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Northern Star (1837-1852), 7th December 1850, Edition 1 of 3, Page 5, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      Sb appearafllfc ' " *¦» " ?* . signal for convertiiig iLSl mil into " a p j *«* ^^ ° noise and confoaon—groans , hisseD , ana c ™" osils were intermingled with cheer'S f ° * ? 5 Union , Daniel Wbbsieb , Governor Bbigg & ana " Jeotiy Lejd ! " In vain he tried to be beard : equally in vain were the efforts of well-known popular American speakers . Misrule and uproar " had the upper hand . " Groans ' were given for John Bull—rings srere formed on the floor , and impromptu filiMBearsne §> to . { he 8 ign ^ ^ veraig .

      crchestra's of " whiBtlers" having been found , dances were commenced , —we suppose in the style of those which used to make Jtiba bo popular at Vauxhall . At length Mr . Thompson and his friends had to give op the battle . The gas was partially turned down , a policeman , by order of the City Marshall , requested that the hall should be cleared , and so ended Mr . Thompson ' s renewed attempt to address an American audience .

      If he did not succeed in gaining a hearing he , at least , had the satisfaction of appearing in print . The speech he intended to deliver was printed , in extenso , by the papers , and some passages of it read exceedingly like a bitter satire on the people , and the institutions of the States . Eloquent and impassioned , it is like every speech that Mr . Thompson delivers ; hut the expressions of his satisfaction at finding himself among the free and enlightened citizens of Boston , read oddly when taken in connexion with his actual treatment . The

      Anti-Slavery opinions of Mr . Thompson were not the only cause of his rough and unfriendl y reception . It would appear that there is an excessive jealousy of foreign interference with the internal policy of the Union , especially by JohxBuix . Tho groans for poor " Johx " were frequently repeated , and he was warned " not to interfere in onr affairs . " Now , whatever reason Cotjsin Jonathan may have for hating John Bull , we must say , that looking at the very free manner in which Americans take part in British and European politics , and public questions , they might be a

      little more republican , and less exclusive , when such visits are returned . Mr . Thompson , in Ilia speech , happily adverts to tho manner in -winch such persons are received among us : — In 'England , we are in the habit of welcoming many of the citizens of this country to our shores , and it has been my good fortune to have it in my power , sometimes to entertain at my humble board , the visitors who come among us . I trust that I nay say we are not wanting , either in individual or national hospitality . Some of those who thus honour us , come on missions of philanthropy and

      reform . They come to turn us from our evil ways , and to expose in the . elearer light with which you are blessed , our national sins and deformities . They come to rebuke the spirit of war—they come 4 o speak temperance—they come to point our distressed and struggling population to this land of premise , where no tithe-collector and rack-renting landlords spoil the husbandman of the fruit 3 of his industry . I think I may take upon me to say , that they have have not been ill-received . At least , I may say this—that those with whom I am identified , have ever given such good jnen a warm welcome , and their best wishes for their success .

      Perhaps the main reason of their conduct , however , is , after all , to be found in tbe consciousness that slavery is the real plague spot of their institutions—the one blot upon their scutcheon , which gives the lie to all their boasts of superiority over the rest of the world . It is the sore place of their social system , to which they cannot bear even a finger to be pointed . 3 ? eace Conferences , Temperance Heforms , and similar philanthropic movements , are very different from an Anti-Slavery movement . In -other respects , America sins in good company . If she is devonred by the spirit of conquest , and hungers after strange territory , none of the old monarchies can cast a stone at her . If

      a portion of her peop le wallow in the mire of intemperance other nations have their drunkards to lift out of the gutter . But America stands alone among civilised nations in its maintenance of chattel-slavery , and it cannot bear to have it tonched by strangers without -wincing to the core . A lesson of deep significance lies in these facts—whether men , or nations , forsake the "broad and safe path of justice , sure and certain retribution dogs their footsteps . The fate of the most powerful and flourishing Federation of Republican States ever seen in the Tvorld , now hangs upon the Slave Question . At varions periods of the history of the States it has threatened the destruction of the union ,

      and it is not at all unlikely that it may yet break it up . If so , the despots of Europe -would rejoice . There would then he a chance of sowing discord between the severed States , -of a vast and mi ghty Continent , which othervise might be a powerful means of making Europe inte a Federal Republic *

      Untitled Article

      Great Wobekb Men . —A lecture was delivered © a "Wednesday , at the Ennismore Arms , Princesgate , opposite the Crystal . Palace , by "William St . Clair , the person prosecuted by Messrs . Fox and Henderson , for the active part he has taken in the Glaziers' Strike . The subject was , " Great Working Men . " The lecturer , in an eloquent and impressive discourse , showed the general advantage of working men obtaining information , as a means of elevating their condition in society , and spreading happiness in their own domestic circles . He then , in an excellent and elaborate manner , dwelt On the varying characters , and commented on the beauties in the writings of the following charac ters eivine many happy anecdotes respecting them

      —Shakespeare , who was a woolcomber ; Ben Jonson , a bricklayer ; Robert Barns , a ploughman ; Bunyan , a tinker ; Thomas Chatterton , who died of ¦ starvation ; Allan Cunningham , Otway ; Tannahill , the celebrated Scotch poet , the loss of whose woriu Scotland willloDg deplore ; Wilson , the author of «• Tales of the Borders / ' who died under a cabstand ; Thomas Hood , the celebrated author of the " Song of the Shirt ; " Ferguson , the Poet ; Ferguson , the Astronomer ; Bobert and "William Chambers , Douglas Jerrold , and a host of others , including Thomas Cooper and Boberfc Owen ; on -whose characters he passed a high eulogium . All

      these mc » had sprang from tbe working classes , « nd would confer eternal honour upon them . He then entered upon the wide field of those working men who had attained eminence in the Aits and Sciences , including Kennie , Watts , and Stephenson ¦ and wound up tbe list by adding to them tue names of his late employers , Messrs . Fox and Henderson , the greatest contractors in tne world , and . men of immense genius and abilities , whose fame as engineers would never have been sullied had it not been for their late unfortunate dispute with their

      irorkpeople-a dispute in which he was , personally the greatest suflferer , but of which he would not then speak . He then entered into some details of iiisowilife , from which it appeared that he was acquainted with the Latin , French , and Spanish languages-had a knowledge of music and ° ther accomplishments—had written a drama-conducted a magazine in Stockport—and , in fact , seems to be a second Thomas Cooper . The large room was well Med , and tne lecturer was highly and deserredly applauded . This lecture is the first cf a

      aeries . H eijgiotjs Kioi ax Bibkexhead . — At a public meeting held on Wednesday in the Town Hall , to adopt an address to the queen ontue Papal Aggression , a desperate not easned , caused , it is said , by the police vigorously using their truncheons on the crowd collected outside the door . The mob retaliated , broke all the windows in the building , and . 80 severely beat two policemen that their li ? es are despaired o £ —Fbidat . —Birkenhead has resumed its usual quiet . The whole of the wounded parties are progressing farourably . A requisition is in progress of signature to the magistrates to summon Ihe adjourned meeting for Monday next . DBEADrci . Bon-rat Explosion ax Bradfobd . —a dreadful explosion took place on Thursday afternoon at the mill of Messrs . C . Ward and Co ., in

      Manchester-road . Two persona were killed , and three seriously injured . Tho tremendous destruction produced on the roof of the combing machine fihed , just behind where the boilers are situate , was produced by the dreadful violence with which the boiler was forced from its seat . Every boiler appears to be more or less damaged by the concussion , ind every one is broken from its seat . They will require re-setting . The windows in the lofty mill overlooki ng ihe sheds are smashed to pieces , as if the y had been battered with a thick shower of stones , and the wall thereof seems as if it had been recently splashed over with dirty water . Ubw Militia Act . — There are still rumours that the Duke of Wellington ha 3 at last convinced the Government the absolute necessity of ballotting the milit ia , and that we shall have a new Militia Act , and alw a bill for emitting jeamen , introduced BatM * si <» .

      Untitled Article

      O'CONNOR DEFENCE FUND . The response to ^ uTTppeal last week has f ° bee ? ° / a gratifying nature . The letters WCelVeu At this office prove that Mr . O'Connor ' s position Jias excited sincere and wide-spread sympathy , and thai with proper arrangements , that sympathy will shotfitself kdeed commensurate with the occasion . System and organisation , however , are necessary in such cases ; and , as this is one which especially demands prompt attention , it has been considered advisable to issue a circular containing the facts briefly stated , together with directions as to the course to be pursued in the various localities . ° ' ° NNOR DEFENCE FUJMD .

      The circular is so brief , and so much to the purpose , that we subjoin it , merely adding our earnest request , that its suggestions may be immediately acted upon , throughout ihe length and breadth of the country . " Northern Star" Office , London . By the recent decision of the Gourt of Queen ' s Bench in the case of O'Connor v . Bradshaw , F . O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., has been saddled with the costs of two protracted and expensive actions at law .

      A Select Committee of the House of Commons , after the most ample investigation into the affairs of " The National Land Company , " pronounced its proceedings to have been conducted throughout " lona-jide , " and added , that tbe personal character of Mr . O ' Connor , in relation to it , was unimpeachable and unimpeached . In the face of this Eeport , Mr . Bradshaw ,

      ( the Editor of a Tory journal published at Nottingham ) , accused Mr . O'Connor of personal dishonesty in relation to the Company . An action for Libel was immediately commenced , which terminated in the Jury return * ing a verdict grossly inconsistent with itself and with the facts , namely , " that tbe libeller was justified in his charges , hut that there was no ground whatever for any personal imputation on Mr . O'Connor ' s honesty 1 "

      The Judge , in summing up , acted the part of a hostile partisan , and misled the Jury into giving a verdict , which threw the entire costs of tbe action upon Mr . O'Connor . That gentleman tried tbe question again , by moving for a new trial in the Queen ' s Bench . The case was re-argued at great expense , hut , as the " Times" expressly Btates , the Judges " shirked'' the merits of the case in a cowardly manner , and refused a new trial on quibbles—again subjecting Mr . O'Connor to all tbe costs . This is but the last of a series of proceedings , all of which indicate a determination on the

      part of Government , and the law authorities , to deny justice to Mr . O'Connor , and to refuse him either redress for wrong done , or protection against injury . Tbe object is to " ruin Mm with expenses , " as advised by Lord Melbourne years ago . He has spent his life and fortime in the cause of the people , and has never travelled a mile nor eaten a meal at their expense . All who sympathise with an honeBt hut an oppressed man ,. are called upon to come forward liberally , and contribute to sustain him in this unequal contest .

      It is requested that you will immediately take steps to form a Committee in your town , to canvass for Subscriptions . It would be advisable to divide it into small districts , to appoint a collector to each , to announce that the Subscriptions will be collected simultaneously on a given day , say Saturday , the 14 th of December , or Monday , the IGtb , and thus show , by one general and hearty effort , that the people will not allow their advocate and champion to be victimised by Legal Frands and Governmental Chicanery . :

      Upon application to this office , collecting books , and every information that may be necessary , will be forthwith supplied to all who are desirous ef assisting in this good work . It is recommended that a per centage on tbe amount collected be allowed to all who undertake that duty ; the amount of 6 uch per centage to be fixed by the local Committee . The funds should be remitted immediately ( per Post Office Order , ) to Mr . "William Rider , 16 , Great 'Windmill-street , Haymarket , with a list of Subscribers ; and a due and full acknowledgement will appear in tbe "Northern Star" each Saturday . " A long pull , a strong pull , and a pull altogether "—now or never . William Eider .

      Untitled Article

      MONIES REGEIVED Fob ihb Week Enddjg Thdbsbat , Dbcembbb 5 th , 1850 . TOE THE THE HONESTY FUND . Received by W . Rider . —C . H . Greer , M . D ., Glasgow Is —B . iundy , HuU II—J . O ., Westminster Locality 2 s edit . Peacock , Jedburg Is—J . Shepherd , Halifax 6 d—J . F ., Glossop 2 s Cd-J . Russell , Bye 2 s Gd-J . Parkinson , Embsaj 6 d-H . Dugaale , Liverpool 2 s-R . Purvis , Shotleybridge 5 s—J . Wells , late of Bethnal-green Is—W . Hay wood , Norwood Is—Burnley , per W . Baldwin lls—J . Ainsworth , Bury Ss-J . Torr , Bristol Is-J , Oldfield , Huddersfield 2 s-A . i \ , Dunfermline 2 s—Norwich Chartist Association , per C . SpringhaU M—Manchester , National Charter Associationper J . Alcock U 10 s—TV . Damn , tfetherton , 5 s

      Cd-, Nottingham , per J . Sweet 10 s 7 d—IGss Sturgeon , WHloir-Btreet Is—JL Sadler Is—T . Whittaker , New Holland , near Hull 2 s Cd—Bury , per Mr . Jones Ss-Journeymen Tailors , at Mr . Chapman ' s , Bradford 5 s—G . Cable fid—W . Brooks , Spilsby 2 s Gd—T . Barr , Spilsby Is—Mr . Howarth ' s Family , Hulme 3 s—APriend , Wednesbury 2 s—From Kidderminster—W . Paton Is—J . Evels—C . W ., Tutbury Is—a few Demoeratg ,: Kirk $ tau Forge , near Leeds , per CRaistrick 3 s 8 d-FromMaidstone-G . T . Baker Is-R . "Wallis ls-From Bethnal-green—T . Turner Is—G . Turner 6 d—Chartist Association , Paisley , per A . Robertson ZU Jteceived at Laud Office . —S . W . ( 2 nd sub . ) Is—S . Yf . Afiica ls-J . Moody 4 d—W . Chandler Is .

      WINDING-DP OF THE LANB COMPANY . Received by W . Raws . —J . Shepherd , Halifex Gd—C . Pitman , Jersey Cd-J . Parkinson , EmbsajltM / . Pitman , Jersey ( 2 nd subscription ) 6 d-E . Dugdale , Liverpool Is—Bradford ( Yorkshire ) , Land ilemhers , per J . ConneU Illa 6 d—FromWigton , per T . Bell—J . TurnbuU If—W . Tickers ( 2 nd sub . ) 6 d—R . Tickers ( 2 nd sub . ) 6 d—T . Koper ( 2 nd snb . ) 6 d—R . Purvis , Shotley-briilge us—J . Wells , jate of Bethnal-green Is-J . Torr , Bristol Is—G . Satchffe , Burnley 6 d—0 . Jackson , Burnley Is—J . Oldfield , Huddersfield Gd—Prom Dunfermline—A . F . 5 s—J . F . 5 s—J . O . 5 s—Dodhurit-browBraneh , per J . BowdenSs—Nottingham , per J . Sweet Is—Mr . Brown , Whittington and Cat 6—Mr . % , Sturgeon , Willow-street 6 d—Mr . Sadler Is—Fire Members , Bury St . Edmunds , per J . Brabrook 2 s 6 d—Brighton , per Yf . John , Brook Mills IS 18 s 3 d-Kiddermin 8 ter , per W . Paton 4 s—Messrs Laeey , TV . Robinson . M . Robinson , CleanUj and Flinton , Scarborough 2 s Gd—MesBrs . Barker , Welsh , and Tear , Northampton 3 s . Received at Land Office . — Northampton 1 / Gs 6 d—S .

      DalsaU 6 d—T . Stonkey Cd . FOB THE HUNGARIAN AND POLISH REFUGEES . Received by TV . Bides . —J . Torr , Bristol Gd—Nottingham . pei-J Sweet 2 s Gd—Efissrs . Sturgeon . Willow . street Is 6 d —Dorking Chartists , per W . Roomes 7 s—Cheltenham , per E Sharland 2 s 6 d—Mr . Frost , Croydon Is—Ashton-under-Lwe , per J . Taylor 21 . Received at Land Office .-Northampton , per J . Stanner 6 s 6 d . Received by Joint AMOTT ^ -Bradftrd , perU . HinchclifFe 16 s-part proceeds ofC oncert , held attheRock . lisson ^ roveJEmmett ' sBneade ) , per Mr . Blake 9 s id-J . H . ls-O . K . 3 d . AGITATION FOR THE CHARTER . Received by John AiwoTr . -Exeler , per G . Bird 2 s-W . JaS Cambridge ls-M . Sullivan ls-A *™ nd . <>* - i a . of QriThree Friends 9 d—Rojton . per J . B . Hors-MM&m Bromwicb , per W . f ^ . ° * ^ Bloomfield lOs-Ljnn , £ 3 ffif £ «? 5 & Bird 7 d-Tahwicn , per WGarrardl 28 ™^

      . . __ _ ..., „ ,.. » RACT puND . Received by John Aworr . -Haffick , per J . A . Hogg 3 , Tshwich , per W . Garrardls . FOR LIQUIDATING THE DEBT ^ DUE TOI THt TREA SURER OFTHE NATIONA L CHARTER ASSOCIATIUW . Received by Jon * ABSorr . -Cowpsn CoUiery ^ " -Mr . Roberta Blond M-TVorkmen , Great Korttem * £ jTOf -O . D ., HoxtonNew Town 2 s Gd-Sheffield National uewrm League , ptr G . Clarkson 5 s .

      Untitled Article

      BEvIYAIi QF , ? PRT ISJlf IN _ IRE . LAND . — CHALLENGE ? 6 , J ~ vS , O'CONNELL , ESQ ., M . P . BEvIYAI * QF CgARTISM IN

      IREOn Tuesday , the 26 th ultimo , being the day after the Municipal Elections , the usual weekly meeting of " some half dozen hangers on of the old Repeal Delusion , " a farthing a week , a penny a month , and a shilling a year , / ' was held at Conciliation Hall ; at which , it appears by the Dublin papers , Mr . John O'Connell made a wanton and unprovoked attack on Mr . O'Higgins , for which he has assigned no better reason than that of his being a Chartist , and having had twice as many votes as Mr . M'Loughlin , who was the nominee of Mr . John O'Connell .

      " Oh ! " said this conciliatory gentleman , "it is a national disgrace to be thus ignominiously beaten by a Chartist —( hisses)— by Paddy O'Higgins , the Chartist . ( Hisses . ) The ^ venerable patriot , the bosom friend of my father , turned out by the supporters of Paddy O'Higgins , the Chartist . " Mr . O'Higg ins replies to this tirade in a letter published in the Freeman ' s Journal , of the 29 th ultimo , in which he challenges his assailant to an open discussion on the merits of Chartism . " PADDY O'HIGGINS , THE CHARTIST . "

      TO JOHN 0 CONNELL , ESQ ., M . P . Sib , —Be so good as to accept my sincere and hearty thanks for having introduced my name and the politics I avow , cherish , support , advocate , and stand by , to the meeting of the Loyal National RepealeM of Ireland . I am under an obligation to you . In the estimation of you , Sir , and those lovers of justice and fair play who hissed an absent man , it may be considered great presumption in " Paddy O'lli ^ rgins , the Chartist . " to think for himself at all . How dare he hold fast by the political creed which was for many a long day taught and advocated by the Liberator himself , but which latterly he placed in abeyance , in hopes of attaining some benefit to his country from the Whigs ? Is it a crime to be a Chartist ? If so show us where the crime exists , in order that we may abandon it .

      The Liberator did not think that it was a crime to boa Chartist , when he said at a great meeting at the Crown and Anchor , and also at several other places , " that he who is not a Chartist is either a knave who profits by the evils of misrule , or a fool upon whom facts and reason make no impression . " I believe that the Liberator spoke the truth . Do you believe it ? These remarkable words of that groat man are on record . They cannot be blotted out even by sneers . May I respectfully ask you again , do you believe that the Liberator spoke truth ? Kow , as I have already said , I do believe it .

      Perhaps it may bo of some use to you to know the exact reason why the venerable patriot , Cornelius M'Loughlin , whom I respect as much , or perhaps more , than you do , was so low on tbe poll at the municipal election of the ward in which I reside . Believe me , Sir , and if you do not there are several other credible persons who will give you the same information , that Mr . M'Loughjin'a position , which you seem to deplore , was entirely and exclusively owing to his having had the fortune of being your nominee . Had you not meddled in the matter , I have reason to know that his position would have been very different indeed . It is due to the honest and independent burgesses who had the courage to vote for me , to mention that they did not give their votes to

      me in opposition to Mr . M'Loughlin , but because they knew that I rendered more service to the burgesses of this ward , than all the other candidates together , and , what is more , the candidates themselves , with one exception , will bear testimony to the fact . It is also well known that had I canvassed the burgesses , I would have been triumphantly returned . However , there is some comfort in knowing " That there is a good time coming—a good time coming . " You appear to have as great a horror of Chartists and Chartism , as those who are ignorant of Catholicism have of the Pope and the Papists . This being clearly tlj ^ e case , it becomes my pleasing duty to subjoin the objects and principles of Chartism for your enlightenment , and that of all others who are mistaken like yourself .

      Now , with the view to put an end for ever to all misrepresentation and an < jry feeling about Chartists and Chartism , I hereby challenge you to an open , fair , and amicable discussion before a public meeting , either in the Botunda or Music Hall , twelve honest upright citizens to he chosen as judges , six by you and six by me—the verdict of tbe majority to decide the points at issue . I hereby undertake to advocate the following propositions , and to abide by the decision of the twelve judges : — 1 st . —I shall prove that the means heretofore employed to Repeal the Union are not adequate to the end . 2 nd . —That the People ' s Charter contains the surest , the safest , and the shortest means to achieve that most desirable end .

      CO . YDITIOXS . 1 st . —That in the event of failing to prove these two propositions , I shall pay the expenses of tho meeting . 2 nd . —Should you fail to prove the converse of these propositions , you shall pay the expenses . Now , sir , you are a learned barrister with all the advantages of a most liberal education . I am not even half educated , and what is still more disadvantageous , my head is a wool-gathering , nevertheleis , I shall enter the lists with you . I hope that you will not shrink from the challenge , the more especially as it comes from a man whom you and yours have held up to public ridicule for the last thirteen years . Patbick O'Higouns . 15 , North Anne-street , 27 th Nov ., 1850 .

      Untitled Article

      The puck of Deputy Raswr © f Windsor Park , racant by the death o'i Si * Tnoma * Fremantle , has Jeln conferred on Ca ' ptaiB J . B . Seymour , one of

      Untitled Article

      I NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ~ oF ~ I UNITED TRADES . J . 5 ; dwcomb » , 1 a % , M . P ., President , Smilishtd 1815 . " FiAf JWTML . " "Ifit wwa passible for the Hotting classes , by com-Dining among themselves , to raise , or keep up the general rate of wages , it need hardly be said that this would be a tning not to be punished , but to be welcomed and rejoiced atl ' iSTUABT AIJM ,, A Pamphlet of twenty-six demy-octavo pages has been sent to us , with the following title :- « The Tinmen ' s Strike ; a Letter to treorge Robinson , Esq ., late Mayor of Wolverhampton , by Edward Perry , Japan and Tinware Manufacturer . " 1 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION " oT

      This pamphlet , which has been compiled with considerable ability , under the immediate superintendence of Mr . E . Perry , like everything which emanates from that egotistical worthy , is replete with flippant impertinence , rancour , and gross misrepresentation . In the form of a letter to Mr . Robioson , the iate mayor of Wolverhampton , he takes the opportunity of publicly insulting that gentleman for his kind and generous efforts , in

      conjunction with some of the most disinterested and experienced of the local magistracy , to bring the unhappy disputes between him and bis workmen to an amicable arrangement . Almost at the commeucement , he launches out in the following impertient strain , conveying a direct imputation upon . the motives of that learned gentleman and his colleagues acting with him upon that occasion , at the personal request of Mr , Perry himself ;—

      Before I proceed to dissect your remarks in the Wolvtrhampton Chronicle , before I strip them of the complexion which ingenuity has given them , and present them in that which ingeniousnoss should have made them wear , it may perhaps be necessary to open your eyes to the fact that other and infinitely greater interests than mine are involved in the resistance I am offering to the efforts of the emissaries of Trades' Unionism , whom you have thought proper to admit to your councils and introduce to the favourable attention of certain brother magistrates .

      You ave the ex-mayor of Wolverhampton , whilst I am merely one of her most extensive manufacturers . You have no direct interest in the " strike " of the tin-plate workers , whilst I have an immediate and serious personal stake in it . Your connexion with it has been in the sole capacity of hearer of an appeal addressed to you , whilst mine has been in the position of principal appellant . You , therefore , might reasonably have been expected to look much further beyond tne and my interests in the matter than it was probable I should look—to take a more enlarged and comprehensive view of other interests involved , and of its remotest bearings , than it was natural for me to take . Your conauct , however ,

      affords too much reason to conclude that I alone have had a view to the interests of the entire community of which we are members and of which you were lately chief magistrate . The important and obvious fact that the most vital interests of the town ' and trade of Wolverhampton are identical with my humble personal interests in this struggle —nay , that the former are involved in greater proportion than the latter—appears never to have occurred to you ; for it is impossible to conceive that you would have pursued a course so palpably calculated to subvert these interests as that of vouchsafing aid and encouragement to their enemies , if you had taken cognizance of this fact .

      Now we apprehend , in this case the mayor and magistrates had nothing at all to do with any interests but those of the parties upon whose disputes they had been invited to adjudicate . We suspect they rightly performed their duty , in confining their consideration to the facts before them , and not assuming , as Mr . Perry would have had them , that "the most vital interests of the town and trade of Wolverhampton" were in the slightest degree identified with the personal interests of so unimportant an individual as Edward Perry . He then proceeds in this strain : —

      la the disastrous history of the neighbouring town of Kidderministcr unknown to you ? and is it possible that you do not perceive that Wolverhampton is threatened with'precisely the same evil under which Kidderminister so long groaned , and from which Bhe waa ? o Ion ? un ; ible to recover ? Dj you not know what Trades ' ' Unionism did there ?—what , if suffered to provaiJ , it will do here ?—and what it is its inevitable tendency to do everywhere ? Have you yet to learn that a twenty-two weeks' " strike " among her carpet weavers plunged Kidderminister in distress for a long sories of years , closing her manufactories , sinking or transferring her capital , depreciating the value of her property , paralising her retail trade , pauperising her operatives , and enormously increasing her poor ratea ? And is it necessary for me to inform you that at the

      present moment , when comparative prosperity has at length revisited her , the very delegates whom you are countenancing here are extending their operations to Kidderminster—are visiting that town from week to week , and exerting their utmost energies to plunge her . again into the calamities from which she has so recently emerged ? It you are ignorant of this , or if you doubt my testimony on the point , I beg to refer you to their own weekly vaunts of their journeys and doings there , in the columns of a certain infamous vehicle of 11 Land Schemes , " " Trades' Union" schemes , and various other schemes for imposing on the too credulous operative classes and plundering them of their hard earnings . It is scarcely necessary to add that I allude to Peargua O'Connor ' s "Newspaper , " (!) tho Northern Star .

      This allusion to the doings of Trades ' - TJnionism in Kidderminister is peculiarly unfortunate , as all the evils attendant or consequent upon the strike , arose from the absence of , or from the imperfect form of the union of that period ; and that the Carpet "Weavers of that town have , since they joined the National Association of United Trades , been entirely free from any attempts to reduce their wages , and that , under its influence , the very best feeling has been maintained , during the last

      two years , between the employers and employed ; and , moreover , the extended circulation of the " Northern Star" in that district , has very much contributed to strengthen and maintain this improved state of things . As for the uncourteous terms used by Mr . Perry , in reference to that journal , we leave him in the hands of the editor , premising merely that the National Association and the working classes generally , are deeply indebted to Mr . Peargus O'Connor , for his generous and disinterested conduct to the sons of toil . Mr .

      Perry then proceeds , m language which he intends for abuse , to bear truthful testimony to the zealous and successful efforts of the Cental Committee , to extend the influence of the National Association to other towns , and to other trades , besides Wolverhampton and the Tinmen . Already , indeed , have the delegates commenced operations with other classes of operatives in Wolverhampton . In the Northern Star of the 2 nd

      instant , the weekly report of the secretary of the Trades' Union says : — " On Monday evening Mr . Winters attended a meeting of the Wrought Coffeemill Makers , of Wolverhampton , and , in a lengthened address , explained the objects and principles of the National Association . The greatest interest was manifested , heightened considerably , no doubt , by the practical workings of the movement immediately under their observation . The result was , a unanimous resolve to join the Association forthwith . "

      And , in a letter signed "Frederick Green , " which appears in a later number of the same paper , I find it stated : — " Last evening Mr . Winters and myself held a meeting of the Iron Braziers , who , immediately after we had explained the objects of the National Association , formed themselves into a society for the purpose of joining our union . They will ^ ay their money on Monday next . " Thus is it clear , that these men not only have an interest , as the Times shows , in setting- no bounds to their operations , but that they are setting none .

      Mr . Perry , In a previous extract from the " Times , " and by applying those remarks to the Central Committee , insinuates that they have an interest in fomenting discord between employers and employed . Now the fact is , if the Central Committee have any personal interest , it is notoriously of exactly an opposite character . Their highest interest is in a rigid and impartial performance of their duties ; which consist in preventing , and not promoting strikes . The secret of whatever influence or popularity they may possess among their members , arises not from the strikes they have promoted , but from the numerous disputes they have succeeded in reconciling . And Mr . Perry himself kaows how stteuuoualy Messrs , ( freeu

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      and Peel 5 tr 6 Vd , in the present case , to bring it to an amicable arrangement J to such an extent , indeed , as to extort from him unwilling ¦—and very likely , insincere—compliments , for tboir prudence anuufeit y flJSif l ° " J nVited the MMfa " * ° " ^ ? Z ^ uT t ' Ameetin g * »» masters WaS held for that purpose , and failed , from Mr . Perry's . ridiculous egotism , which disgusted the gentlemen who condescended to meet him on that occasion . Then succeeded . ^ " ^ Z ± T , ., . ~ , ¦ ^ ....

      the Conference of the four masters and the men , at which conference not only did the Perrys consent to recognise the Delegates as arbitrators and advisers of men , but Mr . G . Perry expressed a desire that they should be present in that capacity . So much for "interested strike promoters . " This attempt failed , and in the very last interview had with Mr . E . Perry , as the representative and agent of the other three masters , did ho repeat his commendations upon the judicious and conciliatory proceedings of the " strike promoting delegates . " 5

      As , however , it was found impracticable to induce the masters to make any , the slightest , concession—not to promote , but to prevent a Strike—the men were advised to form a new "book , " framed upon a principle thrown out at the Conference , and , as Mr . E . Perry says , " jumped at by Mr . Peel , " as affording a means b y which the differences might be a <\ - usted . The prices of the four principal masters were averaged , and upon that average a new book was framed , involving a reduction to the men working at Messrs . Watson ' s and Shoolbred ' s—a generous sacrifice which those

      men cheerfully assented to , rather than prolong the existing differences , An act of magnauimity : which Mr . E . Perry , nor either of his clique , seem capable of appreciating , much less of imitating . It seems not possible for Mr . E . Perry to deal with the simplest fact without so distorting and twisting it that it loses not only the name , but even the appearance of truth ; and thus , to serve a momentary purpose , he chooses to magnify this reduction to seven shillin gs a week , and offers this as an example of the benefits conferred by the unionist delegates upon the Tinmen not on strike . Let us , however , assume that Mr . E . Perry is correct—as those prices are still full ten per cent higher than E . Perry ' s—what a

      damning fact against himself , and those for whom he confessedly is acting . This seven shillings , with an additional ten per eent ., which we may reasonably take at three shillings per week , makes ten shillings—tho measure of the plunder , so dishonourably , so wickedly wrung by him , from the fifty men whom h . e has been ihus wronging for the last nine years , upon his own showing . This annual exaction would amount , for the whole period of nine years , according to Cocker , to £ 11 , 700 , as the difference upon fifty men's wages for nine years , between the prices paid by Mr . Walton and Mr . Perry . We cannot , for the life of us , perceive how the town and trade of Wolverhampton can be interested in the continuance of

      such a wholesale system of pillage . It rather appears to us that the Tinmen mi ght have been benefitted , if Mr . E , Perry had been as just a man as Mr . Walton , and the town and trade of Wolverhampton materially advantaged , by having a well-paid , well-fed , and well-clothed population . He then endeavours to throw upon the National Association the responsibility , first , of the heavy levy now paying by the tinmen for the support of those who , by their neglect in keeping their payments of 2 id . per week , according to the rules of tho Association , havo

      rendered themselves ineligible to its pecuniary support , and are thus the means of subjecting the trade to an additional levy ; and , secondly , to the alleged distress . of some of the wives of those unfortunate dupes who have thought proper to leave Mr . Perry and his agreements . We have a very short and simple answer to these charges . Every man who joins the National Association has a copy of its laws- ; and if they neglect to fulfil their part of the contract , they are themselves responsible for the consequences . Every tinman who was eligible to the support of the Association , and required

      it , has received their full aliment , according to rule , being 12 s . 6 d . per week . As for the unfortunate women and wives of the weak men , who would thus sacrifice their own libeiiy and the happiness of their wives and children , we can but pity them . They are not members of the National Association , are not entitled , and have not received one penny from its funds . The Central Committee advised—and tlrs advice was acted on—that every man who entered into those disgraceful agreements , after the commencement of this struggle , should be expelled from the Association . And they further advised the tinmen to have nothing to do

      with these men ; and so scrupulously Las this policy been carried out by the Central Committee , that when Mr . Perry's hired men left their work in a body , they were advised to immediately return to their work , which they did . Mr . Perry is perfectly aware of all this , but with his usual disingeniousness , he seeks , through this pamphlet , to create a prejudice against us , which he knows we are not obnoxious to . To such an extent , indeed , does Mr . Perry carry his audacious insinuations , that we are indirectly charged with being the abettors of every species of violence , and even of murder , as the following extract will show : —

      I sincerel y wish I could here close my statemen of the evils inflicted upon our misguided operatives ; but , serious as they are up to this point , more serious ones have yet to be related . I have hitherto referred only to the physical debasement which tho men ' s tempters have entailed upon them ; moral debasement has , I fear , accompanied it in too many instances . On this head , however , I wish to touch sparingly , I would fain believe that as far as evil influences have been suffered to operate on the working men concerned , there ave few among the hitherto manly operatives of Wolverhampton who are not yet proof against all attompts or tendencies to convert them into assassins or . abettors of

      dinbolical proceedings of any kind . It is with this feeling that I have hitherto attached little importance , ana made no public mention of one or two instances of personal violence directed against my property and persons . in my employ . Some unseen miscreant aimed a deadly missile at the head of one of my men whose wiser conduct had rendered him obnoxious to those on " strike ; " and I said nothing of the circumstance , although the intended victim was working in one of my 8 hops when thia attempt was made from without . Some petty depredations , too , have recently been directed against my premises , of which I have made no complaint . I was silent

      on those occasions , because I was unwilling that my inability to point out the actual offender or offenders , should render the men generally suspected of participating in , or abetting this sort of conduct ; and also , because I was willing to believe that no Wolverhampton operative was the perpetrator—no Wolverhampton operative capable of such atrocity . A brother manufacturer , however , has communicated to me a circumstance which , if it does not prove that some of ouv own operatives have been rendered ripe for the actual perpetration of the most diabolical crimes , too greatly tends , I fear , to show that they have been induced to extend their sympathies to such perpetrators . My informant

      thus writes : — " I forgot to tell you that there was a collection in our Tin-shop , for the two villains who threw a canister of gunpowder at a Sheffield manufacturer ' s bed-room window , with a view to murder him ; and I believe the collection was general throughout this town , as regards the Tin-trade . " The series of atrooiouB occurrences hi Sheffield , of which that alluded to forms an instance , are doubtless not unknown to you . It was in reference to some of them that the leading article in the Times , from which I have already quoted , waa penned ; and it might be well to quote the portion of the article more immediately referring to the case mentioned by my correspondent : —

      It is not necessary to give the extract from the " Times "—it was inserted at the time in this journal , and commented on . But Mr . Perry seems to act upon tho principle of " throw dirt enough—some of it will stick ;" and the following clumsy attempt to wipe some of it off , but showa his matchless hypocrisy ;—I am aware that I have no warrant for saying or insinuating that the individuals who are leading tha Wolverhampton tinmen on the present occasion have , acted as the Times says there ia almost wresis-\ U % evident vae leaders of the Sheffield workiwa

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      m& nor -y « t-th » t they are capable of so actine SRa ^ u ^ ^^" ^ e conduct of S ! Hffii , ? ° * a > frMnoi » S us has been , I them is to \ n sor 7 act 80 uncharitable towards ? the commuStL hem <* de 3 i S ™ of tbis ^ But tion for ffiB £ K t ( \ , e as t 0 the colIec - the :. ircunistanoesmay j « t& b . JiSCtt 53 SlS for I ani »?~ » ° * spmt existed among Wolfeihampton tin men before they submitted to the guidance of these * flien ; and I can well conceive how inflaming the an' 57 passionsi of the operatives as these parties have inflamed them may excite such a spirit , even when not' intended . of

      Ab regards the sto ^ y the canister of gunpowder , we know it was charged against some of the workmen of Sheffield ; but we said at the time , as it turned out , that it was a hasp fabrication ; and it is a foul libel upon the tinmen of Wolverhampten to say , that they ever subscribed one farthing for any each miscreants . And here again the cloven foot protrudes itself . More than one year before this new gunpowder plot , we believe a subscriptionwas raised among the tinmen of Wolverhampton , arid other towns , to defend Drury , BbIIos ,

      Hall , and Marsden from ono of themost diabolical conspiracies by the " Perrys , " of Sheffield , that ever was hatched against iunocent men . Palpably absurd as the distortion of this simple fact is , he thinks it is of a sufficiently bygone date to escape detection ; and be seizes upon it , therefore , as a fit incident to damage the character of the tinmen in the estimation of their townsmen ; and to insult , by imposing upon the credulity of the respectable gentleman to whom this pamphlet is ad » dressed , and to those who are to be favoured with its gratuitous circulation .

      We are no peace-breakers , nor the advocates or apologists for peace-breakers . We believe there has been very little of it during this struggle ; but , certainly , the strongest instance of it that we know of , was that of Mr . ex-Town Councillor George Henry Perry , who was fined = £ 5 for a cowardly and ruffianly assault upon one of the tinmen . The important meeting at the theatre—the meeting among-the hired men—the ignominious rejection from the Council—the adverse verdict of the magistrates , are circumstances following each other so rapidly , as are well calculated to intensely wound and lower the pride of the Perrys ; hence the bladder of gall » which he has thrown with so much vehemence

      at all those who have in any way contributed to his discomfiture . Mayors , magistrates tinmen , and Chartist , str ike-promoting delegates , are alike bespattered and smothered with his dirty filth . Penjj with his usual disregard for truth , asserts , that he did not apply for the friendly offices of the mayor and magistrates , as mediators or arbitrators , but for protection . If he could have charged any one with having injured him in person or property , he could and would have demanded and obtained that

      protection , not in the private office of the mayor , but in open court . But the fact is , he applied privately to that gentleman with the intention of ear-wigging him with an exparte statement of the case , and thus drawingfrom him a prejudice , because one sided judgment . Mr . Perry appears to have forgotten that hewas making avery improper application to an upright and highly honourable magistrate * He will not soon forget the prompt and dignified reply he got to his application ; " No , Mi \ Perry , I cannot listen to aDy exparto BtatementSi I must have both parties before me , and I shall then be most happy to tender

      my good offices for the arrangement of these unhappy disputes . " This was the substance , we believe , of what passed upon that occasion . A day was appointed for hearing tho case , and the mayor himself condescended to write a letter—we believe at Mr . Perry ' s requestto be read by Perry ' s foreman to the men , inviting them to appoint a deputation , which . Mr . Perry immediatel y designed should be four of his own creatures—not those , be it understood , who were the real parties aggrieved —not those who were on " strike , '' but four of his own hired , but still mutinous slaves . It was to the manly firmness of John LawJey and another—who though among them , are not of them—that we are indebted for the blowing to

      pieces this consummate dodge . We dictated the only terms that we thought the mayor ' s proposition would be met with . The men were firm , and Perry , though almost mad with vexation , was compelled to submit . The terms were accepted by the mayor and himself , as is proved by his attendance , although hs tried to induce the magistrates to exclude Messrs . Green and Winter from speaking ; but it was the condition upon which the proposition of the meeting was assented to , and had been accepted by the mayor , who very properl y overruled—for the sound reasons assigned- — Perry ' s objection . There is not one of these facts that Perry can , or does deny , he only distorts them to suit his own bad purpose .

      We must postpone , until next week , the conclusion of our strictures upon this studiously insulting production . We , however , append a translation of a letter we have had forwarded to us , from one of the Frenchmen who have been so infamously kidnapped by these delectable brothers , WiluamPeel , Secretary . 259 , Tottenham-court Eoad .

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      The Co-operative PmNciPiE . —Strong exertions are making in the manufacturing districts to giva further trial to the co-operative principle of labour . At a meeting of factory operatives , held last week in the Old Meal House , Manchester , to sympathise with the weavers in Warrington , who have recently been thrown out of employment by the disastrous turning of a mill , which gave work to 1 , 200 hands , and also to encourage the hands of Sir ElkanaU Armitage , of Tendleton Mills , in their present resistance to what they deem a lovier rate of wages than they are entitled to receive , some curious

      statements were made with regard to tho power of the working classes , by co-operation , to raise themselves to a comfortable and independent position . Mr . Chappell , one of the principal speakers , said that the weavers of Sir Elkanah Armitage , now upon the " strike , " determined to do something permanently to benefit themselves and their families . Lad united their small means , and having secured a mill in Pendleton were about ^ ' ftt ^ x com menoe manufacturing on their own account , m Bump , he said , there was a ready ^ s . mlar esta a >

      blishmen in operation , ^* $ * $££ ' ffS . S ^ HSSS ^ iSwWrM ^ lwe ^ arowofhOTiWb with an engine-house at the end of the row ; white a shaft was to extend right through the back bedrooms ( in each of which four looms were to be put up ) so that they could thus weave cloth for them * selves . A co-operative corn mill in Halifax , which yielded a profit of £ 50 a week , was bIbq noticed by a ir , Chappell ,

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      "Wolvorhampton , Dec . 2 , 1850 . In the name of the French workmen , I write to you unreservedly . We were deceived by Mr . Perry , manufacturer . He came himself to us at Paris , and we conscientiously asked him if he came to seek Frehoh -workmen to undertake work that English workmen refused ? He replied , " No ; I come to seek you to work for exportation . " With ; this understanding we started , but , on our arrival , what was our disappointment on finding that tha journeymen Tin-plate Workers of Wolverhamptoa ¦ were on strike , in consequence of three establishments being unwilling to pay the price paid by other masters . We are eight French workmen , and on our arrival they forced us to sign an engagement which they did not offer us at Taris . Vi ' e do not understand the English language ; and , seeing that they had advanced us money , we were obliged to sign an engagement for six months , at the price they p aid the English workmen two years ago . Bear in mind , that the French custom on the side of the workman is to be independent , and not to injure the workmen of any nation of the world . We signed the night we arrived ; but , seeing the state of things , we were not willing that those who came after us should sign . If they return , we shall be happy , and we will do all we can for thia object . This is not to deceive you ; it is a thing easily proved . We were acquainted with the cause , but it Trill not be repeated , - I salute you , A , Somnxy ,

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      TWO ISTBEKSTDJO AaniCULTUEAL PBODUCHONS have just been introduced into France from tne Equadorby U , Boarder , formerly Conuul-General of France in that country . The one is the red and yellow hocas , -which is of the form of a long potato , and has the taste of a chesnut ; the other M the miUoco , which has the- taste and form of our best potatoes . These two productions , which are found in great abundance , in the neighbourhood of Quito , grow readily in . the poorest land . They have been sent to the Jaidjn de » Plantes , whac « bo . speeimea ofth 9 ^ Q& £ a& fe » &tK&re . &ttB » ^

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      December 7 , 1850 . THE ^ Q ^ THERN STAR . . 5 —Liar ^—n- """"» n r " £ » ¦

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      THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER Is founded upon the pure ' and genuine principles of Radical Reform ; its motto is , ' Peace—Law-Order ; " and its object is , to secure a full , free , and complete representation of the people in the Commons House of Parliament .

      PRINCIPLES . 1 . —That the power of making laws for this realm is , by the Constitution , lodged in the hands of the king , the lords of parliament , and the representatives of the commons . 2 . —That it is required by the principles of the Constitution , that the whole body of the people should be really represented in the House of Commons . 3 . —That the present system of virtual representation is not real representation , and is , therefore , no representation at all . 4 . —That those who have no votes for electing representatives are the slaves of the representatives of those who have votes . 5 . —That where there is no representation , there can be no constitutional power of taxation .

      6 . —That the rich and the poor , being of the same species , are under the same laws of nature : and being alike capable of benefit or injury from their legislators , neoessarily have in the election of those legislators the same right ; but the rich , in defence of their liberty and property , have every advantage which wealth , knowledge ,, and the purchased power of others afford them , while the poor , destitute of these , have no security but in the purity of legislation , nor any means of self-defence , but in the repossession of the elective power . The poor , then , have an equal right , but more need , to elect representatives than the rich .

      THE PEOPLB ' fl BIGfiJS . 1 . —That every male inhabitant of Great Britain and Ireland ( infants , inBane persons , and criminals only excepted , ) is of common right , and by the laws of God , a free man , and entitled to the full enjoyment of political liberty . 2 . —That it is essential to a man ' s political liberty that he have a share either in legislation itself , or in the electing of those who are to frame the laws , which although they ought to protect him in the full enjoyment of those absolute rights which are vested in him by the immutable laws of nature , may yet be fabricated to the destruction of his person , his property , his religious freedom , his family , and his fame ; that , therefore , Umverbal SorFRAoa is

      m an inherent right . 3 . —That it is a natural right of the people of this empire , and required by the principles of thfl Constitution , that they elect a new house of representatives once at least in every year ; because , whenever a parliament continues in being for a longer term than one session , then thousands who since it was chosen have attained to man ' s estate , ( that ia to say , the age of twenty-one years , ) and are , therefore , entitled to enter into immediate possession of that elective power which is their best and most sacred inheritance , are , in that case ,

      unjustly denied their right , and excluded , from the enjoyment of political liberty . 4 . —That it is , therefore , right and just that all the male inhabitants of this kingdom , ( infants , insane persons , and criminals excepted , ) shall fully , fairly , and completely enjoy the elective franchise , that it is to say , Universal Suffrage ; that , in order to protect the poor elector against tyranny , the voting shall be by Ballrft ; that the Parliaments shall be Annual ; that 'the Property Qualification shall be abolished ; thaVthe whole empire shall be divided into Equal Elettoral Districts ; and that the representatives of thfj people shall be Taii ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 7, 1850, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1603/page/5/