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Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th June 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, the || | § TO THE WORKING CLASSES. -

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      ^^ P ^ My Fihexds , — ^^ gChis Week list of subscriptions for Ironus jgpgjpocation on the Bromsgrove estate closes , Wmg ™ - next , -week the names of the successful llPlmdid ' ates Trill De published . And as I have l ^ ways preserved better faith with the

      work-|| i «» g classes than any other man in whom they lll&ave confided , I shall he prepared to return Hp he amounts paid hythe unsuccessful candi-^ Kates ; and , I dare say , many who have in-^ pested their little all in railway and other llpBpeculations would receive such an announcef ||| inent from the holders of their money , not only || p \ Tsith joy , - hut with surprise , as it is an unusual 0- vrocess .

      I am now looking out of my window at all sorts of vehicles , conveying all sorts of people to Hampton Races , within an hour ' s drive of my house ; and although that sport , and hunting and agriculture , were amusements that I formerly took great , delight in " , I have abandoned one and all , as well as a lucrative profession , to devote my whole time to the improvement of the condition of the working classes ; and my constant reward has been , the unmitigated hostility of all other classes , and aiot a sparing amount of insolence from a portion of your own order .

      However , I base my constant advocacy of your cause upon the principle , that I have received this insolence onl y from a very small minorit y ; and from the feet I deduce the justice and practicability—nay , the defence of right , which would be administered by Universal Suffrage ., Uow let me trace this conclusion ,. both socially and politically .. The social view I take from the Land Plan , in which from seventy

      thousand to eighty thousand of the working classes have invested more or less of their money- A very few of those who were disappointed , not by me but by the law , have been insolent and impertinent , while their insolence and impertinence has been mpre than conn-, terbalanced by the kindliness with which the large majority—nay ,, all , with the exception of a fraction—looked upon the great bnt not insurmountable difficulties thrown in my way at everv step .

      Though I say the difficulties were not insurmountable , I have the vanity to believe that few men would have had the courage and the fortitude to have withstood them . Thus , I show you how the shield of the majority can protect an honest man from the malignant shafts of a minority hi a social point of view ; and I need only call your attention to the attempts made by the POOR GENTLEMEN —in the Convention of 1839 : in 1840 and

      1841 , when I was in my cell ; at the Birmingham Conference in 1842 ; and in the National Assembly in 1848 , —to destroy my influence , in the hope of establishing a kind of patchwork system , in which each might see a shred of self-interest , but all of which conspiracies and machinations were bravely and virtuously overpowered and destroyed , by the wisdom and integrity of an overwhelming majority : and thus I think I establish the value of Universal

      Suffrage , both socially and politically ; m fact , as the only safeguard by which the friends of £ he people can be defended against their enemies , no matter to what class they may belong . . My friends , nothing is more fatal than when theoretical , socialknowledge , has suddenly burst upon a party only just endowed with political power ; every Utopian schemeisseizeduponwith an unaecountableavidity , and society , instead » f being politically harmonised to achieve great national , social improvements , becomes SGetionalised ; each section constituting the army of each theorist , and each army , like different religious sects , arrayed in hostility , not upon a principle , but upon a mere shadow .

      I mention this irrefutable fact , to convince you that self-interest i 3 the basis of human action , and that every theor ist who enlists and commands such a section , uses that section for the realisation of his own peculiar object , based npon his own interest . I have often told you that " Words are Trat wind , Actions speak the mind : " and taking those words as your text , you may say , " they arc all wind ; " but I rejoice to think that I can appeal to jny actions , and from them , and from my present position in

      society , in a financial point of view , yon and all others must admit that my object has been ambition , and that that ambition has been to elvevate your condition , at the expense of persecution and great loss of property . For yon must always bear in mind , that I was rich and independent when I enlisted in your ranks , while you made me poor ; but , thank God ! jiot dependent And you must further bear in mind , - that if I made a large income as a newspaper proprietor , I spent every farthing of that income in advocating your cause upon the platform , defending it in the court of justice , and supporting your victims .

      I think it necessary , well as we understand each other , thus to recapitulate my association with the working classes , and the more especially at the present moment , when the presumed failure of the Land Plan has encouraged theorists to enlist recruits from what they consider the scattered forces of Labour . I say from the presumed failure , although of its legal and social triumph . I entertain not a shadow of donbt ; ' out my greatest difficulty lies in the fact , that those who throw the shuttle , ply the loom , and wield the hammer , believe that the process © f law is as rapid as their labourwhereas , the very fact of the

      AttoROTY-Ge-> -ek \ l tryhig to postpone the final adjustment of the Land Plan , must irrefutably convince all that he has a had and nnsupportable case ; while , npon the other hand , presofnmgthe very great improbability that he should succeed , those who have invested their money hi that plan appear to have lost sight of the fact , ' that in case of such a result , the Committee of the House of Commons decided unanimously that Parliament should enable me to wind up the affairs of the Company , and were we driven to such an alternative—which I by no means anticipate—the Land Company would be in that anomalous position that it could repay twenty shillings forevery pound invested in

      confidence in me . Now , I think , and without much stretch of iancy , tiiat when it is borne in mind that the working classes of this country invest their monies in speculations , the result of which cannot be discovered for years , and which , in most cases , are fallacious and - unsatisfactory , that the Land Company—assuming the alternative to which I have referred—stands in a p osition different froin any company that ever was established . Nay , I may go further , and , although admitting that £ o , or £ l \ is a large amount for a poor man-to abstract from his poor earnings hi these griping times , I may say that between seventy and eighty thousand

      paople , paying- upon an average &i ius , a head , would not have invested then : money unprofitably , though not a . single subscriber lad derived a particle of benefit from the Plan . How much money has been expended in strikes anduselesslitigation ? And vial money was ever so profitably or prudently expended as that which has been applied to" the developement of tue national resources for the nation s

      benefit ? . " i a My friends , many I admit have spoken * and many have " written theoretical works , upon the capabilitie s of the soil , but they have all—one and all—been based npon the feudal system , an ! applied to the closer rivetting of the ; chains of the slave . For instance , where agricultural labourers areblessed with arood or half a rood of land attached to their cottage , or detached ,

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      which is more often the case , the love even of that small quantity of land , and the dread and horror of losing it , gives the employer a greater control over the occupant . I , upon the other hand , have established my Plan upon a principle which will make every man his own employer , and will sweeten every man ' s hardest toil by the cheering reflection that he shall be the first partaker of the fruits of his own industry . My friends , I have established this Land Plan , then , as the great social object to be achieved by the people when they are politicall y enfranchised ; and I have established it hi order that no theoretical or Utopian schemes i * i * . " ¦ .

      should be used by theorists and prophets , when the people achieve political power . And hi order that there should be a unity and not a diversity of political opinions , in search of a diversity of impracticable , unattainable , unprofitable , and visionary social schemes . Now , that is my chief object , with reference to this Land Plan — it is to throw the political mind round like a ball , instead of seeing it scattered like grape shot ; and if I , can glean knowledge from the growing intelligence of the age , I assert , without feai > : of contradiction , that if you got the . Charter to-morrow , the whole mind of the country , no matter how

      varied it may be now , would be exclusively directed to the application of the Land to its legitimate purpose as its first object ; and I tell you what I further assert , and my greatest reviler will not deny it ; it is this , that if I had one million of money tormorrow , Iwould expend it to the last farthing upon the developement of the Land Plan , if I never received one single fraction of rent in return , because it would establish the dial by which the whole mind of this country would be regulated . And although I am resolved that the affairs of the present Company , as it stands , shall be faithfully conducted , as the Committee of the House of Commons said it had been

      conducted , with PERFECT GOOD FAITH ; I am resolved , I say , that , while I still continue to carry on that Company , to propose another Company in next week ' s " Star , " which shall require no legal protection , and by which I will give veritable "Freedom to the Millions , " by buying land in the . wholesale market , and selling it out-and-out , with no other expense than surveying , upon the following week , retail at the wholesale pr ice , from half an acre to five acres , giving my whole time for nothing , and devoting my services merely to the just survey and the making of

      convenient roads to each allotment ; leaving to every purchaser the building of his own cottage , according to Ms fancy , commencing humbly , and adding to it according to his means and the requirements of his family . In every instance the Land shall be of good quality , and purchased at a convenient distance " from a market town : and by this means every occupant will be a veritable independent freeholder , as the solicitor of the Company shall not lend the capital of trafficking speculators to the poor occupant upon mortgage , which he may foreclose , and destroy him if he refnses to vote for the nominee of the

      Company . ' No ! mine shall go io- the poll without the mask upon then ? faces , to vote for the man of then * choice ; and thus , in less than -five years from this day , the independent yeomen would hold the balance of power in every county in the kingdom . ; However , I shall minutely detail niy plan next week , and I wish-the members ; of the Land Company to bear in mind , that ; whilel never assail—but , on the contrary , encourage every scheme that is calculated to bestow the slightest benefit upon the people , —I- am attacked most unsparingly , and most ungenerously , by all who propound their own fascinating theories . And why ? Simply because they have the Press at their command . They know that I will not be a party to a deception or juggle ; they are aware of the people's confidence in me , and they think that destruction 6 £ that confidence must be the basis of their

      ownpower . Nay , so far from abusing any plan that bears the semblance or the shadow of benefit for the working classes , I invariably give their plan a free circulation , which it could not acquire through any , or all other channels of publication ; and here I insert a letter which I received this morning , and shall not offer a word of comment , further than that in my conscience I believe that ah honester man—a bolder advocate—or more incorruptible Representative , is not in or out of the House of Commons than George Frederick Htxxtz , who has lent his name to this plan , and who I fearlessly assert , would rather surrender his seat in Parliament than be a party to deceive the working classes . Here is the letter : Freehold Land Society ,

      Committee and Subscription Rooms , Temperance Hotel , NewaH-street , Birmingham , June 12 th , 1849 . Mb . Editob ,- ! am very anxious to put you in possession of the true principles of our society , —and if possible , by tlie merits of our plan , claim your sympathy and support Allow me at the very onset to declare , that 1 do not aim to undermine , or any way interfere with the existence of any society in the kingdom , having a desire to meliorate the condition of the working classes , and I hail with all my heart u e various projects calculated to enhance my order s happiness-politically and socially . The society whose humble sei-vant I am . and whose interestl feebly advocate , was called into being for the unconcealed object of winning the counties . " lam an old reader of the Star , and nine or ten years ago was occasionally found m your columns advocating tue Charter , —and invoicing my feUow and attend to

      working men to join in petitioning , meetings obtain their rights . This , however , was all that was donepetition after petition was signed—meetings after meetings were held—resolutions after resolutions were passed , and loud shouts were * the crowning theme ! Thousands of uounds were foolishly wasted in parchment , p en s h a d been worn out by thousands , ink used in gallons , and si gnatures obtained by millions ; and all for no earthly purpose , but to call for the derision , scorn , and contempt of onr rulers ! Was it not time , the n , Mr . Editor , that something eke should be done ? Were we ' wise , and should we be wise now to repeat this ferce of folly ? Your judgment says no ! What then else must be done to enforce our claims , and demand redress of our sad—sad grievances ? The tragic , the melancholy , and the maniacal act of physical force has been tried , fiuled , and deservedly failed : and yet what nearer are we to freedom ? How many have by either " ^ . rtrinnW nr "fehtine" rained the Sum-age ? And

      how many can ever expect to have it by either of these means—equally useless , bnt not equally harmless-weanons f ^ Thc fiict is , Mr . Editor , that this people are as far as ever from possessing a vote , and can you longer advise them to " petitien , " and ask for that which you kuow , and which the House of Commons has again said ,- they sluM not hate ? ' We propose a plan to enable every man who can spare Ohe Shilling and sixpence a week for five years , to buy a « freelfold / " and take with it a " vote fortiic county ¦ » It is no use- talking , sir . the counties must he " won . " There is no hope—not theremotest liope-of any extension f ? SS ^ flViure but hv the old forty-shilling freehold francounties

      oliUe . BV this I am convinced the £ fty-t « o can pe Saced on the side of the people . Shall they ue so placed ? \ rel you prepared to assist in this movement , and use your iiSuencewtli that portion of the masses who have the meanVto prevail upon them to " qualify , and win coun-S" Iconjure you , Mr . Editor , with all the zeal of an enaiUSiast-Arith all the fervour of one devoted to the cause Of Ms fellow-working meH , to lend your aid and sympathy toour Suffi-age-extending cause . , , , ' . To mv Fellow Labourers I appeal , and ask them to act —to form 'Preehold Land Societies" upon the same principles as ours ( a pro spectus of which I enclose ); be determined , a ^ dnst all and through all , to work out your own elevation andpolitical freedom , and assure your poorer

      Brethre n , who cannot spare the means to . thus obtain a "County Vote , " that yours shall always be exercised in supppoit of those , who will g ive the Sum-age to man as man ; andteU them you ttsetheproperty laiv to destroy the properly law ! . , ' Up , then , my fellow-working men , to your own enfranchisement I call you . Be not disheartened—act and not talk—work instead of words—pence instead of petitionsself-denial , determination , and -the . counties are easily " won "—and , believe me ,, till the counties are in tlie hands of the people there is no hope" for you . . Go on , , then , ye sin . cereand ardent champions of liberty—lead those who look for your guidance—success awaits you—victory will crown

      ^ Fifteen hundredmen in our town are qnali ^ ing ^ is coumy voters' 1 'liere are 5 , 500 in the midland district , and l » ewr deWte ' has already sounded his own knell ; will you cause

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      other members to do the same ! if you will , you can , and if you are sincere you will , For the present . I remain , Mr . Editor , yours faithfully , James TATLOB / jun . The only comment that I shall make upon the above is , that' I trust the people , Land members , and members of all other societies , WILL PETITION for the Charter , asthe absence of those petitions will be urged by the Minister , and relied upon by the ignorant , as proof of popular apathy .

      There is also a Utter signed "B" in the "Nottingham Review" of last week , and if I was in a jocular mood , I would now answer it ; but , in fact , there is nothing to answer except the charge made against the incapability of the Laud and the idleness of its occupants ; but next week , if I am in a happy mood , I will give poor " B" such a BELLOWSING- as will blow his wind out . There is only one single sentence upon which . t shall make a word of comment now . Speaking of Air . Wheeler , lie says : — "i ; WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD MAKE SOME VERY

      STARTLING DISCLOSURES WERE HE SO INCLINED , ' ? Now , my answer is , that I defy 7 Mr . - ;¦ Wheeler—I defy Mr . D 0 YIE--I defy ;* , M ; p . , M ^ GtrAth— I ; defy Miv Ci ^ Kr- ^ Mefy ^; : I ) iXON ^^ ej ( y , Jfla ; ejM ^ kager of ihy Bank—I defy any man that has been connected with me in . any-, movement or any plan , or that has been in my employment , to make one single disclosure of any— -the most insignificant nature that poor "B " , would not laugh at in his sleeve 3 and in his sleep . But he met with a woman " whose love tales he booked , and : he met with a boy , who said , "sum 'nam wor worse nor sum ' mem ; " and he saw the beautiful scenery , and his heart jumped with joy . No doubt this romantic traveller thought himself in the GROVES OF BLARNEY , and that .

      " There he heard the thrushes warbling , And there he saw . the throut and the salmon A-playing backgammon ; All by the banks of the black wather side . " And there he saw big Murphy's daughtlier , A-washing praties before the door ; , And Owen Clary , and Jerry Leary—AU cousiu Jarmans to my Lord Down ach Moor . " What would I not have given to have been the

      companion of this romantic traveller—to have participated in all those delights ? Surely they would have furnished me with ecstatic dreams and romantic contemplations for the remainder of my days . But now , let me answer the masked " B" by the following letter from the open and unmasked Brown . He says : — : 21 , Rigley ' s-yard , Market-place , Nottingham , June 2 , 18 W .

      Hosoubed Sm , —Having seen m the Star , of this day a letter from my much esteemedfrierid , Mr . Cullingham , addressed to you , and wherein he alludes to me as a party that has sold my allotment , I thought this a most favourable opportunity and a just reason that I should show to you and to the Company the cause of my so doing . I do honestly assure you it was with the most painful feelings that I did it , and I have ever since , regretted that I was not more deliberate in my considerations . There was hot the least cause or fault in the Land Plan itself ; no , I truly admire it , and heartily wish it may . triumph over every objection that lias been : put in its way . The cause—and the sole cause of my selling was a most serious affliction which befell me a little before last Christmas , and from which very

      little hopes of recovery were entertained ; and the painful idea that my wife and a family of sls-ehildvcn would , in all probability , be left in the most trying circumstances , and I was strongly advised to return to Xottingham as my native > air was tlielast tiling left in favour of my recovery . I am wonderfully improved , and should feel highly favoured with a chance of returning . Had I not thought highly of the cause I should not have made the offer , stated in Mr . Cu ! - lingham ' s letter , of £ 5 more than I received , which I did , and since tliat time have made an additional offer . Mr . Cullincham can bear testimony to the truth of tins

      statement as lie visited me in my affliction . I now most humbly beg to be excused for the liberty of intruding upon your time , and wishing to avoid any unjust censure being cast upon me for the step taken , or upon the glorious cause , which I more and more appreciate . Yours ,- 'Dear Sir , most truly , but unfortunately , Charles Bbows , p . S . I and my sons hold five paid-up shares , all fouracres , but have hitherto been unsuccessful in the ballot . I purchased the one alluded to . You are , Sir , at liberty to correct any little error in the remarks , and put it in the Stor if you think well . C . U

      • Now , what does "B" of Nottingham say to Brown of Nottingham ? and am I to be called upon to answer all the anonymous rubbish of gaping itinerants , who do not know a cucumber fi'om a hand-saw , or B from a BULL'S FOOT ? But I think , although he has catered for a little bit of "blarney" from some of the occupants , I may leave him in their hands for the present , with this one bit of advice—that when lie next takes the goosequill in his

      hand , he will not write himself down for an ASS . And now , " Mr . B , " I tell yon what I challenge you—or rather a sensible mau , that would know wheat from turnips , grass from onions , cows from oxen , and sows from boars—to visit Herringsgate , Lowbands , Suig ' s End , Minster Lovel , and Bromsgrove —containing over a thousand acres of landarid to show me four thousand acres of land in all England , with the exception of market

      gardens , bearing as much produce as those estates . Why , you nincompoop , did you compare the appearance of the Nottingham stockinger to those wild animals you saw in the " Groves of Blarney ? " and if the potatoes had not failed the last two years , there is not an industrious man , occupying an allotment upon any of the Estates , that might not have nearly purchased his allotment ; but you have become a second " WHISTLElt" since you ¦ were in the " Groves of Blarney . "

      Now my friends , I will cqneludc this letter with the most graphic and conclusive illustration . It is this : that while the promoters of

      « FREEDOM FOR THE MILLIONS " assure you that a man can sustain himself , wife , and iiunily , upon two acres of Land costing £ 1 ! an acre , and for- which he is to pay thirty shillings an acre rent , and without receiving any Aid Money , without tlie Land being cultivated , ' without any house being "built , without any road being made , and will-tout any manure being put ; they tell you

      the same man cannot support himself his wife , arid family upon four acres of Land , averaging £ 37 2 s . 6 d , an acre , cultivated , roads made , house built , £ 30 Aid Money , in most cases £ 20 loan , an amount of manure put out that never was put upon treble the quantity of Land before , and of the " very best description ; roads and paths made to every house , and no rent claimed in consequence of the potato rot , which of course I created : * now what '"' other

      conclusion can you come to , than that the opposition to my Plan is based . upoh its opposition to tyranny ? . : Some men who were the most fortunate , were foolish enough to belieye that their unfounded complaints aud reports would frighten me into compliance with their everywish : Some have written to say that they would be obliged to publish their distress , which would injure the Land Company , if I did not lavishly squander the funds of the least fortunate to sileiicethe calumny of the most successful . Others liave induced even the unsuccessful in the' locality to which they belonged to write most pressing and urgent letters to me , to make farther grants , in order to save the character . of the Company ; but I thought that I best saved my own character by " saving the funds ; of the east fortunate from the will and malice of the ¦

      most fortunate . , 'J :,. - . - ^ In each locality tliere is a kind of hedge attorney by wliose wile arid cunning many of the ignorant have been led into a very disastrous course ; and those = parties will very speedily discover the value of those instructors , and then they - « ill be the-first -martyrs of those whom

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      they / u&xe sp shamefully deceived , and from whonl . 1 ; Understand they have exacted fees for their professional services ; of course I allude to some of the refractory allottees , and every one of whom , with CrOD ' s blessing , and to the advantage of the occupants , I will , ere long , get rid oft ¦ Next week I will publish several articles , not fi-om ^ my own pen , but from the " Times " newspaper , and from practical works upon agriculture , and from able writers , as to the capabilities of the soil ; and Avhat will the revilers of the Land Plan say , when they hear 7

      that the Times ' of last Friday has published the . fact , that a farmer has made £ 45 10 s ., of orio acre of grass , cut for soil ? and what will they say when they hear that Mr . Price , the manager of my Bank , who is cultivating his land according-to-my-system ,-has fed " one large Hereford cow , just calved ; two smaller Ayrshire cows , also just calved ; one cart horse ; three sows , rearing twenty , pigs ; two sows , in pig ; one hog , two full-grown boars , and two calves , upon twenty-seven perches , or about one-sixth of an acre , of tares , for three weeks . " He says , " The statement is open to

      ; very 4 tfle qualification , which , however , I am ibbiiri'd ^ Bijpply . ;" . ¦' . The cows have the run of a two-acre , "field , nearly eaten bare ; but they havebeeri fed twice a . day with as much tares as they could eat ; the pigs have had nothing else hut tares and a little bran , except the sows giving suck , which have had the skim-milk and refuse of the house ; the horse has been fed entirely upon tares , with the exception of a pottle of corn a day ; one of the calves has had skim milk twice a day , but not the other ; then there is a pony which has -had a fair share of tares as well ; so that altogether I think I am

      justified in saying that these twenty-seven polc of tares will have maintained , unaided by any other food whatever , what may be considered equal to four cows , for a space of three weeks . " Now then , food for four cows for three weeks , is equal to food for one cow for four months ; aud twenty-seven poles , or the sixth of an acre , for one " cow for three months , is equal to fifty-four poles , or a third of an acre , for a cow for six months ; and , of all things observe , that as fast as the day ' s consumption is cut , a crop of Swede turnips , cabbages , mangel-wurtzel , or many other descriptions ,

      may instantly be put in . But as I shall address you at considerable length 'upon the question of Agriculture , and MY PLAN for "Freedom for the Millions , " next week ; and as I shall give Mr . Price ' s letter at full length , further comment is riot necessary than merely to observe , that the same gentleman who is stated in the " Times" to have raised £ 45 lOsi worth of grass upon one acre , also states that he fed a horse for thirty weeks upon grass cut from half an acre , with a mere addition of two trusses , or 112 lbs . weight of hay .

      Now , in conclusion , let me give you the following extract from the " Northampton Mercary , " of last week : — Extraokdinaut Cow . —C . Lucy , Esq ., of Stratford , has a cow which produced for some time a remarkably large quantity of butter . During tlie last fortnight , the enormous quantity of 40 pbs ., - or upwards of 201 b . per week , has been made from her cream alone . The pasture in which tlie cow is , contains most luxuriant hcrliage , which in a great degree assists , but still the breed is doubtless the cause of such an abundant yield . - The animal is seven years old—this season being the fourth time she has borne a calf . Her breed is between a ghoi't-hoi'iied Durham and an Alderney , her siro being a short-horn .

      I think after such evidence—not extractrd from my fanciful brain , but from practical agriculturists , ' whoso names are stated—that the conclusion you must come to is , that every man who fails in making himself , wife , and family happy , contented , and comfortable , upon four , three , or two acres of good Land , deserves to suffer all the penalties consequent upon improvidence , idleness , or dissipation . I remain , . . Your faithful Friend and unpaid Bailiff , Feargus O'Connor .

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      " Onwavd and wo conquer ! Backward and we fall !" " THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER AND XO SURRENDER !" TO THE OLD GUARDS . My Dear Old Friends and Comrades , You will have learned that on the 3 rd of July I bring forward my motion for the Charter , and then you will be able to discover whether or no I have abated one particle of my ardour , and by your number of petitions I shall be able to discover whether you are true to your faith . Do not transmit any of those petitions till Friday , the 20 th of June ; if you do , arid if they are presented long before I

      submit the question to the House , they will have lost their charm , Let me pray of you , and beg of you—if you love liberty , and if from political liberty alone you can establish social freedom—let me , I say , on Monday and Tuesday evenings , see that declaration of liberty fluttering in every corner of the House ; and do not be led away by the fanciful theory , that those petitions will not strengthen my hands and y our cause , while the absence of them will weaken both .

      Old Guards , if I repeat it to surfeit , always bear in mind—that upon political freedom alone can social happiness depend ; arid that , further , a bold and resolute adherence to our own cause , whole and unmutilated , is the surest way to make converts to that cause , while the abandonment of a fraction of one of the bristles of the animal would strengthen the hands of its opponents , and lead them to the hope of its entire destruction ; - \ yhile upon the other hand , see what our pertinacious adherence to the whole animal has effected ? Why this ; that on Monday last , at a tremendous meeting , with Sir Joshua Walmslet in the chair , the New Reform Association consented to add

      "NO PROPERTY QUALIFICATION " to " THEIR ANIMAL : " whereas , if we had substituted Household Suffrage , and Triennal Parliaments , for Universal Suffrage and . Annual Parliaments , like the Irish Gamekeeper— "They would have stroked the woodcock down to a wren . " DM Guards , is this not something to have gained , and something to inspire you with hope , and all consequent upon your patriotic adherence to your defined and understandable principles ? And so much am I attached to those principles , that , unlike others , lam prepared to surrender my seat in Parliament , and once more betake myself to my wildfire agitation , if those parties will now adopt

      our principles , and I will promise them an amount of out-door and unpaid-for support as will very speedily place the helm of the ship in their hands . But I never will consent to agitate for any less measure of Reform than THE CHARTER ; while , should the professors of the minor principle accept those terms , then all hostility and differences between the middle and the working classes will cease ; but'I never can , and never will , believe in the sincerity of a party who would exclude any man of : twenty-one . years of age , of sane mind , arid unblemished by crime , from the Suffrage . It is true that we : liye , not only in the age of progress , but in the age of danger , and the anticipation of danger , iu whatever shape it

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      may present itself , shall never compel me to retrograde a single step . Old Guards , we have fostered and nurtured this bantling of ours , when the rulers of England based their opposition , nay , their persecution , upon the world's tranquillity ! but now their hands are tied ; other countries , where the mind has been kept in bondage , are asserting their rights by the sword , while I hope to establish them by the mind . For , mark me , ¦

      and mark me well , " when I tell you , that in this country any injudicious act upon my part , or any intemperate act upon your part , but tends to strengthen the hands of the enemy , and to weaken the union and power of the people^—therefore , having gained wisdom from past experience , let me implore of you to show to those who toast of your loyalty , and deny your dissatisfaction , that you are at length united as one man and for one common

      purpose . As I before instructed you , let the name of the members to whom petitions are sent , together with the number of petitions from each locality , be transmitted to the Executive Committee an London , arid then if any should fail to present those petitions , I can read the localities from which they have been sent . I am sure you will read , in the report of the Parliamentary proceedings , the questions that I put to Sir George Grey on Tuesday last , with reference to the treatment of Ernest Joites ; and I am sure your blood will boil

      when you read that statement , which did not contain one-half the truth . And you will also feel indignant , when I tell you that the task of disclosing these facts devolved upon me , a most unfitting person , when you understand that Mi-. Jones has gat an uncle in the House of Commons representing an English county ; but you , and especially the men of Halifax , will be mortified , and should feel shame and disgrace , when I tell you that Mr . Jones has got a young wife , and three children , the eldest not more than six years old , wholly and entirely destitute . .

      Now , then , will this appeal be in vain , and especially to the men of Halifax , when I ask you to send your contributions with as little delay as possible , addressed to Mr , Rider , "Northern Star" Office , for the sustenance of the young famil y of this young martyr , and if you refuse I have only to pray , that every man who can spare a little and withholds it for such a purpose , may one day be in want himself . Old Guards , what is to he done for the people must be done by the people , and , therefore , I say , in conclusion"UP , GUARDS , AND AT IT ;"

      and let me have a little , monstej . from Man Chester , Sheffield , Birmingham , ' Leeds , New castle , and all the manufacturing towns ; gal lant Merthyr Tydvil promises its full share . I remain Your faithful Friend and Representative , Feargus O'Connor .

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      Newcastle-on-Tyse . —At the usual meeting of the council of this branch , it was resolved : — " That John Hudson be the corresponding secretary for the ensuing quarter . "— " That all branches . of the district are apprised that Mi . S . Kydd , having been invited to visit this district , all places wishing Mr . Kydd ' s services , will correspond immediately with Mr . Hudson , Dawson-court , Westgate-street , Newcastle . "— " That the names of the members of the council be forwarded to the Executive as early as possible . "— " That the council appoint an early day For a public meeting , to adopt the petition for the Charter . "

      Dalstoj ? . —A public meeting was held on Saturday evening , Juno 9 th , for the purpose of adopting a petition to Parliament , praying for the enactment of the People's Charter . —Mr . W . Johnston was called to the chair , and briefly opened the business of the meeting . Messrs . P . Sowerby , F . Blake , and others , having spoken upon the evils of class legislation , resolutions condemnatory of the present system of representation were agreed to , and also a resolution in favour of the People ' s Charter , as the only remedy for existing evils , and that a petition be sent from Dalston , praying Parliament to make the People ' s Charter , the law of the land . The petition was then adopted , and ordered to be sent to Mr . Marshall , M . P . for East Cumberland , for presentation to Parliament ; also that Charles

      Howard , Esq ., M . P ., be requested to support it , and that Mr . P . Sowerby be instructed to correspond with that gentleman upon the subject . It was then agreed that Messrs . Leach and Corry should obtain signatures to the petition , taking care that such signatures were genuine , and that they be paid for then- labour . Petition sheets were then ordered to he prepared , and a vote of thanks to , and confidence in , Mr . O'Connor , having been passed , the meeting separated . Nottingham . —A delegate meeting was held at the Seven Stars , Barker-gate , on Sunday , tlie 10 th inst ., when the following resolutions were agreed to : — " That all subscriptions to the Victim Fund bo paid to the treasurer , Mr . "VV . H . Mott , and when

      the amount so paid reaches £ 1 , it shall be transmitted by him to the general treasurer , and be ticknowledged in the Northern Star . "—" That the secretary be instructed to warn the delegates in the various iocalities in and near Nottingham , that a meeting will be held at tlie Seven Stars , Barkergate , on Sunday next , at half-past two in the afternoon , on business of importance . FiNSBuny . —The members of the above locality , met at their rooms , 34 , Clerkenwell-green , on Tuesday evening , June 12 th . Mr . Dicey in the chair . — Moved by Mr . Puzzio , and seconded by Mv . Pool : — " That the members of this locality , meet in future on Sunday evening , instead of as at present . "—Carried . —Moved by Air . Allnutt , " and seconded by Mr .

      Fuzzen : — " That this locality do take steps for the issuing of tracts , to be given away when the committee go round with the petition . " —Moved by Mr . Fuzzen , seconded by Mr . Pool : — " That steps bo taken to call tlie whole of . tho members together on Sunday evening next , for the purpose of taking steps to get the Chartist petition as numerously signed as possible . "—Carried . —Moved by Mr . Lee , seconded by Mr . Blake : — " That Mr . Alfred Fuzzen be elected as delegate to the Metropolitan Delegate Committee . "—Carried . —A vote of thanks was then given to the chairman , when he announced that there had been the sum of 7 s . Id . collected for the Charter Association . —The meeting then adiourncdto Sunda y « , ening , June 17 th .

      Hull , —A public . meeting of the inhabitants of this town was called by placard , to be held in tho Freemason ' s Lodge , Mytongate , ( a large and commodious room ) , on Monday' Evening , June 11 th , to take into considei-ationthe propriety of once more petitioning the House ' of Commons in favour of the People ' s Charter . Mr . W . J . Brankling was called to the chair , and opened the meeting in an appro , priate speech . —Mr .: Martin moved the . first resolution : — " That it is tho opinion of this meeting that nothing ' shorfc of the People ' s Charter being made the law of the land can secure to this country those rights and liberties which alone can satisfy the wants and necessities of the present age . The speaker then read the petition to the meeting , and , in an excellent speech , alluded to the various points of the Charter . —The petition was seconded by Mr . Robert Jackson , and supported by Mr . H . Hancock , and on the chairman putting it to the meeting ,

      carried unanimously . Wm . Johnson moved : " That the ;' petition be forwarded to James Clay , Esq ., member for Hull , for presentation , accompanied with a not e respectfully rec [ uesting him and M . J . Baines , Esq . to support the prayer by their votes , onF O'Connor , Esq . ' s motion heing hrought before the House . " Seconded by Mi-. - Geo . Barnett , and carried unanimously . —Moved by Mr . Martin , " That the thanks of this meeting be presented to James Clay , Esq ., 'foi \ his consistent conduct in supporting Mr . Hume's motion . " Seconded by Mr . Johnson , supported by Mr . G . Barnett , and carried unanimously . —After a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting separated . ' ' . ¦ Hamrax . —On Sunday last a camp meeting was held on Skircoat Moor , to promulgate the principles of the People's Charter . . The meeting , was addressed by Mr . Councillor Brook , ¦ ¦ of Leeds ,. Mr . Clissett , and other talented speaker s . The CHartUts of Halifax have once more raised the Chartist

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      //^ c ^ u * - & ** ist ~ - ^ ^ yL ^ tfZt ^ L / ( y ^ ^^ t ^ yid ^ j f v / " ^ t-Co ^^ r ^/ a-z ^ tc ^^ yyz ^ t

      banner , and are determined to eCmmence a vigo- ^^ rous agitation for the Charter , name—and pi'i ' . 'eU ^ / l ^— - plcs ..- On Tuesday evening , Juno 12 , thomembcrs- ^^^ / of this association met in the Working-man ' s Hall , when the following persons wore elected as council » or the ensuing quarter : —Thomas ' -Wood ; Isaac tlissott , Thomas lloldenGeorge WebberBenjamin

      , , mlson David IIorsFall ; Alexander Stvadlinsr , president ; John Edwards , vice-president ; Matthew Hurst , treasurer ; Joseph Binns , secretary ; Joseph Bnggs corresponding-secretary . All communication 8 for the Halifax Chartist Association to be addressed to Joseph Bri pgs , corresponding-secretary , 7 , Range Bank , Halifax .

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      TnE EIRKDALE CHARTIST PRISONERS . "He who permits oppression shares the crime . " TO THE EDITOR OF TUB NORTHERN STAR , Sir , —I beg to solicit publication of the undermentioned extract of a letter which I have received from Mr . George White , and to offer a few comments upon the past and present condition of our ' friends White , Leach , West , and Donovan : — & "Dear Norua . v , —I received your letter this morning . * * Those things which appear trifling to you , who ase living in the busy world , * are valuable to us . You should see a , few flowers and plants which we hnre growing In some tubs in the yard ; there is aot a trifling bud , or germination of seed , that is not dulv watched and recorded .

      * . * * Since 1 last wrote you I have been confined in a solitary cell for twenty-four hours for the high crime of smoking tobacco , and for that space of time I tasted no food . According to the felon rules of this place , any parson sent to a solitary cell by the governor ' s dictum , is allowed one pound of black brdad find some water for his daily sustenance ; this rule has been carried out with me ; and , by way of relish , the man who serves out the black bread brought the water lolling hot . I could not cat the bread , and informed the governor of it ; but , although I could drink water , that luxury was denied me by bringing it hot instead of cold . The

      petty annoyances to which we are subjected will form subjects for future comment ; every privilege attached to our' position seems to be viewed with the most , vindictive asperity . * * One thing lam perfectly satisfied of , that is , if I were a wealthy man these annoyances would not be attempted , but though poor in purse , I am nevertheless a man . * * Even in a gaol the distinctions of caste are clearly perceptible . In Warwick Gaol and the Queen ' s Bench Prison my purse was better lined than it is now , and I was treated accordingly , If it were so here , no doubt the treatment would be similar to what I then experienced . "

      Sir , in addition to the-above , lot me observe that our friends were subjected to tho annoyance of being classed and placed upon their trials with m enthusiasts , whom the government , for reasons best known to the Attorney-General , choose to denominate " Chartists , " but -who , in reality , know nothing of Chartism or any other ism , inasmuch as many of them can neither read nor write . They have been likewise placed upon the same relief list , ( with their wives and families , by the Manchester and London Committees , ) ' . ' with men who have not an idea beyond their daily porridge ; " not that I would have commiseration withheld from such , but to place them , in tho same category with Messrs . Wnite , West , Leach , and Donovan , is a mode of

      procedure that I cannot understand . Men who nave devoted their whole lives , and sacrificed their prospects , and the comforts of their wives and families , and who have been before the public for years , ought not to be classed with mere spouters . Our four friends have all families , and aome of them , have wanted bi-ead sineo the imprisonment oi their natural protectors . White ' s family has received ,, upon an average , 2 s . 4 d . weekly , since his incarceration , from the London Committee . White , himself , has received 5 s . per week from the Manchester Committee , out of which he has to pay a messenger , pay for paper , stamps , &c ., and yet the Manchester Committee threaten resignation , if friends do not ; forward subscriptions to them . What can the men

      do with 5 s . per week only ? Why it is not enough to purchase the coarsest kind of food . I hope some of the "National Guards" will see to this , and pay attention to it ; and recollect that they cheered these men on to where they are . Will they not make the sacrifice of a penny a-week ? I knowmany have come forward nobly—all honour to them ! I likewise know there are thousands who never gave a penny to those men . I call , in the name of the Most High , to those to come forward , and if they will not give for justice sake let them do so for pity ' s . Let them put it to themselves , if they were immured in such a hell upon earth , and their wives and children wanting bread , what their feelings would he ! I am , Sir , yours truly , in the cause of Right and Justice , Ventnor , Isle of Wight , Mark W . Norman . June 11 th , 1810 .

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      CHARTISM IX ST . PANOBAS . A large mooting was held in tho Vestry-rooms , on Monday evening ,. Francis liealey , Esq ., in the chair : Letters were read from Lord D . C . Stuart , J . C . Williams , Esq ., and other members of Parliament , apologising for non-attendance . An apology was made for Mr , Gr , J , llnrney , on the ground of severe indisposition . After a few brief remarks by the Chairman , Mr . Weeks moved , and Mr . Bolton seconded , the following resolution : — " That it is the opinion of this mooting , the grievous bui'thens , privations , and sufferings which the great mass of the people of Great Britain and Ireland have long endured , and of which they still have just-cause to complain , arise from and are .: the results of , class legislation , and this monstwms . syslem will not be removed , noi ' a wise and just state . of society established , until the House of Commons is made a reflex of the whole people . "—The resolution was unanimously adopted .

      Mr . T . Wall moved the next resolution , which embodied all the points ol trie Charter . Ml . H . Hethekixoton seconded , aud Mr . G . W . M . Reynolds supported tho resolution , which , on bein " put , was carried unanimously ; i , ; ° Mi . Lucas moved , Mi * . Wilkiks * seconded , -and Mr . V . M'Giutii supported thtvGhartist petition , which . was unanimousl y adopted . ' / Thanks having been given to the vestrymen for the use Of the rooms , and also to the chairman , tlie meeting dispersed , . .. \ - [ Important events on the continent , and other matter , have compelled the abridgment of the reports of this and other meetings !] ¦ . - - ' .- ;¦•¦ ¦ ¦

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      jElj ^ Atrnelabonrerearns that ea ; gets thathe wears Sgnres no man hats ; envies no man ' s- happiness ; Rlaa of H ^ w men ' s good ; content under Ms own privations and S ^ clnefpnaeismtliemodest comforts of Ms condition . "

      The || | § To The Working Classes. -

      the || | § TO THE WORKING CLASSES . -

      ≪Ef)≪U'Ttei Sttttuigenft-

      < Ef )< u'ttei SttttUigenft-

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      TO THE UDlTOn OP THE NORTHER'S STAR . Sir , —I am informed that some time since there appeared a notice in your paper concerning the family of one of my fellow-prisoners , in which it was stated that some of the wives of the political p ^ - soners were receiving support from the people in . the towns in which they live . I am further informed , that subsequently there appeared an address from the Manchester Committee , stating that money was sent to this prison from some part of the country , and that the receipt of this money caused dissension among tho prisoners . With either of those statements I have nothing-to do , but I beg to state one or two facts concerning myself and ' my family , and by so doingshow to the people to whom those statements are made , how far they apply to me and my family .

      Sir , I wrote to the Manchester Committee , and also to the London Committee , requesting that each would send me a correct statement of the amount my wife received from each . Mr . Clark answered for the London Committee , but I have had no answer from Manchester , though I have -written more than once . From Mr . Clark ' s letter I find that my family have received at the rate of 3 s . Gd . per week since I have been placed here , and all that they have received from the Manchester Committee , to my knowledge , is Gs . This , with 15 s . from Leeds , and 8 s . from Rochdale , is all that my wife has had from the Chartist body ; and though i may feel that those who seem to profess our principles have not done as they would wish to be done by , I must return my thanlis to the good few who have done their dutv .

      When I inform you , sir , that my wife has si . children dependent upon her for support , one being born since my sentence , and that tho oldest of them is not moi'O than thirteen years of age , I think youwill agree with me in savin ? that her income is far short of what should be her * oxpenditure if those children had what they ought to have . . - I may state here , tliat tile week that she received the money from Leeds the sum sent from London for her to the Manchester Committee was stopped , and never given to her .

      Then , sir , as to the other question concerning tho money received here , I must confess that I know but little of it . I have been in this prison now six months , and all the money that I have received here has amounted to about 10 s . ; 7 s . of which I sent home .. I must take this opportunity of'thanking those friends who sent me tlie stamps ( as it was in that shape I received the most of it ) for their kindness , as without'their aid I could not have written more than two letters per week . In conclusion , I must tell those friends who havo written to me during the last weok , that tho reason why I have not answered their letters is , that I have no postage stamps . ] Jy publishing this in your next number of the i ' tar you will much oblige , Yours , as ever , Daniel Dosovan . P . S . —I have not seen the address referred to , all that I know of it is from the information of visitors . Kirkdale Gaol , June llth .

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      _ _ AND NATIONAL TRAMS' JOTmNAT ,

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      TOkjyj " . 608 . LONDON , SATDMY , JPj 16 / 1849 . . ' . ^ J ^ JBfe ^ W ¦ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^''^^^''^''^^^^^"'•• ' ^¦^^¦••^¦^^^^^ " ¦""¦^"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ¦¦¦ "" ¦ ¦ ^ ¦¦¦¦¦^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 16, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1526/page/1/