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Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th March 1850, Edition 3 of 3, Page 5, w TEE MINERS OF AYRSHIRE. , ^mine master...

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    • &atia\\al Itaitu oromyani? *
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      : March W185q. , _ - ;: ;J' I^ Hw ^Mj^Li...

      : March _W 185 Q . _, _ - ; _j ' i _^ _HW _^ _MJ _^ _lii _^ TAR ' 5

      Rrn The Members Of-The Na Tional Land Co...

      rrn THE MEMBERS OF-THE _NA TIONAL LAND COMPANY .

      r _^ _rtEME * 5 ,--The present position ofthe / _wnanv , and the utter impossibility of _coh-* 3 ur its operations under the _disadvanrx . _gainst which it has to contend , as well _* " _™ - own desire to rid ourselves of a respon-S £ _S as it has seldom fallen to the lot Tnv public officers to hear , all make it 1 m-Xt \ ve upon us to conmmnicate to yoa what •" onr intentions respecting our connexion * % _i it , and { _Jso _what is 0 Ur detennuiatio 11 _Zpecdng the Company itself . j- _^ _olan c * at the disposition ef a majority of _Aptenants on the estates—Great Dodford ,

      A 0 'Connorville , exceptea—anaineaetermition in man ~ f ~ - asei " - * ° make OUJ" respected _Veawefib- 0 ' Connor ) personally responsible f the return of money paid for shares , and % 0 f which has heen invested in property , d tiie unvrillingness of the Government to T alize the institution , we do not see the re 7 test prospect of continuing it with either _tf _^ dit to ourselves , or advantage to you ; and _? fore , we have determined upon bring ing _ttto a termination , with all the speed thatthe wvrill allow- Mr . O'Connor has alread y , * his _T ) lac <* in Parliament , given notice ot his Mention , immediately after Easter , to introduce a bill for the purpose of winding up its flairs so that -without delay , all th e necessary _SL _* win he taken for that purpose .

      The nature and provisions of the bill have not vet been decided upon , hut it will he preared by most eminent legal functionaries , Ld with a scrupulous regard for the ri g hts of all parties concerned . Winding up , therefore , is a fixed and irrevocahle course , and to prepare for it is now the onl y dut y which we have to perform . , . . , Keeentl y , in a very few instances ,

      resolutions condemnatory of our continuance in office havebeen passed ; the parties agreeing to those resolutions , overlooking the terms of * vour cn _^ a _^ ement with us , as well as the absolute necessity for superintendence , even in this last stage of existence of the Company , and fcnowin _*** , as they did , that the case of the Company had been introduced to the Court of Queen's Bench , for hearing upon

      ihe last day of thelast term , and was only postponed , because there was not sufficient time to hear the argument "We were elected hy the late Conference , to conduct the Company either to a successful issue in the Court of Queen ' s Bench , or to some other immediate and final termination . The phraseology and spirit of these resolutions , p lace them beyond the limits of controversy , and excite in our minds feelings akin to anything hut respect .

      However , gentlemen , the Company , in its entirety , have acted , otherwise , and with a forbearance and dignity , which our maligners are incapable of understanding , and have made proper and becoming allowances for the unprecedented difficulties of our position , and to yon we one , and all tender our warmest thanks , and shall always remember with pride our connexion and association with you . Gentlemen : Except for the purposes of winding-up the affairs ofthe Company , we no

      longer exist as a Directory , and we pledge our words , that no delay shall occur in that transaction , and that it shall be conducted in a manner which _ghalLhe creditable to ourselves , and under the circumstances of the case satisfactory to yon . "We are , gentlemen , with the hi g hest respect , Christopher Doyle , Whxiah _Dixorv , _TnoscAS Clabk , Philip M'Gbath .

      Lancashire And Cheshire Miners. To The E...

      LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE _MINERS . TO THE EDITOR OF THE XORTHESJf STAK . Sik , —The last county meeting of the miners ol Lancashire and Cheshire was _hJd at the George Inn , _Lamberheid-iireen , whe _* _i a cheering report was given of the prospects of the union around Wigan , Aspul , & c , by Mr . Dennett , the agent for that neighbourhood . AH the districts—wiih the exception of two —reported in favour of paying an extra levy of twopence—lor once only- for the purpose of sending a deputation io London , in order to makearrangements for setting a Bill to protect the lives and health of the working _min-. _TS , _introduced into Parliament . In

      consequence ofthe districts generally reportingin favour ofthe extra levy ,, it was resolved : — " That a general levy of twopence per member extra be collected la every district through both counties ; and to be brought to the next county meeting . " On account of tbe meeting only sitting-one day , several important matters had to stand over until the next meeting . Amongst others left was the election of tbe deputation to London—thc question of a general restriction , & c ., so that every delegate must come prepared to stay two days at the next county meeting .

      A tyrannical action of the manager of Tonge-lane Colliery , Middleton , was reported at the meeting . There have been three seams working at this colliery —two thin seams , known by the nam ? of Neddy and Sally Mines ; and the Black Mine , a thicker s ° am ; during the hut fortnight the manager stopped the two thin mines , _wh' _-re nine men were working , on account of trade being slack ; and about eighteen men working in the Black Mine . The Black Mine colliers conld just supply his side with thin coal ; the dismissed miners were desirous of working with the "Black Mine colliers , and the last-named miners were also desirous that they shonld do so . but the manager would not permit it to be done . When the thin coal miners had played them a week , they asked their master what they were to do ; he cooly told them

      tkat he would set them the coal in the thin mines to get , if they had a mind , on the butty or charter-master system . They asked him _atvvhat price he wished to set it at , but he refused to tell them , thinking thereby that in a short time they would be _willins : to take it at any terms . It was resolved at the county meeting— " That the nine men out of work should be supported from the funds of the union . " The men working in tbe Slack mine very properly sent to the county board for advice , as to the best plan for them to adopt , with a view of compelling the manager to let all have an equal share of employment . On inquiry it was found that the present trade made the eighteen or twenty employed about three shillings per day . It was ordered " That tbe men now working at the Tonge-lane Colliery , "Middleton , be requested to restrict themselves to

      two shillings per day , per man ; so that all may have an equal share of the work . What will make _twenty men 3 s . each , wil ! be 2 s . each for thirty men . The county meeting was adjourned until next Monday , 18 th inst ., at the Horse Shoe , half way between Ashton and Oldham . —Chorley ; I attended a good meeting at this place on the 7 th n _**" t i held at the George Inn , when it was agreed to establish a new lodge : the officers were elected , and a number e ntered , on Saturday evening . 9 th inst . Yours respectfully , 0 . _„ ., D . Swallow . 2 a , Sidney-street , Bolton . _ . " _* ; 7 _"I have received several letters from friend * at a distance this week , I shall be glad to receive

      W Tee Miners Of Ayrshire. , ^Mine Master...

      w TEE MINERS OF AYRSHIRE . , _^ mine masters in the nei ghbourhood of Huliord , by Kilmarnock , have lately attempted to _reflDcs themmers' wages from 3 ! d . per huteh ( tub ) , xo m ., and desired them to send fourteen tubs Perday instead of twelve , as at the present time . UI course this was not intended as a reduction of Wages ; the principal object was to provide them with more employment , which , generally , is the only thing that colliers inquire after , but this time Sandy was awake . "When he came to reckon up what fourteen tubs at 3 d . each would come to , he found that it was Ss . 6 d .. _josteraetly the amount of twelve tubs at o \ i _. per tub ; therefore the only benefit that could arise to the miners from this proposition , would be for them to send to bant two small labs of four and a half cwt . each for nothing . But

      we miners did not look at it in the same _% _"& as their employers did , and the men stopped working . Their employers attempted ~ eject them ont of their booses , in the 2 n '! st of winter , to rock their infants cradle in a Warm ditch , but the miners again demurred , and ¦" " _¦ _ccessfull y defended themselves in the courts of * " " *" , commonl y called courts of justice , at a great j ~ * > Pense , which they are now paying off at a certain 5 **? weekly . The result is that the men are still "" ng inthe same houses . But the richest and " _?** part of the story is not yet told ; maBters _w « m reduce wages when coals are reduced in in _% _* - et- out they w 5 slled to recover wages « "as case although an advance had taken fot tv the of coaU " "• " * _nz _& et ' . _there-S _^ ? n 0 th t r f _«* ••* it matters not to the J _^ ve _mmer w _^ ther th fl _prices ofcoal are being fiea or advanced in the market to them , for r _£ _££ ? _* - _? _% _* _? _^ ene 1 _^ ride , when the _mra _^ _artiuuto _mforahotuw . to this case , iS

      W Tee Miners Of Ayrshire. , ^Mine Master...

      gained the miners a glorious victory . A public meeting has been held at Hoodstone Bridge , since the miners returned to ; their work . The chair was taken at ten o ' clock in the . morning by a miner who , as well as all the other speakers , spoke greatly in favour of a national union amongst the miners of the united kingdom . The number of members in the union are on the increase every week . There appears to be a strong desire through Ayrshire to join the union . Amongst other things agreed to at the public meeting , they resolved to assist in obtaining government inspection over mines and collieries , and also adopted the miners' petition , as published in the Star on the 23 rd ult .

      Letters. To The Working Classes. Lxxix "...

      LETTERS . TO THE WORKING CLASSES . LXXIX " Words are things , and a small drop of ink Falling—like dew—upon a thought , produces That which makes thousands , perhaps millions think . " ' bteos . THE FRENCH ELECTIONS . Brother Proletarians , Since the " 13 th of June , " the fall of Rome , and the betrayal of Hungary , not an organ of the Ordermongers , whether newspaper , magazine , or review , but has iterated and reiterated the comfortable assurance that the reaction had completely stifled the Revolution ; that " anarchy" was crashed , and "Order " securely established throug hout Europe .

      If the readers of those papers , & c ., are so brutally besotted as to have swallowed such assertions , and believed them for gospel truth , what must they feel now that the mutterings ofthe revolutionary thunder are again audible even to their dull ears ? And what will they feel when awakened to a full sense of the terrible crash which will , ere long , engul p h thrones , hierarchies , and all the organised hypocrsies which have so long cursed the human race ? This anticipation of the not distant future is no idle dream . All over the

      continent the propagandism of Revolutionary p rinci p les is incessant , and most successful . And that propagandism ia carried on less hy the Revolutionists themselves , than hy the tyrants who , by madl y attempting to force hack the tide of progress , are thereby most admirabl y accumulating the means of their own destruction . The perjuries , the desolating deeds , the bloody enormities committed by the friends of Order have , in two years , done immensel y more to advance Republicanism and Socialism , than had heen previously effected b y twent y years of popular propagandism .

      As regards France in particular , theprogress of Red Republicanism , is most striking and unmistalceable . The elections which have this week taken place to supply the vacancies caused h y the condemnation of Ledru Rollin and his fellow exiles , leave no room for doubt that the Republicans—the veritable _Republican , democratic and social—are stronger than ever ; are , in fact , the destined masters of the fast coming future .

      Every possible effort has been made hy the Ordermongers to secure the triump h of their candidates , hut in vain . Although the votes will not be declared until twenty-fours after the writing of this letter , there is no longer room for doubt tbat Carso t , _Vtdal , and De Flotte—the Socialist Democratic Candidates have heen elected . Nothing accurate is yet known of the departmental elections ; hut —although the ' * Times '' pretends that the Moderates are successful , my readers may anticipate that at least a majority of the seats contested , have heen obtained hy the representatives of the Red Republic .

      The importance of this glorious victory is enhanced , when the circumstances under which it has been achieved are taken into account . For about twenty-one months past , the French Democrats have been subjected to a system of prosciption , espionage , and terror First in the list of victims came the multitude of Republicans butchered in the insurrection of June , ' 48 ; then the victims of the courts-martial ; then Barbes , Blanqui , and then * fellow sufferers ; then Ledktj Kolies * , and the condemned participators in the affair of June , ' 49 ; and to all these must be added innumerable public writers , publishers , democratic soMiers , and a mass of other citizens ,

      condemned , under various pretexts , hy the ruling oppressors . For months past , not a day ' s mail but has brought intelligence of j ournals suppressed—or , at least , prosecuted—mayors suspended , schoolmasters dismissed , National Guards disbanded , and regiments of the line punished , for their disaffection to the Government , and adherence to the princip les of Red Republicanism . Fines , dungeons , and exile —chains and death , have been the means employed hy the " honest and moderate " ruffians , to establish their power . And , hehold ! that power is crumbling to dust !

      In addition to this system of terror , which it was hoped would have prevented the progress of Red Republicanism , other means have been tried to turn TJniversal Suffrage against the Republic . The old dodgesof Buonapartism , and "family , property , and order , " having become worn out , exploded , used up , the suffrage itself was attacked in the only way it is as yet open to assault . The elections which have just taken place , were deferred until the electoral lists had been put throug h a "revision . '' The result of that revision was the expunging of the names of some forty thousand

      voters- _^ chiefly Proletarians— -who , had they been allowed to vote , would undoubtedly have added many thousands to the Socialist majority . When the time for the elections was fixed , Carlier , Prefect of Police—the Fouche of the day—issued instructions to his emissaries to wage an unceasing war against Socialism , and emp loy themselves in " enlightening " the people as to the blessings ef the present system of society . This same

      Carlier while permitting the Ordermongers full freedom in the placarding and circulating of their appeals to the electors , tore down and destroyed those of the Democrats . Police spies were emp loyed to attend the Socialist electoral meetings , and excite confusion . An attempt was even made to prosecute one of the members of the Mountain , for a speech delivered at one of those meetings . The member in question , Michel ( de Bourges ) was rereported to have said that

      The people are everything ; the rest nothin _* -. Thepeople only are right ; the rest is but a lie . The time is approaching ; the people are ahout to reign ; I already see on your brows the diadem of royalty . On the day following its triumph , the people wiU examine into the origin of fortunes and of capital ; tbe people will settle the accounts ofthe _bourgeoisie—as they hare the same right to do so as they had to settle those of Royalty—unless , indeed the bourgeoisie oftheirown accord do not first do it , and whicli I strongly counsel them to do . The people produce everything , and itis to the people that everything belongs .

      The accused representative proved , to the satisfaction even ofthe Committee appointed by his enemies , that the speech imputed , to him was a l y ing invention ofthe l ying" Constitutionnel ; " and the charge fell to the ground . But had Michel ( de Bourges ) delivered such a speech , he -would but have expressed the sentiments of every honest manevery defender of Labour ' s ri ghts—every enemy to those who prey- upon the working and wealth producing classes .

      Another move of the Ordermongers was to get up a riot as a pretext for placing Paris in a state of siege ; which could they have accomplished , would have enabled them to have prevented all electoral meetings , accompanied with a suspension ofthe Democratic journals . Thanks to the steadiness of the people , the move failed . The Trees of Liberty were cut down , but the people bore with the provocation without offering resistance . The Ordermongers may , however , assure themselves that that little exploit is noted down , added to the long list of greater crimes , and will not be forgotten when arrives the peop le ' s day of judgment . Tet another dodge was tried to influence the elections . Two scoundrels were hired to write

      Letters. To The Working Classes. Lxxix "...

      pamphlets purporting to he revelations of the ' Republican party , hut which reall y were collections of groundless lies , and most atrocious calumnies . One of these villains—a certain _Chenu- —had been known to , and tolerated by , some of the'Republican party , previous to the Revolution of February . After the June insurrection—if not earlier—he turned traitor , and invented the most absurd accusations , directed princi pall y against Cat / ssidierk . Thc other wretch—b y name De La Hodde installed himself as secretary at the Police

      Prefecture , under Caussidiere , but had not filled that place many days , when evidence which he could not deny , was broug ht against him , proving tbat he had been a regular spy in the Republican Clubs for some years previously . The lucubrations of this worth y couple , were eagerly purchased and circulated , by the enemies of the Republicans , and warml y recommended b y the Anti-Republican journals . The "Times" — and other papers of the same stamp on this side of the channel — translated some of the most

      disgusting portions of the libels ; and when Caussidiere demanded the insertion of a few lines in self-defence , the " Times , " in accordance with its base and brutal character , refused even that poor act of justice ; at the same time adding to the insult and injury previousl y perpetrated . Let me add , that pamphleteering libellers are not confined to French soil ; there are Chenus' in England , and villanous journals ready to hack them in their calumnies against the veritable friends of the peop le .

      But"Thrice are they arm'd , that have their quarrel just . " And the men on -whose banner is inscribed " Justice for each and for all , " are—despite , fraud and force , calumny and violencemarching onwards , " conquering and to conquer . " For ahout a month past , the correspondent ofthe "Times '' has supplied the readers of that , journal with a dail y dish-up of what purported to be accounts of Socialist electoral meetings held in Paris aud the neig hbourhood . In his attempts to follow up his instructions , the said correspondent has managed to

      make such aprecious mess of his handiwork , that even the densest blockhead ( and thousands of such read the " Times " ) must have become disgusted at his outrageous lying and slandering . Not contented with ordinary mendacity , the " Times ' " man must needs overdo his work , and so utterly spoil it . Pretending to report a democratic meeting , he invariably represented the speakers as idiotic , " or drunk , or fi g hting with each other . Sometimes he improved on his usual story , b y representing the Democrats as invaded and thrashed b y a band of workmen , shouting "Vive Napoleon 1 " and " Down with the Reds ' . " Had

      this beast of a correspondent written some such story but once a week ; he might have had a few believers ; but when the same sort of thing was supplied every day , not even a reader ofthe "Times" but must have seen throug h the shallow and disgusting fabri cation . - - . The importance ofthe victory gained hy the Parisian Democrats , is well shown by the avowed disappointment and rage of the "Times , " and similar journals . "When , " says the "Times , " "it is considered what

      these candidates ( Carnot , Vidal , and De Flotte , ) are , we recoil with ming led disgust and dismay from this spectacle ofa nation passing a sentence of destruction on itself , and consi gning all the interests ofa great peop le to the acknowledged champions of ignorance , plunder , and sedition . " Admittingthe present union of the Republicans , it adds that " the movements of that party are directed with the utmost uniformity and vigour ; " that " each succeeding incident exhibits more clearl y the want of capacity , vigour , and union on the side of the Government—the increase of

      strength and daring on the side of its enemies ; '" that the further app lication of the means of repression , is a policy " extremel y doubtful , -when it is found that a very large proportion of votes in the army is given to Socialist candidates ; _'' and anticipating the next popular hurricane , the " Times" mournfully adds : — " next time there will probabl y be no Lamartine read y to check the revolution , or to win it back with airy words from

      its prey . " The " Chronicle" deplores the * . * serious intelli gence " received from Paris . It denounces Carnot as "the apostle of ignorance ; Vidal as " the lacquey ofthe audacious theorist" Louis Blanc and De Flotte as " the most reckless and most lunatic of the combatants of June . " Finall y , it acknowledges " that tho cause of the Red Republic is the winning cause . " The article in this evening ' s " Globe" is utterl y contemptible—a mere exhibition of undignified spite and impotent rage .

      Carnot denounced , by these libellers as the champion of ignorance , is a son of the great Carnot—the colleague of Robespierre and " organiser of victory . " So far from being the apostle or champion of ignorance , he attempted , while Minister of Public Instruction , to ameliorate the condition , and promote the efficiency of the primary instructors . The ground on which the Press-gang base their

      calumny is , that while Minister of Public Instruction nnder the Provisional Government , he issued a circular , advising the nomination of staunch Republicans to the National Assembly—their Republicanism to he the first consideration the Minister wisel y deeming scholastic attainments a matter of secondary importance , compared with public virtue . That circular has heen distorted into a reconv meudation to the electors to elect none but

      ignorant men ! Vidal—described b y the " Times" as the representative of " p lunder "is in fact a man who has devoted his talents to the hol y work of protecting the labour of the workman , from the system of p lunder , which at presents denies to the . wealth-producer the bread he earns in thesweat of his brow . De Flotte is a man who , thoug h by birth an aristocrat , and formerly a naval _officer , has g iven ample p ledges of his devotion to the

      peop le . He was Vice-President of Blanqui ' s Club , and a combatant for the Social Republic in the insurrection of June . Condemned by Court-martial to transportation for life ,, he was included in the first list of the _aninestized , and liberated after ' a few months suffering . His election is the legalisation of the June insurrection , and the condemnation of the system , which , in those disastrous days , achieved a temporary victory .

      The Ordermongers are in consternation . The Buonapartists accuse the Leg itimists of betraying the cause of order . The Legitimists return the comp liment , and fiercel y denounce the " Special . '' There is a report that the Ministers " have resi gned , and that Buonaparte is ahout to send a message to the Assembly exp lanatory of his intentions , under existing circumstances . One thing is certain , the _money-gamhlers are in a state of alarm . It is stated in this evening ' s papers that the departments of the Lower Rhine , Saone et Loire , Loire et Cher , andNievre , have elected Socialist-Democrats , to the number of fourteen . In the Cher two supporters ofthe Government havo been elected .

      On the consequences of these elections Imay say something in my next letter . I will now onl y observe , that come it slow , or come it fast , the downfall of the Ordermongers is certain . Then will the Red Flag » ake the tour of Europe , and rally all nations round Liberty ' s Tree ! _„ L'AMI DU PEUPLE . March 14 . 1850 .

      Emiqration.—Nearly Two Hundred Pauper Em...

      EMiQRATioN . —Nearly two hundred pauper emigrants from the Cheltenham union are expe cted to go out to Quebec in the Corsair , to w" _^' om Gloucester in the month of April .

      Stated That His Address To That Meeting ...

      stated that his address to that meeting was received with applause , and listened to with attention ; although a few years ago he would have , bad no support in advocating such doctrines as he propounded i > n that occasion . Now , however , people were coming round to his views ; and he had no hesitation in saying , that the League would , one day , be tbe strongest party in England , because all other parlies , not founded on its principles , must gei weaker , while the League would be dailv getting stronger . Mr . O'Brien then alluded to the ' Pro .

      ' •' - ¦ ; NATIONAL REFORM LEAGUE . Mr . O'Brien , the President of this Association , lectured at the Institution in John-street , Fitzroysquare , on Friday week , before a numerous audience . He commenced b y reading , . from *» large hand-bill , a resolution which was recently carried at a public meeting at Greenwich , to the _iffect that all measures of free trade shall be accompaEied by a repe » l in the fixed price of gold , and also with a readjustment of all public burdens to a scale , proportionate to the fall of prices caused by free trade . He

      gressionist ; ' and called the attention of his hearers to the last numher of that publication , in which was reprinted the whole of the League prospectus , introduced by a commendatory paragraph , by the editor , who had become a member of the League , and had promised to advocate its principles on every convenient opportunity . He cordially recommended the 'Progressionist' to the support of his audience ; quoting a passage from the previous number , which ended with the prayerful sentence— From landlords , their robbery , and their rule , good Lord deliver us ! ' The lecturer , in refering to the reform movements now going on , remarked , that it was satisfactory to , perceive that political Chartism was

      now seldom advocated without being conjoined with social reform aspirations _; and he was glad to notice that Mr . G . J . Harney had , on that platform the other evening , expressed the _indispensableness of Chartists becoming something more than Chartists . In the course of his lecture he ( Mr . O'Brien ) descanted on the changes in public opinion which was going on in reference to the estimation of the characters of great historical personages ; and especially instanced Robespierre and Julius _Cassar . A few years ago , he ( Mr . 0 Brien ) had been voted mad for . defending Robespierre against the calumnies of historians , and

      against popular prejudice ; but now , apologists for that wise and good man were frequently appearing . Even Lamartine had been compelled to admit that he bad been grossly misunderstood and abused . Robesp ierre was one of the truest philanthropists the world bad ever seen ; and the crimes whieh had heen attributed to him were the work of his enemies—who , dreading the influence which he had ac quired over the working classes , through the wise and just measures of reform he had advocated , contrived by intrigue , slander , and treachery to get him murdered before those reforms could be carried into

      practice . The privileged classes , who wished to keep the working classes powerless slaves , to capitalists and landlords , hated and dreaded such reformers as Maximilian Robespierre ; and would sacrifice them without remorse . Refering to Paine and Cobbet , the lecturer maintained that both these otherwise able men were totally wrong in their ideas upon agrarian justice , and money , which , indeed , was now very generally admitted , as was also the folly of throwing all blame for the evils of society upon monarchy . A great deal had been said and written about the patriotism inculcated in the letters of Junius , and much pains bad been taken to discover who Junius was , but , for ; his part , he

      considered Junius not worth looking for . Legal and conventional plunderers of the working classes were in the act of attributing public distress to anything but their own injustice , and artfully managed thereby to divert public attention from bad social institutions to mere political institutions of comparative unimportance . The power of the crown had often been egregiously exaggerated . What power had Queen Victoria , independant . of her ministers ? Althoug h , nominally , she reigned over such vast possessions as now belonged to England , yet this mig hty Queen was as politically impotent as a babe in swaddling clothes ; and even her personal _independsnee was so infringed upon by an oli garchy

      that she could not even marry whom she pleased , nor choose ber own bed-chamber women ! Yet popularity-hunters went about denouncing kingsthose mere puppets it * the hands of crafty landlords and _money-lords 1 Reverting to Julius Cst _^ ar , the lecturer said , it was usual to hear his murderer spoken of as the ' noble Brutus ;' . and it was currently believed , that he killed _Crcsar under the influence of the patriotic motive of saving the republic from what the conspirators called the despotism of Ceesar ; whereas , the real cause of their hatred of him teas , tbat he had made himself too popular with the lower orders of the peop le , by his laws for the restriction of usury , and other measures instituted for their benefit , against ihe interests of the aristocracy , and the pretended friends of popular

      rig hts . Mr . O'Brien , afterwards , alluded to , and illustrated the enormous power of England ' s commercial aristocracy , ' and , he said it with sorrow , he believed that power to be the . most insidious enemy to popular liberties the world had ever known : and that too , all the while the parties exercising it were pretending to be actuated by nothing else than a desire to benefit the people , whom they would , nevertheless , shoot down like dogs , did they ever attempt to take their just rights by force . Now , the National Reform League were bonded together to dispel these popular empiricisms—this political and social cant and hypocrisy . Theirs was the only neulaal ground on which ail parties might take their stand ; theirs was the only party who consecrated the past for the benefit of existing interests ; but at tbe same time consecrated the future for the

      benefit of the whole people . All parties , therefore , ought to belong to it—Conservatives , Free Traders , Liberals , Chartists , Churchmen , Dissenters , and Catholics , would find their interests fairly treated , and their claims justly balanced , however paradoxical such a statement might at first appear ; which paradoxes Mr . O'Brien solved to the audience in his usual lucid and humourous style .

      T The Ten Hours Act. Mkktik0 Of Dele0ate...

      T THE TEN HOURS ACT . MKKTIK 0 OF DELE 0 ATES IN I 0 ND 0 N . On Saturday evening last a meeting of the factory delegates now in town , sent up for the purpose of promoting a declaratory act or bill to amend thc act of 1847 , was . held at their committee-room , Northumberland-court , Strand . Thero were delegates present from Manchester , Bolton , Blackburn , Leeds , Bradford , Ashton ,, Dukinfield , and other places . Mr . Thomas Pitt , of Dukinfield , chairman ofthe _delegatea , presided . The chairman , in opening the business , observed that the circumstances which had rendered it necessary for them again to leave their homes -were ofthe most distressing character . Many of them

      had been struggling for a Ten Hours Bill for nearl y a . quarter ofa century , and after a most patient and constitutional agitation , their labours , as they thought , had been crowned with complete success when the bill of 1847 was carried , under tho leadershi p of their late lamented friend John Fielden ; but , to their utter disappointment , and the disappointment ofthe whole ofthe factory workers , they were deprived , of the whole of its content plated blessings by a clerical error , or the omission of two or three words iii the twenty-sixth section , and they were now _seist up by the working-men of the north to assist Lord Ashley in completing the good work in which the noble Lord has so long and so zealously laboured .

      Mr . J . Mills , of Oldham , moved the first resolution , which was seconded by Mr . _T . _Haroiuves , of Manchester , and carried unanimously : — " That the decision ofthe Court of Exchequer being at variance with the intentions of the Legislature when the Ten Ilours Act of 1847 was passed , and further legislation having therefore become necessary , we are resolved , at whatever inconvenience to ourselves , to maintain inviolate the principle of ten hours a day continuous labour exclusive of meal times , and having been sent to London for that purpose we p led ge ourselves , by every tie that binds us to the future welfare of tho women and youinr Person * in

      the factory distriots , to use every legitimate means in our power to prevail upon the Parliamcmt of 1850 to correct the errors of the Parliament of 1844 and 1847 , believing that the system of working ' by shifts , ' which extends the factory day over a period of fifteen hours out of the twenty-four , was never intended by the Legislature rhen the bill was passed , nor by the Queen of England when Her Majesty _addrcsred the Lords and Commons in proroguing Parliament , and congratulated thorn on thc settlement of a question which was intended to limit the hours of factory labour with a view of affording the hands an opportunity of improving their relig ious , moral , ph ysical , and social condition : "

      Mr . M . Balme , of Bradford , moved the second resolution : — •¦ That tho system of working by shifts , ' as now practised , is fraught with every imaginable evil to those females and young persons who are subjected to its influence , and entirely destroys the whole bf the contemplated advantages of the Ten Ilours Act , and is in our opinion a gross violation of the intentions of the statute , and therefore we appeal to our friends and supporters in Parliament once more to lend us their willing aid

      T The Ten Hours Act. Mkktik0 Of Dele0ate...

      and rally round Lord Ashley in the effort he is now making to amend . the law . " The resolution was seconded by Mr . J . Katk , manager , of Blackburn , and carried unanimously . Mr . Richard Unsworth , of Bolton , moved the third resolution , which was seconded by Mr . Isaac _BoiTOMLT i of Bradford , and carried * . —«« That inasmuch as our present , application _, to Parliament involves no new principle of legislation , but merely seeks to put all upon an equal footing , we believe that the adoption of a bill denning the intention of the act of 1847 would bo as acceptable to our em-E loyers generally as it would be advantageous to oth masters and workpeople ; this meeting cannot 9 ee upon what grounds such a bill can be opposed , and

      and venture to express a hope , for the honour credit of Parliament , tliat no obstacle will be thrown in the way of a final sottlement of the question upon tlio basis of ten hoars a day , and thereby spare thc people an expenditure of time and money in promoting a law without wliich , in all its integrity , they will never rest satisfied ; and further tliat we believe that any extension ofthe hours of work m factories by act of parliament would create great discontent amongst the people , and lead to a widening of the breach between masters and men , which the delegates now assembled are most anxious to avoid . " It was agreed that a petition founded upon the resolutions bo prepared , and a vote of thanks having been passed to the chairman , the meeting separated .

      &Atia\\Al Itaitu Oromyani? *

      _& atia \\ al _Itaitu _oromyani ? _*

      I'He Members Of Tne Worcester Branch , T...

      _I'HE MEMBERS OF TnE WORCESTER BRANCH , TO TIIE LAND MEMBERS GENERALLY . Gentlemen . —Having seen with deep regret the desire evinced by some branches , to have the operations of the above named company wound up , we beg to enter our protest against any such proposition being acted upon , for the following reasons : —First , has it , or can it be , reasonably dis puted , that the principles and objocts of the Liind Company are incapable of realisation ? Practice answerB no . We hold it to be no argument , because some individuals bave failed , that all must of necessity fail . On the contrary , some of the allottees assert their capability of earning a subsistance on the Company ' s estates ; and if such can be

      proved to be the caso , wo think that a sufficient reason for its continuance . Secondly , wo ask , what confidence the members generally have in the assertions made by such persons as those who gave evidence on the trial of O'ConnorverswsBradshaw ? We ask , can it be believed , that such gaunt misery as that depicted by them really exists , seeing that they so pertinaceously adhere to their holding . We apprehend , that if their woe begotten tales were full of truth , they would not give the directors so much trouble to get possession of their respective farms , but would at once return to the high wages and comfortable homes , from which , as alleged , they in their , simplicity have been allured . Thirdly , on the petition presented by Sir

      B . Hall , Mr . O'Connor is reported to express a determination to wind up tho Company , no doubt , much to the satisfaction of the aristocratic cars on which it fell . We thank Mr . O'Connor for the able and effective answer he gave to the many calumnies attempted to be cast upon his conduct in connexion with the Land Company ; but cannot refrain from expressing our opinion , that the resolution of the last conference , authorising the directors to prosecute the registration of the Company , should first be obtained , if it can be obtained , before the directors can , or should , be p ermitted , to suspend those benefits which it is calculated to confer . Are such men as Beattie and Company , to be permitted to ride rough shod over the best interests of

      those members who arc wanting to have possession ? What similarity exists between their case and the case of a member who inquired about the registration last week , when , on being told the position of our efforts to obtain legal protection , and the alleged condition of the occupants , replied , I wish I could change places with some of them , for I am paying £ 5 per year for an old cottage and nine perches of land , and have to pay poor rates , yet have not a privy or pig stye attached thereto , and all my wife , family , and self , have to subsist upon is seven shillings per week . We think , had such persons as these possession of some ot those places , occupied by members who will neither pay nor give up possession , we should soon hear some other than the dolorous tales now told . An agricultural labourer declared his willingness to give a bonus of £ 20 , when the Company shall be in a condition to

      give , through tho legal protection now sought , security of tenure . In the face of such declared truths , and opposed as many of the members are to winding up the society , until every ray of hope is dispelled as to the probability of legislation being complied with , wo beg to enter our protest against the winding up of a company , the capabilities of the principles of which it cannot be disproved , and which , if properly applied , will be sufficient to fulfil the great objects itsi founder intended . In conclusion , we request the members of the several branches to ask their representatives to the late conference held at Sni g ' s End , whether they over beheld finer crops than that estate presented ¦ the answer must be conclusive . We , therefore , earnestly entreat a calm consideration of this important subject ; and although we admit thc ingratitude of Home , and those nofc a few , would , by many , be

      considered sufficient cause for the abandonment of our darling scheme on the part of Mr . O'Connor ; yet the grateful hearts of thousands beat with fervent admiration for his devoted and disinterested desires . We may be permitted to add , that the members here have the fullest confidence in his integrity ; hoping the members generally will calmly consider this important subject , I beg to subscribe myself yours devotedly—for the Worcester branch , James Harding .

      Norwich.—At A Meeting Of Members On Mond...

      Norwich . —At a meeting of members on Monday , the 11 th of March , the following resolutions were agreed to : — " That the thanks of this meeting is due , and hereby given , to Mr . O'Connor , for his noble reply to Sir B . Hall in the House of Commons , in reference to the Land Company . "— ¦ ' That it is the opinion of this meeting , that in the present state of the Land Company , it is inexpedient to continue the services of the Directors any longer , as there can he nothing for them to do , unless it be to travel the country at the expense of the Company . We therefore call upon those gentlemen , namely : Messrs . M'Grath , Clark , Doyle , and Dixon , to

      resign their situations , as they are holding it m opposition tothe will of the members of tho Company ; and if they decline we recommend their wages to be stopped . "— " That this meeting is also of opinion , seeing the ingratitude and scandalous conduct of the allottees on the several estates towards Mr . O'Connor , their benefactor , also in refusing to pay rent—the determination of government , and the powerful influence of the press in opposition to the plan , we consider it absolutely necessary that the affairs of thc Company be immediately wound up , seeing the impossibility of prosecuting it further with any hope of success . "—The meeting was then adjourned till Monday , March 18 th .

      _Iower Hamlets .- —At a meeting ofthe Whittington and Cat branch , the following resolution was carried : — " That we do enter into a subscription , for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the action for a libel , and we call on all members of the Hamlets to do the same . " A subscription wag entered into , and it was ordered to lie open for a month . Tho business of the Charter Association was then considered , and it was resolved that a _Gener al meeting of members should take place on unday , tho 17 th , for the purpose of electing the necessary officers to audit " accounts , and to discuss the local plan of organisation . The meeting then adjourned . Liuehouse Volunteer Branch . —At a special summoned meeting of this branch , held on the 8 th

      inst . —Mr . M . Scatchard in the chair—the following proposition was proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously : — ¦• That this meeting , considering the position of tho National Land Company ' s affairs , is of opinion that they should be wound up as soon as possible , and respectfull y request Mr . P . O'Connor to use his best endeavours for that purpose , feeling confident that it cannot be brought to a successful issue if carried on ; and further , that it is superfluous to continue the services of the whole of the Directors . " City op London . —A meeting was held on Wednesday evening at the Albermale Coffee-house , Albemarle-street , St . John ' s-square _, Mr . II . Probert in the chair , when it was resolved;—** That in the opinion ofthe members of this branch the reason why Mr . O ' Connor has not been able to carry out his intentions with respect to the Land Comnanv .

      as intended , are from the following causes : —firstl y , the members , in Conference , departing from the plan ori ginally laid down by Mr . O'Connor as the _basia of the Company ; secondly , the opposition of tho law officers , in refusing to legalise the Company ; and thirdl y , the dishonourable conduct of a _., portion of the allottees . " " That wo aro of opinion that it would be better for Mr . O'Connor to wind up the affairs of the present Company at once , as we are of op inion that he will never be able to get it registered . " " That we have every confidence in tho Directors , and request them to retain office until the affairs of the Company are wound-up . " " That Messrs . Allnutt and Nobbs act as delegates on the committee , now forming at Golden-lane , on behalf of this branch . " Tlie meeting adjourned to Wednesday evening , March 20 th .

      Thb Late Trial For Libel, And Tiie Land ...

      THB LATE TRIAL FOR LIBEL , AND TIIE LAND PLAN .

      JO FBARGWl O _' CONNOIJ , ESQ ., M . P . . Sin , —The very extraordinary decision of the jury in your ease against Mr . Bradshaw , proprietor ot the Nottingham Journal . when it reached our city , was felt not only among your warm friends , but

      Thb Late Trial For Libel, And Tiie Land ...

      _uven by those who do not rank as yonr zealou * supporters , as if they had been visited by the shock of an earthquake . What has puzzled _ub the most is , how any jury could have possibly arrived at the conclusion / that Bradshaw—who charged you with dishonest practices—was not guBty ; and , at the same time , upon their oaths , affirm you to have been upright in all your dealings with the Land Company . It is a positive contradiction of terms to find for both parties , for if you had committed no roguery , and the juiy _anid bo—Aeo Bradshaw was guitly . I am extremel y happy to obiorvo the spirit which is _everywhere evinced in your favour among the members of tticCand * Company , and considering all things ,, it bid * fair for the future . Among

      usalthough it must be confessed we are rather eIow in moving when money matters are concerned—I have good reason to think your situation in this most extraordinary caso will not be overlooked . Although not a member o tho Land Company , I have ever been watehful of its progress , yet dreaded its immediate success , and this because the existing laws fetter an open and fair field for speculation in the soil . The laws are framed with the intent to hinder the millionsfrom settling onthe land ; hence no real , no general , nor good results can flow to the people , until those obnoxious statutes are first repealed , and tho incubus of taxation—which grinds the industry ofthe people to atoms—is removed . But do I say that a beginning should not be made with the

      view to proceed in the right direction , until every obstacle was removed ? No ; for the sooner that willing , industrious , and honest men arc put m the way of providing for themselves and families , so much tho better . It must be evident to every one , your progress has been retarded by tho bitter opposition , which , in every direction , has crossed your path . Not only have you met it by the government , and the Public Press , but less or more , by the shareholders from the first ; and now , most shamefully by a portion of those who have obtained comfortable homes through your labours and the _expense of others . I think the existing difficulties will all be overcome by using a little patience ; and when once the door is so far widened as to enable you to

      exercise your judgment freely , it is impossible in the meantime to calculate the extent to which you mi ght carry out the Land Scheme . The better the scheme , the more likely it wonld be opposed by those who feed upon the labour of others ; for they artfully plan to keep the labour market over-stocked ¦ vith unwilling idlers , from whom they can pick and choose at any price j and among this class you can trace your bitterest enemies . I have had some experience of this for some years past , in my own person ; for no sooner did my book appear , which advised the people to club together , and build small docked vessels and fish for themselves , than th *» fish-curers took the alarm , and denounced me as a visionary , possessing notions at variance with common sense ! However , I have not fought the battle single handed ; and having been aided by the most experienced fishermen in Scotland , who obtained

      along with myself , a ready insertion in the local newspapers , we have beat down all opposition as far as argument is concerned . If even I shall come with my fishing scheme to proof by labour , I shall not adopt the ballot in the appointment of labourers ; and this because idlers mig ht eat more than they would produce , and eventually give a good occupation a wrong character . I have known Scotch proprietors , who consumed , year after year , the whole rental of their estates , and aacumulated debts into the bargain . Knowing this as I do , and having witnessed the wasteful expenditure of thousands of working men , which , when coupled with an idle inclination , I do not feel surprised when I nm told some few of your occupants at Snig ' s End are in poor circumstances , probably they are of that stamp ; and we may readily believe like spoiled children—they will neither confess nor amend their errors . Respectfully yours , Aberdeen . ' Jon ** Smart .

      The Honesty Fund. To Fearods O ' Connor,...

      THE HONESTY FUND . TO _FEARODS O CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Honoured Sir , —We , the residents of Great Dodford , in public meeting assembled , do hereby testify our esteem for your noble and disinterested efforts in the great work of human redemption ; and as a proof of our sincerity , we herewith enclose a small order for the sum of £ 1 4 s . Id ., which you will please accept , to assist in discharging the heavy expenses you havo been again subjected to by the enemies of the toiling millions . We regret that our limited means will not allow us to make the sum pounds instead of shillings , for we are quite sure that a more scandalous affair never transpired in what is called a court of justice ; but , sir , we can only regard these unheard of persecutions as so many proofs of your integrity and noblemindedness , and we trust the day will come when

      you shall see the cause of right triumph over might . We are exceeding sorry that any of the Land members—especially those who are located by the ballot —should turn round , and endeavour , by their puny efforts , to destroy their benefactor ; and we can not account for such conduct but by means of bribery . We are certain , however , that the time will come when they will see their error , and regret that they were ever made the tools of such base parties , whose only _ol'ject is the complete enslavement of mankind . We call upon all lovers of freedom—and especially the Land members—to come forward at once with their mite , and aid you to defeat those who are determined to " ¦ ruin you . with expenses . " If this is not speedily and promptly attended to , we are certain that our cause must suffer , and our enemies rejoice , for it can only be regarded as a blow struck at our political liberty , and social progress . On behalf of the meeting , James Fixly , Chairman .

      To Feargus O'Connor , Esq., M.P. Respect...

      TO FEARGUS O ' CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Respected Sib , —I enclose the sum of 5 s „ in postage stamps , from four members of the Land Company in Rutherglen , and I am instructed by them to state that they have full confidence in you and the Land Company '; and , if necessary , rather than see the scheme destroyed by the machinations of the enemy , they are willing to subscribe more to the Company to enable it to go on . Their names are : Alex . Gilles , 2 s . ; George Drysdale , ls . ; Alex . Gilles , jun ., Is . ; John Gilles , Is . ; to be applied to paying off the debt incurred in tho late libel case . I am , respected Sir , yours faithfully , Glasgow . D . Sherrington .

      To Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. Dear Sir...

      TO FEARGUS O CONNOR , ESQ ., M . p . Dear Sir , —It is upwards of two years since I became a member of the Land Company _; and so satisfied was I in the benefits that would arise from tho carrying . out of the glorious Plan you had profounded , that I at once paid the full amount of four shares . My . opinions are still the same , knowing full well that the great - evil we have to contend with is surplus labour ; here was a remedy , and , in my opinion , the only practical one in the present day . It has not been so successful as I anticipated ; but who is to blame ?—not you Sir , but the many members who have not stood to their post ; therefore , whether you carry on , or wind up the Company , I shall be satisfied . I hope you will yet live to receive the reward of your labours ; but if not , bo assured the men of tho future will honour your name . Those who take up the people ' s cause , are doomed to persecution and slander ; and racthinkg

      there is scarcely another man in the country that would have withstood the many furious attacks and diabolical conspiracies that hare been concocted to drive you from the people's cause . A jury , composed of your enemies , have again been compelled to proclaim to the world that your character is still unimpeachable . I thank them for that much ; but it appears to me a direct contradiction to th © former part of their verdict—being a just one _. Hoping the friends of progress will come forward , and prove to their and your enemies , that they will not allow you . to be ridden rough shod over by each and all subscribing according to his means , that their true friend may be enabled to thwart their enemies in their many schems to ruin him with expenses . I enclose ls . worth of postage stamps along with the same amount from a * friend , towards tho expenses ofthe late trial . I remain , sir , yours respectfully . "Walworth , March 5 th . B , H .

      10 Feargus O'Connors Esq. Sir,—A Few Fri...

      10 FEARGUS O ' CONNORS ESQ . Sir , —A few friends of our village have sent you their first subscription , through the hands of Mr . _JnmeB . Sweet , ' of Nottingham , towards defraying tho expenses of middle class prejudice and imbecilitv . We hope we shall bo able to make thosa pence shillings , and that the country generally will be ofthe same mind , and also that you may be in a capacity to triumph over your and our enemies . A few Chartists of Lamblet . _Nottingham , March 9 th .. .

      To Mr. Wm. Ridbb. Sir,—At The Meeting Of...

      TO MR . WM . RIDBB . Sir , —At the meeting of this branch of the National Land Company , held on Sunday the 3 rd inst ., among other business that came before tho members was the very important consideration of subscribing to fthe Indemnity , or Honesty Fund . In connexion with this matter I have to state , that there seemed but one feel ing ( that of indignation ) to pervade the breasts of _afl parsons pre sent , which was fully evinced b y the liberal amount subscribed , viz ., £ 1 Ss ., for which I have enclosed a Post-office order . The members

      present—though few in number—agreed ' to appoint a committee to look after the subscriptions . Tho secretary was instructed to write for a fbw collecting books for that purpose . Trusting the good men and true , in all districts and localities , wiu respond to the call of duty now made upon them to indemnify—if that were possible—our friend and patriot , Mr . O'Connor , for this , among the other losses to which the advocacy of ov _» r _cawe has suejeotedhim . ' I remain , youri , Ac , Newca _Btle-npon _Tyne . M , _Jra * .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 16, 1850, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_16031850/page/5/