Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 3rd February 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page 5, Untitled Article

Page 5
Page 5
5 of 8

On this page

  • Text (7)
  • 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

      | fi " Words are things , and a mail drop of ink mi : Falling—like dew—upon a taou-ht , produce * ' &' That which bsJcm thousands , perhaps miUiow , | e- think . " Mbox . II ; THE FRENCH REPUBLIC .

      | fe LETTERS Wi TO THE WORKING CLASSES . f | xxxin .

      Untitled Article

      S § 1 Brother Proletarians , jte Yery probaLly , it will be my duty in the ^ bourse of the Session of Parliament , opened this * ? 3 ay , to direct your attention to matters disyBQEsed in the Legislature . I therefore seize i'dnpon this occasion to ofler a few remarks on rj&ench affairs , prior to engaging in the discusijpon of home questions . ^ T he FrencliEepublic lias jast passed through ijji crisis , which had been -wickedly bronght

      fSiK > ut bv the enemies of the Commonwealth . H ^ he intention of the intriguers vas to upset Se Republic . Had the Assembly possessed Jponc-sty and courage , the conspiracy would Jfpave resulted in the destruction of the con-^ gg ) irator =. a | I believe , I hare not addressed you on ffFreiich affairs since the Presidential election . tgSoinu two months have elapsed since I drew Hhe character of Mister Prince Louis

      Napoleon . Subsequent events Lave failed to proluce a change in my views with regard to ? that individual . " On the contrary , every tot of this miserable pretender , since he as " - unu'd the office of President , has served to atisfy me of his utter incapacity , both in leart and head , to fulfil the duties of the nission which might hare been his had he losscsscd any of the requisites for so gloious a task * But Lous Napoleon * is but

      i pie counterfeit of a great man—a Brummagein Bcoxaparte . The real metal , weighed I p the Ecales of Justice , was of no great ; | pirth , the brazen baseness of this imitation is too transparent to need any such test . i . ppf' -side ^ , it would be madness to expect any . 1 iithcr than base coinage in the hands of such I notorious ( political ) " smashers" as Odillon * 1 : 3 Jakuot and his comrogues . ^ That any one should imagine the possi-~' Ability of a Prince bein ^ an honest man , passes j iny comprchenjir » n . Certainly , I have read Sin story-books of such characters—but , I be-I jjic-ve in them just as much as I do the stories pi iiery dragons , enchanted ladies , and giantl filayiug knights . Could we come at the sea ; troi thoughts of Princes , we should find them Jrkg reed , at least , upon one point—the foll y of f onc-st j I " Ilonesty ' s a ragged virtue ! I'll have none on't , "—| gis the secret language of them all . % "Witlun twenty-four hours of his elevation to Jhe Presidency , Louis Napoleon went far to jjealise the worst anticipations of his opponents , I fcv calling to his councils the sworn enemies of

      the Kepublic—a mixture of Orleanists and j ^ g itinjists . The command of the army of Juris and the National Guard was given to Jieueral Chaxgakxiek , a truculentLegitiinist ; ^ t bat of the army of the Alps was conferred on Bie brigand butcher , Bugeaud . The Republican Prefrcts and sub-Prefects were displaced , bud loyalists appointed in their stead . The

      popular clubs have been persecuted with relentless vigour , and at last a decree has been j'K'posed to suppress them . t Lut it has been said there has been an innncsty . A mistake that . There has been pothhig of the sort A few women have been k-t at liberty , and some of the poor fellows plio had been sentenced to transportation . Dut this gaol delivery of a few is a miserable substitute for the loolced-for amnesty . Again , b <; it remembered , that perhaps as many—perhaps more—victims have been sent t » prison than have been set at liberty by this

      philan-Bmiitic President . Onlv on Mondav last sixty 3 m «]> ic President . Only on Monday last sixty it' tie best patriots in Paris were in « ne batch tuiuWd away to prison by police ruffians , acting b the name of this precious President . ; A curious struggle has been going on for some time past between the Ministry and the Assembly . Bad as the present Assembly is , [ am sorry to say that there is a prospect that 0 ie nvxt will be even worse . Should a general election take place under in-sent circumstances , the eternal enemies of

      Fustice are likely to have things all their own nay . Their wealth enables them to command W Priesthood , the Press , and the Stageliree all-potent powers . The priest preaches , he journalist publishes , the actor rants , ( and hoy all lie . ) that the lxepublic is the cause of Ivi S' » vial hardships of the people ; and that Hie veritable Republicans are monsters and ¦ m-niK'S of socH'tv .

      On the other hand , the real Republicans iav .- no adequate strength to oppose to this yinnidable conspiracy . In the first place they iro horn-it men—what need to add that they ire poor ? Their ranks comprise a few " men f money , " but how few I need not state . You know that it is almost " easier for a camel 0 pass through tlie eye of a needle" than for 1 rich man to love Justice for its own sake .

      Flu * Democratic Tress is a pre-eminent and rWious characteristic of France compared rith other uatioi s ; vet , after all , how few ire the journals devoted to the cause of the nany compared with the subsidized organs of riviJ . ge and class-ascendancy . The Demo-3-ats may be sni 1 to have no influence in the ¦ a uks of " the Priesthood . An honest Priest is is great a phenomenon as an honest Prince ! Lamkxxais—the pure-hearted , holy Lamxe-( a Ij ? —is a standing miracle . But he long ago ¦ a * t avav tie craft of his order . As to the

      rctage , theatres are supported pr incipally by tli" Him and plunderers of society ; and the wr .-t' -lu-d actor—like those literary pimps who liavf made tl : « Newspaper Press the greatest c \ ir < i- < if this age—the poor actor must do as hi- ; intronsdesire . AVoe to him should he & .-.- . * _ his tak-r . ts to the servicce of Justice . L-1 him dcrrade Labour , scoff at Truth , and

      MaspW-ine Liberty , and he shall win " golden cj . i ;! i « . iis ' from those who rule this world by G « M . This world is governed by Gold , Fraud , and F-rco ; but , like another " " trinity , " the three ju * rcsolveable into one—for Gold can ever Pvamnand Force and Fraud !

      [ Iu cousideringthe strength of the two parties , § t ihould not be forgotten that the Royalists W l ] * masters of the Republic ; whilst the ^ q-jblicans are proscribed , their chiefs in « -1 ns *» ^ 2 is , and every active man amongst ff ' - 'in if not actually uudsr arrest , at least un-W&r tli- lurceillance of the police . The adds # r- '^ aifully against the men by whose blood lp ]!' l ]« itri 6 tism the Republic was called into

      » X ! H <; u ce ! M The . Royalists desire the immediate dissomiv < n of the Assembly . The Republicans , «* " ^ c contrary , wish ' to prolong the sittings * ioreof untji ' tjjg organjc la ^ vs have ¦ ccn voted . The reason for this division is WtV j US' On the nature of the organic laws ¦ PU depenath e real character of the Hep Alic m ? Constitution is little more than a

      declajg ; « princi ples ; the organic laws will re-^ ce those princi ples to practice . You will g ^ taild th at , in practice , the principles «*> ue burked in all but name . The recent ^~ wrv of our own country affords an illus-BT fi " » y meaning . In 1831 , the Whigs S . i i m . fevonr of * e "MI , fcir , and free Bit m of thc V ™^ ' m rarh' ament . " W Jfa 6 the < k * laration of a principle . So SReri « GBEr and Hexht Hunt were K h - ? yfl 6 & 8 P ° P ° a « " - ¦ KhS' ^" * *™ ^ - " Thatlaw Hr IItu M tlie ijuflra ? e a . mrnir . nr , lv _ + l 1 n ™ . t 0 of

      WtfrrtT ** ^ ** exclulion the W £ * & * ' . ^^ H usT cfemauded fcS ^ ^ 0 people hsd not f ^ wf ^^^ w '' ^ ade an a * s ^ s ; r * *

      Untitled Article

      llepublic , therefore they are anxious that the Assembly should not dissolve until the organic laws have been adopted . The intriguers , on the contrary , desire only a sham Republic , preparatory to the restoration of Monarch y , and , therefore , they wish to have the organic laws voted by the next Assembly , calculating that by the help of calumny , corruption , and terror , * they M-ill be able to procure the election of a Chamber fitted to carry out their infamous designs . - _ _ _

      Iu pursuit of this object a petition-ag itation was recently commenced and is still being carried on—the petitions demanding the immediate dissolution of the Assembl y . These petitions are manufactured by the bourgeoisie , who exhibit , in every form of expression , their anxiety to get rid of the present Assembly . Several motions , tending towards the early dissolution of that body , have been made by certain of its members — tools of the reactionnaires . Last Thursday , a Committee appointed to report on one of those motions delivered its report against the proposition . Monday last was fixed for the discussion of the Committee ' s report , and the day was looked forward to Mith anxiety , by both the friends and foes of the Republic .

      Other circumstances conspired to increase the popular excitement . The law students had refused to listen to the lectures of a certain L' Herminere , professor of legislation in the College of France , his lectures being Anti-Republican and Pro-Absolutist . The students hooted the professor , and chaunted the Marseillaise . Thereupon the Government o / Pres ' -dent . Louis Napoleon interfered with an armed force . Up to this moment , the precious professor is maintained in his place by bayonets ! How long that kind of support may avail him is another matter .

      On Friday last , the Minister of the Interior , Leon Faucher , announced that he had been directed by the President to present a project of decree for the suppression of the clubs . That the full iniquity of this atrocious measure may ba understood , I reprint the first article of the decree , contrasting therewith the right of association as proclaimed in the constitution : ART . 8 OF THE COXSTIIU- BILL PRESENTED BV M . TIO . V . LEON" FAUCHER .

      Citizens have a right Clubs are prohibited , to meet together , to as- Will be considered as semble peaceably , and such every public meetwithout arms , to petition , ing which snail be held to manifest their opinions periodically , or at irreguby the Press or other- lar intervals , for the diswise ; the exercise of cussion of political questhese rights lias only for tions . limit the rights or liberty of others , and public security .

      This abominable ukase would not merely dissolve the clubs , it would render banquets and every kind of public meeting for the discussion of political questions impossible . Offenders are to be punishable with deprivation of civil rights for a period of from one to three years , and a fine of from 100 francs to 500 francs ; *• independent of other penalties . " Persons lending their Souses or apartmmts for such meetings to be subjected to the same fine !

      Because Guizot forbade a solitary banquet , OmixOX Barrot and his gang " of Whigs brought about a revolution . Now this political swindler out-Guizots Guizot . If King Louis PuiLirrE deserved to lose his throne for preventing one meeting , what does President Lons Napoleon deserve for directing his minister to propose € * i decree for the prevention of art meetings for the future ? It is notorious that the Royalists meet in clubs . They ineet openly and avowedly . "Will the decree be applied to them ? Certainly not . In the Republic , as under the Monarchy , there must be " one law for the rich , and another for the poor . "

      Leon Faucher is a greatFroe Trader—the Cobdex of France . Judge ye , brother Proletarians , what you might expect from the " modelagitator , " were he lord of the ascendant . You will do well not to trust much in Cobde \ and his party . You will do well not to forget his employment of Irish ruffians to bludgeon the Manchester Chartists . You will do well to remember Colonel Tiiomtsok ' s advice to the middle classes , to form themselves

      into armed bands , to keep down your order by physical force . You will do well to remember the-speech of Dr . Epps , in which he advised " small doses" of grape shot as a remedy for mob distempers ! You will , above all , do well to look to yourselves for your own emancipation , unless , indeed , you mean to play the partof "Dupe" in theold " farce newl y revived" Open your mouth and shut your eyes , and see what the League will give you . "

      To return to the French question . Another cause of popular excitement was supplied by the decree for reducing and reorganising the Garde Mobile . That corps is said to have threatened revolt . A number of officers , of that force have been placed under arrest . It would seem that " poetical justice " is about to overtake both the Assembly and the Garde Mobile . The one conspired and the other fought for the bourgeoisie , and against the proletarians . Now the bourgeoisie desire to destroy both . Neither are entitled to the sympathy of honest men .

      Still , though ill-deserving popular support , the masses Avould have defended the Assembly had it dared to defend itself . Since thc days of June there has been no such excitement in Paris as was exhibited on Monday . Doubtless a plot existed on the part of the Ministry to dissolve the Assembly by force , but there was no need to attempt what might have been a dangerous experiment—the Assembly betrayed itself . The members voted by a majority of 416 to 405 , that the proposition to dissolve the Assembly on the 19 th of March should be read a second time .

      Notwithstanding that one Committee has reported against the " urgency" of the proposed decree against the clubs , it is probable that the decree , perhaps somewhat modified , will be adopted . Hundreds of patriots are being swopt into prison . It is desired to have all the Republican chiefs in prison at the time of the general election . Order reigns in Paris ! but for how O " _ _~ «¦ , i it _ j j . t _ " _ X . t ? their worsttheir tri

      Let the Royalists do , - umph will be short-lived . Let them put down public meetings and they will then have to contend against still more formidable bodies . Let them fetter or suppress the democratic journals , the truth will nevertheless be published in spite of them . Let them cram their dungeons with victims , those victims have sons whoTwill avenge their fathers' wrongs . The triumph of justice may be postponed , but the strugg le will be continued until that triumph is accomplished . V L'AMI DU PEUPLE . February 1 st , 1849 .

      Untitled Article

      ISi ^ rr c-i- - S sSSSEgfg w ^ M ^ Itiveto the society in Wales ware stated :- *» hrt

      coherences ; baptfced . duringthe « ; "jnths 1 001 total baptized in the year , 1 , 969 ( very lew cSded ); s fcven P tybrancheS ! 156 elders , ISO pnesto . 147 teachers , sixty-seven deacons-m all , MO officers The SwakseaHerald , which reports the mS , adds :- ' The thousands of Mormons in Sapiar to have great affection for , and confidenct in Cap tain D . Jones , who intents returning S ^ a ^ a ^ ? IS ^ Sri ng to emigrate from tb » ^ and to , * they &y , their future home .

      Untitled Article

      THE PEOPLE ' S PARLIAMENTARY SOIREE , Convened hy the Executive Committee of the Aational Charter Association , took place at the wterary and- Scientific Institution , John-street , iMtzroy Jsquaro , on Monday evening , January the -Jtn , when a verv large party sat down to a " good and substantial tea , provided by Mr . Davis , purveyor to the Institution . Thc tables being removed the body and galleries of the Hall immediately became densely crowded by the vast numbers . Charles Lushington , Esq ., one of the members for Westminster , entered the ILill during the tea and was loudly applauded—but left again prior to the commencement of the public meeting . Mr . P . M'Grath was called to the chair , and called on Mr . Stalhvood to read the communications from the several members of parliament invited to attend .

      PUBLIC MEETINGS .

      Mr . StaLLWOOD proceeded to read letters of apology from Joseph Hume , M . P ., George Thompson , M . P ., John Williams , M . P ., Ralph Osborne , M . P ., Thomas Wakley , M . P ., Colonel Thompson , M . P ., Sim-man Crawford , M , P ., and Lawrence lleyvorth , M . P . A letter w ; is likewise read from Joseph Sturgc . Mr . Stall wood said Mi . O'Connor had been called away on pressing business to the Great Dodford Estate near Bromsgrove , which prevented him from being present . He had received no reply to the invitation forwarded to Mr Duncombe , which he feared was an indication that the honourable

      gentleman was worse in health . The Chairman said this was called a Parliamentary Soiroe—they had heard the answers read from the members o * f Parliament and other gentlemen invited to attend , and as they found that some members could not , and others would not attend , why they must even go on without them , ( loud cheers ) and when the wealthier classes see that we avo competent , and determined to do our own work , they will then very readily lend us their assistance . ( Cheers . ) The first sentiment he had to submit was : " The people , the Source of all political powev ; " a sentiment ^ he hoped speedily to see acknowledged by all . ( Loud Cheers . ) Mr . Thomas Clark , said : Li presenting myself to support the sentiments . which have been

      so eloquently proposed from the chair , I am glad to observe , that although the members of parliament who have been invited by the committee have not attended here , as it was hoped many of them would have done , that the people themselves have not been so remiss , but have nobly answered the call . ( Hear . ) One member has been here , but for reasons best known to himself he has decamped , and it was realty amusing to witness thc speed at which he left this place—Mr . Lushington , tlie member for Westminster , is the gentleman to whom I am alluding , and I cannot account for his hasty retreat from this Hall for any other reason than his advanced age . ( Laughter . ) Some of the gentlemen whose letters have been read , we can well excuse for their absence , because

      from their general conduct we know they are with us in principle —( hear)—but there arc others whose non-appearance not only shows bad taste on their part , but also argues that they are incapable of appreciating good company —( laughter)—and are indisposed to obtain useful information , even when offered them at a cheap "srate . ( Cheers and laughter . ) I say seriously , that iftho members to whom my remarks bear reference ¦ were here this evening they would receive valuable instruction , — ( cheers )—because here they wo uld learn the truth from tl ;» people themselves , ( near and cheers . ) Thc sentiment which I am called upon to support is declaratory of the principle that the " people" are the only legitimate source of political power . If the

      theory of such principles be right , all political power , not sanctioned and created by the people ,, must be illegitimate ; and our Parliament must be a bastard Parliament—not having been legitimately created by tlie people , as it ought to have been , before it proceeds to make laws on thc assumption that its enactments would be binding upon the nation . I hold that the unrepresented millions of this country are under no moral obligation to observe the laws wluch emanate from the present House of Commons . ( Hear , hear . ) What is it that renders engagements binding ? Is it not that the parties required to observe them have , either of themselves , or by delegation been concerned in their contraction , and arc therefore morallv , as

      well as legally . bound to regard them ? But who ¦ will say that such has been tlie the case as between the people , Parliament , and laws of England ? He would , indeed , be a bold man , who—admitting the correctness of my reasoning—would assert that the six millions of unrepresented men of these islands , are morally bound to any observance of laws emanating from the present legislative body . Tlie theory of the 15 ritish Constitution , as expounded by Judge Blackstone is , that— " Taxation , without representation , is tyranny , and ought to bo resisted : " but I go further than his judgeship , and I asseit that— " Taxation , without representation , is robbery , and ought not to be tolerated . " ( Loud cheers . ) What business have 658 men , meeting at

      a place named St . Stephen s , and calling themselves a " Parliament , " through the agency of tlieiv lavs , to put their hands into my pockets , and abstract therefrom my private property without my consent' ( Cheers . ) The present system of representation allows one out of seven of the male adult population to exercise the Elective Franchise ;—modestly i rjsumingtliat the one man who has the vote possesses more wisdom and virtue than six others , who are not so favoured . 13 ut supposing each elector to be possessed of thc genius of a Sibthorp —( laughter)—then they would not have therAjr / tftomake laws forothers , without their consent . Some people object to giving power to the people , on the ground that they would not make proper use of it . A bishop receiving

      £ 7 , 000 a year , would maintain stoutly that the people oujjhtiiot to be entrusted with political power , under the apprehension that if they were so , that his large salary would be treated as a matter of past history . * ( Laughter and cheers . ) Xow , I cenfess that I entertain some of the bishop ' s opinions without bring actuated by his fears , and me reasons that would induce him to withhold power from the people would as strongly incline me to give it to them , for I do not think that power could be more righteously or relisiously employed , than in teacfiing the

      bishops a cheaper way to salvation , —( cheers )—and do not see how they could complain , because it is well known that they are not " wordly-minded . " ( Laughter and cheer ' s . ) If the people had power , does anv one suppose that they could by any chance so far forget the interests of the conntry and the requirements of decency , as to connive at the existence of a Whig government ? ( Laughter and cheers . ) And most sincerely am I of opinion that the advantage is not upon our side of thc channel , ( Hear and cliccrs . ) Mr . Clark continued at some length to support the sentiment of " The people , " and satdown warmlv applauded .

      The Chairman , after a few introductory remarks , which were loudly applauded , gave the following sentiment : — " To the emancip ation of the people from political thraldom by those wise , just , snil equitable principles contained in the document known as the People ' s Charter . " ( Tremendous cheering , again and again repeated , ) Juliax ifARXF . v , who was received with loud and general applause , rose to speak to the sentiment , and said : After ten years' explanation , vindication , and agitation for the Charter , it may seem , at the first glance , a work of superfluity to say anything in defence of the principles of thatineasure . But , in truth , there is need of such vin d ication ; not , as is often falselv asserted , because the Chartists

      themselves have " brought their principles into odium and contempt , but because the enemies of Justice have employed every vile means to blacken and distort the truths they were unable to confute , and could not absolutely deny . ( Hear , hear . ) The press took advantace of what was called the " violent . speeches" delivered by the members of the Convention in the spring of last year . The said violent speeches reflected ' discredit , not on the speakers , nor on Chartism , but on the system of injustice which had excited those words of despair . ( Applause . ) Forcible resistance to thc established order of things is the last thought of Englishmen in general— -when , therefore , you hear any number of Englishmen talk of imitating other nations in Justice at

      attempting a short cut to , you may once and safely infer that those who so talk have grievous wrongs , and very little hope of redress through the usual legal and constitutional means . ( Hear , hear . ) A wise government—aware that there cannot bo smoke without fire—an effect without a causewould have inquired into the causes of such angry demonstrations of popular feeling ; and an honest press would have lent its aid to probu the sore and wovidfi the means of cure . But a very different course was followed . Spies were sent to sit in that eallerv , to applaud and excite the most violent speeches , and those speeches , dished up by tho reporters , were duly commented on next Jay , with he view to excite the terror and hatred of the on the

      m middle-classes , and thc work of ^ vengeance part of the government . It was" m vain that the invention published address after address and resolution after resolution , declaring the real motives , SeSns and aims of the getters lip of the I ' nnSon-common demonstration , the press sXSued ^ fiendish work of setting class rl : ^ - ^ sr « its best to ex one d M c 01 vards of April over the press ™ denounccd as as _ those whom th . ^ had rev o 4 ^ ^ sassins . The W « »< ; * the Powcn plot , and tional Petition , . nd tig . ^^ ^ ^ a ^ ed-Had the Umi i i c ] lMthm ) ,., d no-Of that plot ? Cei ^ n jn ^ ^^ thing to to ^ VjL fate of good men who , like l ^ i ^ &Zi ^ Cnt mhm ^

      Untitled Article

      that affair . The discredit , disgrace , and shame , must be attached to the spies and their employers -principally the latter . ( U , \ u \ cheers . ) That spies were employed by the government was as good as confessed b y the Attorney-General , at the trial of West , M lute , and the other patriots at Liverpool . That spies are still employed to track th « steps , watch the movements , and note down the words pf the Chartist advocates , there can be no question ; and I think I hold in my hand evidence of the fact . ( Hear , hear . ) The speaker here stated that letters had that evening been left at Mr . Truelovo ' s , the bookseller , adjoining the Institution , addressed to Mr . Kydd and to himself . The letter addressed to himself was as follows : — Jany 291849 .

      „ . , Dear Sib , —Knowing that you are nn tnemv to oppreg . g ion , and that you Have a Strong feeling for the Ipeoplt of France , as well a 8 England ifcc , and the sooner oppresoion is overthrown the sooner will freedoms Banner be found on the whole world-it is this feeling with me that inducetlii me to wnte , it is a I ' ainfull thing when men are compel ( I to invent things to Destroy each other , but when Red hot shot wag used in June against a starving Peoplo , brought to starvation by tyrants—I consider it a duty if something can be invented to destroy Tyrants to mike known as speedy as Possible to tlie Tcojile of France , as they are well organised and Can Keep a Secret in the Ranks of Democracy—I have Chose * Stone Brimstone , as being very Cheap and very Fowerfull—melt the Brimstone and dip a Peice of Rag or Stocking in it and Put a Little Gunpowder inside and a peice of Touch Taper or a Fusee—The will

      Gunpowder Light the Brimstone , and these thrown amongst the Troors or National Guards will prove a very strong snuff for their Xoses-Also Poison the shot a few days Before they use them Cut one Bullet into 4 and if the * are poisoned , and only Wound , there will not be in much n \ v t h e ?' r ™ d < : l \ 1 ) erson the next d * y . he "" I have Quitei j nouglil ' ain without fighting— ( again ) Ca » t iron Boxes are a Good substitute for Canon- ( ttiese Boxes are used br wheelwright ) plug tlie small end up from the large end With a wooden pliin . , and Bore a hole that will answer for a Touch hole ( the Boxes are about 13 inches long with a hole 'i \ : inches dimeter ) if you approve of this make it known to the french people—Youvs truly 1 \ Y . M . That ( said the speaker ) looks very like a trap . ( Cheers . ) But I can assure Mr . Powell and his friends that such a trap will not catch me . ( Cheers . ) shall send this letter

      I to Sir George Grey , ivith nn intimation that I am wide awake—first taking a copy for publication in the Northern Star . ( Lou 1 cheers . ) I beg to tell the writer of this letter that the French do not require English teaching in the art of fi g hting . ( Applause . ) And , further , when they do . fi g ht , they are too brave , too heroic , to play tho part of poisoners and assassins . ( Renewed applause . ) The speaker here referred to the critical state of affairs in tho French capital , and the prospects of the Republic . His remarks excited the most enthusiastic cheering . To return to the Charter , and its enemies and calumniators . On the explosion of the Powell plot , the Times declared that , at last , the Charter was understood . It had

      been supposed to consist of six points , but , in reality , it consisted of only three—pillage , burning , and murder . Anything more revolting than this calumny was never penned ; anything more atrocioua was never published , eren by the limes . ( Loud cheers . ) But , even supposing that everything imputed to Cuffey and his confederates by that wretched miscreant , Powell , "had been founded in truth , the sins of those men would be white as wool contrasted with the horrible crimes of such brigands as Winnischgratz , who , for the last three months , has been the acknowledged hero of tho Times , ltemember Vienna inflames ! Remomber the thousands of men , women , and children , who were torn , hewed , and hacked to pieces , burnt or crushed to death , "in vainly attempting to save their homes

      from the ruffianism of royalist heroes and their savage followers . The Time ) advised and invoked these horrors , and when they had been perpetrated , the butchers , burners , pillagers , and ravishers , were hailed as heroes , and almost exalted to tho rank of demi-gods by the writers in the Times . Yet these writers nave the assurance to denounce the Chartists as advocates of burning , pillage , and murder ! In the name of the Chartists , I hurl these calumnies back into the teeth of those who invent them . ( Great cheering . ) The speaker proceeded to expatiate , at some length , on the justice of tho principles of the Charter , and the injustice of the present system , and resumed his seat amidst hearty and prolonged applause . The Chaikmax then cave the next sentiment : —

      " To thc employment of the people by well-regulated ' Home Colonies , ' and other social remedies . " ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Kydp , on rising , was received with cheers . After condemning , in strong terms , the spy system of the Kussell Cabinet , he said the sentiment ' to which he was called upon to respond , was indicative of thc age . There was in this and all other countries au increasing interest manifested in questions of social reform . This question was deeper seated than that of mere politics and parties . The colour of a ribband—the name of a coterie—was as nothing compared with those questions that related to , and became a part of tho organic constitution of society itself . The political economists had lonjr ruled in the Senate , and controlled in the Cabinet " . As political economists , they never could remedy tlie evils of English society ; they looked upon man as if he were a dead inanimate' thing , unchanged

      and unchangeable ; they laid down their propositions , and they solved their problems with the correctness of arithmetic If men could be moved like chess on a board , tho economists could never err . This , most fortunately , was not the case ; man was a sentient and intelligent agency affected by every part , and related to every immediate circumstance ; and at the very time that the party politicians , financiers , and economists were writing pamphlets , making speeches , and each in turn fighting , or aiding to fight , the political game Of " Ins and Outs , " the social evils increased beneath the very walls of thc Senate House itself . "Within the past twelve months , according to the official returns of the Poor-law Guardians , one out of every three hundred of thc metropolitan population had been reduced to pauperism , to actual want , and , therefore , forced to apply to their parishes for relief . This was a fearful increase of human wretchedness .

      —How many families had been reduced from affluence to dependence that had not yet applied for relief?—How many workmen had been thrown idle by such reductions , and had preferred itinerant vagrancy , and unwilling vagabondism and theft , to tlie workhouse allowance ? It is reported , on good authority that every seventh individual in England , is either a criminal , a pauper , a vagrant , or a prostitute ; and , in the sacred name of humanity and civilisation , where was this system to stop ? Think of it , you puritan divines , who have preached peace when Mammon has been devouring his victims every hour—think of it , you courtly dames and noble gentlemen , whose gilded drawing-rooms dazzle with thc art and ingenuity of our workmen—think of it , you laughing senators , who have raised a

      monster whose breath scorches and burns up the peace of life . You miserable economists and crafty financiers , who , like > ero , played on thc fiddle when tho Eternal City was in flames , for whom had those sacrifices been made ? Let us examine . I think we may , on a fair estimate , suppose that at least two-fourths of the male adult population of England , above the age ot twenty , belong to what was called the labourer , or artisan classes ; onefourth of thc adult males belong to tho retail shop , keepers , and small merchant classes ; those were the classes that were suffering from increased distress ; and for whose advantage , pray ? for the apparent advantage of the other fourtk , —the nierchantprinces , the laud-owners , the usurers , the bankers , and independent monopolists . Is it , I ask , to be

      supposed that we can continue to sacrifice the independence and comfort of every three individuals for tho purpose of aggrandising the fourth ? Must we make three houses tenantless th . it the fourth house shall be a mansion ? Three tables foodless , that the fourth should groan under a superabundance of luxuries ? Three human beings serfs , that the fourth shall be a master ? I say , perish such a system—it is neither of earth nor Heaven—it is neither divine nor human . Remember , for tho apparent advantage of the few , and the advantage was only apparent , fcr so false was the present theory in principle , that it caused in turn the ruin of all ; the poor became rebellious , the ruined tradesman clamorous ; the ties that bound man to man were loosened ; the I onds of society were rent in twain :

      fear followed in the wake of despair ; and revolution and chaos , with all their doubts and horrors , convulsions , and wrecks of Ufa and institutions , were their sure successors . Oh , but we were promised remedies ; there were Free Trade and Emigration . Free Trade meant free competition , independent of all natural or circumstantial arrangements , which simply meant that the labourers and artisans of every nation should toil for the advantage of the rich and titled few in every land . Internationally it meant , that if Englishmen worked harder and enjoyed fewer of the fruits of their own industry , their country would conquer the world , and . ruin itself . The speaker replied to the Free Traders , and advocates of emigration , at length , and said : I see no hope for England but in an extensive system of home colonisation . Your chairman has said , that there are many acres of waste lands ; well , we all know there are many millions of idle arms . If

      labour and land be the producing causes of p roperty , apply labour to land and the result will beunmistakeable . Thirty years ago Mr . Owen had proposed an extensive system of home colonisation , as a relief for Irish pauperism—the scheme was rejected . A few weeks since Mr . Colthurst had reported the results of draining moss and bog lands ; his report had been a subject of universal eulogy , and all ^ thinkers and journalists were now constrained to admit , that an application of Irish labour to Irish land was the only common sense and industrial remedy for the sufferings of that distracted and most unhappy country . lie was aware that all schemes of industrial improvement were subject to attack ; tome likened home colonination to squatting , others to barbarism ; perhaps the li g hts and shades of this question were never sketched with a truer touch , than by Mr . Alison in his work on population . " Throughout the -whole of LomVavdy , snys Mr . Alison , " you look iu vain for anything like a gen-

      Untitled Article

      tleman ' s seat ; the laud is all let to middlemen who i-e-let their farms to the actual cultivators , and such is the accumulated weight thus heaped upon the farmers , that in spite of the richness of the soil , they can barely procure tho necessaries of life . Generally thc cultivators have a small piece of land , with one or more cows ; but this system , which under i more equitable administration would be the surest basis of public happiness , is here perverted into a prolific source of misery ; for by yielding the peop le A SUBSISTENCE AND ' nOTIUNQ MORE , It givi > 8 aU improper and uncalled for facility to their increase . The same oppressive and ruinous svstem of middlemen is conspicuous in the states oi Parma and Modona , and the district of Padua , and in them all the same depression of the peasantry is to be seen . "

      How explanatory and clear were the sentiments just quoted . In all cases where the small holder was insecure in possession , and oppressed bv rack rents and heavy imposts , he was degraded and poor ; but under a wise administration , which could only mean an improved system of tenure , freed from incumbrances and insecurities , such a system was bound to become "the surest basis of public happiness : " and , I would add , the only lasting basig of national prosperity . Tlio history of tho pa&t . in every nation and in every clime , should be , that for a state to he great , and continue great , it must rest its industry mainly on agriculture : trade and

      commerce enriched , and might for some time sustain apparent advantages , but experience—unerring and continuous—proved that commerce rendered a people effeminate , and sustained luxury by *» crincinff bodily vigour and moral virtue . Decay and desolation followed . He looked to home colonisation as the great corrective and balancing force against mercantile chicane , paper money fraudulencv , commercial and competitive antagonism . Mr . Kydd paid a marked tribute of respect to the principles of the National Land Company , and resumed his seat amidst marked and prolonged applause . The next sentiment was , " Our Parliamentary Advofi .-itns "

      Mr . Stallwood said , in responding to this , a friend had observed he hoped Mi . Stnllwood had a long catalogue of them . In reply to this , let him say , the length of the list must , like everything else , depend on the people themselves . ( Hear , hear . ) However , there was Thomas AVaklcy , whom gratitude , for his great and successful exertions on behalf of the Dorchester labourers , would uerer allow him to forget ; to say nothing of his being ever willing and ready to move , second , or support anything beneficial to the people . Alas ! his colleague ' s ( Mr . Duncombe ) health forbade him to expect much of him in the coming session . Then there was George Thompson , who had promised to move on behalf of

      their imprisoned victims . ( Loud cheers . ) There was Ciarles Lushington , who had been here and desired him to say his sympathies were with them . ( Cheers . ) There was Sharman Crawford . And had they not the member for Nottingham — ( loud cheers)—who would do all his constituents required of him ? and , allow him to add , it was their duty to be up and doing ; other parties wore iu the field , getting up their petitions ; let them also get up theirs in every hundred , village , parish , township , and district of the kingdom , praying for tho " Charter " and " Home Colonies ; " let them put them into thc hands of the members for the district , and , depend on it , when you deserve you will not lack for Parliamentary advocates . ( Loud ' cheors . )

      The Ciiairuak said , the last sentiment was , "A Speedy Release to all Political Prisoners . " In Scotland-yard there was a depot in which mi g ht be found dresses for disguise—from the humble south-wester to the dandy Bond-street swell—and he much feared it was from this depot we might trace the cause of political prisoners . lie thought it our dnty , on all occasions , to denounce government espionage . Sir John Jervis had said that Powell was an instrument in the hand of Divine providence to bring the guilty to justice . ( Laughter . ) Now he conceived this to be blasphemy , and he presumed the Attorney-General was protected against an indictment for that oftence , simply because he was the public prosecutor , and hence he could blaspheme with impunity . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . H . Ross , in responding , said , it was our duty to demand the restoration of those men to their

      homes and to society , and failing to do tins we neglected our duty ; he should say it would shortly be our pleasing duty to memorialise the government in their behalf . ( Loud cheers . ) In conclusion , he would move the best thanks of tho meeting to their chairman , which was seconded by Mr . Clark , and adopted by acclamation . Tlie Chairman briefly acknowledged thc compliment , and the meeting quietly separated .

      Untitled Article

      —m THE GREAT FREE TRADE DINNER AT MANCHESTER . Manchester . — On Wednesday evening a " monster banquet" took place in tlie Free Trade Hall to celebrate the " great fact" of the " final repeal of the Corn Laws . " The immense area of the vast building was occupied with tables ,. covered alternately with pink and white calico , stretching the entire length of the Hall at right angles with thc raised platform , on which were seated seventy ol the most distinguished guests , including Mr . Cobden , Colonel Thompson , Messrs . TilHers , Gibson , M . Philips , Henry , Bright , Jackson , Williams , and several other Members of Parliament . The other company constituted an assemblage of nearly 3 , 000 persons . At seven o ' clock , the chair was taken by Mr . G . Wilson , chairman of the late Anti-Corn Law League . Grace was said bv the Rev . P . Spencer .

      Tlie Chairman , when refreshments had been taken by the company , rose , and , having briefly alluded to the letters of apology for absence which had been received from Mr . Hume , Mr . Fox , Dr . Bowring , Mr . Porter , and others , said they had met to celebrate the repeal of the Corn Laws —( cheers)—one of tlie greatest revolutions in tho policy of this country which had ever been brought about . He concluded by giving the health of " Her Majesty tho Queen , may * her reign be long , prosperous , peaceful , and happy . " ( " Loud cheers , followed by the National Anthem , performed by a military band stationed in front of the gallery ) . The next toast proposed by the chairman was the health of tho Free Trade Members of botli Houses

      of Parliament . ( Loud choors ) . Mr . TiLijERS acknowledged the compliment . The honourable gentleman adverted to the progress of Free Trade principles , and vindicated at length the conduct of the League . He declared his opinion that the Repeal of the Corn Laws , so far from being a substitute for , should rather be considered the foundation and the means of , other reforms . Mr . Cobde . v , who was received with prolonged shouts of applause , next addressed the meeting . He was nnxious that thero should be nothing in that night ' s proceedings to indicate , for a moment , that they were actuated by feelings of exultation over a fallen foe ; but when ho saw that other "individual , " the Duke of Richmond —( much laughter)—a man who , however lie might want discretion , talent , and what he called " pluck , " wore a coronet , and was called " His Grace" —when he saw him

      summoning together large bodies of thc farmers of Sussex , whom ' lie had endeavoured , fov ten years , to hoodwink and bamboozle , and endeavour to make them believe that ho could restore protection , they must endeavour to save the farmers from getting into bogs and mire in following such a Will-o ' -the-Wisp —( cheor 3)—by telling " them that they in that hall , where they had beaten monopoly before , ivcmld take care that he should not restore one shilling of a protective duty . ( Loud cheers . ) He observed that his Grace left his friends the farmers at Urighton , and told them he would go up to London and present their petition to Lord John Russell find Lord Stanley , and talk to them about restoring protection to the farmers . It was of no use going to men in power to talk about restoring the corn laws .

      " We , ' emphatically exclaimed the honourable gentleman , "We are in power on thc corn laws . " lie did confess he did feel somewhat indignant at this barefaced attempt to delude honest men . He had had credit given to him for keeping his temper for seven years on this question . He could not keep his temper with humbugs . He wanted it to be understood that , in dissolving the League , they were not going to revive it for a fresh contest about protection ; they had done with that . ( Cheers . ) If the Duke of Richmond had sense enough to be a leader , he might have b . een able to perceive that there was something coming up against the Anti-Corn Law League . ( Cheers . ) It was not merely protective duties that were getting out of favour in this country , but ,

      however strong or weak it might be at present , still there was firmly and gradually growing an . opinion decu \ ed \ y opposed not merely to duties for protection , but to duties for revenue at all . He ventured to say they would not live to see another statesman in England propose any customs' duty on a raw material or article of first necessity like corn . ( Cheers . ) He questioned whether any stateman who had any regard for his future fame would everpropose another excise or customs' duty at all . For a man who had an eye to look abroad and sagacity to understand the tendency of public opinion to talk to farmers about getting back protection , was the grossest delusion that could be practised upon

      them . Instead of being bamboozled by their designing leaders , he would have the farmers look about them ; consult with their own neighbours ; state the grievances they felt , the difficulties they had to encounter , and set rationally to work to remove any impediments to their competition in agriculture with the whole world , and if those grievances lay in tiie form of game laws , the want of hotter laws affecting tho rights of landlords and tenants , or any locator general questions admittm * of legislation at all , they would find that assembly and those whom it represented as willing to cooperate in getting justice 1 ' or the farmers as for any other class of tlie community . ( Cheers . ) The onl v question whiciu could arise now in the former's mind

      Untitled Article

      was this , how could he compete with foreiffiiors ? It was of no use talking of having a restriction put on the supply of food ; Tie must compete with foreiancrs as others did . Thc people of Lancashire must spin and weave as cheaply as any on the face of thc earth , and the farmers must raise their corn and cattlo on the same terms . ( Cheers . ) If any protection were pointed out and enjoyed by any manufacturers ha would vote against it . There must be no protection to farmers more than to any other class of the community . The farmers wanted a high price for provisions ; but the high price of provisions was incompatible with the well-being of the community , and they must not protect the class of fanners aC the expense of other classes of the population . They would find , taking the condition of the country int

      every aspect during the last ten or twenty years , that " in proportion as food was high , and formers had their way , the rest of the community suttered morally , socially , and in a pecuniary point of view they could not ^ therefore , submit to a principla which , if successful , resulted in an increase of paupciismand eiime , and every calamity that could fall as -a curse oh a country . ( Cheers . ) They must have fowl as cheap . is it could he got on thc face of tlie earth ; they would allow of no impediment to the free importation of that first and most necessary gift of the Creator . The toast he had to propose was , " Free Trade ana peace , the best guarantees of popular rights , tho best promoters of national industry , and tne most effectual means for the reduction of national burdens . "

      If Free Trade and peace were united , they would have something yet to do before they had finished ! their work . They might consistently co-operate to carry out the second object in the toast . Having secured Free Trade in corn , they must secure pence also . Ho had no fear of war ; he had not iuu \ for a long time . Tho nations of the world hud all spent so much money in previous wars that they were too poor to * go to war again . ( Loud cheers . ) What he wanted was , that they should reap the fruits of peace ; they had not peace now , it was nothing but an atmed tvuee ; out warlike establishments costs us more every year than a war cost us in the middle of last century : he did nob call that peace . He could talk to them on the subject of peace in a very different spirit , and with a very

      different tone , to what he was obliged to sulmut to in an assembly' to which he was going to-morrow . In that assembly if one prognosticated peace immediately he was taunted witn anticipating the millennium " ; if he hoped for peace he was tola that it was quite wrong , and that everywhere there were signs of war . All this was said in a spirit of exultation which was something rather difficult to account for ; tlie vast expenditure on what was facetiously termed our peace establishment created powerful interests in the country—they had to battle with them . Tha eighteen millions of money they spent on righting men made fighting men very fashionable in society . They had money to spend ; they gave employment ; to people ; they coula form the Jnrgest , finest , and ! most fashionable clubs in London ; they care their

      tone to society , and could employ others to write for them , no wanted those excellent spirits who had been exerting themselves so long to accomplish a . freedom of trade to get what they had not yet effected—a real peace . Notwithstanding all that had been said on that subject , ho reiterated thero never was a time when Europe [ was so predisposed to listen to advances made by thc people of England on that subject as now . He would not expect too much . Leaguers were not accustomed to have great changes worked in one session , or ono year , but the step to be takennext session was one in therig ht direction . He did not talk of revolutions ; almost every revolution that had happened was justified by circumstances . He had heard Lord John Russell say in the Ilousa of Commons that the nations of the continent were

      paying a heavy price for their liberties ; but he said not a higher price than they were worth . The hon . gentleman , after some further remarks to the same effect , concluded amidst loud cheers by declaring that the germ of a great revolution had been laid by the meetings inthixt Hall , and that it would expand and circulate round the globe , while its influence would only end with time itself . Colonel Thompson came forward amid loud cheering to propose the healths of the popular constituencies of the country , which had returned Free Traders . Mr . Bright next addressed the meeting , and was

      received with vociferous cheers . The hon . gentleman proposed the following sentiment : — " The Free Trade struggle ; may the ri g hts it gained be saved for ever ; may the power it developed be wisely used ; may the lessons it taught never be forgotten . " ( Loud cheering . ) Mr . Milxeu Gibson proposed the following toast : — " The agricultural , manufacturing , and commercial interests of this country , whoso welfare is best promoted by the removal of all legislative restrictions . " He looked on Protection as belonging to the same school of political doctrine as Communism , or Socialism , and was glad to find th : itthvy were all alike to the English people . After some lnovo sncechen the Assembly dispersed .

      Untitled Article

      T OO TIN G C H O LERA CA S ES . A meeting was held at St . Paucras , on Tuesday , at which resolutions were passed condemnatory oi the treatment pursued towards the children of the Tooting pauper establishment ; condemnatory of tho system of farming out paupers ; and also condemnatory of the conduct of tlie different Boards of Guardians having children at Tooting , for negligent supervision . Another resolution was carried , pledging the meeting to present a testimonial to the jury who conducted the investigation which , resulted iu a , verdict of manslaughter against Mr Drouet .

      On Tuesday evening , a meeting was held at tho Western Literary Institution , Leicester-square , for the purpose of taking into consideration the destruction of human lifts which has taken place among the infant paupers . it Drouet ' s Tooting establishment , and adopting measures for abolishing the system of fanning the poor by the guardians of the Poor Law Unions . Mr . Carpenter in the chair . Mr . Hawkins proposed a resolution to the effect , that , as it appeared " that the system under which the children at Tooting had lost their lives , had , from time to time , met with the approval of the guardians of the poor , and had existed with the sanction of tho Poor Law Commissioners , thc meeting considered such

      treatment to be inseparable from the spirit and essence of the new Poor Law , and , therefore , called for its utter and immediate abolition . The resolution was adopted , as was one , the purport of which was , that a petition to Parliament , praying for the abolition of the present Poor Law system ] be adopted by the meeting ; in support of which Dr . Popham , oiie of tho medical gentlemen in attendance at Drouet ' s establishment , while tbe cholera was raging there , attributed much _ of tho fatality which had taken place to the negligence of the functionaries of the various unions which sent children there . The petition referred to in the resolution having been read and adopted , and a vote of thanks given to the chairman , the meeting separated .

      Metropolitan Financial Rkfohm Association . — On Monday , a meeting was held at tlie Crown and Anchor Tavern , Strand , for the purpose of considering the propriety of forming a " Metropolitan Financial Rciorm Association , " to act in unison with the associations already formed in Liverpool and-Manchester . -Air . 8 . Harrison was called io the chair , when a resolution was moved by Mr . Serif m favour of economy and Parliamentary reform , and , being- seeomlvtl by Mr . Dielps , was unanimously agreed to . A resolution , formally resolving the meeting into an association for the promotion of the above objects , was then moved by Mr . M'Farlane , and also unanimously agreed to ; as were likewise resolutions in favour of co-operation with the people of Manchester and Liverpool , and for increasing the number of the 40 s . freeholders . A committee was then appointed , and the meeting separated .

      Untitled Article

      Accident ox the South Junction Railway . — Two more arches of the South Junction Railway , Manchester , fell in on "Wednesday morning , but as it was at an early hour , and before the men got to work , there was ' no loss of life in consequence . Tho inquest upon the three men killed on Saturday by the fall of part of one of the arches terminated on Thursday night , when tho jury found a verdict of "Accidentally killed . "

      Murder of another op the Duke op Cleveland ' s Gamekkepkhs . —A shocking murder was perpetrated at Trundle Myers , near West Auckland , some time during Sunday last , on a man named George May , a watcher , in the employmen t of the Diiko of CleT « - \ and . ' Deceased was found lying on his face in a pool of blood with one side of his head almost blown off . He had no gun , but in his coat pocket was found a double-barrelled p istol loaded . This is the second murder within twclvo months ; and it is remarkable that the men who shot Shirley in February last , meant to have murdered not him but May , who hu now met tho fate he then escaped . A Davoiiter op the Postmastbr at Carmarthen lias been committed for trial for stealing money letters . The members of her family are relieved from all suspicion of any guilty knowledge of the crime of the prisoner .

      Mexican Mines . —The mines of Mexico furnished , shortly before thc revolution in that country , durinp fourteen years , tlie sum of 342 , 114 , 285 dollars to tho Spanish government , about 24 , 000 , 000 dollars per annum . During the following fifteen years they iroduced 153 , 275 , 972 dollars , rather less than onehalf of the former amount ; the predominating cause of this was the unsettled state of thc country , in consequence of which many of tho mines were neglected , Arkansas . —Tho population of Arkansas , by the Governor ' s estimate , is 300 , 001 ) , which will give it three in place of one member of Congress , in tlie next appointment .

      Untitled Article

      S Febsuaky 3 , 1849 . THE NORTHERN STAR . 5

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 3, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1508/page/5/