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    • TO THE OLD GTJARDS
    • ®1)artmmtelUqcMC
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      To The Old Gtjards

      TO THE OLD GTJARDS

      " To Your Tents, Oh Chartists!" Old Frie...

      " To your tents , oh Chartists !" Old Friends ast > Comrades , The hour is come when the _indasmQUs classes of this country must indisputably and unequivocall y express their wants , and _ctevelopetbeirresolntion . Last year the Whig Gorernment held office upon no better tenure than the apprehension of a revolution , _afrengthened— . nay concocted—b y government _^ facials , for the express purpose of alarming the upper and middle classes . That , however , as a dodge which rnay secure the co-operation of the most violent opponents once , and through fear ; hut it has lost its charm , and we are now upon the eve of a great and _mio-hty change . " _'

      The Landlords in the House of Commons , and out ofthe House of Commons , are mad enough to talk of the restoration of Protection while the Free Trade party attempt to ticHe popular feeling with a demand for a reduction of taxation , of which I was a most strenuous advocate , as Hooked upon it as the means of destroying aristocratic power by the destruction of patronage ; and , therefore , I asked you not to resist the movement . But the proposition has heen _suhmitted to Parliament not as a demand to reduce taxation distinctl y , and at once , hy ten millions a year , hut as a proposition which the Government will take into ite _moderation , and p led ge itself to , when feasible and practicable .

      It was my opinion—and I presume it was your opinion- —that this proposition for a redaction of taxation was to have been " Yes , " or "No ; " however , it merged into the more moderate appeal to Whi g sagacity , based npon governmental convenience . Well , that has passed away , and Mr . Cobden , the author—or , at all events , the adopter of the proposition , has since paid a visit to his constituents at Leeds , where , no doubt , _pricTcedhythesmallnessof the minority that supported him , he has come out for a large extension ofthe Suffrage .

      JSow , for _myself I confess that I never can understand the construction thatthe several parties professing liberal principles attach to the extension of the Suffrage . Mr . Cobden does not define his extension ; while Mir ROEBUCK , the Candidate for Sheffield , and formerly a whole-hog-Chartist , would define it by its extreme limitation , so that you will at once understand that as long as the House of Commons is constituted of members professing liberal principles , but making profit of limited representation—the most liberal constituencies , consisting of the middle classes , will endeavour

      so to entangle , encumber , and trammel this question of the Suffrage , as merely to enlist the pressure of non-electoral power in aid of the half-and-half candidate of iheir choice , and they do this for the purpose of persuading the opposing classes in the House of Commons Ihat you , ihe Chartists , are with them ; and thus it is that our -weakness has been unfairly presumed . Wehavealways been looked uponas themere reserve forceof middle-classliberalism , and the reason why I address you at this very trying and critical juucture'is to ask you , for

      the onehundredthtime _, TO STAND ALONE , marshalled nnder your own banner , advocating your own principles . And , my _rfriends , I thiuk I have placed both you , and myself and our cause , in a better and more honourable position , by not resisting the plausible pretext of those who might have used our opposition as a justification for abandoning their own project . We have now , however , seen the extent to which they propose to carry it ; we have seen that they were not in earnest , and for these reasons I ask you no longer to rel y upon their professions .

      Mark me , and mark me well , when I assure you that those who make merchandise of poverty and destitution , will be the very last to _ estroy their traffic in those commodities ; while , being more nearly allied to you sociall y than to the upper classes , they will endeavour to use you for the perpetuation of their own power . If you are not more dull of comprehension than I g ive you credit for , you must understand that you are upon the eve of great and mighty changes- _^ -y ou must _perceive thatthe "Whi gs are about to be kicked out of officeand you must be prepared with such a firm exhibition of National Will , national union

      and strength , as will prevent those out of power again using you for the achievement of power , as , depend upon it , in such case you will again discover the difference between men seeking power and men exercising power . Tho question of the Land is now the allabsorbing question—not alone in Parliament , or in England and Ireland , but throughout Europe aud America . Both bantlings , as I hare often told you , I have rocked and nursed when you were asleep and apathetic ; but both have now arrived at a giant ' s growth .

      The Trades , formerly our greatest opponents , have adopted Home Colonisation and the Sffifrage—not , I presume , Educational Suffrage , which is a mere buggaboo with those who , ignorant themselves , dread the knowled ge -ofthe working classes . If the State requires soldiers , they do not re-. quire the country lout , with his lounging step , to stand erect , heads np , eyes right , attention , Stand at ease , right foot foremost , and the several technicalities of discipline he is wholly ignorant of he need neither read , wite _, nor spell , and he soon , from drill , walks uprig ht —nd becomes a disciplined soldier . And so it would be with the most ignorant , if once enlisted in the political service of his country . He would be drilled and trained in better and more

      honourable service , and would be a much more useful- and honourable member of society , armed with a spade t » feed man , than armed with a musket to shoot him . Therefore , pay no attention whatever to this Knowledge _Sufiragc . When we were well united before , they tried to disunite us , by outbidding us with Woman Suffrage , and eighteen years as the Standard . But do you stick to the whole animal , unchanged and _unmutUated , and let rae beg of you no longer to be governed by that _clesfcractive policy ofchoosingthe BEST

      CANDIDATE THAT PEESENTS HIMSELF , for mind yonr trae and adopted motto , " HE

      WHO IS NOT FOR US IS AGAINST US . " It is my intention , as soon as you are _prepared with your petitions , to propose the whole animal to Parliament—or , rather , it is my sanguine hope that I shall be able to second the proposition when introduced by _Doxcomje , our leader , whose health—I rejoice to tell you —is so far improved as to enable him shortl y to take his seat . I do not know the price that you could name , ihat I would not give for another national monster ; and , despite , of all opposition , it should go in the Kennington Common triumphal car to the door of the House of Commons .

      However , it is my intention once more to rally the scattered forces of Chartism , and "with that view I will attend public meetings ia London and the adjoining districts on Monday and Wednesday evenings ; and had it not been forthe drain of my finances by the National Land Company , I should traverse the kingdom once more , as after the last two sessions' experience , and after twenty-seven

      years ' agitation , both in and out of Parliament , I have come to the unshakable conclusion that no power on . earth , save the possession of land b y ihe working classes—who * aunot otherwise procure labour—will save this couutry from bankruptcy or revolution ; and I feel as convinced that nothing but the Charter will secure this wholesome , profitable , and beneficial distribution of the land .

      Let me digress to tell yon an anecdote . I _voted with the Government for the repeal of the Navk'atioa Laws ; I voted with the

      " To Your Tents, Oh Chartists!" Old Frie...

      Government for the imposition , or rather , the restoration ofthe sixpence in the pound upon Irish landed property , to support the starving Irish ; and I voted for the £ 50 , 000 grant ;—m fact , I voted in five divisions with the Government—and upon the last division , a member said to me , "Well , Mr . _O'Coo tob , how do you feel ? " I replied , "Why , very queer , I have had three violent spasmsand n TT _^

      , have scarcel y slept for fourteen ni ghts , and now I feel another qualm coming over me , and I fear it ' s a judgment for voting with the Government . " " What's that 1 " asked Sir George Gret , and I repeated it . " No ; " said the member , " but how did you feel during these several nights' discussion upon the Bat e i n Aid ; have you heard anything throughout , that was not the STRONGEST

      ADVOCACY OF YOUR LAND PLAN ?" "Yes ; " I replied , " even Peel and all have adopted it . I thought I'd instruct tbem at last . " Now , Old Guards , listen to me and pay _attention , while I tell _^ you that y _gu-hareno more chance of any improvement in your condition , while the present system of representation lasts , than you have of " catching larks when the sky fans . "

      If you turn to the old book of propheciesthe "Northern Star" — you will find that in April last , in the House of Commons , I predicted two things—the one Colonial , the other Domestic . I told the Government and the House , that this country would speedily lose Canada . Well , we have had a little foresi g ht into this matter from the discussions in the House of Commons ; but last week I travelled with a most intelligent American merchant all the wa y from Paris to London . He told me that he had come over with two most

      intelligent Canadians , who made no secret whatever of the determination of the Canadians to sever themselves wholly and entirel y from England ; and if you read my work on Small Farms , written in 1843 , you will there find it predicted , that England would be compelled to abandon the monstrous and hideous monopoly of Colonial Governments . The system reminds one of a little old

      wizened mother , of seventy or eighty , whipping a big , two-fisted man-child of five or six and twenty , and putting him to bed because he was not home in time . Well , that was my colonial prophecy ; and my domestic prophecy was , that if the wet weather we had last April continued for a fortnight longer , we should have a deficient yield and bad wheat harvest in this country , and I think the result has provalthat I was right .

      Old Guards , I was in Pans , and at the National Assembly during the recess , and I never was more astonished in my life ; it waa a complete bear-garden , and tho only man who made a speech defensive of the policy of the Provisional Government , or upon any subject worth hearing , w » sLedbt / Romih ' , whomade a most powerful and enthusiastic speech ; but , as I intend to confine this letter to the Land and the Charter , I shall give you a description of my tour next week , and it will amuse

      you . Let me now ask yon to meet in your several localities , and come to some wise and defined resolution as to the re-organisation of our forces ; for although older , and a little tinged with grey , I have vowed to my country , to my God , and to you , never to abate my ardour in the cause of Liberty—never to abandon one bristle of the animal , and to struggle for the possession of God ' s gift to man , so that all may live independently in the sweat of their own brow . In conclusion , bear in mind that "God helps those who help themselves , " and that those who hel p themselves b y your destitution are not likely to help you out of your destitution .

      Old Guards , I am ready and willing as ever to march onward in the good cause of man ' s redemption and freedom ; and if you are not prepared to march with me , why then you must take your own course . I remain , Your faithful and unpurchaseable Friend and accepted Leader , Feargus O _^ _Goxsor _.

      Hia Innocence; But Both Those Gentlemen ...

      y ' > s _^ ? y _' _3 _^^/ i

      And National Trades' Journal. Y ' 3 ^^/ ...

      AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL .

      Vernment Wlmjq. 600. London, Sathday, Ap...

      _WLMJQ . 600 . LONDON , SATHDAY , APML 21 ; 1849 . . g „ . J _^ _JSSZr _^ — ' — ' im ' "

      Thomas Clark As Candidate For Sheffield....

      THOMAS CLARK AS CANDIDATE FOR SHEFFIELD . I have had many letters pressing upon me the desirableness of Thomas Clakk going to the Poll at the approaching Election for Sheffield ; and some ask me what description of man he is . I do not like to praise men , because those I have most praised have generally become my greatest revilers ; however , at the risk of repetition of such payment , I will give his biography . He is a young man of very prepossessing appearance—of lively , animated , but inoffensive manners ; he is one ofthe most eloquent men in this or any other country ; he is a sound reasoner ; an admirable debater ; he is witty , but not sarcastic , and when he descends to sarcasm he is not illnatured . He is a teetotaller ; and as to his honesty , I would trust him with untold gold .

      T . G . asks me , how it will be about his Qualification ? To that I reply , that Clark will have as good and legal a Qualification as any candidate tbat ever went to the hustings . I hare often told my friends , that a long and linger ing agitation leads to apathy and slumber , and that the real and telling agitation is like the li g htning that precedes the thunder ; and , _following this opinion , as soon as the Writ for Sheffield is moved for , I will place myself at the disposal of the Democrats of Sheffield , to aid in the return of Thomas Clark ; for my friend ' s constituents must

      understand , that , when duty calls , the tinsel of Membership has no charms for me ; and God only knows that I long for a good rattling , reviving , intelligent Chartist agitation , to take the rust and fust and dust of the House of Commons off me . This is selfishness ; for if I abstain much longer from addressing a Chartist audience , and hearing Chartist speeches , I shall lose my eloquence and my intellect , and become a mere spouter of twaddle and nonsense , and a listener to the folly of bygone ages , and barbarous times . Feargus O'Connor .

      Probability Op A General Election.—Calcu...

      Probability op a General Election . —Calculating on the defent of the Ministerial measures in the Lords , certain influential parties are preparing for the contingency of a general election after harvest _, it _ig believed that Ministers will resign ; and as no political party at present numbers sufficient _i ° ij a _*^ Commons to take , or , at all events , hold office , an appeal to the country will be necessary . — Sunday Times . Salaries is . Public Officks . —An official return , ordered to be printed on the 23 rd of March , exhibits an increase during the year 1848 of the number employed in public offices of 1 , 215 and a concurrent decrease of 360 . The total increase of expenditure amounts to £ 65 , 063 , and the total diminution ofthe same to £ 88 , 772 .

      Eici . no Sweeps axd Bbttikg Lists . — At the Middlesex Session , on Monday , several licences were granted to public houses which had been suspended by the mag istrates , on their respective owners _promising not to keep Racing Sweeps Or Betting Lists on their premises .

      ®1)Artmmteluqcmc

      _® 1 ) artmmtelUqcMC

      National Registration Asd Election Commi...

      National Registration asd Election Committee . —This body met at the "Two Chairmen , " Wardour-street , Soho , on Monday evening , April 16 th . —Mr . John Milne was called to the chair , when Mr . Grassby reported that the sub-committee had compiled and written the " Handbook to Registration , and . Guide to Elections ;" that it was now in the hands of the printer , and would be ready in a few days for publication ; and that they had found , from the immense quantity of matter it would contain , that its price must be threepence . —Mr . Arnott reported respecting the borough of Lambeth registration ; 250 names had already been added to the rate book prior to being added to the electoral roll . Sheffield _Eiection . —Mr . Grassby read

      correspondence , including Mr . Clark's address to the electors and non-electors , and a letter from the secretary of Mr . Clark ' s Committee , when it was resolved , —" That the secretary should write to the committee in Sheffield , requesting to know what number of Radicals are on the register , and the number of those who have already promised to vote for Mr . Clark in the event of a poll , " & c , after which the committee adjourned until Monday evening , April 23 rd , at half-p » 8 t « even . Towib _Hamujts . —On Sunday , April 15 th , a densely crowded audience attended at tho Mechanics' Institute , Commercial Hall , . Philpot-street , Commercial-road , to hear Mr . Stallwood deliver a lecture on "The Life , Character , Writings , and Principles of Thomas Paine . "" In a forcible and

      argumentative address , the lecturer pointed out to his audience the great good that had arisen from the adoption ol the political principles laid down by Thomas Paine in America , the advantage that must flow should his principle of " Agrarian justice ! ' be generally carried out , and the vast knowledge to bo acquired from such an inquiry into true and false systems of theology as that commenced by Thomas Paine . The lecturer called on his audience to adopt the theory of representation put forth by that " great Englishman , whose life aud writings so many had that night come to hear discussed , by returning a working man as their representative at the next election , in connexion with George Thompson . The lecturer was listened to witb breathless attention . At the conclusion of the

      lecture , Mr . btokes addressed a few eloquent sentences in favour of the political principles of Thomas Paine . —Votes of thanks were then given to the lecturer and to Mr . Stokes , for the information and instruction they had afforded ; and Mr . Stallwood , at the request of several friends , consented to repeat his lecture at the Finsbury Booms , Clerkenwell-green ( Deadman ' s Coffee-house ) , on Sunday evening , in the Mechanics * Institute , Philpotstreet . We are happy to find that the committee have alread _y collected a library of very useful books , which are m much request amongst the members , and that lectures on a variety of useful subjects are delivered in the Hall every Sunday , Tuesday , and Thursday evening . A _d'scussion class is in course of formation . The registration is attended to ,

      and the men of St . George ' _s-in-the-East have just achieved a triumph—the parochial officers recently returned being Chartists and Democrats , replacing old Tories . Ilence , the under-current of democracy rolls on , giving promise of afar brighter political foture . We heartily trust the men of the Hamlets will find many to follow tlieir example , and thus raise some bright and brilliant specs in the present dull calm ofthe political horizon . HABTLErooL . —We have just had two splendid lectures from our friend Thomas Dickinson , of South Shields , and at the conclusion we enrolled seventeen new members to our association . Wo are about forming a library , and have been presented with a parcel of books by Mr . Dickinson , to begin with . We invite tho co-operation of all

      localities in this district to aid us in reviving our cause , and getting up meetings to promulgate , our principles , and alse to send petitions to parliament . Secretaries of localities in this county are respectfully invited to correspond , without delay , with Mark Parkinson , secretary , Shire ' s-yard , Hartlepool . Cheltenham . —The- Chartists of this place being obliged to give up their room , the Mutual Improvement Society met to dispose of thc funds they had in hand , which amounted to 14 s . 6 d _, ; 9 s . Ou . was voted to the Victim Fund , and the remaining 5 s . to the Defence Fund . It was further agreed to get as many as possible to continue tlieir penny weekly subscriptions , the proceeds to be sent to the Victim and Defence Funds , and to meet the first Sunday

      in every month . It was further resolved , — " That , while we duly appreciate the noble and invaluable services of Mr . 0 Connor , we likewise tender our heartfelt thanks to Gf . J . Harney , for his manly and talented advocacy of the cause of universal democracy . " Tower Hamlets . —A general council meeting of the Tower Hamlets was held on Sunday last , at the Commercial Hall , Philpot-street , Commercial-road , when the committee gave in their reports as to the places to hold public meetings in , to petition parliament for the People ' s Charter . "The meeting decided upon taking the British School-room , Cowper-street _> City-road , for the above purpose , on Wednesday , May 2 nd , and a sub-committee was appointed to carry the above into effect . The council at its rising , adjourned to Sunday next at three o'clock in the afternoon , when all members of councils in the Hamlets are invited to attend .

      FissBuni ' . —A pubiie meeting was held at the Finsbury Lecture-room , Clerkenwell Green , on Tuesday evening , to adopt the petition of the People's Charter . Mr . A . Fuzzon in the chair . W . Salmon moved , and It . Fuzzon seconded , the first resolution , " That in the opinion of this meeting the present system of legislation is opposed to the ri g hts and interests of the people . "—Mr . E . Nobbs moved , andMr . Cater , seconded , the next resolution , " That in the opinion of this meeting the monopoly of legislation by a class is calculated : to further the interest of that class , in opposition to those excluded from the right of legislation . "—After which the meeting having ) passeu the petition , resolved themselves into a committee to obtain signatures . A resolution was adopted relative to getting up a public meeting to sympathise with the victims now in prison . After which the meeting stood adjourned to Tuesday next .

      To The Electors And Nonelectors Of The B...

      TO THE ELECTORS AND NONELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF SHEFFIELD .

      Gentlemen , —The efforts which my Friends and myself have made to effect a Meeting before you , with a view of discussing in your presence the important matter of UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE , for the purpose of procuring harmony and unanimity of action amongst the several sections of Reformers , at the approaching Election , having failed , there is but one course open to me , and which , in justice to the unrepresented millions , I am bound to adopt , and that is , again to offer myself as a CANDIDATE for your suffrages and support .

      Having upon a former occasion , _atated fully in a published address , and also from the hustings , my views npon the general questions of Government , Commerce , and Finance , it Will not be necessary for me , in this paper , to do more than briefly recapitulate those opinions which , upon a former occasion , I had the honour of urging npon your attention . I am for a " full , free , and fair" representation ofthe people in Parliament ; by which I mean , that every man who has attained the age of twenty-one years , who is of sane mind , and hot undergoing punishment for the violation of law , shall exercise the right of voting in the election of members , to serve in the House of Commons .

      I am opposed to all Stato Endowments for Relig ious purposes _^ and would therefore vote for the immediate separation of the Church from the State , at the same time making provision forthe present ministers and other _dopendenteof the Church of England . I am for the most perfect system of Free Trade , and would to that end vote for the abotion of all taxes , as at present levied , under the titleof "Customs , " " Excise , " "Stamp Duty , " & e ., & c - "» and _would P P m heu thereof , a direct tax , to be imposed upon the property of thecountry , thereby freeing industry from those trammels and impositions which at present afflict the community . I am opposed to wars , armies , capital _pijaislvnionts , aud to _» U those remnants of bar-

      To The Electors And Nonelectors Of The B...

      barism and i gnorance , which nerve to degrade and to keep alive those feelings of antagonism which it ought to be the first object of all human institutions to repress , I am opposed to the principle and practice of the present Poor Laws , and think their alteration and amendment a subject of the greatest magnitude . As I shall shortl y have the pleasure of appearing personall y before you , I will delay any further statement of my opinions until that time , when I will be read y to answer such questions as may then be proposed to me . I am , Gentlemen , Respectfully yours , April 13 th , 1849 . Thomas Clark .

      Mb. Bligh Akd The Greenwich ' ¦;,, Chart...

      Mb . BLIGH AKD THE GREENWICH ' ¦; _,, CHARTISTS .

      TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Sib , —We , the-undersigned persons , having seen in the ] Star of last week a letter signed James IJligh , in Whieh the _waiter states he has oecn scouted as a spy by-tho 3 e wen -who urged him on to take A leading part in the agitation of last year . It _is-tr * « ¥ 4 nsft Bligh was strongly suspected of either being a spy or a tool of- Davis , for he was more with him than any other person in the movement , and from their intimacy , we must say , the one knew well the actions of the other . So far from urging him on we were always opposed to his harangues . Our opinion of Mr . Bligh is , as ever , that if he was not a spy he was the tool of that base and designing knave , Davis ,

      and this being the case , how can we , as democrats , recognise or associate with him ? It is surprising to us that Mr . Bligh should have delayed writing to the jStor upon this subject for so long a time , but we suppose the reason is because his principal accuser , Mr . John Robinson , has left this country for America . In reply to his assertions , that he did not know anything of the vile plots of Davis until he was subpoenaed by Mr . Roberts's agent , we can bear witness to the fact that he was publicly accused , before a meeting of Chartists , in company with Davis , six weeks previous to his being subpoenaed . _SlMMONDS STfEETLOVB , SAMUEL _BREWEuTOJf , George T . _Fiotd , Thomas Entecott , Thomas Lswer , Joseph Morgah ,

      , Thomas Paris . P . S . —We wish all our old friends to meet on Monday evening , April 23 rd , ftt Jenny Liud ' s Coftec House , Greenwich-market . Greenwich , April 17 th .

      To Tee Chartists Op The West Hiding, In ...

      TO TEE CHARTISTS OP THE WEST HIDING , In consequence of a number of inconsistent reports having been circulated with an intent to injure my reputation , I beg leave to say , that as I had been appointed at the last West Hiding Delegate meeting to be on the plan as a lecturer , such towns in the West Riding that I am appointed to attend this quarter must not expect me . I think it is very hard for a man to labour strenuously in tho cause , so much so that I have materially injured both my constitution and circumstances , and then be repaid by calumny . I am charged with neglect for not giving publicity to the lecture that was to be delivered at Birkenshaw , by Mr . Harris , of Leeds , on Sunday evening last . How , I ask , could I give publicity to the lecture when it was at

      halfpast eleven o clock on Saturday night , that a _pmon accidentally got one ofthe lecturing plans and put it into my hand ? I likewise saw upon that plan that I was to lecture in Bradford on Sunday evening . Now how could I conscientiously lecture in Bradford when I knew nothing whatever ofthe circumstance until tho time above specified ; not only that , but I made arrangements with my Bingley friends at the commencement of the week to lecture there twice on the same Sunday . Whoever was intrusted with the lecturing plans to distribute in this district , is to blame , anu not mc . I am also charged with neglect for not attending an appointment of Mr . North , at Leeds ; I promised Mr . North on Saturday that I would go , but I had no directions where

      to go to , except that the meeting was to be on Woodhouse Moor . The day was very . wet ; the rain descended in torrents , even at the time the _meeting should be held ; my Birkenshaw friends requested me not to walk eight miles in the rain , as they believed there would be no meeting . I acceded to their request , and staid with them all day . I am informed that I went half way , into a public-house , and there got drunk . My Birkenshaw friends can prove this to be a fabrication . The above arp the circumstances which cause me to have my name struck off the list . Another cause is , that some would-be conscientious Chartists want to gag me at meetings and lectures , but as I resolved not to be gagged by the government , I never will bo gagged By mon like myself .

      I am still an unflinching Chartist , Edwabd _Hubley Birkenshaw , near Leeds , April 17 .

      Mr. Thomasotf. To The Editor Op Tue Nort...

      MR . _THOMASOtf . TO THE EDITOR OP TUE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —Having seen a statement in your valuable paper of the Hth instant from Mr . Thomason , stating that he has suffered a loss by the Chartists of Wcane ' sbury , wc beg to state that with regard to the school that nothing but his own negligence caused tho breaking up of that establishment . The number of scholars was near one hundred , besides the district subscriptions to him as a lecturer ; while so engaged we supplied him with food at our own expense , till the district wonld not subscribe any longer . We hope the men of Manchester and other places will not be taken in by the artful dodger as we were . I remain , Sir , yours respectfully , Besi . Dasks . Wednesbury , April 18 th , 1849 .

      To The Editor Op The Northern Star Sir,—...

      TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR Sir , —The re-organisation of the Miners' Union in Northumberland and Durham , continues to progress . At a delegate meeting , held at the sign of the Cock , Newcastle , on Saturday last , there were additional delegates from Trimdon , Castle Eden , and Wallsend collieries . The number of miners enrolled at present is upwards of two thousand , and as the employers throughout the entire district are attempting reductions , it is anticipated that in a short time the whole of the miners of these important counties will be once more in a position to secure " a fair day ' s wage for a fair day's labour . " The dele-1

      gates , among many resolutions calculated to forward the extension ofthe organisation , adopted a petition to the legislature , praying an enactment for the better protection of the lives of the miners from explosion by fire damp , and to compel a more healthy system of ventilation . It having been also resolved to hold another meeting on Saturday , April 28 th , at eleven o ' clock in the forenoon , the meeting was duly dissolved , all parties being in high spirits at tho position achieved in so short a time . Yours , & c , M . Jc _/ DE _.

      Advantages Of Home Colonisation. Lowband...

      ADVANTAGES OF HOME COLONISATION . LOWBANDS , SNIG'S END , AND MOAT ESTATES or the NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . At the annual meeting , on Thursday week last , of the parish of Redmarley , in whicli Lowbands is situate , the business was conducted in a straightforward manner , by calling on the allottees to investigate the accounts and scrutinise the vouchers , as well as nominating one of them , Mr . Henry Porter , to act as parish constable , when it was deemed prudent not to disturb the harmony existing in the parish , more particularly as those selected to fill offices have given satisfaction . As a portion of the Snig ' s End Estate is in Gloucestershire , and tho residue , with the Moat , in Worcestershire , battles had to be fought in two parishes—Staunton and Corse . After some skirmishing at the . Staunton meeting , Mr . Boswell proposed , and Mr , James West seconded ,

      Mr . W . Coulson ( late of Derby ) as Churchwarden . I This was carried by a large majority : a poll was ] threatened but subsequently declined . The unity of action amongst the occupants was truly pleasing . Messrs . John Clarke , Kinross , and others , replied in good style to the arguments adduced by their opponents . The Chairman ( an intelligent one ) , the Curate of the parish , acted with impartiality , except in one trifling instance . It was then proposed to build a bridge , which would cost the parish over £ 200 . This proposal was likewise quashed by the efforts of the allottees . At Corse parish meeting , on the Rector taking the c _' . iaiv , a young fawner , possessing more land than sense , and who said it was strange of men who had only a few acres of land contending with those who had hundreds , protested against Mr . O'Bvien having anything to do with the business of tho meeting , Mr . Dewhurst

      Advantages Of Home Colonisation. Lowband...

      produced an act of Parliament showing that Mr , O B . was entitled to take part in the proceedings . It was then resolved that Messrs . Dewhurst , Lambert , and O'Brien audit the books . When they did JO- they found that they had not been audited since 1833 , and not even east up since 1848 , and they could not refrain from condemning the slovenliness and carelessness apparent in them , but at the same time remarked that the last year ' s expenditure reflected credit on the Churchwarden , Mr . _Wilkins . There is a sum of over £ 20 due to parish . Messrs . _Cullingham and Lambert were severally proposed as Churchwarden for the parish . Mr . Cullingham declined ; on which Mr . John West proposed , and Mr . Rogers seconded , that Mr . John Crofts ( late of Leicester ) , be the parish Churchwarden : the last

      named person was carried by a great majority . They then commenced about a church rate . Mr . Cullingham _^ showed , tha t no rate could be laid for the liquidation of old debts ; that whatever was made must be in perspective . The large farmers then agreed to nay the old amongst themselves ; enough talking of a sixpenny rate , they then considered threepence would do . Eventually , they proposed a penny rate , but even this they could not obtain . Then did they bellow that all was illegal J that Dr . _Phillimore would grant them a rate despite the Allottees . _MrJ Crofts is a local preacher of tho Wesleyan Society . The Rector acted with the strictest impartiality in ; the . chair , ana very kindly granted a request , made by Mr . O'Brien on tile part of the Allottees , for three months' indulgence iu the paying of tithes now due .

      V The Late Festival At Citarterville. To...

      _v THE LATE FESTIVAL AT CITARTERVILLE . TO THE KDITOn OF IIIE NOnTHERN STAR . Sm , —In your account of the proceedings at the tea festival at Charterville in last Saturday ' s paper , in the report ofthe short speech I made , I observe an omission , which appears to me of some importance . In the beginning of my speech , I bogged to disclaim any _participatisn in the politic al part of the sentiments expressed by other speakers , not being yet prepared to g ive an opinion on the question of politics . An insertion of this explanation will muoh oblige , Sir , your humble servant , Minster Lovel , p . TV , _Brtax . near Witney , Oxon , April 17 .

      Latest News. Execution Of Sahah Harriet ...

      LATEST NEWS . EXECUTION OF SAHAH HARRIET THOMAS

      FOR MURDER . Yesterday this wretched criminal underwent the extreme sentence of the law at Bristol . The spectacle of a public execution—the first after a lapse of fourteen years—attracted an immense concourse of spectators , many of whom conducted themselves with that disgusting levity too often witnessed beneath the shadow of the gallows . The ceremony was rendered intensely painful by tbe tenacity with which the unhappy criminal clung to life . No prayers nor entreaties could induce her to walk a step towards the fatal drop , and she had literally to be dragged from her cell , shrieking frantically , and struggling all thc time , until sho was carried to the platform , and handed to Calcraft the hangman , who at once fastened thc fatal noose . She exclaimed , " Lord , have mercy upon me . I hope my mother and nono of them are here ; " and she was almost instantly cast oft " , and in a few moments was dead .

      The following confession was * made by her to tht ? governor of the gaol : " Confession of Sarah Harriet Thomas , made to Mr . J . A . Gardiner , governor of thc gaol , in presence of one of the female officers , April 4 th , 1845 ) , at ten o ' clock p . m .: *• Two days before tlie murder was committed , Miss Jefferios called me up to her bedroom , and attempted to strike me . She also locked me in the kitchen during the whole of that night . At five o ' clock a . m . she unbolted the door and told mc to make a fire in her room . I thought then to have struck hor , but did not do so . On the following night I slept in her room , but did not contemplate murdering her until between five and six o'clock in the morning , when I got up , went down stairs , and

      returned with a stone , with winch , whilst Mss Jeft ' eries was asleep , I struck her on the head three times . Between the second and third blow she made some sort of a noise , aud the List words I heard her say wcre , ' Christ , God . ' I then dressed myself , robbed tlieliou 30 , flungthedogdown the privy , locked up the house , and went home . I took thirty sovereigns and a quantity of silver things , all of which the police have since found . The hcys of tho liouso I flung away , but believe they were afterwards found by a man when putting up some shutters . I committed the murder and robbed the house with my own hands , and no person else had anything

      whatever to do with it . Neither did I mention having done so to any person . I regret exceedingly having committed so horrid a crime , and I pray to Almi g hty God for forgiveness . I never should harecomnuctcd ao dreadful a crime had Miss Jcfferies _' s conduct been less provoking . —April 5 , nine o ' clock , p . m . — After Miss Jcfferies died I remained in the room for more than an hour . I then went homo , and did not return until about nine o ' clock in tho evening , for two boxes , but did not go into mistress's room . On leaving the liouso I saw a strange man standing opposite , who carried my box as far as the Infirmary , or which I gave him M . I then took a fly and went

      home . ( Signed ) " Sarah Harriet Thomas . " Charge of Embezzlement . —Edward Hamilton was charged at Manchester yesterday , with embezzling money to thc amount of £ 187 , the property of Messrs , W . _Neild , Monies , and Co ., wine anil spirit merchants , Hanover-street , Liverpool , his late employers . He was committed for trial at the sessions , but allowed to go out on bail . London . —Fire at a Pawnbroker ' s , —Yesterday a _hre occurred at the shop of Mr . Fish , _pawnbroker , 14 , Edgware-road , by which a considerable quantity of property was destroyed . Suicide from Fear of beikg sent to Prison . — Aninauest was held yesterday before Mr . Baker , at

      the Rose and Crown , BunhiU-row , on the body of John King , aged seventy years , who destroyed himself under tho following circumstances : Thc deceased had for many years carried on the business of a greengrocer , in Bunhill-row , but latterly lie had become embarrassed in his affairs , and an agreement was entered into between him and his nephew that all his debts would be paid by his nephew on the deceased handing all liis goods and property over to him . The agreement did not appear to satisfy both parties , and there were frequent quarrels , and thc deceased had threatened to put his nephew out of the house . His debts were not paid , and on Friday last ho received a summons to attend the Palace-court , but the deceased said , " It was no use j

      liis going ; he could not pay what ho owed , and he sliould be placed in prison , but sooner than bo sent to one he would hang himself . " On Tuesday morning last , the shop not being opened at the usual time , the deceased was called , but no answer returned . The door was broken open and the deceased was found suspended by a piece of rope from a rail of the bedsteaa . He was quite dead , and had apparently been so some hours . On the washhandstand was discovered a piece of paper , on which was written , " Make haste and let medown , for my neck aches . " The deceased had written to his sistei , stating that he intended to destroy himself , for he

      could not bear tlie idea of being confined in a prison . Verdict— " Temporary insanity . " Embezzlement of £ 5 , 000 . — On Thursday Mr . Peter Mann , for many years chief secretary of the Leeds Waterworks Company , underwent a preliminary examination before J . Holdforth , Esq ., and the other magistrates , at the Leeds Court-house , charged with having at various periods embezzled money belonging to the company . The exact extent of Mann ' s defalcations is as yet unknown , but up to the period when he was placed in custody a deficiency of about £ 5 , 000 had been ascertained . Mann was remanded till Monday , bail being refused .

      . _ . The Convict Rush . — The execution of the murderer Rush is appointed to take place this day ( Saturday ) at twelve o ' clock . Acorrcroondcntat Norwich / writing last night , says : '' tho city is already foil of persons who have armed from different parts of thc country , to be present during the proceedings . There are also many visitors _froitt London , the Eastern Counties Railway Company _havin" _i-un a ' cheap p leasure tram / issuing tickets which " are returnable at any tam » during the siexfc

      throe days . Some of the visitors are of very questionable character , but they are closely wate & ed by Mr Yamn"ton , the superintendent cf the city _oolice and Mr Langley , one ofthe London detective force . ' Theso officers wero present on the arrival of the several London trains to-day , and carefully scrutinised the passengers . The convict Hush has undergone a little change . He cats heartily , sleeps well , and seems unmoved by the position in whioh he is placed . Uo has laboured hard to _et-nyinco thc Kev , Vi , W . Andrews and tho Rev . P . Brown , who ha \ ' 0 heen in . attendance , upon him , of

      Latest News. Execution Of Sahah Harriet ...

      hia innocence ; but both those gentlemen nave ex-Pi'e j _^ ° , im their _conviction of his guilt . Since that declaration the convict has treated them with marked coolness . It docs not seem probable that Rush will make any confession . He perseveres in affirming his innocence , and frequently calls upon the Almighty to prove his innocence , and to fix the crime upon those who really committed the murders-He confidently asserts that in two years the real murderer will be known . " ma innocence ; but both those _aentlemcn nave

      ex-EXECUTION OF RUSH FOR THE MURDERS AT STANFIELD-HALL . ( From the Times . ) _Norwich , Saturday , —Tho day appointed for tho execution ofthe murderer Bush has come at last in showers of sleet , and gloom , varied at intervals by short gleams of sunshine . A cold biting wind drives through the air , and the clouds above heaci are spread out in large and watery masses , and give a dismal and cheerless hue to the prospect . The drop is erected on the west side ofthe Castle , and stands on the bridge which on tliat side spans * _.

      the moat . Its _jiositw _* _»» d _cnees are rery _stnJungfrom the battlements behind it , having an immense black flag , which by the orders of the High Sheriff has been placed there to . mark the extraordinary guilt of the criminal who Ls about to _expiat his oitence on the scatibld . This great banner swings slowly in the wind , and gives a solemn and funeral look to the whole scene . It was expected that an immense crowd of spectators would be attracted to the spot , as the population of the surrounding country which had taken so deep an interest in the dreadful tragedy of Stanfield Hall , and would watch it to the very close ; but this has not been the case . _Norwich has

      received no sensible addition to the number of its inhabitants , and , though it is market day , tlwre . is very little additional bustle or excitement in the streets . On the Castle Hill might be observed , at an early hour , a few groups of fanners eyeing the dismal preparations for execution from a rospoetful distance , and blending curiosity , in the expression of their features , horror for the crime , and awe at its tremendous punishment .

      . As the fatal hour approached tho crowd increased in numbers ; fur mauy itwas evidently a . d _* . \ y of great excitement , and thoy crowded to the execution as to a theatre or public show ; others came obviously _in a different spirit to notice the dying moments of a mau whom tliey luul known in their duilypursuits , and to see iiow he bore himself in that supreme hour , when oppressed by the recollections of such tremendous crimes . Turning from the crowd and preparations outside

      the Castle to the unhappy convict within , there has been little opportunity * for . gleaning any additional particulars to those which have already appeared . At nine o ' clock last night he _lt-vc-Wcd a letter from his eldest daughter , and on reading it lie became greatly depressed ; he rallied , however , after a time , aiid made a hearty supper . The chaplain of the jail has been in constant attendance ou him all thc morning , with what effect upon his conduet and feelings remains to be discovered .

      Just previous to the execution the sun shone out and the day became line , and the crowd on the Castle-hill increased . Tho space is a . large one , and there might have been 7 , 000 or 8 , 000 people present . The early trains from Yarmouth and other places were loaded with passengers , and the arrivals were also very numerous from Suffolk , and even Essex . Precisely at twelve the procession left the con demned cell , headed , by the shcritfa and javolin men . The convict walked with a firm stop , and

      was attended by the executioner , who stood _nnined-ately behind . As the procession emerged from the Castle , the chaplain of the jail joined it , and commenced reading the burial service of the Church . The culprit then mounted the scaffold , and the rope having been adjusted round his neck tho drop fell , and he was launched into eternity . He retained his firmness to the last , looking up to heaven _a-id shaking his head as if protesting his innocence . Ilo shook hands with the governor , to whom he whispered something , and then died without a struggle .

      From tho Chronicle . Norwich , Half-past Twelve . —Hush has just sufered . He died as he lived—firm and obdurate . As the hour of his fate approached , the Castle-hill _beeiuiie one dense mass of people , l » u _*? h lias all along preserved thc most perfect coolness . He went to bed last night nt liis usual hour , rose at two o ' clock this morning and wrote until five o ' clock , when he went to bed , after ordering a clean shirt and clean cravat to be prepared for him . Exactly at Y 2 the murderer came forth ; he walked firmly , and the colour had not even left his face . He spoke not a word , save to request that tlie drop sliould fall when the chaplain was pronouncing the words , " the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , " in the service . lie died without apparent suffering .

      Dublin, Friday.—Deaths From Famine.—In B...

      Dublin , Friday . —Deaths from Famine . —In Ballinrobe , in the union of Mayo , it appears tliat famine is making fearful progress . It is stated that twenty-six deaths occurred in the workhouse in one day , and that the deaths for tiie week were one hundred . In the union of Ballinasloe , in the adjacent county of Galway , it Appears that thc mortality is quite appalling . Iu consequence of representations made to the poor law commissioners , Dr . _I'liulnn , thoir chief medical officer , was sent down to institute an inquiry . Out-door relief is not given in this union ,

      although the workhouse accommodation is entirely insufficient . Dr , Phclan reported that there is not workhouse accommodation for more than : j _, 2 t (> persons , yet there were , on the 31 st March last , "l _. _SOft inmates , the number having been reduced during the week from 4 , 180 persons . _Inspecting the increase of mortality , tlve _comwvUsiouevs state that " 179 inmates died during the four weeks ending 24 _« , h February , and as many as 448 in the five weeks ended 31 st March , making 027 deaths in 'line weeks —the deaths during the weeks ended 24 th and 31 st March having reached 100 and 104 respectively . The Gahvaxj Vindicator states that the deaths last week in the Ballinasloe workhouses amounted

      to 122 . Tlie Cork Guardians have refused , even on the recommendation of the commissioners , to grant out-door relief to the infirm classes composed in the 1 st section of the act . . The Clearance System—In the northern division of Tipperary , in Limerick , aud in other parts of the south , the clearance system is continued on an extensive scale . Vast numbers of ejectment processes are entered at the quarter sessions . A chapter in the Maw Telegraph is devoted to an account of the _hearing of eiectment * processes at quarter sessions of West port . Thc agents of the Earl of Lucan obtained ejectment decrees in all the cases adjudicated upon . It is also stated that Sir Richard' O'Donnell , Bart ., obtained ejectment decrees _against a number of tenants in the barony ot Burrishoole .

      LATEST FROM HUNGARY . ( From the Daily News . ) Vienna , April 15 . —The news from Hungary continues unfavourable for the imperial army . The Hungarians have not only taken Waitzen , but they have also taken hv storm St . Thomas , the fortified camp ofthe Servians , defended by 25 , 000 man and forty cannons . In the suburbs of Pesth the Croats began to plunder sonic dnvs ago , and their commander deciimtcd them . The Magyars did not enter lest , h , but left a corps of observation before thecitj , while thoir chief force seems to have crossed the Danube . Tho imperial party amongst thc inhabitants of Pesth are quitting tho Hungarian capital nnd flying to-Gran , and even to llaab and Presburg .

      Olp Saws And Proverbs.—A Handsaw Ia A Go...

      Olp Saws and Proverbs . —A handsaw ia a good _hing , but not to shave with ; a good word is as _easilv said as a bad one ; an inch is not much , but in a man ' s nose it ' s the deal ; a p laster is a small amends for a broken head ; a little wot soon hot ; a runaway king never praises his subjects ; a sorrowing brain was never fat ; an old _naught will never be aught ; a wild goose never laid a tame egg ; a word before is worth two behind ; better come at the end of a least than at the beginning of a fray ; be not a baker if your head be of butter ; . better keep the devil out than turn hi . sa out ; empty-vessels make the most noise ; feather-by feather tho goose is plucked ; an old knave is . no babe ; better late thrive than never do well ; better an empty house than a bad tenant ; a fool _kaows more of his owu house than a wise man of another ' s ; have wide ear . ! and a _shoxt tongue .

      A _Mejaicai . Witnkss . — The assizes left the county of Cornwall , which wero brought to a , close on Saturdav fortnight , _produced few eases , of interest la a will " cause , a very curious incident occurred oi theforce of habit . A sturgeon , named Ward , gave tho following undcrstaadaDle _evideiico & r the benetu ot twelve Cornish _jiU "» _Mien _, in _relates * , to the testator a capability of _nnikuig a will * . —" _-i found hun _uv orysi \ . _eUtou 3 iufiaTO 3 _toUion , fA \ . _ceiWi'A scalp of a . dusky brown , covered with _furfuiiicsous scales , tho result of thc peeling fci" the cuticle- ; tongue dayk brown and dry ; _puise 120 , and thready ; slight subsultus jactitation ; low muttering delirium ; answered when _viaissil sometimes coherently , sometimes incoherently ; he was in a sleepy comatoso state , and clearly moribund , "

      Poo « Hates in Irsusd . —A return on Wcdnes * day printed by order of Parliament ( mo _' cd ibr by Mr . French ) shows that tho military force employed ill Ireland in tho collect-ion of poor rates _be tween October } , 1848 , and February 1 , ISiO , consisted ot il ncld-otfioors , 4 G captains , _H _«* subalterns , 210 sergeants , 42 drummers , and 4 , 533 rank _an-. i nie The _coPrtiiWniy f _¦*•**> employed iW tho « hb _» purpose , the compulsory collection of _pcor-. _j-alos , con-. sisted _ofO'J othcevs suvi 2 , 05 $ n . v > u

      -I ( \ F» \ M 1

      -i _( \ M _1

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 21, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns4_21041849/page/1/