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Northern Star (1837-1852), 21st December 1850, Edition 3 of 3, Page 4, Eo MovrhyoimniQ.

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    • TO.TA1LORS. Bv approbation of Her Majesty, Queen.Victoria , ami H. R. II. Frtnce Albert... .: SOW BEADY,
    • Eo MovrhyoimniQ.
    • TBE NORTHERN STAB SATURDAY, DECEMBEK 21, 1850
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      Liesand Placing The Law Upon Amore Ratio...

      " _* '" ' " _'" ' ' -ri _' _iv „ ' . ji _* - _^^^ . ¦¦' , , . " ;' .- : . . . . ¦¦ ¦ h ¦ and the law

      To.Ta1lors. Bv Approbation Of Her Majesty, Queen.Victoria , Ami H. R. Ii. Frtnce Albert... .: Sow Beady,

      TO _. TA 1 LORS . Bv approbation of Her Majesty , Queen . Victoria , ami H . R . II . Frtnce Albert . .. .: SOW BEADY ,

      Ad00409

      THE ' LONDON and PARIS FASHIONS ' -it . * ' - for _AUTUMS and WIKTE ft 1850-1 , tbe mostsplendid " and superbly-coloured PRIST ever before published by t Messrs . Benjamin B . KAD aud Co ., 12 , Hart-street , Bloomsbun-square , Londun : and by G . BERGEB , _HolyweU-street , . Strand . This exquisitely _engraved Print will be accom" par . ied with Riding , Dress , Prock and Shooting Coat Patterns , allef the newest and most fashionable style , ana ' everv part folly illustrated both for Cutting and _STaking-up . Also * the registered Cape nnd Cloak Paletot for persons or all nations , tlie most convenient garment ever _netore introduced , and will _aauiii of grtat variety m . u _'" n _? a"a _Etaking-up : every _partu-ufcu- exp lained . _Bmstered _^ according to act of parliament Iff _« _" _« > S _?? 5 _^ ' _^ 2 _August 1 S 50 . AH person , purchasing . the . Fa hous an _£ t liberty to make and w . 1 the Mine : and id 1 OlLer per _s ons _notpuVcuasint- _^ and printea _iufonnntioa . » r Uiat aim . u » _«• - " _= r _ .

      Ad00410

      _TiVHE LONDON GO-OPELIATIVE ¦ A . - - _& T _0 RES are ' now opened at x _ . . •" 7 q . " . Cn ' juit 5 » TrE _Stkcst , Fitzbgy Square , In _cbnnekjfbri" wiUi the Society for Promoting Working - _ijen * _siw 6 cfaiions . _f _& P _** " I . —Object of the _Stores . _ijg & R- enable _members ofthe above-named Association , and _£ §& lier persons who may Ue _^ irc it . to obtain articles , of _^ fcgy use perfectly fne fro tu adulteration , of the best _^ _taffl * , ' , and the lowest charge , ; _-fter defraying the necessary expense" of management , distribution , and providing for a reserve fond ; - _Co-operative stores 5 i . ive . ven estabUshed with much SUCCESS in different _jwrs _? of the kingdom . The benefit to the subscribers may be _ju-- _^ _-: d vf from the fact that the subscr ibers to the Pioneer _c : o : x- in Rochdale , divided in the last year £ _Stn afterpayment of aH expenses , although the goods were charged _ci-itdderably btlow the ordinary price . - 2 . —0 _rrsATii » s of the Stokes . Wherever practicable , criers will he taken atthe _honses of customers , and goods _? . ;; i iu aU cases be promptly and carefully delivered .

      Ad00411

      " " HEALTH _WfiEUE 'TIS SOUGHT ! HO L LO W AT 3 S " PILLS . Care of a _Disordered Liver and Stomach , , ' . i . ' .. .. when ina ? nmt hopeless stale . Extract of a Letter from Mr . Matthew Harvey , of Chapel _HalVAkdne _,-ScotlauG , dated tlie . loth of January , 1859 . . Sib , —Your , valuable pills have been the means , with God ' s blessing , of restoring me to a state of perfect health , and at a time when I though : I was on the" brink of the grave . " 'I had consulted several eminent doctors , who , after doing what they could for me , stated that they considered my case as hupeless . I ought to say that I had been suffering from a liver and stomach complaint of Jong standing , which during the last two j _c-ars , got . somucb . worse , that every one considered my _cc-uditioii as hopeless . I , as a last resource , _gota box of jour _piiis _^ wliich soon gave relief , and by persevering in their use forsonife weeks , together with rubbing night and morning _ynuiCOmtment-over my chest and stomach , and right side * I have by their means- alone got completely cured , and to _"thetastumshment of mys ' _elf and everybody who kuows inc . —( Signed ) jIatthew Habv * _sr . _—ToProlessor Hou . o-. vat . * " '

      Ad00412

      LETTER S TO THE HIERARCHIES , By Robbkt Owbn . "Also , to Richard Cobden , _E-n MP with' observations on the means to well-place , _well-employ ? nd ' , well-e < iucate the popu-Jatton-and other interesting matter , m ROBERT OWEN'S JOURNAL , ' No . 7 and . 8 . . No 9 will contain LETTERS TO . THE CHARTISTS , AND TO . THE CABINET MINISTERS . Published weekly by Clayton , 265 , Strand ; and Watson , Queen ' s Head Passage , ' Paternoster Row . Price , Id ., and in Monthly Farts .

      Ad00413

      Education for the Millions / ENLARGEMENT OF _THeIaTIDNAL INSTRUCTOR , The First Number of the New Series OF " THE NATIONAL MTOCTOE , " ' Will be published on January 4 tStV-1851 . SIXTEEN LARGE _ROML . OGTAVfJ PAGES , Price One . Penny . The object ofthe Proprietor , Fbarcius O'Connob , Esq ., M . P ., is lo place within the reach of the poorest classes that Political and Social Information of whick they are at present deprived by the Government" Taxes on Knowledge . "

      Ad00414

      'Liberty—Equality—Fraternity . ' EARLY KEXT FEBRUARY WILL BE PUBLISHED The First Humher : of

      Ad00415

      Polit ics : The world a republic . - Religion : To do all the good possible . &¦ CAVILL , Democratic Temperance Hotel 33 , Queen-street , Shefiield _, TOBACCONIST AND GENERAL STATIONER , Agent for the ' Northern Star , ' and other Cheap Publications , Begs to announce that the above extensive premises have been refitted with a plentiful supply of good beds . Those friends who visit tliis town will meet with ample accommodation on the most reasonable terms . N . B . —Chops , steaks , and all kinds of Temperance Beverages always on hand . - ' ' •• Public News Room up the . Passage . -

      Ad00416

      On the 1 st of January , Price Sixpence , No . 1 of a New Monthly Journal , THE ENGLISH REPUBLIC L An endeavour to explain Republican Principles ; to re ord Republican Progress ; and to establish a Republican Party in England . Edited by W . J . Lintox . J . Watson , 3 , Queen's Head-passage , 'Paternoster-row .

      Ad00417

      NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Ofiice , 14 , Southampton-street , Strand . Ti H E PROVISIONAL C OMMITTEE -J- hereb _y announce the following meetings : — Oii _^ Sunday Evening next at the Rock Tavern , Lissongrove—Princess Hoyal , Circus-street , Marylebone—King and Queen , Foley-street , Portland-place—Bricklayers ' Arms , Tonbridge-street , New-road—Crown and Anchor , Cheshire-street , Waterloo Town—Globe and Friends , Morgan-street , Commercial-road-east—and New Eastern Literary and Scientific Institution , Morpeth-street _, Greenstreet , _Scthnnl Green . On the same evening , Mr . James Finlen will lecture at the City HaU , 2 G , Golden-lane , Barbican . Subject : — ' The Charter and the Chartists . ' On the same evening the late _Whittirigton and Cat Locality will meet in the large room at the Woodman Tavern , White-street , Waterloo Town , ( where for the future this locality wiU meet ) Messrs . Davis , of the Executive , and Crowe , late of TothiU Fields Prison , will attend and address tho meeting . ,

      Ad00418

      Woodman Locality , late Whittington and Cat . . . _-. , NOTICE . - . ., _„ : . -. - .. - ;; THE CHARTIST LOCALITY , who lately met at the Whittington aud Cat , have now removed to the Woodman Tavern , White-stre ' et , _Wajerlootown , where Mr . ' WittiAJi Davis , of the Executive , and Mr . _Robebt Crowe , late of Tothili Fields Prison , w . U lecture on Sunday next , at eight o ' clock . - ' ¦ :. " _.- ¦? , ; . ¦ . , ' It . _Bloomfield , _Sscretary .

      Ad00419

      FRATERNAL FESTIVAL , ON NEW YEAR'S EYE ; _DSCEMBER 31 st , 1850 . THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS wiU hold their Annual Festival , in the LlTEBABT AND SCIENTIFIC _INSTITUTION ; _JoHN-StBBET , Tottenham _CouaT-RoAD . - Arrangements have been concluded to render the programme worthy of the occasion , as the Fraternal Democrats will be honoured with the presence of several of the most distinguished chiefs ofthe _Continental Democrats , French . Gtruian , and Italian : The Programme will include Tea , Concert , and Ball . Short addresses nill be delivered by siveralof the principal exponents of British Democracy . Ihe members of the _Apollonic Society , assisted by . the powerful organ of the Institution , will perform a selection of pieces between the _addresses ; at the conclusion of which the Ball will commence in the Hall , and the Concert in the large Coffeeroon . - "

      Ad00420

      A Check-Mate . —A few weeks ago a young roan from tho neighbourhood of Manchester- was met in the street at Liverpool by . one of his neighbours walking with a young woman , a relative of bis wifo , bat with whom lie was considered to be rather too familiar . Tho neighbour dodged them and found that they had taken thoir passage to America , The neighbour hastened home , and communicated the fact to the wife , who promptly came to Liverpool , saw the captain , aud told him her story . He . told _licr to go back and sell , her goods immediately and return to hun She did so , arriving just as . the _vessei was _^ about -to leave .- , She . was taken on S _?» * _Sr W ! £ _^ ° ™ an was sent ashore . When the faithless husband went below to " his berth he found his wife there instead of his paramour _.

      Ad00421

      „ .- NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS . _, " Now ready for delivery with the Northern Star ,, an . authentic , highly finished , and beautiful' ' ¦ _: tr _^ . STEEL ENGRAVING , TWO FEET LONG , From the contractors' ( Fox and Henderson ' s own Drawing of the . , CRYSTAL PALACE : OB

      Eo Movrhyoimniq.

      Eo _MovrhyoimniQ .

      J. Patttson, Berry Edge:—By A Typographi...

      J . Patttson , Berry Edge : —By a typographical error in last week ' s'Stab ' your donation was announced as Is . _fa'd . instead of 2 s . 6 d , Mr . D . Fnosr ,. G j , easborougli , was misprinted in our last Gainsborough , near _Uotherham . Mb . Hopkinsun , Hanley . —The insertion of your advertisement would subject us to prosecution under the Act for the Suppression of Lotteries . 6 . Caunt , Helper Your communication would be charged as an advertisement . Me . Hemmin _, Cheltenham . —I take the subscriptions to 41 , _Turntnill-street , and pay them in presence of the Refugees . With any existing differences I do not , neither will , interfere . Whosoever has lit tlie torch must extinguish it . I do not lay the fault at the door of any of the Committee , nor upon the Refugees . It would bo fully to know much on such matters . What I do know , is that the Refugees are in great want , and require immediate

      aid , which I hope will be rendered . —W . Rides . Mb . Pitman , Jersey , and others who have sent postage stamps for the representation of the Crystal Palace , must state by what conveyance they can be forwarded than through the post , as they would be worthless if sent by-post . Agents must send cash for this plate with their orders , or obtain the engraving through their . London booksellers . It has been found very inconvenient to connect the : ccounts for plates with those for the newspaper . - ¦ - ¦ . _- . - — Mb . Veaie Bristol . —The or _^ er _^ was receivfid " , _Tiut we know they would be damaged , If ' sent ' . by ; post . How can we otherwise forward them ? G . IIassiwfx * ., Bradford . —The 5 s . was acknowledged in the 'Star'of the 7 th , as from Mr . Chapman ' s shop . Nottingham . —Mr . J . Sweet acknowledges _tlje receipt of

      the following sums , sent herewith for Honesty Fund : — Eagle Reading-room , 4 s . ; Mr . l » man , _' 4 d . ; Mr . Dalton , is . ; Mr . Burbage , 6 d . - . Mr . Broad head , Cd . ; Mrs . Richards , 6 d . ; Mr . Makiri , 3 d . ; Mr . W . Parker , is . ; Mr . John Parr , is . ; Mrs . Roberta , is . ; Mr . Bend , Gd . ; Mr . Brown , Cd . : Mr . Wood , 2 d . ; Mr . Bostock , 6 d . ; From tbe Eagle Tavern , 10 s . ; Mr . W . Fuller , Cd . For Macnamara ' s Action : —Mr . If . Hextall , Gd . For Winding-up Fund . - —Mr IV : Hall , Is . ; Mr . J . Wass , 64 . ; Mr . W . Day , Gd . ; Mr . J . Brown , Gd . Polish and _Hongabian Befugeis . — Mr . nail , Is . ; Mr , G . W . M . Reynolds , £ 1 Is . The Committee meet at the Crown atd Anchor , on Saturday evening , and 20 , Golden-lane , on Tuesday , Dec . 21 th . —Thomas Feegubon _, Secretary . ' ' . T . _Bbowks List—Proceeds of a Ball at the South Londou

      Hall , 15 s . lOti . ; Mr . Bcal .. 4 d . ; Mr . Edmonds , 2 d . ; A Welshman , Gd . ; Mr . Clench , Is . ; An _Englishman , 2 d ; Mr . Salmonds , Gd . ; Smith's Workmen , 4 s . 3 d . ; Mr . Kean , per J . Arnott , Is . ; Collection at Lscture Hall , £ 2 15 s . lOd . ; A Friend , Id . Ernest Jones' LncrcnEs We learn that Mr . Jones , jn compliance with a general request , intends publishing his two lectures entitled . ' Canterbury _tierjus Rome . ' in four weekly numbers , as soon as he has ascertained that he will have readers enough to cover the expense . He is therefore desirous that all localities or individuals intending to have the leciures , will write to him to that effect , stating the number of _opies required . Seeing the torrent of invec . ion and folly that is poured forth on

      occasion of this ' Papal aggression , ' it is highly necessary the people should learn what they have to thank the _' Establishrd Church for , and what they have to _ expect at its hand ? . These , lectures draw the veil aside , and expose the huge deception . They come most _opportunely as an antidote to the vertigo that is throwing the people once more towards the arms of . a grasping and designing priestcraft . They unveil the whole history of our church , and give nn exposure of its sins , its duplicity , its income , and its fraudi , such as has not often been concentrated in one fecus . Mr . Jones's address is Hardwicke Lodge , Mo 3 Cow-road , Bayswater , London J . -Woodhotjsb Stockport . —Your suggestion is-made too late to be of any service .

      Tbe Northern Stab Saturday, Decembek 21, 1850

      TBE NORTHERN STAB SATURDAY , _DECEMBEK 21 , 1850

      The Manchester Conference. Shall There B...

      THE MANCHESTER CONFERENCE . Shall there be a Conference ? If bo , where and when ? The discussion of these two questions has largely occupied our columns for some weeks , and may fairly be assumed to be the topic that most excites the attention and interest of tho Chartist body at the present moment .

      We have hitherto forborne the expression of any opinion ou the subject , because we were desirous that all the arguments on both sides should , be stated without auy interference on our part ; So much has heen said about " dictation " , that , . had we given utterance to the impressions " produced by tho perusal of the voluminous correspondence which has appeared in the Star , it is probable that we should have been similarly charged .

      As , however , we may fairly presume that all that can be said for aud against the proposed Manchester Conference has now been said , there can , wo trust , be no impropriety in our offering a few . observations on the subject . And , in the first place , without . meaning to give offence to any party or individual , we are compelled to express our extreme regret at the

      spirit in which questions of public policy are too often discussed by professing Chartists . Surely the question whether . a . Conference should be held in the month of January in the City of Manchester , or in Londou in the month of May next , might have been debated without the introduction of any rancorous personal , feoling , or personal vituperation . ' The use of such weapons leads the impartial observer to infer that the ostensible is not the

      real battle , because there is nothing in the no _: mhial question at issue to educe ' such bitter personal animosity and abuse . It gives rise to the suspicion that the combatants' aro not struggling to promoto the great « use of the People ' s Charter , hut an object of some other kind , in which their passions , their _prejudices or their interests are so deeply involved ; that it leads them to merge the general in the particular , and to fight for persons instead of principles .

      This evil spirit must be cast out of the Chartist camp , if wo are ever to exorcise any real or powerful iuflueuce over the intellect and the sympathies of the nation . The continual coarse and gross personal vilification of motives , actions and character , bandiedbetween assumed Chartist leaders in past times has

      The Manchester Conference. Shall There B...

      more than any one single cause , contributed to p lace Chartism in its present position . How can those-who do not respect themselves expect to he respected : hy others ? . If those who take the most prominent part ih ] the movement show an example of division ,-acrimony and self-Beeking , how can they expect union , good-feeling , or patriotism on the part of those who follow them ?¦ ..

      Like begets like in the moral as well as in the physical " world . If" we would really reform our institutions and purify and regenerate society , we must attempt the mighty and beneficent work in an appropriate spirit . If we do not , we had better cease our efforts . Not to us has been delegated the holy mission ; we must take the beam out of our own eyes before attempting to extract the mote from our brother ' s . The first step to genuine reform is to reform ourselves . What was the question essentially under consideration ?

      A deplorable apathy and general disorgamsation pervaded the country . The once powerful army of Chartism was disbanded and scattered . Skeleton staffs . and . -nominal localities alone remained to indicate that it had once existed . At a time when the action of a powerful , united party could exercise most important , most valuable influence on public opinion , and especiall y over the present electoral body , therer was neither unity nor power . Fifteen years of agitation had ended in the sad and lamentable result that the People ' s party were more dispersed—more weak—more helpless than at almost any part of the whole of that period .

      :: Looking at these facts , the gentleman who , from the beginning had borne the brunt . of the battle—whose time ; talent , energies , and money has been freely and unstintedly devoted to the cause—thought . himself warranted-in suggesting that a-Conference should bo held as early as possible , for the purpose of re-organising tho movement , and placing it upon a national basis , if practical . The position he occupied , and the sacrifices he has made , surely warranted him , of all men connected with the movement , to offer such a proposition .

      There was no assumption of dictatorial power either in the suggestion itself , or the language in which it was made . During the long , and too often angry and acrimonious debates that the suggestion has caused , Mr . O'Connor has scrupulously abstained from making any : remark ; or taking any step , that could , in the slightest degree , add to the excitement , or the bad feeling which , unfortunately ; has exhibited itself . He had but one object in view—simply to mako Chartism a living , acting , and , vigorous element in the political world . He _^ hjas abstained from saying or doing anythmg _* wat !

      might tend to prevent the reausatidnpf | lBat paramount object . ¦' ' ' l '"' _% 0 'l \ One would have thought that ;'' looking at the dismembered and shattered condition of the Chartist ranks , all who professed therir selves Chartists would have eagerl y and ] warml y responded to that appeal . Whatever _^ might have been tho consequence no harm ' could have been done by holding a Conference ? Inertness , apathy , or personal alienation ,, were sure not to be cured by separation and isolation . ' If , upon coming together , and dispassionately comparing notes , it had been found that there were not the elements in existence for the for- "

      mation of a national movement , however mortifying the discovery might have heen , it would , at least , have set the question at rest for the time . . being . People would-not . any longer have troubled themselves about impossibilities , or been parties to sham Organisations and nominal Executives—worth ; is little , in a national point of view , as the ¦ ' paper that described the one and gave the names of the ether .

      If , upon the contrary , such an investigation of facts , in conjunction with a searching , but charitable , inquiry into the causes of past failure and disappointment , showed that the materials did exist , and could be combined , ; if the requisite means were employed , a great step towards ultimate success would have been taken . Either way , an early Conference must have done good . Even with reference to holding another in London during the year , ft could not have been otherwise than

      beneficial . If it gathered together and marshalled the scattered ranks , the London Conference would have gained in strength and influence by such a preliminary organisation . If it showed what the causes were , and where they lay , which prevented that being directly done , it would again have performed an essential service , and cleared the way for the more efficient action of a London Conference . ' The state of Chartism , and the certainty that an early . Conference must , in any case , havo a beneficial result , therefore amply justified the proposal of Mr . O'Connor . The next question is , where should it be held ? >

      In order to answer that question , we ask our readers calmly to look oyer the history of the last thirty years . . What do . ' they find ? That during the whole of that period there has not _beeu a single succepsful or important movement which has not originated in the provinces . London is always the last to stir , or when it takes the initiative , such is its overwhelming bulk , and tho consequent segregation of its parts , that no powerful and well compacted concentration of popular energy is produced .

      We speak from a personal and varied experience in these matters—both in the provinces and in London—which has fallen to the lot of few . We have taken a part in all the movements , commencing with the Catholic Emancipation Act , of 1829—we have mixed with the people in every part of the country , both agricultural , mining , and manufacturing—we have been for the last five years professionall y thrown into the midst of every variety of

      classes and parties in Londou ; and , as the result of that experience , we have no hesitation iu saying , that a healthy , vigorous , successful public movement can seldom , if ever , originate in the Metropolis . It must be rolled up to London from the country , and , in proportion to its extent and influence , will the isolated sections of Reformers in- the Metropolis be moved to act in concert with each other _; and with the country at large .

      Let it not not be supposed for a moment that wo impute either ignorance or carelessness to the people who dwell in the vast wilderness of brick and mortar that lines both sides ofthe Thames . Far from it . They are perhaps the most active , enlightened portion of the whole community ; but the high pressure system of trade which obtains among them—the immense distances which separate one district from another , and the peculiarities of their social habits—all contribute to preven t them acting in concert , unless upon rare occasions , and under a very extraordinary impulse .

      In country towns there is a neighbourly feeling , which exists only to a very l imited extent in London , if , in many cases , " it exists at all . We have known people live next door to each Other for .. years ; weddings , christenings , and burials took place in the interval , but they never crossed ; each others doors , scarcely knew more than each others names . Absorbed in their own particular pursuits , and moving in a circle of . fricnds and acquaintances perhaps _^ _some half-dozen miles off , they had neither time nor inclination to cultivate the neighbourly feeling next door .

      Heuce one great . difficulty of moving London . , When you do get a large mooting it is not London , but the friendl y parties who reside in different parts of it that are brought together by a common feeling . The outer _pubhc i 3 scarcel y stirred . How different all this is in a provincial town There the movement , if popular at all , is a real one and _carnes all classes with it . The workshops , factories , warehouses , counting-houses , shops and street-comers , all reflect its influence and

      The Manchester Conference. Shall There B...

      testify _toitspower . The spirit of _l _^ _fS is among them , ' - and it needs but' a -Wy . _•? cause and appropriate _metres'to elicit it , to . direct it , and to make 'its ' power and energies felt , either in the removal of abuses " , or the improvement of existing institutions ; _> The history-Of the Chartist movement in London ,: for the last _tWo years , is perhaps ! the best possible proof that can be ; . ; a | iduced _^ ofthe general truth of these views ., ; "V _^ ejjiavej not the slightest doubt but that those _^ yhoi have acted as Executive officers _during that period have exerted ; themselves' to the utmost to keep the movement alive , ( and that tbey have been earnestly supported by the ] , few members in each locality who have taken an active interest in it . But the circumstances ; .. ; .,--. _m- . _^ - , . .- ,, . _^^ _. _MhntWi

      have been too powerful for them to contend against . No one will argue that the present organisation is either ' national in its influence , or commensurate in its means , with the difficult , but great and glorious purpose in

      View . . . .., - ., _v _-vv :. - ; ,, Two years' trial should be sufficient . Why obstinately ; persist in a policy which has so conclusively failed ? Why not once more throw ourselves upon the whole country , and by ; holding a Conference in the great capital of _^ ur industrial classes , endeavour to give unity , consistency ,-numbers and ' funds to a movement national in its objects and requiring national exertions for their realisation ? ¦ •' " :: '" _" ''¦ :.

      We see no reason weighty enough to countervail these grave and important considerations ; However pure the motives , or sincere the opinions of those who stand in the way of such a meeting , "being a full and faithful reflection of the opinion of tho Chartists of Great Britain ,- they cannot be acquitted of the charge of obstructing a measure which might reanimate and reinvigorate Chartism , and which could not . possibly ; do the cause any harm . If , on the contrary--which we do not allege—there should be any , truth in . . the

      suspicion that this opposition , is principally instigated by any paltry , petty , personal ambition or animosity , then it must be stigmatised as a public crime—treason against the cause of the people . If there is any one subject we would more earnestly press upon the attention of the Chartist body than another , it is tlie necessity for banishing such feelings from the movement . , What _doesit inatter to , the true disciple of great principles , who . gets the credit for carrying them : into operation , so that the object is successfull y achieved ? ' The men who

      | in past _' _ages-mpst _^ _^ truly and substantially improved sbcie _% haye been content to "do good by ' steai _&>^ _d-. hlushed to find _ifi fame . " _AbsorDed'inStheuiJofty task , finding the greatest and the "purest pleasure in its prosecution—a reward ; . _; in _! the very work itself , they have car _§ _i-b rH little for " the fickle breath of popuiar _^ pp lause . " The men who attempt to improve society in thiB spirit must succeed , because they start from higher principles and _impulses ; those who do so from lower motives ; tnust expect to be beaten , because . they have

      not .: the ; sarae supenonty , and on the lower ground , they have chosen , society is far stronger than'they are , or can be . { 'If Chartists will put away this spirit from among them , and . endeavour to act out the ennobling precept , — ' He that would be greatest amongst you , let him be the servant of all , "—1851 will witness the resuscitation of Chartism , and impart to it a more commanding and , beneficial influence over the ruling

      bodies of this country than it has ever yet possessed . To a calm , self-possessed , but determined party , who have an equal abhorrence of bluster and servility—who have unbounded faith in the truth of their principles , and the goodness of their cause , and an unconquerable determination to prosecute their object in a spirit worthy of both , until they achieve success—ho effectual or enduring opposition can be offered . To a party , which indulges in mutual abuse and recrimination—which is torn

      by intestine divisions—weak in numbers and in funds—and which contents itself with abusing classes and railing at effects , instead of grappling with causes , no opposition need be offered . It will fall from its own inherent weakness and defects . We sincerely trust that those who ma y assemble in Manchester in January — be they few or many—will choose the better and the nobler part , and-inaugurate a new arid superior Chartist movement . We had -intended to _htive _suggested the leading points to

      which , in out * opinion , the attention ofthe Conference should be especiall y directed , but the length of these remarks precludes us from doing so on this occasion . We shall yet be in time next week , though as we know but little of the Bpecial circumstances of any particular locality or existing organisations , we can offer only general suggestions . It appears , however , to us , that the principal object of the Conference ought not to be so much the consideration of what will suit existing localities as the preparation of an organisation likely to

      rally the industry , of the . nation under the banner ofthe People ' s Charter . If they essay this noble and ali-important . object in a fittiug spirit , with a deep sense of its greatness ,- of their own responsibilities , and a spirit of mutual charity and conciliation , they can scarcely fail to lay the foundation of a fruitful and substantial Chartist movement . Chartism is the political creed of the masses . Let us organise and wisely direct their pecuniary resources , their knowledge and moral power , for the attainment of political equality .

      The Divorce Commission. The Absurdity Of...

      THE DIVORCE COMMISSION . The absurdity of our law of Divorce has long been palpablo to all the world . Either wo should have prohibited divorce altogether , or we should have made it attainable to all classes . We did neither . Divorce was allowed , hut the price of obtaining it was so great that it was only available to the rich . It is , indeed , scarcely possible for the uninitiated to comprehend the full extent of the obstructions setup by , the law to legal separation , even of the minor kind , which did not

      permit either party to marry again . The law seemed to treat the continued compulsory _association of an " ill-assorted couple" as a most meritorious and desirable achievement . It beset every step of the process towards liberation , with the most costly forms , and it is only by the expenditure of from £ 500 to £ 900 that a simple separation from bed and board but restrainin g both parties from marriage could

      , be obtained m the semi-Ecclesiastical Courts . If the party wishing to ba separated desired to etteot a complete severance of the marital tie , he had to proceed further . After having in a Common Law Court , obtained damages against the seducer of his wife , and a favourable decision from Doctors Commons , the next step is to go to the Legislature for a special Act of Parliament .

      In fact , though the House of Lords is the place in which Divorce Bills originate , and where they are virtuall y settled , yet the whole of the three estates of the realm are called upon to decide whether a married couple shall or shall not be finally and completely sepa rated and at liberty to enter again into the married state . No matter how deep or grievous the injury sustained-no matter how urgent the call for decisive and ample relief—if the _auf ferer has not at least £ 2 , 000 to spare for the purchase of justice he must be content to put up without it . Trul y , iu this case , Co one law for the rich and another for the poor - Our ;| upr ; Brne . Court shows itself _^ the disgraceful . and vicious a _^ taude of _^

      justice , not aqmzmsteringit impartiall y « with * out fee , favour , or reward _/?^ : inrm _^ _Sv ! 7 h # _*^ _a Commission to inquire into the _subject , _wth the view , we presume , of rectifying hm paln _^ e _Wwa .

      The Divorce Commission. The Absurdity Of...

      lies , and placing the law upon a , more rational and equitable basis .. .. . ' * •" " The question is one surrounded with diffi culties ,- _^^ _T _V ° < _JeaItwifch deli " cately _/ but firmly . - _^ far . possible the ex , perienc _^ of those cbuntrio _* m . ™ h greater faoUjtiw for Divorce now _exit . _^ 8 nou _* d be _clpiratty collected and considered * . _h _thig re _^ p _^ t we may learn much from Switzerland all _^ e United States , in both of which , _wq beli # e , the law sanctions Divorce for incomV _palibijity of temper , - and personal ill-usage , as lies , placing unon * . ro < .- » t ! .. .

      well _Sfrfor adultery ; and does this in such a manneiy that redress is accessible to all parties , at a trifling cost . How far this apparentl y ; . laxer . system conduces to stimulate and multlply'divo rces , on slender _groundp , or for vicious purposes , or how far the law is _neutralised . bythe . famil y affections , bonds , and responsibilities that naturally grow out of tha married state , it would be useful and important to ascertain , before making any alteration m our own law .

      The mam difficulty m the matter is , the necessity for the state protecting itself , and the issue of . those unhappy couples who are driven to divorce , from the evil consequences of their separation . Societ y has assumed that the father and mother are the onl y proper and responsible persons to be entrusted with the due education . and nurture of their offspring . Pronouncing for a separation between the father and mother , it is bound to see that this responsibility is not shifted on to thg shoulders of the community , and thus a license and an encouragement be given to immorality and practical injustice .

      These are important points , and may ha found difficult to settle satisfactorily , but they are far inferior to the daily and hourly evils inflicted on' societ y at large by the present system . . Our legislature seldom meddles with morals , or ventures into the domain of the passions . If contents" itself with overt acts , and thus wilfully ignores any knowledge or cognisance of-the primary instincts and passions which operate so largely and so powerfully either for good or evil to the community for which they profess to pass laws . But it is impossible that society can be corrupt at its core without the vints showing itself on the surface , and to deal with it then , without

      tracing it to its source , is the sheerest charlatanism . The causes which poison the peace of families—which set bad examples up in the midstof households , and cause them to exercise a deleterious influence on the minds and actions of children during the whole of their after life ; which lead to the formation of illegal unions , and the bastardiisng of their offspring , where the parties would have gladly legalised both—these are things that need looking into , and ought to be forthwith amended as far as possible .

      For our own part , it appears to us that the first step in any reform must be to place divorce equally and fairly within the reach of all . In the second , to guard against -giving any encouragement to hasty or-ill- grounded separations . We think that the Court which is entrusted with the jurisdiction in- divorce cases , should have the power of deciding them finally , with reference to the simple question of

      complete separation between the parties . The question of damages is , however , a separate one , and must , in all cases , be modified so much by the varying circumstances of each case , that it had better be left to a jury and a common law court . Under such arrangements , divorce from the bond of wedlock would no longer be treated as if it were a luxury , and not an act of justice .

      If the commission which has just been issued lays the foundation for such an amendment as this in our laws , it will earn for itself the gratitude of all who wish the homes of England should be pure and happy ones .

      What Shall We Do With The Pope And The B...

      WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THE POPE AND THE BISHOPS ? It is evident that the Ministry will be compelled to do something to allay the stormy agitation which flows so fierce and fast over the whole country . What shall it be 1 Earl Winchelsea recommends the sending of a cartel of war to His Holiness , unless , within one hour from its deliverance , the bull appointing the Bishops is not humbly withdrawn and apologised . for . Others recommend a

      measure merely prohibiting the Roman Catholic prelates from assuming titles conferred by a foreign potentate , on pain of deportation from the country ; and Dr . _M'Neile , foreseeing that banishment either to the Continent or to any of our Colonies , would not prevent the expatriated dignitaries from receiving the submission and homage of their own flocks , while it would make them martyrs in the eyes ofthe world , and give them additional power in spreading Roman _Catholicism—rproposed to cut the Gordian knot by hanging them all I It is true , that in : the evening , ofthe same day

      on which he made—he retracted what he himself termed "that atrocious sentiment , " and declared that he was unconscious of having uttered it ; but if he had been a Chartist orator , on his trial at Liverpool Assizes we know-such a plea would have been laughed at . The simple question for the judge and the jurors would have been " were the words uttered or not ? " And they would have been contented with evidence much less explicit and unexceptionable than that which substantiated Dr . M'Neile ' s recommendation of capital punishment from the pulpit .

      Giving him , however , all credit for the assertion of his unconsciousness of the utterance of such a sentiment , and for the sincerity of its withdrawal and disavowal , we must insist on the fact , that it indicates the growth of a spirit among us most deadly to popular progress and true freedom . If , at the very outBet of this ill-omened agitation , a man of great ability and influence has allowed himself

      to be carried away in the warmth of extempore speaking to . such an extent , what are we to expect . from men less carefully trained , and who speak with far less responsibility to the public ? Already we have seen at Birkenhead the Irish labourers employed on the docks there , assembling , and by mere brute-force , preventing the holding of a public meeting adverse to Roman Catholicism . In turn , we have seen the

      Protestants meet , surrounded by police and soldiers , ready to shed bloodjou the slightest occasion , and the other party , only deterred from attending by the overwhelming display of disciplined fore ©* Some means must be found to put a stop to all this , and none of the plans we have adverted to seem very satisfactory or effectual . Suppose that the Sovereign was to issue with the consent

      , of Parliament , such a prohibition as should allay the alarm and anger so generally expressed . What then ? For all practical purposes the proscribed titles would remain in . force . To the Roman Catholics Dr . Wiseman would still be Cardinal Archbishop ot W estminster , and Dr . Ullathobm . diocesan of Birmingham ; while , at the same time , the interference of tho State with the internal

      organisation of , the sect would be cried down us a violation of the religious freedom and equalit y we profess to . have conferred by the Act of 1829 , and subsequent legislation . _^ The only statesmanlike , dignified , and permaneutl y satisfactory course would be to institute formal diplomatic relations with the court of Rome , and by means of a concordat acquire and exercise the same ; veto upon the appointment of all ecclesiastical dignitaries by the Pope , as that _possessed by the Govern * ments of Roman Catholic countries . Tha unauthorised intrusion of foreign priests , undtf title * takei _^ lroiB _. opi ' - 'territory by the Pope * would thu _^ Fbe _^ a _^ a stop to in a maimer at ! _onqe _cohsisteot _^ th : the dignity of the nation & M _Vta just x _^ _quiseawate of the case ; whil «

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 21, 1850, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_21121850/page/4/