-actionary party in constant terror . They stand on the edge of a volcano , and know not when an explosion may overwhelm them . The intrigues with reference to the Presidential election , continue unabated , and up to this time the star of Louis Napoleon seems to he in the ascendant . How long it wiJl continue , he would he a bold political propiet who would venture to predict .

      I In Kaly , Mazzcji ' s party continue their wonted activity ; the withdrawal or lessening of the French Army of Occupation at Rome , would be followed by the immediate expulsion of thePoJPE and Cardinals , and the re-estahlisbment of the Bepuhlic Germany—or , at least , the ruling powers of Germany—continues to pursue a steady and determined re-actionary policy . The re-eatablishment ofthe Old Frankfort Diet is the goal at which they aim . That will be the only tangible result of tbe hubbub which brought together such mighty armaments as lately traversed the German States . The real result is , that Russia , by its diplomacy , [

      has got more power than it formerly had , and will be prepared on a fitting occasion to make use of its new acquisitions to gain more . The demonstration in Freemasons' Hall , to which we adverted the week before last , has smitten the despots with dismay , and it is said that applications have been made ^ to Lord Paimebston to remove tbe political exues , or otherwise impose restrictions upon the freedom they enjoy in this country . Lord Palmerstos is not a " Liberal" ofthe very first water , but knowing the estimation in which the Absolutists hold him , heis not likely to give a very gratifying answer to their impudent request

      American news contain nothing specially worthy of notice . Fresh discoveries ot gold continue to he made in California . The Fugitive Slave Bill vexes the population of the old States , and causesPresidentFlLiMORE to give fresh and repeated illustrations of his affection for this specimen of Yankee Whig legislation . The West India and Pacific mails bring news from our colonies , upon the whole , of a favourable complexion . Governor Babklet finds himself with a financial surplus , and tbe power of recommending reductions on tbe most pressing burdens on the people of British Guiana . The colony was healthy and weather favourable .

      In Jamaica , a "brown man" called the " political cobbler , " has been elected a member ofthe Assembly , over two opponents , by a majority far exceeding the number polled by cither of them , though both men of rank and wealth . Really , this democracy is a very troublesome thing ! The cholera had ceased in the southern , b at was still ravaging tbe northern parts ofthe island .

      Monies Received Fob Tbb "Wsek Ekbino Thu...

      MONIES RECEIVED Fob tbb "Wsek Ekbino ThubsMT , IJL & bch 2 "th , 1851 . ¥ 0 B THE HOHESTY FUND . BECHVED Bt W . SIDES , £ S . 0 . J . Turner , Botberham .. J \ j } T . Stephenson . Liverpool Branch .. » » » T . Bannie , TflUcoultry - ** « , » Xottiogbam , per J . Sweet .. - " i „ AFew-Eriends , SegMU .. .. 0 2 0 £ 0 5 6 XECEIfH ) atlaho omcs . D . Campbell .. .. .. 006 J . M'iifjrre .. .. .. 006

      MM-UP OF THE UB COMPANY . BECHVO ) EX W . SIDES . £ . 8 . a . Central Bossendale , per J . AshworuV .. 0 3 0 J . Tamer , Botberham ... .. 0 10 T Stephenson , liverpool Branch .. 0 0 G From Manchester—Alice BeaUi .. 0 0 6 J . Luke -. .. 006 T . Bamne , TiJHconltry .. .. 0 0 6 Nottingham , per J . Sweet « . .. 0 0 3 1 L Wains , Maidstone .. 010 £ 011 3 TSEcerrso ati * n » omcE , TiCamplxai - " . " I ° I J . li-Intyre •• " n a c JXM'lntyre .. •• . ° ° A . M'Aulay .. " R , Montgomery .. " n n k E , Hawiah .. " n n r CBreeharin .. " o n « J . Seotr . .. .. 006

      NATIONAL CHARTER FUND . Keceiveaby JohnAs . voir .-Mr . B ^' . ^ . ^ " " eade . Greenmca ls-Gtasgow , per J . -feddi A ^ r- ^ T oath Locality ( South London Hall ) , per B . Miles Ms-Col lected at John-street lis 4 £ d-J , Higgs and Fnendi , Upper

      Monies Received Fob Tbb "Wsek Ekbino Thu...

      I « calit / , ]^ r ! l . ? erc ^ lds . ~ Totel £ § - *^ ^ . - - CONVENTIofj ' FUND . Received by John Ausiorr . -W . B , lusco & tj * 6 uf ^* fc . i . l r . HoxWmNewToJrn 2 s-W . B ., per 6 . J . 5 ' ls-S Guineauian , per dittols-Stronff Shoenena ' Society , per Mr . Christmas J . 0 *—Royton , per J . B . Horsfall 10 s-J . Merry , per Grant Spiers ls _ J . ( k , per ditto Is-A inrjnfl per d , tto ls-Ditto . per ditto Is Cd . Received by W . RIDEB . -R Webb , Gravc 5 enaiF . FOR THE HUNGARIAN AND POLISH REFUGEES . Received by W ., Bn >* a .-jy . II . Pockliagtou tfd . Received hv Joag AsNpry , —Three Brewer * ' Servants , LimebCW Locality , per Ernest Jones Is 8 d . ' tti » l 2 > I —H ° * ton , i » r J .-Brfmrt « ja - a 2 _ K"im ( inAo <> i-

      A Meeting At The Literary Institu Tion, ...

      A MEETING AT THE LITERARY INSTITU TION , JOHN STREET , FITZROY SQUARE .

      On Tuesday evening a public meeting was held at the above Institute , to take into consideration the address lately issued by the Executive Committee of the National Charier Association to the United Trades' Association . Mr . Bate , of the London trade , was called to the chair , and opened tbe proceedings by reading the address above referred to . Mr . I . Wilson falso of the trade ) moved a resolution to the effect that the most efficient means of removing the evil effects of the present competitive social system would be found in the possession of political rights , and that the meeting fully

      approved of the sentiments advanced in the address issued by the Executive CommiUee . Mr . Wilson « aid . that no man who reflected could doubt that all rents " , rates , taxes , and profits arose from the difference be * wee- -ne Pr > ce Pf-id -or labour and the real value of the" oroduce of that labour . ( Hear , hear . ) AUthe men who lived by this regulation preached the doctrine that cd . * upeHti «? -- » b * bringing , down prices , was the greatest Messing T » hich society could enjoy ; but in bis opinion it was" the cause of restricting production , by taking from wen a principle which ought to animate them—namely , 3 desire to improve the condition of their fellow men . If the principle of competition were extended to the

      army and navy ; if men were there allowed to compete with each other , and those who demanded tbe sraalleft . remuneration were permitted constantly to displace others , those prices would fall into disorganisation at once , just as society has . fallen into disorganisation from tbe same cause . ( Cheers . ) Competition was tbe cause of slavery , misery , degradation , and want , and could only . be ovetcoae by a proper regulation of labour by labourers them , selves , ( Hear , hear . ) He regretted that the address took no notice of the position of agricultural la . bowers ; because , until they congregated the miseries of all classes , and ga'e all a common motive for action , they could never take the position which

      they ought to assume . ( Hear , heat . ) The first object for which the people ought to strive , was the provision of reproductive employment for the unemployed , by the government of the country through the cultivation of the waste and crown lands ' , of which they had plenty within reach . ( Hear , hear . ) In conclusion , he expressed his regret that Chartism had not , within the past , prospered as it ought to have done , principally through the people having been led astray by the Financial Reform and other movement ? , which he trusted wouJd no longer interfere in the same manner , for there was nothing with respect to the movement which he feared so much as small concessions to the people . ( Cheers . )

      Mr . Delaforce , ( secretary fo the Trades' Association , ) seconded the resolution . Mr . S . Kydo , in support of tbe motion , said that the interests and existence of the country depended upon the steps to be taken with reference to the condition of the working classes during the next few years . ( Hear ; hear . ) All recent research by political economists proved that the condition of the great body of the people had been in 10 way improved by tbe great improvements which had taken place in machinery , and therefore it was plain that that condition was an unsatisfac tory one . ( Hear , hear . ) The question at issue had never yet been really discussed in this country , but

      he rejoiced that tbe subject was now likely to be more generally discussed than hitherto . At tbe same time he did not see bis way out of tbe d'lemma . The mere possession of political power alone could never work out the regeneration of so . ciety . The people , might have the Charter , they might have a republic , but their social position would never be permanently improved until they were alive to the fact that they were tbe producing agency , and ought as well lo be the consumptive agency of society . ( Cheers . ) What chance bad the working classes , in connexion with the present House of Commons , wherein Lord John Russell held power by tbe support of the Iree Traders ?

      He told them that Free Trade was only a free lie , maintained for the benefit o ' f landowners and capitalists , manufacturers , and annuitants , while labourers of aU countries were pitted against each other , continually working harder and getting less in return , and one of tbe first practical lessons which the working men of this country bad to learn was to work less . ( Loud cheers . ) The practical meaning of political economists , who taught the free-trade theory , was simply that the capitalists should grow richer while the labourers should grow poorer . The whole system was one iu which profitmonger combined with profit-moager , cheat with cheat , and knave with knave—wherein the power

      of wealth was one system of concrete and centralised despotism . ( Cheers . ) It was thought by some , that there was hope for England—hope that Lord John Russell would soon give place to Graham , who , in a speech recently delivered , with one foot standing on the grave of Feel , and the other on the neck of Russell , had pictured many advantages arising from free Trade , but bad at the same time been compelled to admit that the Carlisle bandloom weavers were engaged in a hopeless struggle between manual labour and machinery . This hopeless struggle existed far beyond tbe Units of Carlisle ; and the instincts of working men generally were afraid ofthe introduction of machinery , which

      ought to he made , in every improvement , subservient to a decrease of their labours . ( Hear , hear . ) Nothing but a complete change in the commercial and manufacturing system of the country could improve the condition of the working classes . If there were no chance of change for the better in that condition , he would sooner go back to barbarism than see society remain endlessly in its present state . ( Cheers . ) The great hope of the people must be in themselves ; it was often said that they were intelligent ; but he thought they were not so , or they would soon find out the secret of producing wealth for themselves . ( Loul and long continued cheers . ) Mr . Rogers wished to call in question the conduct of the Executive of the National Charter

      Association , who bad exposed themselves to tbe charge of being spoliators , by advocating , in their programme , the nationalisation of land , without speciiying any conditions by which that step ought to be accompanied . Then , in their first address , they advocated social rights , yet the second , then before the meeting , was silent upon the subject ; while they advocated public credit , without showing how it could be carried out . He then attacked the programme and address generally , which he thought ought to be superseded hy Mr . O'Brien ' s " Seven Propositions . "

      Mr . C . Murray gave full credit to tbe Executive for their motives , but said that their addresses had not met the approbation of that branch of the Trades * Association to which he belonged , who thought that the object of the National Charter Association should only extend , in the first instance , to tbe People's Charter , or , going beyond that , should adopt Mr . O'Brien ' a " Seven Propositions . " Mr . Harney said that the Executive , as a body , were acting with all sincerity of heart and purpose ; they held their power from tbe people , and bad no private ends to serve . He vindicated the conduct of the Executive Committee , and protested against any attempt to thrust particular doctrines upon that body , by those who were not disposed to act in harmony with them . "With respect to Mr . O'Brien ' s " Seven Propositions , " he approved of them

      generally , but did not think tbem sufficient alone to rescue tbe people from wages' slavery , for which nationalisation of- manufactures would be required , as well as nationalisation of land and credit ; ( Hear , hear . ) Tbe present Executive was the first which bad ventured to touch upon social questions , and , for that alone , deserved credit and support . ( Hear , hear . ) The great duty Of the Executive WB 8 to keep the Charter prominently forward , to the exclusion of the particular doctrines of any man . ( Hear , hear . ) The forthcoming convention would be comparatively limited in number and object ; but if the trades gave its Executive full support , they might shortly have a Convention which would be in reality , a parliament of tbe People , asd an Executive , which would be in reality , tbe Ministry of the unenfranchised . Mr . Harney rnw & ed his seat amidst a tremendous burst of cheering . The resolution was agreed te > unanimously , and , . after a vote of timiks , the meeting separated .

      . National Convention Aast Am^Sft^° N Tu...

      . NATIONAL CONVENTION aASt aM ^ SfT ^ ° Tuesda ^ tiFe ™ g •^ ffi ^^ t 5 * Ro - ?( Circu « - ' j „ j— ••> W ik- \ ° I .. Purpose of eteot us a i- elegaiOjor toe united district of Marylebone nnd West rninstej- . openedln ^ r ^^ * ^ ' * " * ^ ' SKdb tef f *»» ™ eiing . They ^ upon their Si i C ? . cneraie 3 - Ifc depended Xild hi i « H"Ct Ah * evening ivhethor they ixtomipftl " ^ e * -worthy of the righ t of decline Sens 2 inTT * , ) eraselm either in st M the ? woffi Pe 0 p l «** ' »»< -nt . The posi-Sinr >« m ? tS OCCU F forsomeyeaM *•• British ffirt ? tpen 2 uP ° n tbe cll"acter and con-S ^ r ! u ^ A ^ F oavmim ' The united com-£ ? * lciW em * i 0 «» AwWon to » . «?? -. Pr ? SraD-H * o issued by the Executive , in amendmen t ^ perS ° ° P - r 0 p 0 Se an flihSff mv , «& tho nomination of Mr . dut ! torfi V a " ? S' *« cspnech . It was their order i f ^ * - " * ™ n , one of their own Si ? ., "•?* Diere Platfom orator or Political cause ' meB had t 0 ° often uet- ' ay 6 ' * their

      nf I "„;^ T u Seconded the nomination in a speech or a similar character . , ^™ = o » l t !? erso ? - beiD S noraina 'e » Mr * Hukruuu aaoressea the audience , detailing his views relative tSZTSS t 0 bead ° P ted by the ensuing Convention . . The people of this country , in his opimon , displayed a lamentable apathy relative to their own interests . They did not entertain on ai dent desire for the attainment of tbe franchise , or they would have met in thousands instead of'hunoreas , on such an important occasion , and at such an interesting epoch in their movement . He then dwelt upon each of tho clauses in tho executive programme , commencing with the People ' s Charter , and shewing the fallacy of working men agitating less

      ror any measure of electoral reform . If they omitted any class from the right to' the suffrage , they reduced them to a more hopeless state of slavery than that which they endured at the present time . The gradual abolition of the national debt was a question that must be entertained and manfully grappled with ' . ¦ TbG Law of partnership was a subject well worthy ! 0 f theii' SGl'i 0 U 9 attention , Under the present system every obstacle was thrown in the way of working men employing any capital which they might be fortunate enough to acquire . The laws relative to combination were translated in favour of the capitalists and in opposition to the interests of the labouring man . Relative to the army , he believed the , clause in the programme

      was an improvement upon the . present system . The time had" not yet arrived when they could entirely abolish that institution ^ "When it arrived ho was ill favour of every man being a soldier , arid then-no paid body of warriors would be necessary to the safety of the State . The Land and all the raw material given by Nature should , in his opinion , be considered to be the property of government , to be held by them in trust for the benefit of the whole nation . The means of making it national property would be a subject for mature and deliberate consideration , with the object of doing justice to all those . who had beneficially improved it in value . Taxation , as at present raised , fell heavy upon tho poor producer ; it should be so levied as to

      make the wealth of the nation bear the burthens of the State . Taxation was originally levied solely upon landed property—upon real wealth—but it had been cunningly diverted from the possessors of wealth to the producers thereof . He would levy it on a' graduated scale upon the possessors of real and accumulated property , in proportion to the amount of wealth they had thus acquired . Under a good system of government a Poor Law would be entirely unnecessary . The rent arising to the State from the ' nationalisation of land would produce revenue sufficient for all desirable purposes . Under the present system , if a man was driven out of employment by a false system of competition , or the working of machinery , be was entitled to a

      dependence from the resources of the State . He was in favour of National and Secular Education under proper arrangements , and also for the complete separation of Church and State , and the perfect freedom of religious opinion . The candidate then gave his . views relative to a better mode for distributing the enormous wealth produced by working men . In his opinion , that was the great question of the day ; compared with that , all the other schemes of amelioration were mere fractional and minute . The invention of machinery , and the aids of chemical science , had enormously raised their power of producing wealth , but had , at tho same time , crippled the energies and lowered the wages of those for whose benefit it was professedly introduced , and by whose aid its enormous benefits were achieved ., Ho then dwelt upon the Currency question , aud the benefits to be derived from

      cooperation , and gave it as his opinion , that such Institutions should receive loans . from the State , to enable them to combine for their own benefit . Until they were enabled beneficially to arrange a better system for " the distribution of wealth they would remain serls to the slavery of capital . While dilating upon those social questions he was opposed to their being mixed up with the organisation for political power , so as to defeat the unity and entirety of the agitation for that measure . They were measures which would follow as results on the attainment of the People ' s Charter , and as such were proper subjects for their discussion . The speaker concluded by earnestly urging that the agitation of the agricultural districts should be made a paramount consideration in any future plan of propagandism . He then sat down , loudly cheered . Some questions were asked relative to the nationalisation of land , which were satisfactorily answered . . Mr . Hnnnibali was then unanimously elected as delegate for the above district , and having briefly replied , a vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , and the meeting dissolved .

      South London Chalttist Hall. A Public Me...

      SOUTH LONDON CHAltTIST HALL . A public meeting was held on Wednesday evening , for the purpose of electing a delegate to the Convention for the South London District . The attendance was larger than at any other similar gathering in tbe metropolis . Mr . E . Meujs . was called to the chair . Some routine regulations having been agreed to , Mr . Smalt .-read a series of resolutions , which were put to the meeting to be adopted , as instructions for their delegate . They included the People ' s Charter , the nationalisation of land , and thedistribntion of wealthamong those only who produced it . These resolutions gave rise to some discussion , and were ultimately withdrawn until after the candidates bad been heard . Messrs . Stratton , Pearoy , Shell , G . J . Harney , and Edwards , were then put in nomination . Mr . Pearcv tetired in fnvour © V Mr . Harney . Mr .

      Edwards also retired . A rather angry discussion took place relative to the nomination of Mr . Harney . Mr . WiiistEK said he felt convinced that if Mr . Haraey had been present , he would have resigned rather than any ill-feeling should be created . He ( Mr . Wheeler ) had been invited to stand ; and having been elected for that district by many thousand persons in 1 S 18 , he thought he had as great a claim upon their suffrages as any person who was not a member of their locality . He had declined opposing the local candidates , and he felt convinced that the proposers of Air . Harney were acting injuriously to that gentleman by not withdrawing his

      nomination . Mr . Johsson opposed the nomination of Mr . Harney , on the ground that ho was a member of the Executive ; and it was a principle of Democracy , that the executive power should not have a vote in a Parliament or Conference . The proposers of Mr . Harney declining to withdraw thit gentleman , the candidates were then heard . Mr . Sjraixon stated that all previous Conventions had been composed chiefly of speakers and writers , instead of practical business men , whicb , in his opinion , was one of the main causes why they had effected so little good ., They should now infuse the new , blood of practical hard-working men—men who had endured the miseries for which they had

      hitherto , m vain , sought a remedy . Such men would be enabled to bring before the Convention practical measures , on which laws might be enacted calculated to give beneficial employment to the whole of the working classes . This would be far more conducive to their interests than any amount of clap-trap oratory . Mr . Harney and others had often told them that the land was theirs , and they ought to take it—this was all nonsense , they had not the power to take it . He . then laid down a plan for mortgaging the poor laws and reducing the army and na , vy , to purchase the land to locate the people ' thereon . Mr . O'Connor's plan bad not been a failure—it was tbe unfitness of those located thereon- that bad caused it to appear so . The speaker illustrated his system by numerous statistics .

      Mr . Shmje . was . the next speaker . He dwelt upon the claims in the programme issued by the Executive . He did not fully agree , vrith some of these clauses .. He thought they were not of sufficient magnitude to cope with the ovils they had to contend against . The monopoly of land , gold , and machinery would have been far better subjects for the Convention to discuss , than tbe flimsy patchwork subjects laid down in that programme . What was to become of the surplus population of this country , unless land and machinery were made national property ? The Currency question was also a very important one , and was not dealt with in the programme . He was in favour of first obtaining the Charter , audthea aomi reforms would be easily carried into effect .. He waa sent to prison for attending a meeting ia that Hall , which meeting Mr . Harney had declined ; ta . attend . He did not

      South London Chalttist Hall. A Public Me...

      ? JPT £ t "iS ^^^^^ i chcumstanccs he would noS stood i *? ° - tion to Mr . Harney , hut , havE « £ ed Z ETt n Chartism i „ & dikric ^ e " tiSjff fcf justified , „ coming forward as their canffite W ? n . was then heard as a representative of -in ubvTsm a r - n f ° that effect ha > ing eo , ... r , ea " z |» ?« B «! I majority . 6 Th 8 oarniidates * names were ihsn put to the vote . it came to so near a decision by show of hands that a division

      took place , when Mr . Shell was declared by the tellers to be elected by a considerable majority . Air . Shjui , returned thanks . When he left the dock of the Old Bailey , where ho defended himself , he told Sir John Jervis that though he was convicted , yet his character would not bo injured with his fellow men . Their electing him that ni"bt was a proof that fie Still retained their confidence . The resolutions , brought forward at an early portion of the meeting , were then put and carried . A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman and the meeting dissolved .

      National Association Otf Ujttted Thades....

      NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Otf UJttTED THADES . T . b . Duscombb , Esq ., m . p ., President . Established 1815 . " PUT JUSTniA . " "If it were possible for the working classes , hy combining among themselves , to raise , or keep up the general rate of wages , it need hardly bo said that this would be a thing not to he punished , but . to be welcomed and rejoiced at * 6 tuabt iliu ,.

      As might have been anticipated , the first result of the Perry ' s threatened prosecution has beeu to call forth the disgust and indignation of the working men of England . We have this . week had tbe satisfaction of receiving many letters from bodies of men totally unconnected with this movement , proffering us their sympathy and . assistance in resisting this infamous attempt of a

      confederation of ^ money-grubbers to crush and trample upon the rights of labour . Already are provisional committees forming in Manchester , Birmingham , Wolverhampton , Kidderminster , London , & c , to agitate their respective localities , with the view of marshalling the pence of labour for the coming conflict with the pounds of capital . Law , in this country , is a costly commodity , and the longest pUl'SQ has mighty odds in its favour ,

      If we could conceive that the interests involved iu the forthcoming contest were merely confined to the individuals more immediatel y concerned , we certainly should not consider it of sufficient importance to justify us in appealing for any assistance beyond our own imperfect organisation . But we feel morally assured that in this case we are but the instruments through whom it is attempted to make a deadly onslaught upon the statutory rights arid privileges of the working classes of this country . .

      The very existence of trades' combinations in any form or description , will be in future virtually impracticable , if the Perrys are permitted to come out of this affair triumphant . We must have an unbiassed judge , an unprejudiced jury , and the highest legal talent which the British bar can furnish . We must have no local interests , or private earwiggings , to stand between us and justice . Give us but a clear stage and no favour , and we have the most perfect conviction of a triumphant acquittal . Our crime- ^ -if , indeed , any crima-we have committed—has been a faithful and honest discharge of our duties to those who have for so long a period given us their confidence , and entrusted their interests to our keeping .

      We have endeavoured , during our administration of the affairs of this Association , to carry out the laws in their letter and spirit ; and the spirit of the laws of ouv association is decidedly inimical to strikes . But in the present state of imperfect organisation of the labour interest , it is not possible at once to supersede the system of strikes , any more than the Peace Society can supersede the necessity for wars . There are Emperors of Russia and Austria , and there are Edward and George Perry , to whom it were vain to offer reason or argument .

      As long as the working classes choose to be disunited , strikes , with all their evil consequences , their wasteful extravagance , their demoralising influences , are inevitable , But when they choose to throw away their prejudices and selfishness , and to look into their position like men of common sense , then strikes will be no more—they will be impossible—for-no combination of capital , which this country could produce , could or would dream of contending with a really National Organisation of Labour . The pence of the millions is more than a match for the pounds of the

      thousands . Oh . ' how often have we urged this upon the attention of our fellow slaves . When will they throw off their stupid apathy , their ignorant prejudices , and lift themselves into that upright , erect position , which the great God of nature intended they should occupy ? Why should they submit to be the slaves of the thing they create ? This capital ; what is it ? It is the accumulation of avarice and fraud , wrung from ignorance . It is , in most cases , an accumulation of the plunder of labour . And oh . ' how painfully sickening is it to find men so base , so utterly destitute of

      all honourable feeling , either to themselves or to their fellow men , as to submit for a guzzle of beer , or for a paltry pecuniary bribe , to barter their own character for honour and honesty , and the discreet interests of their fellow men to men who , in their own hearts , they loathe and despise . We know of but ono remedy for this lamentable state of things ;—to make our union so perfect , so attractive , by providing within its circle for all the contingencies to which the sons of toil are liable , that we should offer greater inducements for honesty than proud capital would offer for treachery and infamy . The National Association , from its first foundation , was always a non-political movement ; and it has always been the policy , and

      we hope it will continue to be the policy of its executive , to keep it clear and distinct from all isms , " political or social . Whatever may he any of our private opinions , we are , one and all , decidedly opposed to all and every attempt to induce the working class to mix up their great question of labour with any other , whether political , social , or religious . Upon the question of labour we have a neutral ground , upon which men of all creeds or shades of opinion can meet ; and we deprecate , with all our souls , auy and every attempt to cajole and wheedle the Trades of Great Britain , to blend their great cause with the speculations of political spouters , or literary adventurers . We are earnest friends to the cause of human

      progression , politically and socially ; hut we deprecate the mixing up of the labour question with either the ono " ism " or the other , because we know it is impossible to create , upon these speculative questions , a unity of feeling or of opinion . The great all-absorbing question of labour is the only one upon which we can hope to obtain a uniformity of opinion , but once get a thorough organisation ofthe working classes , and out of that organisation all and every movement for either political or social reform , may find disciplined and earnest recruits . We believe this prosecution ofthe Perrys will very much assist our agitation . of

      We hope to avail ourselves of the means publicity which they have so kindly and considerately placed at our disposal . Nothing so much assists a good cause , struggling for popularity , as persecution . It is sure to bring out the merits of a cause in high relief , and secure for its principles and objects a wide and extensive circulation through the Press , which no amount of money could purchase . We question if the" Times" would , for any money payment , givo us so large a portion of its columns as it will he compelled to do , in its report of "The Great Perry Conspiracy Case . " Wo shall very cheerfull y pay our personal share of any penalty , which the oh-

      National Association Otf Ujttted Thades....

      taming such great advantages may entail upon Us . Qur recent correspondecee with Manchester , Leeds , Crewe , Doncaster , and other places , pres enta a most gratifying proof ofthe great oenehts to our cause which the prosecution is calculated to produce . In a letter of the 17 th of March , tho corresponden t on behalf of the hsmmernen and souths working in the great maehin * » hr , » nf

      bliavp and Roberts , Manchester , tho writer says :- « Enclosed you will find the cause explained wh y at present a strike exists ia Manchester , and at the same time you will find the results which such and similar strikes are producing upon the minds of the Trades Unions . More power to the pressure , for it w'ould seem that common precaution against difficultie s and monopolies can only be provided when common danger is threatened , and the common interest becomes alarmed by the fearful pressure upon it . "

      In a letter from the same talented correspondent of the 24 th inst ., we have tho following gratifying intelligence : — ' On Fridayevening , in my lecture to the hammermen and smiths , I took the opportunity of explaining the conduct of the Perrys , and " the conspiracyexisting to destroy trades ' unions . The meeting was a bumper , aud , as I anticipated , quite startled by the announcement . The consequence has been that a special committee

      appointed by them , sat ou Sunday , for the purpose of considering the propriety of joining the National Trades Union , and to provide steps for calling a public meeting . Resolutions ^ favour of both were carried unanimously . " - ~~ " G— -and I are getting up a provisional committee , as a proceeding towards an agitation against the Perr ^ cons piracy , and purpose to meet next Monday night to inaugurate and establish another monster northern movement . "

      Another valued correspondent from the same importantcity , writes :- * " The rubicon is passed t " I duly received your favour of yesterday * , I was not surprised at your information , nor can I say I regret it , to speak the truth , but 1 was indignant . Evil sometimes produces good . It shall do in this instance , or I was never so mistaken in my life . Within forty-eight hours Manchester will arouse from its slumbers . We have here several severe contests ; some have been in existence several , months ; labour being almost able to cope with capital ; in fact , we have bayed capital . Foremost of these battles of labour are tbe hands of Sir E .

      Armitage , Thornton ' s weavers , hammermen , and the novelty of a sailor ' s strike ; upwards of four hundred , we have supported for several weeks . We shall form a provisional committee until such time as we have got up an agitation to arouse the trades , when we shall give up our power to a properly constituted committee . Be of good heart , we see the object in view b y tho capitalists ; ' they have sown the storm , they shall reap the whirlwind , '—they have raised a power which was slumbering like tto steam engine , but never again to be put out of existence . It has giren a stimulus to our darling object , for which they have the thanks of vours , truly , James Gouldin . "

      Yes , valued and respected friend , we are of good heart , " and hurl a scornful defiance at the unprincipled clique which would pull down the noble edifice we have been struggling to construct , and bury us in its ruins . We rejoice exceedingly to find the spirit of union erecting its head once more in the metropolis of labour . IrVe have always sincerely regretted the unfortunate circumstances which caused the estrangement between the Trades of Manchester , and the Rational Association . The effect of mutual blunders , arising ft-om mutual inexperience . But

      we look forward with hopes and expectations which we have always cherished , that past differences would , under the softening influences of time and reflection , yield to a happier state of things ; and we hail , therefore , with a delight wc cannot express the noble attitude now assumed by out' Manchester irionds . Way their generous example prove extensively contagious—may the Trades of England become dulyjimpvessed with theimportanfc interests at stake , and rally round their threatened independence , and take immediate and effective steps to erect a rampart of union against any future assaults from their never-slumbering enemies .

      Awake ! then , workers , from jour death-like lethargy . The foe is at the gates of the citadel ; sound the tocsin of alarm , and rush forward to the rescue ! For your wives—for your children—for your homes , your liberties , and independence—to the rescue !!! "Wiuiaxi Peei ,, Secretary . 259 , Tottenham-court Road .

      Tub Sailors' Strike. It Will Be Remember...

      TUB SAILORS' STRIKE . It will be remembered that a fertile source of complaint among the seamen ofthe northern ports has existed with respect to the fees payable upon each voyage by the crew . It was argued that these fees were unequal in their bearing , for while the seamen who made but short and frequent voyages had to pay their shillings on each engagement and discharge , those who proceeded on longer and more profitable voyages were exempted Jrom paying more , perhaps , than once in the course of the year . The Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade have taken this point into consideration , and tho following notice issued by them has come into operation at Hull and the northern ports : —" For the purpose of reducing the fees payable by masters and owners of ships which make

      short and frequent voyages , and the deductions to be made from the wages of crews on account of such voyages , the Lords ofthe Committee of Privy Council for Trade have been pleased to direct that the fees payable upon the engagement and discharge of crews , under schedule - B of the Mil'cantile Marino Act , shall not be paid more than twice in one year in respect oi the same ship ; so that , after making the ordinary payment on two voyages , any further engagement or discharge of the crew may be effected without Anther payment . The year for the above purpose is to be taken as commencing on the 1 st of January and ending on the 3 lst of December . The above arrangement will hare the effect of preventing any deduction being made from the wages of the crews of any ships which have already made tiro voyages in one year . F , W . Beeckt , "W . H . VTAiKEn , T . H . Tarbbb , Secre ^ tary . "

      Iluu . —About sixty seamen belonging to Hull bare , during the past week , paraded through most ofthe principal streets of the town , accompanied by music and flags , the latter of which bore upon tbem inscriptions of various kinds . Their object is to obtain as much money as possible , so that they may be better enabled to carry on the agitation of the Mercantile Marine Bill . Liveepooi ., —The sailors on strike in Liverpool still continue to perambulate the streets in procession . On Saturday night last there was a performance for their benefit at the Amphitheatre . The house was well filled .

      Snerneld.—The Election Of Poor Law G Uar...

      SnErnELD . —The election of Poor Law G uardians is likely to be contested rather keenly , in consequence of the dislike of some Whig manufacturers to tbe farming principle , in connexion with oar Parish Union . The Chartists , however , are not willing to let them have their own way they have sent in a list which , if successful in the election , 7 will stand pledged to maintain the Hollow Meadows , Sheffield Union Farm , and destroy all chance of ever returning to the Prison Pauper Treadmill principle . However , that win be the inevitable consequence if the electors do not exert themselves to the utmost of their power . The Chartist Council have , on former occasions , filled up gratuitously voting paptra . Those who wish it , can call at 33 ,

      Queen-street , and the Council will give them attendance . A great interest is manifested in consequence of a discussion at the Theatre Royal , between Dr . Sliegh and Mr . R . Otlcy , on the authenticity of the Scriptures . Another discussion is being held by Dr . Kearns and others , on Me same subject , in the Hall of Science , Rockinghann-street , in tho Theatre tor three weeks , on Mondays and Tuesdays , and on Wednesdays in the Hall . . ¦¦ On Tuesday last , a public meeting was announced in the Hall of Science , to hear a deputation from the sailors ; however , in consequence of the ether meeting , it was adjourned to Thursday . On Tuesday the sailors , out on strike made a public entry , with

      band and banners , to tee number of 198 they proceeded to the house of Councillor Ironsides and partook of that gentleman ' s hospitality in the shana of one pound of hread , and a quarter of a pound of cheese , and three gills of beer per man , and a pound of tobacco was divided between them . In the evening they assembled in the Hall of Science , where a ihpmi ^ fif be l ? - ' Khk , secretary to the File Trade , was called upon to preside-when II S . J en /"' different parts of the town . It is hoped that these men will not lack support . Counctllor Abraham Ikrth , who was elected by the Chartists a Guardian , and who is again on our list , is the Treasurer .

      Two oAsos of brigands , said to be Americans , under tho leadership of men named Leman and White , are said to be ravaging the state of Chihuahua , in Mexico . They had a strong force , thirty in one party , and two pieces of artillery , and they had women and children among their prisoners . Captain Warner has , it appears , offered his ser « vices to terminate tbe Kaffir war cheaply and quickly —it is presumed by the long range . The offer Las been politely declined by tbe a \ ithorUi « s ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 29, 1851, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_29031851/page/5/