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and vales: Thus is it in the polfijcal a...
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GTo <Krprre0p ' aitiiem*d.
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J. II., Windsor.—Mr. Thomas Clark is not...
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THE PETHEEJ STAR. SATSCfiSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1850.
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OUR ANNIVERSARY. The present number comm...
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THE "EASTERN COUNTIES" STRIKE;* 7 - The ...
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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.
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And Vales: Thus Is It In The Polfijcal A...
.......,. ± _. _;~~ - ~ r _~~ -.-T . Er _&^ _" • - - _: -in - •; ; , _- ~ - — " _. _ _.. 4 "• " " Z : " . . _.. : . _. v ... J , ' _-m * _Tmx « xmn l for the Millions JUST PUBLISHED
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NEW EAST LONDON _LITERACY AND SCIENTIFIC _INSTITUTION , _Morpeth-itree _^ Green-street . Bethnal-green . will be opened on
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2 fATIO >" AL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Office , li , Southampton-street , Strand . THE EXECUTIYB COMMITTEE hereby announce the foUowing meetings : — On Sunday afternoon , November 17 th , tbe Metropolitan Delegate Council mil meet at the Ciffy Hall , 26 * , Goldenlane . Chair to be taken at three o ' clock . On Sunday evening ( same d _& te ) , a lecture wYH be _de-Hversd atthe Princess Koyal , Circiis-rtreet , New-road . On the same evening , Mr . Wheeler will lecture at the Globe and Friends , _Morgan-street , Gommereial-road-east On thc same evening , the Emmetft Brigade meet at the "Rock , Lisson-grove—St Pancras Locality , Bricklayers ' Arms . Tonbri _^ e-atrest . New-j \ jad— St Marylebone Locality , Grcm-street , New-road—and Whittington and Cat "Locality , Cburch-row , Bethnal green . Signed on behalf of the Committee , John Absott , General Secretary .
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BOTTURES EFFECTUALLY CUBED WITHOUT A _TBU 33 !
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_"SOURSELri _\ THAT YOU ARE ' . ASD _"WHAT FIT FOR ! "We shall find , Most have the seeds of judgment in their mind . " ENOW THYSELF !—THE ORIGINAL GR-APHIOLOGIST continues to give those graphic and interesting delineations of character , discoverable from the handwriting , which have given so much astonishment , delight , and instruction . Ladies and gentleman , desirous of knowing their true character , or that of any friend in whom they may be interested , must send a specimen of the writing , mentioning ses or age , or supposed age of the writer , and enclosing fourteen uncut postagestomps to Miss GRAHAM . 6 , Ampton-street , Gray ' _s-innrsad , London , and they wBl receive a graphic , minute , and interestimj written delineation of what the writer really is , and for what pursuits qualified . 'All my friends say jour portraiture is amazingly correct '—Miss . H . P ., Leeds .
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MATRIMONY MADE EAST ; OR , HOtV TO _TTIN A LOVER . Miss LOUISA DAWSON trill send free to any address , i on receipt of thirteen postage stamps , plain directions to i enable Ladies or Gentlemen to win the affections of as : many ofthe _opposite sex as their hearts mar desire . The j proposal is simpla and so captivating and enthralling that : all may bs married , irrespective of _ase , appearance or posil tion ; ani last , tbiugh no : least , it can be amused with _s snch ea = e and delicacy that detection is impossible .
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_£ _TTRH _AT 9 T > T . _IFB _ASSURANCE _AND-Aimm-MS _IORTffll INDUSTRIAL CLASSES . ENGLISH AND CAMBRIAN ASSURANCB SOCIETY : OR KRB , UP * _ABSUrriBS , _AHDBNDOWMEHTS , ko . _« _apital £ 150 , 000 with power of _increai- * to Oni _Mihioh . 1 ( Incorporated iy Att o / P « r « om « nt . ; CHIEF OFFICES :-Ko . 9 , »« w _BridgMtreet , Blackfriar * , London . Diitritt _Offitts , . Ko . S 3 , _Sun-itreet , _Bishopsgata-strMt , City ; No . 67 , Charlotte-street , Fiuroy-square ; Ko . S , Trinity-street , IrUity-square , Borough ; Ko . 12 a , _Cannon-r _« w , Bridgeslr « et , "Westminster . Midictl Officer . DA * nx \ rANE , Eeq ., lLD ., 67 , _Chtrlotte-ltKet , Fitzroysquare { on Monday ) , and « , _Trinity-itreet ( on Thursday ) from 10 to 3 .
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_.. : . _. v ... J Education for the Millions , THIS DAT IS PUBLISHED _^ No . XXVI . of " THE _NATIONALISSTBUCTOE , " PRICE ONE PENNY . The objeot of the Proprietor , _Fbamub _O'bbwHOB , Esq ., M . P ., ia 10 place . within the reach of the poorest classes that Political and Social Information of whicfc they are , ; at present deprived by : the GOTernment" _^ _axeis on _Knowledge . " SKTEEN LAR _^ " 0 CTAV 0 PAGES , Price One Pewiy . -
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CANTERBURY versus ROME , _: : ASD CHRISTIANITY IN RELATION TO BOTH . " ... _emesFjones Will deliver two lectures on the above subject .. Dates and particulars will be given in next week's St ar _.
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A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE JljL Shareholders ofthe National Land Company ( called hy authority of delegates from the various "branches ) , will be held on Wednesday Evening , at the City Chartist Hall , Golden Lane , Cripplegate , to devise hy calling a Conference or otherwise , the Best means of protecting tho interests of the Shareholders , aud promoting the welfare ofthe Company . Chair to be taken at eight o'clock precisely . Mr . O'Connor has been invited to attend . William Dowlikq , Secretary .
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NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE . Mb . SAMUEL KYDD , of London / will deliver two Lectures in Newcastle . First _tecture on Sunday _. Nov . 17 th , in the Lecture-room , Nelson-street ; the second Lecture on . Monday , Nov . ISth . in the _Mtuic- _' i . iU , Nelsonstreet . The chair to he taken , on Suniny night , ait halfpast six o ' clock ; on Monday night at eight o'clock . Doors open half an hour before the above time ' Oil ' ' each night . Admission to each Lecture 2 d . each . —John Brown , Sec
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_fT-HE LONDON CO-OPERATIVE A STORES are now opened at ' 76 , Charlotte _SiiiaET , _Fmaov Swaee , In connexion with thc Society for Promoting Working Men ' * Associations . 1 . —Object of the Stores , To enable members of the above-named Association , and other persons who may desire it , to obtain articles , of daily use perfectly free from adulteration , of the best quality , and the lowest charge , after defraying the necessary expense of management , distribution , and providing for a reserve fund . Co-operative stores have been established with much success in different parts of the kingdom . The benefit to the subscribers may be judged of from the fact that the subscribers to the Pioneer Store in Roehdale , divided in the last year £ S 00 afterpayment of all expenses , although the goods were charged considerably below the ordinary price . 2 . _—Opekatioss of thb Stores . Wherever practicable , orders will be taken atthe houses of customers , and goods will in all cases be promptly and carefully delivered . ' . ¦¦¦ _- . _< ¦ ¦
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TO TAILORS . By approbation of Her Majeslv , Queen Victoria , and II . R . H . Prince Albert . NOW READY , rpHE LONDON and PARIS FASHIONS X for AUTUMN aud WINTER 1850-1 , the mostsplendid and superbly-coloured PRINT ever before published by Messrs . 13 enjamin HEAD and Co ., 12 , Hart-street , Bloomsbury-square , London ; and by G . BERGER , Holywell-street , Strand . This exquisitely engraved Print will be accompanied with Riding , Dress , Frock and Shooting Coat Patterns , all of the newest and most fashionable style , and every part fully illustrated both for Cutting and Making-up . Also the registered Cape and Cloak Paletot for persons of all nations , the most convenient garment ever before in-
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_Cnmous Apfucation op Gutta Percha . —In more than one church the Gutta Percha Company ' s tubes have been fitted up from the pulpit and reading desk to pews occupied by deaf persons , and , notwithstanding _thej may sit upwards of thirty feet from the pulpit , they can hear overy wd well .
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' _-m * _Tmx « xmn JUST PUBLISHED , No . HI . of ROBERT OWEP JOURNAL A , "Weekly Periodical explanatory of the means to well-place , well-employ , and well-educate , : the _whiole population . > Price One Penny ; by post , Twopence . Contents of No . III . Proofs that the World is ft Great Lunatitf ¦ . , _RemriLsreapecting the Experiment at New Lanark . Spade Cultivation ., _t , j _ ,. ; t Q Letter from Mr . Owen to his Eldeflfc Son . < ¦ _..-The Formation of Character . No . IV . will he ready with the other Weekly * Periodicals . . Part I . willhe ready next Monday .
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POLISH REFUGEES . A PUBLIC MEETING will be held in the British School Boom , Cowper Street , City Road , on "Wednesday Evening , November 20 th , _vrhen a full statement will be eiven of tbe manner in which the funds , entrusted to the Polish Committee on behalf of the _RefuBee 9 , liare been expended J and the conduct which gome of the Refugees and others have pursued , ' will . be exf plained , Messrs . Harney , Davis , Wheeler , Arnott , Bezer , and tbe rest of the Committee , will attend and take part in the _procfedinf s .. _- . - - ;• ,. , _ . Chair to . be taken at Eight o ' cloek . —Admission Free . By order of the Committee , Thomas Febodson , Secretary . K . B—The whole of tha Committee are earnestly requested to attend at Six O ' clock on Sunday Evening , 17 th Nov ., at the Old Dolphin , Old-street , St . Luke ' s .
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NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS . Will be ready for delivery with the iv " o » ' - thern Star on Saturday week next , sin authentic , highly finished , and beautiful Steel Engraving , Two Feet long , from the contractors ( Fox and Henderson ' s ) own Drawing ofthe
Gto ≪Krprre0p ' Aitiiem*D.
_GTo < Krprre 0 p ' aitiiem _* d _.
J. Ii., Windsor.—Mr. Thomas Clark Is Not...
J . II ., Windsor . —Mr . Thomas Clark is not at 144 High Hoiborn . Address for him at 2 East Mount-terrace , White . chapel-road , London . . The Hull , Huddersfield , and Barnsley Cn artists . —In reply to the letters just received from the Democrats of Hull . Huddersfield , and Barnsley , I beg to say , that I shall have much pleasure in visiting ; their several _localities on the first favourable opportunity . —Ernest Jones . All letters fer Mr , Jones to be addressed to 02 Queen ' s ' Road , Bayswater , London . Polish Refugee Fuj < d . —Per J . Arnott 5 s—Mr . Symonds Cd—Per J . Arnott lis Cd . —Thomas Fe & qosou , Secretary . [ The list alluded to should have been sent again . Had it come to hand it would have appeared . ]
Jir , J . Sweet ,. _Nottingham , begs to acknowledge the receipt of the followin _*; sums . —Fob theIIefogee Fokd . —Mr . Arnold , per Mr . Stafford 6 s—Mr ; "Wild Is . Polish and _Honqakian Uefugee Fund . —T . Brown ' s List : —Mr . Smith ' s "Workmen 4 s Cd—Welshman ls—Crocket Gd—Wimnan lt ) d—Brittain 6 d—llobson Cd—Miller ' s Book ls 2 d—Marryatt lsGd—Smith ls lOd—WardGd—IV . Cox Gd—Mooday Cd—Hamilton Cd—Beckerton 3 d—Sherwood 3 d—Fidge Gd—J , W ., Jolm-Street ls—M . "Wright , lOd—Jeweller ' s Shop , Clerkenweil Cs id—Collected at John-Street £ 1 3 s G ~ . d—aud by four Compositors in Fleet-Street 2 s . G ; Booker , Sheffield . —Not up to the mark : try again _. Mi * . J . Mitchell , Jarrow . —Receired .
The Petheej Star. Satscfisday, November 10, 1850.
THE PETHEEJ STAR . _SATSCfiSDAY , NOVEMBER 10 , 1850 .
Our Anniversary. The Present Number Comm...
OUR ANNIVERSARY . The present number commences the fourteenth year of the " Northern Star . " For thirteen years it . has faithfully and unflinchingly upheld the banner of Democracy in this country . During the whole of that period it has consistentl y advocated the inherent and inalienable fight of the whole peoplo to be fully aud justly represented in Parliament , through the enactment of the People ' s Chartor ; and at . the same time zealously endeavoured to enlighten tbem as to the most beneficial modes of exercising political power . It
has , at all times , fearlessly exposed and denounced injustice , oppression ,. and wrongdoing , no matter by what class or party they have been perpetrated . , Other journals professing the same political creed , have generally had but a short lived existence . The hostile agencies were too powerful for them to bear up against ; but the indomitable perseverance of Mr . O'Connor , aud the confidence reposed in his zeal , ¦ disinterestedness , and devotion to the people ' s cause , has hitherto nobly sustained the ' "Star . " That is * a fact new iu the history of journalism in this country , and it is one of which we may well be proud .
Our past career is the best guarantee , as to our future course oii all the . great questions affectiug Political and Social Reform . Thirteen years of unswerving devotion shall speak for us . Let who will change or split into sects and sections , we have taken a firm stand for the People ' s Charter , as the great Bill of Rights for the nineteenth century . Amidst all the fluctuations of the popular mind , amidst tho varied , and sometimes inconsistent , movements , by which public attention has been diverted and distracted , by which confusion , division , and distrust , have been introduced into the councils and tho _organisation . of the
democratic party , we have held fast to the motto of " The Charter , pure and simple . " We raised that cry in stormy and discouraging times . Fine and imprisonment , calumny , loss , aud suffering , have been the consequence . They have but endeared the cause to us . In 1050 the "Star" and its proprietor are what they were in 1837 , But different phases of the popular movement require altered and appropriate modes of action ; aud it is in tlie perception aud application of this fact to the actual exigencies of the times , that the progressive reformer shows himself truly practical , and most efficientl y servos tho great Cause of whioh ho ia the advocate .
An inevitable necessity has heretofore placed Chartism in a position towards other parties , like that ascribed to IsHMAELof old : its hand has been against every man , and every man ' s hand hasbeen against it . This lias been , is now , and probably always will be , the fate of every extreme movement in its earlier stages . Persecution , obloquy , and martyrdom , are the precursors of all great aud salutary changes in society ; the fate of those pioneers who first , with axe in hand , attack the waste and howling wildernesses of ignorance and prejudice ,
which interposo such formidable barriers to the progress of mankind . Theirs is , indeed , rough work , like that of the backwoodsmen who hew their path through the forests and prairies of the " Far West . " But when they have performed their mission , when , in obedience to the strong impulses of their hard y and adventurous natures , they have pushed forw ard to encounter new hardships , and to conquer fresh difficulties , a steadier and a constructive industry takes possession of th ' e " clearings" thus made , and shoots up ou all sides in the shape of populous cities , aud richly cultivated bills
Our Anniversary. The Present Number Comm...
and vales : Thus is it in the polfijcal and social sphere of action . The labourer must adapt himself to the circumstances with wiiicii he has to deal , if he would trul y and faithfully perform hia duty . An altered mode of procedure does not impl y achahge of purpose . On the contrary , it is merely a proof that experience and reflection are producing their proper _, effect , and enabling the worker more thoroughly to . comprehend the nature of his work , and the beBt means of accomplishing ' it . Ti is on these grounds , and in this ; spirit , that the " Star " will work- with — and not _andvaleBY Thus is it _inihTpol _^ cal and so-
against—all sections ofthe Reform Army , who are making towards the same goal with ourselves , though they may stop short of it . We regard the agitation of the National Parliamentary Association as the natural and necessary result of the seed sown in-former years , by- the Chartists ' . But for their earnest , impassioned _^ and uncompromising advocacy of the principles embodied in ' the People ' s Charter , the middle' classes would not now have been brought up to the mark of Mr . Humk ' s more moderate scheme of representative reform . Because they stop there at present .
shall we quarrel with thein ? By no means . We must get them to go further ; and the only way , to do that is , at the very least , to Btand out oftheir way ; and let them succeed if they can , in realising their own obj ects . By the time they have done so , many of them will see farther than they do now , and be willing to " go the whole hog . " But whatever may be the number thus inclined , the carrying of their measures would infuse into the constitution such a strong Democratic element as would soon carry every point of the Charter . Short ofthat we shall-never rest content .
" THE CHARTER AND NO SURRENDER " is now , as ever , our motto 5 ; and we will bear aloft the banner on which it is emblazoned , until it is hailed with the triumphant shout of victory . We make neither concession , nor compromise . Taking our stand on the great principle of Manhood Suffrage , we shall adhere , unflinchingly , to the cause of which the " Star " hasbeen the consistent and
unwavering advocate and organ . No one can , or shall be allowed to mistake its position in this respect ; but at the same time , no one shall—justly or truly—say of it , that it obstructs the progress of any earnest-Reform Movement , of tends to promote disunion among any : section of those who sincerely , in their several and differing spheres , seek to improve the condition of their fellow-men .
We shall endeavour to convince those who differ from us by arguments and facts boldly , firmly , but respectfully stated ; not to repel them by abuse , or by ascribing to them low and unworthy motives , by which , in the majority of cases at least , they ave not actuated . This Bpecies of injustice has done more to foment evil passions , to divide the ranks of Reformers , and to strengthen the powers cf the ruling factions , than anything else we know of .
Especially will it be our endeavour to promote union , organisation , and cordial _cooperation in the ranks ofthe Chartist bod y itself . In dealing with all matters relating to it , the axiom , " Principles , not men " will be our guide and object . The personal quarrels , and consequent personal abuse , which have heretofore originated from ill-regulated ambition and selfish egotism , or from the absence of a manly and rational control over the passions , and which , by their publication have
made Chartism a bye-word and a reproach with large classes of the community , shall receive no countenance and no help from us . We want to place our party on an equality in point of intellect , of courtesy , and of : organisation with any other in the country , We want to wipe off the stigma that has formerly been cast upon it , and to show that it can advocate noble objects in a worthy , and becoming manner . Why should principles , intended to lead to the political and social enfranchisement and elevation of the whole
community , be associated with angry contests among their professing disciples , or . a rude and repellant aspect towards other sections of the community ? If we are reall y desirous of scattering the blessings of peace and '•* * plenty o ' er a smiling land " we shall , as a first step , prove to all parties that we are animated by no narrow , selfish , or partizan sympathies , that we seek the enactment ofthe People ' s Charter iu order that we may thereupon build up ii system of good government for all classes and all sections , not of those only who _usa ourown political Shibboleth . If the Chartists will become as universal in
act , as they are in creed ; if they will fit themselves intellectually and morally to contend with opponents , to inform the ignorant , and to win over the doubtful , they will triumph at no distant date . The victory depends entirely upon themselves . They must not expect to gather figs from thistles , or grapes from thorns , They must conquer the world by the use of weapons appropriate "to the times , and we have already indicated four opinion as to the nature of those weapons , and the spirit in which they should be wielded .
As we look upon all political institutions merely as means to one great end—The Social happiness and prosperity of the ' whole People , we are desirous of holding out the right hand of fellowship and of assistance to all who have that object in view ; - Some years _ago , the Political and Social Reformers of this country held aloof from each other , under the impression , tbat the mode of action pursued byeach of them was of itself sufficient for the objects they had in view . We have been present at , and taken part'in , discussions as to the relative merits arid the
superiority of each of these modes , in which not a a little warmth on both sides was exhibited . These foolish divisions have , happily , passed away . The Socialists , while still confining their exertions to what they consider their legitimate sphere of action— -namely , the diffusion of knowledge as to the nature of the Social institutions best adapted for the harmonious dovelopement and healthy gratification of the physical , mental , and moral faculties of man—have , we believe , learned thafc individuals can do but little for the _practicalisation of their views ; that , in order to succeed , they must have the support and tho protection of just and equal general laws ; aud that , if Political does not
precede , it must at least accompany Social Reform . The Chartist bod y , on the other hand , have , we believe , discovered that political changes are valueless in themselves , and onl y to be struggled for as instruments through the use of which they may achieve Social emancipation and independence . We are anxious , therefore , that the " Star'' should be a faithful reflex of popular feeling in this respect , and shall be happy to receive and give publicity to intelli gence of all the proceedings of the Socialist party , whether these take a practical aspect , as hi . tho case of the Leeds Redemption Societ y , and the various Cooperative Societies ' throughout tho country , or are merely propag _* andisfc , like those of the
League ol Social Reform , and other bodies of a similar description . To the Trades Unions of Great Britain and Ireland we shall at all times open our columns , either forthe statement of their grievances , the advocacy of their rights , or their defence _against calumnious misrepresentation . The _^ great majority of the . Press in this country is under the influence of the capitalist , and it is therefore seldom that labour is done _iustice + n when contest takes
a place between the two ' Believing , as we solemnl y do , « That labour is the source of all wealth , and that the labourer should first be partaker in the fruits ; " we shall exert ourselves earnestl y to aid every _industna movement which has for itsobiect the placing of the _working classes in SS rightful _position i n _aociety , ATan _oaSo _^ tof model of the . style ir , which wo think their
Our Anniversary. The Present Number Comm...
rights and interests ought to be _aovjeated , _w-ya " point to the weekly reports of the NationaM Association of United Trades . * What _wgrgi do for that Association we shall be happy / , as far' as space will permit , to do for all _othetst Trades Societies . It is for them to _decidelei whether they wi ll -accept of the offer _thusis spontaneousl y made . << _.-.. ¦ ¦ _, We desire , in short , to make the " Northern a Star" a central organ of the threefold poli- > tical , social , and industrial movement in this a country . They are closely , and inseparably _[/ connected with each other in actual lifej and i should not be divided in the Press : _.- ' . rights and interests ought to _Um & _£$ vp
There are other sanitary and educational I movements , which , in a less degree , have our t ? sympathy , and shall not be lost sight of , i Whatever tends te make tbe homes of tha _> people more healthy and comfortable , or to en « ¦ large their knowledge and improve then ?» character , will find in us * humble , but earnest i supporters . From time to time , as opportunities and ' .
means are afforded us , we shall introduce such _, improvements into the "Star'' as will , W _0-trust , enable it to take its stand beside tha _best newspapers of tho day , as respects the variety of its intelligence , and the clearness of its arrangement ; and we hope thus to produce and maintain an organ worthy of the Demo « cracy of Great Britain and Ireland . ¦ - ! "Tis not in mortals to command success ,
But we'll do more , endeavour to deserve it , ' _; . And come what will , the unenfranchised " , toiling suffering millions may rest assured , that , ; as long as the " Northern Star" exists , they will always have a faithful , earnest , audi unpurchasable advocate , of their interests , their claims , and their rights .
The "Eastern Counties" Strike;* 7 - The ...
THE "EASTERN COUNTIES " STRIKE ;* 7 - The _engine-drivers and firemen , late in _th-9 employment of the Eastern Counties Railway Company , have been made the victims of one of the most infamous and disgraceful conspiracies of which . we have any remembrance . The parties to the conspiracy are the Directors of Railway Companies , and tlie Press : and a more forcible illustration of the power of these parties to blind the public tothe truth has never been known ih this country .
It will be recollected how great and how general an excitement was created by the refusal of the enginemen to submit to the arbitrary and despotic rule of a new Superintendent , who had evidently been appointed for tha purpose of adding to the dividends of tba shareholders , by screwing down the wages and increasing the work © fan exceedingl y _valuabla and not over-paid class of public servants . It is admitted by the highest railway authorities , that one hundred and twenty , or one hundred and thirty miles a day , is the very utmost that ought to be asked from an engine-driver . Mr .
Gooch intimated that he intended those under him should , infuture , take trains from London to Norwich , and back , in one day—a distance of two hundred and fifty miles , or double a fair day ' s work . The _rhazardous and trying nature of that work has also to be kept in view . Exposed to all weathers , at a high rate of speed , the shaking of the engine has .-, ** most injurious effect upon the constitution , aiid the life of an engine-driver , compelled constantly to perform such inordinate daily journies , would certainly be both a " fast" and a short one .
This , howerer , was a minor grievance , John Bull does not fear hard work , but h _« has no notion of its being conjoined with "short commons . " The new superintendent accompanied his liberal allowance of work by a reduced scale of wages . Seven shillings and sixpence a day to a few veteran and trusty drivers , who had received that top class pay as a reward for theu * long services and supe « rior skill , was , in his eyes , a monstrous piece of extravagance not to be tolerated any longer . A general reduction was talked of , and an arbitrary system of fines instituted , which
threatened to run away ; with a large moiety of the reduced scale of wages . Individual remonstrance to the Directors was followed by im _» mediate dismissal . The result was , that the engine-drivers and firemen saw no other mode of resisting the tyranny but by striking in a body , on the 19 th of August last , when one hundred and seventy-five men quitted the employment of the Company .
The strike produced a public panic , The daily newspapers contained , morning after morning , reports of the meetings of the men , leading articles , and letters on the subject . The cause of the men was so obviously a just one , that even the Times itself , at the outset , espoused it , and most of- the other paper" ? treated it in a favourable spirit . It was reserved for the free-trade and politico-economical Dail y Neios alone , to show the
inveterate enmity of . the sect it represents to the rightful claims of labour . Finding that its favourite principle of " supply and demand , " was for once likely to tell against the capitalists , it had the transcendant audacity to recommend the extension of military law and discipline , to a class of men who were indispensable to the public safety and convenience , but whom it was resolved not to pay fairl y for their work , aud at all hazards to coerce into submission .
The daily accounts given at the meetings of the men , and dul y reported b y the papers of the number of accidents arising out of the irregularities , and unskilfulness , aud ignorance ofthe " tag rag and bobtail" hastil y collected to fill the places of the regular drivers , had the effect of deterring thousands from venturing their persons on a line , where the preponderance of chances were that they would be smashed , _battere'd , or blown to pieces before they arrived at their journey's end .
All of a sudden these reports ceased . Leaders and letters disappeared . The public were given to understand , iu a semi-official manner , that the affair was settled . The Directors had got as many skilful and experienced drivers as they wanted , and were merciful and magnanimous enough to intimate , that when vacancies occurred they would employ such oftheir old , but rebellious servants , as they might deem deserving of that favour . Bentley's Magazine for October , contained an article bearing the marks of official concoction , in which a glowing picture was drawn of tho efficiency with which the line was worked , and the mutual satisfaction and goodwill which
pervaded the locomotive service . In short everybod y came to the conclusion that the strike was ended—the Company triumphant and the men defeated . It seemed to be another victory of Capital oyer Labour . We were astonished , therefore , to find at a meeting on Wednesday night—a brief report ofthe proceedings of which appears in another column—that these conclusions were entirely unfounded . So far from the dispute being
closed , it is precisel y in the same stato as it was three months ago . Ofthe one hundred and seventy . five men who struck on the I £ Hh August , there are still one hundred and fifty out * . The other twenty-five have managed to get work on other lines , or iu other ways . _^ The Company are still working their line with ignorant inexperience , unskilful drivers , and suffering from the same series of irregularities and accidents .
Heavy as the cost of this protracted strugglo has been to the men , it has been infinitely more ruinous to the shareholders in the line . A rolling stock in the finest order of great value , and beyond all theordinary requirements of both passenger and goods' traffic on the line , has been under Mr , Gooch ' s management so recklessly and _ignorantly damaged and destroyed , that it is now scarcely equal to the passengers' traffic alone .. Engines have had to be borrowed from another Company , and , hi addition tc th © tens of thousands of pounds _lost . _aathe rollLcig stock , large sums of money
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 16, 1850, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_16111850/page/4/
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