Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd September 1843, Edition 1 of 4, Page 7, Untitled Article

Page 7
Page 7
7 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (2)
    • $*xti& $&Q c otvamt$.
    • 2T^ Grtlierf $&obetnent.
  • Text (13)
  • Transcript

    • 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.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      TJ 2 OTEB 5 AL BROTHERHOOD . ; 1 ETXER XXV * TO IKK XDXTOB . OP THE HOSTHEXS STAB . SIR , —Tbe receipt of your paper to-day haa induced ae to « f _ ect for consideration , &s tke next remedy Hiat haibera proposed ior the removal of what has been ftnmd ^ ppresdve , that of the Cbartisto . Ta those who have watched tie progress of the agib £ ion lot * - * Cfcarter , it mnst be evident that , as a jxjlitiol movement , It is one of Uib meat Important ^ rer ncdertafcen 1 ? the people of any country . Differing ** entirely as I do -with the bada of individBal » d personal rights on 'which it stands , in -eem > ^

      acm with <***? oUler Political imtitntton at present existing , I may perhaps be allowed a greater freedom in offering those lemazka which occur to me , i _ asm _ eb M they wQl "be known to emanate not from any desire or intention to _ take part in the mevement ; but that I vaj , if p «« We , render -that assistance by way of rog . gation , which it ia the common daty of * very indi-• ndnal in society to give to hia fellow-men at all James ; and which isiiow so much more imperiously demanded , it a period when It must be allowed by all , that we are in the midst of the most extraordinary events that ^ ra occurred in any " age , or in say « onntry .

      I _ ai a body of people who hare , when an emergency required it , registered themselves to the somber of Sues mSlions of persons , stall calmly agree , without its slightest dinenaon er coafnsion , to-ragaDira themjelTes under the 1 &wb of the country , for the objects , by pescfcf al and legal means * 3 < me , of let Bettering tkB condition of man , by removing the en * * which have produced moral and social degradation ; 2 nd . Providing fei the nnemployed , and to give means of support to those who are desireua of locating upon the land is an event of no ordinary nature ; and one that will be looked to most anxiously for its results by all Tanks , classes , sects , and pasties , not only in thia country , but throughoat the civilized world . When those persona further take as theii principles : —

      1 st ! Ehat it is necessary to subject those who have the power of making the laws , to a strict responsi bflity to those who are required to obey them wien made . 2 nd . That this responsibility can be brat enforced through the instrumentality of & body emanating from , and subject to , tha whole people . 3 rd . That this representation must indnde : lfce snfftage ef all nutlet -who haTe arrived at tbe nge ef twentyone . _ _ . iih . That the trust shall be confided to the representative for one yea only . ota . That tie represented shall be protected in the exBrcise of his right to private Toting . 6 ta . That ins -cbolcejof the electors alone is a snfncient test for qualification . 7 th . That the elected shall receive payment for their services .

      8 th . That there be equal eteeterial districts ; ibey take a stand or position from which nothing that hsi hitherto appeared in the political world can possiblydMod ^ them . There 5 s , however , one "word contained in these principles on which I must make a few remarks ; not with tsj Tiew of fault-finding at the coarse taken ; for I have nodonbfc bat ihe policy , < rr otherwise , has been well considered by those who have drawn up the Consti tnfeja and Xaws j but it is worthy of our mast serkfOB consideration , that it has been deemed necessary to put tie word * ' males" in the third clause ing ^ a -of 11 persons . "

      BcEection on the nature and constitution of mas or society xf&Et tend to convince all of us that our race will never be far progressed in the true path nntS the ctS distinctions of ssx , ss well as all other distinctions , are abolished . The xef onnex who can leave xme half of __ hnmsn race to draw 4 own and weaken the other , by remaining either in ignorance or subjection , so ss to be deprived of what are considered the just rights of ismstoty , will find , in an age like the present , that be has not that generons confidence in the trne state of the pabfic mind that is necessary to allow him to bring all

      his power into the field .. I know it may be urged , and j perbapsirnly , that women are sot yet in a state fit for i toe exercise of these rights ; and it would tend to bring ! the present movement into confusion to admit them ; hot M this be the greater stimulus to ns individually « nd collectively ,, immediately to set oomlvea to thetask of milking women fit to be our companions , sssucistes , and advisers in everything we undertake i for we may depend on it that we are acting contrary to those immutable laws -which garem the universe , if we ever expect to elevate the condition of man , and in our attempt leave woman unnoticed or unattended to .

      TMs matter appears to me so vitally important that I cannot refrain dwelling open it at some length . We all know that women are , by the laws of our being , in possesnon of great power over every action we perform ; sad if their faculties are not cultivated to the highest fxtsnt , morally , intellectually , and physically , we shall In vsin look for that superior degree of existence which , is the eloquent language of the address of the Conference , is dow shown to be so easily attainable . A body so numerous and intelligent as the Chartist * Be , with sucb / objects and principles before ike world , cannot foil to obtain What they seek , provided their Organization and Executive are equal to the other porsons of the machinery .

      I With regard to the Orgssizition , your readers will all how that it is not on that principle which I consider 2 iebests but I must freely own that it is fax in adnnee of wh&t any one had a right to expect wonld hve been obtained in so short a time ; and it shows aa idvancein the "right direction * o rapid ss will not fail to strike aweand trembling into the minds of those vho have hitherto laughed at the efforts of the multl-I Me ; and they will , in their turn , begin to examine 1 Sa manner in whioh th ^ y canbest prepare for rbsugta 1 vhicn only a short time Eicce they would have thought I S siidnsss to have supposed would happen , at the 1 test in their generation .

      1 Let the Orgsnizabon which is now framed be honestly I s « d eficientiy carried into operation , and cordially sup-I jMttd by every member of the Association , and it wil ] 1 it found folly adequate for every purpose that will be j Injured to remodel society : for whenever truth and I jtsace thsll have been found really to have erected a I c-njoint stendafd , every thing will to rapidly Sock J nonnfl it , that aQ the elements Jot providing every I fe » g iece » ary for hnman Tedemption , will be readily 1 ^ plied by those who possess them . 1 In all movements that have hitherto occupied the 1 pablie attention , too much stress appears to me to have I ieen paid to the procuring of funds , to attain that I eiject in the readiest manner . Those who have not 1 JLaaej , fancy that those who possess it cannot be injl&oedxo part with it in any manner ; whereas nothing 1 i » , in fact , more -erroneous . A fair per centage and

      I S ° w security , will always command capital , whatever I naybe ihe object to which it may be applied ; and at fia prssent period , T 7 ben Hie state of the money a Barker is , as is is deBjaibed to be in the exlract Jx baTe made from Mr . Alsop ' s Circular , to fear an I ifeqiaSe supply cf capital , is to erpreis a doubt of the I Cdlijence or integrity of those to whom any business-1 utter is to be entruBted ; or to fear that the capital so ssptojed cannot be nsed £ 0 ss to proride ^ ofncienV ssscneratfon to pay for its u&e . In addition to tbe money to Le obtained from capitalists , and as a core imme-«* Wy available resource , you will have as your com-** fid ihe subscriptions and donations of tha members fctf friends of the Association ; and if tfee Executive *» do their bvmnsea in that unity , that will be ulti-£ &ly arrived at , these two scurces will render tbem * &ely independent of the necessity of applying to sjo-Jser .

      1 isve not beard who are the Executive , nor am I i thether one has yet been formed ; for I have ^ PoscJyssToided looting info the details , that I may *< BDconacocsly be biassed by any personal consder-* Kn in my remarks : but whseTer they are , I would ^ 'fi to Epeak in teat universal spirit which I bops * 5 n soon actuate us an in tha great duties Tvhicb are - *** evidently being prepared for us , and through which | I&ipe -vre Sh » 11 all toon be fitted for She t ***» t -we have - ' { "Paform . fiends , you have bien upon you duties of ihe bijjb-* importance for the welfare of our common country , * 4 the eyes of all classes in every ci-riliaid country * S be upon you to see the ; msnner in wbicb yon per-^ a them . Allow me to urge upon yon in ibe Ftrong-*« id most emphatic manBer , thB uecessiry of your

      iI g to yoor task with that love for all men ss your *^ tren that shall make you lay aside all arrogance ^ srlf-co nceis , thai may be . in your minds . Xet us a iun « nber that the talents we may respectively have ^ Jerannitted to onr care are the creation of one power ^~* is enfirtly incomprebensible to ns ; and that **« sh this power alcne are we daily and "hourly ^ ainea Mid pjEeerved . Let us Tememteer that tbiB 1- *» a ha abundantly provided ns the elements of sup-\* fci all its creatures , air , water , land , labour and * *> ma thai our fathers and brothers have already vJbe-meef those elements provided a large capital ; : **| j& 0 Betfcin £ B alHiougH now held conventionally by T ^ Bals , can of right belong to no crs&ted being , and -1 i ? J 011 bav £ taken npsn you to commence a very

      conr * a&e dleration in the hitherto established * onven-^» of thi » eonntry . Pnrsne your business vith that <^|« od energy which is secesary to ensure success Jn 1 ^ 1 * I » rit , and yon will not long be wanting eTery S ^^^ ttuit is necessary for your work . If you can | l ^ * e waiinginstnaientB of the Great Power that tEL * ^ necessity acknowledge , and can submit y * to « t in strict accordance with its immutable f ^^ 6111 ^ **> ^ 0 P on it that your efforts will be J-bi *^ ^^ Jaccess j but on flie other hand , if the Ito ^ T ^ ^ yonrnatuTesshaadrawyta aside . Into f rf P «» onal aelfidmess , wnMtion , oisny other ' St ^ ia « y l ead to party , partial , or -Sectarian ' w ?; ? " * ai ^ nnJBpported by yosa fenow-mea , I iH ^ yfr 'wm Joevitably result , whatever may be for

      '¦¦ r * eS « ^ ^ 2 ^ 8 ^ P 0111 ° B to BTOid internal dis-^ T "T ^ oinjonreonBcflB for if those occur . 2 te 2 ?* !? *• ^ tedeed ' - WTT ^^ e « mark « to the Executive I m » y 3 > er-L exeuied lot offering & & » to tbe « eBBral * & * !•?* ^" 8 : b « d some ' ijujflilfii In 1 i iiimTTIiii Hzth ^ L *** % Rafioi ad ^ K . - " a * t « fl pafonMo « o * t *» dntiE » of your office win ±£ r * J * 7 materially the prcjgress of tie present - - *) ^^ ? ° ^ ^ wiU lequke all the talents yon ' ? 0 Be * however Tast . The fiat grsst- *** p to be

      Untitled Article

      tsken will be to secure an efficient registration of all the members ; for unless this be done you will have no compact mode of distinguishing between those who aid you and those -who do not By this step « lene can you always have before you for the toe ef the Executive , the relative claims which the various members have upon the society for the regularity and attention wWch they have given to ita objects . The next ia to secure , with regularity and promptitude \ ha collection of those funds which each member agrees to contribute and ^ In justice to all this should be enforced by each during the time he remains a member . The third

      point I would tuggert , is the value of the * greatest regularity in publishing the * ccounts of the aocletyj and that this be done ia the most plain and simple manner , exhibiting both the receipt and expenditure in . such a form that all may understand them ; and the fourth is the value that arises from the correspondence to yonr office being replied to regularly . For this latter purpose the columns of the Northern Star will tfford mnch valuable assistance . There are of course an immense number of other matters that require yonr careful attention , and I hope you will have the suggestions of all who wish well to humanity ; for your situation is one on "which much depends .

      . To the Chartist body generally I would , say , friends , I do hope the dsy has now arrived when personil dissension '^ will cease in your ranks . Remember each of yon that provided good can be effected , it is of KtUe importance who shall be the agent for the purpose , * Sirring to the jealousies exciting among his disciples , a Reformer to whom we are now taught to refer with "veneration , bat one who in his own day was persecuted unto death , said : ' he that would be great among you , let him be your servant : and it is not

      unlikely that such advice if practically acted upon , would be highly serviceable in the present day . Your weakness has hitherto arisen from a struggle for precedence , which will be sure to be awarded to you eventually if yon are found fit for It ; for you may all depend that there is work enough to be done to occupy the undivided energies of every member of the present and meny succeeding generations , before man will be at all . satisfied with the position in which he is placed , either with regard to bis moral , intellectual . or physical wellbeuu ; . .

      • Yost Conference have put forth a talented address to | the industrious classes of the United Kingdom , to-which i tfeey will of necessity respond , as soon as full confidence ; isTeposed in the Executive ; but there is one passage in | it to which I siMt call attention , as It appears to me to | contain a serious error . The address states , " We have | only the fatal obstacle of unjust and usurped Governinterposing between as , nature's munificence , and the enjoyment of those bkssiegs which the greatest efforts of national ingenuity have so magniaciently accomplished . " This paragraph appears to me to overlook the entire cause of the eviL It cannot be in the

      Government solely ; for this is & thing of our own Conventional creation , and if we were all good ; and wise , we should make a corresponding government to-morrow . Tiie « evil is in ourselves ; and we must search deeply in our own hearts far a portion of the remedy ; the other portion must be supplied by altering the conditions or circumstances in wiiich all are placed ; and our daily increasing experience will be sore to point out to us the manner in which this can be done , more especially if we can setabout it with that universal love to which I so often revert , as 1 know it is in reality the only tiring wanting .

      We may depend on it that the Government of this country is , at xbe present moment , too much intimidated by the aspect-of foreign affairs to desire to be estranged from thB people at home . Could titey see ho w to accomplish -whai all desire , they would be ready to make the attempt ; but they have beeatrained and educated in a manner that leaves them unfit to guide the helm of affairs ia a crisa like the present . We have , however , no reason to despair ; there is a power directing and controlling » H these event * for oat good , in a manner which , although for the present mysterious and incomprehensible , is not the less sure in its operations . Pnrrae , as you have lately doae , yonr onward coarse calmly and confidently ; be assured that the universal laws are becoming daily better understood , and the rd&r in wbicb we approach them must regulate the degree of happiness we obtain . I am , Sir , your obedient Servant , WlLWAH GALMH . Concordinm . Ham Common , Surrey . Sept If , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      ^ m TO TBE CHARTISTS OP NOTTINGHAM AN 3 > SOUTH DERBY . Bkotheb Democrats . —I now resnmo the pen in order to give yon a brief account of my labours since I wrote my lwt ifcttEr . On Monday the 4 th of September , I delivered a third lecture in I > erby Market-place , upon one of the remedies propounded by a certain party in this country , commonly called free traders . I had an Excellent meeting , and spoke an hour and a quarter , during which time I endeavoured to lay bare the many fallacies wbicb have been spouted forth by the peraons employed to agitate the public mind in favour of a ¦ repeal of tbe Corn Laws , and » further extension of trade ^—aot only those employed by the league , and paid out of tie bard earned pence of thP poor and much oppressed factory operatives , but belched out by the leajme itself .

      On Sunday the 10 th instant , I attended three camp meetings which were held on Greasley Common , a place jusUy celebrated by tbe < 3 iartists of the neighbourhood , in conseane' ce of Mr . John West being tried at Derby for a sermon which he preached on tbe above named Common ; the which sermon was set forth in the indictment as seditious , but as yon all know , my friends , was not substantiated by evidence . Mi . West was therefore honourably acquitted . Toe first meeting took place abont eleven o ' clock , a . m . Mr . Harrison opened the business by giving out a hymn . He then stated the objects for wbicb tbey were sailed together ; and called upon M ' . D-immn to address them . Mr . Borman . made a very effective speech which told well upon his hearers . WbeH he had finished , the people sang another byran , and immediately separated for dinner .

      At . two o'clock in the afternoon , the second meeting took place , and tbe same preliminaries gone through . Mr . Harrison then introduced Mr . Tickers , who preached an excellent democratic sermon . Ycur bumble servant also addressed ihe people upon the character and condnct of the Christian Ministers throughout this country . I endesveured to do justice to their reverences . Tbe people tben withdrew to take tea , and assembled again by « x o'clock , when Messrs . Harrison and Dorman delivered two very spirited discourEes , after which the people returned to their

      home * , highly delighted with tbe day ' s proceedings . The people of Greasley are principally engaged in making pots , en earthenware , and getting coal . I am sorry to say , like all other places , they are oppressed , and ground down by those who he ^ e power over them , particularly the colliers . One of the masters gave orders to his overlookers and pitmen that they must not attend the Caaiust , camp meetings , and that if such oTilera "were disobeyed , if any mao went to tbe meetingB , sad be found it out , he would instantly discharge him from his employment . And yet , my friend 3 , this master is a Christian , at least , a professing

      one-On ilendny , the 11 th , Mr . Harrison and myself proceeds to Bnrton-npon-Trent , aid arrived there abont four in ihe afternoon . On our arrival , we learned that the a . n'h ' -rities had giTen orders to the constable to stop our meeting in the Market Place . I immediately weal lo the constable . As Boon as he saw me , he said : - " yen the person who is to lecture here ? "' " Ye * . " Then I » m authorised to prevent yon . " " By whoee « rtboritj , pray ? " " By the anthority o' the Mayor . " I thru ssted if the Market Piace -was private propertj ? He answered that it belonged the Maiquis of Ancie ? = y . In tLe course of a few minutes , the people a *>* r . j V ^ fj : and I informed them that the meeting was

      cot iiiowed to be held there , but that I would proceed to rhe ¦ srater side , a distance of abont two hundred yar- ' -s . 3 nd address them . They followed , and we had a J-piecdid meeting . My friend Harrison acted as chai-jnaD . and opened the bn&in&ss in an excellent speech : after -which 1 spoke aD hour to the people , but TF 3 Z r . rrnns the time frequently interrupted by the eoi ^ taKw ' a son—a yonng man -whose " bump" of ignora ce -eras immensely developed , aid , 1 assure you , 1 di ^ rot forget to tell him so . The people of Burton ars much oppressed and tyrannised over by their empli > ytr « , wma of whom Urrrattned the poor fellows with instant dismissal , if they dared to attend the meet ; us .

      On Tusflay njght , 3 delivered a lecture in Tutbury to a nuiaereas metting , on class legislation . Tb < petple were very attentive to the discourse There are a few sterling Chartists in tbe above village whose hearts are "warmly attached to thb sacred cause of political freedom . The great bulk of the labourers are in a state of poverty , being miserably paid for their labonr-On Wednesday night , 1 delivered another lecture in Daifey Market-place , upon the Corn Laws , and tad a goodly mneter of workies . The cause in Derby is beginning to revive . Or- Thursday night , I addressed the people of Ilkeston in the open air , upon the evil tflVcts of class legislation .

      Tbe meeting was an excellent one , and a very en » hnsiast ! C feeling in favour of democratic pricdples was manifested by my hearers . The land in and about Ilkeston belonss to the Duke of Rutland . Many have gardens attached to a > eirhouses , « r cottages , &b tbey are tensei ; the rent averages twenty shillings a year for a cottage and one-fifth of an acre of land . Of ccurse the parties who hold or live in the cottages have built them themselves , so that the pound a year charged is to pay the grouDd rent . O J I would that thousands of the poor fellows Id Lancashire had their gardens to grow Ttgetables in the same manner as the men of llkeston .

      On Saturday , I lectured to the people of Borrowash Tneraeettng was not numerous , being the first held there for < 3 carttst purposes for many months ; another reason assigned for tho thiiness of th » numbers was , that the people had been often disappointed by the lecturers who promised to attend , but failed in performing such promise . I would advise my brother agitators , above all other things , to be punctual to-their engagements . On Sund » y morning last , the following resolution ¦ was proposed by Hi . R- T- Morrison in the Deaocratic ChBpel , and seconded by Mr . "Wall : " TfcaS we adopt tb ^ Plan of Organ-siUon a *« reed upo n at Birmingham , and wDl fxstt ourselves to carry it into egfetas soon sa it * enrolment jg procured . ' *

      Untitled Article

      Brother Democrats , the Plan is now before you ; examine it carefnlly , and if you believe that it is calculated to forward the great and glorious principles of human liberty , act up to it Carry out as far as lies in your power its every clause , and then you have the consolation to say , that if it failed it was not throngh yonr neglect . » I remain , as lunal , Yonr fellow labourer in the vineyard of Chartism , CHEISTOPHEE DOTtK . Nottingham , Sept 17 th , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      NEWS PROM NEW ZEALAND . The following interesting extracts ate from letters just received from Mr . George Biuns , late of Sunder-Jandi— Port Nelson , Feb . 10 th , 1843 . " What would I not give to wander " Where my old companions dwell . *'—Baylep . " You will all be anxious to know how I progressed towards my adopted country . We sailed from the West India Decks on ths 1 st of August , 1842 , aad arrived in the Downs a day or two af ttr . We were about a week in the Channel , encountering adverse winds one day , and a gentle and favourable bieez 3 the next , when the broad Atlantic opened to our view , and left behind us tbe dim and distant outlines of my fatherland . . Home with all its enchantments rushed upon my mind , and

      aa each trace of England faded from my view , the warm and guishing tear that unbidden rose , in vain gave calmness to my troubled breast My doom is fixed . New Zealand must be worse , if once again I tread my native shores . To think about return were madness ; and to weep over what we cannot note avert were folly . Courage . weak heart ! said I , though it be the courage of despair ; for it were better to receive the stroke of fate with noble bearing , than to shrink and cower beneath its falling blow . We got a distant view of the coast of France in sailing through tbe Channel ; but on passing outside the Bay of Biscay , along the coast of Spain and Portugal , we did not see a speck of land . The weather was delightfully mild , the skies were dear , a-: d the waters comparatively still ; but not still enough

      to keep away the nauseous filthy sense of squally seasickness . Tbe worst feature of a sea-voyage is ( barring sickness ) the dull monotony , boundless as ocean ' s self that prevails around you . Nothing interesting to the mind , unless it be the few phenomena presented like *¦ angels' visits to the eye of the naturalist Here we see a troop of porpoises , perhaps four or five feet long , leaping two or three feet above the water ' s level , and posting through the mighty ocean like couriers bent on some hasty mission of importance . They come very near the vessel , and are easily caught by the harpoon . We caught several , and most delicious food they are . Sometimes we saw sharks , gr&mpusscs , and whales . Within the tropics swarms of flying flab were glittering , with their transparent wings , in the burnicg sun . In

      doubling the Cape of Good Hope we encountered some severe weather , sometimes going at nine knots an hoar , vnder oare poles , with seas that threatened to bury the old Bombay for ever . In the Indian ocean we were all alarmed by the bursting of a thunder-bolt on the deck of the vessel , which came down the mainmast , burnt the sails , and would have set the ship on fire , but for a torrent of rain , which providentially extinguished it at the moment The explosion was terrific . Two men were brought into the cabin nearly dead , but ultimately recovered . I was just falling to sleep at the time , and -when I heard that the men were struck by the electric fluid , I was on deck in bo instant , discharging my duty in assisting to carry them to their berths , an * administering restoratives . We arrived in sight of New

      Zealand , after traversing 20 , 000 miles of water in abont five months , and were landed ( after heaving too for tke night ) in Tasman ' s Gulph . : Tbe country is very mountainous . With almost a tropic sun scorching us , we have mountains covered with everlasting snow . Immense forests of trees , some 180 feet high , extend for miles over mountains 2 nd valleys ; and the climate is delightfully pleasant , with skies clearer than in Eoglaud , and tbe winter milder . The natives are a fine race of people , but in danger of corruption from tbe influence of a pssudo civilization . Tall * stately looking people , tbey carry on a traffic with our colony , and trade in potatoes , onions , melons , fish , ic-, all of which they catch , rear , or grow themselves . They are not very nice about their dress . Sometimes you will see one

      with a coat without hia trousers , or wearing a hat without any shut ; sometimes one shoe *> n , sometimes one stocking only . Tbey are remarkably peaceable , bave a place of worship here , are honest , and always refuse intoxicating drink . Tbey respect people who treat them well , and would break their hearts to see us leave their ^ land . They respect people in authority , and call our Governor Wide auokef Thie is now the 26 . h of January , 1843 , and I have waited till tbe present time for employment The Company had no vacancies , though I got a promise from she Captain for the first In the meantime a gentleman here , Mr . Ross , a storekeeper , kindly offered to build a store and stock it if I would go into partnership with a friend of his , a Mr . Campbell , of Edinburgh . I have accepted the offer ,

      and we will start in s few weeks as butchers , bakers , and general storekeepers . I have paid , while here , 103 . a-week tor & room , exclusive of board . I realised SO per cent by the gvods I brought out , after paying expenses of sale . I am very comfortable , considering the distance from my native land . Mr . Ross has taken a liking to me , why , I cannot tell : it was not for my money , as my pockets were completely empty i but , I suppose , he has traced Borne lines of candour end honesty in my looks" * * * " It is now midsummer , and ever since I landed our rainy days have not averaged more than one in ten . We are not troubled with atoriny winds at thiB time , and even gentle breizia are Bcarce . " * * ? " Capital is wanted in New Zitdand—labour is too abundant proportionately

      to the capital—numbers of men are compelled to work on the roads , and wages aie falling , as tbe number of such men are rapidly increasing , and unless Jbrming capitalists are multiplied , the resources of the colony may be soon drained . The celony has participated in the depression at home . The wages of the Company ' s men now ere 14 s . per week , and only one-half tbeir lormer ratiouB ; whilst mutton is setting at Is . per lb ., ork 8 d . and the four pound loaf Is . 2 d . labour must be limited unless more capital is sent Stilj tbe Company ' s labourers are better off than many In England : their condition would be materially improved were more capital embarked in agriculture . Tbe attention of tbe Company will doubtless be directed to this matter . The excess of labourers , compared with tbe demand for them , though it makes their labour cheap , and is apparently , therefore , a benefit to the

      agriculturists and employers of labour , is nevertheless found to be a serious practical injury . Under such circumstances the labourers may produce but cannot consume ; and without the latter the former must stop . Experience , however , will seen correct our youthful 6 rrors as a colony . We have energy and enterprizs , hope and strength , an uncultivated country and a splendid climate ; our wants an few ; our living simple and rational ; we are not borne down by state debts and heavy taxes : we will therefore su mount existing difficulties . Our course is enward . I am in good health and excellent spirits considering that I am an exile from my friends and country . My food is miik and bread twice a-day , and I dine on pancakes or pndding . I abstain from flesh meat , and am groving fat on this fare , and water beverage . " " George Binns . "

      Untitled Article

      THE OPPRESSIONS OB THE "COAL KINGS . " TO THB EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAB . Respj . cTED Sir , —Knowing your willingness at all times to take up the cause of the oppressed against tbe oppressor , I take the liberty of soliciting a place in your invaluable journal for tbe insertion -f the enclosed address , which has been extensively circulated in ¦ Wi ^ an and the neighbourhood , by the " Coal Kings " and their tools , whereby the public have been led

      astray as to the cause of the coal miner ' s grievances . At the same time a base attempt has been mads to got the coal mint-ra to mix up tbeir question with that of cefunct Whiggery . By inserting the address , and my reply , yon wiJl jgreatiy oblige yours in the cause of suffering bumnnity , The Coal Miner ' s friend and the Public ' s Obedient servant , William Dixon . Manchester , Sept . 18 th , 1843 .

      ADDRESS TO COLIIEB * . As you are ab » ut to convene a meeting of the Coal Miners in Lancashire , to consider your present distressed condition , and to adopt such pi ^ ms as may tend to iwprove your circumstances , permit one "who is a well wiiber to you anti your families to suggest a bint to your leaders and to yourselves in general . You appear to forget , or wilfally keep out of view the main source of your misery—a deprcEsed and ruined trade . You knu 7 , or at least your leaders well know from what quarter this ruin of trade , especially

      the foreign trade , proceeds . A very great majority of your class of suffering operatives -was determined by bludgeons , as far as your assistance could go , to place the individuals in power who bave stopped the current of dtmand for your labour . Tbey have Imposed a duty which precludes a foreign trade ; and yet , with a strange infatuation of conduct and reasoning , you support the men who have done it , and throw the odium of this depression upon the masters , who could net , without bringing themselves into your situation , and thus destroying both parties , carry on their business with a higher rate of wages . :

      None but tbe most obdurate can witness with apathy the distresses and privations to which your class are at thiB time reduced . Though we are compelled to admit that much of this is attributable to a wasteful and wanton expenditure of yonr hard earnings ; yet it is well known from undoubted facts teat the most industrious among you cannot obtais a comfortable subsistence for your families in the present state of the coal trade . Sut let se advise you to lock fairly at the matter in all its bearings . Do not suppose that'Masters can , by a sort of magic , conjure money to satisfy a heavy wages ]? st ; or raise the produce of . ycur labour to the top of tbe ground ynthoni a market , and without a suitable

      Untitled Article

      ! Z ^ » hi ° h tothemelves to k * ep the very establish . Sion " PP ° lVyon in . COttrw ° f successful . SfrfiSS " T ^ a 6 y ° on the rapacity and ty-SSi ?? ffifi * " * « # » -9 «> li cauw of your dis-^ i £ t £ *® 5 J ? F * * ««<» n »« 8 t convince you ™ , £ V £ ? *» tok'woven with that of your employers . It fa a mest irrational and absurd expects-! S 5 £ ? ^ l " ^ ^ ° PP ° * J that they can sink a large % f * r £ SF V ' me ! ata <* «»¦ fcttefcd or entirely ST ^ fir * ^ ^ Ml ve trade would command . You therefore , with ^ aslngultt inconsistency , arraign the very . parties at the very bar . of your judgment , who in a certain senw are your fellow sufferers , and exonerate those who have contributed to lay this embargo on your prosperity and comfort . » *

      Your meeting together for the pnrpase of considering your situation and prospects is perfectly right and proper . None can justly condemn it But your principal attention ougbfr'to be directed to the Bpring of your grievances . Without this , you may adopt a thousand expedients , and yonr remedies wUl only be superficial In their character and temporary in their duration : resembling a wound slightly healed , but still ratikllng in all its virulence beneath . Let yonr leaders be consistent with their professed sympathy for the poor . Let them not be continually descanting on your sufferings , whilst they are lending all their energies to tbe support ef the system which , is withering by its pestilential influence the best prospects of both employers aad employed .

      Untitled Article

      THE MINERS OF CUMBERLAND TO THE MINERS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND . 3 j j Friends and Bbetiiren , —Wejbave been now a month without work , in defence of our common cause . Oar masters knowing ,, of our depressed circumstances , occasioned by the many reductions ] which tbey bave made in our wages , united themselves in a bond of one hundred pounds , to each and all refuse employment to any man belonging to the union . They issued u paper binding us noe to belong to the union , which we must either sign or cease to work . ; We choose the latter alternative and are now wholly depending upon your eym pathy for support i Will you allow tbe men of Cumberland to be in battle array against you , as we must be , if our tyrannical employers force us into compliance ? We trust not , brethren . Your own interests demand that we should be aided . i

      We bave received the following i sums , — Wingate £ 10 ; Rainton , £ 6 2 s ; Enat Cramlington , £ 5 3 s- 6 < l ; Cassop , £ 5 ; New Durham , £ 4 ; Heaton , £ 3 18 s ; Leaton Dalivel . £ 2 9 s ; Ravensworth , £ l 13 s ; Hebburn , £ 1 8 a . 6 d ; Coxlodge , £ 1 5 s . 7 d ; Whitley , £ 1 3 e . 8 d ; Walker , £ 1 ; Walldrege ! Fell , £ 1 ; Shiacliffe , £ 1 7 a ; Oakwellgate , 17 s ; Wylam , I 6 s . 0 d ; West Stanley , 143 . 10 £ d ; South Pclow , 6 s ; Morpeib 10 s . These are the sums we have received this week for tbe support of 1 , 500 men . Be up and doing a little longer , and the victory is ours . Onward , and we conquer ,- backward , and we falL j John Madine , Secretary .

      Untitled Article

      AMERICAN AFFAlBvS . New YoKKf Aug . 31 . There is a warm contest under weigh , in the ranks of the Locofoco party * as to tho manner in which the delegates to the presidential convention shall beonoaen . These conventions are to be composed of as many members as constitute the House of Rrpresentaiive in Congress , each stata to send as many delegates to the convention as it sends representatives to Congress . . . . Now , the exciting question in the democratic ranks is—how shall these delegates be chosen f Shall it be in each state by congressional districts ? «) r shall each state elect the whole number to which it is euentitled on the same ticket .

      The great mass of tbe friends of Mr . Van Buren are opposed to the project of selecting the delegates by Congressional districts ; while , so f ? r as I am informed , the supporters of all the otber candidates are decidedly for the direct system-It is now certain that both brancbos of tha Legislature of Tennessee are Whig , » wi consequently that two Whig senators will be chosen to represent that state in the Senate of th ^ United States . There is also one vacancy from Illinois in the United States Senate . This will be filled by a Locofoco . The Senate will then stand , until 1845 { supposing none to die or resign ) , tw . > niy-eigbt Whigj and twenty-four Locofoco or LVjaiootatic . This result renders any material' charge in tha

      tariff , in the next session of Congress , more uncertain than was anticipated . From the New York papers we learn that the agitation- for the constitutional reform of the state is going on as warmly as over . At the Tabernacle s meeting was recently held in pursuance of a call for a mass Convention there , mada by the Reforming party . The Mayor of New York city presided at the meeting , and declared his adhesion to tho objaot of tho Association . The great patronage at present entrusted to the Executive was , he said , one of hia chief reasons for advocating a referm . As the Constitution at present stands , tho Governor of New-York is empowered to appoint 1 , 446 officers scattered throngh every town . This extensive patrona % * gtvea , it 8 i to

      it would appear , a most overwhelming . > -. uce the Executive , whioh ia felt but not seen , being secretly applied through the instrumentality of the dependants , and their still more numerous subordinates . But the evil , it is urged , does no :. « top at the vast power whioh is given to the Esccuavo ; it also conduces to the filling up of ofS ,: j =. with inefficient persons . It is impossible for tin Governor really to have a personal knowledge a " . d experience of all the individuals whom he is to appoint , and therefore he is obliged to depend nmcii on the advice of others , whose recomtnendadnuK will generally be found interested . Ooher peculiarities of the present state of tho Executive and of , -thn Legislature were mentioned as standing in especial ueed of reform .

      For the last week , wo have experienced some anxiety lest the yellow fever should make its appearance among us . A vessel from the West Indies , loaded with salt , having sick on board , was allowed by the health officer to pass the city and go up the North River fifty or sixty miles . Tho country people became alarmed , and the contagien extended with tho rapidity of lightning to the city of New York—not the contagion of fever , hut the contagion of fear . AU , however , is now tranquil , it having beei * ascertained that the yellow fever on board the West India vessel was not yellow fever . Such is the official report of Dr . Vaohe , resident physician of this city , sent by-the Board of Health to the place where the vessel lies , to examine as to the character of . the disease .

      $*Xti& $&Q C Otvamt$.

      $ * xti& $ &Q otvamt $ .

      Untitled Article

      Hamburgh , Sept . 11 . —The disturbances at the Millerin Gate Were renewed the evening before yesterday ; the interference of the military , as on the preceding evening , soon restored tranquillity . The tumult was the moat violent outside of that gate , where a detachment of drageons received orders to use their arms , and several persons were wounded . A considerable number of the rioters have been arrested . Yesterday evening the necessary precautions were taken by the military to prevent a repetition of the tumults , and accordingly , though a great number of persons were assembled under the gate , no disturbances took place .

      Death of Voltaibe ' s Gabdenbb—Matthew Dai ! - ledouze , the gardener at . the Chateau of Ferney , who had been in the service of Voltaire , has just died at a very advanced age . He possessed a number of relfr j of the witty Frenchman , and was an admirable cicerone to strangers visiting the Chateau—Galignani ' s Messenger . Naples—The whole of the San Germano and Ceprano road , situated on the Neapolitan territory , is infested by a numerous band of brigands , most of them mounted on good horses , and all of them well

      armed . All the way frota Capua carabineers were echelonnes on the road , but they were unable to check the brigandage , and had been more than once competed to flee before the banditti . Afc the head of the band are three convicts who have escaped from the galleys . Russia . —We learn from St . Petersburg , August 31 , that on the proposition of the Senate , the Emperor has issued a ukase establishing a uniform postage throu ^ haut Russia-and the Grand Duchy oi ' Finland , no matter what the distance may be ; so that henceforward the tax on letters will vary in obirgo only according to their Weight .

      African Expedition . —Private letters from Jiddah , on the Rad Sea , mention that an Englishman , Mr . Mansfield P <* rfcyn . » , late of Trinity College , Cambridge , is making preparations to ascend the White Nile , penetrate the Galla country , and strike across the continent to the Niger ! Our correspondent says , JMr . Parkyns is a highly spirited young man , and has been some time travelling in Asia Minor . Col . Stoddart and Capt . CoNNOLtY . —A letter from Constantinople states , that" the impression is every day gaining ground , at this place , that the report of tbo murder of Colonel Stoddart and Captain

      Conolly , at Bokhara , is altogether unfounded iu . ' act . AD tho Hajjis who pass through Constantinople , on their way 10 Mecca , agree in contradicting this story , and state that , though incarcerated , these gentlemen are still alive . " The Rights of Despots , v . the Rights of Man . —Political incarcerations have taken place in several provinces of Austria , Italian as well as German . The persons imprisoned are belonging , or suspected of belonging , to the sect of the Communists . The member ? of this sect are daily increasing throughout Germany , Switzerland , Tyrol , and the different States of Italy .

      Ascejit of Mont Blanc—A Jotter from Chaaiouny states that ; the ascent of Mont Blanc was made a short time since in a most rapid and successful manner , by Dr . * E . Ordinaire , of BesaDOon , and M . E . Tairraz , » f Charmouny , and a party of thirteen persens . They left ihe Prieure at noon of the 23 : d ; at half-past six in the evening arrived at the rocks of the grand mu ' et ? , which they again quitted the following day at half-past two in the morning . They were seon ascending fay the old road exposed to the avalanches , and where the three guides of Dr . Hamel were swallowed up in 1820 . At half-past ten M . Ordinaire , who was in advance of the other travellers with two of his guides , arrived at the eummit , where the rest-of the party shortly afterwards joined them . At a quarter part eleven , they commenced their descent by the new road , and at seven in the evening arrived at Chamouny .

      Religiocs Pkbsecution . —Dr . Kalley , a Scotch p hysician , in the island of Madeira , has been thrown into prison for ai tempting to convert the natives to Protestantism , by preaching to such of them as chose to attend on bis sermons , ia his own house , aad in the Portuguese language . This imprisonment is very naturally denounced by Dr . Kalley ' s friends as an arbitrary and tyrannical proceeding ; but still it is very doubtful whether that gentleman wag not violating the laws of Portugal , which barely tolerate the profession of the Protestant religion .

      State of Spain . —The public diligence from , Granada to Madrid was stopped and robbed on the night of the 1 st inat ., near Puerto Lapiche . Viscount Bejija and two daughters and twelve other passengers were inside . They were compelled' to alight , and remain with tbeir faces to the ground for upwards of three hours , and were completely stripped , and all their baggage and 1 , 500 dollars in money carried off . In consequence of the great efforts made by the first magistrate of Puerto Lapiche , sevon of the robbers were apprehended , with part of the effect ^ in their possession , within a few hours of the robbery . A Dl ; C VERY OP A LaBGB RlVBR IN AF 2 ICA . — Lieutenant Christopherof the Indian navywho

      , , was despatched from Aden upon a survey of the coast of Africa , by Captain Haines , has succeeded in discovering a splendid river to the northward of tho river Jub , which he entered and traced for one hundred and thirty miles . As he advanced , he found u increase in width and depth , and , according to the report of the natives ( a civil and obliging ra < jo ) it continued to do to for the next four hundred miles . The river is described to be from two to three hundred feet wide , and Sixty feet deep ; a clear meandering stream , with banfo in a high , state of cultivation , yielding all kinds of grain , which are abundant and cheap . Lieutenant Christopher has named hia discovery the " Haines River . "

      2t^ Grtlierf $&Obetnent.

      2 T ^ Grtlierf $ &obetnent .

      Untitled Article

      THK COLLIBKS' ANSWEE , Fellow Counihymkn , —in replying to the above address to the coa miners which has been extensively circulated amongstl you , I am actuated by no other motive than that of doing my doty to myself and fellowworkmen ; and , at the same time , toset the public right as ta the Btatements % hi » h it contains and the grievances of which we , aa a body , bave to complain . I Mill proceed to examine this wonderful production ; and in doing bo I have the vanity to think that having haa betwixt twenty and thirty years exper ience as a miner , I shall be able to expose the falae assumptions of its author to tbe satisfaction of a discerning public .

      In the second paragraph of our Anonymous Author's address , be endeavours to make tbe public believe that previous to the present Administration coming into office , tha Coal Kings # ere conducting then * business In such an honest and praiseworthy manner , as to leave us , tbe coal miners , no justifiable cause of complaint ; and , consequently , that onr grievances are of recent date , having had no existence before the passing of the New Tariff . I will take a review of the doings of tbe " Coal Kings , " from the year 1831 to 1840 , during which time trade increased to a greater extent than in any previous nine years of our history ; and , be it remembered , that this was before the existence of the present duty upon exported coals . And if I can shew by facts and figures that , year after year , there was an actual reduction in -wageB , what becomes of tbe arguments of this Anonymous Scribbler , that all our evils have bad their origin in , and are , attributable to , such duty ?

      As my limits will not allow me to insert the doings of every coal-master in the Wigan district , I will take one as a sample of the rest . This gentleman is one of those canting , feeling , sympathising individuals , who are for ever bawling for a : " big loaf" for the poor operatives ; and , consequently , our Anonymous Author cannot say that I have taken one of the greatest tyrants in the district for my specimen . In 1831 tbe miners were paid 6 a . 8 d . for twenty tubs , each containing three cwt of coals . In 1835 , notwithstanding it is generally understood that twenty constitutes a score , ' the coal-master insisted on having twenty-four from the workmen , but only allowed for twenty . By this means , he pocketed at the least , onesixteenth from the miner more than in 1831 . This is not all ; each tub was increased from three cwt to four and a half cwta ..- this , too , in time of good trade . The four

      additional tubs , at the prices of 1831 , would be equal to Is . 4 d , ; and , further , the tubs beinj one-third larger , would be tot the twenty tubs , to say nothing of the six hundred weight belonging to the four extra tubs , would make 2 s . 2 id . more , being a total of 3 s , 6 id ., which , added to the 6 s . 8 d ., would be 10 s . 2 Ad . for tbe twenty-four tubs , four and a half cwta . each , according to tbe prices of 1831 . But what is the fact ? Why , that instead of 10 s . 2 Jd ., the men only received 7 s ., in 1835 , for the same amount of labour that they received 10 a . 2 d . for in 1831 ; or a reduction of 3 s . 2 ^ d . per ecore in the Bhort space of four years !! and this , too , with an extending trade , and before the passing of the new Tariff . Bat the reductions did sob stop here . The tubs , being in good health , increased amazingly : the consequence of which was , a further reduction of one-fourth in the short space of two years—namely , from the year 1835

      to 1837 . I earnestly request the reader to carefully examine this part of the subject , and I feel convinced that he will agree with me that there is no class of men who have been mote cruelly treated by their employers than the coal miners . ' I will now endeavour to lay this part of my subject before the public in so plain and simple a manner that it cannot be misunderstood . In 1835 a miner cutting two yards in a face-end , seven feet wide , could send-up from twenty-three to twenty-four tubs of coal , and his slack . But such was tbe increase , of measure arising from the tubs being continually enlarged , that in 1837 , for the same amount of cutting in the same mine , the same length and depth , he could only send from seventeen to eighteen tubs of coal , and his slack . This the public will see was equal to a reduction in the wages of the poor enslaved miner of one-fourth of bis entire earnings .

      This manner of filching from the miner , the coal roaster considered himself perfectly justified in pursuing . But at tbe same time thought it very wrong to allow the consumer to be a participator in the benefits of snch robbery . Previous to this the coals were sold by the tub at the pit . The worthy in question bad the sagacity to perceive that notwithstanding he had the benefit of all that went by water , they being aoid by the pan , tbere was still tbe consumer in the home market , who was getting the increased measure for the same amount of money . To prevent this , he erected a weighing machine , and sold his coals by weight , and consequently pocketed the whole of the advantnges arising from the continual enlargement of measure which the miner was compelled to send .

      The next stratagem adopted to take away our earnings « as as follows . In order to make ( as the employer said ) the men be more attentive to their work , as he was in great want of coal , sixpence per score must be paid in tbe shape of bounty . If a man Sent so many scores per week , he must have the seven shillings ; but if he failed to de bo , no matter what was the cause , he must only be paid 6 s . 6 d- per score . The " coal king" had a double object in view by this . * namely , to reduce wages , and get a stock of coals before band , so that he would be enabled to tyrannize over the men with impunity . Unfortunately , he succeeded ; fer the bonnty was fixed at such a standard , it was next t # impossible for a man to get as many coals as would entitle him to it ; and , being unwilling to lose from

      Is . 6 d . to 2 s . in the week , he was obliged to work almost night and day . Having accomplished his end , the master turned round upon the men , and said , " Trade is very bad j I have no demand for coal ; I must , therefore , take off the bounty ; but mind this is not a reduction ; it is only the bounty that I gave you when 1 wanted coal . " Notwithstanding the fact that it was part ot tbe seven shillings originally paid fvr the score ; and by this means be only gave 6 s . 6 d . for the same . amount of labour in 1837 ( to say nothing of onu fourth of an increase in the siza of the tubB ) , thnS cost 10 a 2 Ad . in 1831 . The next step was giving

      out wider riddles . The standard width of the old riddles was an inch and one eighth , or 19 wires across , the new riddles were an inch and a half wide , or only sixteen wins across , for which he charged the men Ss . 6 d ., although many of them had riddles that wouM have lasted them for twelvemonths . This was equal to a redaction of sixpence per score , inasmuch as tbe jninera are only paid threehalfpence per tub for their slack . This was followed by a teduc . Uon of threepence per yard , or fourpence halfpenny per day . All these reductions actually toek place when wade was good , and before the law was" in existence about which the author if the address makes so much noise ..

      But I am forgetting myself . It ia time that I returned to the tuba again , which continued to increase in size « ntil they stuck fast in the conducting rod a going down tbe pit There , however ; was only two ways of getting tut of this difficulty : and that was either to make thtm less , or widen the conductors ; and I need scarcely Bay that tbe latter was adopted by the coDBcientieus Coal King of cheap bread" notoriety / The conot-que ce was , that the taking tree was taken up , and tbe pit mouth made : wider , and each conductor removed two inches . This was in 1839 . The tubs were nov ? allowed to grow a little more , until the pit which <* & 8 thirty feet in circumference was too small , and had to feb widened in several places where they caught against the sides . I will now endeavour to show the

      public the real condition of tbe miners in 1840 , and then leave them to judge if the ground taken by this Anonymous Lciibbler be tenable or not . In 1835 , tbe two yards in the i face end made twenty-three or twenty-four tubs of coal . In 1837 , only seventeen or eighteen ; and in 1840 , tbe same amount of labour in the same pit , and tbe same mine would not make more than from fourteen to fifteen tubs . Iitsk , with these facts before them , can the public come to , any other conclusion than this , that the most prolific : source of the mintra' degradation has been the avarice and cupidity of tbeir employers , who have taken every opportunity in their power to render their condition more aud more wretched until they have brought them to the lowest ebb of human suffering .

      In replying to this address I have no desire to enter into party politics . But I cannot pass over , ' without a word or two , the reference which the writer of it makes to the last Wigan election , and tbe miners acting in the capacity ef bludgeon men . I ds not deny that there wore miners in that capacity on that occasion . This Anonymous gentleman knows well there are coal coasters belonging to both the Whig' and Tory factious in the-neighfceurhood . He ia also aware that they are iu the ( habit , at the time of an election , of : marching their men into the town , under the respective banners of their "pet candidates . " But I would advise him for tbe fnture to remember the old adage of " those wLo live in glass-boueea should beware of throwing

      Untitled Article

      stones . " And whilst he is horror-stricken at a few of the miners having the audacity to use their truncheons on the polling booth , when the [ decision was given in favour of the Conservative candidates—( a few of the coal miners were guilty of the unpardonable crime of beating with their truncheons on the booth something like the tune « C the " Rogue ' s Matcbl ")—has he forgot that the faction to which he belongs have inundated the country with "bludgeonmen , " and that they cartied oat their " bludgeoning" propensities even to the sacrifice of human life at that election ?

      In the third paragraph of this address the author commences in tbe first sentence with a vast amount of sympathy for the " distressed condition" of the miners ; and in the next , tells as that their miseries axe attributable to a wasteful and wanton expenditure of their wages . He then goes on t ^ eay , the moat industrious amongst them cannot obtain a comfortable subsistence in the present atato ot the coal trade , i would be much obliged to him if he would reconcile these contradictions in his next . I regret as much aa oar Anonymous Author can do the existence of intemperance amongst the colliers . But , thank God ! therjs is a change coming over the minds of the working people ; and I trust the time ia not far distant when they will be as sober and intelligent as they are useful to society . Then I am

      convinced that it will then be out or tbe power of the " coal kings" to deprive thtm of their just rights , as they bave done fer the last twenty years . But this sympathizing gentleman cannot but be cogniziat of the fact that the coal masters themselves have been tbe determined patrons of intemperance amongst their workmen . In fact , if a maa | should stop from his work for a day , the best excuse ; he can make is to Bay fee was drunk over night : and tais would be considered a sufficient apology for the master . How different if he dared to say he had beep to a meeting to consider what plans would be the best to idopt in order to improve the moral and social condition of himself and fellow workmen I The consequence of such an avowal would be his immediate discharge from his employ meat He is also aware , if he buows anything of the doings of the coal masters in the neighbourhood of Wigan , that several of the masters , notwithstanding they have goad

      and convenient offices at the werks where they could pay the men ( aB they ought to do ) , send tbeir hands to a public house , and there keep them waiting for hours before paying them tbe scanty pittance coming to them lo tbe shape of wages . Can it be wondered at , taking all tbe circumstances of his lot into consideration , if be should spend the whole of his earnings before he leaves the house that the master was the means of bringing him Into . Nay , I bave known many miners who had snch a dread of this temptation that they have sant their wives to draw their wages ; j and often have I seen these poor females standing round the door of a public house , betwixt ten and eleven o ' clock on a cold winter ' s night , waiting for the wages which was to provide them food for the sabbath and tbe following week . Therefore it would b « well for our author and those in whose behalf be writes , " to cast the beam out of their own eyes before they presume to pluck the mote out of their brother ' s . ' f

      We ate next treated with a vindication of the " Coal Kings" and a precious rigmarole ] about the prosperity of the miners being interwoven with that of employers , the sinking of capital , * e . &c . I would be glad if he would prove , to the satisfaction j of the miners and a thinking public , that our prosperity and that of our employers is reciprocal . Experience tells ub that just in proportion as the coal owners ; have been storing up wealth , in the same ratio have their workmen sunk in poverty , wretchedness , and misery . One of those men that has " sunk so much capital" was a hand-loom weaver : he is still living , and is now a large coal master . He has also accumulated landed possessions . I would ask the simple question , from whence did this gent , get his capital to sink ? Many a poor collier can answer the question . I will g \ ve tbe public a speci men of this gent ' s sympathy for those whose labour have made him what be is . i

      Some few years ago an explosion of fire-damp took place in one of his pits , whereby sevetal of his men were severely burned . It is a common practice in cases of this kind to give tbe men that are burned , buttermilk mixed with boiled oil to drink , in order to kill the fire in the mouth and throat . The poor people had supplyed one of the poor fellows , ) who was burnt , with all the HiilB they had ; when this was done , one of them took a can and went to the master's to beg some for him : but what was the master ' s reply?—( 1 hope the public will mark it well )— " We have some buttermilk , but we sell it—we do not give it away ! " This was the return tbe poor miner got for braving the jaws of death , in order that this man might accumulate wealth , and become what he is . Another of those men who Shave suffered so much by " sinking their capital , " was , a Veiy few years ago , a journeyman sawyer ; and now behold he has got a large colliery , keeps his gig .

      and considers himself of some consequence , and is a very tyrant The next we shall mention was a brewer's clerk . This person seeing that ! the coal trade was one that made gentlemen very rapidly , contrived to get two pits which were finished ] abont the year 1837 or 1838 . One night having got aa much drink as made him talkative , he said to a few of his workmen " never mind , lads , when the pita are done I have got an odd £ 50 , 000 , and that will put a hole down somewhere else . " He has been as good as bia word , and commenced another large colliery . Another gentleman , who twenty years ago would have considered himself rich if he bad had a thirty pound note in his pocket is now one of tbe largest coal masters in the Wigan district , having coal works in every part of the neighbourhood , nnd has got a handle to his name in the Bhape of an Eq ., a carriage to ride in , and livery servants to attend him . Now we would stk with these

      facts before them , what is tbe conclusion the public must come to , especially when ! they see that year after year the wasting miners j hare been si ; king deepeer and deeper in misery ; wretchedness and want ? On the other hand the { masters have been rising in affluence and wealth , and accumulating princely fortunes for their children . Can they come to the conclusion of our author , that the prosperity of the coal miners is and has been interwoven ; with that of their employers ? Certainly not . - The last paragraph of this address is scarcely worth notice . I will therefore pies it ever as brfifly as possible . The author of it , however , j tells us we ha ? e a perfect right to meet : bat our meeting will be of no avail unless we go to the source of ; our evils . I nm ot tbe same opinion ; bat differ from him as to what is the " source . " I know he and hia party could wish us to mix up our question with their ' crotchets , " as witness the doings of the Staffordshire coal and iron masters both in the past and present year .

      • ' Yon have a perfect right to meet" What a change has come over the spirit of their dream ! How wonderfnlly kind they have become , since their friends , the Whigs , were sent to the bleak aide ef tbe treasury bench . How different this , whan compared with their doings when in the zeaith of their [ power . The working classes well remember what their actions were then ; and consequently know well how ; to appreciate tbe talue of their hollow pretensions now . Yon have a perfect right to meet" How vety kind . But we have not forgot the transportation ofi the " Dorchester labourers , ' ' and the " Glasgow c ^ ton-spinnera . " I therefore take this opportunity of telling this " Scribbler , ' and through him the " Anti-Corn Law League , " that the miners will bave nothing to do with any other question but that of the Miners' j Union . Therefore such feelers aB the one he has thrown out are useless , and will not answer the purpose . I

      I will now take leave of this Anonymous gentleman and his address . I assert that nine-tenths of the deaths which happen in the mines , from ' * Suffocation by black damp , or carbonic acid gas , " or fro ji explosions of " fire damp , ' * are attributable to the cupidity of the coal masters . In tact , nine-tenths of tho deaths that occur ate neither more nor less than sacrifices offered up at the shrine of the god , G-sld . In conclusion , I challenge tbe author of this address , or his employers , to dispute the truth of tbe statements I have made , at any time or place , before an open meeting of the public . j On behalf of the Miners , I am the Miner ' s Friend , and the Public ' s obedient Servant , I WM . Dixon . Manchester , Sept . 18 th , 1843 . '

      Untitled Article

      — ^ i Dean Church—On Saturday last Mr . Swallow lectured to the colliers in the employ of j Mr . Hulton , ma gistrate . The large room at the Qieen Anne , was crowded , a great nnmbec being unable to obtain admission . An adjeotnment took place to the open ait , whete Mr . Swallow addtcsed the meeting at great length and was loudly cheered . Tho organization of the colliers la going on briskly here . Six weeks since not one was in the Union , now there is 125 enrolled , j A large addition to the present numbers is expected the next pay day , which is bat once a month at this colliery .

      Untitled Article

      . ^ Livbbpooiu—An inquest was held on Saturday before the Borough Coroner , on the body of a boy 4 six . years of age , named Jfohn Hugh Dean , who , while running after a butterfly at the Brunswick Dock , accidentally touched a pile of deals which W 6 re lying upon the quay , and / which appear to have been most negligently placed one upon another , in consequence ot which the whole pile turn bleu to the ground , and in their fail broke his thigh , ana left arm , of which injuries he died . The inquest was adjourned until yesterday , when the jury gave a deodand of £ 3 npon the timber .

      Untitled Article

      ___ - THE NORTHERN STAR ! M

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 23, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1231/page/7/