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Northern Star (1837-1852), 27th December 1851, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1, Untitled Article

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      , iJIONAL CHAKTER ASSOCIATION . * * ngces— li t Southampton-street , Strand . The fixecative Committee of this body held nsnal weekly meeting as above , on ffgnisr evening last . Present : Messrs . Xrtiot t , Harney , Holyoake , La Blond , and iliine . Messrs . Grassb y and Jones were ^ t . Messrs . Hunt and O'Connor were ^ absent through indisposition . John fjjjtie presided . The correspondence received *^ be Secretary Teport ed that lie had been . plied to by some teetotal friends who were

      fijrous of forming a locality at the Tempe-JScb Ha « , 86 . B « yal Mint-street , Tower-hill , j * j , called the Tower Hamlets Total Absence locality , and solicited the Executive * o caUa meeting in the above Hall for that purpo se . After a brief discuBBion it was decided that the question be deferred until the jatare Executive bad been elected . The Secretary also reported that the Metropolitan Delegate Council , at . a meeting held

      on the previous afternoon , had agreed to a resolution recommending the Executive Comjnitte to call on the metropolitan localities to each elect one delegate to scrutinise the votes jeceived for the future Executive . Therecommendation was approved of , and the Secretary fl-as instructed to issue a notice in accordance jdereffith , and request such delegates to attend I the offices for that purpose on "Wednesday evening . December 31 st , at Beven o ' clock in

      jjje evening . jfr . J . B . O'Brien having recently stated in Ms ' European Notes ' : — ' Thatittra ^ npt from any disrespect to the Chartist body that Is ceased for some time to be an enrolled inemherof the Association , and had declined £ , de nominated as one of the Executive , ' the Secr etary was instructed to announce that the votes received on Mr . O'Brien ' * behalf mold not be recognised .

      After the transaction of financial and other business , the committee adjourned to Monday evening . December 29 th . Signed , on behalf of the Committee , John Abnott , General Secretary .

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      CAXDIDAIES NOMINATED FOR THE TUIUKE EXECUTIVE . Jeargus O'Connor , Ernest Jones , G . J . Holyoate , Thornton Hunt , Robert Le Blond , John Arnott , James Grassby , C . 3 T . Nicholls , T . il . Wheeler , John Shaw , J . J . Bezer , H . T . Holyoake , A . J . Wood , G . Haggis , J . B . Law , Gerald Massey , Hobert Oliver , A . E . Delaforce , J . M . Bryson , P . M . M'Douall , "W . J . Linton , and Arthur Trevelyan . N . B . —The names of J . B . O'Brien and James Leachare , are omitted from the above list , as they have declined to serve . All votes received after Tuesday , December Mb , will be null and void .

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      Xobxh Shields . —Mr . G . J . Harney leetared on Monday , December loth , to the seamen and the walking classes generally , span their grievances and the remedy . At a meeting held on the 17 th inst . , it was resolved ; — ' That this meeting is of opinion that the acts of the assassin Bonapateon the French people call loudly on the people of Great Britain to raise their voice against such vile

      assumpt ion , treachery , and brntal conduct ; and that we view the presence of the English ambassador at the fetes of the President to be nothing short of aiding and abetting is &e iniquitous proceedings of that graceless perjorer and spoliator , and that we appeal to our government to have our representative withdrawn and prevented from countenancing such scenes of villany . '

      Hmiley asd Shelton . —At a meeting held on Sunday last , it was resolved : — 'That Mr . Julian Harney having declined to act , and being one of the list nominated by this locality , , we wbt to supply bis place with Mr . J . B . f O'Brien . * Sixty-eight votes were given for the Mlowiag gentlemen : —P . O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., E . Jones , T . Cooper , J . B . O'Brien , and T . M . TVheeler . « That the Executive be requested to publish the number of vote 3 sent in from this and every other locality , nth the names for whom the votes are given , > or the purpose of satisfying the members that a faithful return has been made / It 705 also considered that the Executive have

      acted a very partial and unjust part in not retaining Mr . Cooper ' s name in the nomination list This locality complains of the neglect manifested in not publishing the list of candidates in last Saturday ' s paper . Torquay , — A public meeting was held in the Temperance Hall , on the 17 th inst , when a lecture was delivered by Erne 6 t Jones , on 'Kossuth and Hungary . ' Mr . Jones also de-Wred a lecture in the Union Hall , on the lOtfr fcst . onthe 'French Revolution . ' The lectures gave great satisfaction . * South Lancashire Delegate Meeting .

      —A . meeting of delegates , representing the Chartists of Manchester , Stockport , Ashton , Stalvbrid gc Rochdale , &c , was held on Saadav , ia the National Gharter Association Boom , * Stalybridge . Mr . Edward Harrop having been called to the chair , opened the business of the meeting by a few well-timed remarks on the present position of the move-Q , and the necessity of continued exertions on the part of the Chartists to extend " » e organisation now eo happily effected in s&hs portions of South Lancashire . He

      included by calling on the delegates to profee their credentials , and give in . a report of &e state of tbe localities represented . The sports were on the whole ot a very cheering * 3 * are , more especially from Ashton , where the re hasbeenaconsiderableaccession of memj ^ s . Tlie levy of one-halfpenny per member lmrjag been paid in , the Secretary read ' the aiiiutes of tbe last meeting , which , with the ^ ccptinnofthetwo relating to the election c Executive , were unanimously confirmed , and the following resolutions adopted : —

      That in order to effect a more general distribution of circulars and tracts , explanatory of &e principles of Chartism , the delegates pressat pled ge themselves , on the part of the lo-^ ities they represent , to circulate as exten-£ : * ely as possible , the tracts and circulars H » lished by the South Lancashire delegates , '^ i res pectfully call on any of the members 11 the National Charter Association , who may "&& themselves competent to work , to write -Wt articles on any of the points contained in * ta People ' s Charter ; Buch articles to be fcntto the next delegate meeting for approval

      7 the delegates prior to being printed and Collated . ' ° < TIiat until the opinions of the J * ° pfe can be ascertained by the election of a N ational Conference , we believe it would be ^ orein accordance with Chartist principles " abide jjy tfcg acc sion of the late Coaventl 0 % hi the election cf and Executive ; * f . pursuant thereto , we recommend our con-™ tatt > te to proceed to the election of nine gentle"fr % feno ^ n to the Association , and in whom the greatest amount of confidence cm be placed , wider

      = « sun » circumstances—viz . :-Feargus O Connor , j ^ est Jones , James Grassby , James Bezer , Thos y tu , Wilier , William Linton , Gerald Massey , ( 2 ™ ?^ John Arnott . ' ' That we call on our ^ artist brethren in Yorkshire to unite with as . in ^ aeavouring to get up a series of public meetings tfiaViY ^ principal towaa iu the manufacturing on tt ' fcr lhe PnrP 0 Se of testing public opinion Coin 1 > lan of reform pronounced by Messrs . $ 5 , a n'J Bright ; and we respectfully request the £ «« t lceau " t « s iu the West Riding to send deletijj , 10 u meeting at Ilebden Bridge , where they Cie « l ttet ^ delegates from Lancashire and ° n ! L t \\ - ch ^ e ^ ega . te to come prepared to vote i \ " " 'O . lOwillu miAetinna ? Whnf . moa « nrA ><> nupht

      ' esrl - lsts to tate ^ reference to the plans and t f rW ens ad oPted by the self-elected i > nference ct e . p an" ! Btary Keformers , recently held at Han-J tr « iftl" propriety of calling a national con « ^ kiT fcarIy as convenient j such conference to WV ? ? - what manner the next Execntive is to le ( Z 1 tnted » the number of which it is to fifta * / l ! teed ' and » tfany » tbeamonnt ofremunera" »«» givea to Ub members . ' « That all locali-

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      Sf ° ocomPy Wth this invitation , be re-^ hr ^ l ^ J 101 ^^^ their acquieBeence either " SJWi ? C ° ^ rf the " ° rt ° e ™ Star" or to « Za ^ " ^ adtes ^ m . Grocott , 1 , Fairfield-streefc , Manchester . ' That the meeting of at BM ^ ' f L'nc , asWre ^ legates taSs pface lit ? ife" A l orkBhi ™ , on Sunday , January 18 th , 18 o 2 , at the house where former meetings WhT e v' I That thenext meeting of the South Lancashire delegates be held in the Charhst Room , Torkshire-street , Rochdale , on Sunday , February , 1 st , 1852 . Chair to be taken at S LnS ^ v forenoon - ' ' That we adjourn to Sunday , February 1 st . MEtRorouiAN Dbmgate C 0 TOca . -At a meeting of the above body held on Sunday afternoon , mn i £ 2 In 8 titntion » Leicester-pJace , Saffron mil , Mr . Harmann , the chair , the rules for the guidance of the Council were brought forward hv

      tne sub-committee . The following were agreed to as the ground of the formation of the Council : — That two delegates be elected from each locality of the National Charter "Association , who , in connexion with the Executive Committee , shall form the Metropolitan Delegate Council of the National Cfeter ^^ sspciatiop /' -r ' . That the object of the ( w ^ -iira ? fi ^ t ^ p ^ ib g 51 ^ dpW ( 9 DiSbed in the People's Charter throughout the metropolis by means of public meetings , lectures , the press , and any other means which circumstanr . fin mav din .

      tate . A code of rules , regulating the mode of election , duration of office , scale of payment , election of officers , &c ., were then agreed to . It was decided that the council should hold its sittings weekly . The localities were requested to supply the necessary funds to support tho Delegate Council . A resolution waH passed recommending that a delegate be appointed by each locality to scrutinise the votes for the ensuing Executive , and that the Executive be recommended to publish in the democratic journals a list of places voting , and the number of votes recorded . Messrs . Harman , Osborne , and Sugg , were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Executive Committee with the above resolution . A resolution was passed , calling upon the new Executive to elect a person as secretary who was competent to perform the important duties of that office . The meeting then adjourned until Suuday afternoon , at three o ' clock .

      Exeter . —On the 18 th inst ., a lecture was delivered at tbe AthenaBum , to a well-attended and attentive audience , by Mr . Ernest Jones , on " the Rflform Bill of 1852 ;—what ought it to be ? " The lecturer coatrasted the different proposed measures of reform with that laid down in the Feople ' s Charter , and showed that any measure short of the latter wonld end in disappointment to the people . He warned his Chartist hearers against the folly oi wasting their time , energy , and money , by joining any political body advocating a less measure of reform . There were many of the Financial present , but although the invitation was given in the bills announcing the lecture , and repeated several times by the lecturer , no one urged a single objection to

      any thing advanced . Joubssihen Hatters . —This body has issued an address to the Trades of London , in which they State the resolutions agreed to by them at their public meeting reported in the " Star" last week , and request the decision and co-operation of their fellow workmen . The Hatters justly state that there is scarcely a party before the public which does not claim to speak ia the name and on behalf of the working classes—and they proceed to remark : — " We have thought the working men of England to be grossly misrepresented by ibis use of their name to indorse every project and party . We have thought that the time had come when a distinct and definite utterance of their opinions should be given by the working men themselves ,

      and not by proxy ; so that pretences might be put down , and public opinion fairly set right , as to our real sentiments . Such an utterance as might be relied upon , certified and made use of . There are changes to be made in our political condition during the next Session of Parliament . Every party agrees that there must be some change , and it appears most urgent upon us to pronounce emphatically the change we require ; for in case we do not , our real sentiments mil remain unknown , and parties will play the old game of pretending to speak for us , without permission or delegation on our parts . " The Hatters have taken up their position as advocates of Manhood Suffrage , the Ballot , Triennial Parliaments , and Equalisation of

      Electoral Districts ; and found a Committee of 15 , for the purpose of procuring the adhesion of other trades , without presuming to dictate that those trades will follow the example , and express their opinions plainly and emphatically , however they may differ from those adopted and placed upon record by the Hatters . " "We request , ( say they ) , that any trade or persons who feel an interest in this matter will communicate with the Committee ( which meets every Wednesday evening at the Marquis of Granby , Union-street , Borough ) , that we may take counsel together and arrive at the fittest method of putting our united views before the public and before the parliament in an influential manner ; and that we may appeal to the workmen

      of the whole land to follow the example , and speak out clearly and at once their sentiments ; distinet Tfrom every party , directly from themselves and by themselves , without proxy or intervention . " WniTEciiAPEL . —Messrs . Bryson , Wheeler , and Shaw , addressed the audience at the Ship Inn , High-sireefc , WhUeebapeJ , on Sunday eraiinf , upon the subject of the present state and future prosptcts of France . A considerable amount of general and local business was transacted . LitERAHT IxsTiTuijSjfr Leicester-place , Little Saffron-hill . —Mr . Leho ^ Eectured here on Sunday evening . Subject : '~ The Organisation of Lubour . " The lecture was of a ' highly instructive nature , and gave great satisfaction to a numerous audieneo . ~*

      Georgie Mills ( Edinburgh ) . —The members held their usual weekly meeting on the I 7 th inst . — Mr . Peter 21 'Uiel in the chair . —After the usual business had been disposed of , tbe following address was agreed to : — TO TOE CDAETISTS OF GKEAT SKITAET . Brethkek , Seeing that the true and veritable Chartists who fanned part of tbe pre ent Executive , have absented themselves from acting with Messrs . Hunt , IIolvoa ^ flH their associates , and seeing that those Rentlemo ^ BH cling to office , and are determined to < Jisfrant «™ B Chartists not tona fide members , and also that tliel | HB

      treated with contempt the almost unanimous opimoiF ^ fpressea through the 'Xortliern Star' l > y the Chartists in their local meetings—that the Execufivejshould not consist of above five membtrs—we call upon you not to allow your rights and opinions to be thus trampled upon , but to arouse yourselves , and carry your expressed opinions into effest We propose that a . Provisional Executive be appointed , consisting of the following gentlemen - —E . C . Jonss , Esq ., F . O'Connor , Fsq ., M . P .. . and T . M . Wheeler —those gentlemen to hold office , and issue instructions to the Chartist body until a new Executive be elected . James Chaimeks . Secretary .

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      PATRICK O'HIGGINS TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . It is unnecessary to say to you , my friends , that I feel as anxiously desirous to see the People ' s Charter the law of the land as if I were an active member of your body . I am sure you give me full credit for entertaining this feeling most sincerely , conscientiously , and devotedly . It occurs to me , that as you are preparing to eleet an . Execntive , a few suggestions from an old friend who has cloBel y watched all y our proceedings , from your formation up to the preaenttime , will not be out of place , and will be received by you in the same good feeling and intention in which they are submitted to your consideration .

      ; If you look back to the history of the past , and ask yourselves what has been the cause of the failure of Chartism , or rather its want of progress , you will perceive that every $ imre , that every calamity which has befallen it , and its present state of prostration , is entirely owing to its having from time to time mixed up its objects with other movements and other objects . ; : At present I shall not go into detail . You all know as well as I that no one was ever

      tried or imprisoned for Chartism , that no lawyer of eminence ( with one disgraceful exception ) , tuat no judge on the bench or off the bench , ever said that Chartism waB unlawful . How comes it , then , that so many Chartists have , suffered long imprisonment , so many have died . in . gaol , and so many have been transported ? Becausg , and onl y because , yon allowed yourselves to be led away from the real object to the wild , visionary , unlawful ,

      and unattainable objects of theorists . Besides , in your very petitions you assumed a species of legislation upon all manner of social and constitutional subjects , instead of confining yourselves to simply demanding a complete and thorough Radical Reform of the House of Commons . Surely , you will admit that it would be time enough for you to demand alterations in the social system when you got the elective power .

      Now , my friends , I hope and trust that you will avoid those shoals and quicksands for the future . The glorious vessel has been too often stranded . Take courage , avoid the errors of the past , and instead of adding additional sails to the good ship—the People ' s Charter —haul in , and steer a better course , and , depend upon it , you will , before seven years , got safely into harbour .

      Instead of adding any new nostrum to the six points of the Charter , I should prefer reducing them to three—namely , Universal Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , Annual Parliaments . These are the three Radical propositions of the old Radical Reformers : —Oartwright , Lennox , Jebb , Sharpe , Loft , Northcote , Cobbett , Hunt , Muir , Arthur O'Connor , Roger O'Connor ( father of Feargus ) , and other great

      men . T 3 ovr , will any man have the face or the hardihood to tell me that if these three good old Radical propositions became law you could not get the other three in the very first Session of a Radically Reformed House of Commons ? At the same time , I am of opinion that it would betray weakness on your part to abandon or put iu abeyance any one of the sis points at present . But I do implore you to keep clear of all extraneous matters , nostrums , and theories .

      Your attention is respectfully directed to the subjoined principles , rights , and means to achieve these rights , which , in my humble opinion , contain everything you require . And with the view to guard the Chartists against Powells , Dobbyns , and the like , and at the same time . showing that all persons acquiescing in the object of Chartism are eligible to become members , I have drawn up two salutary rules , which are also subjoined .

      -In conclusion , I submit for your consideration whether it would not bo wiser aud better to have Chartist petitions , even with 1 , 000 names to some of thom , than to have one general petition signed by millions ? Chartist petitions from every locality in England , Scotland , and "Wales should be presented to the house hebdomadally until the first week in June , or sooner , and then have the question brought forward . This plan would keep Chartism before the house and the country during the greater part of the Session . All the petitions should be short , pithy , and to the purpose . Patrick O'Higgins . Dublin , December 21 st .

      CHAETISM IS FOUNDED UPON THE PURE AND GENUINE PRINCIPLES OF RADICAL REFORM ; ITS MOTTO IS , "PEACE-LAW —ORDER ; " AND ITS OBJECT IS , TO SECURE A FULL , FREE , ATSD COMPLETE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMONS HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT . PRINCIPLES . . 1 . That the power of making laws for this realm , is , by the Constitution , lodgod in tbe . hands of tbe ¦ ng , the lords of Parliament , and tlie represent .-t-Rves oftbecoomiona . 2 . That it is required by the principles of the Constitution , Mint tho whole body of the people should be really represented in the House of

      Commons . 3 . That the present system of virtual representation is not real representation , and is , thorefore , no representation at all . 4 . That those who have no votes for electing representatives are the slaves of the representatives of those who have votes . 5 . Th 3 t where there is no representation , there can be no constitutional power of taxation . 6 . That the rich and the pow , being of the same species , are under the same laws of nature ; and from their

      being alike capable of benefit or injury legislators , necessarily have in the election of those legislators the snme right ; but the rich , in defence of their liberty and property , hare every advantage which wealth , knowledge , ami tlie purchased powers of others afford them , while the poor , destitute of these , have no security but in the purity of legislation , nor any means of self-defence but in the repossession of the elective power . The poor , then , have an equal right , but more need , to elect representatives than the rich .

      BIGHTS . 1 That every male inhabitant of Great Britain and Ireland ( infants , insane persons , and criminals excepted ) is of common right , and by the laws of God , a free man , and entitled to the full enjoyment of political liberty . ,... , 2 That it is essential to a man ' s political liberty that be have a share either in leg islation itself , or in the election of those who are to frame the Jaws , which although they ought to protect him in the fid enjoyment of those absolute rights which an vested in him by the immutable laws of nature , may yet be fabricated to the destruction of hin person , -hta property , bis religious freedom , his family , and Jiia famo ; that , therefore , Universal Suffrage is an inherent right . __ . _ ,... it is ft of ttw « i

      ^ 3 . That natural right peoye ««« empire , and required by tbe principles of the Constitution , that they elect a new houso of representatives once at least in every year ; because , whenever a parliament continues in being for a longer term than ono session , then thousands who since it was chosen have attained to man ' s estate , ( tUat is to say , the age of tvrenty-one years ) and are , therefore , entitled to enter into immediate possession of thab elective pow < r which is their best and most sacred inheritance , are , in that case , unjustly denied their right , and excluded from the enjoyment

      f political liberty . ' . * ,,. * n i That it is , therefore , risrht and just wn all ie male inhabitants of this kingdom ( infants , in-» ne persons , and criminals excopteil . ) shall luuy , lirly , and completely enjoy the Elective Fran-S that is to say , Universal Suffrage ; that , in

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      order to protect the poor elector against ''' tyranny the voting shall be by Ballot ; that the Parliaments ° ti i ! be annu . aI ' tnat the Property Qualification shall be Abolished ; that the whele empire shall be divided into Equals Electoral Districts ; and that the Representatives of the people shall be Paid .

      y . MEANS TO ACHIEVE THOSE BIGHTS . 1 . By creating a public opinion in their favour , through the medium of public meetings , petitions to Parliament , discussions , lectures cheap-publications , and the newspaper press ; and also by securing the return of members to Parliament , pledged to secure a full , free ) and-complete representation of the ' people in the Commons House of Parliament . ¦¦• . ;•• .-. .- _ , '; . ¦ ¦ , ¦' . 2 . By raising the requisite funds , by subscript tiona and ; voluutary donations , to defray expenses .

      ¦ . ¦ ., . rules . 1 . That all . persons acquiescing in the object of tho People ' s Charter shall be eligible to become members oh payment of •— — 2 . That Chartism is . exclusively and entirely de ; voted to the achievement of its object—namely , a full , free , ami complete-representation of the people in the Commons House of Parliament ; and t ha ^ t , therefore , no propositions of any nature or kind whatever , differing from , or in anywise foreign to , its object , shall , under any circum stances , be permitted to be introduced at any Chaftist meetings . ¦ " '

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      ORGANISATION OF THE EXECUTIVE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Sir , —Having- taken an interest in the movement denominated Chartism for very many years , and being most anxious that the principles and objects embodied in that document shall one day be annexed to our Constitution , or made the law of the land , perhaps jou will allow a gmall spaoe in your journal for a few remarks on the present position of the Chartist body , and the oare necessary , lest , at this critical moment , a false step be taken which may take years to redeem . 1 perceive that Mr . E . Jones has taken up the position , that a paid Executive of three or five persons is preferrable to the mode devised by tbo

      late Convention , and which has been in operation since that period . With the reasons or arguments adduced , in favour of the Executive being paid instead of being gratuitous , I shall not cavil . Most assuredly , were the people organised efficiently and extensively , that mode of having paid servants would be the bett ; besides , the principle is fully accorded in our clainiB for paid representatives—but the question with me is , issuoh a thing practicable ? —nay , I ask , is it possible at the present time , to expect anything approaching to practicability in the proposition ? I am surprised that Mr . Jones sboHld , under present o / rcumatnnces , make the attempt . Again , the manner in which Mr . J . bringB forth his scheme cutting right and left at his colleagues in office : this man isnotfit ,

      becauseheiasomething more than a Chartist ; and another is not fit , because he is something less ; thus paring down tbe fitness of each and of all till our choice becomes limited to a single individual or two , for 1 apprehend that very few amongst the many advocates of the Charter would like tonave their opinions chained down to the very letter of the document ; and more over , we have learned , by experience , that to put such a gag upon our best men , would either drive them from us , or make them professed hypocrites . But , the chief objection I have to urge , is the bad precedent of allowing one man to set up his judgment in opposition to the many , and to endeavour to break up tbe present organisation by throwing ttho apple of discord amongst us , and thus resarding the already too slow progress of the Association .

      My view of a good and discreet Chartist is , that if at any time he Bhall feel convinced that any matter or thing connected with the movement can bo improved , that that subject shall b 3 brought bofore the whole Executive , and discussed there , and then only if a majority of them determine to lay the matter before the country , shall such a procedure follow ? What has been more detrimental to our cause is , individuals , at one time or other , putting forth their crude notions relative to what the Chartists should do , and what they should not do ; each one bj such conduct causing a division of the main body , and taking ovor to his views a few of the original stock of Chartists , which , from the many repetitions , have brought the power and influence of that body down to zero .

      If 1 understood the naturo and purpose of the last Convention , the extent of the injury was so patent that it was intended to devise a remedy by bringing within its pale piirties who , although Chartists , were something more , and whose opinions were entertained by many hundreds and thousands of the people . Tho Convention succeeded in so constructing a code of rules so liberal as to allow of such influen * tial persons to hold a seat on tho Executive—the plan of organisation was going on well , Many of our friends , - tho Socialists and the Republicans , had foregone their prejudices , and were willing to

      assist in getting the Charter as a means to an end . This is the vory thin ;* we want—a thorough amalgamation of all shades of opinions , and to centre all our force in the obtaining of the Charter ,- which when obtained , ( and by no other means can it bo peaceably obtained ) still let us act on the principle that tlie minority shall be subject to the majority , ,-ind whatever measures such majority may determine , depend upon it there is certain less evil to follow than by obstinacy and stuboornness , to split us up into fractions , and thus make us become powerless , and reduce us to the same position as iefore .

      Sir , I trust the Chartist body , feeble and few in number though they be , will not allow this onslaught on the present mode of conducting tho Chartist business to divide them . It must necessarily make them less powerful . I hope that they will go on electing those men on whom they can depend as the future Executive , and when the time arrives that the funds of the Chartist Exchequer are redundant , they vfill then consider , by summoning a Convention , whether to have a paid Executive or not . ' I am , Sir , yours , &c , An "Old Guard . "

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      SEAMEN'S MISSIONARY IN IRELAND . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sin , —Perhaps it will be gratifying to you and your numerous readers amongst my sea-faring brethren , to know that tlio cause of the British Seamen has foutid a hearty response before two lar < re puWic asiomblieB in Belfast . leaving recently organised tho Ports of Cumberland 1 crossed the Channel , and landed for the first time in " Ould" Ireland , on Tuesday , December 16 th . I have organised a Branch of seventy five members , and held two public

      meetings , Captain Robinson in the chair , on Thursday 18 th , and by adjournment on Saturday 20 th . At the latter the following resolution was passed—Moved by Captain William Hutchinson , seconded by John Heron , " That tho meeting having heard the causes of the present agitation among British Seamen , do most cordially sympathise with them in their present laudable endeavours constitutionally to erase the Registration Act of 18 i 4 , the Mercantile Marine Act of 1850 , and all other Anti-British Acts , from the Statute . Books of this realm , and will support the prayer of their petition . " —Carried unanimously . the

      The Seamen's standard is now planted in Green Isle , and I confidently assert , that it will gather not only Seamen , but Captains , Mates , and Ship owners , until the present political adventurers arc driven from Her Majesty ' s Government ; as all parties connected with Maritime matters in Belfast and its neighbourhood are opposed to the Anti-British Policy of the present Administration . Hoping to find a corner vacant in the People's Paper , I am , your fellow labourer in the cause of freedom , Hekrt Greeksides , Seamen ' s Missionary . Belfast , Dec . 23 rd , 1851 .

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      Defrauding tub London and North-Westers Railway . —On Monday morning John Baracree , an Irishman , was charged before Mr . Trafford and the mayor , at tho Salford" Town-hall , with riding on the London and North-Western Railway without a ticket , From the statement of Mr . Rankm , one of the officers of tho Victoria station , it appeared that the prisoner had booked on Saturday afternoon at Warrington to the Newton Junction . Tlie prisoner continued his journey on to Manchester without getting another ticket , by the three o ' cloolv traia from Liverpool , thus paying for two miles and travelling eighteen . He had nothing to say for himself and was fined 20 s ., failing payment to be imprisoned twenty-one days , He was looked up .

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      THE LATEJ MANOHESTBR , -REFORM . CONFERENCE . - > j . A meeting was LeldWt Manchester or * Taesday afteriioon , to receive the answer of Loi'd John Russell to the letter of the Rigftt'Hon T . M . Gibson , M . P ., requesting hia ' ' . 'Jprdsliip to appoint an'interyi ^ w with a deputation from tha recent JR ' e ' fo ^ ll Cofiference . / Mf . : Bi-ight , M . P ., Mr , 'Kef || hjiw ^ M ^ P ^ and dtber distinguiBhed . refor ] mMS ;^ ei ;©/ preflent | ^ : ' ^ rn Qeorge Wilson , presided .- . ' . ¦¦¦ . . '' . ; ' A . ' , ( '

      The Chairmak , "having , read ^ thej , answer which had been received b y Mr , Gibson '; fr ; om Lord Joho RusselJ , and wluoh basi already appeared in the 'Northern Star , ^ stating that his . lordship thought hat great inconyenieuoe would arise . from receiving : deputations-from particular diatricla .-on a subject of this nature in which the whole countpy ^ was interested j and therefore mos ^| gJ ^ ito ^ rie | iV % t ^ ' 3 eptita ; tion , said he th ^ ag ^*^ o 1 ^" ! * jSKff i Ba « sfflF would exceedingly regret the communication he had made to Mr . Milner Gibson on the subject of this conference , ( Hear , lieari ) It could not contribute in the slightest degree to the maintenance of the proper spirit of communication between the Prime Minister of this

      country and so many great employers of labour as were represented at the conference . ' Lord J . Russell had done wrong not to receive this deputation ; for , if anything could be charged against that deputation and against the men who met at that Conference one thing more thau another , it was this , that they had uniformly given him a support which was neither purchased nor bought , nor induced by the slightest prospect of office . Mr . J . Bright , M . P ., was bound to say that his opinion was that not only had Lord John "R ussell not done that which he should have done , iu refusing to see the deputation , but he thought further that his Lordship had not given them the true reason for what he

      had done . ( Hear , hear . ) He considered the reason given by his Lordship as one that was decidedly evasive , as well as most unsatisfactory . If his Lordship had intended to brine ; forward a measure of reform such as would meet tbe views of that large party in the country who had advocated reform at all , it appeared- to him ( Mr . Bright ) that iastead of confining himself to the little circle of his own party connexions or contenting himself , with the meagro information which any individual scout of his might pick up in various parts of tne country , that it should have been precisely what his Lordship wished , that a dozen or twenty gentlemen of education and influence , and great knowledge of their respective localities should meet him in Downingstreet and have a free conversation with him on the

      subject . ( Hear , hear ) . If Lord John Eussell had any wish to ascertain the opinion of people such as the recent deputation was composed ofi and unless ho was better acquainted with the feelings and wishes of the country than he ( Mr . Bright ) supposed he was , he had lost a good deal'by his conduct . ( Hear , hear . ) If his lordship meant to abut himself in Woburn Abbey , or some aristocratic . seclusion , and take only the opinion of his own immediate party—if a dozen or so members of a clique were to draw out what was to be the government of the country for some fifty years to come , —we were really in no better position than aorae of the nations abroad that we had been pitying so much of late .

      lie would move the following resolution , which he thought very moderately expressed his own opinion , and he suspected also that of the meeting : — " That this meeting regrets extremely that Lord John Russell has declined ro receive the deputation appointed at the late conference , and cannot but regard the reason assigned as evasive and unsatisfactory . That on a question of an improved representation , the opinions of a deputation appointed at a conference , representing to a large extent , the feelings of the population of the two

      most populous counties in the united kingdom , cannot be without influence , and have a strong claim on the respectful consideration of the government ; and this meeting expresses its appiehension that the course taken by the Minister is not calculated to increase the confidence of the reformers of the united kinadom in his intention to bring forward a substantial measure of Parliamentary Reform . " Mr . G . IIabfikld suggested that the word " evasive" he struck tmt of the resolution .

      After a diccussion between Mr . h . Dyer , Mr . II . Ashworth , and Mr . Bright , the resolution ( with the alteration suggested by Mr . Iladfiold ) was carried unanimously . Mr . Bright thought if there were some £ 2 , 000 £ 3 , 000 , or £ 4 , 000 , more or less , in the course of collection , it would unable various very legitimate and proper machinery to be put in motion , so that ther would , at any rate , leave Lord John . Russell with out an excuse for whatever was done , and they would not then have to blame themselves . If they started with a subscription of £ 50 a-pieco , no doubt many others would subscribo , perhaps , less sums , and in this wi , y they would bo ablo to get all the funds they desired . This being agreed to , Mr . G . Hadfield said ho would give £ 50 . Mr . Bright said he would givo £ 50 also .

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      LOUIS KAPOLEON AND TEE FRENCH PEOPLE . A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening , at the Literary Institution , Ray-street , Clerkenwell , on the above subject , Mr . Lombard was elected to the chair , and briefly introduced the subject of the meeting . Mr . OsuoRNE moved the following resolution : — That this meeting views with alavm and indignation the scenes recently transacted in France , ami hereby express their hatred and abhorrence of Louis Napoleon and his abettors . They i ^ lso cannot nvoid recording their opinion that the conduct of Lord Normatiby has not been such as accords with the popular feeling in this country , und earnestly call upon the British public to give their sympath y to the cause of republicanism in France , and prevent , if possible , the onward career of despotism in that country aud throughout Europe . He regretted that Mr . O'Brien was unable to take the chair , according to arrangement . The horrible

      massacres that had taken place in France must be regretted and denounced by all lovers of liberty and humanity . He could not a , ; reo that Louis Napoleon was a brave man . He permitted the butchery of the people of Paris , but did not dare to head the troops who thus exercised their sanguinary dispositions upon an unarmed and deceived people . The people of France were not only to be pitied , but also to be admired .-- Their prosent position was the result of a too generous trust in the promises of the false Republicans . If they had properly exercised a strict justice upon the abettors of despotism , liberty might now be triumphant in France . The object of the Usurper was to put down Socialism in France ; and in this they were aided by the English and the whole European Press . It was such men as Lamartine and Cavaignac who were responsible for the present position of Republicanism in France . .

      Mr . Fijjlbn seconded the resolution . It was the duty of all reflecting persons to examine into the history of the p « st ; and that past would teach them that they must act decisively if they expected to reap the results of a revolution . Such was the state of preparation in which the Usurper had placed , not only Paris , but the whole of France , that it would liavo been madness if they bad exposed their lives to the armed force who were prepared to crusli them . Louis Napoleon depended upon French bayonets ; and when he couid no Ionger bribe them like the old Roman praetarian guards , they would prove too powerful for him , and he would fall powerless a victim to an injured

      and insulted people . He did not despair of the future of France . They had only to bide their time , and the hour of vengeance , would-surely arrive . Ho did not think they need feel any alarm of tho despot making an attack upon Britain , as many were ready to suggest . If Louis Napoleon anil his Northern allies daved to draw the Bword , Engand would not stand alone . Hungary and Itafy would rise against their oppressors , and America would not be an idle spectator of the contest .- The result of tho present ballot was not to be taken , as a criterion of public opinion . Death was . the result of an expression of freedom , aiid men could not be expected to give an unbiassed vote under such awful tyranny . Suoh was the state of Prance that

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      fear alone would reinstate Napoleon in power . Und these oircumstances he did not look with alarm upo the votes said to be " recorded in his favour . H was not in favour of bloodshed , but it was far bettor tl / at ; < jne tyj-ant . sjiould die than that thousands of imiocent men should bo Bacrifioodl T , be people of . ; France must . spread wider and wid « f ? the prinoipleB ' ofeociaJiliberity . untii tho nation , as one man , roso and crushed ;' foV ' ey 6 r the system' by which they wcVo'bound . ' They must no longer be cajoled by thelip eloquence of tnock patriots . Life was too precious to"be" 8 aorifleedfor such results as had

      hitherto been * gained ; : iTue people were prodigal of their . blood : but . in / future they must be prepared that genuine democracy—tho democraoypf Ledru RoIIin and Louis-JBlauc , should he the , guerdon for which they battled , —wholhbr it " * 88 achieved by the power of the sword or the peaceful spread of democratic knowlodge . * : NeiLherJpeace nor safety could be expected in France until these sentiments were mode . Universal Liberty could novtir bo permanent in France , while despotism was rampanHn the surrounding countries . Tliore must be a universal compact ' among the peoples ot Europe against tyrints . -.. ¦ .-. ' % . Bezer supported the resolution . VilJanous

      , as was the conduct of Napoleon , he waa not alone in hia misdeeda . . He was but the representative of * -a ; party which existed' not only in France and Europe , but in England also . A party who wore made and kept despots by the abject submission of the people . The plan of Louis , Napoleon was . no offshoot of tho moment . The idea was one . that deapotiam had long entertained : it , was the result of a wide-spread oonspiraby . The pretence of . ar * resting , the ' reprflBenfatives of tho party of Order , was too transparent" to deceive any thinking man . It was a pre-arranged affair ; and the democrats ' of

      Pari 3 were acting with great ; wisdom in not allowing their feelings of indignation to overcome theii ? udgment . ; It mattered little to the people who was in ; power . whilo they wero deprived of jt . All -paat history demonstrated that when a tyrant depended for support upon his army alone that the day ' . of . his . downfall was not far distant .. The coup d'ei&t was meant to ward off the uprising of democracy in 1852 ., They must' learn , wisdom from the i paWamV likel ^ l ! o | i > onenta ^ acfc wifcK secrecy and decision . The ^ wrongs of ' working -men-. watt similar throughout all nations , and the remedy in all countries was the same . When tbe rich

      conspired , the poor must coalesce . Association muse henceforth be the watchword of tho people . All who were living by oppression were abettors of Louis Napoleon . The result of the ballot proved nothing against tho utility of Universal Suffrage . Those who voted against him were mon who were willing to risk their lives in defence of a veritable democratic republic ; whilst those who voted for him were acting from a mixture of motives , but without any love for either Napoleon or his government .

      The resolution was then carried unanimously , and , after a few remarkB from Messrs . Wheeler arid Osborne , a vole of thanks was given to the Chair * man , and tho meeting dispersed .

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      RETIREMENT OF LORD PALMERSTON FROM THE CABINET ! The " Times" of Wednesday morning opened ifc 3 first loader with the following announcement : — A few days ago , after tV . e departure of all the Ministers from London , and ai tin- Bear approach of Christmas , a Cabinet Council was unexpectedly summoned , although no assignable cause of public interest had occurred to explain this sudden requisition . This Cabinet was held on Mon < l : iy , the 22 nd inRt ., and it was remarked with surprise that Lord Palmerston , one of the most assiduous members of the government , was not present ; From these circuta . Stances suspicion was excited , and 6 \ wmise became vife . We now have it in our power to remove all further uncertainty on the subject , for we are enabled to announce , that from the 6 ny on which that Cabinet was held Viscount Palmerston ceased to hold the office of Secretary of State for Foreign Aftairi ? , or to be a member of Her ilnjesty ' s Government .

      In explanation of so astounding and apparently sudden event , wo aro told : — " Difficulties had arisen , not only in the conduct of affairs with foreign States , but in the transaction of business connected with our foreign policy at home , which had shaken the confidence of Ministers in the Secretary for Foreign Affairs , and had weakened the control which the First Minister is bound to exercise over every department of the government . These difficulties are not of yesterday , though they may have been heightened by some recent official expressions of sentiment which have been received " ¦ ith irritation abroad , and with astonishment at home The administration of our foreign affairs by Lord Paimorstofi bad apparently left him without an ally in Europe , and , as some think , without a friend . "

      All but his lordship's warmest admirers had ceased to hope much from his offorts for . tho establishment of constitutional government ; but even , they will bo staggered to learn'that'" his very last not in power was to express his unqualified approba * tion of the coup d ' etat . " It is intimated that hia colleagues offered him another department , which was " not accepted . " Of his successor , we are told—" the seals have been offered to , if not already accepted by , a nobleman , who though comparatively young in political life , has commanded the praise aud esteem of the country in all the positions he has hitherto filled'' — -a description that may answer to Lord Grenville .

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      THE NAPIERS AND THB " TOTTERING MINISTRY . " There is always one or other of the family pla « giving , by pertinacious reminders of his " brilliant explois , " the easy going civilians who distribute il-. o prizes of valour . Napier , the historian , has j-isfc wrictcn a , narrative of the war in Scitide , for the vindication of . 1 U 3 brother , Sir Cl ;; nles tho General ; and now Sir Charles the Admiral , is poiu'injf broadsides into the ministerial craft because he has been reiusecl a coveted coaimand . In April last , Sir Charles Napier wrote to remind Lord John Russell that he finished his " not very pleasant letter of the 25 th January , 1 S 50 , " . by telling him ( Sir Charles ) , " Your brilliant services ou tb . 9

      const of Syria evince tho energy and boldness of your professional character , and will always bo remeinbered by me . " As Sir William Parker was 11 not likely to remain in the Mediterranean all his life , " Sir Charles suggested that Lord Jolm would have an opportunity of rewarding his " brilliant services . " Lord John answered , that he had not at all altered his opinion of Sir Charles ' s energy and decision , but the Mediterranean command was not vacant , and ho din not know how soon it would be so ; he must preserve his opinion quite unfettered till then , when ho should weigh only tlio merits of the officers eligible . At the end of September , Sir Charles learned , with the rest of tha public , that Sir Francis Baring had selected Rear-Admiral D « ndas for the command of the Slediter «

      ranean ; so he wrote to Lord John , asking if his merits had been weighed as promised ? Without disparaging Admiral Dundas—whose merits he admitted , but who had not had tho opportunity o giving such services to tho country as himself , lie thought that ho had reason to coinjilnin of the intended arrangement . Lord John llussell answered , that the value of Sir Charles ' s services wore not disputed ; but the Mediterranean command required " an officer who shall possess the full confidence of tho Government "—an officer on whose " secrecy and discretion" the Queen ' s Ministers could fully rely . " I am sorry to say , " Lord John Kussell added , " that notwithstanding your many briilianb exploits , I could not place in you that implicit con «

      fidence which is required . Sir Charles Napier re » plied , that such candour as this in the first instance would have saved Loni John and himself some trouble . If he did not now enjoy the confidence of the Board , they had changed their opinionbiassed , no doubt , ' by the First Lord , " who took the earliest opportunity of insulting me , for reasons beat known to himself . " Ho hoped the officer chosen for tho Mediterranean command " may be successful and discreet enough to uphold a tottering administration . " Last week , Sir Charles followed up his letter by another , accompanied , by a vast number of testimonies of confidence in his conduct , which he lias received from the Admiralty since 1828 , when Lord Melville was at its head . He concluded with these sentences : — "I don't dispute , my lord , your right to appoint to ' the Mediterranean command whom you pleaso ; but I dispute your right to damn my professional reputation by sending me the letter you havo done

      This is not the time-, my lord , to afironfc . in officer who has rendered some service to his Queen and country , when France , with an army of 400 , 000 men is in a blaze . Your lordship is renowned for wn tting indiscreet epistles , and as it would be a pity to withhold your last , I shall se , i it to tho press . " The whole correspondence was t , gen i to the "Times" yesterday , " thatftho country and navy may see that Ministerial and Admiralty jobbery ; uo of moie importance in the e * -es of a Whig Prime Minister than either rank or ( t-. make use or his own expression ) 'brilliant exploits . "' Sir Charles ' s letter to tho editor winds up with ¦ a defiance of the Admiralt y . » \ yero tn £ mvj ruled by a professional man , he would not have dared to dishonour an officer ; that is left to Lord John Rufsell and Sir Francis Baring , who appear not to know what military honour is ; ami , thank Lrod , I am m a position and indenendeni enough to tell them so . "

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      UOAL 3 At Hertford —The authorities of the city of London , acting under ( he powers given by tho words surreptitiously introduced into the Coal Act , have made , a charge of U . per ton on all coals introduced into Hertford ami other places within twenty miles of London , measuring as " the crow flha . " The price of coals in Hertford is , therefore , is . per ton higher than ai Ware . There is no lonecr any hope of redress , except by nn appeal to the justice of Parli 8 raent .--i / cr < j

      Cfiartfet Intelligence. .

      Cfiartfet Intelligence . .

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      The Officbbs of ihb Austrian Ahmt . —By the death of the gallant Digby , I am happy to say Austria no longer counts an English officer jn her service . The untimely fate of that noble youth has been lamented alike by friend and foe . In a sharp rencontre at some outpost the Austnans had nroTed victorious , and were reluctant to giye quarter to their Hungarian prisoners . Digoy had interposed to rescue them from death , and the better to insure his generona meditat on , entered an apartment along with them . Meanwhile the fortune of the day had been retrlerad by the Magyars . In ignorance of his humane intervention , they approached the place , and demanded the surrender of Digbv . On refusing to eive up bis sword , he was

      shot on the spot . When they had entered the room , and heard the tale of his late generous interposition , tbe Magyara burst into tears , and kissing tbe prostrate corpse , buried it with the usual military honours . —Pridltam ' s Kossuth and Magyar Zand . MEinorouTAH Imtboybmeht 8 . —It IB stated in the Report of-the Commissioners of Woods and Forests just published , that the commissioners have sold a piece of ground from Charlotte-street to lon' -acreasasite ' for baths and washhouses for St Giles and St . George ' s parishes . The parishes have paiS £ 2 , G 30 for the site . A sum of £ 30 , 000 bas heen appropriated by the commissioners towards the expense of forming and completing a line of street between Southwark and Westminster Bri dge . Thei commissioners have lent 430 , 000 to the Westminster Improvement Commissioners to enable them to complete and _ open the new street ice

      from Westminster Abbey to . Fimlico . property Urchased l » y the Commissioners of Woods aud Forests to enable them to open a new street from the London Docks to Spitalfields church , amounted to £ 108 , 214 which has been raised by . a datf ot Id ! per ton on coals imported into the Ci £ t KAraIS iBBum-A return ^ narliament has been printed , showing that , to the K : « & » in the present year , the adwnces for > U labour rate in Ireland amounted to 25 l 34713 s . lOd ., of which £ 263 , 545 as . ljd . had hoen paid to the county treasurers , and Sg 92 10 s . 1 W . was still leviable under the outstanding warrants . , « & *«»•* ..-

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      ANDNATTONAI , TRADES' JOTJRNIE ; I

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      L ( fl 1 * 0 . XY . JO . 738 . LONDON SATURDAY nfllEfflRF , ft ? 7 1 XM ™ iOT-mfci ^ tfW-: " VfwWV PiUUilUiil , UJjUJJlUDllItZif , lOpl . Five gblllingBiutd Sixpence per Qnarin tlfiS . vVUint * n aamWI— ; n _ . i * i ¦ - : - ¦• — LI — ^ l ¦ — ¦ ¦ - iii j i - ¦ —— ¦ —

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 27, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1658/page/1/