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Northern Star (1837-1852), 20th December 1851, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1, efjarttat Intelligence.

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      Untitled Article

      y vIIONAL CHABTER ASSOCIATION . ' " ome ea—1 ^ , Southampton-6 treet , StraBd . ffha Executive Committee of this bod y held Aeir usual weekly meeting as above , on tftunesday eTeuinS la 8 t # James Grassby in fl . chair- The correspondence received having wn read , the Secretary was instructed to li te that the Committee had purchased a aiiiity of the tract , What is a Chartist V % oxn 3 &- James "W atson , and any localit y or Iticjid njight ^ e suPP 15 e <* with the same at L , shilling Per hundred b y appl y ing to the cwrctary at the Office .

      , * " The Secretary was also instructed to request A = e localities or Mentis who have subscription sheets or funds , to forward them on or jefore Wednesday , December 31 st , as the Committee are most desirous of winding up it s accounts with that honour which is due to f fie cause . Yfre C ommitte then adjourned to Monday owsing , December 22 nd . Signed , on behalf of the Committee , John Abnott , General Secretary .

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      V / hixechapei-. —Mr . wTheeler lectured at flje Ship Inn , High-street , Great Gardenetreet , on Sunday evening . Subject : ' The £ vils of a Standing Army , as exemplified in tke present State of France / The lecturer showed the manner in which a standing army had endangered , and at last subverted the Jrench Republic in 1793 , and again in 1851 , descr ibed the difference between the constitution of the military force in France and England , arguing that the English army waa far more identified with the ruling powers , and more inimical to the interests of the people ,

      than that of France . That an equal necessity aid not exist for the maintenance of lucfc an ' unconstitutional force ; and that under a goo d form of government it might be reduced to a merely nominal amount . Showed that five gixtte of the national taxation was expended in defraying the expenses of the army , the navy , and fie interest of the National Debt ; that the latter burden had been created enti rely by means of the former . The standing anny and the National Debt having been created at the same period ; the one increasing according to the increase of the other . The

      lecture concluded by showing the necessity of abolishing the feeling in favour of that false system of military g lory which had proved bo injurious , not only to France , but to every Empire of hoth modern and ancient times . —The chair was occupied by Mr . Bezer , who , in conjunction \ rith Mr . Shaw and others , a % supported the opinions advanced by the lecturer . —A ballot then took place for the ensuing Executive . A resolution was passed calling upon every locality to elect a scrutineer to Suspect the return of the votes . A local council was elected , and other business

      transacted . Haslet atsd Shelton , Potteries . —At the weekly meeting of members after transacting the usual business it was resolved tbata special meeting he held in the People ' s Hall , Brunswick-street , Sbelton , on Sunday evening , December 21 st , for the purpose of voting for the Executive . Gkeexwich akd Deptfokd . — The members met on Sunday last for the purpose of reorganising'the locality at the Walter ' s Arms , Church-street Deptford , when the following uiembera were elected on the Council ;—Messrs . H . G . Floyd , Treasurer ; Alfred Cooper , Secretary ; Bligh , Barns , BellcLamers , Barney , Morgan . The meeting adjourned to Sunday evening nest .

      White Horse Locality . —An animated discussion took place on Sunday evening , upon the subject of electing an Executive , when it was resolved , * That it is the opinion of this locality , that a paid Executive of five is necessary , but they defer voting until they see the willingness of the country to support them , by taking up their card , as recommended in the ' Star' of last Saturday . ' Fixsbbky LoC-VtTTY , December 13 bli . —Mr . Leome 3 in the chair . Messrs . "Weedon and Osborne reported from the Metroplitan

      Delegate Committee ; Mr . Butler moved , and 2 rlr . Hawley seconded the following resolution — That this locality consider the absence of the whole of the Executive from the Metropolitan Delegate Committee meeting as deserriug of explanation ; and the General Secretary is deserving of censure , seeing that it was his duty to have attended the aforesaid meeting / Carried . —Moved by Mr . llas' . n , seconded by Mr . Winnell— ' That this locality recommend the new Executive to elect as their General Secretary a man

      of known ability and straightforward conduct , and able to address Public Meetings ; and that we recommend Thomas Martin Wheeler a ; the most fit and proper person to fill that oSIce , seeing that the inefficiency of the late GtueralSecretaryisaiuatter of public notoriety aud regret . ' Carried . —The Chairman than announced that the distribution of prizes was postponed to ISew Tear ' s Eve . The meeting lheu adjourned to Sunday aest .-Al . rBED FrxsEL , Secretary .

      EniDGEWATEK . —Mr . E . Jones delivered a lecture in the Town Hall , on Tuesday eveninir , to a crowded audience , in which he advocated the Charter as the only means of bsiefitting the > orking classes . After theusual "vote of thanks to the lecturer , the chairman , SM-i the mayor , for the use of the hall , a hands :- ; ae collection was made , and the immense as-Mnbl y separated . - Vojwich . —At the weekly meeting of membera , its following resolution was agreed to : —" That t ' sJs meeting of members having heard the letter of P-triek O'liiggin , Esq ., readlrom the " Star , " mum tbeir sincere thanks to thai gentleman for hh nobledefence of Mr . O'Connor from the attacks o- :: isults of Messrs . HuntHolyoake , and Co ., and

      , ar ? of opinion that they are unworthy the confidence tif the working classes . That this meeting will not hare anything to do with the National Charter As-S 8 : iatioa while men are elected to guide the movepeat who tell us that they are Communist , Sociali * t , or anything else , and that they will do as they p ' eaae if elected ; and this meeting is of opinion tkt if the Chariistbody do not stand by their old tried friend and champion , Mr . Feargus O'Connor , they will brisg disgrace upon themselves . " BiEuisQHMi . — -At the weekly meeting on Sunday last , Mr . Barney ' s letter was read from the " Star , " and also the instructions for voting for tie Executive , when it was resolved—" That fche yotes of this locality betaken at the next meet ias ? . "

      JJactjp . —Mr . Ernest Jones delivered a lecture on Ciiurch and State , on the 10 th instant , in the MetWjics' Institute . Discussion having been invited , ? Oliartiat association was formed , when the follow"«'? persons were chosen to carry it into effect : — ^ s srs . Wm . Lacy , Jame 3 "Wilson , James Hinch-» i 3 e . Thomas Shenard . and David "Wilkinson .

      Untitled Article

      Aueged MOEnKE . —Under this head , a notice £ Vl be found in onr sixth page of the examination of MHiam Thompson , a mechanic , " at the Manchester carough Court , who was charged with the murder O -Jiis wife , a coroner ' s inquest was held on the b fs on Tuesday last , but no farther fads were f- 'c . ted , except that a post mortem examination had ° « n made , which showed that deceased ' s death was « os « d l > y concussion of the brain , but whether this Vas " » e result of a blow or a fall , there was no evi-? , ence *<» determine . The police , however , through ti ? nf c rt ! ons of Mr - Besffick , the chief superinten-, l oi «« detective department , have been enabled > Parry the matter fnW-lipr . TJi » m-Tcnner was

      wb- \} p again before the magistrates on Tuesday , prk- ' n ^ - ^ Satly , who lives next door to the du ^' nn £ £ ta , that sbe was awoke , some time lisa * | l , urday night , by a noise in the prisoner ' s s- 'nonn r n 0 Bghtsne heard screams , and then » iv * tm - . ?< asWl 8 ' afterwardsneard a a- " terrarri " an ^ footsteps in the honse , but he soon of \ f-ri 1 1 **!* and shut the door . Mary Hall , hMse ' and tW ^ A ' back door of whose ^ rose about : t . tUfi P nst"ier nearly adjoin , said « a . Saadav morn ^ t ™ imtf * b ^ re one o ' clock back of hb 1 JS ^ £ »? * 9 h « w » some one afc the a back feor wajffi * " ? f h ' ° ™ '<< '" *** ^ np-nded till ThnSJTS ° \ Tbe P risoner was re ' trial altheaEs ze 8 - > wlienlle was committed for

      Untitled Article

      TEE ELE CTORS AND THE ELECTED . TO THE CHARTISTS mSZtSZttSS jfa «•» ' » - m-imm iJ * £ H o ° t j | nf erstand such very nwe Soruple » . My Z 11 tllaUAa {;< ««« democrat * which s ^ that ? ZTJ : My - notion i 3 ' constituency tbat sends delegates is greater thaa the deleS thar 6 le ? f * r f- Primary "semblies a 2 hfgher than elected bodies ; and that , therefore , the full free vow * of the entire Chartist movement oilVSt any improvement it pleases in it . organisation Bo much for the objection on the score of dem ^ . iriUi

      ocracy ? f L f P ° fj tion ^ eshould be m at a time of crisis ganisation , and wo must needs wait until we could afford the money and efc np the machinery requisite for summoning % Conrention . Iftnero ia anevU get rid of it m speedily R 3 you Jan , And here is an occasion when we cannot 4 ait till a Convention is called together . An Executive ( by the rules ) must ha elected at once . A Contention couldnotmeet ; w \ Jm thMjixsieftk i ^^ ptUerfe Fore , 1 suggested WoTnif fomocrAtic ' course left in the emergency—to make forthwith a direct appeal to the Chartist body , whether certain alterations were not seeded in tho formation of an Executire . lou are farther told , vnn shnnliJ aIw r > o / . m ^ : **«»

      , of nine , because the large number " ensures a good average attendance . " 6 Pay the men—then you can command their attendance , and dueard them if they are negligent d cT rdD £ S « Nine are further recommended as giving the advantage of a multiplicity of opinions . That is just wnat we should avoid—it preTent 8 unity of action . Une man teJls us , " I ' m Communist , elect none but Communists with me . " Another says , " I ' m for supporting the middle-class movement . " Eaoh

      ope tries to dirert Chariiam into h tool to carry out his own peculiar notions , and thus all pull different ways , and neutralise the Chartist power . This comes of having men given to other movements on our Committee . "Would you take a locksmith to plane a board , or a bricklayer to make a pair of shoes . In the same way in which you want a carpenter for carpenter's work , or a wearer for weaving , bo you want a Chartistfor Chartism . And until you feel and aot upon this , you will never have Chartist work done properly .

      One rich gentleman tells us it is unnecessary " and "impracticable " to pay an Executive ! Let the rich man say it is unnecessary ; I , the poor man say that itia not—and lam prouder of my poverty than he is of his riches . He tella us " we do not want an Executive to live upon our energies and sacrieces . ' " Then neither should he want to lire upon the energies and sacrifices of au Executive . It is disgraceful in any movement to ask men to do that for us which we refuse to do for others , "Impracticable ! " What ? - —with such numbers of rich friends ready to form an Executive all for nothing ? Surely , if so ready to form an Executive they must be ready to support oue .

      He tells us , moreover , that we should "be better served " by rich amateurs than by men whom we paid . By whom should we be better served than by a Harney or a Kydd ? And can they- ' serro 03 unless we give them the means of living 1 People have such a naughty habit that they will not live without eating . The unpaid system , by the inevitable law of bread and cheese , drives such men from our active advooaey ; and I tell the rich gentleman thai one such man is worth a thousand of his order , with ten thousand times hi 9 sovereigns to boot . Another evil iu an unpaid Executive is that it Tenders it almost imperative that none but London men should be elected ; whereas the metropolis should enjoy no such preponderance in tbe committee , which should not be tinged by local interests , but represent a national feeling .

      The writer further objects to a Committee exclusively of working men . I never proposed it . What I said was , that the Committee should consist of men who would do our work , and not be coquetting with a hundred different things . That waa a strange perversion of my meaning . I perfectly agree with our wealthy monitor that a mau , because beba 3 been in prison , is no better iban another man . I am as opposed to an aristocracy of " convicts " as I am to any other aristocracy ; but I do say this , that getting into prison is no cause of reproach , as he makes it , and that it does not "evidence , " as he says , " a want of the foresight and calmness necessary to be possessed , since none could be more discreet , thoughtful , and calm than the leaders of the Trades' Union , and they are in Stafford gaol notwithstanding . Calm or loud , despotism imprisons Democracy whenever it growa dangerous . *

      A more important point is , the policy of not electing men plodged to other movements . Our friend talks largely of the Society for the Repeal of the Taxes on Knowledge , the Anti- State Cburch Association , and the Secular School Society —I said nothing about them , though , if a man gives his time to them he cannot be giving it to U 3 ; but what I did say was , we should not elect men wedded to a hostile political movement . Wo aro engaged in a struggle of Labour against Capital , and we should not elect men united with the Capitalist . The question isnotare weto join a " parcirkl association , " as tbe writer says ; but are we to join a hostile one , and have its agents on our Executive to neutralise and strangle our movement ? Such ia the association in 2 Jo . 11 , Poultry f—unfledged political birds who have not yet got the firsr down-feathers of Democracy upon them .

      Why do I call them hostile ? Because , in a strnggle of labour against capital , " every extension of tbe franchise that increases the power of tbe rich more than it increases the power of the poor , weakens and lessens the chances of . the latter to obtain their rights . " I know of no " parallel" association . If Financial Reformers mean the same thing as the Charter , let them give up the field to the working men , who had raised the Charter fifteen years before these political poultry had ever cackled . But if they mean not the same—and they do not if they mean merely an instalment of the franchise ( as I bave elsowhere shown , ) and that an instalment of 100 per cent , given to the middle

      class , for every ten per cent , given to the working class , and if that ten per cent , be given only to the aristocracy of labour , then I say it is a hostile movement—one ruinous to the people ' s cause ; and the man who supports it , is , though unconiciously , our enemy . I say , "though unconsciously , " for our argument is not , as this writer tells you , 11 thai " all wen are villains" ; but it is that we won't be made fools , and have the old tricks of 1 S 32 played over again . I desire , as well as he , to see Chartism made loveable 5 " but I do not wish to see it made a plaything , and a laughiBg stock of the rich . I would sooner see it Itateful in tbeir eyes than contemptible in our own ! And you may depend upon it , as soon as tbe rich begin to love it , it will be a thing not worth the affections of the

      poor . . . Having said this much as to whom I conceive fcno people should elect , permit me to offer a word to those whom they are electing . There seems a misapprehension on the part of some as to tbe amount of labour expected from a member of the Executive . 1 do not believe the Chartists expect unreasonable work from him ; but I think they do expect , and I know they have a right to expect , that their servants shall perform their work , and that it is not unreasonable to expect the member of the Executive who remains in town , to attend at tbe office for it least as many hours as a banker ' s or a merchant' ? clerk would do , and tbat each should be prepared to pasB in rotation , one out of every three months in the country . I do not see that a man need have the capabilities of a steam-engine to perform tbat , which , in this respective line , is performed by every commercial traveller or trader ' s servant .

      I regret that any Bhould refuse to serve in the peopled cause . Poor chance has Democracy when its best men refuse to serve it . This is false pride , and its error should be pointed out to a friend ( however intimate ov valued ) fer . he is no honourable man , who does not reprove the errors of a brother as freely as the sins of a foe . No mau should be too proud to live by work , and if not too proud to take wages from a private employer , no man aho ^ ii be too proud to take them from tho noblest of masters-the people-forthe holiest of works-their redemption . It is wrong-very wrong-to reject the helm when called to it in the most critical and SnSitime . Is this the way to help the move-

      Untitled Article

      * There bave been many personal remarks written . g@S-m « s SeP ^ d or u niaid . The reader is referred to the week ?^ tendance Htt , as published in the democratic ^ Su ^ fu tary and rinancial ReformAssociation .

      Untitled Article

      SStt * $ tray lecturing , and isolated tours wi not do it . The shout and cheer of the meeting may be more attractive-the independent deaulSry ffis ?* ^ Pr ° yf m ° re pleasant , but the stead , 11 a th' " »**•««»«»<»¦ service is what we want , and when called to the post of dutv nn Man should shrink from it in the So $ $ & $ * *** io the rally , then , every man who has a heart in l , L \ f ^ / ' u cannot s P one amid the honest sterling few who stand unshaken in the van guard or our battle . Do you see what comes of such refusals ? You leave the helm to the incapable or designing ; you repress the rising courage of the people ; joff shke their re-awakening confidence . menton ? Strav lecturing nnri ; Oni »* . j *^ . „ :

      . What mtist the people think » nd feel when they call upon those whom they love and trust , to serve u S " an »? one b ? ° neanswer "Not I , " " Not I , " ' aoi I , ' Ia this the way to help Democracy , and tbAtinitsmost critical and trying hour ? Oh no ! the Charter is endangered . Stand by it —stand by it ! every man of heart . Stand firm . ? cHfi £ nT , . wn b y > tfaen comes tho signal MARCH ! and we'll move onward ! ¦ ~ ,.. . . . Ernest Josbs [ While giving insertion to the letter of Mr . 1

      Jonea onthe princi ple ^ ' Hoar on alLBides , ' verlfi g that it may b e distinctly understood we do not identify ourselves with the sentiments it contains , We totally dissent from the proposition that movements for smaller measures of Reform than the Charter , are ' hostile movements ; ' and we have not tbe least sympathy wjili Ihe spirit which -would convert the agitation for Parliamentary Eeform into a war of classes . All the paid Executives in the world could never make

      such-a movement succeed ; and if they could , success would be matter for sorrow rather than rejoicing . We do not want to see one sort of tyranny and injustice replace another , but the rights and interests of all placed under the protection of just and equal laws . — Ed . jy , S , ]

      Untitled Article

      THE MINERS' AXD SEAMEN ' S CONFERENCE . TO THE EDITOR OF IHE NORTHERN STAR . Sin ,- —The Seamen and Miners' Conference was held at Hull , on Monday , December loth , and following days , and the following is an epitome o ( the business done at tbe said Conference , The delegates having chosen Mr . Oliver , delegate for the Hull and Yarmouth Seamen , to be the Chairman , and Mr . Hamilton , of Newcastle-on-Tyne , as secretary , proceeded to take the creden . tials of those present , when the following ports and mining districts were represented : —Mr . J . H . Oliver , Hull and Yarmouth ; Mr . Frazer , Aberdeen and Dundee ; Mr . M'Kenzie , Middlesbro' and Stockton ; Mr . Young , Sunderland and Seahau Harbour ; Mr . J . Smith , South Shields ; Mr . Thomas White ,

      North Shields ; Mr . A . U . Hamilton , Newcastleon Tjne ; Mr . . Luckett , Hartleppol . London and several other ports were represented , by letter . The Miners of Northumberland and Durham were represented by Mr . R . Archer for the latter county , and M , Jude for the former . Letters were read from tbe Miners of Lancashire and Cheshire , from G . Brown , of Yorkshire , andjfrom Mr . Hewitt , as seoretary to the North Staffordshire Miners , all expressing a sympathy for the society ' s welfare and prosperity , and stating their desire to become more intimately acquainted with the principles and objects of the Association . Letters of encouragement were also received from the missionaries now out , which showed tbe interest taken in the movement by the ports of Maryport , Whitebaven , Glasgow , and Belfast , and tbe likelihood of these western ports and mining districts joining tbe Association ,

      The subject matter next introduced was the necessity of a code of rules for the guidance of the members ; when , after a lengthened debate on the general princi ples of such rules , < i committee of three were appointed to draw up tho same . In the interim , the delegates proceeded to investigate and examine the accounts , the treasurer submitting a balance-sheet of income and expenditure , which , after a careful scrutiny , was read to the Conference , adopted as correct , and signed by tbe chairman and two other delegates , as auditors . The Conference next took up the debate on tbe rules as detailed by tbe Committee , when each rule was read and discussed , and , after due consideration— -and in some instnnces amended—they were ultimately agreed to , and will forthwith be laid before the several ports and districts for confirmation at the next Conference .

      The proposed newspaper , to be called " The Seamen and Miners' Advocate , " came next under consideration , and occupied the attention of the delegates for a long time . The case being necessarily one of difficulty to deal with , for men who had little or no experience in such matters , hence it was resolved tbat in order to test whether the seamen and miners wanted a newspaper or not , that it be submitted to each man to pay down one shilling , to form the necessary capital to bring out such an organ , and that ttioso who chose may take up shares of 5 s . each share , and that five per cent , per annum be paid to such shareholders . As the debate upon tbe above went on it became known to the delegates that several gentlemen were anxious to aid the project by loans of money and bonds of security , &c . ; and one gentleman in London , now having a publication of his own ,

      offered to give up tbe copyright , and allow the association the benefit of aa established civcvtl&tion to begin with . The delegates willingly accorded their gratitude for such liberal offers , but came to a resolution to endeavour to raise the capital necessary from their own members and tbe public , calling upon the former to pay one shilling each , and allowing the shares of five shillings each to be taken by the latter ; each local secretary and committee to receive and collect all monies and shares , and bring orforward the same to the next Conference ; which Conference will finally determine to bring out the newspaper , should thefund 9 subscribed be khought ample for that purpose . The Conference concluded its sitting on Friday afternoon , having elected tbe proper officers as an Executive till next Conference , which will be bold on the first Tuesday in March , 1352 , at Dundee , in Scotland .

      The delegates separated with the greatest good feeling and harmony , each pledging himaelf to do bis best to extend and perfect the organisation of the two bodies , and to induce tbeir respective members to aid and assist In tbe same . I am , Sir , yours , < fcc , M . Judb .

      Untitled Article

      CRUEL OPPRESSION OF A POOR MAN . TO THE EDITOR OF THE N 0 BTHEBW STAR . _ Sir . —A man , in humble circumatances , named * rancis Ide , carrying oa the business of a beer retailer , in the village o { Sompting , near Worthing , has recently been mulcted in tbe heavy penalty of At 6 d- ' ' or bavingi on the night of the 18 th ot the recent October , permitted beer to be drunk ia his house after ien o ' clock , " contrary to the Act of Parliament ; " tbat , too , in the very teeth of the letter of his license , which point-blank expreageB the hour of eleven as the legal limit to the lime for the Bale of beer on his premises » The

      said license wag not only signed ( as legally required ) by the heads of the parish ot SomptiDgi ^ * Sr i&e ( i by lfee Excise offi ° «» William Husband , and William Russell ; the former the collecter , the latter the supervisor » n the ease . Querry ;—Which was right— khe letter 0 / He ' s license ( which is the poor man ' s only guide—the pn ' y » lantern" to his legal path ) , or the two " justices , " William Whitter , Esq ., and Captain Forbes , R . N ., who . convicted him ? It is evident tbat t { tere " nc . H 8 t be . ti something roWen-in tbe State of Denmark . " Both cannot be correet—one or tbe other must ) inevitably , be h error . We have no light to suppose tbat our country ' s laws would recognise such a . conflicting mode of dispensing "justice . " v 6

      I have drawn up an address to the Home Secretary , as well as to the Board of Excise ; and that the issue of my intercession may prove favourable to this defenceless , injured man , is the ardent wish of , Sir , your respectful Correspondent , Lewes , Sussex , Dec . 17 . Hy . Schlthorp .

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      THE CHARTIST EXECUTIVE . TO THE EDITOB OF THK NORTHERN STAR . Sib , —My attention has just been called to your piper of last week , wherein 1 am nominated to fill the office of one of the Executive Committee That has been done without my knowledge or consent ; neither did I know of it until now , or I should have requested you to withdraw my name from the list of nominations . You will oblige me by doing so now ; and you will further oblige if you would allow me to thank Mr . Le Blond for the good services he rendered common sense in his manly letter Of last week . Your's respectfully , 42 , Turner-street , Manchester . Jambs Leach , December 17 th , 1 S 51 .

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      THE SHIP LOCCALITY AND JOIIS ARNOTT . TO THB BDITOR OP THE NORTnERK STAB . Dear Sir , —I was rather surprised ( as I had not been written to ) on reading in your journal of Saturday last the following report : — " At the members' meeting ofr the Ship locality , on the motion of Messrs . Dooktey and Snowies , the seoretary was instructed to write to Mr . John Arnott , the secretary of the Executive , complaining of the insult offered to Mr . John Shaw and to their locality , by a letter received from him requesting to know whether Mr . Shaw was eligible to stand as a candidate for the ensuing Executive . " And in order for you and your readers to judge of its insulting character , I beg to forward a copy of the letter jomplained of ; copies of which I also forwarded to Messrs . O'Connor , O'Brien , Kydd . Wheeler , &c . : —

      14 , Southampton Street , Strand . December 2 nd , 1 S 51 . Dear Shaw , —As you have been nominated as one of the future Executive of the National Charter Association , I beg to inform you that at a special meeting of tbe Committee held on last evening , I was instructed to respectfully solicit from you an early reply to the following questions : —¦ 1 st . —Are you duly qualified to aot in that capacity by having been ( in accordance with the rules ) a bonafide member of the Association for the last six months 1 2 nd . —If elected , will you consent to serve ? lam , dear Shaw , Your ' s as ever , Mr . John Shaw . John Arsott , Secretary .

      Permit me , Sir , to add , that I hare never- acted on my own responsibility , but on instructions givon by the Committee , and I feel a conscious satisfaction that none of my colleagues can charge me with having neglected any of the instructions I hare received . Trusting you will favour me by inserting this in your current number , I am , dear Sir , Yours very respectfully , Jon » Ahsott .

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      PARLIAMENTARY REFORM . A general meeting of tho members of the Ilatter's trade , resident in the metropolis , was held on Monday evening , at tho Southwark Literary Institution , Bovough-voad , for the above object , The large theatre of tbe institution was well filled . Mr . J . Jones was called to the chair , and stated that the Hatters generally were interested in the question of reform j they wished to set au example to the other metropolitan trades , and ultimately to effect such a union among them as should cause Lord John Russell to give tbem a real , and not a

      sham measure of reform . It wag only necessary for tho trades to express choir opinions , openly and decidedly , and they would obtain all their jast demands . He objected to the rato paying clause in the Manchester scheme . To ensure their full emancipation it W ; is necessary that they should have the whole of the six points . The working men , more especially the trades , were certainly capable of making a proper and just USO of the franchise . The speaker thon dwelt upon the several principles necessary to secure the right of Universal Suffrage . Mr . Pakk moved the following resolution : —

      That Una meeting , feeling kLe importance of » Reform in our representative system , and that no proposed change which leaves any class of the community unrepresented , and therefore discontented , will satisfactorily settle this urgent question , and remove the necessity for agitation with the feeling of excitement consequent thereon , resolve , that every man , twenty-one years ot age , of sound mind , and free from legal crime , should be enttled to vote in the election of Members to the Commons House of l ' arliament . That to secure the tree , unmolested , and incorrupt use ot the franchise , the mode of election be voting by the ballot .

      Mr . Parfe said , that Lord John Russell having expreBsed kis intention to grant the people some measure of potitical reform , tho men of Manchester had expressed their opinion upon the extent to which that measure should be carried . The Hatters of London , and he trusted the other trades , were also about to express their opinions upon this question . The Manchester measuro seemed to express the feeling of tho great bulk of the public . The only objections that could reasonably be taken were their retaining the rate paying qualification , and not expressing a definite opinion upon the rights of lodgers or the period of occupancy necessary to constitute a voter . The queaion would never be fairly settled until these

      grounds for quibbling were removed . It was by means of public opinion , expressed at meetings like the present , that tbeir freedom could be achieved . Nothing less than allowing working men to manage their own aSsiirs , by means of tho vote , ever would or ought to satisfy the people . The vote must also be protected by tho ballot . The difference between the opinion of the working men and middle class politicians was , that the latwr held the franchise to be a privilege , and not a right ; and they would concede it only to those who , by the circumstance of their holding a certain position in society , appeared to them qualified to make a proper use of it . He held the franchise to be a right . That all men should be equal before tho law was' a great moral as well as a political principle , and must be acted upon before humanity could ever progress

      towards perfection . There was also another class of men who opposed their views on tho ground that government ought to be " fov tho people , " but not" by the people . " They asserted that the destinies of , the nation could never be safely entrusted to working men , because , being poor in pocket , and loosa in morals , they would bo liable to sylmse the trust reposed in them . "Virtue , honesty , and patriotism were wot confined to a class . Wealth was no guarantee for a , proper use of the franchise ; neittiev was poverty a necessary veason why a man should mis-use it . Men would not much longer offer themselves up aa an oblation to the shrine of Mammon , thus perpetuatingtheir own degradation . The era for the dominion of kings and priests was past , and that of the people would speedily arrive . The speaker was muuh applauded during a long address . i

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      Mr . Sraorfff seconded the resolution . The working man was the producer of all wealth . Their trade had never as a body taken a pare in political movements until the present instance . Ha felt ift common with others , that the time had now arrived when it became . the duty of the trades to endeavour to wring political reform from the government . They found that their labour was not protected , and that the funds extracted from tnsm were mis-applied . The necessaries of life were heavily taxed . Tea , before it reached the table of the work ing man , paid a duiyot 250 per cent . Tobacco might be called a luxury , —but it was obiefly used by working men , and paid a duty of 000 per cent . If these duties were lowered the consumption would be increased , and a greater quantity of our manufactured goods would bo taken

      oy China and America in exchange . As workin « men , they were deeply interested in these aff . iir 3 ° and were bound to seek a remedy for their wrongs ' . Parliament , as at present constituted , did uotrepreaent them , and they must purify it by adopting the principle of Universal Suffrage in its election A seat in parliament was now a complete matter of sale . The candidate with the longest purse was the man whom the electors delighted to honour . The speaker then showed the unfitneas of many of the present electorsi for - 'the exercise of the franchise / and maintained that it might be safely trusted in the hands of working men . Nothing less than Universal Suffrage would ever satisfy the people , nni they would not cease in their agitation until they obtained it , ( Glieers . ) The resolution was then carried unanimoualv .

      Mr . Ollbbessuaw moved the second resolution , advocating Equal Electoral Districts , and Triennial Parliaments . There was a peculiar aspect in their meeting . It was tbe commencing note of a noble , popular anthem . They were the representatives of the great future , and their decision would be of great weight in the future guidance of the Keform movement . Their trade had determined to expound its own views , and not trust to the delegation of others . Their employers , if they regarded their true' interest , ought to have beon umong them , aiding and awsiaung , Men and ma 9 tera were in false positions ; they did not know each other sufficiently well ; if they did , they would not manifest the distrust to each other which they did at the present time . He trusted that the

      pre sent was the commencement of a great workingman ' s movement , which would supersede the old and worn-out political associations , and which would make use of every weapon of progress , from the press to the senate , to achieve the emancipation of their labour . They must lessen the hours of labour , and increase or maintain the present rate of wages , They needed more leisure , in order to cultivate their intellectual faculties ; this could only be obtained by proeurinspoliticil power . Their representatives ought to be " honest stewards , and not irresponsible masters . Responsibility was the best guarantee for activity and honesty . They had adopted the principle of Triennial Parliaments .

      They preferred Annual ones . Delegates had attended from the majority of their shops , and compromises were mutually made , in order that tho meeting might express fully tbe viows of the whole trade . He believed that three years was a sufficiently Io » g period of irresponsibility . It- was a sufficiently long lease of power , and would prevent much bribery by the constant recurrence of the period of meeting their constituents . Each member of parliament ought to represent an equal number of volers ; the present system of boroughs deprived many £ 10 householders of a vote . Was it correct or just , that Abingdon should possess as much influence in the Houao of Commons as

      Manchester—the one having only 292 voters , and the other thousands ? . The present system waa a complete mockery of justice , and could only be effectually cured by tho adoption of Equal Electoral Districts . Every man was necessary to the welfare of his fellow men , none should be loft by the wayside , outcast and neglected . The intelligence , the energies of all were neeiled , ami all should be bound up in the great bond , of governmental representation . They must struggle and wrestle with the evil influences of past despotism until they had gained a safe guarantee for the future . He trusted

      chey . / ir . ould not cease ia their exertions until the whole of the London trades were embarked in the same good cause . If they were in earnest a bright future yraa before them ; a future linked not only with that of France , but of all Europe . They must form a workman ' s party , and make a stand against that system of commercial recklessness , which was equally injurious to all classes . ( The speaker wa 8 much applauded , ) Mr . Amos briefly seconded the resolution , and read a quantity of statistics relative to the present distribution of voters in the counties and borough

      towns . Mr . Jekkinson , an influential person in the trade , said he was sorry to throw the bone of contention among them , but the whole of the arguments adduced against Septennial Parliaments might be equally adduced against Triennial Parliaments . It had always been one of the principles of the old Radical party , prior to the establishment of either Chartism or Socialism . If they laid down a principle for the adoption . of the trade , let ik be a correct one . It was time enough to make concessions when they were demanded of them , lie concluded bv movine

      Annual Parliaments as an amendment to Triennial . Mr . Kklsky , in a very animated address , seconded the amendment , and showed tho manner in which tho master Hatters acted in relation to the borough of Newcastle , which was entirely under the dominion of Christie , by the power ho possessed of withdrawing or sending employment to tbe small masters . They had not altered their minds » a to the superiority of Annual over Triennial Parliaments . It was only < i concession to those respectable Reformers who were ashamed of the name of Chartists . Ilo hud not much faith in

      the consistency of those gentlemen , and thought they should maintain tho principle of yearly Parliaments . Mr . Ollehekshaw briefly replied . He waa in favour of Annual Parliaments , but they wished to fain friends , and not make enemies . They adopted Triennial Parliaments from the policy of , conciliation . After some remarks from Mr . Jenkinson the amendment and resolution wrcre put to the meeting , and the resolution waa declared tr > be carried . Mr . Stepiienson moved a resolution appointing a committee to co-operate with other trades' bodies , and lay down a course of action as tho basis of their future policy . Mr . Cooksey seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously . The committee was agreed to be appointed at a meeting of delegates from the various shops , to be held on the following Wednesday . A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman and Secretary , and the meeting dispersed .

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      CONTINENTAL POLITICS . A public meeting was held on Wadneaday evening at the National Hall , Hoiborn , to consider tho present position of affairs on the Continent , and their relation to Englsh politics . Shortly after eight o ' clock Mr , G , J , HoLTOAKr was called to the chair , and commenced by stating that Mr . T . Hunt was to have occupied the chair , but was prevented by illness , The object of calling the meeting was to inform the public of the events taking place abroad , in order that they might express ;\ n opinion on them . Tbe principal reason given for aggression upon the people wa 3 their violence . He trusted that the meeting would comport itself in a firm , but moderate manner , that no advantage might be taken of their sentiments . 2 fo man could avoid feelings of indignation at the

      pveremptory and violent conduct of the French President ; but it did not become them to express themselves with similar violence ; many thought that this degree of tyranny was necessary to secure the maintenance of order , Their duty that evening was to show that tyranny could riot be justified under any circumstances . Tyranny would ever be found a bad and unprofitable policy . It had been asserted that tho Socialist party wove entertaining designs which rendered the steps of the President necessary . Public opinion wns not allowed free expression in France , and no person , from the

      slight evidence before l » m , could come to such a conclusion . They were not advocates of Liberty , Equality , and Ferocity , but Fraternity . All thenpublic sentiments expressed peaceand brotherhood , Theiv o )> p& » &nt » tad always assorted that rovoltt * tions must necessarily end in military despotism ; and thus had realised the . truth of the idea they had expressed . This was ever the evil produced by exaggeration . It created the thing which it appeared to dread . It was , therefore , above all things , necessary that moderation should characteyhe their speeches . Mr . J . Pettik moved the following resolution : — 'That . this meeting protests against the political changes In Franco , against the arbitrary and heartless means by which they have been effected j and deems it ft dull ' to

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      . . use I ) ubllc VOice on behalf of a friendly people crushed wider a military rule ; ») so to call earnestly upon our ^ ivcniine ut to use its political influence on behalf of tho in i / - ? " ' tht ; nb"' ; ies of tho uw . nle , di-stiMwd by tho indefensible aggressions of organised dc'snotis . ™! Kossuth had asserted that ( ho English people bad inn . 1 OW a certain lino of policy to ensure nni ^ ; fm ' unfol ' turia { ol . » they had no national f ' , e - h : id on | y a policy for a day or an KotwiM «? l ! only fvir n Motion of the ' people . JndThS S ™ ! l the ¦ »»""« ^ which tho public pK . 8 Lf ? i T unoed the conduct of the French President , the English minister still retained his position at the court of the President . Before the cn / tnon bad almost ceased sounding in their ears ' informed them that

      the Press our Ambassador and auraer . ous distinguished Engli 8 hmen attended the levees of Napoleon . Other countries would suppose from this , that England cordially consented to those proceedings in France , They had nothing else to guide them , but Englishmen knew that the Press was only tho organ 0 / separate factions , and not an expression of 5 ho public will . The only course left the people to prevent tliis misrepresentation of their views was to meet and protest against the conduct of their Ambassador being'taken as an . exponent of the public wilf . The peopls of Franca were nofc as the ' Times' oneff lepresented them—half tigers , half monkeys . The 7 had struggled gallailtij Since 1789 for their liberties . The revolution v / asnob

      etoverj the present was but another phase of it . The names of Danton , of ilarat , aud Robespierre , though so vilely calumniated by the bourgeoisie , wap still dear to Frenchmen , - ( Great cheering . ) lift was proud to hear them cheer the name of Robes * pierre . Tbes © men were ths founders of the social system whic& so alarmed the friends of order . Socialism was said to mean violence and bloodshed ; strange that E&glbh working men thought it too too slow , philosophical , and peaceful . Soeialism wa « opposed t& bloodshed . [ A Voics . —Did not Marat love bfoad ? 1 He did not love to see the

      blood of the people flow silently and unheeded , but in a stream far wider and deeper than that shed in / war . " ( Great cheering . ) Marat ' s sentiments came from" his heart , and sot from his head ; they were dictated by a pure lov& for humanity . The French , Republicans did not tbirst for blood , but they fearlessly shed their own in > defence of liberty . Franca ? had been the bulwark of liberty in Europe . She vra * now bound and manacled , and let them beware that liberty did not suffer from her bondage . The frontier auainat despotism was removed , let them beware * that it did not overleap its present boundaries .-

      Mr . G . HoornR seconded the resolution . There could be no doubt that there wa 9 a great conspiracy among the northern despots against the liberty of Europe , and this incident was but the first of 3 chain of events . This conspiracy was proved by the conduct of the courts of Vienna and Berlin , who not only approved of the coup de etat , but prevented the Press of their states from snying one word against the acts of Napoleon . The Pope that very day had given in bis approval of the act of the Usurper . ( Laughter . ) They need not laugh , for Catholicism was a power that was fast organising itself and was much to be dreaded . The only remedy was a union of thepoplc of America with those of England .

      Dr . TAUSKNAU supported the resolution . Havinghad some experience in diplomatic aflairs , he had been requested to dwell upon that portion of the subject . The coup de etat of Napoleon had , notwithstanding the awful butchery of khe people , completely failed . It waa originated by Prince Metternich ; this was proved by a dispatch of his intercepted by the Hungarians . In that he avowed that their plan waa to massacre the liberty of Europo in the streets of Paris—to have a second Bartholomew night in Paris—and by massacreing 50 , 000 citizens in the streets to put down republicanism in Europe for half a century . This plan had completely failed ; the Republicans were not to > be caught in the trap . Those who were killed were chiefly students , representatives , and middle-class

      men . Tbe barricades were planned and built by tho agentp of Jfapoloon ; this was discovered by some of his agents being killed before they could escape . Jfapoleon was grieved that this plot ba 4 / ailed , but thought to realise his ends by deporting the Republicans . Thank God ho could not deport the half of France . This blow would only brinjj erenta to a crisis . It would annihilate the selfstyled party Of Order in France ; and thua though , it appeared to triumph for the day , it was in reality defeated , and the Republicans of France were yefc alive to be the saviours of Europe . ( Loud cheers . ) They had escaped from the fangs of 170 , 000 druuken Boldiers , and their defeat was a real victory . The speaker then dwelt upon the diplomaticpart of the question . The secret treaty of Napoleon

      wich the Emperor of Russia in 1807 , which was to u'ive Turkey to Russia , Egypt to Prance , nnd dispossess England of Gibraltar , of India , and the Colonies , was again being attenipted to be carried into effect . England at that time induced Russia to withdraw from the compact , but the Russian . Cabinet had ever regretted that it had dono so . They were now attempting to blockade English commerce from the Continent , to raise up tho Austrian instead of the more liberal Prussian tariff , and thus to cripple tbe strength of this country . Everywhere they were waging a war against the liberty of the Press . The free press oi Belgium was too near to its despotically inclined neighbours , and artifice and . diplomacy was being

      resorted to m endeavouring to suppress it . The changes in Europe , and the greater progress of . liberal ideas might induce the Northern despots to somewhat modify the plsins of 1807 , but their spirit was still the sume ; where force could not succeed , policy and fraud wore being tried . England had only to keep in tho vanguard of freedom , and she was safe from all foreign attacks . Diplomacy would be set to work . They would endeavour to get the English govevcmeijfc to dismiss the refugees from their shores . Tho British people , though slow to move , were too powerful and too generous to bo insulted with impunity . He cautioned them to beware of the tricks of diplomacy , and . to see that English honour was not betrayed by treachery or incorapeteiicy .

      Messrs . Birch , of Oxford , Goodfellow , and Eixis , supported the resolution . Mr . O'Bries , who was loudly cheered on coming forward , stated that he did tiotagree with the resolu-, ion . Its tonu did not accord with the facts laid beforo them . Murder , usurpation , treachery , and every crime that man could conceive , were called " late political changes . " He could not concur iti asking Lovd Palmerston to assist in restoring liberties to the French people without having tho crime of humbug on his soul . If Lord Palmorston was anxious to extend liberty , he could extend it to the people at home . lie felt bound to move tbe following amendment : —

      That this meeting contemplates with abhorrence and disgust the triumphant usurpation of Louis Xapoleon ; tut usurpation accompViolied by a continuation of crimes , including perfidy , violence , and organised murder , unparalelled in the history of Europe . That we deeply sympathise with the great and generous French people in seeing their hard-won constitutional rights and lioerties so foully trampled upon by brute—military—force , and ( ve earnestly hope , in common with all good men , tliat Europe will speedily see a termination of this usurper" ? power , worthy of his reign , worthy of his crimes , ana Of las ingratitude towards the French people .

      Mr . O'Brien at some length supported his amendment . The plot formed ' by Napoleon was the darkest in modern history . He filled Paris with his troops , surrounded the Assembly , annihilated the press , then dispersed the Assembly—and , to blind the people , placarded the wails with " Universal Suffrage restored . " Ilo arrested men of all parties in order that each might think the other the proscribed class . The arrests of Thicrs , Changamier and others were , he believed , a mere ruse , arranged by himself . ( A cry of " Prove it . " ) Ho would prove it by circumatautial evidence . He had not injured tho heads of one of those whom he arrested , whilst he shot men for being merely called Socialists . The men who had procliihneu him a traitor , and endangered his life , if they were sincere were walking unmolested in thu streets of Paris , whilst the honest men of the Mountain , who

      were acting in perfect faith with Napoleon , were hiding in danger of their lives . He believed tbat the plot had been concocted with the majority of the Assembly . The " Constitutionnel , " in the heat of the conflict , let out a part of the plot , when ifc acknowledged that Changarnier and the party of order were "willing to agree to a coup d ' etat provided it was directed against the Mountain . Mr . O'Brien enumerated other facts of a similar nature , showing that all Napoleon ' s efforts wera directed to the slaughter and destruction of the Democrats and Socialists . The " Tiroe 3 " acknowledged that the soldiers did not act like troops , but like butchers ; and that the awful sacrifice of life in Paris would never be known . It was a plot of the upper and middle class to assassinate the dofenders of labour , and . ill who supported them weva either traitors or impostors . ( Loud cheers . )

      Mr . MURRAY having briefly seconded the amendment , M . Montalembert , leader of the pvesent party in France , and now 11 partisan of Napoleon , said at tho time of the occupancy of Rome that they had had an expedition to Rome , and now they " must have an expedition fco the interior ; the real meaning of this expedition was now revealed . Mr . Pettie briefly addressed the meeting in favour of the resolution , and complained of the iutemperate langunge of Mr . O' Brieti . The resolution and amendment were then ymfc the meeting , and the amendment carried by a large majority .

      Mr . O'Brien explained relative to his 80 termed strong language . The meeting dispersed , the proceedings having been prolonged until a very late hour .

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      Father Gavazzi ia studyi » g the English language for the . purpose of lecturing in it . ' Ilia orations ill England , which have been so much » rai $ ed , hare been all delivered in Italian .

      Efjarttat Intelligence.

      efjarttat Intelligence .

      Ciroftjpoifflttttt*

      Ciroftjpoifflttttt *

      $Ttwfc Fljeettttga.

      $ ttWfc flJeettttga .

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      TEE WEAVERS OF COLSE , KEIGHLEY , AND BRADFORD . TO MB EDITOR 6 P T . HB NOBTBjnM STAB , Sib , —The wearing body in Paisley , for some time past , have seen . a strong feeling manifested by a few of their employers to reduce their wages , on account , as it is said , of tho cloth being wrought cheaper in some parts of England . As the Central Committe has no correspondence with the parts abore referred to , I hare been instructed by it to request that you will insert this letter in your paper of Saturday—first , tbat it may be the means of bringing about a better understanding with the districts interested . For a few years nast the weavers in Paisley have been organised ; oft that thev have been tho means of getting '

      several tables which have left prices steady and uniform , aad when any of the tables were attempted to be broken by aoma of our leia scrupulous employers , the redaction was generally prevented by a little gentle remonstrance on the part of the committee ? But as our tables are drawn up on the principle that they shall only vemain in operation so long as the same prices are paid in other places , where the same kind of work is made , the committee have felt themselves at considerable loss , when statements were made by some of the manufacturers that the same description of cloth was wrought cheaper in Colho , Keighley , and Bradford . into

      | As the committee are desirous of entering an arrangement with the weavers of these localities , either by letter , or delegation , if necessary , 1 would therefore feel obliged by any one connected vf ith the trade to communicate with me as early as possible If the weavers in those localities have no committee to look after their business I would take the liberty to suggest that a meeting be called to appoint one . By so doing , it may bo the means of preventing a serious reduction on a very low paid description of work to us , in the Erst place , and at the same time prevent it from recoiling on themselves . Yours respectfully , John RoBEitTSON , Seo * 15 , Sandholes-street , Paisley . December iOib , l&l .

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      . ¦^ = 4 S 2 NATI 0 NAL TRADES' JOURNAL '

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      ^^ J - 737 - ; . _ IQTOON , SATPBDAY . DECEMBER 20 W" ~~ i ^ W *^ ., — ' ' ' - -

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 20, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1657/page/1/