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THE WORTHEUST STAE SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1843.
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THE CARLISLE CHARTISTS—THE SHEFFIELD CHARTISTS AND THE TREASURER OF THE DEFENCE FUND.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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A GEY FROM THE DUNGEON ! HELP ! HELPH HELP !!! 10 THE EDITOR OF IKE KOBIHEBJ ? STAB . Sib , —By inserting the follo-sring letter iayonr -valna KejMimal , 70 inriUgrtBtJy oblige , yours , traly . Isaac Botxs . TO XEABGTJS O ' COKKOB , ES 4 J . KESPEC 5 ED . 4 SIB , —I hope yon Trill escax me fia presuming to address yon in so ; familiar a manner , i > nt ¦ wMe there ib indi a d ^ Bpsrlty amongst the Cii&rtto body ,-1 eamaoiTielp tat « peafc * n i npon the «*!?*«• Id a letter of your * which appeared inihe Starof the ¦ wer einSfeiaafiindfema * befentnsd ** ^ f *^ ComsiKloni fceia sfcJSverpbol . youiave no doubtbat *> ms oT yon would lave been transported . In ttia oj ^ onl ^ ecfly **«»; «» d r «™* Wp xecghng
tounna the feet that ia «* vxrt menv&o did gel tramsported ! and , I luwe every reason to believe , th&t a part , if not all , are xaSenag innocently . I would , also ^ ask , sKrtheBfr sot men ? and bare fliey not feeling as well 23 Thomas Coopes and iherest ofihosefor -whom there are so many appeals tang-made to the country for support ? Itanay be said that they do not belong to the GhEitistboay . TblBjnay , or may not , betone : but it is my opinion that therwsy to mske all good Chartists , 3 b to JBnpjprai their families . TvTai can be a snater EiimnJant to those "who are xofc Chartists to join cnr ranks 1 and moreover , I maintain , that this feeling ought Id r *' ™'* " 5 ** everyCfbarUstia the Ian £ - I isve saia , flat the CnartMs may ay these men do not belong to them , therefore they have do claim upon them for support ; hail am sorry tossy that these arejw > t the only indrridnala -who bare been treated in the same manner . There are men in this gaol , "who axe suffering
greater punishment , both mantaHyand physically , th ^ n Coopjeb , and "who _ T » i » fl sot the same opportunity of aefending-areiawlTsa against the fan ! charges that -trere preferred against them by a set of pegored -rfflini-. R ., -who are tppi ^ rosft to teg , and t » o IeU to -wotkl Yes , cmi fliese tboi ore cftariisJjio */ - ' I will here give yos a few cases which liave coeqb imdermy own observation , x £ persons -sbonsve "been in this gaol for nearly ten months . They are as fdHowa : —1 st . Mr . J . Williams ol Preston , - » h © bath sot two years ; be is a single man snd a cripple ; has stLfferefi mneh from bad health ; is a member of the Chartist Association , 3 * resian , an 3 lists never T&ceivea anything from them . 2 nd , Mr . Wm Ssotfa , Secretary to the GhsrtlBt Assomtion / Iloy ton j iathleftfiTB motherlBss chiiaren tomonm his misfortone ,
and hath got plfhtfvn -TnontK" in thisgaoL 3 rd . Mr . Thomas Ogden , Treasnrer to 4 heHoyton Chartists , like-¦ wise pas of the council ; bath left a -wife and four children ; Trife in a bad state ofiealth ; hath g&t eighteen . inenths in Una gaol . ! Ose next case is my o wji , ana is as follows ;—I am & member Df the Chartist Aasocaatiou , Soyton , likewise a member of ihe conndL Ererions to my imprisonment I tad been ont of employment sixteen Veeks , I bad a- wife and four small children starring upon two shillings a week . For the part 1 took 3 n "the sifilKB I was taken before the Oidham magistrates , underwent an examination , and ield to baD ,-myself in £ 400 , and two sureties in £ 20 » eeeh , to appear to answer any charge { hat might be preferred agamst me . Aceorfinigly I appeared * t the Special CommiBdbn , liTerpool , and was sentenced to eighteen stpnt&s imprisonment in this ga . ot . I "would here bee leaTe to jstateihal all tfcioogh the stkikb
I adiised the people sot to be doped by the spedoas cry of " blgb wages /* nor yet to destroy property , but to stand 4 jr fin by ihe Charter . IwDnldberebegleaTS to ask , if these men and their families are not sb much entitled tosnppofrt , as either CobPiB . or any ojjs else , -who ~ sras so isnfcrtuivate ssto get imprisonfcd ax tbe tame Hme ? 1 iBOst « mpbaSeally ssy yes I If no » , why do the ChaiK » t » cry ont against that greatest of aB monopolies , class -legixlaiion ; whBe ~ tbey themselTes are snpportang one portion 4 J ? those who areinpriBon , and rUoaing the families of the others to pine away with starrataon ? IwfflgiTeeneeasemore , andthsnc 6 nehi < le A man of the name of William Williams left this gaol on i- l rib Jnhs , after aerragnSne months j and on the S 8 th vi the same month we received a letter from him stating that on bis arrival at Oidham be f onnd bis-infe and cimaxen in a garret , Tutidled logcOer amongst some jfamxps , * dik xoira morxiofJtrBadin the piaoc ; and ,
hombJe toJrtate , TBXSETOOB . misebjlbus chkatubks HAD 5 OT BEEX ^ DICDBESSKD , SOB IS A BBS , FOB HOBS thak 3 TFO atosiHS 111 It TFonld be useless to attempt anything like comment on the abvTe : it speaks loritoeH ; I ^ n flKrefore tewe it to tfes leflsctton of 12 » Char 8 sil » 5 y . lim , yonr humble , but persecuted frieud , but still a Chartist untfl death , ' Isaac Hotlb .
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10 TBS 2 DZTOS -OT ZE £ 2 SOB 3 HXEH STAS . BSaS SO , —In- addressing Hie foUowing letter for the perusal and consideration of the Chartist body , I consider that I am snly performing my duty j a&d . whether I sacceed in my object or not , it will be some satisfaction to know tiat 1 Taxn learlessly and bonestly CBdesroured to brin ? the Chartists to % sense of ihelr -iutybyiennnaingfiiEni of flie course "they ought to ynrsie- A ^ " ^ yiiiy ? " ;* ! tlifcre may be * ome "wiio may led thfimselTfiS sggri « Ts 3 -cm the psrosal of fbas letter , Xsd may eoander that 1 ^™ acting "with a precipitation prem » % n » si » d Tmcallea for , yet I feel myself justified 3 b the cohtss I bxye adopted .
I am sure that erery honest man will ssy with me , thai after the length of time I h » Te rnfered , without any snpparfc- whatever , 2 an jnstifle-J in upbraiding Vie Chartists wi 8 ifi » f . edl inasmuch as-they haTe remained ap ? t >»^ f - to ihs saffenngs cf mesnd my fsllow pri-Boners . It was the duty of the Chartist body , ss soon aa the excatement bad abated , to bare Taised an agitation in onrfaTonrr to bars cadeartmred ss £ ar as lay in their power to support the wires and families of those indiriduals who belonged to the Chartist body , who , through their honest zsal had been entrapped in the snare that bad beenao anfidly laid for them by the anti-Com law ** Plains . * ilany of onr best men trere j > otmce& upon by fte imrpies of ibs law , —not for destroying property ; not for eDCsEgering the Btcs of Xh&x fcllow-dlizajs ;
but annplrbecanse they , on « n occasions , endeaTonred to show tip to public execration the fraud and trickery < jf political impostors , irlio wished t » palm themselTes noon the pnblfc as real frienfls -of the people . Becanse $ b £ y ^ rereChazi 5 sta , tfeey were deemed fit objects for fbe unprincipled f&cti « ii 8 to wreak , their Teogesnce on . This is a fact that cannot be denied ; and therefore the Chartists -were in dnty bound to lender them all tte asastance in their power . Did they do S 31 Quite the contzary 1 ! Tbey left them to "iaH back upon their own lesourcBS ; " -and the consequence is , t ± tat their wives sad f » Tr"K' »« are in actual starrafion * Some ' are inibeBasfileJ i&xts are compelled to teg Star bread from door to doorj aad a& are bow mfisring e ^ xeme isrdabip 3 n eoEsegngncs of being deserted by those Who ought to bare befriended them .
ItmaybeaaldUtbere are some indi-ndnals-who take a particular deligbt in creating dissension ; and in almost bM cases they jnsy Sad same apparent canse to gratify Ihtfr lOTe of contention 5 ana U » t 3 n all prooa-KBiysneb may bo £ he case in fiie present instance . If there be any wio have the hardihood to think so inthisose , I "ffonld-direct attention to the following aarratxYe . It isnownpwards of sine mouths sinee we receired onr spjsst seiitence . There were Tip-wards of two bundied -eonfiDed here for the ^ disastrous and erer-to-be-Ixmented ootbbeae of Augpst iasi . Of this number , ji great many belonged io the Chartist body ; and , ss a xstzxral corseqaepce , expected that the difierentAssodationswonldiaTeconTeDedmeetings in their different localities , 2 nd bare forwarded memorials to
the Home Office , praying for a mitigation of their sentence . Tfaej expected thai ever ; town , -village , and hamlet would ha-re poured forth its memorial . This expectation-was < ii 3 y reasonable I and it is my opinion tad such 9 line of conduct be pureued , we shculct have been at liberfcy at this mennfeaI . Alter "Waiting S period of eight months , { taxing whicfe we have suffered unspeakable hardships both in body ana wind , and fijamg whichrtame i&o of-ovrJeiltWzSsJFertrs bare paid &e JleSlofnalBre ; and still finding that noeff-rta were being made on onr behalf , wo resolTed to attempt KHaabiFg f or ourtelTes . We accordingly wrote to thirteen different Associations , requesting them to conTece meetings , and adopt mem oriais , ard forward them to the jiroper quarter on cut behalf . Of the aboje number four on ^ returned answeis to our letters , signifying th ^ r intention <> f-complying : with our request 1
let us sow turn sxax . attention to the parties -who Trere triea at iancaeter . ^ j letters we taTa received irom « e * eral £ dead 8 , tpb are informed thai no expense ¦ was spared to defend fbose wbe were tried at the la » e Jlcrch AssJxsa ; that a Defence Fund was zsised ; sad with , good Counsel ana great exertion fiiey -were snbse-^ nently dific&jjed in the Queen ' s Bench . Xow tras it ^ ot theb ?; 4 n ^» "* I ^ Br . tbeir acqBittal , to turn Ibeir attention towards those who were still suffering is difikrent parts cl ± he Kingdom ? BaTe l&ey acted thus ? Ifo ! ! EbeT bare-eseapea ilaemselves , ana appear quite callous
to those who are still in coufisement , -sntn one exception , namely , Hi . Cooper . It appears they are determined to moTe ' heaTen and earth to bring about hit releases at least they will leare nothing untried wbich Is hi any _ way calculated to bring about so -desirable an dlg-cL This " is all -rery jnst , ai far as itgoes . Tfcey hsye aperft ct light to memorialise oa bis behalf . Ksy , itiEthsdrddty to do so ; and it would be Tery iliibsral , and nnjust onmy pare , to wish 6 therwise > Baiat the same asK , J cannet but express my surprise , thai ¦ whilst tbey are endeaTouring t » - obtain the release o ! erne man , hundreds are left to taSa in silence and
neglect * la 2 Ir . Cooper « f more importance to the Chartist cause than the whole of those whoara vaSsmtg with him » Is be made of a composition soaiethhig more than flesh and blood ? Aie bis feelinss jaore seute tirnn nns 9 » or those ^ my fellow prisoners ? 1 * ay ¦ criOiQBt / car of-scoutradicaon , they are not » t ! h Cooper a wife and family 2 So bsra the others . Hath ha feisEds snd lelatiTes , -wboare beund and e&de&rsd to bira by the sacred ties of tore asd esteem ? So have dh ^ ssi ladthmLlasrethey egual , andentiae * to the same unouct of imnpstby-andsupport .
And sow wiQi legard to myself j let us fanyand laaei ^ ij mmr ** onrieiaSre ncasea . Xet ns see how tfc ^ y s * sjjfl ,, aaaTFhE&erhe iBmois em ' rarmwEed , sni j !» rc&tiita w public symjathy Sisn myssU . For ¦ 5 i « - v is f-saper conSxrfefi ? " jor the piltbe toos in the '* -=- *•! - *^ s- 5 j an l What is tie term of 2 as arp as ^ fX 7 S ^ o jeszs . So i miae He tsti to S ^ - ^ f ^ t * - ¦; . y& ~ - * -- ' ^ SWL - ~ ' =- - -
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liTe apontbepri » n diet . So haw i His health is impaired inxoBseguence of the food and cojiflnemenfc So is mine : for it is taily a month since since | left the hospital , and am stffl under the doctor's care , and have contracted a disease which wfflin aU probabUity remain with me doring life . j Thus , &r then , are we apoa an f&cqaalltf . { Bat the comparison will extend so further I for while I am left completely destitute , without any . support whaterer , without a single friend to cheer mein my Bolitary abode , Coopeb is sympathised with by the country generally
Funds are raised for bis support . Petitions and memorlslsareadopted in almost every town , fromlondonto Edinburgh , in order to obtain bisxelease ; and he has only beea « OTianedj about tbiee months , " white I have been coffering neatly eleven months , and cannot so much « s receive an answer to my betters ] I ask , is THIS CHABTJSM ? IS THIS JCSTJCEl IstHit tarry , ixgovtihe princes of equality , so highly prisjd by the Coartist body ? There is but one answer ; and I will leave thatanswer to be given by the Chartist body 1
May I hope that the Chartists win arouse themselves from the slumber into which they have suffered themselves to fall , and by their future conduct endeavour to make amends for their past condustl { I am , Sir , a lover of justice , Jakes Williams . Kirkdale Goal , Jnly 8 tb , 1843 . fThe foregoing appeals ongbt to have Instant effect The -writers speak truly . Heglect can be , must be , laid at the Chartist door , it is time UiIb "Was remedied .
"VYhxae is the "Victim Fdhd" ? Has it been disbursed ? If so , who to ? If not , why not !? The Vidimi are neglected ! Their widows and orphans are jtarevig ! Look at the Oluham garret , with a Chartist prisoners ^ wife and children huddled together in a heap of shavings , and u ^ dkessed fob . more than Tiro MOKTHS 1 Is it not time a Victim Committee was appointed ? Is it not time relief was afforded ? Chartists 1 to the good work instantly . Lose not &n& ther moment t Too many have been lost already !
Let no one take exception to the tone of complaint running through the above appeals . The complaint is more than justified . None of as have done OUT duty to the rieUm * . They hare been forgotten . It u no -wonder that they should cry ont and reproach us . The wonder is that they bare not done so long since 1 They ought to have done ! If we , out of prison , have forgotten those within , they should not have forgotten to . remind us of it . We are glad they have at laat done « oL Tfcey have given expression to thsir complaint * . Under the circumstances , the tone they adopt is mild and forbearing .
True they institute comparisons between the ntgltd they have received at the hands of the Chartist body , and the efforts made on behalf of Coopeh and Richabbs . This is not be wondered at . Men lingering in prison , negleeled , with bnt few opportunities for information , and possibly that infotm&tion txmdiced , are sure to become jealous . This very natural Effect has followed in this instance . He would be a hard-hearted man who would judge the writers harshly , because they have given honest expression to the feelings ht has been one main cause of engendering ! In prison , the inmates know not correctly What
is passing in the outer world . That this is the case in this instance is evident The Kirkdale / "irfj ' nw speak of "funds raised for Coopsbs support" We are sorry to say that such is not the fact I An appeal h&d to be mads in last week's Star to save Mas . Cootbb from being turned into the street . But these ! letters serve another purpose . They show the futility and evil effects arising from isolated efforts to ! relieve particular persons . Jealousy is the result . And ne wonder > it is unfair , unjust , to confine attention to one or two well-known prominent characters in the
movement , who have been trammelled by law ,: and to leave the others to pine in neglect 1 It shows ns that we ought to have a Qeneeal Victim Fojtb , from which all should be relieved , without distinction or favour , as far as the funds will allow , and in proportion to the wants and dependencies hi each case . ' Then all are treated equally . Then we do no violence ; to our own much-loved—( theoretically )—principle of equality . Tia , If the fund fails , all suffer alike . Attention snd succour ix sot heaped upon one , and the rest left out of our consideration .
Most earnestly do we conjure the Chartists of the three Kingdoms to take this matter in band instantly 1 Let not another week pass without efforts being made to remoTE from our door the heavy load of disgrace already laid there by former inattention . Gat up a Qesibai . Victih Fcsd . Merge all the particular relief funds in the one general purse . Elect a Commit * tee in a central place , say Manchester , to whom dU cases for relief shall be addressed , and by whom the . necessary relief can be administered . Let there be « o exception to this rule . Wound not the feeling of those who are suffering the terrors of our pr'Bon hells for our nke , by exhibiting partiality in our relief 3 Prefer net oae before another . All are equally dear ; and all ought to be equally dealt with .
Is there not a sum of money already in band , as a Victim Fund ? If so , set to work , some Committee or other , to disburse it Toe wives and families of the P ~ idims are Starving ! Peed tbeml Succonr ' them ! Make their "homes" at least bearable , nntil it please the Factions to release their natural protectors . - Will not the country approve our suggestion , that the Manchester Chartists appoint , on Sunday next , a Viciia Committee , pro . tem ., to see to this business I immediately ? We are sore no one will object . We i zay Manchester , because Manchester is the great centra I from around which nearly all the victims have been [ drawn . When elected , let the Cammittee correspond 1 with Mr . Cleave , the Treasurer to the "Victim Fond ; ! and see what money , if any , remains in his bands .
Again do we energetically call the Chanist body to tins most sacred duty . Get np a Genekal Victim Fcxs . Merge all particular efforts for individuals in one general effort for equal advantage to the ' ¦ necesaitOUB . Remove the crying « &nse for jealously now existing . Remove , toe , the cause for just complaint and reproof on the part of the neglected . To " work ! Work double tides to make up for lost time . 1
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STRIKE OF THE COLLIERS . It is a dangerous thing to teach men their power ia the hope that the lesson will be lost when the cunning have mads the intended use of it . This country bas suffered much from mis-government \ but it has suffered mnch more from misdirection of that popular power wbich in every country shonld give a proper direction to public opinion . After the peace of 18 io , the alternations from bad to vforse , from Whig to Tory and Tory to Whig , wmpletely
claused the English character . As the Whig faction fonnd itself capable of dividing the spoil with the Tories , by the same graduating scale did they slacken their ardour op to 1832 ; when having , as they falsely imagined , based the franchise upon a permanent Whig footing , they Would have gladly relapsed into aristocratic quiet bnt from a dread of those wholesome lessons taught by themselves . [ while looking for power ; lessons from whica the people had learned their own strength . :
The same reasoning that applies to the general principle of government , is equally applicable to the management of sections cf society j and thef same dear-bought experience -which tanght the fWhig party that Englishmen bnt required to know their rights to posses them , has taught the " Free Trade " Mine Owners that knowledge ib a searching thing ; that it "mil find its -way even into the bovrels of the earth , and communicate its influence to the most ignorant and degraded . The great impor tance of ihB Colliers tras tangbt them by their tyrant masters , when Jhej , like the Whigs , anticipated an " extended" trade from a sudden outburst of the
angry pasaons of their slaves . The preaching demagogues , - who were ready to plunge the country into confusion , revolution , and anarchy , impressed upon the mindB of the Colliers that of so great importance were they to society , that one month ' s cessation of labour could M stop ihb wheels op COVEBSMEST , " " aBHESI XHE KlOCBESS OF LECISLAhoh / ' and compel the Parliament to grant '' Free Trade . ' * It will be fresh in the reeoUeotioa of out readers { hat mch was the advice of the ** Free Trade" preachers ; and such was the anticipation from ifce snecess of their icflammitory harangues - while those harangues , intended out to serve the
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political purpose of the masters , have had the effect of opening the eyes , of the men , not only to their political inequality but to their social degradation . The great activity used , bp the Stnrge section ; of" Free Traders" to insure tiw co-operation of the miners , led to the transportation of Ellis and to ] the Staffordshire riots ; and the causes of complaint which then existed still livei while we trust that the colliers themselves have learned too much wisdom from experience to allow themselves to be again used for other political pur * poses , than for the acquirement of those rights by which , and by which alone , their proper position in society can he achieved . While we would strongly urge npon them I the necessity of discussing the
principles of the { People b Charter , in which the elevation of their order is recognised } we would as strongly advise them , io abstain from mixing up the question of the Charter with that of Wages , further than as a means ] to show , that without political power , it is useless to look for social comfort . We learn that a deputation of Staffordshire masters are to wait upon ; Sir Rcsebt Peel , with a view to the settlement of the question ; that the pending disputes between them and their men may be patched np . Tae Imen , however , may rely upon it , that neither their Condition , nor their grievances will constitute any portion of the master ' s anxiety , beyond the mete effect that their sufferings may entail personally npon the employers .
Who that has read the evidence adduced by Lord Ashley in his &ble and eloquent exposition of the abominations , the beastialities , and the cruelties practised by the slave drivers , with the perfect knowledge and consent of the slave owners , but has felt his English blood ' boil in his English veins ! Will the sanclified deputation remind the Prime Minister that their profits "have been hitherto made by the sweat of infant females , and amid tbe agonies and labour-throes of English women 1 Will they remind him of the foetid atmosphere ; the gloomy cavern ; the intricate mine ; the fire damp ; the chain dangling between the tegs ; the excoriations , the sores and the blisters upon the infant limbs ! Will thoy depict an the horrors of an ENGLISH WOMAN
CHAINED TO A ; COAL' CART , and crawling LIKE A BEPT 1 LE D ? 0 N HER FACE AND HANDS , With a hone ' s burden tiedlo her neck ¦? Will they remind him that as their power has increased , their tyranny has increased with it 1 Will they tell him of the slack ; of the large riddle ; of the increased labour and diminished wages ! Will they tell him of their cruelty as masters ,- and their persecutions as justices ? Will they admit the princely fortunes that they have amassed by all their hellish machinations , and at the same time point to the desolation that they have caused 1 Not a bit of it ! They will tell him that
their straightened circumstances havo compelled them , reluctantly ( 1 ) , to reduce the wages of their hands . They will vow npon their musty honour , that rather than dismiss their men they have cmployed them at a ruinous sacrifice . They tcill urge u Free Trade" as a nostrum , and threaten defection as thepenealty of refusal . They will assure him that during a cessation of labour , the principles of democracy are elaborately discussed ; and will pray protection not SO mnch for themselves , as for the purpose of enabling them to resist the growing spirit of Chartism .
With a recollection of tbe past and a full length portrait of the present lying before us in one perfect picture , though drawn by many hands , we feel ourselves called upon to give the colliers the benefit of our counsel . The great value of a strike , when it ia justly entered upon as a means of resisting tyranny , is , that it brings the several sections of that order upon ft perfect equality ; and the most favoured and best conditioned , who in the day of prosperity are deaf to the just complaints of the oppressed of their class , are , in times of great distress , compelled to make ' common cause with their oppressed brethren ;
until at length the real cause of complaint breaks through discussioni and a geneial , instead of a mere partial , remedy is unanimously demanded . If there is no work , there is no nesessity for an overseer ; and even that autocrat is then compelled to take the whole question of distress into consider * ation . If there is no work , there is no profit or interest upoD sunk capital . If there is no work , the " top sawyers , " who can earn the largest amount of wages , can no longer ridicule and laugh at the lesB fortunate " pitmen . " Therefore , it i& that we see value in a strike , when based on justice ; for it is sure io enlist the sympathies of the whole
community tot the amalgamated unwilling idler * . If , however , those on strike allow themselves to become mere tools in the hands of any party ; forgetful of their own interest , and unmindful of the principle and provocation upon which the cessation is grounded ; they loose all sympathy and their very virtues are charged upon them as vices . There is little doubt that the masters , the overseers , and the " pets" will endeavour to warp the general body of miners to an agitation for " Free Trade" aB a means of general and immediate relief . We have perfect reliance , however , upon the already scorched and burned that , as- & body , they will resist all such hypocritical temptation .
We highly approve of the Organization now being adopted by the Colliers ; and would above all things impress upon them the necessity of engaging real practical honest working men as their lecturers ^ For oar part , we shall cheerfully publish the progress of their cause . It not unfrequently happens that discretion , when opposed to indiscretion , meets with a momentary denunciation ; but in the long run , when justice holds the scale and judgment puts in the balance , the value of discretion is discovered . There have been three striking instances of this fact , within the last four years ; in 1839 , when the Bankers of Birmingham proposed a General Strike as a means of insuring a return to Twenty Shilling NoteSj
Mr . O'Coksor risked his popularity , and for a time lost it , for resisting the conspiracy ; in 1840 , when a proposition was brought forward in the Convention to resist the payment of rents , rates , and taxes as a means of carrying the Charter , Mr . O'Coanor again interposed ; and after several days debate in London , and subsequently by adjournment in Birmingham , he succeeded and saved the Convention from government prosecution ; in the last Convention of 1842 , the' question of a s ' . rike was again partially discussed , when Mr . O'Connor in counselling them against any interference said : " let us be cautious in what tee do , and in what tee recommend others to do ; for + rely upon it , if evil results from our counsels , what belokqs to other
circumstances WILL BS SADDLED ON THE 3 ACK OP CHAIIT 1 SM ; and when the collateral attempt fails , Chartists and Chartism alone will suffer . " Now these are facts within tbe memory of all men ; and we submit them to the consideration of the Colliers on strike . As it ever has been the practice of dissatnficd masters to tnrn unprofitable guilt into experimental confusion , the prtsent opportunity will be s- iisd for driving the impoverished colliers into confusion asd outbreak . Emissaries are already abroad ! Anonymous scribes , profeSEBing io feel a deep interest in the cause of the colliers , have insolently endeavoured to make Our columns the means of TonBfng the mad pasBions of the slave class against their tyrants . We have been invited to
address them emphatically and boldly upon the subject ; and we have thus fulfilled the request , by cautioning the colliers , of all other things , to beware of tbe counsels of those ' who would , urge them into rebellion , that they imay profit by confusion , and destroy them after failure ! Wefenow of some excellent working colliers of sound judgment and discretion who are now employed in the work of justice . Let the people give ear to them , aud to them only ; and a favourable result from the present struggle cannot fail < of conferring general advantage npon the working classes of all other denominations . Upon the other hand , let them fail from indis-CRtTiox , aud the riddles will be widened I the tortures improved ! . ' iiie labour r ccisrd !!! the wage diminished 1 i ! 1 and ike co Uen I ¦ n . ' . cd at ! . ' / ' '
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ORGANIZ ATIONWith extreme pride and ptejaaure do we direet the attention | bf our readers to ihereport of the Mary-lebone meeting , Which will be' found in our eighth page . From that we learn that the cause of demooracy has , aa yet , suffered little or no damage from a deficiency in our Organization ; while it will inspire thfe working classes " with a strong desire so to marshal their forces , that henceforth victory shall
not depend upon mere chance , or upon a muateT of the Chartiai body to achieve ifcfupon sadden impulse . It is true that a deep-rooted affection for the democratic principle , added to the determination to resist anything short of the whole principle , may be relied upon in opposision to any attempt to curtail the People ' s Charter of any of its fair proportions . But such means cannot be confidently relied upon without such a marshaling of our Forces as will ensure their
hearty cooperation upon all fitting occasions . When we call tojmind the many sections , having different names arid professing different objects , ( although having but one real one , and that being the subjugation of labour ) , that are engaged in skirmishing against the principles of the Charter , and who are ready upon tbe first announcement that the time has arrived to ! * ' sink all minor differences' * and to join in& general onslaught against the people ; all of whom are well drilled , well trained , and well Organized ; in the tactics of agitation ; it then becomes the bounden duty of the
Chartist body 1 BO to marshal and Organize themselves that they may be at all times capable of receiving , jand successfully resisting the combined attacks of the enemy ; while they should be in a state of readiness to take advantage of all passing events , asja means of strengthening themselves . The Whig party , having failed in their first open and unblushing attempt to create a reaction in favour of Whiggeryj will now pause for a little , in order that
they may shape their after course upon the popular will . Should the people fall back , the slippery Whigs will cheerfully slide after them ; while , upon the other hand , if the people advance , the hungry crew will | follow them , as a hungry dog follows a man with a bone in bis hand . The producers of wealth should never lose sight of the one great fact , that they , and they only , hold the bone ; while the Whigs ] and Tories are two : hungry packs snarling to see who shall soap .
We gave aa elaborate amount of matter upon the question of Orgauiiition in our last number and from that the people will have discovered that however the several disputants may differ upon matters of detail , all are nevertheless agreed upon the necessity that exists for a through and perfect Organization of the Chartist body . Tbe next step , then is , that a delcgato meeting should be holden for the purpose of embodying from tbe Wisest suggestions of all , such a plan as will give general satisfaction : which should
be followed by the election of an Executive Committee , in such manner as the delegate meeting shall decide upon . We think we may vouch upon the part of Mr . O'Connor , that the suggestions contained in his letter upon ; the subject , and republishod in our last number , were merely intended fer the purpose of discussion , which object they appear to have effected while no one will be more ready than that gentleman to aid in this completion of our Organization , and to assist in carrying it out when completed . It is only out of a contrariety of opinions , and after deliberate
disoHssion , that wholesome decisions can be arrived at : and therefore we trust that the Chartists of tbe several localities , where differences of opinion now exist , will see that the proper time and place for making this variety of opinion instrumental to tbe establishment of a perfect system of Organ Izttion will be when the delegates are assembled to take the whole question into consideration . Some difference of opinion appears to exist as to the number
which should constitute the Executive . Without attempting { dictation , we strongly incline to a preference for fire rather than three ; vrhile we incline to think that the question of payment will require but slight consideration , when it is borne in mind that the appointment to such an office is sure to ba followed by dismissal from work ; and that none but working men can be relied upon for a faithful dis . charge of the required duties .
We are perfectly aware of the increased expence that must attend such a cause ; while we have full confidence On the people ' s readiness to supply the means , if their officers prove themselves worthy of their support ; and the honourable compensation for service will have the never-failing effect of stimulating the recipients to deserve it . The organ of the popular voice should never withhold suggestion , or advice , from an apprehension or dread of a charge of " dictation . " It is all important that it should lay before its party subjects requiring discussion ; that it iBhould suggest times for holding those discussions ; and direct opinion as to that course which
may strike its conductors to be the most safe and prudent . If , then , we were to wait for an entire and unanimous opinion as to the most fitting time for meeting , the probability is that we should be hampered with such a Contrariety of opinions , that the day would never arrive . In order therefore to disbarge our duty , we submit the propriety of a delegate meeting taking place at Birmingham , on Monday , the 31 st of August , thereby affording ample timoto tbe several localities to make up their minds as to the course to be pursued , and as to tbe delegates to whom their representation may be safely confided .
The one great and all-absorbing duty which now devolves upon us is , firstly , the accomplishment of a sound , a safe , a vigorous , legal , and efficient plan of Organization ; and 6 ecoudly » the healing of all those differences which for some time past have , we regret to say , weakened our cause and strengthened the hands of our opponents . To accomplish these desirable objects our best exertions shall be devoted , onward and we conquer . " " Backward and we fall . ' " the charter and no subhender . "
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IRELAND . Postscript to "the real monster evil of Ireland , " a very happy device } of the enemy , by which it is intended to show that tbe conditions of one of the articles of Union , which guaranteed the expenditure of a certain amount of money in Irish improvements had been virtuously fulfilled ; Sir Robert Peel having declared that no less than £ 10 , 000 , 000 of public money has , ia twenty-eight yearB , been laid out fo ¦ the exclusive benefit of Ireland ; and , as the writer observes , it has done more harm than good . In directing attention , Borne time
ago , to the flagrant manner in which the several articles of Union had been violated , we anticipated that some such statement would be made with reference to the obligation upon the part of Government to expend a certain amount of money annually upon Irish impr < vement ; and we admitted the lavish expenditure of English money in Ireland , stating at the same time that , in violation of the act of the Union , it had been expended upon jobbing of every description ; finding its way into the pockets of the parliamentary supporters of Orange principles , without conferring a single benefit upon the Irish people . The writer of the largo type article not only enumerates the several grievances to which
the Irish people are subject , but he further informs us of the several boons , that they enjoy , and the several advantages that they possess over the people of England . He informs us that the poor people pay no income tax , no duty on horses , dogs , or carriages , whilo they are exempt from , many other revenue charges . Surely with a long catalogue of admitted and undeniable Irish grievances , the writer
does not mean to set those exemptions down to partiality ? Would he not rather say , that Irish pauperism more than mi nisierial clemency is the cause of this favour shown to Ireland ? Does he not know , or did the Editor who paraded his communication in large type not kao w , that taxes and duties are laid on England upon the articles which are subject to them with all the nicety of calculation as to the effect that such and such scale may hare upon the revenue ! while the poverty of Ireland would baffle the best arithmetician Fn his nicest calculation , inasmuch as a tax amounting to the sum paid for its collection would lead to a total prohibition of the
taxed article . A perfect illustration of thi 3 faot will be found in the instantaneous decline in the coach making and harness making business , when a tax of £ 18 43 , was laid upon jaunting cars a while the effects of the window tax was visible in darkness ; every Parliamentary light hole being stopped up ; and the tax upon dogs and horses , and the ] surcharges consequent upon wrong returns , led to false oaths , to murders , and to
wranglings which were found to be too expensive * As soon , however , as those taxes were taken offi jaunting cars again became a cheap luxury ; the light of heaven was restored ; the dogs Were allowed to breathe the free air of heaven ; and the horses were relieved from the aniitam amount of labour in the plough , the harrow , and the cart , and were once more restored to the saddle . Let as hear no more then of those
boons which necessity ; forces from aa unwilling baud . Let us hear no more of a Parliamentary standard of a shilling i-day for able-bodied men , whose labour if applied ] to their own soil , for their own benefit , would establish its legitimate standard in the labour market . V ^ e r ejoice to find that in the midst of petty fogging I proposals for temporary remedies , Mr . O'Connell and the Irish people , aye and the Ecglish people too , look to a Repeal of the Union as the lever by which Ireland is to bo raised from provincial degradation to national independence . As we hare ry > fT ndcdour English article with a demand for our JuAaxEa , eo do we conclude our Irish artiole with "Repeal op the Unj&n , and no Surrender . "
ANOTHER GLORIOUS TRIUMPH . The middle classes called an anti- Repeal meeting to be held at the London Tavern on Wednesday last . The Chartists and JRepealers got notice of the enemy . They mustered their forces , attended , and upon the motion that an Anti-Repealer should take the ^ chair , au amendment was moved in favour of an Irish Repealer , which was triumphantly carried ; and thus the intended Repeal extinguisher was turned into a whole hog Repeal meeting ! This is as it ought to be ;
aud so determined are we to compel the friends of Ireland to do tardy justice to those who have extended to them their untiring support , that we abstain from } making a single comment upon the letter of the Rev . W . Heakne , of Manchester , to Mr . O'Connell , in which a most foul , ungenerous , and unchristian attempt is made to mix up the Manchester Chartists with Irish Ribboaism ; whilo it triumphantly coramanioates the glad tidings that the Reverend Gentleman has found himself compelled to dismiss a Colleotor of Repeal Rent for
TAKING A SUBSCRIPTION FROM FEARGUS O'CONNOR ! ! Such are the means resorted to for enlisting the co-operation of the English working classes for the acccomplisbment of a Repeal of the Union ! However , no machinations of this kind shall succeed ; as we are resolved to heap coals of fire upon the heads of our traducere , by doing for them that , which without our aid , they could not do for themselves . In justice to tbe
1 gallant sons of Hibernia , and thanks to Father Matuew , we are bound to say , that being sincere themselves in purpose , they begin to look with suspicion upon those who cry out " Repeal , " and reject the moans of carrying it . In the long run , working class intelligence and discrimination will triumph over ignorance and sophistry . JL . . _ . jk
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—^—————~ . ^? which the internal trade of the conntiy generally could be improved , and tbe population maintained in a mow healthy state of employment Th # progressive redaction © in the price * of Iron , thtt rate of wages , and the state of pauperism , as exhibited in the enormous increase of the poor-rates ia the Unions comprised in this district , were stated in extensive detail by members of the deputation , and tbe operation of the American and the various Continental tariffs was adduced , aa acting most prejudicially on ibe iron trade of tbis country .
It was explained that a strong impression prevailed fiat the great / ailing off in the exportation of commodities to ¦ the United States , restating from the restrictions of the late American Tariff , was mainly ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE CONTINUED EXCLUSION OP AMERICAN CORN by Uieopei-aiion of the late adjustment under our own Tariff , and which a moderate jfaed duty would be calculated to femove . In conformity with this view Mr . Thornley stated the remit of his impressions on a recent visit to the United State * , and the improbability of any treaty being negotiated without some modification of our Corn Laws on this point
Sir Robert Peel stated that he should most willingly give his best attention to any remedies that might suggest themselves to the minds of the Deputation , but that he feared the production of iron had been forced by the requirements for railroads and other causes so much beyond the ordinnry demand , that now that these sources of conauraptfafchad been supplied , ho could hold out no prospeaJBRimmediate improvement from any measures within ine power of the Government . The Members of the Deputation stated , that the ;
ware nearly unariimons in the conviction that the depression under which their trade was suffering , as well as that affecting most other branches of productive industry , was attributable to the great falling qff in the demand , OCCASIONED BY THE VICIOUS OPafiATfON OF OUR PRESENT MONEY LAWS , AND TUE COWSEQUENT want OF a SUFFICIENT CIRCULATION TO MAINTAIN A RANGE OF PRICES ADEQUATE TO TUE DISCHARGE OF THE F'XED PUBLIC AJU > ¦ PRIVATE BURDENS WHrcH FORM so large a
TB . OfOS . TlOH OP THE COST OP PRODUCTION IN THIS COUNTRY ; that without some change of these laws there was , in their opinion , but little hope of any improve * meat in the condition of tbe working classes , which would gradually approximate to-that of the same classes in Ireland . Sir Robert Peel ezpresssed his dissent from these conclusions , and after thanking the Deputation for the temperate and judicious manner ia which they had stated their views on the Important objects -which had engaged their attention , the conference terminated .
What wiseacres these Iron Masters are ! Just . contrast their two " remedies . " Just imagine a . set of men , pretending to be politicians ; pretending to be political economists ; pretending to be informed : just imagine a set of men , who would sink you into the earth with a look of supercilious contempt , were you to hint at their possible ignorance , or want of knowledge : just imagine men . of these pretensions , going to the Prime Minister and asking him , in one and the same breath , to adopt one set of measures for the avowed purpose of making " prices still lower ; " and to adopt another set of measures to make " prices still higher " / Yet both these things have the " wise" men of Staffordshire asked of Sir Robert Peel ! How ha mast have laughed in his sleeve at their
enormous folly ! Peel knew the difference in the only two remedial measures" the Iron-men hinted at . He knew that they led totally and distinctly two different ways ! that they were as much opposed to each other , in effect upon commerce and production , as any two measures that could by possibility have been named ! And yet the Iron-men recommended him to take both ! How he must have despised them ! and how he must have chuckled at the prospect of the duration of the present system , when he sees thosa who are being reduced from affluence to beggary by its operations , so innocent of all knowledge of the causes of the evil that scourges and strips them , as to recommend to his adoption , for a remedy , two distinct and opposing modes of treatment !
But there is one comfort to be derived from this monstrous exhibibition of astute ignorance , humiliating as it may be to the pretensions to political wisdom on the part of " our merchants" and " masters . " Attention is at last drawn to " the VICfOUS OPERATION OF OUR PRESENT MONEY LAWS }" and the w FIXED PUBLIC and PRIVATE BURDENS , which fork so large a proportion of cost of production in this country . " This is found out at last ! The " property-men" are just getting their eyes opened , and see , —indistinctly it is true , but still they do see , —what it is that has transferred their accumulated thousands
JDto the hands of the Jews and jobbers ! Well , thank God , light has come at last ! This cause was plainly pointed out to " our merchants and masters " when it first began its transferring operations : but they would not see it . And it is only now ; now , ¦ that it has brought them to the " verge of bankruptcy "; now , that they are " ruined "; now , that we have had " progressive BEDupriONS in the prices of iron and the rate of wages "; « ou \ thafc we have a " progressive incbeasr in pauperism , aud an enormous increase of poor rates "; ifc is only wow , when all these plainly foretold consequences of the
M vicious operation cf our present money laws" with "the FIXED and private BURDENS , " have become matter of history : it is only NOW , that the ail-sufficiently wise men of Iron begin to Bee what it is that has eaten into their " substance" !!! They have a deal to learn yet , though , before they are at all fit to prescribe " remedies . " Next time they go to Robert Pkel , they must confine themselves to- the recommending of one , line of policy . They must not ask Mm to " modify the Corn Laws , " for the purpose of effecting ANOTHER PROGRESSIVE
REDUCTION IN THE PRICES OF IRON and THE RATE OF WAGES" ! and ask him also for an alteration of our " present money laws" so as to give a " sufficient circulation to maintain A BANGE OF PRICES ADEQUATE TO THE charge of our FIXED ppbmc and private bubdens" ! The two things are incompatible ! Yon cannot , Messrs . Iron-men , have both " high" and " low" prices ! Just think of these things ; and trj if jou cannot find oufc the differ * ence between the two sets of principles yon-urged upon the Minister for adoption ! And try , also , if there be not another way of meeting the difficulties with which we are surrounded , than
by a sufficient circulation , to maintain a range of prices ADEQUATE to our FIXED burdens . " Re « fleet that that" ADEQUATE range of prices" must be " HIGH" ; much , much higher than the presene range . Reflect also , that with your present range , " low" as it is , you are driven out of the markets of the world by those who can and do undersell you . Reflect on all these things : and then ask if it would not answer better to REDUCE our "FIXED PUBLIC and private BURDENS to a point commensurate With the " Progressive reductions in the prices of iron , and the rate of wages , and the state of pauperism . " Try this on , next time you go to Sir Ro bertPeel ! 1 You will do some day , little as you may think of it now !!!
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Mr dear Friends , —I have read your suggestions both from Carlisle and Sheffield , with that attention and respect they demanded . With regard to Carlisle first ; I must say that that locality , though perhaps the poorest in England , has subscribed much more than any other of the same extent , to every fund that . has been collected ; and my answer to them is , that it was never my intention to receive Mr . Robert ' s services without remunerating him as they justlj deserve ; and therefore they need have no apprehension npon that score : for while I object to seeing *
guinea down in a Solicitor ' s account every now and then for running across the yard to counsel ,, 1 object equally to receiving the services of a professional man upon soy other than professional . eras ; and if ever man deserved the fulfilment of this rule , Mr . Roberts is thai man . Wi ; h respect , however , to the Sheffield resolution , I Ihiok my friends there will at once see not only tho ii justice of Ji , but the odium and trouble which establishing such a precedent would entail upon me . Would to God that our fund was large enough to comply wiih the wishes of all , 2 nd to relieve tbe wants of all ; but I oannofc see with what colour of right I could refuse aa applica-: . itin fromthe Ashton rsou for moans to biinx Aitkin back from America ; wiih vs ha-, pretension could I re-
The Wortheust Stae Saturday, July 22, 1843.
THE WORTHEUST STAE SATURDAY , JULY 22 , 1843 .
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THE IRONMASTER'S ^ DEPUTATION to THE PRIME MINISTER . In our article on the "Strike of the Colliers , " we have alluded to a Deputa Ton appointed by the Iron Mastera of Staffordshire to wait upon the Prime Minister , to represent to him the " great depression " in the iron trade , and the consequent suffering to both masters and men . 1
Since that article went to press , we have received an account of the " interview , " Which we hero give , that the reader may judge for himself how far our anticipations of the tone and statements , and remedies , of the " masters" were from being correct . Their first object , was to obtain a " modification of the Corn Laws . " No doubt J •* Tho Americans will not take our iron because we will not take their corn . " The dolts The Americans will take our iron when they have none of their own : but while they have , and can employ their own labour in its manufacture , they would be as great asses asloar Iron Masters to think
of getting it from abroad , either in exchange for corn or anything el ? e . The fact is , we are being regularly driven out of the American market ! Nay , she has followed us into our own , and is actually underselling us there ! She can send us manufactured cottons cheaper" than ( we can produce them ourselves , "low , " miserably ^ 'low , " as our wages are I Our manufacturing game | as far as America is concerned , is up ! Here is the account of tho interview . Let those parts we have marked in italics and capital letters be carefully conned over : —
The deputation of ironmasters from South Staffordshire had a long interview yesterday morning by appointment wltn Sir Robert P < sel , for tae purpose or presenting a memorial ftom | this district , eetti-Tg forth the extreme state of depression under which the iron trade is at present labouring , and the condition of the working population . j Tue -business- was opened by the Chairman of the Deputation , James Foster , E q , who stated the extreme falling off in the demand for iran , the great
depression in the price , and tbe consequent reduction in the wages of labour and ] contraction in the means of employment , together resnUsd in a condition of tho workmen which could not be contemplated without eerious apprehension . It was stated tbat the obj ct of the deputation was in no way connected with . ny iutnution f aolicititig support from the Govfrnmem by way « f prcunviry assistance to enable thc . u to cojMiniif r > : « ir "orfes in otH-r . Hion . but to discu ^ . s The praciu-ubi-. ' .-. y Of XUo application of any measures by 1
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THE " TIMES" AND REPEAL . The new light , or rather the varied shadows of light , that beam upon the . " Cosmopolite Journal " must , no doubt , afford a considerable share of amusement to its readers ; aud we can scarcely wonder at the indecision with which it charges the Government ^ when we find its own policy varying with ( eaoh passing breath . The Times of Wednesday ia now lying before us ; and we wore not a little amused by the perusal of a letter
( From a Correspondent , ) and dignified with largo type . The writer has dished up for us all the old and hackuied complaints , the existence of every one of which our friend of the Times , not long since , assured us was merely chimerical . < But now that the danger thickens , they are not only admitted to exist , but a remedy is actually pointed out , and the writer goes so far as to recommend a legal standard of wages of a shilling a day , with tbe entire abrogation of the " middle-man" system . This antidote , however , is not to 'be administered without the patient having previously been prepared with the poison of
coercion ; as the writer proposes that the present agitation should I be firstly put down by the strong arm of ( he law ; that some twenty of the leading demagogues fshall be poked into prison ; and that in the calm , justice , full and ample justice , shall be administered to the people , through the aforesaid legal rise in their wages . We are apt to think , however , that as it has been , so it ever will be ; and if the reqnired calm was once produced by the poison , the promised antidote would be lost sight of , until the uext querulous demand for its administration had presented itself as a further ueccssiiy for the strong arm of the law , and the poking inio prison of another batch of the dissatisfied . There is al ? o in the Times of the eame date and under tlu ; h ' a " -,
The Carlisle Chartists—The Sheffield Chartists And The Treasurer Of The Defence Fund.
THE CARLISLE CHARTISTS—THE SHEFFIELD CHARTISTS AND THE TREASURER OF THE DEFENCE FUND .
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A THE NORTHERN STAB ,
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 22, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1222/page/4/
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