Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 10th May 1851, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1, Untitled Article

Page 1
Page 1
1 of 8

On this page

  • Text (12)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      JIy FaffiSBS ,--You see-the fix that the government is matthe presentmoment ; ' and If it bid iiot been 'for your disuuion , the position of the Government " wbnld ' lje very Afferent . : . ' . . ; \ ¦ ¦ "¦ :.-¦ _ .- ' / J' I ' I attended a meeting , and \ Tery crowded one , in Manchester on ^ aesaaY nigtt iaat , and , although I was ' very pborly , and could apeak but for a a ' nort time , and not very loud , I was to * 5 cheerfully received . And now ;

      I beg to call your attention to JamEsLeaCH ' s letter , propounding the plan accepted by the Mancbegter Shareholders in the Land Company ; and Ialspbeglejave to inform you that I acquiesce in every one of those propositions , as you may rely upon it , that the working classes , urifil united , ¦ will never be able to extract anything from the Government that oppresses them / Iapproveof theirhole of the programme , bat more especially of the follow ing sentiment ;— ¦ •'" ¦ . :

      "THAT . XO lURRIED FEMA . LE SHOULD BECOXDLY TB ^ ^ P HOPS ' ^ - W ™ B 0 * LlabouWg ^ before Se SK £ t ^ THE M 0 RSIK G . OR TO REMAIN ffiBjSB&F * 1 J ° m ° 'CL 0 ° K » My friends , I havefrequently told you , thai « 1 had my will no female should be dragged from her home to exhaust ner life in a heated afehosphere , but that every woman should attend

      to her own domestic affairs and to her family ; and if you reflect for a moment npon the effect that machinery has . had ' over the people of this coanby , then you would soon be united ,, as you must be aware that ifc aa « destroyed your class . You have machinery in this country now which ia capable . of manufacturing more than twolrandred times what the population in the former times could manufacture ; and I do trust that the proposition of Mr . LsiCH will be carefully read by the shareholders , and that answers will be sent from the several districts , to be published in next week ' s " Star . " Political business is so

      dull just now , that I need not address you at any farther length ; but I do trust that the proposition will be taken into your most serious consideration . Tour Faithful Friend and Advocate , Feargus O'Conuob .

      Untitled Article

      TO FEAEGUS O'CONNOE , ESQ ., M . P . Dear Sib , —May I beg to offer a few remarks to yon , and through you , to the members of the National Land Company , upon the important subject of its present difficulties and its future prospects 1 I cannot but look vith sorrow and dismay at the want of energy and firmnesa on the part of those for whom this plan was intended to secure liberty and Independence . I am sure that , from the history of the world , of all past experience , and all present appearances , there can be no hope of redemption for the children of labour , but

      through their own perseverance , in Godlike principles shadowed forth in this hitherto but feeble national effort . Why this Company ' s affairs should be wound up—which is only another name for breaking up , and abandoning the effort altogether—I know not . I have never heard any reason offered , nor can 1 find anything in what are called its difficulties , that could justify tins cowardly and suicidal proceeding . To say that labour has not the means of rescuing itself from the iron bonds of this murderous competition is to deny that light follows daxkneBS . and that

      all the stupendous monuments erected to its creative power are no more than empty and visionary shadows . The labourers must learn that the tree of plenty , fructifying as it does to the utmost limits of civilisation , has its roots in the hard segs and sittirs of their bands ; that the sweat of their brow is the dew that matures its fruit to perfection , and that intelligence on then * part is alone wanted to Becure themselves those rich harvests that are now handed over toothers , who neither labour , nor give any valuable equivalent in re tain . It ib true , that in the present position

      of the Company's affairs obstacles present themselves of some magnitude , but it is equally true that a small effort on the part of I its members would be adequate to their removal . My object , sir , in addressing you and them , on the present occasion , is to call 1 the serious attention of all parties concerned , to the scheme herein set forth , for the accomplishment of this object . There are those who think that the apparent failure of the Land Scheme is in consequence of the Company aiming at too much . My impression is the reverse of tins : that itB difficulties are

      owing to the fact at them not aiming at a a great deal more than mere locating of its members on theland . I can readily understand the anxiety evinced by the great body of the shareholders in this district to escape from the crushing power of misdirected machinery ; but-there is such an important difference betwixt machinery working for and working against the labourers , that it was evidently their duty to study the means of making it their servant , instead of its being , as now , their iron-hearted task master . The'Land Members must remember , that it is this agent

      of genious that has made this country the most powerful nation in the world ; whilst its misdirection alone has entailed npon them a slavery , becoming so intolerable that it cannot be much longer borne ; but to discord the use of this magic-like power of production , and return to a primitive state of life , is only to throw away their right arm to avenge the insult imposed upon their left . This giant friend of theirs must , then , he used to destroy the pijpny obstacles imposed betwixt them , and the position they ought to occupy ; this vast I and powerful agent once in their position , their i flesh , blood , and bones would not then , as now , nave to compete against wood , steam , and

      iron ; but these agents would , on their behalf , compete with and destroy the pain otherwise inseparable from incessant toil . The land , at the same time , in their possession , would act for them as the government bales do to the steam engine , and would secure , in these ma-Bnfacturing and agnculturing villages , that happy equilibrium , in the production and dis"ibtttiou of wealth , that can alone give indnsi Wai independence and real protection to the j Producer . To place the labourers under these | circumstances is to place them where God I * nd Nature intended they shonld be placedenjoying , from , their rural position , the happiness and health that suck a situation can alone the he

      P * - ^ same time might enjoy all the luxuries that ingenious mechanism could offer wr their acceptance . These advantages are "ready enjoyed by those who labour not , and it is a terrible and unpardonable libel upon « 8 value of industry , and on every pr inciple 01 justice to say , that those who labour could i" «» enjoy the same . I am aware that there ^^ anjargumentsoffered against theseviews ; to ° * ' ° ^ |" cn t ™ opinion , are remark wTf / nothing go much as the errors upon IT } tte reasoning of these objecting parties founded

      ** , the principle of which is , that if " * members located upon the land were also ^ ufecturing , they would" injure , by their ^ Petition , their brethren in the manufacturi « S t ^ wng . There appears to me to be ajlaw this sort of reasoning ; how the happiness I * « " » body of labourers can be injurious to r ° K is , fo my mind , a little off the mark ; ^ Petition , in this case , would be a sound runout a Buhstance . The competition , as at tmiw f rrie ( i ° n » y those who have a tnouo-£ " ? of all , the body of the labourer included , r » induced what may be fairly termed a teuff * ° ** » wnerein - one labourer is comfen , * ° m necessity , to grasp at his ie labourer ' s dinner , whilst they are

      Untitled Article

      both surrounded with an abundance , but wmcu the abuse and misdirection of machinery has deprived them of the power of obtaining . Agricultural labourers starve for want of food , whilst they are every day surrounded with an abundance raised' by the industry of their own hands . Thousands of the manufacturing labourere and their families are m rags and tatters , whilst thousands of tons of manufactured goods are lying in the workshops and warehouses , awaiting the foreigner to come and take away to , other lands the clothing robbed by this system from the backs ootti surrounded with an abundance , . hnr ,

      of our own labourers at home . These accumulations are not a legitimate surplus , but the mere hoardings of a brigand competition . The surplus acquired by the labourer located on the land , with machinery to aid him , would be a very different thing . Having his cupboard well stored with food from his own land , " and his family supplied with ' clothing . from his machinery ; he would not be under the neceB . sity of disposing of that he did not require , but oh such conditions as would securejthat independence his altered circumstances -was designed to achieve . -Having said this much ; to call most

      rbeg your earnest attention , and that of the Land members , to the Mowing plan for relieving the Company from the pressure of its more immediate difficulties , and the accomplishment of the great and god-like ends , if pursued with wisdom and perseverance , it is designed to accomplish . I am aware that there are a great number of the present members that will decline going on With the undertaking . Jfo doubt there were many who joined it with a view of makinglarge profits from the small amounts they had invested . The Company will be quite as well , and I think much

      better , without these parties than with them ; but 1 will 8 U ppo 8 e that , out of the 50 , 000 shareholders , 10 , 000 will be prepared to go on with the Company under these new arrangements . Upon this number I would propose that a call of £ Z per four acre share be made , and the same in proportion npon the flireeand two acre shares—one-third of this call to be paid within the first three months after this plan should be agreed to . Many , no doubt , would pay it downat once . From this source , and from membera paying up their shares who have been holding back for some time , I

      reckononth e 8 umof * 30 , 000 , £ l 0 , 000 ofwhich would be raised by the first instalment and the subscription just alluded to . This £ 10 , 000 I would dispose of as follows : — £ 5 , 000 to the immediate relieving of the Company , the other £ 5 , 000 to the establishment of Cooperative Stores . This wonld give £ 500 each to ten of the largest towns , or to other towns where the greatest number of land members reside . Branches could be established from each of these central stores , so as to give an opportunity to all the members—or nearly so—to spend their money in their own eatablishments . From the profits arising from these

      arrangements , the remaining two-thirdB of this additional call upon each share should be paid , so that in reality the members would only be called upon to pay £ 1 , to set the machinery in motion ; that would accomplish the remainder for them . The remaining £ 20 , 000 thus raised by co-operation , could be applied to paying off those who would not go on with the company , and otherwise giving strength and energy to its members , and enablingthem more easily to accomplish the remainder of the great work that lies before them . The subee-^ ent 4 r f 6 ^* of ,, «^ ra tk . ri c ^ 5 r b- 9 ' " ftp | ik to the erection of machinery , whilst the mor £ gaging of the estates would enable the

      Company to go on locating its members . Much care would be required for a time in conducting the different establishments , that it would be necessary to raise in each of these locations for manufacturing purposes , into the details of which I will not at present enter , but I would throw out one suggestion , that , I trust , will , never be loBt sight of—that is , that no named I female should ever be allowed to labour in

      these workshops ; and , secondly , that no individual , nnder any pretence whatever , should be allowed to enter them for the purpose of labouring before nine o ' clock in the morning , nor to remain there later than four o ' clock in the afternoon . By this division of manufacturing and agricultural labour , this good old land of oars would Boon be a blooming para-J dise . The magic power of our mechanical genius breathing , as it were , life in the cold

      inanimate material around us , and subduing the very elements to our wants and coveniences , would render man , in reality , what he is in name—the image of his creator . Let me hope , sir , that these suggestions will meet with that attention and earnest consideration their importance deserve . The question of Legalising the Company is one that seems to be of great importance to many of the shareholders . I think the leHS the

      people have to do with , law or the eipeunderB of it the better ; I am no lawyer , but I would suggest the following for those who think it a matter of such grave importance : —Firstly , the allotteeB should bave given to them leases of their holdings , which to them would be legal security of possession ; it would then signify nothing to them who was the landlord , or into whose hands the property should pasB ; it could only be sold or mortgaged , subject to the conditions of the leases . The allottee

      wonld virtually he the owner of his allotment , subject of course to the conditions of paying his rent , as fixed by his lease ; the conditions of sale or mortgages would apply , as a matter of course , to any workshop or manufactories that might be erected on the locations ; and as the numbers in each of these locations would rarely exceed one hundred , I think there would not be much difficulty in getting

      legal protection for the Company , as far as the manufacturing department was concerned ; and as the possession of these leases would Becure to the allottees the undisturbed possession of their allotments , I cannot perceive what other security is needed . These ideas are thrown hastily together , and if they are not understood or considered satisfactory , they may inspire thought upon thesubject that may lead to some good result . , „

      In conclusion , sir , let me assure you that these ideas , oi co-operation are no idle dream , but are everywhere , where properly conducted , producing the results I have pointed out . Under such arrangements as these the located members would be at no loss to find a profitable market for their produce . Arrangements could be made for transmitting it down to the stores in the manufacturing town * , where it would find a ready Bale at fair prices , and add its quota to the further strengthening of the Company by increasing its funds , I am , sir , Yours very respectfully , James Leach . Manchester , May 6 th , 1851 .

      Untitled Article

      NATIONAL LAND AND ^ LABOUR LOAN ¦ r ¦ ¦¦ SOCIETY * the above body met as usual on Wednesday evening at Golden-lane , Mr " . Brooinfield in tbe chair . The deputation appointed to / 'ait op .-certain gentlemen to obtain their consent , to act as trustees , gave in their report . The huliject relative to them . afieT some discussion , was adjourned ! for one week . The committee appointed to arrange- therules for enrolment also reported . The rule ' s were read seriatim , and , after , some discussion and slight amendment , were adopted , and Messrs . Stratton , Eodean , " Broom-• NAtjonat , V \ limiiii linn

      field , and Wheeler appointed to sign them , on behalf . of , the Society , and profttwfe tbeir immediate enrolment .. Owing to the length of time occupied in discussing the Tules , the election of officers was deferred until the ensuing Wednesday . Several new members were enrolled , jfeposits were paid on a considerable number f shareB , and correspondence of . a . very favourable nature was read from Hull and other , localities o ( . the Land Compsny . The . meeting then adjourned until Wednesday evening ; . ¦ »

      Untitled Article

      TO 3 ? EAEGUS O'CO ^ NOB , ESQ ., M . P . Srit- ^ We Bhonld feel greatly obliged by your inserting the enclosed in the " Northern Star" next Saturday . " The contents will speak for themselves . We have made no comments on it , as we do not wish to intrudo on yourvaluable time . Yours respectfully , Snig ' s End , May 6 th . W . Gelx . TO THE DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS

      OF THE LAND COMPANY . GEHTKUEN .-We , the undersigned purchasers , located on the Snig ' s End Estate , feel it to be our imperative duty to address you at this particular juncture , in consequence of certain proceedings which took place at a meeting , held in the schoolroom , on the 23 rd ult ., and , as sequence to those proceedings , two resolutions were passed , purporting to be the unanimous opinion of this and the Low ! bands estate . Withrespectto the second resolution , shall

      we not offer any remarks upon it , as it does not come within our province , it being quite ij . reveleat to the object for which the meeting was called , we Bhall therefore content ourselves with a grave consideration of the first resolution , as it immediately boie upon the subject matter discussed by the persons assembled , in order that you may refreBh your memory , and be thereby better enabled to clearly comprehend the remarks we intend to mak& We shall first give you the resolution . Here it

      is" That the allottees on the estates of Snig ' s End and Lowbands , ia public meeting assembled , do hereby resolve to use every endeavour to push forward the bill new before the House of Commons , for Winding-up the National Land Company , as they have already petitioned the said House in reference to it , and ate prepared to meet the bill in committee , for the purpose of making such alterations as will be consistent with the best interests of the allottees and shareholders in general . ' ' Gentlemen , —This resolution was adopted in con . lequence of the directors—through one of their

      body submitting three general propositions for the approval or disapproval of the meeting . Firstly , whether it would not be wise on tbe part of the shareholders and allottees to endeavour to preserve their property intact . Secondly , to devise some plan by which the Company migbt be reconstructed Upon a firm basis . Thirdly , in the eveut nf accomplishing their objects , the directors proposed to forego the back rents , begin afresh , and give to eich allottee a lease at bis own expense , at a rental which ithey ( the directors ) believe to be in accordance with the altered circumstances , of the country .

      Haviug briefly given the propositions which were ^ ^^ 5 ^ 2-& ^ a * i *®> M « Pm 8 >«> the to- - TOofiprvfe Mv < j ;! bove ( quoted , we shall no ^ Uke the liberty of avowing * our opinions , unreservedly , but respectfully , as to how far we agree with them . Firstly , we beg to say , with all due difference to persons differing in opinion with us , we have at heart the best interests of tbe shareholders and allotted generally ; and yet it is our sincere con-1 fiction that if your property could be preserved , and proper steps taken to reorganise it on sound principles , and thereby bring the Society within the provisions of » omeexisting law ; or , if that cannot be done , to pray the House of Commons to give you

      a bill for the purpose , the result would be far more advantageous and conservative of your best interests than to dispose of it under the Winding-up Act at an . enormous sacrifice . Secondly , we stand in a very different position to the ori ginal allottees ; we bave paid large sums for tbe . rigbt of location . It it therefore reasonable to conclude , that we have a greater stake than those persons who have not only not paid anything for possession , but who have received considerable Bums out of the Company ' s funds ; and , if peradventure , tbe property should be sold under the auspices of one of the Masters in Chancery , we have good grounds / or fearing we should be ousted from our holdings without

      anything like an adequate amount of compensation ( if any ) , which is even doubtful j in which case we should be the greatest loosers . In fact , utter and inevitable roin would , engulf us . Thirdly , that we joined the Land Company with the understanding that we were to pay a rent or interest upon an out . lay . But , at the Bame time , we understood ( hat we were to have a lease or security given to us . Some of us have already paid portions of rent ; we should have paid more , but from the bad seasons and the depression in agriculture produce consequent upon free trade , and also the want of a lease or security , our operations have been carried on in fear , com . bjned with the novelty of the undertaking , have

      prevented us from complying with the demands of the directors . But now we bave got the land in a cultivated state , with , a prospect of a return for the various sums of money that we have laid out , it would seem very hard for us to go away , which wonld be the case if the Land Company was wound up ; therefore we agree with that portion of the document which the directors have presented to ns , wherein ihey wish , to withdraw the bill now before Parliament for Winding-up the Company ; and if they are enabled to cany out their plan , or

      otherwise to give a lease or security , we , as a body , agree to pay . But from being placed in an agricultural district , and having to compete with farmers , the directors ana" sbareholderg will take it into their consideration ' and reduce the scale of rent . Fourthly , we bave to observe , that while we are willing , and consider it to be our bounden duty to pay rent , at the same time we submit that the rent lately proposed by the directors is more than we feel ourselves able to meet ; we therefore propose to give the following average amounts : — For a Two Acre Allotment . £ 5 0 0 yearly

      For a Three Acre Allotment 6 10 0 do . For a Four Acre Allotment 8 0 0 do . Some allotments wonld be more , tome less according to their respectful qualities . Fifthly , it may be asked why we state sumi so low as interest for property that has cost you ( tbe shareholders ) so much money ? We answer that , since the repeal of the corn laws the price of agricultural produce has been reduced from twenty-five to thirty per cent , ; consequently the rent of land ought to be reduced in the same ratio . For instance , suppose a four acre allotment to be £ 11 , prior to the passing of these laws , and when wheat was , upon an average , seven shillings per bushel , it it no more than fair to expect that such firm should be only £ 8 yearly , when

      wheat varies from 4 s . 6 d . to -is . lOd . per bushel . It may be said , by way of argument , we grow but a very small quantity of this grain compared with what we grow as root crops ; granted ; but it must be borne in mind , that the price of wheat ( it being a staple commodity ) regulates the price of all other agricultural produce , it eventually follows , no matter what quantity of roots we may cultivate , the price will only be in proportion to that of the former article . Sixthly , it is a matter of perfect indifference to us as to whom * e pay tent , provided our allotments are valued by fit and proper persons , and leases granted at out own expense , Seventhly , we beg to say , in conclusion , that we have offered the foregoing observations in a spirit of amity and with

      Untitled Article

      wXJ'fi ' u that ' 8 *™? «« erance to them , ?^ Z £ ^^^*^ ^ n * John Moody . Jjbhn Bridgwatek . . Wm . Blackford , > Hen ** ROGERS . Stephen Clark . 1 ; ' ' Eliza Gelt ,. V iV i i

      Untitled Article

      "yRroFSS ? , TIIE FOURTH ANNIVEll

      o'prinSSSn * ' - u ls ! k of May » tae occupants of ral EH lC ^ Mv "iv ; families , a ^ a seve-Le v llSJ T ^ ^ n&mtth attd * he surround , of tl , fn ' mt together t 0 Partake of a social oup Aftlt \ hi * «« moration of the above event . fifedt tW l - Wet 8 , cleared ' - Ra * cliff « ™ opened the proceedings by commenting on the prei Mo &v ! w « if ^ jTO ^ peots of tbe allotteeg ¦ friumnh tX f the ^^ ow of approaching JH « i 8 £$ ¦ lyWS y * ¦ . wiTO .-Thefirsfc 8 entf-5 K ' m 2 $ WJ # ? * er , " was ably responded SJfiL f £ : > 5 i- \ Wh . eelet > A * horead a letter , apologismg for the absence of Mr T M Wheeler and announced the fact of Mr / o ' bonnor JS £ iST had a legacy , left" him . Thi 5 lnno ,, nnpmnnf . % 7 ? JZ

      cei » ed , tritb . ainbounde 4 ! 8 atisfactionby the audience I ? t £ 2 , l * time ^ > 1 < 0 'Connor . Esq . VM . P " and the other . true friends of the people , " " Those pioneers of the Land Plan who were located this day four years , " "Those who have purchased-may they never repent their bargains , " " The Norther n Star and Democratic Press , " and " Tho Ladies " were responded to by Messrs . G . Pocoek , R .. Smit ' b , **™ f' u ? ; - iffith 9 ' iwr .-Dancing , » t « rl EAiT P * tri 0 "c songs andrecitations , coneluded the evemng > pnweedinga ; when tho allottees separated , determined to redouble their exertions on the land , and render this a successful experiment . They are more than ever convinced that the land will prove , tho ultimate salvation of tfce people aa itjs toe great staple from whence all wealth is derived , and the natural field for man " T ? h ™ ' a tim rfel- ° ' Conn ( *> " and the Land P an are attacked by enemies without Ja

      traitors witum the camp , they feel it the more inoumbenfc on them to express their conviction , that theland , backed and supported by political power will yet raise up the down-trodden masses of the pGOplO * In the course of the evening the following lines W Cole r-i ° CCaSi 0 D > W 6 re " ^ SWfcS My friends , we here are met to » day , And on tho platform take our atand , " To celebrate the first of May , And our looation on the land . Pour years are past since we firist came , And settled at O'Connorville , - We love our principles the same , And strive to propagate them still .

      We may not bo so , high in hope , As on that groat eventful day ; With many trials we ' ve had to cope , But let us hope they ' ve passed away . Our inexperienca was the first , And then two adverse seasons came ; Potatoes failing was the worst , — But for that no one ' s to blame . We will not join a factious crew , To injure or revile the man , But , reader , thanks where they are due , Unto O'Connor and the Plan : — The noble pl an that taught the great , The people s Stirling common sense , when wo could purchase this estate .

      By clubbing of our hard-earned pence . This shows what unity will do , And prove unto a gazzing world , Were working men but only true , Tyrants might from their thrones bo hurled To-day there s grand work up in town . Where idle gew-gaws current pass , The Queen and Princo in state go down . To open the Palace built of Glass . And sycophants from every land MVill bow the knee in weak submission ; A fawning , crouching , servile band , Togracethisfamous Exhibition . M ^ ipUJra P « auee may . vainly boasi ,. And claim , the merit , of this scheme , Where "

      competitidn rules the roast , And man contends ' gainst iron and steam , We here will give duo praise and honour , Unto a wiser , better man—Our noble champion , brave O'Connor , The founder of the great Land Plan . On competition and its band Of baneful ills the Prince relies ; " Co-operation on the Land , Will savo you all , " our chief replies . Get your goods cheap , no matter how ; Compete with all the human race ; Though the starved hind neglect the plough , And misey reign in every place . " Bo says the Prince ; but we repl y" Man by his industry must live—Ho must no longer pine and die , On what taskmasters please to give . "

      "We are placed here ns pioneers ; On principle we take our stand , To prove to prince and commoneri Man ' s birthright to his native land . The capitalists are met in state , Prom this and every other clime , Unmindful of tho workmen ' s fate , Or how they live and spend their time . The skill and genius of this isle Will there be shown in bright array , Though the labourer starve tho while , On scant and insufficient pay . All that is costly , rare , and odd , ' At tho Crystal Palace you may see , Except the noblest work of God—A man from tyranny set free . Here then we'll labour on the land , And honour where ' tis due we'll pay—Unto O ' Connor and tho band Who placed us here the first of May .

      Untitled Article

      THE LAND NATIONAL PROPERTY . TO THB EDITOR OF , THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —As the nationalisation of the land is a question which may probably occupy public attention to a considerable extent in future , it seems to mo very desirable that the manner in which it is propesed the land shall be made national property should be clearly defined and Bet forth , as Doing the unanimous decision of those who advocate that doctrine . They should be prepared to advocate their views before the public , both in reference to the justness of their claims , and the manner in which they propose to compensate the present landlords , and likewise to point out tho source from whence tbe capital so appliedshall be derived . If this be not clearly explained , 'arid an united advocacy practised bthe advocates of

      y national property in land , it will be impossible for the movement to become one of a truly national ohar ' acter , as each individual would be . left to advocate his own particular crotchets , ' without any systematic mode of action , which would be aure to engender antagonism gmong those whose harmony should be imnerativo The great diversity of opinion already existing among those who . agree that the land should bl made national property , aa to how that can be best accomplished , proves ; the necessity of a better understanding . There are some , although fortunately nut few , who object to any compensation whatever to the landlords . Without wishing to givo offence to any one holding these viewg , I beg of them to consider well what would l . e the end of an attempted agitation of tfeat description , r 6

      There are others who think the landlords ought not to be disturbed in their possessions until their decease , and then their lands Bhould reverb to the State . Others contend that those entitled to the hewshipof each proprietor should be compensated before the State took possession of such lands . These and divers other opinions , which are floating about it m soruo men ' s minds , aaust . bo divested of their CtutMies , and the question placed before the public in a practieal , BsnsiMe manner . In hko manner tbe sams diversity of opinion « ists respecting the source from whence the purchase monershall be derived . Some propose to levy tax of 4

      a s . per acre upon the land as a fund to purchase it on behalf of the State . Others think a graduated income and property tax would supply the necessary funds . A third party content themselves by simply declaring tor the principle of national property in land , without ever saying any thing at all about where , the fundB are to come from , although they are in favour of compensation to the landlords . The late Convention , which has done so many good things , seems to me to have fallen short of its mission in this respect , because after declaring the right of the . paople to the soil , it has not pointed out tho manner in which the funds are to be raised to carry out that declaration .

      Untitled Article

      They may rely upon it tho public will call upon them to point out by what means they propose to raise the purchase money , and it would bo most tatal to their cause if the appointed leaders of the people give contrary views to each other when < lttesuoi ) od upon the sul-ject . My object , therefore , in this letter , is to create a ex £ unon ff n ? ling Where a differenco of opinion the Snt t * P ° rtil ?] ° . uestion . Ihavc she ,, would fed Tt con 8 ld «»« onl nevertheless , it m ? m ™ S rdmetl » greatest satisfaction if anv of SdSHS , ^ » ggest any improvement to \ nl ofthenS W , ubmit td the oonsidoi-. tion to a few t- J hls ctterJ ^ a'lconfiMe myseli whero ? di £ L ^ T - ? pon the ^ eral points who are favSw f T T exhtB moo S those ffiffi Md shall submit propositions in rdasurv i 8 VnV ° »^ i etter ' for the * SUft r ° i «»" sury notes , to be applied to purchase the land on l . H te

      to Tew K ; ; l Tl then 1 » able to ahow , that K&lKr ^ ^ P urohaBe the l « n « l will f ^^ ti S ^ T-- *??""** - ' ' and a 810 th 0 ffittsaastsrs ^ P 2 g % 8 & 2 £ 7 a& . $ 5 SSBEtiW * fe ^ orthe ml wijriij ^ question oMife or death with a considerable portion of Aim community . Bv Duroliasing . the lanu at-a fair market price , the button ; of compensation to tho heirs of the propriety class will be also BetUed , Inasmuch as no landlord ever thinks of applying to a railway or other public company for compensation to any of his children after he has sold his estate at a fail- market value Bear m mmd , also , that by purchasing the land in this manner we oannofc be charged with dishoneaty or inconsistency . , J

      Parliament has repeatedly passed acts on the ground of public utility , empowering railway and other companies to purchase the necessary quantity ot land they may require to carry out their projects . Xliare will be very little difficulty in proving that ootti in point of justice and public utility the land ought to become the property of the nation ; it therefore only remains for the Parliamen t to pass an act to that effect . But what Parliament ? Not the present nor any future Parliament similarly constituted , and that is the reason why the people ought to have the power to choose a better set of representatives to do their work .

      In order that there may be no mistake when the hour of their enfranchisement arrives , regarding either the men or the measures required , the people should be everywhere instifucted in their social rights , and inspired with a determination to see them , enforced . For this purpose the leaders of the people should go forth with one accord , and proclaim the universal right of the people to the soil . That principle being once established , the social problem would tend with aa great certainty towards an easy solution , as the needle tends towards tho pole . Full scope would then bo given to all men to organise their labour as might seem to them best calculated to insure their happiness . By being placed on political and social equality with their brethren , each individual would have perfect freedom to use his faculties in those industrial pursuits to which he might be . best adapted , while at the same time similar rights beinc extended to his fellow would

      -men , alwaysmaintain the true social equilibrium , and constitute the safeguard of aociety . In cultivating the land , it is no business of the government to determine whether it shall be done under associated arrangements , or by individual exertion . To determine upon that ought to belong exclusively to the people themselves . Government interference ought to extend no further in tho organisation of labour than to afford free access to the soil , and where necessary supply credit , and see that it is properly applied , and afford every facility for the full development of every branch of industrial operation . For the rest belongs to the people themselves to carry out their own industrial arrangements . The two principles—that of co-operation and competitionwould then be brought practically to the test , in which the advantages of association would be made clear and indisputable to the meanest capacity . All opposition would thus be disarmed , as equal freedom would be afforded-to all .--- ¦ - <• ¦ ¦ Awrkd A . Waltoh .

      Untitled Article

      THE LATE FATAL RAILWAY COLLISION IN SUTTON TUNNEL . On Saturday morning last aa inquest was held at the Red Lion , Preston-brook , before Mr . Nicholson , coroner for the southern division of Lancashire , on view of the bodies of Mrs . Whettenhall , a widow lady , who had resided near Bolton ; and of Messrs . Davidson , Anderson , and Dalton , and a youth named Newhall , all of Manchester , who had been killed by the fearful collision of trains in Button tunnel , on the previous Wednesday , upon the return from Chester races to Manchester . The Jury , having been sworn , proceeded to view the bodies , which presented a sickening spectacle , and tb « scene of the . occurrence 13 of itself enough to strike terror into the minds of even those who aro familiar with inquiries like the present .

      Mr . Rooker , who was badly injured , is since dead . Tho bodies having been identified , Mr . John Taylor , superintendent of polico , Manchester , thus deposed : —I was at Chester on the evening of Wednesday last , On arriving 3 t the railway station , to return to Manchester , I perceived two trains about to start . One was sent off a little before seven , and tho other a little after . A third train was also speedily filled , and despatched after a short interval ; into this train I got .- I do not know if there was a light at the end . of this train , or of either of the others . We came at a quick pace to Prodsham , but at the mouth of the tunnel the pace was considerably slackened . The tunnel mouth is near Frodsham station . I was in a second

      class carriage near thecentre of the train , and when about a mile m the tunnel sustained a severe shock . An the parties in the same carriage were knocked against each other . I put my head out of the window and saw a glimmering light about the engine , and called out to the people in the next carriage to pass word down to know what was the matter ; it was half an hour before we got any answer , when a man came by with a light , and we then ascertained what had taken place . I and five or six others got out of tbe carriage and walked along tho line to the engine , where I found a heap of carriages belonging 'o the train before us smashed all to pieces , lsaw all the five bodies now identified taken out , and very many passengers seriously injured : amone the

      latter was Dr . Lett , whom I assisted out , and afterwards helped to" Manchester . Of course there was no light then at the end ot the second train , and I could see no remains of one . The deceased were all quite dead when I saw them first . Mrs . Whettenball was found between the fragments of two broken carriages . I saw no guard to our train , but there was a guard to the one immediately in advance of it . I spoke to William Dixqn , the driver of our train , and asked him how it was be ran into the other ? He ; said ? the tunnel was so full of smoke and steam he could not see a yard before him , and that ho was knocked down and rendered insensible for some time . He was perfectly sober , and so also was the guard of the Becond train . I remained in

      the tunnel three hours and a half , and then assisted in taking Mr . Booker and others to Manchester . It was quite daylight when we left Chester , so that I do not know if there was any tail light to the train . Mr . W . T . Assbmi , district superintendent of tho Electric Telegraph Company , residing at Manchester , deposed :-I travelled by a train which left Chester at halt-paBt seven on the evening of Wednesday , I was in a first class carriage , middle compartment , and near the centre of the train . Nothing particular occurred until we got to the tunnel , when tho speed was considerably Blackened and continued to be diminished till we got twothirds through tho tunnel , when we came to a dead stop . We had stayed about two minutes at Frodsham . I noticed a red light on tbe end of the train that left a little before seven . Up to the time of our coming to a dead stop I had heard occasionally asound as of the engine making attemntB to eet

      on ; but the driving wheel slipped from the metal being wet . I put my head out of tho oarriage , and tho tunnel was full of steam and smoke , so that 1 could see nothing but a white gloom . I soon after heard the puff of an engine behind , upon which I threw myeelf back and fixed my feet firmly against the seat opposite me , at the same time shouting to all the others ia the carriage to hold hard , when there camo a crash as of another train having run into that one in which I was . Tho crash was a prolonged one , and seemed to me to last nearly a minute . I kept my seat , and escaped unhurt ; but as soon as I could I got out of the carriage . I heard nothing at Frodsham as to tbe train that had gone before ua , but perceived some time after that we had struck it . I only perceived one shock in the tunnel , and waR not aware that the train by which I wm travelling had run into another train in the tunnel . The ahock must have been very Blight or

      Untitled Article

      otherwiso I must have , felt it . Tho train before na had no engine behind . - * Mr . Joseph Sieelk , patent agent , of 123 , Chancei'y-iiwe , London deposed : —I was a passencer win Chester by a train which left about seven h- h V Two trainsl 'a d left previous to tho ono in v mch I traveled . Ido not now consider it necessary to state what occurred in the morning at the th »™ » UoD ' Im"St say that , in my opinion , cine \^ , fT """ management all day there . I SZ . to F liltfonn " minutes to five , in-W \ U S £ d 7 ^""" Aertw . where I bad seen siojafes ^ a ^ ssvi o ' clock . Having remainod upwdsof aJ £ and witnessed wo trains in auccmU filwT *

      started I got out and called for tba inspector who at length I found . ( Mr . Superintendent Criohley here stood up , and was identified by tho witness as tho officer alluded to . ) I said , "Mr . Inspeotor ; wlifn will our carriages be sent off ? I have seen [ wo trains leave fov " Manchester while I have been in this carriage ; nml what ia tho reason ours , which is full , has not left yot ? " He said , " Go back to jour seat , sir , " and that is the only answer I got . l went back , and nt seven the train left . A gentlomiin who had remained in tho carriage with me an hour got out , and went into anottiertrain , which soon filled , and was sent off nearly half an hour I'cforetlic one in which I was . We wont on slugt'lshly until we came to the tunnel . It was then nvo minutes past cieht . It seemed to lie » wmf .

      labour to go on . The engine seemed to gasp as if it wou d give up the ghost ; and so it did when we Rot naif through . We had been stopping five or ten " 2 raS ° I ? cebya concussion . Istoppelin SLT *\ u ^ ? sustahlGd no material injury . There wa 3 a third-class open train behind h and the concussion and rebound broke one of thewhS ? t ' 8 < w 1 ° train Vjfore the one in which I was . It was tbe first of tho three , and was tho ono thnt caused tn « at « DDaW TheieVerp

      miiK merei was any gua . -ty A ~ Mow 8 la „ called out for both guard and policeman , but no one answered . ; I went to the engine-driver and asked him the reason why v ,-0 stuck fast in C tunnel ? . , II 6 8 aid thjre was no-water lu tUo 4 m 7 Home of the passengera said , " How ijareyou come out of Cheater without a proper supply of water ?" to which be made no answer , but remained quite unconcerned . Tbe engine was sson after taken on to Warrington fur a further supply of water . I looked at the end of the train , and bbsorved there was no stern light . In two minutes afterwards a boy passed down with a red light .

      Mr . G . F . Robis 3 on , of Stockport , cotton-spinner ; Mr . J . Haddock , of Wsirrington , engineer * S . Burgess , of Button , blacksmith ; an ! other witnesses having been examined , and there being still a great mass of other evidence the court was adjourned until ten o ' clock on Monday morning . MoNDAY . —The adjourned inquest was resumed this morning at the Red Lion Inn . The solicitor and officers of the company wero in attendance , and so also was Captain Liiffnn , C . E ., on the part of jrovernment . On behalf of the directors the

      solicitor stated , that thoy wero moat anxious to offer every aid in thoir power to a full inquiry , and rhey would call their servants in any order the coroner might think fit . After some " lengthened evidence had been taken , eliciting , however , no new facts , the hour of five arrived , and it being obviously impossible to finish tho inquiry that night , the inquest was adjourned . Mr . Monk , tho barrister , has been in attendance on behalf of the company . Intelligence has beon received that four or five others of the sufferers ave not expected tosurvive many hours .

      Tuesday . —The inquiry was resumed this morning . The witnesses examined were mostly railway servants . If being found impossible to conclude the proceedings , a further adjournment took place . A note was handed to the coroner , intimating that the inquest at Newton had been adjourned , to await the result of the present inquiry . The great interest taken by the public has increased rather than diminished , and , although again adjourned , the general impression is that , so far as the evidence has hitherto been given , there appears to have been a want of proper precautions in throe respects : — 1 . —In allowing 5 , 000 people to assemble in the railway station at once , instead of admitting them as each train was filled and started , thereby leading to conf « 3 ion among tho officials arid subordinate servants .

      2 . —In dispatching engines of insufficient power to convey the respective trains to their destination . 3 . —In th p guards or drivers of the trains that were first in tho tunnel on that night , and finding thoy could not get on , not taking steps to prevent the third train from coming up . The coat to the company , whatever may 1 ) 0 theresult of this inquest , have been stated , by those who seem to be well-informed on the subiect , as likely to amount to between £ 20 , 000 and £ 30 , 000 . The inquest was continued on Wednesday and Thursday , and , up to the hour of going to press , is not yet concluded .

      Untitled Article

      MIDDLESEX SESSIONS . Robbery in IIydk Park . —Samuel Homer , 30 , a respectable looking man , was indicted for having « t ° Ien a watch , value £ 5 , from the person of John Wake&eld , on the occasion of the opening of the Great Exhibition . The prosecutor was in Hyde Park on the 1 st inst . for the purpose of witnessing the state procession to the Crystal Palace . Tho prisoner forced his way through the crowd and took up a position immediately in front of tho prosecutor , and he had not long been standing there before ho passed his hand between a chimneysweep and another man , beth of whom were olose to him , and snatched the prosecutor ' s watch from bia right hand waistcoat

      pocket . The prosecutor , however , caught his hand as he was withdrawing it , but at that moment tho pressure of the crowd was such , a sudden rush taking place , that he was compelled to relinquish his hold , and tho prisoner got away . The prosecutor followed him a considerable distance , and on coming up with him , at the endot' the Serpentine hcgavi ! him into custody . In cross-examination , the prosecutor said tho robbery took place near to tbe northern entrance to the Palace . He did not know any of the persons by whom he was surrounded , but there was "larking " going on . The sudden manner in which the watch was snatched broke the jjuard , and ho ( prosecutor ) distinctly saw the watch in his hand . —The identity

      of the prisoner was established by a singular circumstance . When the pressure of the crowd caused the prosecutor to relinquish his grasp of tho prisoner ' s hand , his face by some means came into contact with the clothing of the sweep , and consequently became blackcncil . When tho prisoner was given into custody tho mark thus HtfWlu ma still on his face , enabling the prosecutor tho more confidently to identify him , though he would ' have had no difficulty in recogtiisiin ; him had that distinctive mark not been on his countenance . The watch was picked up by a person named Seym our . —Afc Payno rested the defence on the question of identifcy , and urged that the watch might of itself havo fatten from the prosecutor ' s pocket in the crushing of the immense crowd that was ( here assembled . —

      The jury found the prisoner Gu'lty . —The learned Judge sentenced the prisoner to nine months hard labour , and then said th . it the court wished ib to be understood that if any previous conviction were proved against any pickpocket convicted in that court of exercising his avocation about tho Great Exhibition , he would most assuredly bo sentenced to transportation ; and it was desirable that the fraternity should know that in every case of a pickpocket ; convicted of having committed a robbery within the building ( if indeed such a thing wero capable of achievement under tho existing police arrangements , ) the sentence passed would bo that of transportation , even should there bo no previous conviction , for in such cases money would havo been paid for admission .

      Robdkry at a TiiEiTRE . —A young man of respectable appearance , nsmieil Thomas , wag indicted for having robbed a Mr . Kins of half-n-sovereign and other monies , in tho pit of the Adelphi Theatre . —On Monday night the prosflcutor , accompanied by a friend , went to the pit of the A < lelphi Theatre , at half-price . The ' prisoner stood next to the prose , outor , and in a short time after the performance after second price had commenced tho prisoner adroitly slipped his fingers into the prosecutor ' s right-band waistcoat pocket , and took therefrom a half-sovereign , and several silver COiu ? , Thu PMgeoBtor did not appear to notice this at the . moment but on thn prisoner leaving his place , and appearing to make for the door , he toM his friend what had occurred . The latter followed tho prisoner accused him of the robberami

      ; , gare him into the custody of a police officer , who was on duty at the pit entrance , who on Marching the prisoner found ; = W ; ts : is ?» s Wp * Js . sss-has £ ras aTf tTSsrjt ssa W a EHt **^ ftLri * iP ' l iohadcna"god a sovcreipn .-Theiury SiSn PrUOn - Guilfc y- ' » 'o officer , of tS commihL ri ; eCtI 0 " u Sail 1 that ^ « » e prisoner wa » had Si ? 7 ° th 0 P vevious night , tUov bud not naa sufficient opportunity to usccmiu wtitther he nS « iTi . i ? rlg 0 H Morc - ^ Tta priwnwirM then 0 KU »* i to be brought up foe iudyment at the n « t

      soswon . " = A . rather unusually largn number of persons wcra charged with having robbed thoir ready-furniahed lodgings , and were severally sentenood to « x months' imprisonment , with , luwvl labour .

      Untitled Article

      Colliery Expmsion . —Three Livbs Lost . —On Wednesday morning , at eight o ' clock , a fatal explosion of fire damp took place at the collieries of Messrs . Joseph Ryland and Sons , a very short distance from the Wigan market-place . It is more than probable that there are a considerable number maimed and disfigured , Already three dead bodies have been found , and brought to the pit ' s mouth .

      Untitled Article

      __ mBImiom ; tJAtlis' inTTBWAT *

      Untitled Article

      wkjf . ' iuw -- Ltora ^ sAmDAy ^ MisissP 7 ^"" " ^ : - *— . 7 ~^~ - - . - ' ¦ ¦ - -7 ^ L ___ .. - ¦ ____ ¦ - ¦ ¦ Fire ShiHJHgt and SixiM-act , »«; r Qunrirr " : ' ~

      Untitled Article

      TO THE WORKING CLASSES ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 10, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1625/page/1/