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Northern Star (1837-1852), 27th October 1849, Edition 3 of 3, Page 1, SOUTHAMPTON. A larso and enthusiastic me...

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    • TO THE YOTJNG CHAHTISTS
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      To The Yotjng Chahtists

      TO THE YOTJNG CHAHTISTS

      You Land Luhbers; I See, As Of Yore, You...

      You Land _luhbers ; I see , as of yore , you think that one man , or afew men , are to do your ] work . . You talk like heroes , like patriots , and \ like demigods , "but you rest on your oars when there , is a ripple upon the waters . I do not address this to the Old Guards , for they are sterling men , and only want the stuff , hut I address it to you who ought to give life , spunk , and vitality to the glorious cause of freedom you spend your day in the rattle box , and your night in the gin palace or the beer-shop , while if you were men you would have less labour to perform , and more healthy luxuries to partake of .

      I have made many appeals to you to rouse from your lethargy , but in vain . I now tell you that we have established a Committee in London as a- basis of a new movement , and if fair and legitimate invitation cannot induce you to throw off your manacles and your shackles , we will establish such a system of discipline as will makeevery man do . his duty—as that Committeehas now decided upon , a plan of organisation , by which . Britons shall be no longer slaves , and which shall be published in next weeVs Star , and b y which laud others will be relieved from that censure heaped upon us by the apathy of your order ..

      Now then , youngsters , "Awake , " arise , or be for ever fallen ! " Freedom is within your grasp , and if you lose it , it shall not be my fault . I have aroused from that lethargy to which yonr apathy reduced me ; but , as I said _, at Aberdeen , so I say now , - -y _v - . - 1 Awar , thou babbling dreams , ¦ . _FeMgnskhimseff again / and resolvedt » die or conquer ; ¦ ' Your faithful friend , And determined supporter of your cause , Feakgus _O'Connob .

      "Union Is Strength." To The Working Clas...

      " UNION IS STRENGTH . " TO THE WORKING CLASSES . My _Fjuexds , " To be forewarned is to be forearmed , " and if you are not forearmed for that gigantic struggle which is now near at hand between active capital and dependent labour , it is not for want of forewarning . I have frequently told you that the Government of this country is much more influenced

      by foreign than domestic policy , and , without vanity , I may recall your attention to my several predictions respecting the result of the . recent French Revolution . I told you , immediately after the election of the special constable President , that the Monarchists of France would cunningly uphold his power until they were in a , position to destroy the influence that created it , as their ultimate and

      darling object would be to restore the monarchy . Oh ! how ferociously some of my Bed Republican friends denounced me in the hour of their enthusiasm , for describing the difference between Republicanism as applicable to a country where monarchy never existed , as compared with its substitution for monarchy . In the one case Government is based upon the legitimate principles of Republicanism—which , in its

      true acceptation , is the wisest , most just , and paternal system , cheerfully supported by all , because protective of all ; while , in the other case , it supplants a system to which , from its injustice aud partiality , the rich , the favoured , and the powerful , are wedded ; and however their power may be subdued for - ? -timc , they watch their _opportunity , take their advantage of popular disappointment , and are sure to reestaolfch the rotten monarchy upon the basis oflvepubMcamsm , as defined and carried out bv those vhom it invests with power .

      " _Xov sn « h is precisely the present position of France , _- ' hey have used the _Si-eciat . _Coxstaule for the purpose of developing the description of Republicanism created iu France : tlie French-people abhor the system , and tlie French Monarchists will use the disappointed people to re-establish monarchy . Tho PnESlDEXT meanwhile is catering , not

      for popular , but for military support , ihe populace are , thousands of them , naked , hungry , and cheerless , while the _Pjiesidext is expending their money upon luxuries for his soldiers . He billets thcin , as I have recently told von , everv ni _^ ht _«** p ortion of them , upon everv theatre " in Paris ; and he has recently furnished them with thirty thousand good beds , to increase their comfort at the expense of the

      poor . If _vmi analyse the constitution of the present _National Assembl y , elected by Universal _Suffra « n \ and read iae ferocious speeches most en + Tii ' siasticallv cheered by the Monarchistsif _vourea'l an " a < _-= _ount of the- trials of those _™ - called " H _^ - » 1 _orders . " Lul wll ° " _frrmcrlv _denomirv- - wl the " saviours of their countrv , "—if vou cad the horrid tyranny to which " anv newsp .. - -or is subjected that dares to criticise the _moA tyrannical act of men in power—and wher you understand the fact , that the _rcrv cir _* instance which led to the dethronement of " , 011 s Philippe , and the establishment of t e Republic , was the

      supnression of one pr ? lie iiicctn _. g-iiay , a mac W ct-and thuc now no public meetnig is _ilWl to ovist , vou will be able to distinguish _oSeen MEX _SEEKIXG POWER AM ) MEX EXERCISES' _^ TOW ER . When you reflect that the leading men in the National l « cmblv—Imcan _thereactionai' y Monarchists —were one and all leading members 01 clubs , ( and that no club is now allowed to , exisw ) you will he able to form some estimate of the

      _liliertv and privilege allowed to the working cWs when thev arc sought to be enlisted as champions of freedom , and the amount of libcrtv they achieve , when their bravery and devotion hasgaincd the ascendancy for odicrs . You must , however , always bear in mind that the present Assembly has not , in reahry been elected by unfettered L _niversal _feuif _, a «<>—that the French were not so well prepared to exercise it as you would be ; and you _niav re _* t assured that before another General

      Election takes place , the Constitution as _regards the suffrage , will be altcycd-thatis , 1 mean the attemp t will be made ; while you will assurediy- andthatcrelong see ana he revolution in France , and the rcsuh of which , 1 trust , will be the establishment ol such a re public as the combined force of the Monarchists , _thcLamartines , the Odillou Larrofethe cunning caterers for patronage , and the destroyers of the Roman Republic—will be unable to destroy . _^

      Xov , workiug men , I am perfectly aware that the complication of our system leads to the disunion of your order , aud that the want of uuioii of your order leads to the complication of the system ; and , therefore , I feel it to be no difficult task so to organise aud unite the labouring mind of this country as to save it from the misfortunes that the want of union has created in other countries . Tlie state of France , then , will constitute one of England ' s greatest difficulties , while the present state of Ireland will constitute her very greatest ; and here ht me point ont the result of disunion and want of co-operation in

      that country . . , r Xow , Englishmen , - _" _^^ _S _^ tau « ht to think slighting l y of the fc _^ _lipcopc _. Si Lure vou that _friVli misery _incrcwcj _Ea ifish distress . In Ireland there is no re pe _tr _elish law , because it is administered ivtl o " e whose power and patronage , aw based , on the serfdom , the senility , the ere-V r _„ f the _ixjonle . At the present moment duhty ot he pcoi c _^ _^ TLc ? ' ' _% _% _^ h ? veeX pendet \ their capital and te _nantsUohaveei k _^^ _ff- torr c _< and oLr charges , are mow _gfe _Kscne as mnch from the grasp ofthe _SSS ?« _wiU « c « e ic , them a home in a

      "Union Is Strength." To The Working Clas...

      freer country : they have but the alternative of doing this or of dying of starvation . The landlords , who have received all the produce , all the labour and industry of the cultivatorwhile the cultivator has merely existed—are sympathised with by all , and an extraordinary military and police force , sustained by a tax upon your industry , is at their command . Let me now ; - however , develope the effect of Irish hostility to Enghsh 3 aw _^ .- . •'•" - ¦ -

      The labourers are the parties upoii vvhom the farmers rely for '' cutting and _cai-rylng off their crops to . evade distress ; while those very labourers are themselves the greatest sufferers from the system—because , when the Land is deserted they become paupers ; but they do it from , hatred to a system which oppresses them , although the act entails greater misery . I have more than once stated in the House of _Conmjpns , and I now repeat it : " Show me a tyrant in broad-cloth _> and I . will show yon twent y in frieze . " There are _notgrea tyrants in the world than the Irish _fibers _aw

      to Irish labourers . The bargain _thatlui Irish farmer _makea with a labourer is not for money wages , but for what they call "rights . " They get a hovel , the grass of so many sheep —upon a bare " night-park" —with ' all four legs tied together , and the privilege of drawing so much peat into their yard to make manure for potatoes , and they never receive one farthing of money . The farmer is bound to keep the house thatched , to keep the rain

      out ; but I have attended scores of trials upon summonses brought by the labourer to compel the farmer to perform his contract ; and although it has been proved that the rain has been coming through the roof upon the bed of the peasant during the depth of the winter , the landlord—who has been upon the bench , at the request of the tenant—has stated that the labourer is aWHITEBOY aud REFRACTORY FELLOW , and the case has been dismissed with costs .

      Let me now * show you how Ireland will , in truth , be England ' s greatest difficulty . The Protestant Members of Parliament who have sons , or fathers , or brothers in the Church , the Army , or the Navy , will resist any reduction in those establishments ; and will be joined by the English Protectionists ; while the Irish Repealers and Liberals—the greatest lickspittles that ever disgraced an assembly—will support the Government , not because their measures are just or sound , but to establish popularity upou opposition to the Church party .

      . Now , if France should be once more placed in an unsettled position , threatening danger to this country ; and , if the Agrarian disturbances should continue in Ireland , any Government may be able to retain office and uphold taxation , upon the fears of those who would be otherwise their bitterest political opponents , and the people themselves will be the greatest sufferers from their own apath ynay , treason .

      I would not give you three straws for what may result from any agitation , if the people themselves did not take apromiueut part upon the platform , aud develope their own principles , without offering opposition to the present movement . The week hefbi'c last I showed the indispensable necessity of ihe leading Chartists taking part at all those meetings , aud the result has been , that at Aberdeen , Stockport ,

      and Southampton the practice has- been observed . But sec the result , as far as the publication of working-class sentiments is concerned . The Stockport meeting is given in five columns , each speaker belonging to tbe middle classes being reported at from a column to two columns length ; while James Leach and John IIamer , who , doubtless , made the speeches of the night , arc thus disposed of : —

      "AFTER A FEW WORDS FROM MR . JOHN IIAMEIl AXD 1111 . LEACH , A TOTE OF THANKS WAS GIVES TO THE CHAIRMAN , AND THE MEETING SEPARATED AT ELEVEN O'CLOCK . " Then , at Southampton , the speech Gf Mr . J . Sauxi > _eus , a most inielligeut aud eloquent man , is thus disposed of : — •' Mr . J . Saunders ( a working man , due of the Chartist _k-.- >< u-rs ) , _wii" _vxpix'Sfi'il on _briuiif of Use working men , whli whom lie was connected , their gratitude for the cordiality that had hem extended towards the working classes , and the manly and noble manner in wh'ch the deputation had advocated their interests . On behalf of those working meii lie tendered his hand to Sir Joshua IValmsley . "

      _Kow , what think you of such even-handed justice as this ? and let me once more ask you , if you will submit to the ocean flowing into the stream , instead of the stream flowing into the ocean ? It is my intention to attend the Brighton meeting on Monday next , and I trust that a working-class committee will be appointed to confer with the committee of the Reform Association—while I feel assured that no working man will offer any resistance , or throw the slightest impediment in the wav of the present movement ; WHILE "WE MUST , AXD WE WILL , MAINTAIN AXD

      DEYELOrE OUR POWER , My friends , you arc not aware ofthe coming convulsion . It is all very well for Free Traders , Political Economists , and Newspaper Scribblers to attempt to base agricultural prosperity upon the average prices of corn for a certain number of years , _duringprotection , and to show that it is not at a lower standard uow under Free Trade ; while the farmer will not measure prices by any average of past years , but bv anticipation of future

      diminution ; and as self-interest is the basis of human action , although they were convinced to a man , that Free Trade would not ultimately injure them , "THE CRY" would spur them onto demand a reduction of rent—would iuilucc them to withhold capital , to reduce wages , and be poorer customers in the manufacturing market . However , you may rely upon it , that the threatening state of France , the naturally discontented state of Rome—not to talk of Austria and Hungary—the revolutionised state of Ireland , the combustible

      state of our colonics , and the gloomy aspect of the English farmer , will give rise to a cong lomeration of Ministerial difficulties , from the solution and adjustment of which your order , if united , will be able to extract its fair , and not its sham , share of justice . And if vou are not united—if the man who earns 15 s . a-week is satisfied and despises the co-operation of him earning but 10 s ., and if Ministerial tyranny is to be based upon your jealousies and want of _uuion—my fervent prayer is , that y ou will get such a squeeze as will open your eyes to your own degradation , exclusively based upon your own subserviency and

      disunion . Let mc show you the maimer in which English law is administered in Ireland , and then vou "will understand the cause of Irish _repugnance to that law . Read the following , it is extracted from the " Times" of Thursday : — "We have received the particulars of a most melancholy event which took place on AVednesday last , at Knockabi-imn _adioiui'ig _Coulcnlk-n . and in the part otthe county ofCarluw there adji . ir . _in- this county . A poor-rate collector named -Marl : Sainton , * _'om the Callow _l-moii , _acconwaiwcd K _alsaiUft' named I _' atrick Lynch , and other _-,-. iitaiits . William Scanlaii ( brother to the collector and _aix-Kerins-officer ) , James Patterson , V . ilhain ltadwill , .. _„ a : Still , went to the house of a farmer , uauicd

      "Union Is Strength." To The Working Clas...

      John Comcrford , for a poor-rate demand , amounting to £ 0 15 s . Comerford liad not in the house more than £ 2 In cash , which lie oft ' _erclto the ' collector , and also two _lieifers as a pledge for _tlie'h ' alancc , 30 s ., until the next day , when he would sell some butter which he had , and then he exhibited eight firkins . He would have offered them for sale before , but he was . waiting for arise in . the : marker , " and tben he would pay his rent andpo / nvrate together . Scanlan refused the offer , and said he would take ' two of thVman _' s cows . . Comerford and his . wife , ' arid her ' _sisteiydeemed disposed , to resist _thisy and _^ _tbeyiwe'r it _^^ _^ T _& e _^ ffliyara wltn hmi , beggfagrof _Jumao _;^ _^ £ i , a » _d leave the cows . HeisBll refused and proceeded to drive _thejmimalg ont of the field . We' learn that ; Co & eit tord then' took up afork for the- purpose of preventing the cows from paSSing . OUt of a gap , and somo altercation follow _t

      « wnercupon Scanlan mduced Comerford to lay down the fork , which he himself raised and held menacingly towards t ile other , and same scuffling ensuea _, during which the woman , who was in an _advanced state of pregnancy came up to her husband ' s help . He was knocked down , and the fellow hither across the back , knocking her down also , l ynch next came up to the place to assist the collector , and , in the course of more wrangling , he struck the poor woman with an " alpeeu " on the head , and she again tell ; _aad immediately her husband fell too . The cattle weve then removed to old Leighlin pound . The woman was able to walk across a field towards her house , when she feU down and soon expired , before her children and husband , He Was not much _injm-ed . Scanlan at once absconded , " l ) Ut Lynch lies in Carlow Gaol . -Ar . inquest was held wpou-the U _5 odypfthe deceased , and a verdict of JL _' . _IYilfjil Murder " returiB > d : '' *""

      Now if the death of the most tyrannical landlord , or of the most cruel and . brutal bailiff , had resulted from the dispute , we should have had article upon article reprobating the brutal ferocity of the Irish people ; but here we have a mother of a family iu the family-ivay , the mother of five children , brutally butchered by a poor-law collector , who refused to take £ 2 in cash , and two heifers iu pledge for 35 s . —( which should be paid next day)—until he sold his butter , but which the butcher refused ; aud the poor mother , iu endeavouring to save the milch cows—in order that her little children might not be deprived of milk , was brutally assassinated by this savage , and you will not hear more than the mere legal quibbles about the matter .

      -Now * some of my readers may say that it is very easy to prophecy the result of measures after it is proved by experience , but I will give you two short extracts of speeches from mine , made in the House of Commons , upon the probable result of Free Trade as regards Ireland , and taken from the "Mirror of Parliament ; ' ' the one on the 21 st of February , 1834 , the other on the Gth of March , in the same year : — Feb . 21—Sir . Feakgcs O'Coxxon , —I shall he happy to give the noble marquis my best assistance in supporting bis motion . There is a distinction , which seems to have been overlooked , between agricultural distress in England and Ireland . In England when you relieve the landlord , the tenant feels tlie relief ; but in Ireland , any ralicf to the landlord gives no relief to the tenant . I do not think any relief will be effectual for Ireland , until a measure of poor laws be introduced into that country .

      2 _sow the system of Poor Laws which I proposed that year , was ti graduated scale of tax of five per cent , upou all lauded property—the largest amount falling upon the absentee landlord , and to be distributed iu agricultural and labour premiums . This would havo produced nearly a million a year , and would not have left an unemployed mau in the kingdom , and would be therefore opposed by English members , who built upon the influx of Irish paupers to reduce English wages . Upou Mr . Hcme ' s motion , upon the Gth of _Mtircb , I stated the following as regards the effects of Free Trade upon Ireland , unaccompanied by "TIMELY AND HIUDENT _CONCESSIONS " :-

      They say , if tho first or best class of land return only a price _adcijiiatc to repay tho cost of cultirav . iuu and the usual rate of profit upon capital , after deducting the rent , the _otherfourelasses ofthe Sand would healtogcther put out of the market . Coiiriniiig this ai _^ uuienfc to England only , it is true ; hut you have no eontroul over the cheap lands on the continent , which come in contact not only with the first class , but with the second , third ; tourtli , smd _ fifth classes of _liiiul in Hn _^ laml ; you make England , ill fact , the St 3 . ttda . rd market lor the world . Is it not clear us the sun at _iiuou-day . that when you take from us that protection which was given to the agricultural interest of the empire , hut more especially to Ireland when she lost her provision

      trade , and let in upon us the produce of foreign countries , not subject to those _hemy charges to which we ourselves are liable , that you will leave us neilher a wholesale or retail market . ' The situation of Ireland is very little known , It is such as will not wait even the short lime that is necessary tor _ih-2 maturity of all the _£ ood plans in store for it . 'ttvi KwglWh landlord is naturally the guardian of his tenantry . If he found that by any measure his tenantry w , » u ! d be injured he would " take time by ths forelock , " and make that reduction i" Id- rent which the case required : ImtthcI . _AN'W _. OlU ) OV lHEhA . _N'l ) _AVOUl . l ) I . K'l AU TilLYGS 00 TO CO . _VFlfSIO . V _IJLTOllG HE _WOl'LU AUA'fi : A SIXULK r'AU'UUXG .

      Xow , working men , you shall judge for yourselves , whether or no my predictions of lU' 3 i were correct , as regards Irish landlords and present confusion , always bearing in mind that 1 am , and ever have been , a Free Trader , if the principle was carried out by such a representation of your order as would insure for you a fair share of the change ; but I am not ti mongrel Free Trader , that would abolish a system nominall y , while those who had tho greatest interest in preserving it were still allowed to preserve a monopoly of le gislative power , as the feudal lords do at tho present moment .

      You must understand what loyalty means . Loyalty has a class definition ; it means the satisfaction of those who , hy coercion , can suppress the dissatisfaction of others , and revel and luxuriate iu their dependence . In _lUiu , I told the gentlemen in the House of Commons , that if the salaries were taken from bishops and parsons to-day , their loyalty would follow to morrow , and that if protection and pro-eminence were taken from the feudal lords , their loyalty would as speedily dissolve . " \ TcIl then , in conclusion , let me , for the one huudredth time , assure _you that you have not , as yet , seen the commencement of Free Trade ; for , observe , the tenants arc calling out for a reduction of rent , tho landlords have

      to pay marriage settlements , mortgage debts , _tind personal liabilities , and to keep up their social position . Their hind , in some instances , pays from 0 s . to 8 s . tithe , a largo amount of poor rates , which will annually increase , together with other charges , amounting lowly to 10 s . au acre , which the tenaut will not consent to pay : while , averaging the produce of an acre of English land at three quarters of wheat , the American can now send the same amount—namely , three quarters—at a freight of -something under os ., unencumbered by *

      taxation ; and , if you recollect , when the newspapers luxuriated in the notion in 1842 , that foreign countries could not send their cattle to England , beaaiisc freig hts were so high , I answered the absurdity by the old Free Trade maxim , " That supply was regulated by demand ; " and that when the rich " MA 1 V " of the world was opened to tho produce ofthe world , the supply required—or , rather , speculated iu—ivould regulate freights , as every dock would soon show its competition . Well , now , the freight of corn from America has fallen to less than oue-half of the amount

      charged two years ago , itwillpresentlybe lower ; and my prophecy is , that the feudal lords will attempt to drive the farmers and labourers into such an agitation , if not a revolution , as will , once more , p lace their order upon the Treasury Benches , and your order are ever tho greatest _suftcrcrs from revolution ; therefore , despite the presumed insignificance ol Chartism—despite the silence of tlie

      Pressthe dread of the landlord—the hope of the fanner—and the co-operation of the agricultural labourer , I ask you , in tho name of honour , honesty , justice , patriotism , and the CHARTER to join the New Parliamentary Reform Association , heart and soul , as the only means of breaking down , and for ever , that feudal system which has so long held you as bondsmen in fetters ; aud if you do not , that feudal svstcin will drive the people of this

      "Union Is Strength." To The Working Clas...

      country into a blood y revolution , as the en- ; lightened _jaind . of to-day will not ' submit ' tbj the dark oppression : of bygone days . ' .. ' - _^ i '' ¦" V . _.-T _owiMlibM _^ e _^^ V '' : ! "• ¦ . ; ..: _V- 'PEARG DS _^ _OJCONWQR ; :

      /¦ ' • " " " - ' ->• ' '

      /¦ ' " " " - ' - >• ' '

      And National Trades' Journal.

      AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL .

      Gyj L.G-.Ffi. L0mo», Ttwbdh Ocwbeb17, Li...

      gyj L . g-. ffi . L 0 MO _» , ttWBDH OCWBEB 17 , lift ., »» _K ? .. 7 KES ., -, _

      ^^P^Li^ 'M ™J$$0$~?M Ow*S,. 1k; -? He . ...

      _^^ P _^ _li _^ ' m _™ j _$$ _0 _$ _~? _M ow * S ,. - ? he . monetary . busiriesV _' of the ! Gha _toHbvemont being now before your readers ' Isolcit from _youithe liberty of making a few _Ste ' _ments , m which I am personally _concerned , _^ _fwcis e cc eda member of the Chartist Executive , , _dui-hi the height of the agitation of 1848 . All the active _^ f , ?! ° 3 JL > w _«™ subsequently incur- , _curaieu

      -jur . u uonnor and myself excepted . For some _time the hole responsibility ofthe movement devolved upon myself ; and on tho books of the society being audited-previous to the Birmingham Land Conference ofthe same year-it was discovered that I had paid in all £ 10 more in expense ofthe { _association than its income tand had given from , three to four months' service gratuitously . And let it be understood , " that my duties were arduous .. and hazardous . Acting on the advice of some of the'leading democrats in London , I called a delegate meeting'during the _sitting of

      the Conference of the _National Laird Company—November 2 nd . X o meeting could be more enthusiastic ; and all those present on that occasion will long remember it . A numerous Executive Council was chosen—the old plan of organisation was unanimously adopted—and the delegates present —without a dissenting voice—elected me General Secretary , at a salary of £ 2 per week . On my return to London , a meeting of the metropolitan members of the Executive Council was held forthwith—Messrs , Clark , Harney , M'Grath , Dixon , Stallwood , lloss , Grassby , and others were present . Subsequently cards , plans of organisation , and addresses were issued ; and I , with others , fondly hoped that we should preserve the nucleus of a democratic movement that would one day be the allof ri

      powerful y ght , and the determined opponent of wrong . With a view to the accomplishment of such an object , I left London for six months , and have lectured in all the principal towns in England , and also in Glasgow , and some of the smaller towns in Scotland . M y meetings have , in most cases , been well attended , but after deducting hall rent , expenses of bills , & c , the surplus lias been trifling , and no regular organisation has been effected . A fortnight since I returned to London . A meeting of the Executive Council was held—tho books of the society examined—aud show a debt due to me of MO , and a debt—I think—of £ 3 due for printing . It seems necessary to state , that the monies acknowledged in the Star as Executive Fund , have generally been the surplus of my lectures .

      When elected on tho Executive Council by the National Assembly , I warned the delegates not to vote for me , if they expected to gain the Charter hastily , or by using any other means than a peaceful propagation of their opinions . At Birmingham , I pressed on those who voted for me the desirability of electing another as secretary of the newlyformed body , They elected me unanimously , and to the best of my ability , I have discharged the duties of my office . I now resign : not that any great change has taken place in my opinions , but because I have not been supported in my endeavours to resuscitate the Chartist movement . I observe that some of tho leaders of the Chartist body are co-operating : with the lately formed Parliamentary _itelorni Association . I also hear that there will be another attempt made to « _-ot up a powerful Chartist

      _organisation , and Mr . O'Connor , in one of his recently published letters , assures lis of his determination to make a tour of England for such a purpose . From my heart I wish these parties success . My opinions two too well known in England aud Scotland , to require repetition in this place ; and , while I live , I hope my sympathies and energy will be found on the side of the people . I thank , many of my friends iu London , and throughout England , for their personal kindnc 33 aud esteem , and express a hope * that they will euilc-. wom-to collect a siim suiiicient to discharge the debt duo to the Printers ; as , for myself , I aiil this day a poorer man than 1 havo been for years , and , if blessed with good health , I doubt not but I will be able to make my way in society , and by dint ot industry and economy , to discharge , at all times , my _triiiinsr liabilities .

      I return to London on an early day next week , and will lecture in the Hall of Science , Citv-road , on Sunday , November the -Uh . I remain , dear . Sir , as ever , Your obedient servant , Samcki . Kyud . ltotberham , near Sheffield , Oct , L ' - ' ud . l' . S . All tho members of the Executive Council , present at our last meeting , agreed that it was not desirable to coi . 'timie its name of au association , if not more efficiently supported . In which opinion I fully concurred . All parties desirous of writing to me , must do so immediately , aud address to National Laud Office , 14-1 , Iliish Holborn , London . S _, K .

      Blltillsgham Freehold Laxd Society. To L...

      BlltillSGHAM FREEHOLD LAXD SOCIETY . TO l'EAliGUS O ' COXXOU ESQ ., M . l ' . Sir , —Some time ago , when yoit «<; _ule a few observations upon the above society , you kindly published my letter ia reply , this induces mo to believe you wiil give the present epistle a place likewise , as I am " decidedly _unwilling any wrong impression should go abroad , unchecked _anihuideiiicd , hence my appeal to you now . I lament , truly and sincerely lament , that you have , in yonr _iSiar of this day , given currency to a report in reference to what you call rallicr contemptuously the " Coliden-Scl ' iolulield Freedom _fot the Million Scheme ; " and what is more than this , your seeming tone of exultation , because you fancy the ltovising Hamster will not " _legalise the

      society , or what is the same thing , will not allow tlicm their vote . '' Supposing this were true , is it consistent with your principles to rejoice that men arc forbidden to _amise the suffrage ? Can yon harmonise your professions of an attachment to liberty with your _crowing at the defeat of working men in tho * ltovising ikm .-tcr ' s Court ? If an "extension of the suffrage" is really an object of your heart , do you rightly exhibit that feeling by glorifying in the tociiniwdities of a Tory lawyer , and the triumphs of political _exclusivencss ? To mc , sir , there appears to be something between your actions , language , and professions , ' that does ¦ not exactly correspond , —most certainly they will not dovetail , without considerable qualifications !

      Hut what is it that seems to allbrd you so much delight , and from what source do you draw so much satisfaction ? Simply because you conceive that a body of hard-working , industrious men , who refuse longer to be made fools of in repeating tho farce of " petition ! petition ! petition ! " who , instead of this , have resolved to " obtain ! obtain ! obtain !" You tell the country laughingly , that these determined self-sacrificing men are vanquished , and that the Freehold Land Scheme of this town is a failure ; and believing this , in anything but a honourable tone , yon boast and politically clap your hands , ' _llut permit mo to say , you are altogether mistaken ; the ltovising Hamster bas " not refused to grant a vote . " Every man _anionast us . even _according to

      the ltovising Hamster ' s decision , wiu . have a vote EITIIEn FOR THE H 0 K 0 UGH 0 U THE C 0 I . WTY ! He lias simply said , that " no land iu tho Borough , iu the owners own occupation , if tlie owner lives in the Horough _. and a housekeeper , will _qivehimavoiefor the County , hut must in value be added to his rental of / as house , and give him a Borough vote . " All our members who are not housekeepers , and all who Jived out ofthe Borough , were declared hi the Barrister entitled to be placed upon tho Coiintv _registration sheets , and were by him placed on f Alftho others were declared by him to be legitimately entitled to bo Borough voters , so that event man , it was legally decided , was fully entitled to " a vote . '" ho much , therefore , for the statement that the judgment of the Court was in favour of tbe " illegality of our society . It is true , I admit ,-nav , I do not admit

      , I assert , —it is true , that we would prefer our members being " Countv voters " rather than " Borough voters , " ami the * " land bchi _!* ill tlioir own occupation " deprives them of this priviege , but tins is just as easily provided against ( if it bo the law , ) as it is to sav so . I let my land for anything , or nothing , till 1 want to occupuit myself ; in other words , I permit another lo " occupy " ' it « fi _H l " ' ! - 'fhen the Revising Barrister says , " \ . : l _^ _tahig sot in vour own occupation , you are entitled to be upon the ' Countv list !" ' Is there anything here implying " illegality ?" Then again , 5 h \ Editor , what have -wc done to merit your jealously , and I fear , spleen ? Are wo enemies to . tny cause that benefits our fellow working men ? Bo I ever say a word against any society whilst I am exalting my own ? l ) o I follow your example ., and mak _» invidious distinctions , —distinc-

      Blltillsgham Freehold Laxd Society. To L...

      | tion 3 . fpunded . oneiT 6 i _\ Vahd . _ei'eQtedbymisvepreseh _^ _( "tation ? " No , no ; sir , ; ' my heaii _' _jjtvells , ' _aji ; Cmyi 1 ]¦ _^ enraptured ; at anything _tbati _promotes _ineii- ! I interest ' s ; and _vrhethftr it be ' prdpagated by 0 'ConhoiV- ' Cobden , or _^ Somfteneld ) so that it is propagated , "I'rejoice , yea , ; andiwu _« _ej 6 iceiif ' ¦ ¦ _$ ' . ' . _»•';¦ - > ; i ' ' ¦ '•' - ¦" l . _-vSe _^ _wh _aftiYeyh _^ 1 _s _^ _jfefc _^^^ in-two | _& _rs _^ l 9 , 00 . a ' m given -12 < j j freehold _^ _tb-btiKi _^ _mberst * In thrBo weeks _wesliall ' _^ t _^ ffsfc _^ O _&^ _fii _^ : !; ""' _^ . have _$ lft . ccd nearly . 200 working ' meii o _^ _ho register as ' _Gouiity voters ; next year ' we shall place _300- roore upbri < th ( frii ! Has anything-yoaiiave _assisted in , since you commenced your . political career , done this much ? A ay , has

      aU . _tne . agitation this last eighteen years done this mu ' chT ? ' ''• 'I demand , in the name of my fellow members , —in the . name of the 1720 working men of _Bivmiiigham , who are now candidates for " trochoids , —that xe » cease to oppose us ; if those statements be true , and I know they are . I am not angry with _ypii , —my temperament , I grant , is rather warm . , I _' feel somewhat indignant when I find you arrayed against our causoi and by indirect insinuations endeavour to injure us . Bo assured by a working man , who feels what lie writes , arid writes what he feels , —that ho hvhis heart and soul believes that , by a general establishment of similar institutions , every one of tho fifty-two County divisions may be " won" by his ' _fcllowworkers , and _thedomestic and social happiness of each infinitely enhanced .

      I will not say a word about your charging some agent of our plan with instigating men to sue you , on account of your Land Scheme ; what I know is this , —that it so happens that there are no societies in those towns where you bave been summoned . In conclusion , permit mc to say , that I am devoted to everything that lias a tendency to promote tho grand object of my feeble labours , viz ., —the freedom , happiness , and contentment of my fellow labourers ; and I thank the Almighty Disposer of events , that those labours have not been altogether vain . I find fault with no man ' s plan , and oppose

      no mans seiiemo . what I say is this , you labour in your vineyard , and let me labour in mine , and by " the fruit shall it be known " _avIiosc labours are tho most productive ! There is room for all , —work for all , —and if each attend to his own , and cease to wrangle with his co-labourer , depend upon it , a far better aud heavier harvest will he the result . I wish every honest attempt , whether yours or mine , success ; and I hope we may both pull in the same team without kicking over tho traces , and injuring our progress . To every attempt to benefit my fellow men , I shout , " God speed _!''

      I am , Mr . _Euitov , faithfully yours , > James Taylor , Jun ., Secretary . Temperance Hotel , Newhall-street , Birmingham , October 13 th . Silt , —I am not aware that any other journalist would give you free insertion for so long an advertisement , and so gross a misrepresentation of the proprietor . " I ueithcr exulted , crowed , nor clapped my hands at the unjust decision of tho Barrister . I merel y stated that it was repudiated hy other papers , which exulted in the legal autagonism exhibited towards my plan ; hut as you state

      in the concluding part of your letter , that you are of an excitable temperament , I cau well make allowance for the many mistakes you have committed , and beg to remind you that I more than once lauded your plan , hy showing that , even limited as it must be , it would nevertheless confer great benefit upon thu people ; and now wishing it every success , and that it may ultimately triumph over the legal perversions of the legal quibblcr , I remain , Your obedient servant , Feargus O'Connor .

      The Curllehcy_Questiox. • ¦ ' ' To Tire ...

      THE CURllEHCY _ _QUESTIOX . ¦ ' ' TO Tire EDITOR OF THE S 0 RTIIEKX _SXAH . Sir , —It appears to mc that iu order to arrive at a right understanding of this important subject , wo should begin at the beginning , and , I will therei ' mo , with yuur _" pormissioii _, state briefly what 1 consider to 1 ) 0 the true elementary principles of the _suhjeer . The use of money , I take to he to _mcasmv' the _; value , or rather , the prices of commodities . Labour is the standard of value , that is to say , it deter-1 mines tho value of commodities relatively one with tho other ; but whether an article on which a certain ! quantity of labour has been bestowed shall soli fur ( £ o or £ 10 , and another article on which double the j quantity of labour has been bestowed shall sell for j £ 10 or £ 21 ) , is determined by tho quantity of money [

      in _circulation- the quantity of money then , being tho iieasure of prices , it is evidently essentia ! that ; that , quantity should bo incapable of being varied arbitrarily , a ' ud hence , the precious metals have , ill j all _ajjes , and iu all nations , been used as liiOUCV _, US their quantity cannot be arbitrarily varied ; and , moreover , metallic money diffused itself over all countries Having intercourse with each other , m due proportion to the quantity of valuable commodities they possess , and thus equalises prices in those countries . For if any country , either from the discovery of new mines or otherwise , has more than its due proportion of money , then prices will rise in that country , aud importations will lake place nil the equilibrium is restored ; and with respect to new mines , unless the quantity ot metal obtained be

      very large , as it will be quickly dispersed over all countries , the effect on prices will bo inconsiderable . We shall thus under a purely metallic currency , have no sudden or violent lluctuations in prices ; there will , indeed , be fluctuations occasioned by tho greater or less plenty of commodities , as mr instance , if the produce of the land bo double th : s year what it was last , and the quantity ofthe civculating medium remains the same , then the farmer who ' had live coombs of wheat per acre last year , which he sold for £ 1 per coomb , will this yoar have ten coombs , for which he will only « et 10 s . per coomb ; but no harm will arise to the fanner from this , seeing that in both cases lie will have the same amount of money , vix ., £ o for the produce of the aero , and it is evidently beneficial to the rest of the community .

      Having thus far , Mr . Editor , briefly stated mj views on this subject , I will , for tho present conclude , and beg to subscribe myself , Yours truly , Common Skxse .

      TO THE rUITOIt Ol' TIIK _XOHTUEU . V STAR . Sih , —I havo delayed answering Air . Culpan '; letter iu tho expectation that either he or somo one else would _irivemo something to answer , by entering into some explanation respecting the formatioi ami working of their " -National Bank , " the detail : of which I * have so frequently called for _witlion effect . lam at a loss to conceive how Mr . Culpan cai savthat I . " manifest such a reserve on this snl

      , jeet . " I have _st-Ateu my opinion—that all tainpci _inu's with the currency of a country , by means ti paper money , is productive of evil , aud bo agree with inc , that paper money has proved au evil in a ! the modes that ic has been tried in thus far ; then fore if he has a plan for its establishment which wi ; not only escape those evils , but be productive c good , is it not clearly his duty first of all to gnus ovcrv particular with reference to its manag inent , in order to enable us to examine them , an endeavour to find out those advantages ourselves

      Air . Culpan labours under a great mistake in say ins , " . 'ill the other institutions of tho country ar foreign to this subject . " Has the present eimrmou taxation of our own country nothing to do with th subject of the currency ? Let us try . The averag price of wheat is now about forty shillings tli quarter , and the whole taxation ofthe country , in eluding the expenses of collecting , is about , sixt million pounds a year ; these taxes , then , will noi take the value of Tinniv million ouaktexs o wheat everv year , with wheat at present prices Xow , supposing it were possible to double th amount of the money in the country , Us efiec would be to double the nominal price of wheat am all other commodities , and consequently , the taxc remaining the same , it would only require fftec . _uullion quarterns of wheal to pay them ; Ihey woul in fact be reduced ' one-half . Surely this is au in stitution which has something to do with the cut

      rencj . Those who havo an interest in haul ; note _makii arc in the habit of speaking and writing a great dc of nonsense about tho foreigner coming over to b ; up our gold , and leaving us without a sovereign bless ourselves with . ' _Sow , 1 am persuaded , t Bank note men sec the folly of all such argumeir but it serves like the parrot-cry— " dependen upon foreigners "—of the Protectionists , to thn

      The Curllehcy_Questiox. • ¦ ' ' To Tire ...

      dust in the eyes of those who will not take time to examine tho matter for themselves . ' I have already asked Mr . Culpan if he would part with a sovereign , cither to the foreigner , or to anybody else , without ; receiving something in exchange of greater value to him ? And the cases are precisely the same with nations as with individuals , in this respect . Let us try if wo cannot understand this " buying , up" of the gold ; and as it is easier to understand such matters on a small scale than on a large one , wc will suppose the islands of Guernsey and Jersey existed as independent states , each containing an . hundred families , and having in each a circulating medium of gold and silver worth ten thousan pounds ,. It so happens that certain merchants or mb ' _neVi-i so nappens ciiac coram mercuants or

      moneymongers in Guernsey are smitten with _adesire-tb " buy up" the gold and silver ofthe Jersey _folki .: -How do they proceed in order to effect their object ? In tho . first place , they must . offer them something in . exchange which they want—and secondly , they . . must offer , tho goods at such prices as will induce the Jersey people to give their gold , iu order to become possessed of their goods , and , reallv , for my-« '• _•* _^ n see nothiug wrong in this . "Oh , " says Mr .- Culpan , " .. The gold and silver will be mads ' scarce by the transaction ,-. and the people will be J left tothejnorey of usurers . " Let us try this also _, _suppose the . Guernsey merchants succeed in " buying up a thousand pounds wortb- of coin from the Jersey _jieopl p , this , of course , will be added to tho circulation of their own island ; a thousand pounds would be taken from one community and added _fh

      tne circulation of the other , making a difference in the quality , and consequently in the value , of twenty per cent . . Now Mr . Culpan must know that a fourth part of this difference would instantly cause the gold to find its way back again , as it would give a profit to the importer of five per cent ., and the _cqualihrium would be restored in" no time . The great fault with some politicians is , that they appear to look for , and expect , such ehangfts as shall make society perfect—as shall banish all poverty and crime , and bring on a sort of political

      millennium . _JNow I have no such expectations . I believe the most that the wisest and best ol legislators can do will not change tlie nature of man , and , therefore , tho strong will , more or less , oppress tlie weak—tho cunning over-reach the unycc & yy ; nor do 1 contend that a currency possessing intrinsic value would put a stop to the _lnachinationsofujui'ci-s-butldo contend that the power of the money-mongers and usurers , for mischief , would bo infinitely less under a metallic currency , possessing intrinsic value , than under a paper system , to say nothing of all the other evils , which arc inseparabl y connected with such a currency , and which I shall point out at a proper opportunity . The quantity of wheat grown amiuallv in the

      united kingdoms of England , Scotland , and Wales , is stated to be fourteen millions of quarters , and the value of all tho other agricultural produce is stated , on the same authority , to be equal to the wheat ; this would give twenty-eight million quarters of wheat , which , at the present prices of forty shillings the quarter , would sell for liftv- six ; million . pounds . _Kow the taxes alone , if we ' add the ! expenses of collecting them , amounts to sixty million pounds ; and if we add the poor rates ( which we have a perfect right to do , seeing that it is those taxes which cause the poor rates , } these will give eight million pounds more ; add to this the six million pounds which the parsons swallow , and wo shall find that wo arc burthened with a

      taxation of _seventy-rouit million - pounds a ykaii ! or eighteen million pounds more than the entire value of all the produce of the soil ! Xow , Mr . Culpan , do you not think thero is cause enough here for all the distress and misery which we so frequently see amengst honest and industrious men ? I confess I lose all patience when I hear men beating about for causes of this distress , and seemingly _paying litfclo or no attention to this monstrous robbery . It is these taxes which give tho money-monger and _r ; surer such immense power—just as a poor neighbourhood makes a rich pawnbroker ; and ho assured , whatever scheme you devise for bettering the condition of the people , if such scheme does not include the entire destruction of tho accursed taxing and funding system , it will end with disappointment . Huddersfield . _Hiciiard Brook .

      To L'Eaegus O'Coxxou, Esq., Af.P. Aiy Be...

      TO l'EAEGUS O'COXXOU , ESQ ., Af . P . AIy Bear Sik , —As an elector and member of the Xorwich Reform Association , I cannot but express my humble thanks for tiie splendid speech you gave us in St . Andrew ' s Hall , on tho 3 rd inst . if did my very soul good to hear you . I assure you , sir , I feel thankful that you have joined this glorious cause . If wc can but got tho working men of this country to join our movement wo shall be sure to carry our cause . I really believe , sir , your attending all the Boform meetings will have more etfect than everything else in carrying our cau-e . I havo been a warm Cluirtfst all my life , and hope 1 shall continue so to the last hours' of my life . Knowing well the political feeling of my native ciiy , I am sure that glorious uieelinsr wo had iu Xorwich

      has done _moio " good to unite _Ku parties together than any _lnct'tinjr over held iu my lifetime . ' lean assure you , sir , you have gained many friends by it . I have hoard Uuit Lord John llussell wii ) bring tho _Suifratro question forward , the next session . J wish ihe little man may . 1 don ' t believe ic : _di .. yon , sir ¦ ' Having borne infiuence with many _wnrkin _:: men . can you _li'ive me somogoodadvice to tell them ' ' . i know _sevc'vi worfcinsr men that think of j ';> ,. _'jhig your laud scheme , shall I advise them to do - '' » ' : shall bo most glad to bear from you _ilto lirsc opportunity . " I remain . Vour most obedient servant , _llESIiY I . aki :. J , _Victoria-terrace , St . 1 ' ailh ' _s-laiie , Xorwich . Oct . l » ih , _!>! : ' ¦ .

      L'Arlumentaivy And Financial Luifoiial (...

      _L'ARLUMENTAIvY AND _FINANCIAL _lUiFOIiAL ( 1 ' rom ihe . i •'• - ; -. ' otM ' 7 _,,-:,. \\ v _. ) Honour to ( ho working men of Aberdeen ' . V . _' _ivU \ m _enlightenment and _iimierosiiy that do credit _; . ' : iko co their heads and their heart ' s , they have irivon themselves honestly _tt > tho new movement for Varliameutary and Financial Boform . Wiihviit abandoning , in any degree , their just- _elaim-: _i _<> an

      equal participation of jiolitical rights , ou the _hip'h ground of manhood suilVage , they were so deeply impressed with the earnestness—the good feeling of the speakers , and the practical character of the speeches delivered on Monday week , that ihey unanimously agreed to make common cause with tho Parliamentary aud Financial _lloform Association , and not to cease to co-operate with that hedy until / w ((» ii « 7 /« 'iwi / the unenfranchised _niv _(¦ '• . ttd . ; , ( the lloiislralion roll .

      To ensure this co-operation , ihe Council of the Association will have to reconsider their _programme of details . This , wo doubt not , will be done , and we feel assured that , with the prospect now _before theill of realising a _practical and permanent union between the middle and working classes , such modifications will be made at tlie Conference as will provide a basis broad enough am ! deeo enough to sustain a political constitution , in which the rights and interests of all classes will bo perfectly secured .

      Io the deputation , the thanks ofthe friends of reform aro eminently due . They acquitted themselves nobly , one and all , and even _V . r . O'Connor , of whose presence not a few stood iu dread , was found , on close inspection , to be neither a Goth nor a Vandaii ! , but , in feeling aud in speech , acted like a patriot and a brother .

      .Meeting At Stockport. The Annual Meetin...

      . MEETING AT STOCKPORT . The annual meeting of tho Stockport Parliamentary Reform Association was held at the Lyceum , iu that borough , on Friday evenin <_ r . A . Wav was given on tho occasion , and besides the members ofthe association , the meeting was graced by the presence of a great number of ladies . _,- \ deputation was also announced to be present from the London VavUr . inetnavv and Financial _Ucuir . i

      Association , to consist of _ISir . ( oshuii Wnlmes'cy ami Tindal Atkinson , _K-q . ; but the former gentleman from some cause was not . able to attend , Among the other principal guests besides Mr . Atkinson , were James Kershaw , Esq ., M . P ., ( one of the _icprosentatives of the borotmh ) , Sir Ralph _iVutUebury , John Williams , Esq . ; M . P ., and Mr . _Ai-hibald Prentice , and Mr . W . Shuttloworth _, as a deputation from the Manchester Financial and Parliamentary lleform Association .

      _Speeches were subsequently delivered by J Kui :. siiaw , M . P ., Tixiuii Atkixsox , Esq ., Autiii _uai . _0 PitKXTici - , Esq ., and other speakers .

      Southampton. A Larso And Enthusiastic Me...

      SOUTHAMPTON . A larso and enthusiastic meeting of tho inhabitants of Southampton was held at tho Victoria Assembly RooniP , on Tuesday evening , to welcome a deputation from tho National Parliamentary aid Financial Reform Association . The large room was crowded to _overllow . The mcetinir was a < U drosscd by Sir •> . YValmsloy , M . P ., G . Thompson , Esq ., MP ., and 15 . M . Wilcox , Esq ,, one of tho members for the borough ; in lengthy and eloquent speeches . Mr . J . Saunders , ( a working man ) , delivered au admirable speech , iu the course of which he tendered his hand on behalf of the Chartist bod . - to . Sir 'J . AValmslev , who cordially shook luo ( U with the speaker , amidst the enthusiastic _applause of the meeting . ¦ « _g >>

      Manchester. A Great Meeting Was Held In ...

      MANCHESTER . A great meeting was held in tho Free Trade Hall , on Thursday evening , which was addressed by Mr Milner Gibson , Mr . Pright , Mr . Taylor , and othu _scnllemen . The meeting lasted upwards ot foul hours , and was attended by 5 , 001 ) persons .

      ¦ A Ni V

      ¦ A Ni V

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 27, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_27101849/page/1/