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Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st March 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, ®%<tvti$t fntolliqt nct>

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    • TO THE WORKING CLASSES.
    • Rational Hani? company*
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      Jfr FBIE . , A . peat deal passes in the House of Commons y& < & is not reported in the Press . It is kind of chit-chat * which , however , is often ominous—and there is now a very eurrent report-credit ^ by many very knoiwng g entl e men pra ctised in diplomacy—that the Whigs are about to resign , Mid that Lord Stanley is to be Lord Joffis ' g successor in office . This cannot be effected , however , without a junction of tke 1 ? £ ElPaarty—not of Peel himself as , of course , he could not hold a subordinate office , once having been Pbime Ministerand , even were it not contrary to eti quette and practice , he has too much pride to play second

      fiddle . . But , lrom the feet of this country being governed alternatel y by "Whi gs and Tories , the officials of both parties are drilled and disciplined according to their respective creeds , and all the Tory staff having remained tree to Peel , and true to the principles of Toryism—vith the single exception of Free Trade—it would be impossible for Lord STASIS ! to marshal a staff of officials in the House of Commons otherwise than by the adoption of Peel ' s practised hands . Amoncr these are to be numbered Sir James GrRAHAl £ Mr . Goulbor : ? , Lord Lincoln , Mr . Herbert Mr . Gladstone , Mr . Gardwell , Sir George Clerk , Sir Frederick Thessiger , and a few

      young aspirants to office ; and it is currently reported and credited that Sir Robert Peel \ nH ~ offer no impediment to such an amalgamation ; and when the "Whi gs are on the Opposition beaches , you will see an impetus g iven to the eauBe of Democracy , based upon patronage and quarter-day , that you never saw before in this country , and Gob send it soon and sudden . ~ No « r , after what has recently taken place between me and some professing Republicans , and beiag confirmed in the belief of the absolute jjeees sify . o £ union amongst the Chartist ranks , I should have resigned my office of leader this weelt , were it not from a belief in the approach of a great struggle .

      If , however , I had resigned my office of acknowledged leader , I should not have resi gned my principles or abated one particle of my ardour in the cause ; but , perhaps , I mi ght then , in my capacity of private soldier , have attended more public meetings , notwithstanding the powers given to the Government by the Crown and Government Security Bill And still , my friends , if but a . very few known Chartists , from a very few districts , write re spectfully to me—ay , or even insolently—ask ing me to resign my office , I will do SO by the next post , as I will take care that neither jealousy nor ambition on my part , shall stand in the way of that union which is indispensable to the success of the democratic cause .

      During three years that I was an Irish member I represented—and , I think , faithfully—the interests of the English working classes in Parliament , and on the 18 th of September , 1835 , now nearly fourteen years ago , I received my commission , on parchment , from the Chartist Executive of that day . During those years I have passed through a series of trials , which few could contemplate , the magnitude of which none will deny .

      For now nearly two years I have represented you as an English member , and this would be my boast upon the resignation of my officethat I never wrote a private letter upon politics—that I never conspired against any individual—and that I would not be afraid to stand in the market-place to meet any charge that could be brought against me ; and if you revise my history ibr that period , I will defy the most mali g nant or ill-natured critic to charge me with a single mean , dishonest , ungentiemanly act ^ or that I have ever flinched from the lion ' s share of duty when danger fhreatened .

      But , my friends , you must understand that , as with everything else so with politics—the millions love novelt y and I do not blame them—they like the young and enthusiastic speaker , and so do I—they love a proud spirit , and bo do I , but they never honour nor appreciate consisteacy , except byjgb ^ tr ast ; and I think , without vanity , that I may , for consistency , place my Dolitiftal life * proud comporisuii witn any man who has ever gone before me . Now do not mistake me ; I do not at all censure an oppressed and enthusiastic people for then-love of novelty and change . I

      have toldyou that we live in new times and that we require men with new ideas to govern us . Perhaps I am not inspired with those new ideas suited to new circumstances , although I have always fancied that I "was in advance instead of being in the rear of public opinion ; but the one thing that , under all circumstances , which I have considered indispensable , is a good understanding between leaders and followers , and I would hold that man in the most utter contempt who would allow himself to be swayed or operated upon in his opinions by his altered position .

      I have a sort of conviction that one day , when you come to review my political life you will consider it rather romantic , and like all other prominent political characters , perhaps , may then meet that reward which some from jealousy , some from ambition , some from hatred , and some from prejudice , would now deny me . For nearly twelve years I have been the proprietor of the only organ that ever consistently and uninterruptedly supported the people ' s cause , and from its establishment to the present moment its columns , even when I was in

      York Castle , were never closed against the most vituperative abuse of my bitterest enemies . You know that one great object of mine has been to secure the liberty of the Press ; and now * , after a little squabble , let me ask you if there is any instance upon record of the proprietor of a newspaper allowing to editors and correspondents the same unlimited privilege that I have allowed to both ? Did you ever , one of you , read a single line in any newspaper reflecting in the most remote degree upon the

      proprietor of that paper ? NEVER . It is also my pride that working men , and none but working men , have ever been employed upon the " Star , ™ and it is yet a greater pride to be able to appeal to all who have been in my employment since the commencement whether I ever spoke an unkind or angry word to one of them ? orwhether I ever stopped a day ' s wages , a week ' s wages , a month ' s wages , or even a year ' s wages , when men in my employment nave been sick and unable to work ?

      So much for my connexion with your cause as Irish Representative , English Representative , Journalist , Demagogue , and Criminal ; and my only hope is , that your next leader will be able to leave you with as good a character . Let me now convince you of my love of fan * play . When I saw Mr . Habxet ' s announcement in the "Star" of the 1 / th inst , informing the readers that if the " Star " was not " forcibly closed against him" he would reply to my letter , I wrote to tell him that I would neither

      mutilate , alter , nor amend one single line he wrote . On Thursday night there came into my possession another long letter from my Republican friends of ^ Nottingham ; I took it to Mr . BASSET , and told him that he was at perfect liberty to insert it , and that my answer ¦ would fce confined to one passage—expressing a hope that Mr . Habney would not ' get the baa . ' To this my reply was to have been—as I told him—that if he did not know when he had a good master , I knew when I had a good servant . And I will now put a case to my

      -Nottingham friends . Suppose , then , that Jokathas Barber was the proprietor of the Eepublican Newspaper ; and suppose my Friend Sa tjteii was the editor ; and suppose Friend Dexter addressed a letter to Friend Sauxee , blowing np Friend BARBER—what would Friend Barber say

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      ^" -S &Miau-j--notthroug hthe « Star , - but in the club-a to what his coursa would be . Then , again suppose Friend Sato * published a libel S cost Friend Barber over . £ 100 , what would S 2 Si ? ABIniE 8 a ? ? whUe > in 8 UCft cas 6 , friend Feargus never said one angry word to friend Basses upon the subject . I admit that the « not . if if hnA __ . l ^ *—— ^

      Star" furnishes a complete exception aa to the rule by which all other newspapers axe governed ; and that is my pride . 1 also informed the readers , that while they may read it or let it alone , that I will exercise complete , entire , arid exclusive control over its managemeut ; while its value will be distinguished b y its support , My friends , marked W . Norman , andFRAWClsLoVE , of the Isle of Wight , also appear , and intentionally , to have misconstrued my letter , as I never did state that foreign politics should be excluded , or that the letter of " L'Ahi DU Peuple "

      should be excluded ; but what I did state was , that foreign politics should not be pubh ' shed to that extent which would exclude much valuable domestic intelligence . I have now concluded this matter .- ! hate myself received letters from different parts of England , thanking me for the courie I pur-Bued but rather than create the slightest division , I have withheld the publication of one and all—as , in such matters , I require no support beyond the free expression of my own sentiments .

      Now , then , the Chartists understand that I am not onl y ready , but willing , to receive my discharge as their leader , with the assurrance that I am as ready to fight in the ranks as to command the brigade ; and my reason for editing the " Northern Star" myself , was , and is , that I might be responsible under the Gagging Bill for my own acts and deeds , and not for the acts and deeds of others , who would not be held responsible ; and I proudl y refer to the leaders in the " Northern Star" for the last twelve months ,

      for a-complete , comprehensive , and unanswerable exposition of the Democratic and Labour cause . And , in conclusion , I beg to inform the Chartists , that it is my intention to introduce the Charter after Easter ; and , also , to open the whole question relative to the Chartist trials , upon a / motion for a committee to inquire into the conduct of the Government and iihe Judges ; the credibility of the witnesses ; the sentences passed , and the

      restrictions imposed upon the Chartist prisoners ; When I Undertake to make suca a disclosure of conspiracy upon the part of the Government —injustice upon the part of some of the Judges—perjury with regard to some of the witnesses , and unconstitutional practices . , and violat ion- of prison discipline by some of the visiting Justices as will astonish you . Your faithful friend , Feargus O'Connor .

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      i ^_____^__—___—_ ¦ M _^_ vnalBIB ^ HHaa ^ ii down upon cross-examination : and yet , notwithstanding this importantichange , which may affect the liber ties—nay , the lives—of thousands , not a word upon the subject in the Press . " We are happy to state , however , that the effect of Mr . O'Connor ' s application as regards John Shaw , hasrbeen to secure him the use of knife and fork , and considerabl y to mitigate the rigour of bis punishment . '

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      NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . We beg to call the attention of our readers to the following admirable letter from one who is now in exile , but who struggled long alnd energetically for the emancipation of the working classes , and it will amply . repay perusal t-r Spring Lake , Mukwonago , January 15 , 1849 . Dear FniBND , —A few days ago I received two Northern Stars and a Spirit of the Age . The Star of the 11 th November contabs my last letter to you , and that of the following week contains < i long letter addressed to me by Mr . Feargus O'Connor . The Spirit , I find , has , also inserted my letter with the omission of some closing remarks respecting Mr . Feargus O' Connor . I tfiank you for the papers you

      have sent , ami also the mend who forwarded tile / Sfc ^ hearfogithe ^ post-ina rk Wigton . The Star of the lltk Nov . is invaluable , inasmuch as it contains Feargus O ' Connor's triumphant refutation of the charges brought against him by certain members of the Land Company ., The conduct of these persons is inexcusable , except on the score of ignorance ; for I cannot believe that they could have knowingly cut their own throats . They have , doubtless , been tampered with by the agents of the governing classes , who are opposed to every measure intended to afford permanent relief to the working clasres , and more particularly that terrible measure which would relieve them by putting them in possession of a sufficiency of land to maintain them , and thus withdraw them from the labour or

      slave market . This is no new feeling of theirs ; it manifested itself some years ago when an attempt . was made to introduce the allotment system ,, for the relief of the miserable agricultural labourers . It was then broadly admitted by some of the p ig-headed landowners and farmers , that their opposition arose from a fear of making the labourers independent of the labour market . Some had no objection to let the labourer have a quarter of an acre ; others would even go to the extent of half an acre ; but an acre would make him almost independent , if not saucy , and none could be found to encourage it . But Feargus O'Connor ' s plan not only admits of their having enough of land to make them independent in their circumstances , but it has for its avowed object their political emancipation . That the feir who hold all the land in England should tremble at

      the thought of the landless obtaining political power ia quite natural ; as they well know the fickle nature of the tenure by which they hold their estates . The injustice of it is so flagrant , that one can scarcel y conceive how it has been borne so long , Whon proof Of its injustice Is almost within the reasoning powers of a child . But how surprising it is that this grasping after land by the rich , which is founded in a deep conviction of its intrinsic value , because every article of consumption comes directly or indirectly from it , should not have awakened in the mind of the labourer a suspicion that the prize was worth contending for . . So far from this being the case , we find , even amongst the members of the Land Company , individuals ignorantl y playing the game of the enemy , and doing all in their power to rivet anew their own and others ^ chains .

      It has been the fate of the working classes in all past ages , to be practised upon and led astray by their enemies , who have invariably succeeded in separating them from their best friends , by infusing into their minds unfounded suspicions as to the motives by which they were actuated . So long as the working classos listen to the serpent , the game of "divide and conquer" will continue , and they will remain in their present social and political thraldom . I have known this to be the case in every important movement in which I have been engaged , and no one has deplored more than I have the suicidal spirit which then so generally pervaded the working classes . My life has been one unceasing-effort to - secure the independence , of all those who live by their labour . 1 have sought it

      in the workshop—I have sought it at the trades meetings—I have left my country for a foreign land in the hope of showing the way to it ; and now , in the land of the stranger , the same love of my order , the same fooling for those who compose It , and the same desire to see their independence achieved by any upright and honourable means , and through the instrumentality of any individual or any party , will &v « f induce me to seize upon with aridity , and follow with enthusiasm , any movement which may have a tendency to promote this important object . Believing that the plan of Feargus O'Connor is a . step in the right direction , and that much present and future good will result therefrom , I fervently hope that the working classes will turn a deaf ear to those that would betray them , and

      recommence the solution of the great Labour question , involved in the plan of the . National Land Company . When I made the few remarks in my last , on the subject of the plan , I was not in possession of so many facts concerning it as I now am , and therefore did not enter so warmly into the subject as you may have expected . The long and very able defence set up by Feargus O'Connor , in his address to the members of the National Land Company , which appears in the Star of the 11 th Nov ., contains a body of facts conclusive of the great value of the plan . We have had no end of theoretical schemes for improving the condition of the working classes — no end of attempts in practice , which have all

      proved abortive ; but I am compelled to admit that Feargus O'Connor has shown more practical knowledge of the right sort than any other man . It is one thing to say that man has a natural right to the soil , and another to lead him to it , teaching him the art of productively cultivating it , and erecting for him a neat dwelling and other necessary buildings , together with a crop on the ground at the time he takes possession . This plan may not have attractions for those who aspire to magnificent beginnings in . the career of social improvement ; bnt to any one , like myself , who only expects the grand through the petty effort , believing that to be tho principle of progress throughout all nature , it must and will forcibly recommend itself .

      Land and Labour are associated in this plan , while each labourer is independent of every other labourer , notwithstanding the proximity of their locations . The fact of their being thus individualised , is tome a guarantee of the success of the plan ; for , although 1 still believe the associative auu common property principle to be the true one , I am thoroughly satished that man is not yet prepared for its adoption . His moral , intellectual , and physical state is too low to enable him to carry out that sublime conception . I fully concur in the opinions put forth by Mr . Frost , in the Star of the 18 th of November , as to the Organisation of Labour after the attainment of the Charter . But there is one recommendation in Mr . Frost ' s letter , which ought to be introduced into Mr . O'Connor ' s Plan forthwith , and that is , the establishment of Co-operative Stores . Those who take up tlie allotments , have them at the wholesale cost , and all the materials

      consumed in the erection of the buildings are purchased at that rate . To be consistent , then , it seems to me necessary , as I know it would be advantageous , to have all their future purchases made upon that principle . Some opposition might be shown towards them by the shopkeepers . But what of that ? If they are not in a position to carry out the plan without the countenance of the middle classes , the time is not far distant when they will have to " book up . " The idea is net a new one . It was started by Dr . King , of Brighton , several years ago , when societies were formed in many parts of England to carry it out . Those societies failed from a want of patience , a misconception o ) its advantages , and , principally , from the scattered location of its members . The concentration of the members of the Land Company will be highly favourable to its introduction , and I have not the least doubt it would be attended with , beneficial

      YGSttltS In my last , I introduced to your notice the principles of the National Land Jtefprmeis of this country which I expressed a desire to see adopted by the Chartists of England . Mr . O'Connor , in hie letter addressed to me , seems to demur to the proposition , the political positions of the two countries being so dissimilar . I am quite aware of this , and should be sorry to see either the Charter or the Land Plan retarded by the agitation of questions which may without detriment to them be discussed on another occasion . What is meant by " actual settlers" is not what Mr . O'Connor supposesviz " Those who are in actual possession of tracts of lands , whether by grant or conquest ; " but , on

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      he contrary ; those who ' settle on and cultivate ( he land they own , like those who occupy fte allot ^ ments tinder , his plan , as distinguished from such men ait tho " Duke of Bedford . " It signifies but little ; tp those who are landless , whether the possessors ! of large iracts of ' land obtained them bf . grant , conquest , ' or ' purchase , lney are monopolists in either case , inasmuch W .. tney , Possess more than they can cultivate , while others through that monopoly are deprived of it altogether . But I am quite willing , for ; he sake of-harmony , that we should " stick " apiii here , as-. Cobbett would have said , and proceed with the " orders of the day , " bein * satisfied that ¦ ¦ yfa .- 'A- ,- ¦ ¦ - . ...

      the truth must ultimatel y prevail , and that it will lose nothjflg of its brilliancy in the interval . I cannotfresist the temptation of drawing vour Mention-to the following passagos from Mr . O'Connor s letter to the members of the Land Company -- "I will now state to this Conference , in presence of the Directors , of several of tho overseers , and of many carpenters and builders , who have been employed upon the ., estate—what no other employer in Europe could ; state ^ that if we separated , even in hostility , not one of them could charge me with one mean , dishonourabh ; , dishonest , or hypocritical act . I could defy them . " This is = high ground to take , which none but a man of superior parts could venture to opcupy , and for . the good of the cause I trust he will continue to maintain that commanding position . He has manfully beaten and dumbfounded bis open assailants . May he do equal ' . exe ^ cution upon a more insidious and dangerous

      foethe ficwmrai ] who fawns , apd flatters ; arid hangs upon the ywwawVfe ^ ftgidqjgst every man in powershould such / . a < ffflfatuK"ciTO % ^* w lr % ^^^ tbeir 0 is more to be feared from them thaTrfromi ^ o ' iw , ^^ openly oppose a man . To give way to the . former is to abandon either duty or principle , as the creature who can flatter has an object to gain inconsistent with the common good , and , of course , at variance with the duties of those who are selected to promote it . To resist the encroachments of these creatures , it requires some degree of firmness , having for its foundation a well-developed conscientiousness . I hope O'Connor will show b y his continued impartial management that he -is not to be approached by the tribe of reptiles . He will then inspire the working classes with confidence , and produce what he appears so ardently to desiretheir harmony and well-being ; which will be ample compensation for such a man , for his past troubles , anxieties , and persecutions .

      I remain , my dear Friend , Yours in the cause of right , Tno * us Hunt . P . S . —In . a former letter I expressed a desire to see " Mr . O ' Connor ' s work on Small Farms , " if it could be Bent by any one coming into this neighbourhood ; to this request I would add , that I should like to have the Ground Plan and Elevation of the Buildings on the allotments , if published ; as also , " Sillett ' s Evidence before the Committee . "

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      Butteriet . —At a meeting of members of this branch , held at Swanwick , on ¦ Sunday , March 18 th , it was resolved : — " That this meeting is of opinion that no member ought to be excluded till we know whether the Company can be enrolled or not , and that a general meeting be held at Swanwick , on Sunday , April 1 st , at six o ' clock . " Lowbakds , Snig ' s End , and Moat Estates oi the National Land Company . —At Lowbands , the allottees are working with the greatest energy . Owing to the favourable state of the weather , their operations are far in advance of what they were this time last year . If no misfortune befall the crops , the coming season ( let produce be over so low ) , will

      give abundant evidence of the practicability of the Land Plan . It is truly delightful to behold the appearance of the allotments at Rnig's End and the Moat—the occupants there seem to vie with each other as to whoso shall be done up with the greatest care . Their persevering industry does infinite credit to them , and , without doubt , the result of tHeir exertions will , by and by , shame those revilers who cry out against the plan , and say it is impossible for meefcaxuas , & «• , to readily become agriculturists . It is p leasing uvtho extreme to observe the almost unanimous desire existing amongst them of aiding each other . On Monday , over thirty of them assembled at the copse onthe Moat , to assistMr < Fint in removing a number ' bftstunips of trees , which wero debarring him froni cultivating his allotment . This

      they did effectually , with a thousand-fold more cheerfulness than if it were a paidjob . In political matters the allottees on these estates feel deeply—situated as they are at present , it is impossible for them to give the assistance which they would wish . In a few montha they hope to do their duty . SrouRBHiDGE . —A quarterly meeting of the Land members was held last Monday evening , at the Crown Rooms , and after the usual routine of auditing tho books and electing officers , it was uttaaimousry resolved ;—• ' That the rule contained in the printed circular issued last quarter should be strictly carried out ; and that all members who are or may be six months in avroavs of loe . il levies , Would be excluded from this branch , and members thus excluded cannot again join without paying a fine of Is . Gd . "

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      National Ciiahier Association . —The Executive Committee met at its rooms , 144 , High Holborn , on Friday evening , March 23 rd . Present—Messrs . G . J . Harney , Stallwood , Grassby , Kydd , Dixon , and Xl'Grath . Mr . James Grassby in the chair . On the motion of Messrs . Stallwood and M'Grath , it was resolved , " That in order to elicit the opinions of members of Parliament , and the press , Mi . O'Connor be requested to furnish the committee with the words of his intended motion for leave to bring in a bill for the enactment of the ' People ' s Charter , with a view to their being printed in circular shape , and distributed in the proper quarters . "

      Mr . Dixon was appointed a deputation to Mr . O'Connor for that purpose . A letter was read from tho Kentish Town locality , apprising the council that they had taken the Teetotal Hall , Wilstcadstreet , Somers Town , for the purpose of a public meeting , and requesting the services of some of the Executive to assist at such meeting . Messrs . M'Grath and Stallwood were appointed . Mr . Ivydd delivered in a report of his missionary tour in Lancashire , and gave an awful account of the depressed state of the manufacturing districts , but said that political feeling was gradually getting up , and that the halls- wero becoming better attended . Mr . Kydd , with the consent of the Council , returns to the Nol'th to renew his labours , and aid and assist

      in getting up petitions in that quarter . The Council then adjourned . Halifax . —A delegate meeting of this district was h&ld at Nieholls ' s Temperance Hotel , Broad-street , for the purpose of devising the b » st means of re-orpanising the Chartists in the several localities . Mr . Isaac Clissett was appointed to the chair . It was resolved , "That the local lecturers , viz ., Mi . Isaac Clissett , Joseph Greenwood , Alexander Stradling , and the veteran Rushton , be appointed to visit the localities in the district . " It was further resolved , * ' That localities not represented at the above meeting , requiring the services of the lecturers , will write to the district secretary , Uriah Hinchcliffe , Darley-street , Halifax , as soon as possible , and any localities requiring the services of Mr . S . Kydd will direct as above . "

      Re-organisation of Chartism . —A public meeting , convened by the Kentish Town Locality , was hcW on Tuesday Evening , at the Old Teetotal Hall , Wilstead-strect , Somei-s Town . Mr . Charles Utting was called to the chair , and having briefly openec the proceedings , Mr . Wright stated the object of the meeting . After a few words from Mr . Lunn , Mr . Stallwood pointed out the awful condition of destitution and misery of the people , which he traced to class representation and domination , and showed that b y a wise aystem of legislation , by and for the people , our capital , skill , labour , and land , were ample to make all comfortable and happy , and that we could not expect to obtain the wise system of legislation until all were represented under the principles laid down in the document called the People ' s Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Stallwoot

      concluded by moving the following resolution , which was seconded by Mr . Arnott , and after a few words from Mr . Munden , carried unanimously : — " That this meeting is of opinion that the present so-called representation of the jwsoplo is a monstrous injustice on the nation at large , and a violation of ' the British Constitution , embracing , as it does , only one out of every seven of the adult male population of these islands , thus leaving the other six-sevenths to be taxed without their will or consent ; this meeting is therefore of opinion , that such a parliamentary reform should immediatel y take place aa wnUmbrace the whole male adult population , who snail be at the time of election of sound mind and not suffering under conviction for crime ; that the property qualification of members should be abolished ; that parliaments should be annual : that the

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      ¦ iMH ^ M ^ MMaMn ^ Mi ^ MiHMiBIMBIMM ^^ nMMi electoral districts should be'equalised ; that elections should be taken by way of ballot , and that members of parliament should be remunerated for their services . " . The Chartist petition recommended by the Executive Committee was then read , Mr . Lunn moved its adoption , and Mr . Merry seconded the notion , ' which was most' eloquently supported by Mr . Lewis , ' a teetotaler , and carried with one dissentient . It was resolved , " That ' Lord'Dudley C . Stuart prospnfc'iu # jfetition-to tire •• Hpuso , " ana that Sir B . Ilall ' , ' thjevother member : ft >? tHe ^ borougn of :

      Marylebone . - 'be requested to suppor ^ tsvprayer . " it was then resolved , " That anothoiT meeting h& convened in the above Hall on Tuesday evening , April the 3 rd . " A vote of thanks was given to the chau-man , and the meeting dissolved . Westminster . —At the adjourned meeting of the members at tlieir room , 17 , Ryder ' s-court , Leicester-Bquare , it was resolved , " That at their next meeting , pn the 31 st instant , they will take into consideration the adoption of the petition for the People ' s Charter , and make arrangements for holding a public meeting . " After tho business is disposed Of Mr . T . Clark is expected to deliver a lecture on " The Life of Charles the First . "

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      MR . BEATSON AND THE SHEFFIELD CHARTISTS . TO ME UniJOB OF THE NORTHERN STAR . SiRj—I believe that you will give me the opportunity of . vindicating my character before the public ihrpugh' the colunms of your widely circulated our » ajU . Jpis currently reported that I am a Bpy . » 'S { nee ' rely- 'dcbJ » re ' that : in the whole course of my USi ^ never -hel d intercourse ^ direct or indirect , with anjrone in authority . Hoping that mj accusers will give me an opportunity of defending myself , I remain , your ' s respectfully , "Wm . Bbatson . No . 43 , New-street , Park , Sheffield . March 27 th , " 1848 . P . S . —Let me have a jury of half-a-dozen intelligent working men and I will answer every charge that can be brought against mo . —W . B .

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      TO THE PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR .

      Gentlemen , At a meeting of the Ernest Jones locality , held on the evening of the 25 th inst ., the lato unhappy disputes which occurred between you having been mentioned , a resolution was pa ssed , thatacommittee be appointed to express the opinions of the members on the subject , of which the following is a copy : — " Bearing in mind the high , and important truth that' Union is Strength , ' we , the members of the Ernest Jones locality of Chartists , consider the

      letters written by Messrs O'Connor and Harney , if any further persevered in , will not lead to that consummation ; therefore we would respectfully'intimate that these very unseemly , and , to our cause , very injurious bickerings , should no longor bo conturned . It is also our wish , that the communications signed " L' Ami du Peuple" be continued in the pagea of the Star as heretofore , feeling as we do that their discontinuance must cause cousidewhk dissatisfaction . " Signed on behalf of the committee ,

      John M'VEion . W We [ tho Editor ] must hold ourselves guiltless of anything like " bickering . " Pvefevring that Mr . O'Co . vnob should have the last word , we offer no comment on that gentleman's letter in this ( lay ' s paper . The feeling which dictates this course was that which prompted us to withhold the second address from Nottingham ; and which induces us to withhold similar communications received thia week . We except the above resolution because of its peculiar character . The letters of " L'Ami du Pisuple" will be continued , although for this week suspended , iu consequence of the ill-health , of the writer .

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      MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY W LIVERPOOL . Liverpool , Wednesday . — The inhabitants of Liverpool have this day been thrown into the greatest state of alarm and excitement by one of the most horrible and cold-blooded murders ever remembered to have taken place in this town . The deed was perpetrated at mid-day , in one of the most respectable and thickly-populated districts of the town , and . for atrocity is not exceeded , and for mystery , as yet , not equalled , by the late tragedy at Stanficld-hall . The scene of the murder is the house No . 20 , Levesou-street , off Great Georgesquare , occupied by Mrs . llcnrichson , the wife of Captain Henrichson , who is in the employ of MesSY * s . JaflUsS Aiken and Son , and waster of the shi p Duncan , at present at Calcutta . About twelve o ' clock to dav , a boy named William Bradshaw , who

      is in the employ of Mr Youlton , of Leveson-street , on passing- Captain llenriphpon's residence , heard n loud and deep moaning , which was often repeated , and feeling sure that something was wrong _ in the house , he immediately ran to the police officer on duty in n . neighbpnring' street , and garo the alarm . Two policemen at once hastened to tho spot , but on their arrival there the alarm had become so general , in consequence of the moaning inside the house increasing , that they found the house had been already entered . The persons who first entered the house ( for on knocking at the door no admission could be obtained ) did so by breaking a window in the front parlour of the house , having fii-st looked through the window and seen three bodies lying on the floor weltering in blood , their moans at the time being of the most pitiable description .

      On the arrival of the police they were of course let into the house by the four men who had first entered . A few minutes afterwards Mr . Martin and Mr . Slater , surgeons , were in attendance , and scoing that liie was not extinct in the three bodies , they gave orders for them to be at once conveyed to the Southern Hospital , which was accordingly done . The other parts of the house wero then searched , and in the back cellar was found the body of a child lying on the floor in a pool of blood , with its throat cut , and being quite dead . The throe bodies found in tho fvont parlour were two women and a child , and they were all lying surrounded by pools of blood , but the murderer had not used the same weapons as lie had done to the other child . They were all dreadfully beaten about

      the head and body . On the forehead of one of thefemales ( recognised as Mrs . llcnrichson ) there had been , a dreadful blow inflicted , the forehead being laid open a depth of tvro or three inches , and there were also several deep wounds on other parts of the head and face . The other grown-up female ( tho servant residing with Captain and Mrs . Heurichson ) had also received similar wounds on tho head and face , as also severe blows about her e 3 'es , both of which were black and swollen up . The body of the child ( Mrs . Henriclison ' s eldest child , a girl about seven or eight years old ) also presented a most dreadful appearance . The poor little creature ' s head seemed to have been beaten to a jelly by the inhuman ruffian , and the wonder is that life was not extinct .

      The fvont parlour , where tho three bodies were discovered , was in the greatest confusion . In tho middle of the floor , on tho carpet , "was a pool of blood , near two feet square ; and another pool of blood of similar size was near to the parlour door . From the different positions of the bodies , it would appear that the attempt was first made on the lives of the servant and children , and that at that time ( as other circumstances elucidated ) the unfortunate Mrs . Henrichson was out at the market , and met her fivto immediately upon hor return home . The following explanation renders this fact extremely probable . The parlour fender , and the appearance of the fireplace generally , indicated that the servant was attacked whilst in the act of cleaning the

      firegrate , and that the eldest child was near to her at the time , for they were both discovered lying close to each other in the middle of the room , whilst the body of Mrs . Henriehson was discovered close to the parlour door , her bonnet lying beside her head , and a quantity of potatoes were scattered about . A poker was also lying by her side . In the parlour and different parts of the house were seen large drops of blood , and the poker and a shovel were covered with blood , the poker being much bent , probably occasioned by the force of blows ; and tho bottom part of the shovel was broken . Part of the tongs was found in the parlour , and they likewise in the same way were besmeared with blood marks . The

      tongs had evidently been broken to pieces during tho progress of the inhuman butchery , and had been used in different parts of the house . The three surviving victims were conveyed to the Southern Hospital , and as the servant girl , although in the most precarious state , was in a condition to give evidence , Mr . Rushton , the stipendiary magistrate , accompanied by Sir . Jamieson , his clerk , attended to take her deposition . The whole affiiii * is involved in the deepest mystory . One of the children is dead ; for the recovery of Mrs . Henrichson not the slightest hopes are entertained ,- and the state of the servant and other child is most precarious .

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      . LATEST NEWS . THE WAR Itf ITALY . DEFEAT OF THE PIEDMONTESE — ABDTOATION OP CHARLES ALBERT , KING OP

      SARDINIA . In the sitting of the Trench , yationai Aw-cmbjy on Wednesday , M . Odillon Barret , the' 3 > rf&i . " M $ H ) fc > ter , ascended the tribune and read the -fpllcwin , important despatches ;— ' .. ' . '' . "i " Nice , March 27 . — The Consul of Franco to tlie Minister of Foreign Affairs : —Charles Albert , after having abdicated in favour oftlift Baku m &woy , passed through Mce on tho 26 th , at eleven in the morning , on liis way to France . Thc'P ' iiuliiVonicSe army lias been beaten at Kovarra , but its l < er . oui ' 'is safe ' . " ;

      " Turns , Mavch 25 . —The Minister of Franco to the Minister of Foreign Affairs : —Tho srnny k » s bocn forced back to the mountains of Biela aitd Uovgo Manero , The Austrians occupy Novarra , Yerei'lliD and Trino . The King has abdicated ; huL tied . The Duke of Savoy has not yet written to Turin . The government has requested Mr . Abi-s-orotiibie and me to apply for an armistice to co . or Turin . We have placed ourselves at its disposal . Twin is tranquil , and everything is disposed to remain . " Having road the despatches M , Odillon lir . not addressed the Assembly , and said that he Mi it to be his duty at onco to declare that tlie French . Government was determined ¦ to preserve tho integrity of Piedmont .

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      The following appeared in our Town Edition of last week : — London . —Inquests . —Suppiting ' OxALin Aci » instead of Epsom Salts . —On Friday , before Mr . Mills , at the King ' s Head , New-road , ou the Rev . W . S . Chalk , Rector of Welden , Beds . G . House , clerk to the Euston Hotel , Euston-square , dr- ;> osed that on Wednesday afternoon the housuinaid informed him that she could not get into deceased ' s room . He accordingly forced the door opun , when he found him lying dead in bed , and at his side the basin full Of matter that had been ejected from his stomach . On the dressing-table was a tumbl' .-r , and a paper labelled , "Purified Epsom Salts . " The Ttov .

      w . AionKtumse , vicar ot Uoldington , Beds ,, Knew deceased intimately for twelve years . Hu novel * knew a man of a more composed or even loin per . He had everything that could render life iie « u « ble and wa 9 the last man that would attempt suiuido . Mr . Thomas Selding , surgeou , 11 , Euston-square , was called to attend deceased whom he found dead . The basin at his bedside contained the contents of his stomach , which was impregnated with oxalic acid . In a tumbler on his dressing-table were crystals formed by tho acid , and close to it was a paper labelled " Purified Epaom Salts . " It ooiitainud . " a portion of the powder . No druggist's name w . as attached to the Libel . He was of opinion tlie deceased was supplied in mistake with oxalic acid , and that he took it unintentionall y for Epwt /) Salts . Vevdiet— " Deceased was killed by oxalic acid : but whether he took it designedly to destroy life , or through ignorance there was no evidence to prove . " A Gentleman fouko Drowned in St . ' James ' s

      FAKK . —On Friday , at the Feathers , Dean-strcct , Westminster , before Mr . Bedford , on the body of a gentleman , name unknown , found in the ovwuucn .-tal water , St . James ' s Park . William SUo :.. rlock , pavk-keecpev of St . James' b park , said that on Tuesday afternoon last he saw the body of the deceased floating at the south side of the ' lake , opposite the Stationery-office . _ Witness took tl > e body iv . sb . ove , and on seavclivng his dress- found a pocketbook , four'keys , and a breast pin ; The dress was very respectable , ' consisting of a" black" frocjc " coat , trousers , waistooat , and satin stock , with linen and boots of the usual kind , and white kid gloves . Dr . J . Wright , of Storcy ' s-gate , said he saw the body ou Wednesday , and found it considerably decomposed . Death was no doubt the result of ( frowning-. The height of the deceased was five feet ten inches , and the a « e about fifty . For the want of conclusive evidence , a verdict of ( f Found di-ownc < l" was returned .

      Sooth Derbtsiiihe Election . — On Friday , Mr . Mundy was accompanied to the hustings " by a large number of Tory gentlGinon . — E . 8 / 0 . Pole , Esq ., proposed , and the Hon . and Rev . A , Curzon seconded . —No other candidate being nominated , the High Sheriff declared Mr . Mundy elected . Essex . —Stretkall Bukguhy . — The su-speetcd robbers , W . Palmer and W . Goody , were ie-cxaniinod on Monday , at Newport , on a charge of being in company with the man "Little Ai . n \ " who was shot dead by Mr . Perry , when attempting to rob his house at Strethall . The proceedi : i . £ rs occupied several hours , and ended by the committal of the prisoners for trial . The prisoner Palmer afterwards made a full confession of the whole transaction , stating that Goody had nothing to do with the affair , and implicating other parties , who it is belicvcd arc still at lantc

      Gloucestershire . —Highway Robbery as » Murderous Attack . —Aferocious attack by highwaymen occurred on Tuesday morning at Micklcton . The party attacked was Mr . S . Hooves , a fai'iimi , aged about 50 years , who was returning home fi ^ ui Ikdsey , near Evesham , in a gig drawn by a peisv . On arriving at a . retired part of the road , Mr . iieeves was met by a man , who asked him for a rid < , and before he could make any reply lie received a most violent blow on tho head from behind , whieh laid open his skull just above the ear . lie was then , seized by the lieels , dragged out of thegig-.-m . i along the road , beaten in a brutal manner . kickciA with .

      violence , his head cut , his face mangled , nnd Iiis nose so shockingly mutilated , that a portinn of it hung down upon his face , The villains lmm » ' robbed him , decamped , and the poor man is now lying in a hopeless condition . MuapER . —At Lowes , March 22 , before Mr . Baron , Farko , J . Penvson , groom , 93 , was indictu . 1 lor the wilful murder of Mary Anne Newman , on t ! io 12 th of November last , at the parish of St , Li-onard ' s , Hastings , by beating her on tho head with a spade . Tho twal lasted from nine in the morning until twelve o ' clock at ni g ht . Tlie jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty . The prisoner was aftvrwards arraigned foe robbery , but no evidence was offered .

      Cmi / D MuitDEK . —On Friday , at Lowes , lliiiiuah Sandles , aged 47 , widow , w : is indicted for tho wilful murder of her son , Thomas Sandles , by drowning him in a well . The jury returned a " vwlict of 11 Guilty , " but recommended the prisoner ti 1 mercy on the ground that her conduct to her children had formerly been kind and affectionate . Judgment was then passed in the usual form . The v . ivtchcd prisoner , who had previously been almost ia a > fainting state , was then carried away by the polers quite insensible . The Robbeby . of the Maii . Trails . OK THE Cheat Westers Railway . — This trial coim > ionced at Exeter , on Friday ( yesterday . ) The particulars will be given next week . Charge of Murdering a Wife , —At Liverpool , on Friday , Birnard Kaye , aged thirty-three , was indicted for having , at Wigan , wilfully murdered hi 3 wife , Rebecca Kaye , by strangling her . The prisoner was acquitted .

      Dublin , Friday . —Mr . Dillon , the political fugitive , has been called to the American bar by a special order . —Mrs . Mitchel and her five chiMmi are going to the Cape of Good Hope to live near her husband . Mr . Duffy . —Several of the Dublin City "Wards , are meeting in this city , and petitioning the Lord Lieutenant to take no further proceedings against Mr . Gavan Duff y . Assize Intelligence . — At Kaas , in Kiidare ,. Samuel Mingay , a private in the 7 th Hussars , wa ? triod for- having fifed at the Band-master of the

      regiment . The prisoner was found guilty , and sentenced to be transported for life . James Cummins " , who was found guilty of the murder of Major Mahon , was executed : at lloscommon on Wednesday . Ue signed a declaration admitting his guilt , and expressing his sincere repentance . At the same time Michael Scully and his wife were both handed , tor having strangled Isabella Brcnuan in 1 * 18 . They also both admitted their , guilt ; and it is observable that all three had solemnly declared that they weve as innocent . 1 , 8 the child unborn when the judge pronounced on them the sentence of the law .

      To The Working Classes.

      TO THE WORKING CLASSES .

      Rational Hani? Company*

      Rational Hani ? company *

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      TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMPANY . My Friends , I am not going to address you at any length , but merely to give you an extract from a letter which I received on Saturday last . The writer says : — Dear Sib , —It would do your heart good to see Snig * s End now , it is a perfect paradise—all well cultivated ,. but especially Mr . Cullingham ' s allotment which is the astonishment of every traveller . The ; all stop to inspect it . He keeps an account of every farthing expended , an J every farthing made ; and he says—ana I believe him—that he will leave friend Sillettfar in the shade . * All the allotments are beautiful . Respectfully yours , C . Doyle .

      I have also heard that Minster Lovel is a paradise ^—or , rather , Charterrille ; and what ¦ will you say when I tell you that one of the allottees is Postmaster—that one of our cottuges 16 a post-office—abd that the allottees ¦ will very shortly possess the balance of local power in thedistrict . The whole estate , I am told , looks most beautiful , and , now that the budding season has commenced , all are happy and contented , notwithstanding the slime of a wily devil who has endeavoured to sow the seeds of dissatisfaction and strife ; but he may depend upon it that ere long he will reap his jurt reward , though he little knows that I am aware of his villany . As with the Charter bo

      Tvith the Land Plan—the men whom I have served most hare been the greatest scoundrels ; but , with God ' s blessing , I'll ishortlj rid myself of both crops of serpents . And now , to tell you the truth , I feel like a fish out of water ; I feel out of my element at this seaason of the year ; as I much prefer the free air and pleasing mp loyment of providing homes for the poor , to tlie tainted atmosphere of the House of Commons , and the unprofitable situation of standing alone in that atmosphere ; and as soon as the monster revives again—as revive it shall—I will abandon the office of senator for that of baili £ Your faithful friend , Ffakgus O'Comor .

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      FURTHER IMPARTIALITY OF THE PRESS . On Thursday week , Mr . O'CoiWOB put the three following questions to Sir George CrKEY ;—"Was it true that John Shaw , now a prisoner in Newgate , had been refused the use of knife and fork at his meals ? " Also" "Was it true that John Shaw being a Dissenter , was denied the use of books by the Chaplain of the Gaol , whereas l > y an Act of Parliament the Chaplain had no right to interfere in such matters ? " And farther— .

      " Was it true that some of the visiting mag isiraies had entered in the minute book relaxations as to some restrictions imposed upon the prisoner , which were countermanded by order of other magistrates 1 " Sir George Grey answered these three questions in a very audible tone ; the answers of ministers are alwap reported by the Press at full length , but not one word of the Home Secretary's reply appears in the " Times , " the " Chronicle , " or other leading journals .

      Oa Wednesday last the Axiornbt-Gekebal introduced a bill to Parliament to assimilate the Criminal Law in England and Irelandnot the one to which we have alluded in a leader . Mr . O'CoHKOR opposed the bill most vigorously , spoke several times in Committee , and yet his name ia nevermentioned ; but , perhaps " , when he and Mr . Walter again stand before their constituents , he may put this and other questions to the conductor of the " Ti «< ss . " As the law now stands , the depositions of a dying man , who knows that recovery is beyond hope , and who ia therefore under a solemn

      impression to speak nothing but the truth , are , and properly bo , admitted as evidence against the accused ; while , b y the Bill now passed , a person feigning Bickness may have his depositions taken by a magistrate , those depositions are received as evidence against the accused , and counsel for the accused has no power of cross-examining the witness , who , as Mr . O'COXXOR stated , may have an interest in the ease , ra&y be a suborned witneep , or may break

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      Destruction of the Olympic Theatre bv 'i ' nis . — Shortly after five o ' clock on Thursday aftemooii , smoke was observed to issue from the Olympic Theatre , and immense crowds of people imnvH \ i : ttoly congregated together , blocking up ajl the neighbouring lanes and streets . Expresses \ voi > a at once sent off to the different fire stations ibr thu engines , but before they arrived tho destructive element had progressed with so much rapidity , that the interior of the theatre was completely consumed . Tliu heat was so intense iu the neighbourhood thai all the inhabitants became zhrmed . At six o ' clock the

      roof fell in with a loud cra' ^ aad ^ Mi immen s . o body of flame issued forth , catching theacfj ' pMifi ' gh ' ouseB : By this time the engines arrived , and commenced at once to play upon the burning mass ; thorn lvas a plentiful supply of water , and tho firom . 'ii used every exertion to stop tho progress of th « - flames , but without success , for the Iioubc of Mr . Cilus . the baker , the King of Prussia public-houso , and other houses became in a blaze . Fortunately , no injury or destruction to human life was occasioned , b ' ut tbe destruction of property has bcenTery great . The houses are held upon leases under tiie-Eirl of Craven . The cause of the fire was the ignition of the curtains .

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      / Tlio rooms of tho house wei ' o completely « --1 i , ; i , cd , and in tho bedroom of the supposed murdc ; LT . who lodged last night with Mrs . Henrichson , a townl was found , on which he had wiped his hands uhvr tho ftOMiddeed . A drawer in Mrs ; ZIonrictisod ' s bedroom was found forced open , and a small box . which had contained some jewellery , had been ' broken open .

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      — ANDJNATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL

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      m Yll lflfl CAH ' —¦—¦ All . n u , 097 .- LONDON SATIIUMY MARCH 31 IRA Q *¦«*«* f « vepenc ^ <* =

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 31, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1516/page/1/