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Northern Star (1837-1852), 4th March 1843, Edition 1 of 9, Page unpag, Untitled Article

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    • TO THE PEOPLE.
    • NORTH LANCASHIRE ASSIZES.
    • THE NORTHEKN STAR. SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1843.
    • STo aaea&erg anti <£orr*gpotti*ents.
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      Untitled Article

      SHEFFIELD . MEETING OF THE TRADES' DELEGATES Mr . G . J . Harness letter , pnblished in the Northern Star of the 11 th ultimo , calling the attention of the trades and rate payers U > a circular issued bj the -Poor Law Guardians , and signed deo . CroFsland , has not been without beneficial results * The letter allnded to having been read at a trades ' meeting , it was forthwith resolved to hold a publio meeting of the trades delegates " ; and the following handbill , announcing ths meeting , was extensively circulated through the town . iMPOBIAST CRISIS TO THE TOWS AXD TKADB OP

      SHEFFIELD . u Fellow-Townsmen , —Tho Poor Law Guardians of this distrct have issued their infamous mandate to starve and pauperise the remaining portion of the industrious classes of Sheffield . We -urgently call upon all persons who hare one ^ park of feeling left intheir bosoms to read the following circular , copies of which have been widely spread amongst our manufacturers in this town and neighbourhood . " < flere folio we the circular issued by the Guardians . ) ** The above speaks loudly for itself . Never was a document better calculated to reduce the working classes of this town to the lowest ebb of . misery and pauperism if carried into effect .

      ** Fellow-Townsmen , webeg of you ty > pay attention to the wording of the circular , supposing that you are so abject and slavish as to suffer it to be carried into effect- It is in the language of a " ratepayer who las declared hi 3 thoughts with no small share of ablEty . His language is zi follows : —* The meaning of the present document i 3 this ; where a manufacturer is employing one man at the present time * to whom he is paying 20 s . per week , lie is recommended to divide that man ' s work with another , so as to give both half wofkand half wages ; those ' getting 10 s . to be reduced to ; 33 . ; those getting 2 s . to be reduced to 43 . ; thus bringing the employed

      operatives to work for a less remuneration than parish pay . " The forgoing language is so very strong and forcible , that any comment upon it would be superfluous . The miserable pretext that is set up lot all this is the saving of the parish funds ^ xjr in other words , the poekets of the ratepay era . ^ *• A mee&ig will take place at the honse of Sir . Thomas Mostly , the London Apprentice , Westbar , on "Wednesday evening , the 22 nd instant , at seven o ' clock precisely , Tfien It is hoped that all the trades ¦ wiU Bend delegates to attend ; and it is further desired that all who are opposed to the parish circular , will likewise attend the same .

      "By order of the Committee of the * Associated Trades . B Sheffield , Feb . 17 th , 1843 . " On the motion of Mr . Joseph Kirk , seconded by Mr . T . Bowan , Mr . Thomas Stones was unaaimonsly called to the chair . The Chairman opened the business of the meeting "by a reading a letter frem Mr . John Jones , a Sheffield ir annfaemrerj who , after having drawn a painful picture of the prevailing distress amongst the Sheffield artizsns , directed their attention to tht fact , that the amount of goods exported in that glorious year of prosperity , 1835 , from Sheffield to all

      ¦ par ts oi the world were £ 2 , 0 S 6 , 970 , whilst in that awful year of distress 1840 , when every person was crying ont that there was no demand , the exports -from Sheffield were £ 3 , 177 , 658 , being an increase of aixrai one million over the jear 1835 ; and that if the SimeBJonev bad been paid in 18 i 0 as in 1855 , the town wonla have been twice as prosperous at the present time . He alleged that the badness of the Sheffield trade wa 3 caused by the competition of the manufacturers , and concluded by advising the delegates to draw np a memorial to the Master Cntler , soliciting him to call a meeting of the manufacturers to devise the best means of saving the town from total ruin .

      A letter was also read from Mr . G . J . Harney , assigning as * reason for his absence his having to attend a meeting of the Chartist body that evening . Mr . John Drnry , after a Epeech denunciatory of the Guardians , moyed the following resolution : — B Tnai it ia the opinion of this meeting that the parish circular is an insult to the towa r as well as a disgrace to humanity , ana that it is fraught with the most serious injury to the respectable manufacturer , iy encouraging the system of competitive cheapness and spurious production , -winch has already done

      ttnehtorttin and beggar the xown ; and that it is equally injurious to the shopkeepers since it reduces Ihe artizans , who are their main support , to so low a condition as to be only capable of purchasing the first necessaries of life ; and that it involves all classes of ratepayers ,-sad particularly those that have propsny in houses , shops , &c ^ if carried into effect , it must render the ' same nearly valueless ; and that this meeting recommend the rate-payers to call a public meeting , to devise means whereby a cheek may be put to its insane and baneful tendency . "

      Mr . ward seconded the resolution . Mr . HorsfaH said , a deal of truth had been spoken , but not all the truth . It was machinery against mwiiilv labour th&t Tf&s griiJ ' ms t ^ o artisan to dnst ^ fpBd assisting in the manufacture of those things which thosa "sriu > lived "by tt » t > ii »^ labour eould not-tdfoxdio do at the same price . He thought thai vhebest tbisg tbe poor man could do , would be to take the machinery into their own hands , and make it work for them instead of against them , and not for any poor law guardians or aristocracy , or despots in the kingdom . The speaker went on to advocate the plan of Setting as much ground as possible for the poor nun

      to cultivate * as hundreds of acres were still out of cultivation , and would be beneficial to tbe trades ' scions to have to cultivate on payment of so much per week . Mr . H . concluded by supporting the resolution . After several speakers had addressed the meeting , Mr . Kirk said he had heard a great deal about the goodness of some of the guardians , but he thought that many of them were utterly destitute of feeling , for they were n « t content with annoying those who "were in a worse condition than themselves , butwanted to bring a great portion of their fellow ereatures into the same miserable state . Tne circular would place every working man in tbe position , that he would be bound to accept of work gn &t . y eonditiong which the manufacturers might think proper to dictate to

      Mm . He ( Mr . Kirk ) oouid it 11 the meeting that some men in these trade nad been applying to the parish for relief , and had been sent to certain places which he would not name for work ; and if they did not choose to workfor s cer tain snm , ' the Guardians told them they could have no more relief . This system had thrown a great burden npon the funds of the Traces' Unions , and if followed np would inevitably be the ruin of the town . Mr . Kirk then instanced the case of a poor man who had come that day from "Wortley , and had pocket-knives to sell foi the sum of Is . 9 d . per dczen He could only get 8 d . a dozen for making them , and out of that small Bam had to find files , oil , and wire . After some other remarkB Mr . Kirk proposed a resolution to the effeci : —

      u That it was the opinion of the meeting that the circular issued by Mr . Gr assland , was calculated to bring to poverty and wretchedness many of onr skilful and industrious to-wnsmen , by xedncing them to a state of starvation , and thai th > t meeting protested against a system revolting to the best feelingB of Englishmen , and calculated to bring on disease and premature death . " Mr . Bro&dbent seconded the resolution . After some observations from Messrs . Whitham , Unxton , &c , thanks were voted to the Chairman , and the meeting adjourned to Monday wak , at seven o ' clock in the evening , to be held in the same place . Mr . G . J . Habset has received 12 i 2 d . from the Chartists of Handswonh Woodbouse , per Thomas Dale , for Messrs . Harney and Parkes ' s defence .

      Public Mzktjkg . —On Sunday evening , a public meeting was held in the Fig-Tree-lane room , to hear the farewell address of Mr . Samuel Parkes , previous to his departnre for Lancaster . Mb . G . Juiaxs Hahkey delivered hi 3 farewell address on Monday evening . He cod eluded by xaoying the following resolution : — That this meetiog returns its sineere thanks to Thomas Slingsby I > uncombe , Esq ., for his noble advocacy of the people ' s cause , more particularly for his it cent exertions in endeavouring to obtain justice , instead pi partisan abns& for the political victims from the

      judicial bsnch ; and this meeting urgeB that gentleman to persevere in the canse of suffering humanity , ^^ L v ° ? f ^ arf y co-operation and support . " ? S S ? fc T ^ k- ' -Edwixi Gill , and unanimously carnefl . Mr . Ennson moved the following resolution , lESlVf ^ -s ^ s

      * £ -sx $ 35 i £ ^ ssssasa were posted with a placard , rtaimetiiat ' o ^ wff SftfcifS Sf ^ ^ HowJthhad a SSi fp £ ? hS * S ieD * °£ to the house of -Mr . John Holt , Stabbylee , near Bacup . A reward of £ -200 U offeredhy thegoveramentto any onewho wflU&f * ni * infoimatioa as will kad to the « S ^ S ^ S ^ pnt , and her Majesty ' s graeiou 3 pardon to an accomplice ( except the man that fired the pistol ) , whowUl £ nng to jusboe the real offender . This is theSb-Btance of the placard which does not ^ even state the time of the night when the pistol was fired or whether Mr . Eowarth received 3 ny injury from the . contents of the pistoL Report says , that the circumstance took place at seven o ' clock in the evening , and a mosic book , which that gentleman ( who is a teacher of muse ) had with bim , i 3 marked wiih shot .

      Untitled Article

      Lasge Sdpplt op Cotton Coming . —The easterly winds which have prevailed nearly the whole of the present month have prevented the arrival of a large number of vessels from foreign ports . Amongst the vesseU now due are upwards of 80 from the cotton ports of the United States . At New Orleans , up to the 21 st of Jacuary , 33 vessels had cleared for this port , not one of which has yet arrived . Of these , one has a cargo of 4 . 102 bales , one of 2 983 , two of upwards of 2 , 600 , one of upwards of 2 , 500 , and nine others of above 2 , 000 each . The grand total of cotton now on its way from New Orleans is more than 70 , 000 bales . At Mobile , up to the 22 nd of January , 17 vessels had cleared for this poTt , none of which have arrived . The largest cargo is 2 , 306 bales ; the total afloat , about 25 , 000 . One vessel had cleared

      out at Apalachicola ; another at Port Leon , a new port on the Mississippi . Up to the 24 th January , 14 vessels had cleared at Savannah for this port . The largest cargo is 2 , 410 bales ; the total of all the ships above 20 , 000 . At Charleston , np to January 25 th , 15 vessels had cleared for this port , none of which have arrived . The total quantity afloat , about 20 , 000 bales ; the largest cargo , ' 2 , 300 . At New York three vessels had cleared for this port , laden with cotton . Two had also cleared at Texas , with cotton for this port , and which may be added to the gross amount , as cotton from that country formerly came through New Orleans . Thus 85 vessels are known to be on their way with cotton for Liverpool Their united cargoes cannot be much less than 140 , 000 bales . —Liverpool Albion .

      The Chartists of Little Hobton met in their room , Park-iane , on Sunday morning , when two of the members volnnteered to collect in the neighbourhood for the Defence Fund ; the proceeds of their labour amounted to 6 s . 2 ^ d ., with several promises of more support . They adjourned to Sunday morning , at ten o ' clock .

      Untitled Article

      THE LAND ! AND ONE OF TBE MEANS TO GET IT . Ofteu-t ™ b 8 have we told the people that they ministered to their own destruction ; that they forged their own chains ; that they made weapons of offence , and then placed them in the hands of their enemies , to be by them used against the ** hands" who were so unwise as to place them there .

      In scarcely any one instance has this fact been so clearly developed , as in the manner that the several societies of working men have disposed of their accumulated funds . Instead of using them for their own advantage , they have almost invariably given them into tbe custody of a " Banker , " who has allowed them some three-and-a-half per csnt . interest for the use of them ; and taken care that thai use of them has been one calculated to tell upon the parties who have entrusted him with their means .

      The immense sums which have been placed by the working-people in , the Savings' Banks show how little they reflect upon tbe consequences of their falling so easily into the schemes of the Government . Tbe institution of those places of " deposit , " was the result of & crafty and deep design to hind the working classes up with the existence of the System : and in too many instances have they succeeded . Millions upon millions of money have the Government been enabled to get hold of , and use to the sustainment and perpatuation of misrule , which they could rot have fingered but by the means the saving institutions afforded . And thus have the people been made to become their own scourgers .

      The matter has not been mended , when they have entrusted their funds into the hands of a ** Private Banker ? ' He , too , uses it to tbe disadvantage of the labourer . He does not keep it in his coffers / It is lent out to tbe men of no capital , who are thus enabled to build factories , bring into the labour market more machinery , to compete with the very men who have subscribed tbe very means he is trading with , and , in the end , reduce them to the parish

      book . The race of competition becomes so keen that the men with no capital fail ; these failures cause the Banker to " suspend payment ; " and when the working people are thus turned out of employment , and forced upon the funds they have beeD creating for times of want , they pisd theib fu . nds all G 9 ? fE ; and gone , too , be cause they Ware * o tmwiu u to antnut thorn into the hands of those who used them to the end here

      indicated . Of the horrible reality of this , many in Sheffield at this moment know but too well . The recent Bank failure in that town has broken up many societies and clubs of working men , whose " all" were placed in the hands of the M Bankers" for safe keeping . The Odd-Fellows had more than . £ 2 , 000 so circumstanced . They may think themselves fortunate if they realize £ 500 , or 5 s . in the pound . How different would have been the result , had the working-people generally followed the plan adopted by the sick-club at Lambley , in Nottinghamshire , ae detailed in the following communication ! What a much better ** bank" would a " Land Bank" have be&nforthe £ 2 , 000 of the Sbefiield Odd Fellows , than the Bank of Pasker , Shore , and Co . ie likely to prove 1

      Working people are often heard to say " how are we to get the laxd 1 " The good folks of Lambley have shewn them the way bow ! It is an easy and a practicable one . It is worthy of all imitation . Let it be imitated ! Let all the money belonging to societies of working men , now in the hanas of Bankers , either governmental or private , and which is daily being used against the working man , be withdrawn and invested in the manner tbe Lambley "lads" have invested theirs ; and a considerable portion of lakd will be in tbe possession of working men ! Try it . It is the best Bank that money can be lodged in . It never jaih . ' Here is the plan as adopted by the villagers of Lambley : —

      * ' TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOBTHEBM STAB" On reading over your recent leading article on the labd , I thought it would be well to lay before you a plan that we adopted at Lambley Borne four years C 30 . There were a few disciples of the immortal William Cobbett in tbe sick dob at tbe above place ; and as vre had money in the Savings' Bank , ve considered our money would be more secure if it wia laid eut on l&nd , and conduce much more to tbe advantage of the members . We had a great deal of prejudice to contend with in relation to this proposal ; but by perseverance we induced the members to agree to lay their money out on land . We bought six and a half sreres , and

      divided it into half-rood lota , bo that each member should nave a portion who thought welL Tha consequence is , we con prodnca by spade culture from seventeen to twenty sacks of potatoes , ten pecks to tbe sack , upon > "df a rood . One half rood produced between seven and eight bushels of barley . One individual set six hundred early cabbages , which were very fine , some weighing fifteen pounds ; and oce portion of his land with early potatoes . These were the first crop ; be afterwards transplanted sweed toroipB on the Cobbett plan , as late as the l ?* t week in July ; and be realized a Becend crop , the turnips weighing from five to seven pounds each .

      " The members of the met clubs of Arnold and Woodfeorougb , two adjoining villages , have drawn their money from the Savings' Sank , and bought Land with it , and receive similar benefit ?' When tbe inhabitants saw such a large produce from poor land , there was a general anxiety manifested to become occupiers of land ; and a public meeting called in tbe Tillage , and a . deputation of working men appointed to wait on the Eail Manvers , he having < land contiguous to the village . The Noble Earl referred | the deputation to bis steward ; and he declined tot comply with tbe wishes of tbe inhabitants of the Til- ! lase . However , tbe Rev . Mr . Flamsted , Hector of the

      vDlpje , offered some twenty-five acres , at from thirty to thirty-six shillings per acre , free from the tithes , rates , and taxes , to be apportioned in small allotments . His offer was accepted ; but the land was In a rab * bisbly state throngh the neglect of the preceding occupier , who was s > farmer , and could no longer hold it to advantage . When it was laid oat in small allotments , and put into the bauds of working men , who cultivated it by the spade , it produced such a crop the first year that astonish ** all the farmers in the-, village . The working men of Lambley have now in their possession one hundred and eighty-eight lots , consisting of from half a rood to half an acre each , amongst a population of eight bundled .

      " It -would be well if members of sick clubs and members of friendly societies , : who have money in Savings' Baato or any other bank , would withdraw it , and lay it ont in land , instead of putting it in the hands of the Vyran a -who oppress us ; and instead of receiving thrc 3 and a half per cent , for the use of their money , they would receive , if it was laid out in land , » ud in their own ' occupation , at leaat , one hundred per cent" BS 8

      Untitled Article

      "THE HOUSE" VOTING THAT IT WILL NOT MAKE THE NEW POOF . LAW CONFORMABLE TO CHRISTIANITY ! Ma . Waiteb has moved his series of ^ solutions * founded on the SECRET document ; and " the House" has rejected them ! He bay 3 ' proved that the object of the concocters and promoters of the New Poor Law was to starve thti poor ; and he called upon «• the Honse" to rescue the Poor from the hands of the starvers ; 0 nd " the House " REFUSED !

      A copious Report of the Delate on the occasioa will be found in our present p ' neet . We have givea more particularly the speeches of Mr . Waltee and Mr . Feeband , the mover and seoonder of the resolutions . They will be read with deep interest , containing , as they do , evidence most irrefragable , that the operation of tha New Poor Law , is just what its authors intended it to be . The revealments made to the House" by Mr . Ferrand , respecting the conduct of the " Guardians " in the Skipton Union , in consigning the poor inmates of the Skipton Workhouse

      idiots and all , to the " tender mercies" of Seed' and Co ., at Addingham , for the purpose of reducing the ttrages of the regular " hands , " are eminently instructive ; and the indignant exposure of the practices of this same Seed and Co ., by the Factory Inspector , speaks volumes as to the humane and forbearing character of the * ' masters" to whom the Skipton" Guardians" consigned the helpless poor ! But it mattered not that these revealments were made ! It mattered not that evidence was given that the operation of the law was to deal out death on every hand . It mattered not that it was proved that the intentions of its authors were to starve the

      poor ; it mattered not that these things-were shewn : "the House" rejected the Resolutions , which , if passed , would have bound it to have reconstructed the Poor Law , and made it " conformable with Chbistianitt and sacred policy" . ' "The House ' voted that it would not again open the question , and legislate in this spirit ! Never mind ! The law is doomed ! The blow has been struck ! The discovery and exposure of the Secret Recommendation to starve the poor have done

      their work out of doors . The feelings of indignation and disgust they have excited will spirit-up the opposition within doors . They will bind themselves together in a firmer bond than ever . Should the Government determine on introducing and carrying the measure again in ifs present stage , they will obstruct their progress I Last year by such means were the Government defeated : this year , they will be more likely to have it warm and hot ! Again we say , the law of death is doomed !

      Untitled Article

      OUR " PROSPERITY" !! At the conclusion of the bloody and protraoted war waged against the rising liberties of France , the red-hot loyalists , whose zeal for the overthrow of Napoleon was so furiously manifested , blazoned forth , in variegated lamps , the following boastful sentence— " ENGLAND HATH NOT YET SEEN

      THE SUMMIT OF HER GLORY . " Whether the " Life and Property men" were desirous of carrying the sword throughout the whole world ; whether they wished to see every land incarnardined with the blood of " the country ' s pride " , and rapine and plunder extend through all tbe earth , we know sot . Being then , as now , opposed to the prosecution of unjust wan , we entered not into the counsels of the Loyalists .

      However , time and circumstances have shewn what we and a few others anticipated as the result of the war ; namely , NATIONAL RUIN . The Whigs compelled Billy Pitt to inscribe icuabod upon Britannia's shield . " The fine gold has become dim "—nay , it ha 3 become no gold at all . The harp is hung upon tbe willows , " and the poor dejected Mistress of the Main" sits weeping beneath the cypress shade .

      Poverty has laid siege against us . It goes on from conquering to conquer , and bids fair to overwhelm every grade of society , and Bweep away oTery »< wti Ke of onr once boasted greatness ; which , when accomplished , will give us a full view of the "summit" of our consummate wickedness in carrying destruction and murder into the heart of nations who were minding their own business . The least powerful , with respect to the management of publio affairs , have hitherto been the

      greatest , if not the only sufferers . Now the middle classes cry peccavi / The shopkeepers of erery description ( save My Unole ") experience a lack of custom ; and the greatest possible difficulty , notwithstanding all their external display and incessant pufis , to make ends meet . Aye , and there is another shop—one in which business is carried on in the wholesale line , —we mean the house of Peel and Co- There , General Want has commenced ah attack ; and the assault has been too vigorous for tbe " Invincibles" to repel , We are glad of it !

      Oa Friday the 24 th uit ., Earl Minto " moved for returns respecting the present state of the navy . He required explanations as to why there had been less ship building last year than had been contemplated , and why a reduced vote was to be taken for the present year ! He inquired also the reasons of other reductions . " These queries appear to have frightened even the " Iron Duke . " " Tae Hero of a hundred fights" trembled lest the cat should jump out of the bag . He " doubted the propriety of

      furni hing the information "; and well he might . He knew full well how the matter stood and could not brook the idea of such humiliating facts being published to the world . However , maugre the advice of the " Hero of thel Age " , out came the ugly truth from the mouth of Haddington , in the following form : — " the reduced estimates for the present year bad been adopted with great reluctance , but it was felt that , owing to the state of the finances , some reductions should be adopted . "

      This declaration of poverty is thought by Wellington to be pregnant with " mischievous" consequences to this country . True . It will be to the present managers of the establishment—just the same as a publio declaration of insolvency . It is a pretty specimen of our Greatness ; and foreign powers will , no doubt chuckle at the truthful , though reluctant acknowledgment of Haddington . Faction has long retained power by the

      employment of brnte force , fraud , and intrigue , but these weapons have , and ever will prove harmless—those who wield them must in the end relinquish the contest and stand unveiled before the world . This declaration of a want of the " needful" at head quarters is one of the strongest possible proofs that can be given of the approaching downfall of despotism . The machine cannot long be kept in motion . The THING must fall , and the people be made free .

      Untitled Article

      depravity produced on ( the mind of man by the prevailing system , could not be found in the annals 0 ? the faculty . We hope , for the credit of the profession , that it could not . We have known cases approximating to it , but not one ] so perfect in its kind . Knowing that this land swarms with characters of the same kidney as the Levite spoken of in the proverb , and knowing also that the visits of good Samaritans to the cottage of the indigent and the bed of sickness , are like those ^ of angels , —

      " Few and far between , " we did not expect ; Miles Atkinson to distribute medioinegratis , or to visit the afnioted / or nothing ; this would have formed a new era in the history of the profession ; yet , we do think that if the polluted Btream had not flowed across his path , he would have been | rather more discreet in his conduct towards the ; suffering patient . Though he might see his own pecuniary interest involved in the" enquiry , '»

      and his pocket might have dictated to him the necessity of retaining his commodity on the shelf without having the pay in hand or in fair prospect ; yet , had he not been infected with the epidemic of which we have spoken , he would himself have interceded for the sufferer , and procured a substitute in the person of the " Town ' s Surgeon ; " and thus have spared the pang which must have torn the feelings of the poor woman oa perusal of his abrupt and insulting allusion to her oestitution .

      We wish Miles Atkinson was a man of thought , then we might ask him to place himself , only in imagination , in the position in which he found this poor woman—a . fellow creature—one equal with himself in the sight ofGoD , though sunk in poverty and writhing in agony of pain , —what would he have felt , when soliciting aid , at being told of his exigences in terms tantamount to a declaration that want of worldly store constituted a forfeiture of sympathy , if not an j actual crime ? We leave tbe reply to himself—if he be capable of reflection ; trusting that the coarse and insulting terms— " I SHALL NOT ATTEND YOU" will never more escape his pen or lips .

      We should conclude by reiterating the words , " Physician heal thyself , " did we not know the influence [ of the system we labour to destroy by the peaceful and firm establishment of the principles of justice , the fruit of which will be the antidote to that which now intoxicates all ranks and professions , and which will induce them to aim at a conformity to the golden rule— " Do ye onto othebs AS YE WOULD THAT OTHEBS SHOULD DO UNTO YOU . "

      We are right glad to have to 'conclude these observations by stating that sympathy , though not found in the bosom of Mr . Miles , Atkinson , is not extinct in Burley and its vicinity . A few generoushearted individuals being aware of the situation of Mrs . Butler , both with respect to" her ( pecuniary difficulties and her physical wants , and being also informed of the treatment she had received from the person on whose conduct we have animadverted , immediately endeavoured to heal the wound his

      insult had inflicted—they not only , drove that unwelcome visitant , want , from her cupboard and supplied her with necessaries for the hour of nature ' s trial , but took espeecial care that a medical gentleman should be engaged who would crimson at the idea of giving utterance to tha words "I shall not attend tou . " We rejoice that such kindhearted people are in the land , and we trust that their example will prove to be a benefit to the pelfloving Dc-stor .

      To The People.

      TO THE PEOPLE .

      My Fbi ends , —The "ides of March are come , " "but they are npt gone . " The " tog of war" has begun among the lawyers . Their "jawing tackle" was set in motion this morning a little after nine o ' clock . Our " Peers" have been sworn , the Attorney-General has made his onslaught , and his " ragged regiment" of witnesses ; is now under review . Four witnesses have been ; examined , who all prove that a strike took place among the cotton districts last August , and that meotinna were held at Hyde and other

      placesat some of which meetings the Charter was mentioned , and at all of which meetings the people were strictly enjoined and counselled to keep the peace and to respect property . As I happened to know all this before , and as I am given to understand that many other witnesses of exactly like character are yet to follow , I have left the case in the excellent keeping of O'Connor , Roberts , and the other counsel , together with such of my brother " conspirators " as may feel more personally interested than I do in the detail of these things , while I sit , down . and " report progress" to you .

      I must d © the Attorney-General the justice to say that he stated the case fairly and even mildly . In his detail of facts and matter relative to the "strike" movement , there was no effort to overcharge the ! pioture ; nor any attempt to excite and work upon the prejudices of the Jury . With one exception only , so far as I know , he stated the facts just as they were . That exception , however , was a most material and important one . I am unwilling to believe that it was wilful , but must wait the result of the further proceedings and the evidence of the remaining witnesses before I say more about it . The doctrine of the Attorney-General , that all the parties

      who by resolutions , placards , and other means encouraged the people to uphold the strike , are liable for every overt act of all the parties concerned in the strike , I is a mo&t sweeping and comprehensive one ; and he finds the necessity of applying it with very wide latitude for the sustaining of the " conspiracy" charged in the indictment . I shall have much to say to you on this speech of the Attorney-General's , and on the matters and things referred to in it , when the trial ie once over ; but until then I say nothing , that I may not furnish any hint of instruction to the enemy . Had every man been as careful in this respect as I have been it might have been better for the cause . But let that pass : my time will come .

      It is of course impossible to form any judgment yet how the verdict may go , but I am told by the Lawyers that in any case sentence will not be given now , but that we must be brought up , for judgment next term I which is sometime in May ; so that I shall—other circumstanoes permitting—have some further opportunity of working with and for yon before the t * rest day . " As you will find elsewhere a full report of the speech and of the other proceedings up to tomorrow iight—perhaps later still—I need not occupy space with a recital of them here . I

      bid you only , by the love you bear yourselves , jour childiren , and your country—whatever be the issue , to take care that our glorious cause receive from it an accelerated movement . This conviction will well reconcile the minds of all the true , friends to the cup { which , in the cause of liberty , may reach their lips , { whatever it may be . I have great confidence that this will be so . Your energy and zeal will rise with the occasion . I was delighted with the Bpirit { manifested by the Hull " lads " at my leaving them on Sunday . Our little " Bethel" was crammed full ; there were more than could sit down

      to tea , and never did I see a better spirit manifes ed —a spirit that should actuate Christians , Chartists , and Patriots—full of kindly feeling , bat of virtuous resolve and of cautious discrimination . O ! that we had but a few millions of such Chartists as those of Hull and North Lancashire Where prudence tempers boldness , and where boldness sustains prudence , men seldom fail . Thank God the tide of intelligence and judgment rolls on , and , as it progresses , covers the extended surface with a steady flax of the clear water of

      truth , uniningled with the mud of folly . The cleansing progresses . The filth is being rapidly thrown out , and the dregs are draining off to the cess-pools ( opened for them by the factions . This is good . The people will soon be free , when they become intelligent and united . They are becoming intelligent ;; this induces them to cast out knavery and folly ; this will produce union ; and anion will give power to overthrow corruption , and to seat firmly the fair form of freedom upon the throne of righteousness , while they receive the blessings of abundance and enjoyment under her peaceful eway .

      Untitled Article

      Go on and slack not . Speedy and triumphant shall be the success of your cool , peaceful , and wise determination . Wm . Hill , Lancaster , Wednesday .

      Untitled Article

      James Jaggeb . —The note will stand for six years x \ it be made payable on demand ; and if , at thi end of six years the interest be paid and a re ceipt taken for it at the back of the note , it wiL stand for six years longer : and so on forsi , years after every payment of interest . Communications to the Coal Miner ' s Executive must be addressed , until further notice * te Davia Townsend , Gaicthorp , Wakefield , as D . SwallZ the secretary , is now on a visit to the counties oi Durham and Northumberland . Communications for Mr . Swallow must be sent a , James Sinclair , No . 25 , High-bridge-Ureet , A « ocastle-upon-Tyne . All letters must be prepaid , or they will not be taken . ' Aberdeen . —// Mr . Thomas Detties would write to John Smart , 154 , Gallow-gate , giving address ji would oblige . '

      Wm . Emmkhson , Arnold . —We stated the fact at the time of its occurrence : we know nothing further of the fellow . Leicester . —The Committee of Cooper ' s Defence Fund appeal to the public for increased subscrip tions on his behalf . They are £ 24 in debt , exclusive of the expences oj the coming trial . J . H . Parry , London , writes to say that the an . nouncement of his lecture in the Chartist Hall Turn again-lane * in our last paper , was made without his sanction , and even without consultina him . y Wm . Davidson , Dundee , should send his letter to the Paper in which the false report was inserted that is , if the affair is worth his notice at all We should treat it as it deserves—silentl y . '

      A . S . W ., Cupab Angus . — We shall reserve hh letter on Emigration . Scotch News . — We receive generally every week three or four letters from Scotland after the Papers for the North are printed and in the Post-office . Our Correspondents should send their letters to be here by Wednesday or Thurs ' day morning . Some of them do not appear the week fMowing on account of their aqe .

      Untitled Article

      If the Chartists of Burton-on-Trent and Church Greasley will look ont for & more saitibh agent they will oblige .

      North Lancashire Assizes.

      NORTH LANCASHIRE ASSIZES .

      The spring assizes for the northern division of tae county of Lancaster , commenced at Lancaster oa Saturday last . On the evening of that day Sir Robert Monsey Rolfe , Knight , one of the barona of her majesty ' s Court of Exchequer , arrived in Lancaster by railway train from London , which reached Lancaster about eight o ' clock . William Garaett Esq ., of Lark Hill , Salford , the high sheriff , armed with his cortege and retinue , by special ' train from Manchester , about four o ' clock ; and he proceeded to tbe railway station to receive the lord baron oahis arrival . Hisglordship proceeded at once to tbe castle , and opened her majesty ' s commission in tha

      CroWD Court , adjourning the court to Monday morniBg at ten o ' clock . On Sunday morning , the learned judge , accompauied and attended by the high sheriff tbe mayor , and several of the aldermen of Lancaster and other gentlemen , attended divine service at St . Mary ' s , the parish church . The sermon ma preached by the Rev . Richard Parkinson , BD . canon of Christ ' s Church , Manchester , the high sheriff ' s chaplain . The Rev . Gentleman took for bis text , Matthew viii . 8 , " But be ye not called Rabbi ; for one is your master , even Christ , and all ye are brethren . " The preacher adverted to the inequalities in the outward condition and circumstances of men , as one of the consequences and results of the primeval curse , and the command , that man shonld

      earn his bread bjr the sweat of his brow ; and remarked , that while many of the productions of the earth , fit for the food of man , grew spoutaoe * ausiy , corn , the chief article of man ' s food , demanded a large amount of human labour before it could bt raised . He then dwelt on tbe present condition of the people , physical , moral , and spiritual ; and attributed the present state of things in part to tbe lack of spiritual education , and condemned secular education as of itself unproductive of any good , but rather of mischief . He dwelc on the late riots , in connection with those views , and expressed his opinion that the remedy for the evil was to be found in church exteii ' sion , and with it the means of spiritual or religious instruction for the people .

      CROWN COURT , MONDAY . Mr . Baron Rolfe entered tho Crown Court , this morning , about five minutes after ten o ' clock ; and , as soon as he had taken hia seat upon the bench , the following gentlemen were then sworn of the Grand Jury , being what is termed a full jury , every one of the twenty-three summoned answering to their names : — John Wilson Patten , Esq ., Bank Hall , Warrington , foreman . Thomas Batty Addison , Esq ., Preston . Lieut .-Col . John Austen , Fishwick .

      John Bentley , Esq ., Birch House . Cornelius Bourne , Esq Stalmine Hall . Charles Brandt , Esq ., Golden Hall . Joseph Bushell , E * q , Myerscongh Cottage . William Clayton , Esq , Lostock Hall . Thomas Bright Crosse , Esq ., Shaw Hill . William Ashton Crosse , Esq ., Red Scar . John Cuachffe , Esq ., Myerscaugh House . Pudsey Dawson , Esq ., Hornby Castle . James Nowell Farington , Esq ., Worden Hall . Henry Master Fielden , Esq ., Witton . Abraham Itawlinson Ford , Esq ., EllelHall . Thomas Roberi Wilson France , Esq ., Raweliffe Hall . John Fowden H indie , Esq .. Woodfold Park . Edmund George Hornby , Esq ., Lancaster Park . Samuel Horrocks , Esq ., Lark Hill , Preston . Charles R > ger Jackson , Barton Lodge . William Marshall , E ^ q ., Penwortbam Lodge . Thomas Yates Parker Michaelson , Esq ., Barrow Isle . Robert Townley Parker , Esq ., Cuerden Hall . The Clerk of the Crown having read her Majesty ' s proclamation against vice , profaneness , and immorality , the Learned Judge proceeded to deliver tus charge to the Grand Jury in the following

      terms : — Gentlemen of the Grand Jury , I have perused tbe depositions , 1 believe in all the cases which will come before you , at least in all that I am aware of ; and I am happy to say , that it does not appear to me at present that there are any questions ^ in them which may be likely to occasion any dnuenlty Prom the unfortunate state of this part of the world , at least of the southern part of this county , an < l some portions of the adjoining enes , I was somew&jH apprehensive that some cases of that nature migQt have occurred , which would have led to observations from me ; but I am very happy to say , that , on Iooktna

      ing through * fie aepositions , it does not appear * there is aiiy " case , arising out of the disturbances 01 last sunjnier ; and though there are a good many cases , . yet . I believe ihero are not more than at former assizes . " His Lordship said he had looked through Utf depositions in one case ; but he found , on inquiry 01 the officer , what he had supposed would be the case that the bill in that case had been already found , being a case of murder committed some years ago ; ana therefore it would not come before tha Grand Jury » r inquiry . His Lordship then adverted to the indictmens against a woman for concealinfrthe birth of « eruieeitimate child . There was no oharge of murder , uw iw

      child being still-born ; but the indiotment was a misdemeanour ia concealing the birth , "fFrrJL burying tho body or otherwise deposing of «• ** - doubt , he had was , from finding that a nn ? f er persons were privy to the burial ; viz . the sister w the party , the supposed father of the child himself * neiguhour , and the sexton ; but ,, if there was any representation of the body as being different from wo *» it really was , so as to make it a secret disposal , w » the view of concealing the birth , then the case wouw come within the purview of the statute . In anouu * case , in an indictment for burglary , there migw j * doubt whether the facts would warrant the jury » finding the bill ; for it appeared doubtful , whether wo place was a dwelling-house at all or not . It was nv » necessary to constitute the offence , that the n »« w himsolf should dwell there ; if any portion ot rus family or servants did , that was sufficient , flor w » if nnnpssarv that ihev should be actually sieepiDj . " »

      the house at the time , if they did u sually ¦!»• ¦» sleep there . If it should prove that «»• Wg entered was detached from the dweUing-hpuse , tfien the charge of burglary could not be attained . « J thought it was likely , however . that it would turn o « to bi a part of the dwelling-house , and < J « J » J had been accidentally omitted in the depos lonj His lordship also adverted to a case of auawu manslaughter , in which tbe deceased and [ another man had been fighting , in a state < rf . in ™^ and shortly afterwards to \ . decef ?! i 8 ^ ; S killed , a cart having run over him . It thl 8 n w , ^ ^ by accident , it could not be called manslaughter , bat the question would be , whether the »* nujjgf overlnm and killing him was \ . ^ ° ^ Lffg nnOn «» of hia antagonist striking him , ana Enochs

      fimdown . if U » iSmedUta « n »« ^ STS sM-a ^^ TSsss ^ ' st ^ rA ^^ tX depositions , he found the other oases were ol so o * ui

      The Northekn Star. Saturday, March 4, 1843.

      THE NORTHEKN STAR . SATURDAY , MARCH 4 , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      THE FRUIT OF THE SYSTEM . Mibbule is a prolific source of evil . Its ramifications extend far and wide . Eevery corner of the land exhibits tbe baleful effects of its influence , and every grade of society presents its supporters and its victims . It is a poisoned fount whose serpentine stream has conveyed unutterable mischief in every direction . From the Senate the evil has descended to the Bsr , from whence equity and justice have been swept away- By it the pulpit is polluted , and the temple of the Most High converted into a den -of thieves . Our merchants , our manufacturers , and

      our tradesmen are corrupted thereby ; hence arises ¦ commercial competition and its ruinous train of evils —the substitution of shadow for substance , and the kc aping back of the hire of the labourer by fraud . The operatives also are vitiated by the concomitant corruptions of the system ; as witness the arrogance and pride assumed by those who are in the receipt of high wages for performing the least useful portion of labour . The " overloofeer" is generally found to be the greatest tyrant in oa establishment , and he is ; frequently found to exercise tenfold jcone ansteritxT towards the slaves aver whom

      Untitled Article

      he has controwl , than "the . master" himself would have the effrontery to practice . Look also at the various societies , clubs , or trades ' unions which have been established for the protection of the interests of the working rran . These have uniformly failed of producing the results intended by the projectors and honest supporters of such societies . And why have they failed in the accomplishment of the desired end ! Not because the object was impracticable , the scheme Utopian , or

      from any defect in the rules by which the societies were governed ; but their utility were marredtheir primary design thwarted—discord engendered —and the palm of victory given into the hands of the antagonistic party by the very men for whose benefit the struggle was commenced and prosecuted . The traitors , as the working men well know , have been amongst the foremost in theirlown ' ranks ; they have been the loudest in their professions of sincerity and disinterestedness .

      These things have caused distrust and division ) and darkened the prospects of the productive classes ; so much so , that many , very many sterling , uncompromising , and firm Adherents of the cause of universal right have either east aside their armour , in despair of achieving a triumph in the present generation , or have slackened their wonted zeal . This ought not to be ; as divisions will arise , disappointments may be anticipated ; and wolves may be expected entering the fold in the garb of sheep . Against such , the good and honest ought to prepare themselves , and resolve to battle the foe whether naked or disguised--whether within or without our camp .

      We do not say that well-intentioned men cannot be } found in the Senate House , yet we are half inclined to subscribe to the truth of the oft-repeated saying that ** it is impossible for an honest man to sit in the House of Commons . " A man may be actuated by the best of motives when first entering as a member of that assembly ; but such is the system that he must be more than human if he remains long therein uncorrupted and proof against the wiles and ensnarements of faction .

      We do not affirm that the M brutal" spirit of an Abinger actuates all who labour at the bar ; nevertheless , we are well convinced that the man will be despised by tbe m ^ jor part of the long-robed fraternity , who prizes justice more than filthy lucre , and who would rather plead tbe cause of the widow , the fatherless , and the oppressed , than subserve the parposes of the oppressor . Against such the door of preferment will be closed so long aB the present system continues .

      Men may be found in the priesthood who corrupt not the Word of God , who hesitate not to declare ins whole counsel ; yet they are few in number . Obscure will be the location of such ; poverty wil be their lot , and poor ; will be the flock they superintend . We may have a few honest men among our merchants , who would scorn to impose upon the ignorance of a purchaser ; but if such there be , ruin will inevitably overtake them—unprincipled rivals will drive them out of the market by one means or other , and thus verify the adage— " an honest man cannot live . "

      Our manufacturers too well know that unless they resort to the prevailing mode of deception , they have not the shadow of a chanoe to succeed in business . They must be adepts in fraud—they must know the utility of glue , lime and paste , in giving substance to the cob-webs ; and they mast know the intrinsic value of old rags , bags , and devil ' s ^ dust , or they will soon figure in the Gazette . Tradesmen in all the varied branches are necessitated to conform to every species of imposition in order to succeed : or they must at once abandon their profession .

      The shopkeeper , or distributor of the various productions of labour , must likewise follow the fashion , or w This Stock" will be " selling off at reduced prices , " and the " Shop to Let , " in consequence of " the present occupier declining business ; " which in plain English , means , the cart can ' t be kept on the wheels . Now all these things are produced by one great parent evil—miagovernment ; all the ramifications centre in one foous . They emanate from the

      Legislature , and the onerous burden thereof falls , at last , upon the shoulders of the working classes . Each olass according to its power and influence in the State casts its burden off its back upon that of the less powerful and influential , until the whole devolves upon the sons of toil , who having no power to abrogate the iniquitous laws and customs resulting from olass legislation , and which are sanctioned and fostered by the " masters of misrule , " are bowed down to the very dust , deprived of ever ; comfort of life , and harried into a premature grave .

      We again repeat , what we have often told the people , that is , the labouring class , that they are-the soul , the very life and staff of the nation ; in them a power , though latent , exists equal to the removal of all the complained-of corruptions . They can remove the cause , and with it the effects . And to do this they must unite every energy against the common foe , direct every effort against the enemies ' citadel , contend for the whole measure of their rights , repudiate every thing which may smack of

      " bit by bit reform , " or compromise , and mind to keep a watchful eye upon the movements of itinerating , noisy , " breast-baring" and " caunou-mouth facing" would-be leaders . Prudence , caution and perseverance are the indispensible requisites in our warfare , without the possession of which we shall indubitably fail in the accomplishment of our political redemption ; it , therefore , behoves us , one and all , to see that our every action quadrates with those essentials .

      Before concluding these remarks we would direct the attention of our readers to a case of recent occurrence which , we opine , furnishes a most cogent and apposite illustration of the pernicious effects produced by the system upon the ordinary occupations of life—the , declension it engenders in tbe human mind—the antisocial and anti-christian bias it gives to the actions of man in the performance of his duties to his fellows , and the odium which the operations of the infernal machine brings upon the character of those whom circumstances compel to follow its workings .

      The circumstance to which we allude is , as before observed , of recent date , and has been communicated to us by parties concerned therein ; and we hesitate not in giving publicity to the facts , in the hope that a recurrence of suoh shameful conduct will be avoided by the system-corrupted party . A female , of the name of Sarah Butler , residing in the village of Burley , about two miles westward of this office , being far advanced in pregnancy , and her case demanding immediate attention ,

      application was made to Mr . Miles Atkinson , surgeon , of this town , who , it appears , thonght his profession led him to other considerations than an attention to the pressing requirements of the afflicted , or the application of remedies adapted to their situation . The most weighty matter was , " Who pays the Doctob" ? Yes , the PAY was the object of paramount importance . That was the only key which could open his pill-box ; the" only channel through which medioine could flow to the relief of the afflicted .

      Well , the Doctor goes in quest of the desired information , and soon ascertains that the woman is poor , aB well as sick ; consequently he resolved there should be no physio if there was not a clear and palpable indication of pocketing the pat ; and , forthwith , he sent her the following laconic epiBtle instead of a bottle of his restorative : — " Mm . Sarah Butler , I have made an enquiry about your circumstances , and find you are bo poor that you are unab ' . e to pay a Surgeon , and therefore yon mast get the Town ' s F-ntgeon , as I shall not attend you . H . Miles Atkinson , Surgeon . " We copy the above from the original , it being now before us : and we think such another specimen of

      Sto Aaea&Erg Anti &Lt;£Orr*Gpotti*Ents.

      STo aaea&erg anti < £ orr * gpotti * ents .

      Untitled Article

      . THE NO RTHER'N STAR . ^ ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 4, 1843, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1202/page/4/