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Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd December 1843, Edition 1 of 5, Page 4, THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2S, 1843.

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2S, 1843.
    • Ci)arti0t 3EittFlii " srotF.
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      Untitled Article

      CASE < VF MRP . ISLUS . TO THE CHARTISTS Of YORKSHIRE . r I had hoped that the appeal made by Mr . Sweet in last tceeJe ' s Star , t » behalf of Mrs . Ellis , would bcve met with an immediate and universal response ; Jam bitterly disappointed . I have not the means io Kjive a sum thai would be of any use to Mrs . E . ; but isnake you this offer . —I tri # attend meetings on the Sunday ' , called Jor the purpose of raising subscrip-Sons for Airs . Sdis . at any place within twenty miles of Leeds —/ « Ul charge nothing for expences , and go entirely at * ny own cost ; you undertaking to raise ten ehillJags { and as much more as you can ) by collections ^ &ie meeting , or any other means you think fiL Tfce entire -proceeds to be given to Mr ? . Ellis . / Haul the circle » iwsnty miles , because my very limited income uUl not permit me to take a wider range -at my own cost ) and I wish to lake nothing

      from the collections . The present state of my health wUl not oUoip me to speal more than once on the day of my visit , and it trill bs at least a fortni ght yet before J shall te at liberty io commence my tour . In the mean One I shall be happy to receive communications from any plares within Jhe prescribed limits . I trust that vty motives may not be misconstrued in making this offer . Forbidden , as I am , by medical advice to attempt spsakvny at all under present circumstances , I had hoped to have been permitted to have remained in privacy ; only io emerge from which as a public speaker upen rare end extraordinary occasions . But this is a case in which I feel bound to do my little best to help in saving an unfortunate family from starvation , and the -democratic party from the indelible disgrace which would be the consequent result . George Julias Harsey . Northern Star Office , Dec . 22 , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      Carlisle . —Meeting gp tub Cotoctl of the Carlisle Chartist . Association . —At a meeting of the Council , held at their room , No . 6 , John-street , Caldew ^ aie , on Sunday last , Mr . Robert Grahame in the ehair . The address of the Executive was read from the Northern Star of Saturday last ; after ¦ which arrangements were made for collecting the tribute required on Ghristmas Day . "We hare no doubt thai a pretty liberal snm will h » collected . The attention of the Council were then drawn to

      the deplorable case of Mrs . Ellis , by Mr . James Arthur , who said It was the duty of every sincere Chartist io assist those wlo were suffering under such circumstances . After some very feeling ^ obser-Taiions from varions members of the Council , -the sum of fire shillings was ordered to be immediately remitted to Mrs / Ellis , along with- one shilling subscribed for the purpose by Mr . Arthur . A vote of thanks was ihen carried to Mr . Baxter , / or his handsome present of a copy of Ms "Book « f the Bastiles . "

      Thb ~ Rzj . Wjl Hiii delivered Iwo lectnres in oar Theatre , on the evenings of Monday and Tuesday last . After Mr . James Arthur had been appointed Chairman , the Her . Gentleman proceeded "with his first lecture , by introducing himself as a Christian minister . He spoke in a singularly calm impressive manner , and was listened to throughout with the greatest Attention . After delivering a discourse replete with facts and Bound arguments , expository of the present state of England , he coneluded by promising to treat of the remedy for ibis state of things on the following evening , and retired amidst apolauso .

      SHEFFIELD—Fig Trbe-ulkb—A good meeting was held on Sunday evening , which was addressed fcy Messrs . Green , Briggs , and Evinson . GliASCOW . —In order to give every countenance the public meeting , celd in tie City Hall , on Monday evening , " to take into consideration the late interference of the Peel Miniitry with the right of petition in Ireland , " the urual weekly meeting of the Cfcartirts , held in College-street Academy , waa adjourned to Monday evening next , when bnxbien of erloua importance to the peopled cause will be laid before the meeting .

      A Public Uxetis g was held in the City Ball , on Honda ; evening , for the purpose of taking into consi deration the conduct of the Government in reference to the Clontarf meeting , Mr . J . Turner io the chair . The meeting mi not bo numerous ai might have been expected . The came wis , that the Bepealers , | anxioaa to give sjportance to the meeting , threw themselves into the -asms of the Complete Suffrage romp faction , yrbo care as much about Ireland as tie devil does bout psalm singing ; but who would join with Old Kick himself in order to put ^ down Chartism . The Bipealers frere to bear the expense , and the other ¦ party had the management of the affair , hence tha failure , fiaa the Repealers acted boldly , and sought Seat after Provost Xumsdeo , and Whig town cocncJllors , whoas sympathy extends no farther than the

      polling booth , they would have had a very different meeting . George Anderson , E * g ., dry conocUlor , TDOTed the first Twolution , * J > a though Mr . Anderson is aot a great-orator , he bad the boldness to declare what none of his colleagues hat ever yet done , vtethat " the peop ' e would continue to be trampled upon till suck time aa Universal Suffrage was the law of the Jand . " - * Th " » other jrpeaiera -were Messrs . Cnllen , Card , Halcolm , Dr . H » y , a Ur . Scott , from Edinburgh , and Hz . H'Farlana . All the resolutions were cirried unanimously : and , without further ceremony , a vote of thanks was moved to ' the . chairman , acd the meeting dissolved . No petition " or memorial to the < Joeen was spoken ofj isothicg tmt the mere passing of three reaolnUons , of a general nature , and there the mattez ended .

      Mb . Clarke's tottb—On Tuesday evening I lectured at Truro to a large and enthusiastic meeting . Mr . Fan , a working man , an norest elector , ably filled the dwrr . At the elosfe Mt Jury proposed , and Mr . Xongmead seconded a resolution pledging the meeting to stand by the Charter , and to recognise only the National Charter Assodatlon . Several peuo&s took out cards of membership , and the meeting separated , giving three cheer * for the Charter . On Wednesday I proceeded \ o Hedrnth , but found on my arrival that owing to unfavourable circumstances , it was impossible to have a meeting there that day ; so 1 left them with apronvse to call on that day week , when a goodly muster is anticipated . Ob Thursday 1 went to Hale , here 1 was obliged to speak la the open sir . Mr . Skewesj of Csmborne , occupied the ehaii , and opened the meeting In a incut masterly manner . 2 spoke an iout . At the close of my lecture , several joined omranks ,

      • whilst all expressed themselves perfectly satisfied that nothing short of the Charter would make them independent cf their heartless task-masters- On Friday , 3 proceeded to Penance , a large town situate oh tke sea eoast . Here I found a few of the right rort of Chartists . In the evening I lectured to a numerous auditory in Mr . O'Brien's commodious School Room , . capable of lolding 500 persons : Mr . O'Brien ^ ns nuanimonsly chosen to preside , who , alter addressing a "few sensible remarks to the meeting , Introduced me . I ' spoke aeailj two hours . Before I left I had the pleasure of farming the nuclnes of a locality -which kids fair to gain strength and prosper . — On Saturday morning . I left Penzsnee foi Camborne , where 3 again " lectured to a numerous out-door meeting . On the whole , from what I have seen of Corn-wall , I am led to believe that continued agitation , ' such as has been carried on In the northern counties , would make it one of the most flourishing Chartist districts in England .

      7 ROWBRXS 6 &—At a meeting of the Council held on Sunday morning last , & resolution was onanimo&sly passed in support of the Rational Tribute . Collectors were also appointed , and a Local Treasurer to hold the monies obtained by the collectors . To our Chartist Brethren we say , Go and do likewise . BZLSTO 2 Y . —Mr . la'Grath lectured here on Sunday last , to an attentive audience , in the large Harm , in Stafford-street . The lecturer gave great satisfaction . After the lecture a subecriptioo was entered into for the yatfcnal Tribute , when is 6 d was collected . CABBXH 6 TO 27 , XBXS . JTottixghajc John Haakard , Thomas Gaunt , and Daniel Gregory bave teen appointed collectors of the National Tribute . MANCHESTER—Cabpestebs' Hai . l—On Sunday last two lectures weie delivered in the above Hall , by Mr . Jr West , from Sheffield . The spacious building was crowded in every part .

      SAXFORD—A lecture was delivered in the Chartist Boom , Great George ' s-street , Chapel-street , Sslford , on Sunday last , by Mr . C- Doyle , to & large and respectable ssndience , STOCKPORT—Mr . E 5 dd , from Newcastle , de-E » ered a lecture in the Associsticn Room , on Sunday evening last , to " a large audience . Ai . the dose of the lec&ire seven shillings was collected for Mrs . Ellis . IJCrRY . —Mr . Dixon delivered a lecture ifl the eaxcen-street lecture Room on Sunday evening last LONDON . —A meeting of the IXUtrict Conned ! waa boWen on Sunday laEt , Ml . Pitktl&gill in the chail . £ H *»»« wtion of a good deal of business principally connected with the getting up of meetinjs on the approaching hbeiation oi m . Wkite the meeting adjournea . POLITICJLL 1 XDJSCIESTIT 1 C IKSTIHTTIOH . ^^ OB

      Woskirg Mxb ' s Hail , Milb-ehb Boad . —Oa Snaday evening , Mr . E . Marts ltanifed to a crowded ssdienee on Oiartum and Repeal . Go lues Lion , Vzix-stbxxt , S 0 HdI ~ A . t theaeetisg , on Sa » day evenirif , a resclBtion was pissed in favonrof the National Trib&te . Ai J ^^ MBETIK « of the Haffimeramith Chartists , held on Tuesday evening , it was unanimously resolved to commence the collection of the JTationoI Tribute -n ^ r ^ week . Bumett ' s BaiSADt—A public meeting was held ^ l the JBricklayer * a Arms , Homer-ttrcet , 2 few-road , on Monday night The meeting was addressed by Messrs Wjune , Mantz , Davoc , ana others . ¦

      TiCCKWOOD —Oni-. gundBy last , at the District Delegate Meeting , ieldT in the Democratic lsstitutios , Iiockwooot Mr . David Gledhill in the chair , the following resointion was unanimously pasied : —" That esc& Delegate endearom to raise a subscription In bis own locality , to assist in carrying out the plan for agitottog Xhs eoimUy , w projected by me Executive . ]

      Untitled Article

      PRESTON . —At a meeting " celd in the Chftrtist Boom it was resolved— " Tnafc a Committee &e appointed to make the r . vopex arrangements to ensure the representation of the democratic party in the Municipal Council . HYDE- —O a Sunday last the Chartists of this town held the first weekly meetiog since the League Plot . The members who took cards from toe " Champion of Liberty" when In Hyde came forward in the true spirit of democracy , and paid up their weekly subscriptions All communications intended for the Chartists of Hyde to be addressed to J . il . Itsach . 82 , Charles-street .

      CUTHERO-The members of the Working Men ' s Mental Improvement Society met on Sunday night last . The subject was— " The best and surest means of accelerating the progress and dissemination of Chartist principles . " The subject was eloquently spoken to by various speakers . At the conclusion , it was resolved that they should meet every Sunday evening . The subject for next Sunday evening ' s disenssion will be— "Whether a Monarchical or a Democratic Government is most conducive to the prosperity of A nation . "

      ASHTON-TJNDER-LYNE . —Mr . E . P . Mead lectured in the Chartist Association Boom , on Sunday and Monday evening .

      The Northern Star. Saturday, December 2s, 1843.

      THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , DECEMBER 2 S , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      THE DURHAM H DAMNABLE" AGAIN . Last week we ventured to give onr opinion upon this case , having only heard the masters' side of it . That opinion was—that the tyrants had ' plundered their slaves , and were now experimentalising upon the feelings of the men . That they nave selected this Thornley Colliery for the purpose is not wonderful ; firstly , because from the number of hands engaged in it , a strike in Ihat pit will become more expensive to the general bod ; than if a smaller one had been selected j and , secondly , because the Taornley bond presented superior means of exhibiting the power of the tyrants , and the weakness of their slaves .

      Since last . week we are in possession of the evidence for the defence , which will be found in another part of the paper , and will donbtless be read with deep anxiety . In order , however , to bring the subject ; clean to bank , and not to allow Heccles or his devils any opportunity of laying oat for black brass , we shall here make an abstract of the most material portions of the evidence , to be Been at a glance , and to be comprehended as a whole . Here , then , follows the case for the defence : — William Henderson—I will swear nothing about whether I was fined a shilling , because my mind is so distracted with this oppression that I con swear nothing about it —( loud laughter and cheers from the pitmen ) . I have been a pitman thirty years .

      John Stephenson—I have been a coal hewer twenty years , and never knew so hard a bond . Although I have a wife sad five children , I would rather go to that gaol till April than work under thb bond . Joseph Longstaff—I am prepared to say from my own observation that it is impossible for a man to live wader that bond . Newtrick Walton—one of the deputation appointed to go to the inspector ol weights . We were appointed because they thought th » steelyard was unjust They had previously made complaints of the steelyard . We went for an Inspector , and he said he could not come , without an order from the Magistrates . We want to the magistrates , who refused us an order . The men had several times complained of the weights before this . ¦ .. .

      John James Bird applied to the magistrates f « r a summons against the masters for Ill-usage , and had been refused . Went first to Mr . Haya "« ctt . ee , and then to Mr . Hsys ' s house , and then to Mr . Barry , the magistrate . Mr . Barry came out and asked what we wanted . We said we wanted a summons for non-payment of wages . He asked the sum , and we said three shillings . He said " Tor the small sum of three shillings ! " I stated that it was not an application individually but collectively , asd that It amounted to a large sum collectively We wanted some discussion , and be said he was not there for discussion , and walked away without granting a summon * , ilr . Barry is sow on the beach . John CresaweH—Had been ckarged fonrpenoe a quart for splint for three f oarts . John Lnmsdeo—Had been charged threepence , fourpence , and a shilling per tub for splint .

      Samuel Tuner—Had worked at other collieries , and the flve-qnarter team at Thornley was the dirtiest he bad ever worked in . They wen erecting a beam and scales now , and that be believed was tie result of the present strike . William Wilkinson—Mr . Hescles had told him be knew the weight was unjust . Mr . Hecdes said be knew thai it made a difference with th « weight according to the end at which the tub went on , and that even a one-skied corf would make a difference .

      William Anderson—I have used every energy to make a living , and have of late thrown off several tubs a day to get clear of the fines ; and I think if we were to be fined for having a quart of fool coal It is impos sible for any man to make a living . No man can live under the preseut bond . I think the prison is a place to which I would not like to go , but 1 would rather go there than go to the colliery any more . They have charged me fourpenee a tub when they should only ha-re charged me threepence .

      William Ord—Went , to Mr . Heccles , and he asked me if I was not content with the half-crown ; and I said , "No , man ; how can I be content with half-aerown taken eff when I have only addled three shillings ? Hb threatened to get a warrant against me . They fine us just as they have a mind . It is anything but just Mr . Heccles sent for a warrant , but we got advice from an attorney , and the warrant was sever got The men were stupid or half mad when they went home last Friday night . We did sot ask for the quart pet . If Mr . Heccles stated so , he has

      told a lie , and a gross lie . The refusal of the warrant which was applied for at Durham irritated the men ' s minds , because they thought the masters could get a waggon load of warrants and the men could not get one . They thought they could not get justice either from the owners or the magistrates . Joat previous to the 24 th , the men came to the resolution that they would stand for ever unless they got justice . E-rery man will go to prison rather than yield . I will rather go to prison than work at the main coal or any seam they have .

      William Kay , weigher for the Thomley colliery . The witness after describing the working of the steelyard , said he could make it either just or unjust as he chose . By the shifting of the weights tha men might lose five pounds . Did . not , think he could do justice by this marhinf-John Bates—Since the bond had been put in force had been fined threepence a quart , and before fourpence , and one shilling a tub . The men are tired of applying for summonses . They applied at Durham twice . I know they applied twice , for one time they did not come .

      William Toplia—Mr . Heccles ; has offered me a bribe to swear that the men could get a living . I was at work about a Month ago , and he comes unto me and says " Who ' s this" ? Isaid"Toplis . " He says "I suppose yon -want the boxes , don't yon . ? I said " ~ Sea , of coarse . " He asked what we wanted with them , and l Bald to see them laid out He said " the men are going to get a summons 1 suppose . " 1 said 1 don't know , you are the likeliest to know . " He said "do you think that you could not work here a week or a fortnight and

      hare none laid oat" ? 1 said "No , a did not suppose 1 conld . " He says "if you will swear that you could work here for a week oi a fortnight without having any laid out , you shall have your bread for nothing "—( loud hootiogs ) . He said " 1 should have easy work , 1 should have my bread for doing nothing . " 1 thought my father would not let me , and 1 said " 1 durst not say . " Nothing more took place about that . 1 thought him a nice man . 1 recollect 1 am on my oath , and 1 swear that all 2 have stated is true .

      Augustus King—The men were anxious to obtain justice from the masters and the magistrates . Whea the summons was refused the men gave it up as a bad job . They said it was as much use going to Castle Eden or Durham as going to a mad dog . I believe no man will ever work-at it I asked for my clearance , and he said if he gave it to me he would put something in it which would make me get work nowhere— ( yells ) . Robert Toplis—If the bond had been enforced the colliery could not have been carried on—it would have been impossible for a man to get a livelihood .

      Robert Walton—Have been at Mr . Heccles about the beam and scales twice . It has been a constant irritating sore on the men ' s minds . It was the intention of the men to try to get justice if they could get it- 1 think the men would not have struck if they had got a summons when it was applied for . The refssal of the summons was a rankling sore to the men , and was spoken of by them as a refusal of justice . Since these proceedings cemmtneed I bave heard the men say they wo&ld grt bo justice . Reuben Forster . —Had been fined lls . id . the last pay for the last three days . I worked 22 tubs . When I went to the overman to reckon he said my coals were

      uibc short la weight The hewing came to 6 s . lid ., and I was fined for 43 quarts , at 3 d ., which came to llB -Sd - «» that I was 4 s . 4 d , in debt for three days ' ^ t" * " hen the pay came on , he deducted S 3 quarto ? £ J ^ U ^ ™ th 6 H * o ^ y 9 d . to receive . He ^ f ^ T * £ *? «* Pe ^ and I only got 84 DM wJFt *? n Me alK > Dt " » e 9 oart before I signed the t ? -L , »« tS , "" T ^ " « read * Presence . It was not generally known among the men tbat the fine was a quart . I signed tke bond in the office . They r 3 M ? J ? V 1 ***™* name ' * took hold of my hand wMW I made ay mar * . I can write . Would be abont two mmntes in the office altogether . No explanation fu made to me not the ota * mea who were

      Untitled Article

      there . There wss a great number In at the time . Mr . Heccles asked if I had come to get bound , and askod my name . I told him , and lie wrote my name , and took hold of my hand till I made the cross . Charles Willetfc—I put my cross to the bond ,, j can write my name . The bond was not read to rue . That I'll swear . Joseph Burnett—Had been fined 6 s . td . for twentysix quarts , during the three last days . Had only pnt hi » mark to the bond , though be could write . The band had never been read to him . He conld not wake a living under the bond , and would rather go to gaol than work under it The boxes were set up at the request of the men , but not the quarts .

      William Park—They could not send up a tub with less than a quart of black brass . He was Is . 9 d . ioftlebt after working three days . Edward Clark waB three miles off when the bond was read over , but afterwards signed it No explanation was given me of the bond at the time I signed it I did aot know that I was liable to a quart fine . Jabez Wonders—The bond was read ovei to me . I could not write , but have put my mark . When I went to reckon with the overman I was fined 12 s . for the three days . I then stood 3 b . indebted to my master . I laid down 5 s . fer the overman to take pay , and he refused to take it . The men did not think the masters would have been so unreasonable as to exact the quart fine . Did not bear that part of the bond read .

      Joseph Walker—It would be impossible for any man to make a livelihood in the place where I have worked for the last six weeks . It is a place not fit to put a dog in , 1 st alone a Christian . The bond -was not read to me , and no explanation was given of it to me . I will swear the bond was never read in my presence . The air waa so foul , that after working two hours my head got so bad that I conld work no longer . Though I have a wife and fonr children , I wonld rather go to prison than work under that bond .

      Robert Rickardson—There is no man better acquainted with the colliery than I am , and I am certain that no man can send up a tub with less than a quart In weighing the coals , we Bee nothing but the baulk and the weights . We cannot see tbe pivots . We cannot see the figures . With a beam and scales we could see everything fair . 1 have never been before a magistrate , but i would rather go to prison than work under the bond . Thomas dough—I believe that during those days the men did all they could to get their coals clear , for when they came to me some of them shed tears at the imputation of being fined . They have not the policy to Bhed crocodile tears , The year before last I was sent

      to sea about the weighing machine by the men . I wished to see if it was just , and I made application to tbe colliery for weights to test it , and see if it was just , but I could not get them . A fortnight after I thought there was a deficiency in tbe men ' s surplus weights , and on looking saw there was [ tha main pivot deficient I made application for those weights again , and found the steelyard , bad a variation of 12 lba . against the men . I am of opinion tbat men cannot make a living here under the bond . The men applied to me about this strike , and I persuaded them off , for I am against all strikes among bound meu . They said they had made an application to the adjuster of weights , who bad refused to come and adjust tbe machine , and tbat he had refused to come without an order from the

      magistrates . I advised them to apply to the magistrates , and they said they had refused to grant an order . I then advised them to apply to Mr . Wood , and they said tbat they thought it would be of no use , and that the only way to bring the matter before the magistrates would be to strike , and they went away with that determination . I believe if the men were treated with a kind feeling , they would at once go to work . I have heard tbat twenty colliers are now at work through Mr . Robeit ' 8 advice , I never beard it repeated tbat you endeavoured to . widen the breach between the mastere and men .

      Andrew Hope—I hav * been fined . They gave me 7 d . to take home for my three days' work . The amount of fines was £ 1 2 s . < d . ; they , however , deducUd some quarts off . I am sure it is impossible when a man only earns 6 s . 44 ., when 10 s . 6 d . is taken off when the coals come to bank . I would rather go to keep my father company than find my own candles , powder , and backey , and still be indebted whan 1 come to bank . Now that is the evidence of honest working men . Sworn before those who were cognizant of every fact , with a solicitor to protect them—with a bench of masters to appeal to , and yet that solicitor doea

      not appear to have received any instruction to break down , to weaken , or to negative , this portion of the evidence . The reader who has impartially perused the case , will , like ourselves bave come to the conclasiOD , that a- grosser act of iyranny , a more flagrant act of injustice or barbarity was never yet committed , than than of which the Thornley Colliers have one and all to complain . As well those who being robbed are compelled to remain idle , as those who , being plundered , are now suffering the felons

      fate . We ventured last week to assert that the bond had either not been read , or had been falsely read to the pitmen who signed it . In this assertion we are fully borne out by a large number of the contracting parties , while Jabez Wonders Bwears that the part of the bond imposing a fine for a quart of 11 foul" WAS ¦ NOT BKA » OVEB TO HIM . It Would be an insult to the pitmen to comment further upon tbe portions of the evidence that we have selected , and therefore we shall prooeed to a general consideration of the case .

      In our general reviews of jpopnlar grievances we have endeavoured to convince the working classes , that the hardships imposed upon them by statute law are comparatively insignificant when contrasted with those grievances imposed upon them by local clubs of capitalists . We could not have selected a more perfect illustration of our views upon this subject than the case now under consideration furnishes . It is a hard thing that a man should be transported , or imprisoned for shooting a hare , caught in the aot of injuring his poperty ; but the man may abstain . It is a hardship to imprison

      a man for giving free expression to hid political or religious opinions , but then he may abstain . But how much greater the hardship upon a man who after having earned five shillings by two days' hard labour is compelled to forfeit the whole amount , and to add six shillings to it , in . compliance with the conditions contained in an illegal bond . What act of tyranny equal to this can the law commit against a working man ! What act of the law ib there against which he has not some chance to battle ; while in this case all hope is cut from under his feet ? What one act of the law will induce

      thousands of honest working men to prefer a prison and hard labour to compliance with its provisions ! What act of ihe law can so poignantly strike the working man as to make him shed tears for the injustice to which it subjects him 1—while we find the clubbed power of the tyrant taskmasters : forcing tears from their eyes as they are compelled to grope their way penniless to their expectant families , after a night of unremitting toil in a dark , a damp , and a loathsome atmosphere ! What Act of the law can turn their labour npon a blunted pivot ! What Aot of the law justifies the oath-man , Heccles , in endeavouring to suborn a man to perjury , to aid him in his acts of plunder ! What Act of the law justifies a knot of

      village Dogberries sitting in judgment upon honest men , by whose labour , or rather upon whose plunder their wives and daughters are enabled to appear at church with an extra ruffle , a sable muff and boa , or satin dress , whQe they implore curses npon the heads of those who wonld rob the poor , the widowi and the orphan 1 What law justifies tbe sneaking sycophant who scribbles in the Durham Advertiser , in his attempt to convince the world , after the evidence that we have adduced , that the men are criminals , and the masters most merciful ! No law justifies these things : and yet are men robbed , sent to prison , snd treated as criminals , because they prefer idleness to paying six shillings a day for being allowed to work .

      How happens it , we wonld ask , that that portion of the press calling itself Conservative , has not dared to meddle with this case ! There are portions of that press loud in denunciation of acts of oppression committed by individual noblemen and gentlemen . If a Noble Lord dares unjustly to eject a peasant from his cottage his politics are no protection against the censure of j the press . If a Noble Lord who has been accustomed

      to the rigid rule of the quarterdeck , takes the law into his own hands and orders a father to whip hia own son , for killing a hare under very mitigated circumstances , his Conservative politics do not screen him from censure . But when the tyranny of the club is brought into action , and when the rights of labour are to be contested against tbe usurpation of capitalist ? , then is the press silent . Then do . the treacherous acts of Whig Justices silence tfe £ thuader of its ? ensure .

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      In , bur comments upon the magistracy We speak generally , referring as well to those Cotton Lord Justices who sit in judgment upon their slaves as to the Coal King Justices who sit in judgment upon their victims . In all future cases whea the men are complainants we trust that they will procure the attendance of the few high-minded magistrates who still remain , and who will interpose their anthority between the rich oppressor andlthe poor oppressed ; and that in the meantime Mr . Roberts will prepare such a case for Mr . Duncombe to move upon in the House of Commons as will insure to the men the

      substitution of an honest tribunal for that in which neither we or they hav « confidence . Yea : although the appointment be surrounded with all the horrors of patronage , let us have stipendiary magistrates appointed by the Government , and wholly unconnected by marriage , blood , or plunder , with coal property . Let us not see the complaints of honest men , robbed of their labour , submitted for adjudication to Lords of the manor , who own the royalties ; to coal kings who own the labour , and to viewers and overseers , whose very existence depends upon their treachery . Let us have enough of those stipendiary magistrates , both in the factory and

      the colliery districts , and our life upon it , if they do their duty , they will place a large amount in the Exchequer annually , after paying their salaries , arising from fines inflicted upon the masters for their violations of the law . This is one of the changes which the operatives and colliers should insist upon . It is one that the peace of the country , the very existence of society , and the stability of the throne , must depend upon ; * for in our conscience we believe that a few more such instances of disregard of all law , as those recently evinced in the counties of Durham and Northumberland , will lead to a system of wild revenge , such as Irish Jeeling now presents .

      In perusing the evidence it will be seen that even the three-penoe a quart imposed by the bond for " foul" did not satisfy the just viewer ; but that , on the contrary , in most oases , four-pence per quart was exaoted . We would ask if the Durham Justices could be prevailed upon to believe that they had jurisdiction ; and if not in this case , would they , or the Durham scribe inform us of any description of case in which the men were complainants that they would have jurisdiction ! Then we have a word to say to the Durham shopkeepers , who constitute a portion of that tribunal to whioh the justice or injustice of the

      whole case must be interestedly submitted . We will suppose that 500 men are thrown out of employment by the Btrike of the Thornley Colliers , and that according to the terms of the bond those 500 earn twenty-six shillings a fortnight each , and all of which would be spent with the Durham shopkeepers . That sum would amount to £ 650 a fort * night ; a sum the abstraction of whioh from the labour fund would be sensibly felt in their tills oa Saturday night ; and will those shopkeepers reflect that the whole of the Bench , together with the proprietors of the Colliery , are , one and all , free-traders

      of the darkest dye ; and will they longer hesitate as to the part that they shall henceforth take ; whether to assist wealthy individuals in reducing wages , or the community of working men to Increase and protect wages , the result of whioh would be a larger traffic , and consequently more profits to their order ! The thing is now done , the victims of the cupidity and tyranny of the masters are consigned like felons to the dungeon and the treadwheel , and , therefore , it becomes those , upon whose behalf they have volunteered themselves as a willing sacrifice to stand by them in the hour of need , and to support their destitute families during their absence .

      It IB the duty of every pitman , and of every man connected with the colliery forthwith to join in a union for the support of these men and their families . Committees should be appointed , and all means for collecting the pence of the men to battle against the pounds of their oppressors , should be put into immediate and active operation , eo that the tyrant masters may be baulked of the triumph anticipated from the first blow . Nay more , in every instance where colliers deal largely with shopkeepers , let them ask those shopkeepers respectfully for their

      subscriptions to aid the " turn-outs" inHheir righteous struggle against their oppressors . Upon our part , to shew that we practice as well as preach , we have handed one pound to Mr . Roberts , by order of the proprietor , and five shillings from ourself to head the list . We do this because we look upon the struggle of the Thornley Colliers as one upon which the fate of labour must materially depend . These men must not , from poverty , be forced back into the jaws of the devourer . They must not be again subjected to the condition ? of the hellish and inhuman

      bond ; and , above all , the masters must not establish tbeir unopposed tyranny upon such a precedent . We will say that 100 , 000 pitmen will feel an interest in this case ; an interest sufficient to induce them to subscribe a penny a week towards the support of those who are unwilling idlers , and whioh would amount to £ 416 13 s . 4 d . per week . Suppose there are 500 men on strike receiving ten shilling a week , that would amount to £ 250 , and which deducted from the weekly subscription would leave a surplus of £ 166 13 s . 4 d . for general purposes . This is but the social part of the

      questionthe feeling part of the question—and we have yet to view it in its moral tendency . We contend for it , then , that an honest hard-working man should not be allowed to spend six weeks or six minutes in a felon ' s dungeon , and committed to hard labour , without receiving full compensation from his fellowlabourers , as far as they can render it , at the expiration of his sufferings . Every pitman , ayo , and every man who lives by his labour too , should be in Durham upon the day of the liberation of their victimized brethren , should receive them at the prison doors ; should take them in triumph through the town , stopping before the Justice Hall , to allow the public voice to be heard within its walls , giving the

      lie to that judgment which pronounced honest English working men to be criminals . We have not done with this case . We shall not be done with it either , until we see the effect that the reading of the Thornley bond by Mr . Duncombb in the House of Commons will produce upon those who , last sessions , were so loud in their sympathies for the oppressed Colliers . Aye , the whole bond , the Thornlev damnable , must be read and published to the world . It Bhall be in every man ' s hand who chooses to possess it . We will publish it in the Star next week , and then appeal to every honest man in England , whether " There is not more honour in the breach than in the observance . "

      Again we have to express a hope that the Conference about to assemble at Manchester will Bee that this is getting in the thin end of the wedge , in order to split up the Union in its infancy ; and that no available opportunity will be loBt in driving it : while the very existence of the body depends upon the result of the pending contest . It would bo unfair to withhold from Mr . Roberts that large measure of praise which is due to him , a 9 well for his warmth as for his ability . It is a novel thing to see the warmth of the gentleman , and the ability of the practitioner equally offending the ears and paralyzing the nerves of the poor man ' s oppressors . In general it is the practice of those gentlemen to be employed by the defendant and concerned for

      the plaintiff ; but in the case of the Colliers we find their advocate entering heart and soul into the sufferings and feelings of his clients , and actually endangering his own personal liberty by the free expression of his warm feelings . A propos of this . It appears that the Durham Dogberry ? threatened to commit Mr . Robert * for contempt . What a joke ! A joke to speak of , a joke to think of , but no joke to them , had they dared to put their threat into execution . What I a benoh of villago justices to commit an advocate for discharging his duty , with warmth , and for repelling insolent insinuation by indignant denial ! Commit him , indeed ! Had they dared to go thig length , they would have gone beyond" the limit of their tether , and from their rash * ness , they woold have learned tbe wholesome lesson

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      that Mr . Roberts , ! as well as themselves , was one of the parties to the proceedings : and , although they had the will , they had not the power to carry it into execution . But the bond and the support of the men on strike are now the all-important considerations . The bond , when read in the House of Commons by Mr . Duncombe , will find its way into every paper in thejKingdom . Then the men ' s case , through our humble instrumentality , will be 'Submitted to the general reviow of public opinion—then they will be justified by that opinion , and by it their masters will be damned .

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      THE ARMS BILL IN OPERATION . j ¦ i 11 NIX MT DOLLY PALS , FAKE AWAY . ' ' There are some subjects so seriously ludicrous that it is impossible to decide upon the most fitting description of criticism ; whether to weep at the unaccountable blunders and torn-foolery of the clown , or to laugh at the sorrows of the brokenhearted heroine . We confess that the ignorance , the patriotism , the anticipations of danger , and the valiant precautions ; to prevent it ; the rantings , the ravings , the forebodings , and the heroic deportment withal of the Cork magistrates , recently assembled

      at Maoroom , for the purpose of administering the Arms Bill , places us in " a pretty considerable fix , '' and rather puzzles ] us as to the course which , as journalists , it is our duty to take . Speaking , however , of the Arms Bill itself as a measure , we may , with becoming pride , refer our readers to the fact , that while the Bill was under consideration , we opposed it , not more because it was a gross violation of the constitution v than from the fact , as we bave over and | over again stated , that the village Dogberries , acting as the Executive of the Protestant party in Ireland would convert it into a " easus belli " ' and under it would rally all those evil - sectarian passions against

      which the Government and tbe Irish Executive would struggle in vain . Indeed , to this end the magistracy was purified by the Lord Chancellor ; none being allowed to remain in the Commission of the Peace save those who could be safely relied upon to aid in the subjugation of Ireland . Whether or no we were rightjin our conjectures will be . best proved by reference to the proceedings of the first court , held in the great county of Cork , for tha purpose of administering this unconstitutional ,. anti-Irish , anti-Catholic Bill . Since that report was in type , however , we' have received the following more graphic description of the extraordinary proceedings from an eye witness .

      Upon Mairtough M'Donnagan , of Sleiveballykinmaokmuckridgetowncrossroad , applying to register fire arms under the Act , the following dialogue took place : — ; Chairman—Is there any objection to this man ! First Magistrate—Yea . ' I have a few questions to ax him . Are you a Repale Warden ! No ; I am not .

      Wore you over ? ; No ; I wasn't . Did you collect the Repaid rint ! No ; I didn ^ t . j Did you collect the O'Connell rint ! No ; I didn't . I Damnation to your sawi do you mane to tell me that you are not a Repaler \ No ; to be sure I ' m a Repaler .

      Magistrate—O j wisha , you thundering vfllan , did ' nt I know you were a Repaler 1 reject him . Stipendiary Magistrate—Is there anything against the man ' s charaotor ! Several Magistrates speaking together . Och tunder and agers , agen his character ; what do you mane , with your speeching , you piebald Protestant ! Isn ' t his a Repaler , and isn't that enough for you ! j Stipendiary—No . The law requires something

      more . , Bench—The law is it ! what tbe divil do we care for the law ? Ar ' n ' t we the law \

      Stipendiary—But then the Act of Parliament . Bench—Wisha ^ blood and tuuder ; isn't the maning of the Aot of Parliament in its issenoe and spirit , its very body and sleeves , breathing through its very nostrils , the disarming of the Repalers , for the preservation ; of the peace , and the safety of Her Gracious ^ Majesty ' s crown and dignity 1—( Cheers . ) j Stipendiary—But welmust go by the law .

      Bench—By tha law is it ! What the divil law was there for striking honourable men out of the Commission ! and can we allow 4 the sting to remain in the tail when tbe Lord High Chancellor has knocked the vinum out of the head of the serpent I —( Vociferous cheering , followed by— -reject him , reject him , reject ! him . ) Kit Downing , from Skibbereen , was the next who claimed to register under the Act , when the following dialogue took place between Alexander O'Driscoll , J . P ., and the claimant , O'&riscoll—Downing , I've a question to ax you . Arn ' t you a Repaler !

      Kit—No , I am / not , Mr . O'Dnscoll ; but why so , Captain ! G'Driscoll—Because you ' re an ungrateful vagabond , f Kit—Well , Mr j O'Driscoll , but you astonishes me 1 Had ' nt I often the honour of dining at your own table , and didn ' t you often dine at mine ; and what have you agin me ?

      O Driscoli—Q li the corse of Cromwell upon you . Kit ! Didn't I give you many a good " blow out , " and a skinful of beef and cabbage , and as much Parliament whisky ais you could tuck mto your carcase , and didn't you prove ungrateful , by attending the Repale Meeting in Skibbereen , contrary to my express proclamation ? Kit—To be sure I attended tbat meeting ; but that was before the Clontarf meeting . Several Voices—Ooh , tbat makes no difference . The magistrates ! were dismissed before the Clontarf meeting ; reject him—reject him . Stipendiary—Is there anything against the man ' a character ! ¦

      O'Driscoll— Yes ; he owes me an arrear of tithe of £ 1 17 s . 3 d : isn ' t : that enough ! Several Voices- ^ -YeB , yes ; reject him . Kit—Och , Captain , Captain , didn't you distrain a * fine two-year buld couit , and three lambs , for the debt ! { O'Driscoll—Hear that gentlemen ; by the holy post , and , as I am an honourable gentleman , that coult and lambs jwere the ruin of me ; and I never charged the ungrateful rascal a farthing : but the coult gave Blue Sam the best hunker that I ever had , the mange , and I lost him for the season ; , and but the lambs gave me whole flock the Boab . ' . . 4//—Shameful ! shameful ! rejeot him . Stipendiary- —1 object .

      4 « -None of | your speeohing ; pitch him orer . Who the divil csres what you object to . Reject him ¦—reject him . I Mat if a Haven jwas the next claimant , Magistrate—Mat , yoa ' re a broth of a boy . Damn your bouI wasin ' t it you that shot the ould vixen , with a belly of cubs in her , last March ; and is that the gun you want to register !

      Mat—Wisha yjonr honors , but sure I complained to his honor time after time , and all to no purpose after she took away the ould turkey and left the whole brood to ] die on me ; and then took three early lambs that I had to pay the rint , and wag destroying me , and the divil a bit of consideration his honor had , but laughed at me . Several Magistrates—Answer the question , Sir , without equivocation . Did you shoot the fox !

      Matt ( scratching his head J—Am I bound to answer that question ! Stipendiary- ~' Nio , no . Magistrates- ^ es , yes . If you don't answer it you'll be committed for contempt of courf . Now , will you answer !? Did you shoot the fox ! Mat—\ didn'tfthen . Magistrates—You thundering liar j you perjured villin i you lie , ypu lie . Reject him .

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      Clerk—Take down his words ; well commit him for perjury . Mat— Well , suppose I did . Magistrates—Why , that Mr . . could transport you for it . Mat—O well , then , you may rejeofc me , and -I'll give my gun to his honour . Tim Mullagan was the next applicants Magistrate—Arn t you a poacher ? Tim- " Wisha , what ' s tbat , your honor ! Magistrate—Vf by , don't you shoot game by moon-Iightt , 7 « m—Indeed , then , I don't , your honors ; but I wouldn't know how to shoot them .

      Magistrates—Then what do you want of a gun , if you don't know how to shoot them ! Tim— O , wisha , your honors , sore a man thai couldn't shoot a snipe or a p&tridge that would be flying , might hit a crow in his corn field , or make him lave that any how . Magistrate—Gentlemen , I contend for it , that a man that could sboot a crow , could shoot a Pro * testant . ( Cheers and shouts of rejeot him , reject him . ) Stipendiary— But the act . Several Voices—Damn you and the act . Hasn't he convicted himself as clear as the nose on your face ! Rejeot him , rejeot him .

      Teady Muldooney was the next claimant . Magistrate—What do you want Muidooney ! Tead— Why , your honors , I want te register under the act . Magistrate—Ar ' n't you a Repale Warden ? Tead— No , I am not . Magistrate—Did you ever collect the tint ? Tead— I didn ' r . Magistrate—Weren't you suspected of stealiug Mr . M'Sweeney ' s pig ! Tead—I , never hear I was , indeed . Magistrate—Mightn't you be Buspeoted without hearing it ! Tead " 1 might , indeed .

      Magistrate—Well then , gentlemen , I contend for it that the very guts and the essence , and the marrow—( hear , hoar )—of the aot applies to the disarming of suspicious characters—( Cheers , and reject him ) . Magistrate—What kind of fire-arms bave you t Tead—Wisha , indeed , your honor , then I , don't know how they are spicified in the act ; but I was tould by the neighbours that all fire-arms should have the Protestant stamp upan them ; and so I brought mine for the purpose .

      Mogisirate—Well , where is it ! A detonator , or a flint look , or a fnzee , or a patent breach t or doea it go off by a match ! or is it a rifle ! or what the divil i s it ! Tead— Indeed , and your honours , it ' s none of them at all , but here it is , says Tead , {( drawing a long poker from under his great coat ) , sure this is my firearms ; and but the neighbours tould me that the act meant every thing that could give a wound , and but I thought that my poker was included among them . Magistrates—You scoundrel , 'twas the priest put you up to this , to insult the Court . Clerk , make out bis committal for contempt .

      Tead— Indeed , God knows , your honor , but I did not mane any offence ; but the neighbours tould me that nothing was safe , that hadn't the brand upon it , and that I might be transported if it was found with

      me . Magistrates—We'll adjourn for an hour to take this case into our serious consideration . At the time our report loft their worships had not resumed their sitting .

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      CONSTITUTIONAL LAW versus COAL KINS LAW . GOOD NEWS TOR THB MINERS . Hurrah ! hurrah !! hurrah !!! Just as we had closed our remarks upon this damnable case , we received a hurried note from Mr . Roberts , announcing the glad and joyous tidings that retribution had followed speedily on the heels of injustice . Resolved that justice should be had at any price , and instantly , he started for London , where , upoa carrying the case before Judge Pattisow , that constitutional lawyer instantly granted a habeas corpus for the immediate appearance of the incarcerated victims of the Coal Kings . When Mr . Roberts wrote he was about to start himself with the writ , and to bring his men up .

      So that while our readers are struck with the horrible picture we have drawn of " Club Law , " they will rejoioe to find that in the real Law there is yet protection for the poor . To get the Law is the thing , and Mr . Roberts appear ? to have discovered the magical process by whioh this desideratum is to be achieved . Truly this man deserves well of his clients . But as tbe process is very expensive , we trust that he will be manfully backed up in his noble work . It is most probable that while our readers are sympathizing with the Coal Kings * victims , they may be on the read home , about to spend their Christmas at home instead of in the dungeon . This is in truth a great move .

      Ci)Arti0t 3eittflii " Srotf.

      Ci ) arti 0 t 3 EittFlii " srotF .

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      STATE OF THE AGRICULTURAL i DISTRICTS . LORD ASHLEY AND THE WHIG PRESS . The readers of the Northern Star , for the last few weeks , have found ample testimony that the "Condition of England , " so far from improving , is daily growing worse and worss . The " . Question" which the people have often put to their rulers ; " bow bave you led us , fed us , and taught us while we have toiled for you ? " and which " hereditary legislation ' and "collective wisdom" have shuffled from answering ; is now being answered by the questioners themselves ! answered too , in language not to be

      misunderstood , not to be mistaken ! answered nightly in characters of flame , which , reflected far and wide , form an appeal from earth , to heavea against the wrongs committed by man upon his brother ; and demand , at the throne of eternal justice , the annihilation of that accursed system of social and political wrong which has brought England to a state of anarchy , and airayed class against class , and man against man , threatening the utter ruin of each and all , the oppressed and the oppressor !

      England is in a state of anarchy . True , some of the outward signs of such a state are yet wanting ; hitherto not seen : not because soldiery and police prevent such exhibition ; but because the people , or a large portion of them , if they have well nigh abandoned hope , are yet unwilling to commit themselves to the crimes of despair . They are no lovers of crime , ( this Anglo-Saxon race ! They have leen famed for their crimeless obedience to the law ; and now would thousands of them rather suffer any extent of misery , than have recourse to the " wild

      justice of revenge . " But this will not always be ! If justice be not done to the people , the unjust must expect to have justice , —even though it be » of tie " wild" kind , —done upon them . And , God forbid that it should be otherwise ! We deplore the exist ence and the undoubted increase of crime ; but wa are not ignorant of the causes of thai existence and increase . It is clear as the sun at noon-day who us the parties tbat are responsible for tkis criminality—THE HOLDERS 07 PROPERTT . 'Tis they who h » T 6 the social arrangements of society in their hands j they who wield the power of Hfe and death over tbe

      unhappy bondsmen of this "Christian , " " enlightened , " England . 'Tis they who have exclusively ' - the ' law-making of the country to themselves ; they aA ? make laws to make men criminals , and then pW laws to punish them for committing crime ! Yea these are the parties to whose account is realty , chargeable the frightful deeds now spreading terrorism through the once bappy rural districts of once Merrie England . " Aye , we repeat it : if the holders of property will not do right j if they will sin against God and man j if they will rob the poor and oppress tbe dfl-

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      A . _„ . THE NOptT H ^ aN STAR .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 23, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1244/page/4/