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Northern Star (1837-1852), 25th August 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, to tbk oi^-mMos.

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      I lOTED ASfl HOXOUEED CWIBADES ,. Whea'I address you as the Old ^ Guards of I Chartism , you wttl understand , that I in-I elude every man who lives by his industry , because all such meu are interested * "in the r accon-plishineut of our principles , as the la-I bower CanTiefer he requited for his ihoustry $ Lyanyother ^ ineans than ^ the most profitahle developcnient of o | r ^ Stidnal resources by a I fair representation of the whole people in the f Commons House of Parliament .

      Old Guards , if ever there was a time when ^ Yigikn ce , caution , and perseverance was necessaryy-it is now . Having abandoned all pleasures , my every thought is absorbed in your cause , and my every hour is devoted to the realisation of those principles by which . alone thai eaase can triumph . While you are f working with your hands I am working with ; my head ; and while you are m'therattie-box , ! on the lap-board , tor in the wbirfehop ^ with | addled -brains and distracted thoughts I am

      thinking for you . I think of you , and I think I for you ^ not more because I love your order , than that I believe that every man born into I this varld has been assigned some duty to perform , arid thai ; all will one day have to give an account of their . stewardship . The > duty that has been assi gned to me , orMfrat'froin . xhoicel have adopted , if man is horn with | free wiB £ is to " comfort aud assist " the weak itiiearted , 'to raise up themthatfall , " to def elope I ^ etruepriuciplesof charity , and , if possible , to Irleave the" world better than I found it ld

      •¦ X ^ OGuards , cast your eyes hack upon the i-difficultaes against which you and I have had : to cbntend . for the last seventeen years , dating ' irom the period when I first entered Parliamentj » -Tan Irish member , but assumed the > i ^ tfp& ^ eS ^ & pg the imperial mind ; and think o % Wlif-otal persecution that I received ifiom the Iiish Liberal members , until atlength I ivas bauJshed from my country , aud adopted g / byyoa . And when you think of those past ft times , aud of the persecutions to which our

      | f party Las been subjected , and that , in defiance of all , we are now worth the "bid" of all , I you -. nil marvel at the past , and anticipate i | sucee ;? . I have told your oppressors , when p plain John Gampjjell—now receiving Jive thousand pounds a year of your money , for T > Rmg sui Irish Chancellor for twelve hoursdeclared that Chartism was dead , that where f it was sindce- j down by the giant hand of l ~ tynniriy it would remain " , and when it again § arousal , that it would march onward , but I never would retreat .

      Old Guards , reflect for a moment that infauts , only four years of age at that period , j are vox full-grown men ; Jind that they have I been trained from infancy in the cause in I which you and I enlisted . This will inform I you < = f our present strength , and will teach I you th ? reason why all now consider us worth I Mlilijy for . In the commencement we were I but a -soniF , now we are an army—and an unconquerable army , if we are but true to our-I selves . And now to the point .

      I The developcmcnt of the Labour Question I is now revolutionising the world , for the mind I of America itself is fixed to the free-soil ques-I tion , ami the only fair solution of the Labour I Question is , that " the labourer should he the I first partaker of the fruits of his own industry , " S an eu < l tbat can never be accomplished until he % himself represents that industry ; for as self I interest is the basis of human actiou , the privi-1 leged classes—no matter to what order they 1 belong—will never permit the poor unrepre-I sented man to be other than a dependent slave , f so long as b y class legislation the employers of I labour can live upon their dependence . But 1 now that the time has arrived when our

      svsteni of government—or , rather , misrule—has swallowed up all the proceeds of industry , I -constituting apatronage fund for those whose ~ Influence the Corn-Law League sought to I destroy by Free Trade , but which I have told you over and over again never could be jj destroyed except by Free Trade in representa-I tion . And if wo are wise , watchful ,-perse-. I vering , and resolute , that day is at hand , and [ not far distant ; and my principal objectiu I writingthisletter , is to put you uponyourguard , f as to be forewarned is to be forearmed .

      I The middle classes—the veritable middle [ classes , the . shopkeepers—who have no [ patronage to dispense , and who are being eaten | . up with taxation , and destroyed by the poverty ; of your order , have at length fraternised Avith ; you , and are ready to co-operate with you for the accomplishment of the means by which ; alone you and they can arrive at the desired end . And , as ol yore , that portion of the Press representing , not the minds or feelings Gf the sliopkoephig class , but the taste and vices -oftlseg . jy and dissolute , fezirs lest A'irtue and sobriety—emanating from well-requited industry—should destroy their trade ; that portion uftlie Press Avo'ild now make the

      abandomncni of the Chartist cause by Feargus O ' Coxson , the keystone of this new political ar ch . Old Guards ,-I was firmly convinced when this movement was originated , that that "would ho i 3 ie primary object- —if not of its promoters—of those who hoped to make merchandise <> f it : and that I have not made a miscalculation you irill discover from the article in last week ' s " Dispatch" Avherein I am pourtrayed politically and socially—politically , as regards the Charter ; and socially , as regards the Land Plan . You will find the jubilee with which my retirement from public life is announced , aud the fond expectation of all the benefits of the Land Plan being yet realised by honest trustees .

      Old Guards , our life and struggles will , one day . constitute no short history ; and there isno task more necessary than that of comparing note . If , then . , you turn your mind to 1839 , when -Cue first Conventiou sat , and Avhose labours would have been crowned Avith success but for the treachery of men avIio did not belong to your order ; you will recollect that then the "Dispatch" Avas our bitterest enemy , and has cont inued so down to the present moment . Ton will recollect that it was the first assailant—not of my integrity , but of the impracticability of the Land Plan . Its columns Avere open to Joshua Hobson , and correspondence , ^ L _ - _ dm _ 4 t a- — A - _ i _ 4 a . 4

      * communicated from tho editorial stool to the printer ' s devil , until , at length , the Gravelpit pauper has become Esquire by his industry , and now the Plan surpasses all others ; but Feakgus O'Coxnob is the only man who cannot practically develope its national value . Now , let me ask you if anything could be more presumptuous or foolish than a person , -sitting from morning till night on his editorial stool , and understanding as much about the Land as a pig does of geometry , and y et under-¦ iakhi ^ r to scan and criticise operations of which he has never received any , the slightest , knowledge , except from those who were aware that slander of me wonld meet with the best

      reception . Old Guards , I must call y our attention to the political tactics of parties , and sIioav you their mode of attack . The first assault is against any principle adopted by the working classes , if its realisation is calculated to serve their order . The promoters and advocates of tiiat principle are not even worthy of comment until it has taken some hold of the public jmind , and then the justice of the principle is -admitted—it is a GOOD CAUSE , but has

      fallen into bad hands , and its advocates are designated interested ruffians . 2 fow , mark the difference of my tactics . In the first Convention of 1839 , the "Dispatch" and the Press generally , assailed the principles of Chartism ; while the task of contending with the ruffians who sought to destroy it , when our exchequer Ijecame empty , Avas left to me—and it Avas no easv task . The deserters , however , became

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      the pets of the Press ; they were ! liuMed'fbr their prudence , their shrewdness ; and | heir sagacity ; the denunciation of the principle Avas . abandoned—its justice was admittedbut it had FALLEN INTO BAD HANDS and , while in the FELON'S DUNGEON * I had not only , to contend against the vituperation of the Press , hut against the malignity of the " poor gentlemen" who , having for months tlie TifitS Of tllfi Pl 7 > SS thov varrt 1 « Jrfjfx' jV * i'V

      seven exhausted , our exchequer , receiving six . guineas a week , were too proud to work , and too poor to live Avithout labour ; they became provincial lecturers-r-pfofesseii to uphold the principles of the Charter , but denounced Feargcs O'Coxnob for having stopped the supplies when he Avould no . longer be a party to a juggle ; and in the words of the veteran patriot , Jonx Knight , of Oldham—the last words I ever heard from him

      — "The disappointed 'poorgentlemen' then attempted to HURL ME TO DEATH ; " this farce was attempted to be re-enacted by the last National Assembly , when their exchequer became empty : while it is my boast to say , that , from" first to last , the men of your order stood nobl y by me , and enabled me to overcome-the hostility of the Press , and the vengeance - - of « . gie disappointe ^ . ; D . ozensiof papers were established'l ^^ . estroy ^ ffie " pemer of Feargus O'Goxxon " andithe - ° l \ orthern

      Star , " and all were established by the most violent professors of Chartism ; Avhile none having arrived at the existence point Avere assailed by tho Press . The " Dispatch" has ever been in the greatest ignorance of Chartist principles and their advocates ; and as if to show a resolution to remain in darksicss , it still talks of the foe points of the PEOPLE'S

      CHARTER . Old Guards , I think I have shown you the political difficulties againsi Avliich we have had to contend , and , I think , the A'alue now attached to your co-operation , will prove tbe triumphant manner in Avhicli we have beaten doAvu all opposition . I have always told you that Chartism Avas the means , and the cultivation of the Land by freo labour , the end ; and the " Dispatch " uoav tells you precisely the same , but that I am not the person to carry out either .

      Old Guards , I have often told you tbat when your political and social principles were established like , QvistusCixcixxatosI would return tomyplough ; Avhilc Inowtell youthattlie foreshadowing of tho future by tbe "Dispatch , " has confirmed me in the resolution to still hold the helm of the Chartist vessel . The "Disp atch' * now tells you , that the subdivision of the land is the only means by which the country can be saved ; but , in the hope of arresting its progress , it would place the scheme in the hands of honest , trafficking , juggling Trustees . The Free Traders , as I shall one

      day show you , use their every influence Avith the Government to prevent the legalisation of the Land Plan . It is the only plan by which the people can be elevated into a proper position , and it is the only plan to which legalisation has ever been refused . Look to the rail-Aray juggles , and see the Parliamentay opposition offered to any investigation into that question , because all were afraid of all ; and then , see the manner in Avhich the powerful can resist the making of lavs for the benefit of the poor , and how , upon , the other hand , they can violate laAvs—for Instance , the Ien Hours Bill .

      Old Guards , the fault of every Government is , that when an evil is acknoAvledged , if it confers benefit upon an influential class , they are afraid to arrest its growth until compelled by pressure , always forgetting the good old adage , that " a stitch in time saves nine . " Now the great difficulty , nay , the only difficulty , against which you have to contend , and Avith which Government Avillhavo to grapple , is the substitution of machinery for manual labour without the enactment of laws to make it a national instead of a class benefit . 1 told

      you in 1835 , Avhen I made my first Chartist tour , I Avould not give you a farthing for the Charter to-morrow , if the Land was locked up , and' the " Dispatch" now repeats my stereotyped Avords , that the fair and just application of the Land , is the only means to destroy illegitimate competition , to establish the fair standard of Avagcs , to develope the national resources , and thereby establish a large home market for our domestic produce , both in goods and food , thus harmonising society , making the rich richer , and the poor rich .

      All other countries are now improving their machinery , and especially America , our greatest customer , -and our Government , instead of making timely and prudent concessions , Avill withhold all alterations until the people , roused to madness , Avill seek to accomplish by force Avhat it Avas the duty of the Government to concede to justice . Old Guards , you were told that when one channel is closed another channel is opened , but this rubbishing theory but tends to choke up so many foul channels , that at length they become flooded like sewers with nuisance , and

      the pestilence creates a malady ; butltell you , as ^ I have told you a thousand times , that the only healthy channel is the Land , and you and I must both rejoice that the '' Dispatch , '' representing a large amount of the mind of this couutry , has now come to that conclusion ; and the manufacturers Avill shortly be compelled to adopt it as the means of securing a good home trade , Avith this single proviso , that they must first GET RID OF THE DEVIL , and then , perhaps they could turn it to class instead of national purposes . But fear not , Old Guards , I mig ht have been wallowin g in wealth ,

      participating in every pleasure , aud living luxuriously , but I prefer frugality and a clear conscience to voluptuousness and haunting reflections , and the very desire to get rid of me only rivets the affections of the people more deeply , and , withGoD ' sblessingandyourhelp , I will beat down opposition and overpower all conspiracy . Aye , when I take a cause in hand , I am not easily diverted or frightened from my purpose , and neither the vituperation of the Press , the terror of the dungeon , the transport or the gallows , shall ever compel me to abandon the National Land Plan , or

      abandon a single point of the PEOPLE'S CHARTER . Let me ask you a single question . Did you ever know or hear of any movement in any country successfully carried out , except that in Avhich the working classes took part ? Tour answermusi be "Never ! " and will you , orcan you , point out any change froraAvhich conquering Labour has derived any , the slightest , benefit ? Never ; as the mere triumph consists in the transfer of power from the hands of one priA'ileged class to those of another ; but as tbe mental labourer , the shopkeeper , and the manual labourer have now seen their common

      interest , and have been Avedded together for one common objftct—namely , the most profitable developement of thenationalresources , and the fair and equitable distribution of the produce by a full , free , and fair representation in the Commons' House of Parliament—those Avhom Goi * has joined in this holy union , none shall dare put asunder , and I rejoice to . thiak that I have performed a portion of the ceremony .. Qfu : Guards ,, although comparisan&mair be

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      odious ,- fair contrasts are instructive ;'<* andt : let me nojv ^ contrast the political movements of Ireland witH those of England . O'CjiJnnele may be said to have commenced his ^ itatiori in 1812 , and to have continued-it to 1840—a period of thirty-four years . No monarch ever possessed more , power . " His powej . VAyas . in a great measure . based upon . the an ^ a |[^ Srn ; : qf the virtual Irish to . the dominignKQ ^ S ^ con ^ querors' Church * and you arG ^^^^ dp |^ as in Scotland of old , and in Eng ^ ai ^ pini all other countries in the woria ^ a ^ eSp ^ e ^ -steadK - '; ~ P ~ 7 ~ T ~ T ~ ' ^ T ~^ Hj r ^

      fast to their faith will be most . easily rallied under the standard of that faith ; ^ jjEh ' eir enthusiasm , their courage , their de ^| ion , ' and their "patriotism Avaa unrivalled and unequalled ; arid during those thirty-four years will the nicest critic point out one ~ single lay that has been enacted for the benefit ' of itmvt country ? Avhile every glorious oppo ^ a ' nity has been sacrificed for titles , honour ^ flistiuctionb , emolument , and profit . Look ai ' the ^ b ^ gariy set of representatives that now undertake to ^ explain and legislate for the ; mind of Ireland . Look at tltejiark cloud thaf . ~ h . as . so long hung over hei * "destjnies , now to be dispelled . by the

      END 0 TY !| 5 N . T-: OF THE CATHOLIC ^ JLRGT ^^^ itfil ^ yal donation ofj-a thoulahd pounds given * 3 romthe Exchequer to clothe the naked , and feed the starving . Then see the different position of England ; Avhere Ministers that are , and Ministers that are to be , consider your power Avorth bidding for . And Avho raised it ? who prepared it for the day of auction ? Was it the " Dispatch ? " "Was it the " 'AWs ? " No . It Avas the RED CAT

      and the "Northern Star" that prepared it , and the " Daily News" and the " Morning Adver tiser arc now faithfully developing it : and although the RED C A . T Avill cautiously watch the vermin , yet whatever the slander * of the Press maybe , it shall never make it an instrument in the hands of your enemies to arrest the progress of your triumph . And it is my greatest pride and boast to be able to say , the "Argus-eyed" Press , with the strongest "

      appetite and the greatest « es : rc to ruin me , in order to ruin your cause , has never been able to charge me with one dishonest , dishonourable , ungenerous , or uugentleman-like act . They hoped that , likeliENUY Hunt , your ingratitude Avould prematurely hurry me to the cold grave ; but the gratitude of the millions has extracted the sting of the venomous unite , and no man has ever more abundantly partaken of popular gratitude and confidence than myself .

      Old Guards , as I never wish a single leaf to be plucked from your laurels , aud although the charge of ignorance is made the plea for Avithholding your just rights , I Avish to prove to the Avorld that Ave , the ignorant and muchreviled Chartists , have been in advance of all in political , social , and financial knowledge . I have already proved from , the words of the " Dispatch , " and from the " Tiines" that although in BAD HANDS , our political and social cause is good ; and now let me call your attention to the deveJopement of our financial knowledge from the following statistical table , published in the " Morning Advertiser . " Here it is : —

      THE STATE AXD PROSPECTS OP ENGLAND . The following are extracts from a letter , entitled T / ie Curse Removed , and addressed to the manufacturers of Manchester , on the state and prospects ef England , by " a Citizen of Edinburgh , " ( just published by Mr . Effingham " Wilson . ) The writer opens with this somewhat startling statement : — If you read this letter with care , you are likely to discover , that with all your expenditure of time , money , and labour , your work is only begun—that

      almost nothing has a 3 yet been accomplished'for manufactures—that a condition of things has now ensued , which will stop the increase of manufactories , and makes it doubtful if those establishments now existing can be maintained . You will farther discover that no desire , however urgent , on the part of other nations , to possess themselves of your productions , nor auy effort , however strenuous on your part , will enable you to comply with their demands : that an obstacle stands in the way which no existing project of legislation can remove or surmount .

      1 . —THE PRESENT STATE OF ENGLAND . " While the storm of revolution rages without , it is natural for us to congratulate ourselves on the tranquillity that reigns within . While scarcely any other government in Europe has security for a day ' s existence , England is tranquil . All things continue . is they were , and appear as if more firmly established than ever . Our insular situation in some measure guards us from the continental contagion . More , however , depends on the intelligence of the people —their habits , of submission to the law—their hatred

      of violence—and a well-grounded conviction that public opinion is the best reformer . England is abundantly supplied with every thing fitted to minister to the wants and comforts of maiu In physical science she stands pre-eminent among the nations . Before the introduction of railways it was calculated that her power of production by machinery was equal to the labour of six hundred millions of human beings , a power equal to almost the natural power of the whole population of the world .

      llcr coal mines are nearly inexhaustible , affording every facility for the working of this mighty agent . In addition to the advantages already enumerated there are others . Her capital is overflowing ; at no period of her previous history was it ever so abundant . The soil is well cultivated and productive throughout . Her ships cover every sea . Her warehouses are filled with every necessary and luxury of life . In short , there is no want of anything that can minister to human enjoyment . Nor is there at the present moment any important obstruction in the way of trade . Honey is plentiful , the funds high , the world nearly as open as ever , and her colonies as extensive . The price of provisions is low , and yet trade is languid . Multitudes of working men have nothing to do . Our manufactories are not fully employed , and some of those in operation not profitably so .

      WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH THE DEBT ? Men of thought and intelligence have long speculated on this subject . Mr . M'Culloch wrote a treatise to prove the justice and necessity of reducing the interest of the debt . Sir James Graham wrote a book to prove the justice and necessity of applying the sponge to the principal : in other words , he proposed to rob tho national creditor of eight hundred millions sterling , by an Act of Parliament , after the example of Continental despots . The question at length will undoubtedly be raised , what ia to be done with the debt . To this question only one reply can be given , and that is pay it . This can be done now with greater facility than at any previous period since tho war with France was concluded , and every year it remains unpaid the difficulty ijf paying itwill increase . In fact , if not done soon , it never can be done peaceably—therefore pay it .

      IHK PRINCIPLE OP PAYMENT . The charge now standing against the country is stated to be 803 millions . This is the amount as regards the payment of the interest ; but not as regards the payment of the principal . Our proposal is to lay a tax of 7 } per cent , on the capital debt of the nation , whether funded or unfunded , and to limit the capital on which the charge should be made to £ 80 for every £ 100 of the 3 per cents ., £ 83 on the 3 i and 3 * per cents , and £ 100 on theater cents , or , in other words , to pay the whole debt at li per cent , below the prices here fixed . It ia necessary , whatever precise snm may be adopted as- the basis , that distinct warning be previously giten ,. otherwise the gentlemen on the Stock-Exchange would run out

      up the 3 per cent , stock to £ 101 ) ami Men cry robbery . The prises above fixed ave a fair valuation In this proposal there is no brcaeh ofnational faith : neither honour nor justice requires -move-- ^ The amount to be providedfor wouldbe £ Go 3 , i < W , Jio A tax of li per cent , on this sum amounts to £ 49 , 332 , 470 , but instead of carrying this to the credit side of the account , it will simplify the matter by at once deducting it from tb . e amount of the charge , as the easiest mode of collecting tbe tax , and thus fixing the claim of the public creditor .. f . „_!! .. 49 , 332 , 470

      Leaving ., „ £ 609 , 100 , 475 to be piO Ti&d for by the countey at large .

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      ^¦ ¦ ^ -C ' ' . THE WAYS AND MEANS . in . oroerto nieet this sum , there can be no injustice ,- noMSfii there be any objection to the application of all the property as yet undisposed of that belongs exclusivel y to the nation . From various circumstances , the exact value of this property canjot ffi »» owtwnod . ; - but such an approximation to trutu ; fflajr . be ; ari < ived at as will avail for our present P » r- ) Ofe ^ and ienable us to make the principle understood , on :, » hioh ~ it is proposed to proceed . T ^ T ^ iT ^ 7 J ~ ~ ~ ** ^ m

      ; /«® :.-Sm * o . be applied to the extinction'of the : debt are > ssRfollow _ ^ proper ^ under tho Commissioners £ ¦ , = : £$ \' £ 9 ? £ * and Forests , estimated 150 , 000 s 000 ¦ The / D « chies of Cornwall and Lancaster 2 , 100 000 m $ WMp of t « e church of England 240 , 000 , 000 : B ° iP ^?^ ' oftliechurcnof Scotland 7 , 975 , 000 Tfreprpgerty of the church of Ireland 11 , 250 , 000 A . titx pro per cent , on railway property 10 , 000 000 Atax of ; 10 per cent , on landed property 234 , 000 000 A tax of S per cent , on all other property 30 , 000 , 000

      • :- ;• : - Total amount . „ ... 678 , 225 , 000 .-.. The amount slated as necessary to be ^ providedfor was . ;* 609 , 100 , 475 : ¦ . MwTi ' ng a surplus of ; ........... 60 , 124 . 525 By the adoption of this . plan , tho curse ' -would be removed , . ' ¦ The people of this country would once moreih ' aye an Eden in which they might taste the pleasures of lifc ^ -where they might shut thcirdoors againstjthfi intrusion of poverty , and repose themselves ~ m peace * . Till some such plan bo adopted , every attempt-to : remedy the evil will foil . The people conn ' ot suVsist but by a revival of trade , and this revival of trade cannot be obtained but by an increased consumption on the part of tho people . Neither party can make the requisite movement . They ave come to a dead lock . Every step they take only makes them worse , and as time advances ,

      tinevils that besot society will be augmented . Frauds and robberies will be multiplied . Men . will take the funds where they can , to carry them out of the country . In tho mean time , society is every day deteriorating . Very soon the fraction of hope which still exists may be blasted , only to usher in the horrors of despair . From what is hove said , it is not to bo supposed that such changes will be effected in a day or a year . The immense wealth of this country will sustain the government for a considerable time , if we can suppose it possible that tho labourers will quietly and contentedly starve . AVo only say such is the tendency of our present position , and such will sooner or later bo the result .

      I shall make but a suorfe comment upon the above , hut you will bear in mind that I have , more than once , analysed the slight advantage that the / working classes would derive from a reduction of ton millions a year , if they were not represented in tho House of Commons ; hut you will also hear in mind that I voted for every measure of Financial Reform ; that I never offered it the slightest opposition in the House or out of the House ; hut that 1 became disheartened with it as a substantive measure , when Mr . Cobden left its adoption to

      the CONVENIENCE OF THE MINISTER . I have frequently submitted a much more comprehensive , and a more just , scale of reduction , * -aud a greater portion of which nay , the plum—is now advocated by the able writer of"the above analysis . In my table I put down the Church Property , or rather yom property , monopolised by the Church , at eight millions a year , and which I showed , at thirty years' purchase—although it is worth forty years , being the first charge upon the laud—would fetch two huudred and forty millions , the very sum at which the writer estimates iti

      Now , I will give you my Financial Reform table . I estimate the National Debt , exclusive of long annuities , at seven hundred and fifty millions . For every sixty pounds borrowed , the State is paying one hundred pounds , that is because it was bankrupt when the debt was contracted . Sixty pounds now , with Free Trade , and the cheapness cod sequent upon machinery , would purchase much more than the hundred pounds would when it was lent ; and , therefore , as tho State was bankrupt then and ib bankrupt now , I would pay every fundholder twenty shillings for every pound he lent , that is , sixty pounds for every hundred you aro presumed to owe ; that would reduce your debt to its legitimate standard—viz ., four hundred and fifty millions , and I would meet it thus : —

      Church property ( your property ) ... £ 2-10 , 000 , 000 Woods and Forests ( your property ) 150 , 000 , 000 Scotch Church property ( you ! property ) ... 8 , 000 , 000 Irish Church property ( your propcrtv ) ... 11 , 000 , 000 Poor ' Rates , £ 2 , 000 , 000 , at forty years' purchase ... ... 80 , 000 , 000

      Total ... ... £ 480 , 000 , 000 The above sum would leave thirty-nine millions over and above paying tho National Debt , and now I will show you tho National Saving . Interest on debt ... £ 27 , 000 , 000 Expense of collection ( under the mark ) 3 , 000 , 000 Save to landlords and owners of propertv , as the present amount is over eight millions ... - 6 , 000 , 000 Total ... - ' -636 , 000 , 000

      Thus the fundholder is placed m a better position than he would have been when the money was lent ; the expense of collection is done a-vay with ; the landlords save six millions a year in poor rates , as you need have no poor under a proper system ; and after the repayment of the whole National Debt , upon a fair and equitable principle , you would have a surplus of thirty-nine millions , or within a fraction of what would g ive five years' salary

      to every parson in the land , during which time he could prepare himself for a more useful , if not a , more profitable , occupation . I would then place a property tax upon all real property . I would have neither pensioners , placemen , idle paupers , soldiers , nor policemen , for England would beat peace with the world , and , if invaded , every hamlet would be a sentry-box , and every occupant would be a volunteer ; and to this conclusion we must come at

      last . Old Guards , I have now reminded you of the past and present , and have foreshadowed the future ; and " as the folly of to-day is the wisdom of the morrow" you will very shortly find the " Dispatch" adopting our Financial , as it has our Political and our Social , principles , and , before Parliament meets again , those who calculate upon my political burial will have to record my political resurrection . Ever your faithful and attached Friend , Feargus O'Connor .

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      Hull . —At a meeting of the shareholders and members of this branch , in their rooms , Malt Shovel , North Church . Side , Hull , to hear the report of the delegate , Mr . R . Jackson was unanimously called to the chair , when Mr . Oliver gave a general account of the proceedings of Conference , dwelling at great length on the general complaints of the several allottees visited by himself , as well as their future prospects . He also informed va that the crops at Snig ' s End did credit to the allottees , inasmuch as they were -superior to any of their

      neighbours , and far surpassed those at Lowbands . A small sample of the wheat was handed round the room , and much admired , especially the Egyptian Mummy wheat , being a great curiosity , On the motion of Mr . J . Peck , seconded by Henry Lavayich , the thanks of the meeting were given to Mr . Oliver . It was particularly requested that all branches who have not yet forwarded their shares- of the levies ier this delegation , will do so as soon , as possible * and not leave us in the unenviable-position of lasfc yea 1 " , having to raise upwards , of £ 3 ; a'flfc of tie- sum ot £ 3 10 Si

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      ^ BWCASTi . K-ON-Tv . VE .-At a meeting held August 10 th , Mr . William Halliwell , of South Shields , the delegate to the late Conference attended , and gave an explanation of his report to the Conference . The report given arose from a statement made to him in a private company , and he said he was misled by such statement ; this branch thcreforo exonerates Mr . William Halliwell from all blame . Leeds . —A meeting of members , was . held on Sunday afternoon , August 19 th , at the Bazaar , when the following officers trero elected : — 'VVillliam Newton , secretary ; Samuel Stone , John' Gledhill , auditors ; Charles Rayner , treasurer . —It was resolved : — " That the members of this branch meet

      in the Bazaar monthly , the first meeting to take place on the 2 nd of September . " —All .. members of the Leeds branch are earnestly requested to attend a meeting in the Bazaar at . two o clock , on Sunday afternoon , September 2 nd , when business of great importance will he brought before the meeting . Bradford , ( YonKsmnE . )—A meeting of members was held on Sunday , August 19 th , at No . 13 , Hopestreet , when business of importance was -brought before the meeting . The meethig was adjourned to Sunday , August 26 . . ' ' '

      ''• Edinburgh . —A meeting of members was held on Monday last in the Hall Society Close , Netherbow , to take into consideration the proceedings of the Conference . Mr . Callum was called to the chair . After considerable discussion , it was resolved to adopt the most efficient means to re-organise the branch , and get the niembers to pay up . The meeting was adjourned till Monday , September 3 rd ; ami ' the secretary- was instructed to Warn the whole of the members , whether in arrears with their local levies or not .

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      i » CAPABILITIES OF THE LAND . TO THE EDITOR OF XlfE KOnriII"R . Y STAR . Sin , —I have this year rented ' a small allotment of land , about twelve perches . For this I pay twenty shillings , or at the rate of £ 13 a-yoar ,. per acre . I took it for the purpose of making a few small experiments in agriculture , and for the good of my health in tho evenings , liut the soil bring light and sandy , with gravel at twelve and eighteen inches from tho surface , and no water convenient , some of my experiments have not succeeded as I could have ' wished . But , notwithstanding a partial failure of my potatoes , cabbages , and carrots , 1 have seen enough to convince mo of the iVuitfuluess of tho soil , and I shall never doubt a statement of agricultural produce , however great the amount . 1 can . boliove the assertion , tluit no one man can

      thoroughly cultivate one uero ot land , mid , that no man knows what an acre could be made to produce . In the " Cottage Gardener" there is an account ot an experiment withonions . and , by calculating , ltindtlio weight per acre would be about eighteen tons . Mr . Sinclair obtained only between tliroe and four tons per acre , but , perhaps , there is a misprint in the Iiguro . My experiment gives forty-four tons , and upwards , j : er acre . Jn tho spring I transplanted the onions into a-bed containing a quarter ot a perch . There were six rows , a link ( or eight inches ) apart , and tho rows were twenty-six links long . I set the onions half a link apart in the rows , with the intention of pulling up every other ono before they became large , but as the stalks -vere only small I let them remain . Three of the rows I set much too

      deep , so that some of the onions rotted oft ; or did not thrive as well as the other- three vows that wore set on the surface with only the roots in the soil . These three rows became large onions , some of them four inches diameter . I have several times given the bed a few cans of a brewing of soot , pigs' dung , son psuds , and water j and , perhaps , this kept off tlie onion maggot that nearly destroyed an adjoining bed of young onions . One evening , last week , 1 laid the steins to expose the bulbs to the sun , and the appearance of the bod made me feel proud of my success ; but tho next morning I found more than one row of my best onions gone ; the temptation had been too great for the passing plunderer . I have weighed a middle-sized one from the three best rows , and I find the weight exactly eight ounces .

      I believe some of those that were stolen would have weighed near a pound . I think I shall be under the mark if I take eight ounces as the average weight of an onion in these three rows , and this will give one pound to the square link or forty-four tons to the acre' ; and at lour pounds a-punny would be worth about £ 100 . My experiment has been only on a small scale , but the result would be proportional , for any quantity of land , " if " a proporti' Ollal amount of labour and liquid were applied . I expect some good parsnips , inangcl-wurtzcl , beans , and sunflowers , for they are all thriving well . I would be glad to change places with any man who has two acres , but who cannot got a living off it because his crops fail . The man who grumbles at his position , because his crops fail , must be an ignorant man , or

      an ungrateful , lazy rogue . As agriculture is the easiest of things to learn , the ignorant man lias no pica against failure ; while tho lazy rogue ought to be whipped . Of the hundreds of Irish reapers who pass through tho town iu which I reside , 1 will be bold enough to say , there is not ono among thorn but would think himself too happy if ho had two or three acres of land , well secure J , a cottage , and £ 20 or £ 30 to begin with . Their earnest gratitude to those who assist them under their sufferings , or even speak a kind or sympathising word to them , is unmistakcablc , and shames the Saxon blood . Air . Editor , I am an enthusiast with regard to the hind , and ask for nothing more than to be placed on two acres of land , with a cottage , and a low pounds to maintain me till tho crops arc ready . However bail

      the season , lam sure I could keep myself well and pay a large rent , besides practising many easy and profitable experiments i" agriculture . To bo free trom tho bondage of an employer , to be on two acres of land , is restoring a man in some degree to liis natural position—proud of himself as u ' nian . The idea , of five persons not being able to gee a good living off two acres , even in the worst season , is so contrary to authentic facts respecting the fertility of the soil , that it might be laughed at as ridiculous , but that it is used as a bugbear to keep the people in their present position—dependent on others for food . The cultivator of a neighbouring garden , of the same size as mine , tells me that liis little pateli yields potatoes , vegetables , and fruit , sufficient for himself and family . I have carefully examined Cubbet ' s statement , that a cow can be kept on a quarter

      of an aero of land , and 1 find helms asserted nothing but what can be easily done , especially if niangejwurtzpl bo grown instcadof Swede turnips . If a . similar statement wore mado with regard to the keeping of pigs , I think it would bo useful . Those who could give this and other information , are afraid to do so , lest they should enlig hten us about our own interests . Full of wordy p hilanthropy , they extol the small allotment system , wliilo they deprecate the idea of a working man having two or three acres , because of its insufficiency ; and yet , to encourage him in cultivating a few perches , they give statements of the large amount of produce obtained from small gardens , when well laboured and skilfully planted ; thus disproving their own assertions with regard to the two or three acres . Yours respectfully , Doncaster . Edward Waddisotok .

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      CHARTEHVILLE . AN ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OP THE NATI O NAL L A ND C O M PA NY . Brothers , —In laying before you the following acts of gross and illegal injustice to which we have been subjected , we would apologise for soliciting your aid at such a time , when the calls of humanity are so numerous upon your puvses , but the demands for equity and right aro so urgent for the present , and ominous for our future welfare—politically and socially—that we cannot refrain . It would appear that before tho mortar was dry that set the foundation stones of our " happy homes , " tho well-known Whig tactic " of ruining us by expenses or taxes" was put in motion by certain gentlemen-farmers of this place , the result of which has been that we are saddled with nearly one-third of the parish rates , although our estate comprises but about a tithe thereof ; that our poundage for rates is much beyond our rent-charge ; besides which there arc such monstrous

      irregularities in the valuation of dinerent fields , some of the poorest land being estimated considerably above the best , for which we are rated at nearly £$ per acre . These gentlemen-farmers are not rated at £ 1 per acre , for , in most instances , much better soil . These reasonable complaints we laid before them at our vestry meeting , but to no eftcct . We legally elected one of our members as an overseer , with the very laudable object of gaining redress , and looking to the interests of the poor , but tho magistrates , at their representation , illegally annulled the decision of the vestry , and put in power one of those gentlenun-farmers , who , although thus dubbed overseer , is not so in fact . We also chose a churchwarden , but were again set aside , contrary to law ; Brothers , in effecting this injustice these gentlemen-farmers have outstepped the bounds of prudence most disgracefully , by _ imputing " dishonest motives ;*' raising prejudice On account of , our . political opi-

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      < f / ' 6 v n . p ^ ,. t SLt * & < £ - "C- / £ i mons , and by fabricating mosfc wilful and malicious falsehoods . For the present , they in " fancies dream , themselves masters , and for the'f uture ;' mighty parish lords , but the spirit of man is not to bo thus i gnominiouslj trampled upon and'broken ; the rivets of local sla ' very shall never be Clinched * tte are determined , brothers ,-with or xuillwut your aid , " to run a tilt , ' . ' and free " ourselves from snclx unjust shackles . The Vendean Mar has already , began on the part of these gentlemen-farmers , aud we are entailing expenses that will demand tho response of men who abhor tyranny , whether , local or national , and desiro to see those noble- monuments of co-operation the abode of happy freemen . Signed on behalt' of the meeting , GuonoB Bubd , Chairman . Subscriptions will be received by Mr . Win . Smith , 25 , Brizenorton-road , Chartcrville . Postoffice orders made payable to him at Witney .

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      * Clinch is the name of the acting ortrseer . O'CONNOKVILLE .

      TO THE EDITOR OP THE XOHTHERN UTAH . Dear Sir , —Having seen an article in last week ' s Star t headed "A visit to O'ConnorWlIe , " of whosa composition I am perfectly aware of , from proceedings they were connected with whon at the estate on Monday , after all except themselves of tho visitors had left the estate , many of whom aro aware of the unfarourable circumstances I have laboured under since residing here , from many causes , which are a disgrace to the writer of that article , and others connected with it , who it appears write what they are ashamed to put their names too . ( They went away quite disgusted with the school grounds . ) It is a well known fact , stated by our- ' great chief , that the ground belonging to the sohOol-ljpuse is the worst upon tho estate , and . front ; want ^ o £

      drainage it was-under water , though standing , upon a hill , until tho latter end of May ; and from the iidd way it was grubbed up , and from its containing so much ' of the oxide of iron , and from having been a coppice , it is so infested with wood weeds , roots ; woodbines , fm 2 o , switch , grass , &e ., that it will tako not only a great amount of labour , but it wants a large amount of capital laid out to bVing . it into , cultivation . This is not my opinionJ . only , but * o £ several practical men who have seoa *' -ifc . For " mor e than , seven parts out of eight it is nothing move l ! uan ., a-hungry gravelly clay soil , which goes down awyp * ten feet , after which , wo find a beautiful . striitum of ' white sand , and then a hard black sand " stone . In the spring of ' 48 I spaded a quarter of an acre of the best of the land tor a kitchen garden , and

      manured it with lime and salt , ami ia ilia autumn with the refuse from the kitchen and water-closet , in which I planted a fine sort of cabbage , but was not able to cut any until the beginning of July . I sowed this spring half a pound of onion" seed in drills ( ten largo beds ) and shall not get a peck from the whole . Last year I sowed half an acre of wheat , and a quarter of barley , from which I did not get much more than the seed , which was of a very poor quality . And thisspring , from having no school , au < l a sick house , aud only u trifle per week coming iu from private teaching at gentlemen ' s houses iu the neighbourhood , and froiu executing some penand-ink views of scats in the i . eighbourliood , to support six childi on , myself and wiic , of which children the oldest is only seven years , consequently cannot ; bring anything in ; and myself not ono of the most robust . But the last few weeks , from visitors coming down and taking refreshments at tho school house , and from inv sumriving thorn with hot water , and

      preparing anything they migUt bring with them , lu > . s made things a little bettor with me , and i had begun to pare the turf to burn , so I miglit . be ableto get the land to bear the next season ; but from a S 2 > ucies of jealousy , on account of tliu Wiiittington . and Gat Club having wrote to me to provide rcfrcshmeuls , which 1 accordingly did , the day following a meeting was got up co memorialise the Conference for my immediate discharge , by bringing charges at that meeting which they could not substantiate , and which 1 met , though I knew not of any charges being about to be brought against me , nor even of the meeting , until it took place , and the / were obliged to expunge them from that memorial , so that they sent tho memorial void of charges . I sentiny defence to that Conference . Trusting your readers will see that I am compelled to make those statements , which ia a thing 1 would rather have left alono , but when a man ' s character is at stake it behoves him to justify himself when truth is on his side , I am , dear sir ,

      Youi' obouiout servant , . Daniel Graves . P . S . If your readers would wish to have the memorial to read , I will give you ; i copy for insertion , together with mv reply . D . S . O'Connorvillo School , August 13 th , 1 S 49 .

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      THE TRUSTEES OF TUB NATIONAL COOPE 11 AT 1 YE BENEFIT SOCIETY TO THE MEMBERS . Gentlemen , — Being men of nnprcsutning habits , we have no desire to appeal in the public prints , but as Messrs . Clark and M'Grath appear determined to occupy the columns of the Star , to the exclusion , of more ¦ valuable matter , we have no alternative but to give a brief reply to their very long statement , at tho same time protesting against the Chartist body ov tho public in general , having anything whatever to do with the matter . AVo also state that this is the only communication we shall make through the medium of the public press , our method will be to address the members only by

      circular . On the appearance of the statement put forth by Mr . Stallwood of the above society , Messrs . Clark and M'Gnith called together the members residing in London . The result was the appointment of us as Auditors mid Trustees . AVo met ; minutvly went through the accounts ; our first statement did not give satisfaction to Messrs . Clark and M'Grath—( tor Dovlu ' s name had ' only been used , ho having had no hand in the matter ) , and we were requested to meet again ami g ive a u ; orc detailed account . That account we laid before the members in

      London , and published in tho Slur . AVc an : oi opinion , that nothing less ' than tho annihilation of Mi . Stnllwoul would satisfy these gentlemen , who were never appointed Directors by the members , but only solicited to bo so by Mr . Stallwood at its commencement . It will also be remembered that two or three of those ( so-called ) Director . * , never contributed one farthing to the funds ot the Society . Thomai Clark paid sumcient to constitute him a , member , and shortly ulier claimed and received £ 10 on account of his wife ' s death ; receiving tho money in August , 1 S-18 , and has not contributed ono farthiiiL' since .

      We , tho Tnistous , think that the so-called Directors are useless , they having business enough on baud as Directors of the National Lund Company , as Directors of a National Freehold Benefit Society , as candidates for seats in Parliament , &c . ; and we thought it unnecessary to submit any more of the transactions of this Society to their inspections . Messrs . Chirk and M'Grath comment upon the charge for office rents ; theykno-. v it is discontinued , if their revengeful feelings would allow them to state the truth .

      They say in another paragraph , that tins passage from the report of the Trustees is valuable , as showing in what a pretty state the books of tllO Society have been kept . AVo can only reiterate , that we found the books of the . Society correct—so far ( 18 the General Secretary was coiicurned , but we eaiinot make him responsible lor the ln-glect ot local agents , wo leave that for members theinseives . AYe , the Trustees , have investigated the affairs of . the Society fearlessly . Our report is before youon that report we called upon you to act . ) 0 U Jliivo acted . All the agents ( with two exceptions only ) , t in their returns to tho

      have at the present time sen General Secretary . In conclusion , we again call on all friends favourable to the National Co-operative Benefit Society , to strengthen the Society by the addition of youug and healthy members ; and if Messrs . Clark , Doyle , and M'Gra ' th are anxious to form a Society , they can do so , aud those who think fit , will , of course , iom it . For ourselves , we shall adhere to the original , as we do not consider them at all identified with tho National Co-operative Benefit Society , of which wo have the honour to be the Trustees . ( Signed ) James Ghassby , William Siiute , James Peauce . — —

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      IIuDDERsriELD . —On Sunday last a democratic camp meeting was addressed by the old veteran Benjamin Itushton , of Halifax , and Christopher Sluckleton , of Queenshead . It w , -. s also announced that . a meeting would shortly be held in this town for the purpose of sympathising with the brave and patriotic Hungarians in their struggle for national independence . Nation-al Victim Commzttkk . — At a moetin ' , ' held at Hi , lli ;{ U Holborn , on Thurnkv evening-, Aug . 23 rd , Mr . T . Brown in tho chair , Messrs . E . Stall wood and J . M'Ycigli , auditors , brought lorward tho balance sheet , extending over a pe « od ot seventeen weeks—viz ., from the 5 th of April to the 20 th of July , 1849 . The sheet shewed that , during amounted to hun

      that period , the receipts had one - dred and three pounds nine shillings and one penny , and the expenditure to ono hundred : md two pounds eighteen shillings and one penny ; divided amongst - thirty families of victims , consisting of thirty grown persons and seventy children . The committee was anxious that tho receipts and expenditure should he published , so that the Chartist friends inight ' w stimulated to renewed exertions on behalf of ;' i > bereaved families of our Chartist victims , and , " »> , >( cordingly , passed a resolution , vequ&T [ n !^ S t .- \ l > Stallwood to write a paragraph for inSS ^ Uon ^ y ^ r r ^ people ' s organ—the Northern Stm \ / \ $ r ^| U ' " ^ tetrt

      To Tbk Oi^-Mmos.

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      ®F)Aru0t Intelligence.

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      v .. - \ . " . TVTio would be free ; r : Himsetfm-ist strike ~ ttieblow . "

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      VOL . ' Xfl . 'P . 618 . f . OWDOI SATIFRMY Mf » IffiF 2 li FMQ i-kme bivepence w — ' -WllJJUll , PiUU&jUjiU , \ v-IUtty P-I ; .-iU ^ l 0 gjy . Fire 8 hiHiHS 8 n , Sixpence per Quarter : l ^^^ ' ^ mm ~ r ~~ ? ^ T ^^^ ?** mm ~ " ^~~~ " >™~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ --- ~ - ™ -----------_«_______ .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 25, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1536/page/1/