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Northern Star (1837-1852), 24th January 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      As the period for the opening of Parliament rapidly [ raws on , the Parliamentary Reform Party are atir-• in ^ ap the embers of agitation , -which have rathor smouldered than burnt since the last Session . The laiW papers give us reports of Meetings held for that lurpoae . at Manchester , Birmingham , and Leeds ; ind connected with each of them are rather remarkable incidents , which deserve the notice of the really liberal party . Knowing , as we do , that the movement to which we ire referring is w hat we must call , for want of a better word , a middle clasB movement ; and believing , as we do , that it would be far better , both for themselves and others , if its members would throw off half

      measures , and take their stand at once upon the broad , just , and intelligible ground of Manhood Suffrage , we are yet of opinion that what they ask for s more than we are likely to get from the Whig Cabinet , if it should be able to maintain its ground , ot from a Palmebston Cabinet , if the late Foreign Secretary should come into power , or from any other Ministry which can be formed in the present state of rarliamentary parties . It is far better to speak plainly on these matters than to buoy ourselves up with hopes -which onl y lead to disappointment . It will not do for men who seek to take a calm view of their real position , to let the wish be father to the thought .

      We must take things as they are , and not as they ought to be ; and endeavour to estimate our chances of success accordingly . Looking at matters coolly , then , there appears to be a sad lack , if not an utter absence , of enthusiasm . We are only too willing to acknowledge what we believe to be the truth—that a desire , not only for Household Snfirage , but for the whole of the points ' of the Charter , has become , to a great extent , a sentimentof the National mind , but , it is impossible to deny that it is not evident upon the surface . Whatever may be the cause of this ; whether it is to be sought in the absorption of attention by the exciting events of the Continent—events which for the tune eclipse all peaceful progress , or in the

      conviction that the present Cabinet and Parliament is doomed , it is certain that such is the fact The people meet , indeed , but not so thickly as they might do , . and pass resolutions , in which they no doubt believe ; iut it is easily seen that their heart is not in their work . If any one will compare the feeling which prevails now to that which convoked the country at the time immediately preceding the Keform Bill , or even with that which was excited during the Anti-Cora Law agitation , they will have no doubt of the troth of our statement Public opinion is a great power , bnt in order that it may act , it must be expressed with decision and energy ; and that certainly is not now the case .

      Beside all this there is a want of real practical organisation . There are little Mats , which seem to tell us that the Manchester School is not quite at one with itself . The Association of which Sir Joshua Wauisley is the head cannot conceal the fact , if it would , that it has not formed a party of sufficient strength or compactness to act efficiently upon the Legislature . Its leaders can only talk of what may he done , not of what has been effected ; and , as for the Chartist body , the present state of its Executive Is a sufficient commentary upon its powerlessness What has passed ought to be a lesson to us for the future ; once we had united millions at our back ,

      and class-power trembled to its base ; now we are scattered , dispersed , —as an organisation almost annihilated . Standing upon the only principles which are perfectly consistent with right—having alone thesegreattruths upon our side which should make our voice potent in the Councils of the nation—possessing the only political faith that elevates humanity above property—thought above wealth—how is it we have been shipwrecked ? No man who sees things as they are , can be at a loss for an answer to that question . We do not wish to say one word which has a tendency to aggravate the unfortunate estrangement which keeps us apart from each other ; but the truth

      must be fold . Wanting the best guidance , we have had the worst We have had leaders , who , instead of fighting the common enemy , have been occupied in fighting one another ; who , instead of endeavouring to elevate the mass of the people , have Eought personal popularity and personal power ; who , instead of consistently , temperately , and firmly , urging the rights of all , have been , political firebrands , lighting up hatreds and animosities in all ranks , setting us against each other , and banding the world in hostile array against us . Unpalatable as it may be to write

      or read these words , they must be repeated till their full import is recognised , and the lesson they teach is learned . The principles of the Charter cannot diethey are the ultimate truths of politics , and whether under its present , or some otherjaaine , the Chartist party moat rule this England of ours ; but that will "be brought about , not b y onr policy being one eternal negation—one series of opposition to every body and every thing , but by a bold intelligent affirmative course , which peacefully and dignifiedly shall absorb all those who now stand apart

      This , or even an attempt at it , is impossible , in the short space of time which intervenes between us and the commencement of the Session ; and as the field is thus left in the hands of those who do not wish to go so far as we do , we should make what use of them v . ecau . It may serve the purpose of those who find their account in casting their nets in troubled waters , to say that we would hand over the Charter to the Financial Reformers . We do not know whether such a statement is more characterised by absurdity or falsehood . We have ever been as we are , the uncompromisin g advocates of Manhood Suffrage ; but because we cannot lead the people at once to that , we would not , like some others , whose names we forbear to mention , lead them backward . It is ridiculousto pretend to think that such a measure as Household

      Sufragefor example , would not give a great power to the people , andstimulatethecauseof true Democracv . If it would not do all that is needed , it would let p ' art of another eleaieut into our representative system which aow cannotmake itself felt at all . The great majority of those who would be admitted would be workers —men who in their hearts are Chartists now , and , vo believe , would continue to be eo . We have a signer hope in humanity—a firmer belief in those of our own political faith , who are now the nearest to the Franchise—to credit the calumny that , if once admitted within the pale of the Constitution , they would turn their backs on their fellows . We think iuat their will would ha as good as it now is , and their power far greater to throw down the walls of political exclusions ; and we would earnestly warn all to scrutinise and be cautious of those who so

      lax malign and traduce them , as to deny them that « redit for sincerity which they are assuredly entitled to . Those who have so little truat in the people as to say that thousands of them would be ready to become selfish apostates , are most unfit to be the leaders of

      the masses . Our course , then , must be an affirmative and not a negative one , and , if possible , it must be conciliatory , not antagonistic . If we can , without deserting our own principles—in fact , always avowing them , uso any other party to bring us a step nearer to power , or urge xorward any other association beyond their present avowed intentions , it would be madness not to do it . \ v £ 1 uy chance of moving in that direction now ? . « e think there is , and mainly with the object of ^ TEJS flat , * e have broughtthe Leeds , Manchester , ana Birming ham meetings thus prominently upon the I c"Pet- Circumstances , both favourable and unfavourl awe , have characterised these gatherings . Mr . ; cakes , at Leeds , was for fettering Honsehold Sufj wage , and dwarfing it down to th « dimensions of the

      | ™ cipalFranch ise ; buttheseideaswerereceived with I evident distaste by the meeting ; and a proposition i for Manhood Suffrage , put forward by a working | man was so closel y contested , thatthe Chairman had | to take the show of hands twice before he could dlsoover the Bense of the meeting . Li a middle class I assemblage , called for a middle class purpose , as we suppose that at Leeds was , that is a significant fact R owing tne growing disposition of the times . At the Bi

      rmingham meeting , where Sir J . Wauislet and I rL as k others > there are I W ? fc . « not move unlesa tbey a " 3 the Bole I « ta 5 "l mtt ™* consent to be pushed from their I 2 \? m < ;? P ^ v power and breadth of mind . I Co L T ¦ f ° l ly of * e 8 itting membera , in attempting I W * s * umaU but local action and local combination

      Untitled Article

      purposes kingdom , was fully balanced by the expressed wish , to go beyond , rather than fall short of , the' Little Charter . ' That feeling had its effect on the Manchester meeting , which was characterised by the absence of Mr . Cobden and the presence of Mr . J . Platt , who has been tha principal means of getting up the present combination of masters against the Operative Engineers . But Mr . Bbight , whom we have always considered a far abler man than Mr . Cobden , and destined to play a more prominent part in the future political history of this country , endorsed the Birmingham promise , and declared himself for a free and fearless discussion of all opinions . Surely , without lowering our own flag as Chartists , some advantage may be taken of these manifestatons .

      Another fact , worthy of notice , and tending still further in the same direction , is , that the Parliamentary Association propose to hold a London Conference . Perhaps that may not be a Conference of Parliamentary Reformers only . There is aBtrong feeling upon the part of the Counoil to make it a free and open one , and to invite , or at least allow , the attendance of men of all parties . If that does happen , our advice 5 b—take advantage of it . Meet , Chartists , in your localities—muster all your strength for a practical purpose , and send men who really believe in your principles , and love them for their own sake . Send men who , in the hope of doing good , will be intent to abate a little of the presumed superiority of popular leaders , and sacrifice a little of their " love of

      prominence . Send men who represent your common-sense , and not your passions . Let them go there saying , boldly and straightforwardly , « Wo are Chartists ; as a final settlement we will not accept anything short of an acknowledgment of the right of every man to a voice in the Government of the community of which he is a member . ' Let them not say— We will make a crusade against all who go a part of oar way , but do not feol inclined to go the vhoh length . Let them be at once firm and courteous , and then the least that can come of it will be that an open discussion of the Charter will gain extended publicity , and it is possible that we may urge others on another step , and , without efficient organisation , as we are , have some influence on the immediate future . That is our

      advice , tendered in all honesty and friendliness , and we think those who consider it coolly will come to the conclusion that it is wiser counsel than if we roared , "Stand aloof from everybody—oppose every bodydefy everybody—and take care that if you cannot get all you want , nobody else shall have anything at all . *' The only other matter to which we shall allude is the cry that is getting up for more National Defences . In that there is some reason , and , to write

      a plain word , a considerable amount of humbug . Many who are shouting it look to its bringing about more soldiers and sailors , and , consequently , more officers , and patronage , and pickings out Of increased taxes ; others wish to divert the attention of the people from home reforms ; others , again , taking a lesson from continental policy , want the security of more bayonets against an agitation for popular rights . But , notwithstanding that there is much in the state of our Foreign relations to make us anxious . There can be but little doubt that the

      despotic powers of the continent would be glad to annihilate almost the last spot in the world where liberty can erect her standard—to destroy the last asylum for political outcasts . There is as little doubt that the course which the homicide of France is taking , throws him into the arms of the unholy Alliance . If he is much longer to rule , he must awaken and satisfy the love of the French people for glory , and the lust of an African army for rapine and plunder . In that case , we should not be safe . Let us , however , before we increase our naval and military armaments , make the most of what we have . If the Tagus Fleet were recalled , and Her Most Catholic Majesty of Portugalleft to protect herself , and the idle Mediterranean Bquadron transferred from the sunny

      climate of Italy to the rougher atmosphere of the Channel , we Bhould have such a force as would vastly lessen the probabilities of invasion . Then our soldiers must be armed with a more efficient weapon than the traditional ' Brown Bess , ' which is as dangerous to them as to their foes ; our artillery must have less lace on their coats , and more guns and horses , —must become a force for use , instead of for aristocratic amusement . And if we are still undefended , let the people be armed and drilled , and commanded , not by noble Colonels , but by leaders of their own choosing . Above all , let them have a share of liberty worth fighting for , and the force which dares to land in hostile array upon our shores will assuredly meet a grave welcome .

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      A Sikguub Relic ' . —Captain D ' Auberville , of the barque Chieftain , of Boston , writes to the editor of the "Louisville Varieties" that he put into Gibraltar on the 27 th of August last to repair some damages his vessel had sustained , and while waiting , himself and two of his passengers crossed the straits to Mount Abylus , on the African coast , to shoot , and pick up geological specimens . Before returning the breeze had freshened so much as to render it necessary to put more ballast in the boat ; and one of the crew lifted what he supposed to be a piece of rock , but from its extreme lightness and singular shape , was induced to call the attention of the captain to it , who at first took it for a piece of pummice stone , but so completely covered with barnacles and other marine animalcule as to dissipate that supposition . On further examination he found it to

      be a cedar keg . On opening it he found a cocoauut enveloped in a kind of gum or resinous substance ; this he also opened , and found a parchment covered with Gothic characters , nearly eligible , which neither he nor any one on board was able to decipher . He , however , found on shore an American book merchant , who was said to be the most learned man in Spain , to whom he took it ; who , after learning the circumstances of its discovery , offered three hundred dollars for it , which offer Captain D'Aubervill declined . He then , says the letter , read word for word , and translated it into French as he read each sentence , a short but concise account of the discovery of Cathay , or Farther India , addressed to Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile and Arragon , saying the ships could not possibly survive the tempest another day ; that they then were between the

      Western Isles and Spain ; that two like narratives were written and thrown iato the sea , in case the Cav&val should go to the bottom , that some marinor would pick up , one or tne other of them . The strange document was signed by Christopher Columbus in a bold and dashing hand . It also bore the date of 1493 , and consequently has been floating over the Atlantic 358 years . The letter closes with an assurance from the writer that he would guard his treasure safe until his return to the United States , which would be in April or May next . —Savannah ( U . S . ) Paper . Death of Mb . T . Hudson- Turreb . — Mr . T . Hudson Turner , one of the ablest of British archaeologists , and a contributor to this journal , died of consumption on the utninst ., at the age of thirty-seven . Among his friends ine

      regret will continue to be felt , that so much youthful ardour should have been impaired by ill health , that so much knowledge as he possessed should die with him , and that no to | er « cooiiiit « Loaldremain than those works which Mr . ™ Hff " , ? praised in his supplemental volume Mrs . M'LusHAs . -We learn that Mrs . M'Lennan and child , who were s o providentially saved from the wreck of the Amazon , arrived in thi 8 city on Saturday evening , and are now staying at Comely Bank . Mrs . M'Lennan is still m an indifferent state of health , and of course suffers much anxiety regarding the fate of her husband , who was also ° J ? b ^*^?* . »» l . M » dhMiiot since been heard of . —Edinburgh Advertiser . - 859

      ^ f ^ f ^ V' * " has delayed the publication of the third and fourth volumes of the "History of England" in consequence of his having obtained some new information relatmg o King Wilham III . King William , it is asserted , figures ^ the chief persona ge in the narrative , and the greatest stress is laid on hig conduct subsequently to the revolution . —Athetuzwtn . REPBESESTiiioNO TldvEBPoot . ~ Iti 8 Dow reported that Lord Palmerston will be invited to stand forLiverpool . The Liberals say that although his Lordship is opposed to a duty on corn for the express purpose of raising rents , he is in favour of a revenue duty of 5 S . per quarter , or 2 s . 6 d . per cwt . on foreign flour , in lieu of the income-tax on trades and professions . Another report brings Lord Sandon forward for Liverpool . —Herald . Represestatiok of Debbt . —Mr . T . B . Horsfall , the eminent merchant of Liverpool , has consented to stand for Derby at the next election , . TfiANBATtAsnc TBiEGBAPH . —The stretch of telegraph in the United States u now upwaids of 12 , 000 miles .

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      THE CHARTIST DICTATOR . To wilful men , The injuries they themselves procure , Must be their schoolmasters . TO IHB EDITOR OF THE NORTHERS STAB ' SiR , ~ Bvils seldom come single-handed . An atrocious murder is generally followed by others less in attooitv and a destructive fire by those of smaller import , until it dwindles down to a chimney . Why should the French monopolise their coup d ' etat ? They have their "Kan" » hv should we not have ours ? They have their Gallic cock and why should we not have our little bantam ? Prance however , excites publio sympathy ; the sayings and doings of the would-be-Chartist-diotator only exoite laughter or contempt . . ¦ ..-. - .

      When Mr . O'Connor , in October , 1850 , proposed a Convention to bo holden in January , 1851 , Jones called it dictation ; he summoned—insisted-and demanded thatthe Convention should be held in London during the Exhibi . non : he destroyed the movement in Manchester , divided the Chartist party by bis factious opposition , and at last voted for the Convention to be held in March , after he had caused a disoussion of four or five months duration on the subject . The people were disgusted , the Executive waa powerless , and , consequently , got Into debt through hia reckless folly . : 6

      Before the eleotion of the present Exeoutive , he blamed some candidates for withdrawin g from the responsibility of the office , but after be was elected , he resigned . ¦ He has degraded Chartism by forcing himself into a tradeB' meeting specially called for trades' purposes , and from whioa he was ejected amidst the unanimous approbation of the assembly . A - i ¦¦¦ ¦ ¦ - ' * He is opposed to working men enjoying the profits of tbeir own labour and capital by co-operation , and calls them profitmongers , and the aristocracy of labour ; although he is «??? •/ W ^ A' ? » n j » PPen < lage to his name-to .

      . , , Bamsler-at-Lavu of the iRddle Temple . He talks of undue advantage having been taken of " the worn-out warrior , " when no one has done more to wear him out than he has . Be has lived on Mr . O'Connor ' s bounty for years . Mr . 0 Connor was compelled to pay the costso ^ this learned gentleman ' s defence , and the coats of the Maonamara aotiou to enforeo it . M * . O'Connor paid a laree amount of money during his imprisonment , to exempt him from oakum picking , and for other purposes , and ever since his liberation , he has been his greatest slanderer and calumniator .

      i- A . . fort" 8 W « goho complimented Mr . Reynolds for publishmg Chartist intelligence in his newspaper . This week a correspondent ot the "Notes" terms that journal the « Newgate Calender - ' a mass of moral filth " - " a table spread with garbage *'—• ' trash . " He blames you , Mr . Editor , for seeking to extend the circulation of the "Star , " by making It the organ for Trades ' Unions and Co-operative Movements , and yet he says , in the same begging article for a paper , that a " democratic paper ought . not to neglect any other movement of the working classes . " p He says , in answer to the Executive address of hat week , that" Mr . Holyoake must know enough of tbe law to be aware that by resigning I do not extricate myself from any Itabthly , but that for any debt for which my having been on the Executive might , or mi ght not , render me liable for , that I am as liable now as I could be then . So much for the pitiful observation of shirking the debt . " But he omits mentioning that be figures this week ( and not for the first time ) in the Gazette

      He says , "I wsigned because the Executive wasdisgraceful to the movement—because , as a man of character no one could associate with one or two of its members . " I . O . U . s are troublesome things , and debtors and creditors are not the most agreeable companions ; but as " to a man of character J What would he give to any one to help him to a better ? ThiB is the honourable gentleman who would supply the place of Mr . O'Connor . Chartists , behold your leader , — give him a paper , and you will get the Chartor on the day after Tib ' a Eve . akii Humbug .

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      TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERS 8 TJIR . Mt Dear Sir , —In the last number of your paper , " Cengor recommends the extinction of Chartism , and asks for the establishment of a new party—the People ' s Party ! Why ?—beoause ; u s « now the Chartist Movement is ineffec tual ? Will " Censor " guarantee that the National Suffrage Association , if established , will ntvtr become so ineffectual ? Can he even guarantee that it will ever be come one quarter so popular as the Charter Association has been and is;—and I should like to know how under the new name , any more than the old , we eould force the middle-class to jomthe " people , by showing them that in themaiority

      tneir luture welfare depends-for the happpiness of the producing classes is the truest possible indication of the contentment of the country generally . " " Censor " is surely a sapling in the cause , eUe he mu 8 t fcnow that this 13 the very lesson the Chartists have alwavs been dinging into the ears of the bourgeoisie . ' The position that "Censor" talks of taking up is quite as difficult to push and maintain as if he stood upon the whole six points instead of two . The six , ho says are objectionable to the majority , and in order to doawayNYith this barrier , he selects the two he deems the least objectionable , viz . - —Manhood Suffrage and the Ballot '

      Why , in my opinion the first is the very pill that chokes , that the middle classes are afraid of ; and when they can take it—when they must take it , the other four little ones will go down with it unnoticed , without further bother , which would not he the case if they were unhooked , considering how some people strain at a gnat and swallow a camel . Therefore by discarding the present movement wo should be throwing up the bird in the hand for tbe one in the bush . With all the apparent disjointedness of our Association , I believe the Chartist cause in its fullest sense has firmer root than ever . I believe its localities , lecture rooms , libraries , and reading rooms havo spread much ; and that just a little better behaviour , a little reformation among its active , its leading members , is required , to centralise its power , and send it spinning on brisker than ever .

      So far from thinking Chartist a name that stinks in the nostrils , I think just otherwise . I think that all true men who are not led away by novelty and sound , will , aud do , reverenco the name of Chartist . Is it not the name , more than other , under which the producing classes have so devotedly held together for a Bpecitic object?—one which the sacrifice of life and home has eiideured—one which now owns its exiles as worthy of respect and honour as the great Hungarian himself , inasmuch , as they were as devoted to the cause of freedom and justice ; and God forbid we should

      heap ingratitude upon ourselves , and insult upon such nobles , by casting into oblivion as disgraceful , " unsightly , " the baimer under which they battled , and under which , I may say , fell . Rome is not the Rome she was , yet her citizens , though slaves , still love to be called " Romans . " Poor Fiance—thougli shorn of all she bled forstill longs to put the red cap on her head and shout " Vive la Republique . " And I believe the honest Chartists of Britain , those who dare brave a name , and laugh at the idea of a few pounds stopping thoir holy mission , are still willing to march under their " motto— " The Charter , and Ao Surrender . " Yours very truly , Arbhibald Campbell . O , Oldham-place , Bagnigge Wells-road , Clerkenwell .

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      IO THE EDITOR OF IHB KOHinKRN STAB . 8 m , —1 shall feel grateful if you will allow me to offer my conscientious convictions to the Chartists in your columns . Brother Chartists , —I feel certain a renewed struggle for political liberty will soon tako place . I know you are prepariug for it , and 1 deem it a duty to offer my advice fearlessly and sincerely to you . Our sucoess depends on the course pursued by ourselves and our public speakers , to all classes . We must not abuse any person . Past experience has taught us its pernicious effects . An honest conviction tells us that it excites passion and destroys our

      reason , i unow you leel keenly the wrongs you suffer , and that they have compelled you to speak harahly : I have felt and done the same . If our opponents do so , let us not for the future degrade ourselves . Let us not use invectives , or impute bad motives , but work calml y and energetically to obtain our freedom . I am convinced Chartism has spread more thau is generally supposed ; but it wants good piloting , ine Amalgated Engineers have been misabused ; they have obtained public opinion , respect , and sympathy , bv their calm , dignihed , and reasonable conduct . Let us ' imitate them , and public opinion will soon bo iu our favour The present is a valuable opportunity . Let us act in onnnort-.

      and the cause of right will soon be obtained ii r L .. , " urfaitnful coadjutor , 11 , Jubilee-place , Chelsea , j > \\ ,,, ~

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      THE MDiERS OF THE NORTH AND THEIR EMPLOYERS . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN 8 TAR . SiR .-The accompanying statement is a detailed account of the quantity of tubs of coals "laid out ' at West Cramlington Colliery , Northumberland , ' for the past year the working prices of which are forfeited to the owners whenever mixed to a very limited extent with foul coal small coal , or stones . These 12 , 874 tubs , at fourpence each tub ( the working price ) , will leave in the hands of the employers the sum of £ 214 11 s . 4 d ., and 10 s . addition for four tubs at 83 . 6 d . each , making altogether £ 215 18 . a and averaging to each workman a loss of wages earned of £ 1 lls . 4 Jd . —a sum sufficient to give a suitable education to upwards of 460 children , which is more than belone to the workmen at the colliery , and find books , &o .- y et the ownerB only allow to the schoolmaster the buiu of £ 20 per

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      annum , and compel the workmen to pay one penny each for their children . The coals thus forfeited to the ownerB would , at 5 s . per toil , bring thom £ 940 IO 3 . —which , added to the £ 215 Is . 4 d . saved by non-payment , make the astounding sum of £ 1 , 155 lls . 4 d ., and being an additional source of profit beyond the immense quantity of coals worked and paid for at the stated prices . The above statement , though specified as connected with the colliery named , ia not . an isolated instance ; but extortions of a similar character prevail more or less among the different collieries of those two Aunties ; yet , it would be

      but justice to state that some of the owners have for a number of years devoted all suoh fines and forfeitures to the Sick Fund established amongst the workmen . The example thuB honourably set by the owners of the Blaok Boy Colliery is , however , not followed by any other owners that I am aware of ; but I trust the time is not distant when the workmen will , by one unanimous exertion , overturn so oppressive a system . I am , yours , &o ., m . Judb . [ Mr . Jude has furnished ub with an elaborate table of figures in corroboration of his statements with which It is unnecessary to trouble our readers . ]

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      • ; . THE AMAZON . Sermons were again preaohed on Sunday at some of the Southampton churches and chapels in aid of the Amazon fund , and to return thanks for the meroiful restoration of more of her orew and passengers . The deepest regret it felt in Southampton at the reckless opinion entertained by those who were first landed at Plymouth ; that all others but themselves perished , and that it was consequently useless to send out a steamer in search . Many of those who arrived at Southampton on Saturday are firml y of opinion that another boat , with a considerable number of persons in her , has been pickediiifrby some outwardJ jpund vessel , Several poor women have rejoicingly thrdfnVside-their mourning garments in consequeuce of their husbands bavins

      proved to be among those landed at Plymouth . Plymouth , Monday . —On Saturday morning , about two 0 clock , Captain Warburton , brother ; of Mr . Elliot Warburton , who was a passenger on board the Amazon , and whose fate appears yet enveloped in uncertainty , arrived here from London by a special train , bringing despatches from the Lords of the Admiralty to the commander-inehiDf , Admiral Sit- John Acworth Ommaney , upon the receipt of which the admiral issued orders for two steamvessels , the Sprightly , Master-Commander Allen , and the Avon , Second Master-Commander Yeitch , to proceed with all possible despatch to join the Hecate , in searching for any of the survivors of the Amazon ; and to continue the seat-ch for a reasonable length of time .

      Notwithstanding the most strenuous exertions of the Southampton Amazon Fund Committee they experience the utmost difficulty in discovering the families and relatives of those persons who were lost in the Amazon . The Royal Mail Company ' s establishment do not even retain a list of the crew ; and even if they did it would not furnish information of where the men resided when ashore . Although the loss of the Amazon has been daily proclaimed and noticed in every newspaper throughout the kingdom for the last fortnight , persons moat deeply interested in the event who live in the vicinity of Southampton are even now ignorant of tho calamity . It was only on Monday that the Committee learnt that there was a widow with nine orphan children who had claims on them living at Deer Lea p , a few miles from Southampton , in the New Forest . Thousands

      ot the wives and children of poor seamen cannot read or Write , and thousands who can never enjoy tha luxury of reading a newspaper . Means have been adopted to obtain information of the sufferers by the loss of the Amazon , by desiring the Southampton postmen to acquaint all those poor persons living in their districts , whom they may suspeot to have had relatives on board to attend at the Mail Company ' s Offices , and give information , after which such information is handed over to the committee . Many a poor creature who had a relative on board has received from the postman tho first announcement of the calamity th » t has befallen her . It is believed that the committee will obtain complete information about the end of this week of the extent of the claims on their bounty . There is not the least doubt that there will be a hundred orphans to

      provide for . The subscriptions amount at present to about £ 3 , 000 . The mayor ot Southampton received yesterday " an affecting letter from the family of Mr . Kersobou , at Angers , m France , entreating to know whether that gentleman , who was one of the passengers , is amongst the saved or not . It is feared , from the position of this gentleman ' s cabin on board the Amazon that he waa one of the first on deck , and that he lost his lifo by tho upsetting of the boats . Mr . Kerseboe was tho gentleman concerned in the Duchess of Beery ' a appearance in France a few years since . The unfortunate gentleman was bound for Chagrea and California . Negotiations have been enteved into to obtain a performance at Drury Lane Theatre under the most illustrious patronage for the benefit of the fund for the relief of Bufferera by the loss of tho Amazon .

      RETURN OP HER MAJESTY'S STKAMERS SPRIGHTLY AND AVON . Those two steamers , whioh left this port on Saturday laat , with the Reverend Mr , Warburton , who took passage in the Avon , returned here on Wednesday morning , having experit-noed -strong gales , and thick weather , they were unable to reach Brest . They cruised for some time on the spot were the Amazon was Io 9 t , and then made for the French port ; but suoh waa th » Btate of tbe weather that they failed in the attempt twice , and were compelled to bear * up for Plymouth . They have seen nothing iu connexion with the ill-fated vessel . Sighted only two vessels , but at so great a distance that no communication could be held . Mr . Warburton lias expressed himself to the commander of the Avon , Mr . Vetch , as perfectly satisfied that every thing had been done by these vessels which it was possible for human exertion to perform . Tho Reverend W . Blood , one of tho survivors of the Amazon , on Sunday last preaohed at St . Andrew ' s Church , Plymouth , in aid of the fund being raised for tho relief of tbe families of tho unfortunate fellows whose lives have been saorificed .

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      RUSSIAN INSULT TO THE BRITISH CONSUL AT BELGRADE . In a recent number of the Vienna " Lloyd" there has appeared a notice to the following effect , dated Belgrade : — "Mr . Fonblanquo , the English Consul-General , madecontrary to the usago . of all other consuls—no personal visit to the Russian resident on the Emperor Nicholas ' s birth-day , but sent up his card from the carriage , which ho caused to drive to the door of the house . The Russian consul sent baok the card , with the remark that on that particular day he only received personal visits , Mr . Fonblanque , highly incensed , tore the card , and sent a note demanding satisfaction . Now the visible intention of this statement—which is true as far as it goes-is to create a belief thatthe British agont attempted to put a slight on the Russian agent on a national occasion , and had

      consequently acted in an ill-bved and impolitic way . But a letter received from Constantinople supplies the suppressio vcri of ' Lloyd ' s' Belgrade correspondent , and places the matter in a perfectly different light . It appears that the hotel taken on lease for the British Consulate-General was previously occupied by several tenants , all of whom received long notices to quit at the expiration of the term . One of the lodgers , however , said he would only go out when he thought fit , that ho was a Russian , and defied the Turks or the English to eject him ; so he locked himself in , abused the police , and prepared to stand a siege . Mr . Fonblanqua Of 0 OUrB 8 addl" 0 BS 9 d an Official note to tho Russian Consul General , but either through ignorance of diplomatic uaago , or unaqnaintance with social proprieties , no answer was returned ! This was at once a denial of justice , and a personal disrespect whieh ( until atoned for ) made it impossiblo for the aggrieved functionary to hold immediate intercourse

      with the wanton offender , who ( having only recently arrived ) was not even known to him by sight . So Mr . Fonblanque took the obviously correct course of representing the matter to the Foreign-office and to the embassy at Constantinople . In order to save appearances without compromising the national honour of his own—he went , in uniform , to the Russian Consulate , and gave in his card , which was insultingly rejected in the way already described . Sir Stratford Canning is reported to be highly indignant at the affront , which is viewed by the Porte as part of an intolerable system . Tbe British ambassador is supposed to have left the question to the decision of the Secretary of State , and there is a general impression that the Russian functionary will be disavowed by his government . If the Austro-Muscovite intrigues and cabuls are suffered to continue much longer in the European provinces of Turkey , there will be no use in trying to check them . The game will be up . "

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      THE COMING REFORM BILL . A meeting for the purpose of considering what thiaRev form should consist of , was held on Tuesday evening , at the John-streot Institution , Tottenhara-bourt-road . Shortly after eight o ' olock , Mr . A . Wddd waa called to the chair , and opened the business in a neat address ; in whioh he alluded to the oonfliot now being carried on between capital and labour . u mif- ' G J Harn bt m 0 J ^ the following resolution : — , Ihis meeting believes the sovereignty of the people , and Jne full- exercise of their political rights , to be the only means adequate for ensuring thesooial pronperity of the ? ul . I olas 8 OB , and regulating , on a just basis , the rela .

      « fln im : £ and labour . " He perfectly agreed with the mmK nr - a rmed in t ^ resolution . To judgo of theat Bocietv ? g institutions , they had only to look around labourers ««^ them cast their eyes u P tne agricultural S moral n ^ u tbem with their intellects uncultivated ; theiremplo yers Tfe ? lwants uncared for-mere sorfs to tish kEfSSkSJJff S ** tofche 8 , cla 8 - ? , in the Scob * r « nt . Miservanrtnnnt « > - 8 ame res » ltwa 8 8 tl 11 more "PP " lands ; The land J £ S , " who had the means to forei « The warriors of the Norman &T & ° J the Wh ° . - ° - ? f ' themselves ; buttheywerT 0 bfce t H ^ r m 0 n 0 Pf 1 ? ed l \ f ? tions in virtue of tfieir holding . «? perfor ? ?«*»» "O ^*' neglected , and they noHlfidfctt * ^' ^^ the right to starve and e » 3 Kto « , « * ^ u the la ? , u " cultivated it . If tbvSkSa ^ i ^ S ' ? 8811 " ? ^ men by whose aid theii ¦ irS 2 d Si minSli . 1111116 ™ " *^ tive ,-by whose l-dumy ^^^ iSri ^ S :

      country was so greatly enhanced , they wou , » inin tieV mlfeiT . Mdopp ^ ionpmti ^ tothe ' highMtdW ^ ffi were but examples of asystem that pervaded the whole S of labour . Everywhere the rich appropriated to themselvet the spoils of industry . It was only by political nwwthS this state of things could be tJJS . ^ S' ^ had prodncp-I good , but they were powerless against the influence . of oapital protected by law , whilst they wera unprotected . The present law divided the people into two classes , sybarites and pariahs : the rich had the unlimited command of credit , the poor had no resource but to toil for

      *• j i * e c « P » t » Ii 3 t chose to concede . To his sooial ; ¦ jriendshe would say , never forget that your co-operative movements are unsafe bo long as you remain political Biaves . The government of this country had thd same power to close their shops , and to put down tneir associations , as the brigand Louis Napoleon had to put down the constitution in France . He did not say nHffi ^ Tf , W 0 UW d ° ' but theT C ° ' jl ( 1 ** « V K ™ ? ffi a dosf i them - They would n 8 ver be safe until offhe Ph ^ t ° L th ? - Suffr"Se ' » te «> ry ° «» er provision' : 2 n 5 m , ! nf 'er i > ' ^ hlch . the Suffrage could be guaranteed ? h Ln ™ T - ¦ T , workin & men hftd more *<> d «> ad from : £ fm P rtf I , P S » ' frem the rule of the money lords , thao wTt nL" !! -n Tor ? of theoWentime . Mr . Harnefthen " T '"' K . flMtwtion of the various points of the Charter , Sn ? n h d 6 d by , ad ? i 3 in S them t 0 ca » meoting 8 in ° W *? ? . l i ? country , to express their opinion UDon the Dro .

      1 ble f « h « PrOnU 8 ed - Refom Bi ! 1 - fle thou i jt im P ' nolTso mnrif * ? ° " , ntI 0 2 » t the present time . They needed »¦ J ? . ^ a l ! 0 «\ E * ecuti / e ) as they needed a body ? S 2 r SL H" / ? 1 bodies : be c « ed not bywhat name SL rZ all 9 d ' * betber Chartists , Democrats , or any SodfadW « iT J ^ »» tatiiin « d the principles emthe Phirift * fter' They talkedof the d ™" s ™< " * « rtL » M t 8 | i # ? samo di ™ ions existed among all the thesed vSf r ^ ° rmer 3 ' They mu 3 t not be alarraed at £ W » ' ,. they must begin again at the foundation . LSlocal bodies would inevitably lead to a National As-?™^' and th 0 IJgh » sham national body was an injury fc ^ T '' !?' national organisation was the moat important engine that democracy could employ . it v / i « " r . i " 0 Llj ? 8 eoond e ' the resolution , and said , ho believed that the principles of the Charter were necessary , no . only for the working classes , but for the happiness of the whole community . It was idle holding meeting , ntilmii

      tuey produced some results . They would " doubtless have a Reform Bill presented to them during the present session , and it became them to state what this reform should be and further , to look back to the past as to the cause why they had not become previously enfranchised , and judging Mnr 6 \ m' t ^' ' course for the future . There were 40 . 000 linendraper ' B shopmen in London cut oft from the political bod y , whom nothing but Universal Suffrage ceuld ever emancipate . They must not neglect such men because they wore not artisans ov mechanics . Numerous classes were similarly situated , and , to ensure suoces .-, they must divest their movement of all class prejudice , and endeavour to become the soverei gns of their own passions , and then 1 j » fS ro y °£ P ° P ' e would b « s P eedily acknowledged He looked upon Universal Suffrage as the great principle , and the other points as mere adjuncts to be settled by future arran gements .

      Mr . O . Morrat supported the resolution . There never was a time when unanimity was more needed . What government prosecution had failed to do , was now broulht by dissentions among themselves , and by the artful machinations of their opponents . This was a lamentable fact . 1 he introduction of machinery and the progress of competition had so reduced the condition of the working man , that political power could alone emancipate him , and restore him to his true position in society . They were told that the producer must be entirelruled by the consumer

      y . He denied this doctrine . If carried out , it would lead to tne death of the producer if the consumer noeded not his existence , ihis was unfortunatel y the fact . He believed what Mr . O Connor once asserted , that the rich consumers would rather see the people die , than pay increased poor rates for their support . They said that the present evils were the result of circumstances . It was so ; but they had tlio power of making these circumstances , and thev must exorcise this power ; unless they did they would foiling the bands of their monied oppressors in a similar manner to wnicn

      tsey bad done in France . It was ridiculous to say that our government dared not do this . Tito government ! tf x r tlie n ? anner in whicb . ] 8 * i 3 , they abolished the habeas corpus in Ireland , what they dared to do . la order to arouse the sympathies and feelings of the people , thoy must boldly advocate the social rights of the people . Co-operation was good , but without a change in our Legislative system , it was impossible that it could be effectually owned out . To render it successful they must have a complete [ Change m the currency , and other laws affeoting the > rights of labour . ( The speaker was much cheered . )

      mr . cottage wished to speak , but the Chairman having announced that the Council had decided that no one could speak save those who had been appointed unless they moved an amendment , which announcement ' eaused much disapprobation , moved as an amendment : — " That Cooperation was tho best means of promoting Chartism . " Ihey complained of the tyranny of the middle classes ; that they were the chief obstacles to working men obtaining their rights . He belonged to a society that had arisen owing to the tyranny of the masters . They now paid £ 50 a week in wages ; they lived in brotherhood together , and had no matter to tyrannise over them . This he believed was the best means of obtaining the Charter . ( Cheers . > lie did not wish to move an amendment , but was compelled in order to speak . The amendment not being seconded , the resolution waa put . and carried .

      Mr . E . Jonbs moved the following resolution : — " This meeting believing the People ' s Charter to bo the only measure ot Political Reform calculated to ensure tlie sovereignty of tho people , pledges itself to agitate for no less a measure of political reform than that embodied in the above-named document , to adhere to the principles ( and name ) of the Charter , and to prevent the Chartist Movement f-om being t e » , m forclass P P <> ses in tho hands of any other party . They were anxious to obtain their rights , and they wero willing to obtain them in any honourable way . If they were shown that they could only be obtained by getting political power , they must eo bv that road if they

      wianed tor success . They were told that all things depended upon the laws of supply and demand , and that if they withheld their labour from the market , the demand for it would rise , and they would thus better their social position . This would be true , if during the time they withheld their labour they could find the wherewith to eat . There was another class of reformers : tlio Co-operators , whom Mr . Aottage had so abl y represented . He believed them to be honest , but Tnistaken . They could not compete with capital unless they also possessed capital . They were told that they could borrow capital from other sources . Lot them beware of this . Thero was such a thing as the Devil s gold , which burnt in the hand , ir they borrowed money they would have to pay five per cent , interest for it .

      Whether trado was successful or not this interest must be paid , and thus they would be in the power of tlie gold of tho landlords equally as they now were in the yowef of the money lords . Lord John Russell had promised them a Reform Bill ; what it might be they knew not ; but this they knew , that Lord John Russell had buen closttted tsome hours with Louis Napoleon prior to the coup d ' etat , &nd the present attempt at alarming the people by a talk of inva-Bion was only an excuse for surrounding London with a camp of soldiers , and for calling out the militia . There was an idea growing up in favour of local associations ; he warned them against this idea . It would produce n in by . creating divisions among them ; all coherence would ba lost . In the present state of tho movement it was necessary

      either to have a dictator or a Convention , in order to reorganise the movement . The days for a dictatorship wei a gone by . They must then have a Convention , and he implored them to raise the necessary funds for its support . Talk about accepting an instalment of their rights , why , tho Charter itself was but an instalment . It only needed them to arouse thoir energies to change Chartism from a blind Sampson illusing his strength , to » n all-conquering Hercules cleaning out the Augean stable of a nation ' s corruption , and raising up the standard of the people ' s rights * Mr . Wjsedon seconded tho resolution , and impressed upon thein the necessity of continuing their organisation , showing the folly of mere local associations . The resolution was then carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was given to the chniniiau , and the meeting dispersed .

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      The Elkctbio Telegraph . —It is in contemplation to extend the telegraphic communication from Hol yliead to Dublin by means of the submarine telegraph , aiid , it is stated , that the game company which has executed the communication between England and France baa offered to complete tbe electric intercourse with the sister island within a very reasonable period of time . The Austrian government has issued orders to its police to confiscate all copies of tbe " Daily $ eW found in the imperial dominions . Lord John Manners has declined the invitation of the influential Tory party of Liverpool to come forward , being pledged to his constituents at Colchester .

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      Educational Conference is Manchester . — A Conference of the friends of " voluntary and unsectarian education'' is to be held in Manchester , on Monday evening , February 2 nd , in the Baptist Chapel , Qrosvenor-street , and by adjournment , to a morning sitting in the Free Trade Hall , on Tuesday , February 3 rd , under the auspices of the Voluntary School Association . An aggregate meeting ( under tho united auspices of the Voluntary School Association , and of the Congregational Board of Education ) of the friends of voluntary and unsectarian education , who are opposed to all government grants and local taxation for

      education , will be held iu the Free Trade Hall , in the evening , when a deputation from London and other placea will be present and address the meeting . Steps were being taken for proouring an interview of a highly influential deputation with Lord John Russell , in order to impress on government the importance of leaving eduoation to the voluntary action of the people , but his lordship has declined , alleging , as a reason , that as the government do not intend to introduoe any measure with reference to eduoation in the ensuing Session of Parliament , he does not think U would forward that object .

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      AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOTTRNAL ¦*

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      for the attainment of affecting the whole ggj . 742 . LOBDONJWAUAM&M ^ : ] *^ $ 3 S ! g £ ~

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 24, 1852, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1662/page/1/