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Northern Star (1837-1852), 21st February 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      Junonff the most important of the Parliamentary events of the week , we may notice the motion of Mr Suxet , &r the purpose of taking steps towards facilitating the industrial associations of working men It will be seen from the debates that Mr . SLASEt withdrew his motion . We suppose he could hare do ne nothing else , for the temper of the Hoase did not give hope for a chance of success . What chance there was of help from the Whig Government was shown some weeks before the Session

      commenced , when a deputation waited npon Mr . Labouchere npon the sntject . That fonctumary , -shite admitting , or half admitting , the principle , like a true Whig disputed the expediency of its present app lication . He said that now , in consequence of the dispute between the operative Engineers and the employers , was a most unfavourable time for introducing such a measure . Just at the moment wken the people most want the ability to co-operate is the Trronfftimeto give it to them ; perhaps , when they

      have managed , with infinite difficulty , to struggle throngh the obstacles which at present environ them , they may havewhat they have ceased to want . And the assistance which the Whigs would not give was not to be expected from any other party . The Tories would probably have stood neutral . The Conservatives would have handed themselves against us , and what aid we should have had from the Free Trade party is pretty clearly indicated by the tone of Mr . Cobden ' s speech . It is curious to observe npon this question the condescendingly indifferent manner of the hero of the Repeal of the Corn Laws . He does not flunk the

      ability to associate freely for productive labour , or its want is of any consequence at all . In fact , it does not matter a pin , one way or the other . It is something like ' a chip , in porridge / neither good nor evil , but rather to be avoided than otherwise . Looking down from the sublime height of his political economy , the Olympus of his great intellect upon the ¦ xsywftwL vagaries , the futile wishei * T > f" us poor mortals , he speaks much as one of ttm fabled goda of old might be imagined to have spoken . « -Well , ' he says , * if they want , let them have it , if they can get it Idonotthinkitwonlddothemmuchgood . Ido not believe they would gam by subverting the natural relations between capital and labour . I do not at all suppose that they could manage manufacturing and trading establishments profitably . It seems to me ,

      in fact , that they would rather lose than gain by the change ; hut , if they want to try the experiment , I am rather inclined to say let them allow them to suffer for their folly , and buy experience . ' It was thus , Mr . Cobdkn , the apostle of Free Trade in Corn , threw cold water upon Freedom of Trade . In that fashion , he damned the project with something fainter than fault praise . It could not of course be worth his while , or that of any body else , to take any pains about such a matter . It was useless even to inquire . What was the use of inquiry ? Mr . Cobdes and his party , in their great wisdom , had nothing to learn about it . Their minds were made np , and the question was , perforce , allowed to slip throngh on a sort of a promise npon the part of the Government to do , or think about doing , an indefinite something at a very uncertain period .

      There is no use in concealing the truth that this is a defeat In this Session , at all events , we shall have nothing done towards facilitating Industrial Associations . Yet there is scarcely anything which is more needed ; and it would be difficult to point to a more moderate reform . It is not a new system which is asked for , but one which has been tried in a neighbouring country , and has saceeeded in spite of greater obstacles than it would have to encounter here . It is not the creation of a new power that is desired , but simply the removal of certain Legislative restrictions . No class interests—no vested rights are attacked , but the demand upon the part of the labourers , is that they may be enabled to elevate

      themselves by their own efforts , and their own capital ; and this U the attempt which Mr . Cobdbn , under the guise of affected indiffence , sneers at with assumed contemptuous pity , and induces the Whigs to disregard it . But the desire for legal and intelligent co-operation—though baffled ibr the time , based as it is upon pressing social want , will constantl y reappear and make itself heard in the Legislature—perhaps in the next Parliament ; a few , at all events , of earnest advocates , will find their way into what should bethe PenpWs House , and then it will assume a form , in which it will need something more than the supercilious criticisms of Mr . Cobdbn to put it down .

      Another topic of great interest is the proposed embodying of the Militia , for the purpose of providing for the national defence of the country against foreign invasion . The debate upon this Bubject brought up several remarkable facts , and puts in a strong light the many inconsistencies on the part of the little great men of more than one party . It is very evident , that notwithstanding their forced and awkward expressions of confidence in the good intentions of the Presidential homicide of France , Lord

      Jons Eusseh . and his party are really afraid of the future . It may he that Lobd John Russell , has for three or four years nursed the idea of increasing our military resources in the way proposed , but no one will believe that it is not something more than a mere coincidence that the step is to be taken this particular year . If it had been with the Whigs a time of qmet and leisure , they might possibly have brought in a Militia Bill for the want of something better to do . But it is incredible , that now their hands are full to overflowin ff . thev would nile un more

      business ; and it is still more impossible of belief that at the last gasp of official existence they would court opposition without good reason . Notwithstanding «» e amity which they profess to believe exists , they are amply sensible of danger , though afraid to conless it . They know as well as we do that the promise creaking perjured assassin is not to be depended ^ ra , and they wish to prepare without seeming to prepare . Notless remarkable is the fact that Ireland fl

      as been exempted from the operation of the Bill , under a sense that loyalty and obedience to the law are not prominent characteristics of the Irish people . Aotwi thstnnaing all the twaddle which has been ™* ea by Irish members about the fidelity of their ieuow countrymen to the Crown , we think that r " J OHN Russell will be very hard pressed before « e anns the inhabitants of the country of riband societies , orange lodges , agrarian murders , and special commissions . In certain counties they pay their

      « nt with the blunderbuss pretty effectually , but the - > " * inie rifle would furnish a much more certain means of discharging obligations of that character . We fancy that the gentlemen who represent the Green Isle may talk till they are hoarse , of the kind disposition of their countrymen toward the 'base brutal and bloody Saxon . ' and their respect for the Act of union , without raising in the minds of English ministers a conviction strong enough to induce them to arm and train any large portions of the people of Ireland . In this debate too , Mr . Cobden took a prominent Part , and certainl y managed to go beyond himself . Absurdly as he has sometimes talked when his own

      Particular crotchets are in danger , on this occasion ha Ji ? VT ?* Herod - ' After a Kfctle bifc of P P hesy £ bi ch following his past faUurea in that line , is we ~ "J * tote much regarded , he ventured on the W £ « f a ^ ef of the most monstrous character £ e actuall y expressed an opinion that there is too ™ ga a sense of honour among the officers of the S ™ f ™ 7 to attW oftheirJending themselves to a BJ to descent n n toe shores of England . It is umcuit , we allow , to estimate the action of military

      *> nour w ^ Frfinc | i ^ ^ . fc doe g cerfcainl y «* mmore than strange , to pretend that those men **> have been trained in the barbarities of African enirT * have lent themselves as instruments to do *? evffl of * despotic usurper—who l » ve shot coanL Btreets of Paris ™ eda blood » fc" ™ ° * I , ymen and countrywomen , would be restrained din y B entimentfrom inflicting injury upon ' perfip !™ f AMon . ' Our idea of the materials of the enen army We cnnffXH Innrtn no in fha nnTipinsinn .

      lion a even e f <« Waterloo , ' which hold out the to pJf of Plunder , would be anything but distasteful s ' an if ™ ' If went with afecrity to Rome to tbat « . rottier ^ P * " . ^ " hard to believe land y Vr °° ^ much more readu y covae toEng-T-o * ' - we ma 8 fc re 8 fc our 6 afefcv Q P on their " want of * ent 7 * " * than of I " ¦ "DwrfHrog aB we a * an eu ghti y upon an imputation of insincerity , we to taint ° ***"• CoBBEN * intellect so much injustice as * that he believed his ovz . arguments : and we

      Untitled Article

      look npon it as another to be added to the many examples of the length to which a man will go when hard driven to defend a favourite theory . We cannot , however , help acknowledging that it will be a great hardship upon the peaceful , unmilitary people of this country to be compulsorily taken from their occupations and forced to spend their time in being drilled . We heartily sympathise in what we believe to be the general feeling upon that point . Still we do not know what else is to be done . If a Government of the present day woald do what it

      is not at all likely they will—permit the people to form Volunteer Corps—we do not think that any large body of men would voluntarily submit to be trained to arms . _ Beyond that there is no alternative between greatly increasing the regular army and calling out the militia . The first ig almost impossible , because those gentlemen who are continuall y crying out ' peace , peace , where there is no peace , ' would never consent to the imposition of increased taxes , and the only remaining resource ib a militia . If we are to trust to the force of arms—if we are once

      more to commit our destinies to the decision of the God of Battles we must be prepared , for it is impossible not to see that there is imminent danger of a European war . Our best hope that it may be aver | e ^ frj | n ^ ys . tiiat ^^ ^ ts of the Continent are beginning to show a hostile front to ^ boms NAPOLEON . In love as they are with tyranny , it appears that to please them it mustbelegitimate and hereditary tyranny . The representative of the Cor-« can upstart—however closely he may imitate the acts of the Neapolitan Bourbon—is not exactl y to their taste . To please them barbarism must be hedged in by divine right , and perpetrated by ' the tenth transmitter of a foolish face . ' If we may believe report , the august Emperor of all the Russias has already intimated to the shadow of his uncle that

      he will not countenance the erection of an empire on the foundation of a Napoleonistic dynasty . " What Russia says , of course Austria books , and , therefore , the request of the Prince President for leave to remove the remains of the Due de Richelieu to France has been refused . In Italy the Imperial armies are being augmented , and the encouragement given to the Pope to create an army of his own points to the expulsion of the French from the Papal States . All these instances taken together , afford ground to suppose that the storm may be averted from us ; and In that case England might well be content to stand b y and see the Absolutists—legitimate and illegitimatefight it out among themselves . But ha that as it may , the time will come when it will become matter for grave consideration , whether it is not both our

      interest and our duty to exercise our power in favour of the people of the Continent . It is possible that the day may come when every nation and every man will be forced take a side , and as the world is not yet prepared to submit to moral or intellectual dictates ; as the sword is , and for some time longer unhappily will he , the final arbiter , such preparation as a militia will necessitate , may be regarded , notwithstanding its present inconveniences , as the better of two evils .

      In purely domestic intelligence the weak is unusually barren . The subscriptions for the Holmfirth calamity may be noticed as likel y to reach a large sum , but the fact will be lost sight of , that there ought to be some one responsible for the loss of life and destruction of property which has taken place . When great Capitalists , by their negligence or carelessness , cause great suffering , society seldom or ever thinks of calling upon them to pay the penalty . When a railway accident happens , the drivers and guards are sometimes sent to gaol , but Directors always escape scot free . When an untried vessel like the Amazon

      is sent to seaand wholesale death ensues , the Managers of a great Company are , of course , not culpable . So when , for the pnrpospa nf trade , embankments are built to dam up water , although we are told now , that the quality of the work has always been suspected , yet no odium rests upon those who , in order to make money , accumulate the destruction which is let loose upon a whole valley . A paper has said latel y that the best way to prevent railway accidents would be to make a Director sit in front of every train . And there will be no safety for society at large against the recklessness of those who « make haste to grow rich , ' tell they are made , either in purse or in pewon , responsible for due precautions being taken for the safety of the public .

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      DESiBUcirra Riflb . —An American of the name of Jones has invented a " rifle which fires twenty-five distinct shots with one loading . The rifle has the appearance of the ordinary douhle-barrelled gun , with the exception that the barrels are placed one above the other , and the lower barrel is rather shorter than the upper . In the lower barrel are placed twenty-five bullets of a conical shape , each about an inch in length . The upper part of these bullets ia obarged with powder , and by a sli ght movement of a small lever , they are brought into the upper barrel one after the other as ttm previous one is discharged from it . In the stock there is a small box for holding a number of detonating pills , quite on the homoeopathic principle , which one by one fall under the hammer of the trigger , and do the duty of the ordinary copper caps . The operator discharged his gun twenty-four times in about a minute , and said that he could load and reload his gun and fire it 125 times in less than 5 ve minutes . The gun is under the consideration of the Board of Ordnance . .

      Mr . Feakous O'Conxob ' s Liberation fhom Pbison . —On Friday Mr . O'Connor was told that as his term of imprisonment wonld expire next day , he would be at liberty to leave at a very early hour , if he thought proper to do ao ; and ho did avail himself of the offer , and left the prison at nine o ' clock , in a cab , which he ordered to drive to Cravenstreet , Strand , attended by one or two near relations and private friends . On leaving the prison gate he shook hands warmly with the governor , and expressed his deep gratitude and thanks to that gentleman for his courtesy and kindness to him while under his care . The priton

      authorities deemed it inexpedient to enforce the fair rigour of their powers in his person , by thrusting the prison dress npon him , leBt such a step might tend to produce violent symptoms of the montal disorder under which it is now confidently believed he is labouring ; neither has he been confined to the strict limits of the prison regimen , and indeed in all other respects he has been treated , not only with great consideration , but great indulgence . However , his personal appearance has undergone considerablo change for the worse ; his once florid complexion has entirely disapppeared , and a aickly palor has supplanted it . — Morning Paper .

      Thb Seaford Clifi- Explosion . —The late experiment has not answered the purpose for which it was intended , for considerably more than one-half of the ohalk thrown into the sea has been washed away by the operation of the tides . A circumstance has recently occurred which shows that the whole of the cells were not ignited by tho voltaic battery . Large bags of gunpowder have been di scovered , in the cliff , to procure which the labouring men in the neighbourhood have risked their live ? . We under * stand that one man has in this way procured several cwts . of gunpowder ; and that government having been informed of the fact have issued placards cautioning persons against keeping it , and that in consequence a large quantity has been placed in one of the Martello Towers . — Brighton Oaxelte . *

      PaoiEcnoH fbom Dakgebous AsniALs . —On Monday a bill in the House of Commons was printed to extend the power of magistrates in England and Wales regarding dangerous animals . Justices may order any dog proved to be in a rabid state to be shot , and may order all does within ten miles of the spot to be kept muzzled for ten days . The parties disobeying the orders are liable to penalties . There is a provision to prevent dogs from being used for drawing carts , &c , beyond the metropolitan district . Bulls are not to be allowed in fields near highways unless fastened with a tether . Prosecutors , beyond their expenses , may be allowed a Bart of the penalties , The Beeb Question . —A joint-stock brewery company has been formed , with a capital of £ 200 , 000 , in 40 , 000 shares of £ 5 eaobfor the

      . purpose of establishing breweries on a comprehensive plan , to suppl y the public with unadulterated ale and porter at prices below those at present charged by the London brewers , and yet with a handsome profit on the capital invested . Branoh breweries are to be opened in various districts . There are also two features of great and novel interest iu the echeme . To meet the caaa of persons who may be unwilling to incur the responsibility of shareholders , it has been determined to admit subscriber ! of £ 1 each , who will be entitled to a reduction oh their own purchases ; and the workmen regularly employed by the company are to be allowed a participatian in all profits exceeding £ 5 per cent , upon the capital used , in proportion to the value of their labour , as measured by the wages earned at the ordinary rate . .

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      [ As the columns under this head are open for the free expression of all opinions , the Editor is not responsible for , or committed to , any . ] THE UNITED STATES BANKING SYSTEM , FROM THE TttAOT ONCURRENOY , BY " JUiNIUS "

      TO THB EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR , Dear Sir , —In my last I gave your readers " Junius ' s " account of the currencies of the United States , his opinions of . what money or currency is , and ought to be , and the proper functions of gold and eilrer as money . It is only necessary hereto say , that I do not agree with him . as to the necessity for making gold and silrer the basis of a currency , or in the utility of hoarding immense masses of these commodities to lie idle in the banks , or that gold and silver are the proper standard and measure of value — according to reason , justice , and Dr . Adam Smith , labour is die only touree of wealth and univertal standard of value- — and before there can be any useful " organisation of labour or justice done to the working claim , labour must be made the standard of value in practice . But we must now proceed to give you . " Junius ' s" account of the Amerioan Banking System , and return to the other parts of the question hereafter .

      "American Banking System . "The Banking System of every country should be adapted to the genius and wants of the people . We had great resources , but wanted means to develppe them , and thusJ » augment our wealth , to ' this ( kit dn . dvgmentation of the circulating medium over and above the specie basis teemed to be required . How could this fairly and prudently bo done ? " Why thus : —Here is red estate worth at any time one hundred thousand dollars , and here are ten thousand dollars in gold , and silver . Put these one hundred and ten thousand dollars together under statute regulations as a capital held liable for the debts of its Trustees in their corporate capacity , and give them leave to issue on this basis not more than thirty thousand dollars of a paper currency , for which this capital is held exclusively liable . If the trust be

      honestly administered , and the penalties of fraud should be exemplary , the security is ample and the public safe . In caseof suspension the capital is three to one of the claims againBtit . " Now mark well , reader , ' this is the principle upon whioh all the banks of issue in the United States are founded , and that principle is to have three times as much paper money in drcu ' ation as they have gold and silver in deposit to meet it with , and yet all of them pretend to engage to pay for all their notes in gold and silver on demand ; but here him further on this subject . " Now , although this case does not indicate all the usual functions of banking , nor in all oases its exnut shape , it is sufficient to characterise the great principle ofourAmerican system , to wit , to provide a circulating medium equal to the wants of the country , with a suitable regard to the safety of Mil holders and other creditors . ' .

      "HOW SUCH i . ST 3 TBM OEBBAIBS . " With the exuberance of our resources and exterprise it affords the means of multiplying wealth in a manifold degree . Instead of having one dollar to trade with , we have several , and they are all good ; being convertible into specie on demand , or , if in an extraordinary crisis , the banks are forced to suspend for a season , the notes are still good , while Hie capital liable is two , three , or -five to one of the demands . By thus augmenting the circulating medium , greater scope is given to enterprise , and increased facilities to trade . It is to this system of a sound credit cumncy , that , as a nation , we owe our unrivalled march to prosperity and wealth . By the use of the principle of credit thus modified and guarded , it has anticipated means and produced incalculable wealth , out of resources , which otherwise must have been dormant . Credit is the moral peculiarity of civilisation , to think of living without it , is turning the eye and footsteps back to barbarism .

      "The only hazard of such a system is a sudden run for gold , and consequent suspension , in extraordinary emergency , of trade . Rightly understood this need be no subject of alarm , as it is known by the conditions of the law , that the banks are allowed to Issue more paper than they have specie in deposit , and , consequently , if surprised by a run for gold , in excess of the deposits , that they are obliged to suspend . But the abunbance of other capital held liable , is a sufficient security for the holders of their notes . " Now , as this boasted American banking system is in principle a credit system , and there are always , it seems at least , three times as large an amount of banh notes in circulation as the banks have specie in deposit to meet we ask these wise bullionists how they can put on the face to tell men of common sense that the- whole of this-paper is

      money based up <«* specie ? And if the shareholders in the banks were actually to deposit writings and securities of umnoumberedland and other property , why should they not be allowed to circulate paper money to that limit , under the sanction of the legislature of each state , with whom the writings and securities for the property should be lodged , and remain so long as such paper money was in circulation , and after being signed or indorsed by some state government officer appointed for this purpose ? Why should not inch paper money 6 e made a legal tender ( at least at that state )? Why should gold or silver be allowed to affect the currency of any country at all ? They are simply commodities , the produce of certain countries , like iron , lead , cotton , or corn , and there will always be dealers in these as there are in other articles , and if either nativeB or

      foreigners want them , let them buy them in the market as they do anything else ; and if there is none to be had , they must either take some other kind of goods or paper money to settle their accounts . These remarks will equSlly apply to our banking system in England as they do to the batik- ' iBg system of the United States . The banks in both countries pretend to base their notes on specie , and to make them payable in specie on demand , whilst everybody knows , or might know , if they would pay the least attention to this important subject , that our banks of issue nerer could , cannot now , and never will , be able to pay off all their notes in specie on demand . Because , when Peel ' s bill passed in 1846 , a schedule of a large number of banks of issue in England , Scotland , and Ireland , were still allowed to circulate many millions of pounds of their own notes ,

      without being required to keep a single sovereign in deposit to meet them ; and the Bank of England was allowed thus to issue fourteen millions of their paper ; and it is only for the surplus of notes that they issue over and above that sum , that they are required by law to keep a deposit of gold in their vaults . Whatever the consequence of this state of things is , that the trade , commerce , manufactures , and labour of the country , lie continually at the mercy of the bullionists and money-mongers , Jews andjobbers ; ivho male a razzia every five or six years on the industrious classes . Awful rumours are circulated in the newspapers that a crisis , as it is called tn money matters , is at hand . Confidence at once disappears , and all rush to the banks for gold . The current run of bills are obliged to be refused altogether at the banks , and the best paper only discounted by the bullion

      holders , and at an awful discount . Goods , manufactures , and produce of every kind , are sold at ruinous prices for cash , and tradesmen become bankrupts , and thousands of workmen are thrown out of employ . And what caused all this ruin ? Why these bullionists persuaded us fools that it was absolutely necessary , for the purpose of creating a sound and healthy trade for the future , that we should make the ten or fifteen millions of sptcie , lyingin the Bank of England , pay off two hundred or three hundred millions of bills and notes in full in gold , whilst they are filling their pockets , and laughing at our stupidity and folly . Make money plentiful , you reduce interest , and improve trade . Reduce money , you increase interest and destroy trade , for the price of money , like other things , depends on supply and demand . " Junius , " in the tract from which I have been quoting , thus describes the direful effeots that

      resulted in tne united states , from the scarcity of money in 1843 , arising from an unwise attempt to oarry on trade there , principally in specie , which produced a panic there similar , to ours of 1847 , under the head , A National Papr Money Indispensable to Supply an Adequate Circulating Medium . " He writes as follows : — "Everybody feels , and it is apparent , that we have not an adequate circulating medium now—1843 . It has been growing less and less—lighter and lighter , for a long time . In some parts of the interior of Pensylvania the people have been obliged to divide bank notes into halves , quarters , eighths , and so on ; and agree , from necessity , to use them as money . In Ohio , with all her abundance , it has been hard to get money to pay

      taxes . The sheriff ofMuskingham county , as stated by the Guernsey Times , ' in the summer of 1842 , sold at auotion , one four-horse waggon for 5 dols . 50 cents ., ten hogs at 6 J cents , each ( 3 d . sterling , ) two horses ( said to be worth 50 dols . to 15 dols . each ) at 2 dols . each , two cows at 1 dol . eaob , a barrel of sugar for 1 dol . 50 cents ., and a Btore of goods at that rate . In Pike , county , Missouri , as stated by the 'Hannibal Journal' last winter , the sheriff sold three horses at 1 dol . 50 cents ., one large ox for 12 i cents , five oows , two steers , and one calf , the lot for 3 dols . 25 cents ., twenty sheep at 13 } cents , each , twenty-four hogs at 25 cents , each ( about Is . English , ) one eight-day clock for 2 dols . 50 cents ., seven hogsheads of tobacco at 5 dols . per hogshead , three stacks of hay each 25 cents ., and one stack of fodder 25 cents .

      " Thus has property been sacrificed in all parts of the country , for want of money to buy it . But we need not further attempt to prove what all know . " Now these were the direful effects of attempting to oarry out in actual practice , the impossibility of paying off in specie all their bank notes ; and we know to our sorrow that similar effects attended our own mud attempts to do the same in 1847-8 , and I fear it will not be long before we shall have to go through the same ordeal again ; for till the cause of those panics is removed , the effects will not cease . If we do not destroy bullionism , bullionism will destroy us . I am , < fco ., Liverpool , Feb . 15 , 1852 . 'John Finch , Sen .

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      ; .- < ' .. MASTER . ENGINEER'S STRIKE . Letter 2 . « 10 the editor op thb nobthbrk 8 iar . Dear Sib , — The engineers and labourers ( to the number of 20 , 000 , it is estimated ) whose average earnings amount to 20 s . per week enoh , have been out of employment about five weeks , and thus wealth has been prevented from being created , which would have given £ 100 , 000 in wages , to engineers and labourers alone , whilst the materials , and the master ' s profits and expenses , have been a loss of at least £ 100 , 000 more ; this ; money is lost for ever . But this is not half the evil ; how many shopkeepers have baen half ruined , or entirely ruined , by giving credit to the families of these poor men , or by the loss of their oustom ? How many iron makers , steel makers , and workmen in other trades , where employment depends on machines and steam enginoB , have been thrown out of work in consequence ? Surely those who have causod all this misery have a great deal to answer for to sooiety . But the moral influence of this strike is of far more consequence for the future than

      all these pecuniary losses . It has set the rich against the poor , and the poor against the rich-the capitalist against the labourer , and the labourer against the capitalist ; and , instead of its breaking up the working men ' s unions , as it was intended , it has only convinced them of the necessity there is that they Bhould unite more generally , and more firmly , for the protection of the interests of all . And thus , unfortunately , the breach that was already too wide between the different classes in sooiety , is torn open much wider , and it will take the more time and labour to heal it . I was at the splendid public meet ing . at the Manchester Free Trade Hall on Thursday evening last ,. and very much admired the speaking on both sidesjof the question , and was most pleased at the ( upon the whole ) patient hearing they gave to Mr . Curtis , on behalf of the Mastors and their Asaooiation ; and , after hearing both sides , it appeared to me , that if Mr , Curtis spoke the sentiments of the majority of the masters , a reconciliation might easily be effected , on the following grounds : —

      Firstly , —The masters to do as they please about keeping up their own Association , and leave their workmen to do as they please ab ' outtheir associations , clubs , and Trades ' Unions . Secondly , —The Masters' Association to withdraw the declaration that they have drawn up for the men to sign altogether , and open their shops for the free reception of all parties , unionists or not unionists . Thirdly , —The Amalgamated Society to withdraw their notice : aoout overtime and piecework , for the present , and not to issue it again , to come into operation previous to the

      1 st July next . . Fourthly , —The men working at each establishment to try , in the meantime , to corao to some satisfactory arrangement , separately , with their employers , about overtime and piecework , on terms not in opposition to the laws of the Amalgamated Society ; and if all the masters enter into such amicable arrangement , the Society ' s notice to be withdrawn altogether , and if not , the notice to be served only on suoh masters as refuse to come to an agreement , In settling this business neither party to require or insist upon the other signing any written document whatever——but may do so if mutually agreed upon—by masters and men in any establishment .

      I think it monstrously unjust for the masters , after depriving 17 , 000 men , who had given themno cause of offence , of five weeks' labour , to require them at the end of that time , on pain of starvation , to sign a paper that will effeotually prevent them from ever getting any assistance from their fellow workmen on any business of a similar kind in future , If the masters had paid the non-Society men the five weeks' wages of which they have been , according to their masters' own acknowledgment , unjustly deprived , and taken them on again , on the same free termB as they were working before , there would have been something like justice in it . Surely , if those men are willing to return to their work without making such a reasonable demand , even that is more than the masters have any right to require of them . I fear if the masters of this country

      continue to adopt every meanB in their power to reduce the wages of labour , as they have done for many years past , they will very soon have cause to repent it bitterly , Tho "Manchester Guardian" of this day has the following article : — " From a Liverpool Correspondent . —Thursday . —During the past two days , our port has presented more the appearanoe of the departure of an immense convoy than anything else . Some 300 vessels of all claasos have spread their sails for distant climes carrying some 20 , 000 emigrants , and valuable cargoes of merchandise ; Among them were several vessels for our Australian Colonies , who , from their appearance , represent a very superior , class of persons . " Now , suppose the 20 , 000 Bkilled workmen and labourers , whom the Master . Engineers have been trying , for

      five weeks , to starve into submission , should determine , one and all , to follow the other 20 , 000 , who , it appears by the " Guardian , " have emigrated from Liverpool this week , they would all find employment and better wages either in Australia or the United States , than they can obtain ia England . And . with the £ 25 , 000 the Amalgamated Society has in hand , the money these workmen hare in the savings banks , their household furniture , &o ., they could all be prepared to go at once . In such . a case , of what value would be the boasted oapital of the masters . If our men of wealth wish to retain that wealth and increase it , they must improve the condition of their workpeople , and not try to reduco their wages ; they must give them something . worth living for at home , or moiit assuredly they will seek it in other lands . Buonaparte has broken up the Trades' Unions in France , and the consequence is that thousands of the most skilled French workmen are emigrating to America .

      Some millions of Irish labourers are already gone , and they have made abundant work there for many thousands of skilled English workmen . I was told last year , by many of tho largbst Master Engineers in New York , Boston , and Philadelphia , that they had orders that would employ all their men for Beveral years . They have 11 , 000 miles of railway now in operation , and 11 , 000 miles more constructing , besides all their immense number of steamboats , and engines and machines without end are required for their constantly increasing manufacturing and agricultural operations . I hope , therefore , that our government and wealthy classes will take warning in time , and do all they oan to increase the liberties , and improve the condition of our workmen . If they delay it till all the most skilled and experienced are gone , it will be too late to remedy the evil . I am , dear sir , yours , John Finch . Liverpool , February 14 , 1852 .

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      ELECTIONEERING iRTELLiaENOE . —The Right Hon . Vemon Smith hasbeen returned for Northampton , by a majority of 345 over a Conservative candid ate . —Mr . C . Lushington has intimated his intention of not again presenting himself to the eleotora of Westminster . —Mr . Biggs , of Loicester , has visited Newport , and addressed a large meeting of eleotora and non-electors . Avowing Radical Reform , and anti-endowment principles , it was resolved— " That Mr . Biggs be invited to stand as a candidate for the representation of Newport at the next election , " which , on being put to the meeting , was carried unanimously , and a requisition was prepared for the si gnature of the eleotors . — A conservative meeting was held on Tuesday evening at Harwioh , for the purpose of inviting Sir Fitzroy Kelly to contest tho borough . It is hinted that Mr . Crawford will

      appear on the liberal side . —Mr . Kinglake is a candidate for the representation of Bridgewater , at the next election The learned gentleman states that he has ever held liberal opinions , and that his judgment , now aided by experience Bill leads him forward in the cause of rational improve ' ments . —East Kent . —The nomination of a candidate to supply the vacancy created in the representation of the eastern division of the county of Kent , by the retirement of Mr . Plumbtre , took place on Barham Downs on Monday . The candidates were Sir Brook W . Bridges and Sir Edward Dering , both of whom are members of the Protestant and Protectionist , party in Kent , but Sir E . Derine has exhibited a tendency to <« Peelite" influences , and a disposition to regard the Maynooth grant as a necessary evil . After the customary proceedinga and speeches , the oi lianas

      suow was declared in favour of Sir Brook Bndgw , and a poll was demanded for Sir E . Derin / f . The polling commenced on Thursday , and the following were the numbers at the close of the first dav •—Derinp 1 S 4 fi Bridges , 2 , 037 . Majority for Bridges , l / l 8 ' ' ' Singular Death prom Lock Jaw . —On Tuesdav an in . quest was held at Liverpool the tdy of JameB Lid % a ootton-porter , twenty-eight years of age , whoso death had been caused in the following singular manner - -About a week previously he was employed in converting the blade of a razor into a knife by fixing it to a wooden handle anrt used the sharp end of a file , hWd to hZ KM

      wood . , Whle bo engaged the aie dipped , maktoff a deep burnt moiaion in the palm of his hand near thethumh A carman put something : into the wound which he sa ? d was used for horsesjand the deceased continued at his work as usual until two days before his death , when he complained that his jaws were quite tight , and that he could hard y open his mouth . The hand , - which had been much swollen all the week , was now of the natural size ; and the evening before his death , on leaving work his neck was quite stiff , and his head all on One 8 idT Th n ? for £ first time medical advice was called in , but too late ; the taauBhadB « tin , rad in a few hours attemrds IVduS The jury returned a verdiot of " Accidental death '»

      Antiquities from Ninbveh . -Fo f the last day or two great exciement has prevailed in the nei ghbourhood Of the St . Katharine Docks m consequence of tfie removal of a large quantity of curiosities to the BriUsh Museum brought from Nineveh b y the shi p Apprentice one piece in particular , consistingof a h On in marble , weighing upwards of fifteen tons , was removed b y James Gollins and Son carmen London Docks gate , drawn b y eleven hordes , and followed by a great concourse of persons .

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      LABOUR VERSUS CAPITAL . A public meeting ; convened by the Metropolitan Delegate Council , was held on Wednesday evening , at the Temperance Hall , 86 , Royal Mint-street , Tower Hamlets , to consider the above subject . The large hall was well filled . Mr . ^ Clarke having been called to the chair , commenced the proceedings by remarking that tho recent attack of the employers in the Irou Trades showed the necessity of the meeting , Mr . E . Jones moved the following resolution : — " This meeting pledges itself to resist the aggressions of Capital against Labour by every just meanB , and believing that po"tioal power alone will enable the working classes to destroy their social wrongs , resolves on devoting its energies E ° P ol > tical oreanisiitinn fnr establishing the sovereicntv of

      3 ? yer Capital . " Besides the aristocracy of land and 2 " T ? haa another Btill more insidious and dangerous rtamro ' Z * aris'ocracy of Libour . It was difficult and Bwffi £ 8 ay tho real truth on that subject ; but howand < W fl £ v , iT itwa 3 Ivta 8 ^ to which he had set himself , nerfo ? m WMi ^ ardle 8 B of a 11 con sequences , he would ? t was ^' ot JW tue struggle was pending , many thought a necessitv tal tfcZJ ? ' more tban erei > was there fabour atfeatL wi ?^ ° Chartisin to be thrusfc into tha labour would fall lowffJid & « ? i th ? "lW ? this surplus labour ? For eveTvfL ^ ° - ^ Sr ^ lP dom thin were eleven acres 7 g 00 T land t £ tf Z productive power , and only ^( tedlK . t -i ? In manufactured ' goods they produced tt | f *?**?* lions worth annually . ThoVSrouly ™^' ; twenty-nine million , consequentl y aC ^ JB ?!^

      tne cnstriDuuve power , xuere were seventy-dAt million acres of land in this country ; of these twentySt m E laid waste , twenty-two million were monopolised in wood ? parks , Ac , and the remaining part was onl y half culti ' vated . How came there to be a surplus of labour ? Farms of 700 acres employed only about eight families , ' whereas if they allowed seven acres to each man—and it had been proved that he could live on two—they would afford subsistence for 100 families . This was whore tho surplus labour eame from . They must return them from the towns to the agricultural districts . How waB this to be done ? ihey must get political power ? They must say to these holders of land— " It is ours ; we will on terms fair to you take possession of it . " When this was dono , the surplus labour would bo removed in a similar manner to that in winch it had heen created . To attempt to remove the sur-P u w bour i without tfaat power was utterly futile , They would be only dealing with the effect without removing the

      Mr . Stratton wishod Mr . Jones to show tho meeting how they could get . political power without acting in a similar ui v t ? e A - nwdgsHwted Iron Trades . First , get the Seal owe " ' tb < 5 V ° ' ° d th 0 n they wonld get tho ' rt ? * it " ? i ' that Co-operation would never effect art r , n 7 - mig r g 6 t U ht ° Il > On ™ . ™» t « l t ^ y at Jut htti 8688 ! 01 ^ ™ - Irou Boro « gl > . and returned a member i £ 2 i mte li 5 rt of the Iron Trade . But during hlCFZ t 6 y Wou , ld find either that * heir Pl » n had 211 mere , , wl > ecl ?' or that th <> y ^ d created a few All Sf f blameab « as those they now condemned . pa !«?? meDtS 8 b ( T that this would bo the result . when tlJZ f * ° Uld e 7 , > bvou 8 ht & S ™» t them when they had a prospect of just success . two Mumy seconded the resolution . He believed t&atCo-operatou would never enable them either tn nhf ^ in

      ( tie land or political power . While they had the present system ot currency they never could carry out a safe system of Co-operation . Even if they could succeed they . wonld be put down by the strong hand of the law in I similar manner to that in whioh they had been put down pi y ° l- u u ll 0 ^ eIl : The 1 < e 8 ulfc « f Mr- O'Conner ' s Land Wau , which he believed to be aincerely meant for the Dene&t Of the people , showed that government could at any time bo , cripple them as to ensure their ruin . He ad . vised them m that district to look at once to the means in their hands for achieving that political power , in the representation of the metropolis , to whioh they were so well entitled . Mr . Holt said , though an engineer he did not belong to the Amalgamated Society , but he thought that Mr . Jones , a ter going through a whole series of n *« nm « nt « . ml *

      glanced at the real question asked him . He told them that the Amalgamated Trades would never emancipate themselves , but that combination , by getting political power would be their only remedy . The Amalgamated booiety was but a recent experiment , and all society must follow their example , ere they would attain power of anv description . The only argument Mr . Jones used was , that amalgamation was not combination . Ho told them that now was the time for the ill-paid trades to take advantage of the struggle of the high-paid trades . This waB not corabination , or brother feeling . Mr . Jones might have uttered it without evil intent , but it was calculated to produce evil . He thought that instead of endeavouring to crush the Amalgamated . Trades' Union , they should encourage all efforts towards combination . Mr . Stratton at some length advocated the doctrine of Co-operation , and regretted that Mr . Jones had not stopped to answer the questions he had wished to put to

      mm . vyorKing men , by simply co-operating to save tbo money they they now uselessl y spent , would speedily be enabled to eflect a great change in the currency of this kingdom . Every job of work done by the Amalgamated won Trades was work taken from the masters by the men . To the extent they enriched themselves , they impoverished their employers by absorbing the- profits ( enormous as they now were ) which he had previously enjoyed . Mr . Murray said lie agreed to some extent with the last speaker , and explained the difference between them relative to the question of the currency . The resolution was then put and earned unanimously . Mr . Bligh at great length moved , and Mr . Hall seconded , a , motion agreeing to the formation of Chartist localities , which was carried , and Monday evenin" appointed as their night of meeting .

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      THE AMAZON . MORE LIVES SAVED . Southampton . —Intelligence lias been receivod hero from Dorchester , that two men , named Thomas" Sergeant and Allen , belonging to the Amazon , landed on Wednesday , at Weymouth . They assert that they were picked up by a DutcU vessel after floating about , with two others ( who perished from cold ) , for two days upon a life-buoy . Sergeant states they were not far from the Amazon when she blow up , and that a piece of the wreck struok Allen on the shoulder , and that he thought he was killed . Allen is said

      to have the mark upon his shoulder now . The above is the substance of the details whioh have just been telegraphed from Dorchester to this place . The statements have been made in the presence of highly respectable persons in Weymouth and Dorchester , who are strongly impressed with its truth . The list of names of those missing by the Amazon has been carefully looked over , but neither Sergeant nor Allen is found therein . It is not improbable , however , that the men have shipped under assumed names . The news is scarcely credited in Southampton , and will require further investigation to establish its authenticity .

      Untitled Article

      Sbriotjb Cokflagiution in Tauston . —On Wednesday afternoon the handsome and spacious residence of Edwards Beadere , Esq ., generally known us Highlands , situate about a . mile from Taunton , was burnt to the ground , nothing remaining but a few walls , The building in question was an elegant structure in the Elizabethan style , and covered principally with thatch . The tire originated in the chimney of the school-room , which commuincating with the thatch , caused the devastating element to spread with fearful rapidity . Shortly after the first alarm tho engines were in attendance , and the flames were kept in check sufficiently to allow many valuables—the plate , pictures , &c—to be removed . A great portion of tho furniture , however , was destroyed . Tho damage is estimated at about £ 2 , 000 , but the premises were amply insured .

      The Glut of Goto . —It is stated on very good authority that , in order to stimulate the circulation of gold in this country , it is intended to limit , if not altogether stop , the future issue of £ 5 notes from the Bank of England . Should this plan be carried out , the public will liavo to use more bullion in small monoy transactions than is at present customary . Some notes of other denominations will , his stated , also he more limited in number than hitherto . Thb Forbidden Titles not merely " Ascribed . "—On Sunday morning pastorals were read in all the ftoman Catholic places of in the metropolis and environs , and colleetiona made for the support of the orphanages 06 tat ) li » heu at Norwood and North Hyde . Thege dooumenta emnnated

      from Cardinal Wiseman and D . \ Grant . This boiDg the first time the latter prelate had addressed " tho faithful " of the " diocese of Southwark , " some little excitement prevailed as to whether Dr . Grant would take the forbidden title . The subject of the pastoral was purely spiritual , and it concluded with the words " Given at Southwark , on the Feast of the Blessed Virgin , 1852 . Thomas , Bishop of Southwark . " The pastoral of Cardinal Wiseman recited his full titles at the outset . These facts will show that Lord Grey was in error when he stated in the Ilouse of Lords last week that the Ecclesiastioal Titles Bill had had the offect of deterring the Roman Catholic prelates from assuming the prohibited titles .

      Dismissal ov the Master of St . Pancras Woukiiousb —On Wednesday , at a fully attended vestry meeting ol the . parish of St . Pancras , held in the vcstry-hall , King ' s-road , Camden Town , Dr . Gregory moved tho following resolution : — " That it appearing from the minutes of the board of directors that Mr . Eaton , master of the St . -Pancras Workhouse , haB forfeited their confidence , and that they rocoramend the vestry to declare the situation of master vaoant , the vestry resolved that the services of Mr . Eaton be dispensed with on and aftor the 25 th of March next . " When put to the vote , the numbers were—For the dismissal , 50 ; against it , i ; majority , 46 . The master was then called in , and informed that after the 25 th of March his services would be dispensed with .

      The Catastropiib at Uolmfihtji . —On Wednesday , Mr . Dyson , coroner for ttio Halifax district , and the jury reassembled at tho Town Hall , Holmfirth , for the purpose of further prosecuting the inquiry into tho oauses of the late dreaaful calamity , by winch nearl y 100 lives have been sacrificed . Captain Moody , R . E ., attended to watch the proceedings on behalf of the government ; Mr . Jacomb , solicitor of Huddersficld , and clerk , to the : commissioners of the Holme reservoirs , was present on behajfjcttlwt * body . —A great number of witnesses HrtKfflSSSeaEw * Wednesday and Thursday , and the inquim ^ vfaA flKin ^ on Friday morning . ; ©* r «»* jg Am

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  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 21, 1852, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1666/page/1/