Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 10th April 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 5, Untitled Article

Page 5
Page 5
5 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (2)
    • States' *ntelKtttttce
    • ©ijarttot BnfelUgettcc.
  • Text (13)
  • Transcript

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

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

      Untitled Article

      -TTf ^ v orhisprclecessorsif he finds the ' Irish iSLSfSL nJ Parliament , argumented to fifty ? xtv members , and obeying implicitly the behests f forei « n priest , animated by an intense eccle-• stical ambition , aad a thoroughly ultra-montane 8 There are storms brewing in that quarter on which the thoughtful statesmen will keep close tratCD . . t ¦ i i _? 3 i _ i . Presidentis id be _^ ^^ . ^ i « . _

      The * Prince ' making s early - loved people pay handsomely for their whistle . His obedient senate have voted him the enormous sum of nearly halfa million sterling annually for his own expenditure , besides giving him the exclusive right to the royal palaces and their furniture , which are to be kept up at the cost of the nation . The refugee ex-BDecial constable has thu 3 taken possession of not less than ten magnificent palaces , besides forests , in

      • which the right of shooting and hunting is expressly reserved for him alone . How long will this last ? And yet at the very moment the grasping and selfish nature of the man thus unraistakeably develope 3 itselfi he professes to desire nothing for himself . He is only anxious about the welfare of France—that France which he plunders in this right royal manner . There ] needs but one step more to consummate his career , and bring the beginning of the end . Let him assume the Imperial purple , excite the jealouBy and the animosity of the established despots , provoke a war—and then!—The Austrian Minister who crushed Hurfgary and

      Italy , and replaced despotism in its worst" forms at Vienna , has fallen just as Iris unholy work seemed comp lete . Prince Schwarzenbekg was amply fitted for his task . His private life was about on a par with iris p ublic virtues ; and even the tools of despotism in this country , while they accept with gratification the results of his policy , shrink from committing themselves in approbation of the cruel , bloodthirsty , and tyrannical means by which he attained his ends .

      Untitled Article

      THE MILITIA FRANCHISE . The Debut Ministry announced its determination in the debate ou Mr . Hcjie ' s motion to stand by the Beform Bill of 1831 . That was its utmost conces-Bion to Democracy . Beyond that Lord . Derby would not go—it was his special mission , as First Minister of the Crown , ' to stem the torrent of Democracy . ' Sorrowfully we confess it , we see no torrent to stem ; but ire made allowance for the oratorical , imaginative , and exaggerated style of the Uew Premier , and simply took it to mean that he intended to maintain the present state of the electoral constituency and the present distribution of representatives , intact . There was a time when similar

      insolence on the part of a greater man , and one more powerful as a Minister than ever Lord Derby will he , did let loose such a torrent of Democracy' as well nigh swept the territorial aristocracy of this country away—would have done so had they not yielded in time . But now the ancient spirit , if not dead , sleepetli . In the course of a long political life we never remember so deep an apathy—so lamentable a supineness , as that which pervades the people at the present moment , when all should be on the alert , preparing for the election of a Parliament which any fix the destines of the couutry for seven years t > come , and stamp a permanent impression on the f-iture for years afterwards .

      How little reality there is in Lord Derby ' s arrogant and boastful defiance of Democracy , has oozed out in rather a ridiculous and damaging manner . Slight as the cry of 'No vote , no musket , ' has been , it penetrated the Cabinet , and its justice was recognised . The Home Secretary Beeing the late Premier about to leave the House , went after him , and induced him to resume his seat , by stating that he had an important communication to make . Lord John returned , and was rewarded by hearing Mr . Walpole state , that the Government intended to give every person who had served two years in the proposed Militia a rote for the county in which they resided .

      The announcement took every body by surprise . It was altogether unexpected from such a quarter ; and when the proposal came to be scrutinised in connexion with parts of the Militia machinery , it was found , that as far as Suffrage Reform is concerned , * No good can come out of Nazareth . ' The Tories are raw hands at extending electoral rights , and might be expected to blunder in their first attempt Why Lord Derby should give a vote to such people as were likely to take the bounty for serving in the Militia while he refused it to the mass of sober , industrious , and intelligent artisans who , having settled places of abode and families to support , had given hostages to fortune , was more than

      anybody could explain . A storm of adverse criticism arose , and , in homely language , the Ministry fonnd they had ' put their foot in it . ' What was to be done ? The fix was an awkward one , and some means must be devised of getting ? out of it without compromising the chief of tho Cabinet . The plan adopted was damaging to a gentleman who certainl y had the highest- reputation for honour and gentlemanly bearing among the occupants of the Treasury Bench in the Lower House . Mr . Walpole was put np to retract his own statement , to apologise for having made it , and to declare that he had done so without hating consulted his colleagues . The idea was entirely his own .

      We can only say the story is an excellent one for the marines , as well as the equally absurd one which accompanied it—tbat Lord Dekbt proposed the Militia vote at his dinner table as a joke , which Mr . Waipole was simple enough to swallow seriously . We have no doubt whatever that the matter had heen canvassed in the Cabinet , and approved of , though perhaps not formally , and that the Home becretary considered himself amply justified in

      making the statement , which he was afterwards compelled to regard under stern political exigencies , liord Derby must not exact such penances in future from his subordinates for over zeal in their attempts u > popularise his Government , or he will irredeemably damage their political character and influence , alienate his supporters , and find it difficultto obtain new recruits , who are prepared to eat their own words at the bidding of the imperious Lord of Knowxsley .

      But , apart from the effect on the Cabinet individually or collectively , the incident has a wider and more important bearing . Taken in connexion with Lord J . Russell ' s proposal to establish a new 40 s . franchise on the ground of direct taxation , it conclusivel y shows that the ruling class are , in their inmost hearts , convinced that our electoral system cannot , he maintained in its ^ present state , and are prepared , whenever the people speak out , to alter it . They , indeed , seem better prepared than the unenfranchised classes themselves . There appears to be at present more willingness to give } than disposition to ask Parliamentary Reform . Whether the forthcoming election will have the effect of imparting political vitality to the nation remains to be seem .

      Untitled Article

      ABUSE OF CHARITABLE TRUSTS

      Among the measures introduced by the present wv emmeut , there is one intended to provido for the Detter administration o f Charitable Trusts . Similar attempts have been made from time to time by various A uminiBtrations , but generally without any practical result ; and , in the present state of the political world , aot probablethat the nresent will form an

      exceD-» on . Tne parties interested in maintaining existing ^ sea are too p owerful to be subdued by any but a wmiy-established Government , and a Parliament at jeuure to devote itself to the task ; we need not say and teBen t wehave neither the ° ne nor the other , taKl ' Vemay 8 a ?' thatcomewuen the veri-• j rao struggle may , to secure the application of the ff ? . Charitable Trust funds in this country to or legitimate purposes , those who nrnfif l . w thoir

      ^• approbation , will die hard . ' The sinews of war to JL « ed by theTerv Properties it ia sought Btafint £ ? m beinS plundered , while the rank and from ft ! 7 he P ^ derers will shield them effectually 'Sohle > . $ . COn 8 equences oflne V peculations . A fte law ' nf ght fc ^ 'or ' % jN Hon . ' violator of * enllvtrnT i ! maTld * »« " » "» we all know , verydiffeno better ated than ToM ' DlCK > ^ Harry , who know fluevhip ^ r 10 havebeen ' H were . trained to *** doL f 8 lich MdMBpociaUe sina « - a * bou-*** a Wr ape stand ° P » % poor and ragged Hul k 3 , tB , n hichtberfl is no outlet sate to the ^ toZ ^ rZZT * . * " ** ^* e plunder of ^ tor 8 'c " mmoJS 3 l 3 I 1 ? ailaged - Aca 8 B before S ^ siiSStf I ** * " the s trangest idea ^ doubt if it wnUS I Can P ° iaiW y *» conceived . 1 Would to at all poarib ' fc to mtike any

      Untitled Article

      foreigner comprehend the affair by any amount of explanation and illustration . It is a complete inversion of the natural order of things . The accused party Bits on the bench as a judge , the plaintiff , on behalf of the misappropriated Charity stands in the position usually occupied by those who have done wrong . At the lime of the Reformation Henry . VIII . provided a scheme by which he completely exhausted the revenues assigned to Rochester Cathedral . Out of the then income £ 50 was set afloat for the Dean , and ^ A a

      £ 20 was assigned to each canon . The same scheme gave to each of twenty boys in the grammer school , £ 2 18 s . 4 d . a-year , further ordaining that they were to be maintained out of the chapter funds . Tho right of the scholars was based upon the same deed aB that of the Dean and Chapter , and there was no mention whatever of residuary Trusts in favour of the latter . If tho revenues increased , the division , according to equity aB well as the strict letter of the deed , ought to have been pro rata .

      Some time since the ReT . R . Whiston , who had distinguished himself at Cambridge , was appointed by the Dean and Chapter Master of Rochester School . He seems to have carried with him to the performance of his duties not only an active and inquiring mind , but a high sense of justice , and a degree of moral courage which we regret to say ia but too seldom found among his class . Iu order to understand his real position , and that of his school , he betook himself to the study of the Cathedral

      statutes , in which he found the facts recorded we have just stated . He found also that the same statutes provided for the payment of 4 s . per annnm to six poor men— ' bedesmen , ' who were to be soldiers or sailors , who had been in the war ; £ 20 per annum for the poor ; and a similar sum for the repair of highways , bridges , &c . In addition to this , specific sums were awarded to a number of officers and servants , such as deacon , sub-deacon , butler , porter , cook , and under-cook , all of which were suppressed .

      On contrasting tho statutes with the facts , Mr . Whisiok was astounded at the difference . The last bedesman was appointed in 1774—there were plenty of sailors . and solders whohad been in war , and to whom even tho original £ 6 133 ., 4 d . would have been a welcome annual visitant , but the bedesmen were suppressed . The boys on the foundation did not receive the £ 2 13 s . 4 d . awarded to them . by the original statutes , because the Chapter allowed thoir clerks to take 10 a . from each as an admission fee . Why ? Because the property left for the payment of these charges had diminished in value ? Nothing of the kind . While these pious reverend , and learned

      gentlemen took away nearly one-fifth of the allowance to the foundation boys , they gave the Dean £ 1 , 426 a-year , instead of £ 50 ! To the Canons they were not lea » liberal . Henrt VII . assigned them £ 20 each ; they pocketed instead £ 680 a-year respectively , out of the augmented revenues , arising from the property which they were appointed to administer for the common benefit , in accordance with the intentions of the statutes , which alone gave them power to touch one farthing of these revenues ! We will not call these things by their right names . Our readers know quite well what they are , and they may be safely left to call a spade a spade .

      Mr . WHISTON called upon the Chapter not to disgorge the enormous sums that had been filched from the Trust in the course of past generations ; that would have been too much to ask , though no less than justice demanded . But he contented himself with moderately asking that tho twenty foundation boys should have an increased allowance , in proportion to the improved revenues ; and , further , that they should be maintained as the statutes expressly prescribed . The Cathedral Bubbles were struck dumb by the audacity of such a demand by their servant ; and instead of granting what he no doubt thought a just and moderate request , they dismissed him from his situation , with every manifestation of anger and hatred that such holy , and disinterested , and eminent personages could devise .

      But dismissal did not daunt Mr . Whiston . The Dean and Chapter bad caught a Tartar at last . He took the opinion of the present Master of the Rolls , and Mr . W . D . Lewis , as to the claim he had made , and these learned persons assured him that the Dean and Chapter were bound by law to provide for the cost of the boys' maintenance ; and thus fortified , he appealed against the decision of the Chapter , and moved for the correction of the evil he had discovered . And now comes the most singular part of the story . Common sense would have dictated that if Mr . Whisxox could not be placed on an equal footing with the Dean and Chapter as to funds and

      social influence , that at least both parties Bhould appear before disinterested , if not an impartial tribunal . But common sense and English law have very little connexion with each other , especially English ecclesiastical law . In the prosecution of " his appeal Mr . WHISXOX actually hae to lay it before the Bishop of Rochester , who was Dean , and into whose pockets consequently large annual sums have gone that were otherwise assigned by the author of the Cathedral statutes ! Iu ordinary life the courtesies of society prevent men from even voting on questions in which

      their personal interests are openly . at stake , but among 'Right Reverend Fathers in God , ' no such foolish weakness prevails . Strong , no doubt , in their own immaculate purity and superiority to the temptations of filthy lucre , they see . no harm whatever in sitting in judgment in their own cause . The Bishop of Rochester who , in conjunction with the Chapter , dismissed Mr . WhiSTON for presuming to ask them to do justice , now sits in his character of visitor to hear Mr . Whiston ' s appeal against that decision . There never was such au outrageous mockery of justice before !

      Not only has Mr . Whiston a partisan in the judge , but a host of lawyers deeply read in ecclesiastical law , and skilled to make the worse appear the better reason , have been retained , and paid no doubt out of the very funds which Mr . Whiston sought to apply to their proper purposes—education and charity . Against this overwhelming odds , the brave ex-Master of Rochester Grammar School stands alone , a spectacle for admiration—but we fear without any hope whatever of success before such a tribunal , and with such opponents . Whatever may be the immediate

      issue , however , Mr . Wiiistons labours have not been in vain , and will be still more richly productive of benefit hereafter . His disclosures respecting the mal-appropriation of trusts , not only in Rochester , but in Winchester and Canterbury " cathedrals , has sturred the owls and the bats who slumbered and fattened in congenial darkness upon similar abuses . They have very unwillingly begun to set * their houses in order . ' More light will lead to more reform—honour , sympathy , and support to the intrepid and high-minded , who is fighting the battle of the uneducated and the poor !

      Untitled Article

      AUSTRALIAN GOLD AND MONETARY REFORM . Every arrival from Australia brings fresh and indisputable evidence of the vast extent and riches of the gold district . Unfortunately , these accounts are accompanied by the intelligence that crime is increasing , that the regular forces are incapable of coping with it , and that , as a consequence , Lynch law hns been resorted to . In Australia , as in California , the gold fever brings its . curse with it . Neither life nor property are safe unles 3 when defended by men armed to the teeth , and ready to take life on the slightest provocation or sus picion . The colony of Victoria is

      disorganised by the abstraction of labour from useful and reproductive occupations . Convicted criminals , and desperadoes of the worst clas ? , are flocking to the digging 5 * and in some cases , as at the Ballarat mines , muster so strongly , that the police are awed by the amount of crime , and not one of the officers darje lead his men into a mob to apprehend a murderer . Prize fighting and gambling are the recreation * of the gold hunters , varied with ether licentious arid ' criminal " amusements . " In short , as-has been pithily said , it is California over again , but California oh a larger scale . '

      From a Government return published in the Melbourne papers , and relating solel y to the Victoria gold finding , it appears that up to the 31 st of October , 1851 , the quantity of gold exported since the discovery up to the same date , was sixty-seven thousand one hundred and fifty-one ounces , valued at £ 214 , 886 . The same papers contain graphic and striking accounts of the toilsome and precarioosiriaWe of the gold seeker ' s occupation . One man at . Braidwood diggings obtained . £ 90 in fire weeks . A widow and two daughters got two ounces ( £ 6 ) each day . One man carried , home £ 20 one week , and £ 22 the next ; while one man at Mount Alexander is said to have

      Untitled Article

      dug up thirty pounds weight of gold in a single hour ; and a drayman ntuned Roberts returned home with upwards of £ 1 , 100 as the product of five weeks digging . Of couvse such news spreads like wildfire , and people pour in crowds into the mining districts , and towns are springing up with mushroom-like rapidity . As a consequence , wages in tho older 8 ettlemeBt 8 and towns were very high , and labour exceedingly scarce . In some parts industry and husbandry were utterly at a standstill , and doubts were entertained whether there would bo sufficient labour to secure the crops of hay and wheat , which promised to be very abundant . The Gold escort whicd reached Melbourne on the 28 th of November , brought something like half a ton of the . glittering metal . The whole city was forthwith Bet in motion , and something like a general emigration took pl . ice . ' '

      The result of the increased number of di ggers is shown by the astonishing quantity of the metal poured into Melbourne in the short space of three months . Taking the various amounts conveyed to the town and thoae estimated to be in the hands of the diggers , the total is estimated at the amazing weight of ten tons , two hundred weight , eighty-two pounds , and ten ounces , and valued in round numbers at three quartersof a million sterling . The field is reported to be illimitable . The indications extend over scores of miles , and each newly-found di gging eclipses all that preceded it , in richness and yield . " It ia said that the auriferous grounds in Victori a alone

      that can be profitably worked , will not bo dug over for years to come , by any number of persons that can possibly reach them . In California the mines show no falling off in yield ; and in Vancouver ' s Island , it is stated that rich mines have been discovered . It is impossible that these largo supplies of gold should 1 e poured into the European market without producirg a considerable change in the value of the purcliasii g medium , especially in this country , where gold has been established as the standard of value . Presuming upon the continuance of a slightly variable and cer « tain quantity of gold , Sir R . Peel based his monetary system on the assumption that a fixed and definite

      standard could be secured by coining a certain quantity of gold into a specified number of sovereigns . As long as gold was scarce , this necesssarily increased its purchasing power , and played into the hands of the holders of gold . Now that it is becoming plentiful , tho reverse action must take place . If the standard iB maintained , the producer will get a larger quantity of gold for less produce . When the balance was , however , in favour of the moneyocracy , they loudly protested against any alteration as a violation of national faith . Now that these astonishing discoveries have changed the circumstances , they must be kept to their own bargain , which there ave many indications

      they would be very glad to repudiate . Among the 3 e , not the least notable , were tho resolutions placed on the notice , paper of the House of Commons for Tuesday last by Colonel Thompson . No man . has bo zealously , and so perseveriugly advocated the system which exposed the English labourer to unrestricted and unregulated competition with low er paid , less heavily taxed , and more skilled artisans ; none has had less pity for those who were ground to the dust by that competition ; but now that the wolf has come

      to hia own door , he is the first to cry out . AVe presume the free-booting Colonel begius to find that his dividends are already less valuable , though they are still paid iu full weight and tale ; and though he has no objection that a weaver , or cotton spinner , should give twice the amount of labour for half the money he did before 1819 , he is determined that his sovereign shall still purchase 20 s . worth , instead of los . or 12 s ., as it may do if tho influx of gold continues . The Colonel , therefore , cries out for uncontrovertible paper , and the protection of the fundholderB .

      When the question was agitated by the Anti-Gold Law League two or three years ago , upon just , equitable , and philosophical principles , we do not remember that Colonel Thompson came forward to assist them ; and his appearance in the field at the present moment is a suspicious circumstance , however much we may agree with the abstract principles embodied in his resolutions . We quite concur with him in thinking ' That the belief in the necessity of the community ' s providing and purchasing eighteen millions of gold to be kept in cellars , is a superstition of the same nature as if a manufacturer in Manchester or

      a merchant in Liverpool , should think he could not maintain his credit without a similar precaution That in any community the collection of a treasure of this kind is impolitic and dangerous , as holding out temptation to invasions from abroad , and to coups d ' etat at home . ' And also , ' That , in a settled and civilised community , there is no more necessity for the instrument of exchange to bo framed of materials equal in value to the atnouut concerned , than for a bond or other obligation to be traced upon a plato of gold of the value of the amount at issue . ' We only wonder that , during tho time he has been in Parliament , he never said so before .

      No more important question to all classes can bo raised than this ; and we are happy to present the readers of « The Star ' this week with the first of a series of articles by a gentleman who has made the subject peculiarly his own , and mastered it more thoroughly than any living writer . The letters of 'Aladdin , " in 'Douglas Jerrold ' s Newspaper evinced a philosophical and comprehensive grasp of the whole combined , with such accuracy in detail , lucid arrangment , and perspicuity of style , that they attracted the attention of thinking men of all classes and of all parties ; and we are extremely happy that , after the lapse of a considerable time , and at a critical and important juncture , Aladdin has chosen tho columns of' The Star' as tho medium through which to give the public the advantage of his learning , research , and varied experience .

      Untitled Article

      TnE New Bridge at Westminster . —The following are the resolutions which conclude the report of the Westminster Bridge Commission : —1 . That the present bridge should be used as a temporary bridsre until a new bridge shall have been constructed . 2 . That a new bridge should be constructed adjoining or as near as possible to the present bridge , on the north side , that is , lower down the river . 3 . That the new bridge should no ; be less than sixty feet in width , including the footways . 4 . That it be constructed of iron , with stone piers . 5 . That it consist of no more than five arches . G . That the height of headway of the centre arch above Trinity datum be

      not less than twenty-five feet six inches . 7 . That it is desirable that no time should be lost in making preparation for the commencement of the wovk . We beg , in conclusion , with reference to the fth resolntion submitted by us , to state that the dilapidated state of the present bridge , the uncertain expense of maintaining it even as a temporary structure , and the inconvenience of this bridge both to the land and river traffic , render it highly desirable that the permanent bridge should be commenced and finished with as little delay as possible ; and we ha ve it in

      evidence that if the work were commenced early in the ensuing year , the bridge might be open to the public in less than two years from the period of its commencement . The committees of 1846 and 1850 both recommended that a bill should be brought into parliament for transferring the estates and property of the bridge commissioners to the Commissioners of her Majesty ' s Woods , &c , due consideration being had to the claims of the officers of the bridge estates in the event of their services being discontinued . We concur in the views of the parliamentary committees as expressed in these reports .

      Morr Mimstbriai , Shahp Practice . —A notice appeared upon the votes of Wodnesday , that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would , sit half-past four , move the adjournment of the house for the Easter holidays . At that hour many members were preparing to put miscellaneous questions to the government , as is customary upon these notices , when to their surprise it was announced that tho motion had already been ' passod . An explanation ensued , and it then transpired that Jtfr . Forbes Mackenzie , M . P ., with a view no doubt td . avoid a renewal of the damaging attacks of Monday , - jtrtd'Muggled the motion through soon after tho house mit ] at" four o ' clock . It is just to Mr . Disraeli to state that h 9 w £ s fully acquitted of having had a'iy share in this disreputable ' transaction , which bora a strong family likeness'H ' o ' tho " ' chivah'Ous" proceedings of the 30 th ult . in the-Bouse of < Lb ' rd » . 'i- 'tf / 6 &e .

      : BuRttnjo op A Shrp : at'Sea . —On Wednesday intelligence wasfefieivedin therCfty ' . bf the destruction by fire of tho British ship Hilton < Jr . 6 ve on the 5 th of January , while on a Toyagefrom Liverpool '" -to Aden . The crew took to the boat ' s and shaped a ^ cpurse to tho Isle of France , and after much " suffering and buffeting about , they were on the 28 th ult . sighted and pickefrup by the Dutch shi p Maria Elizabeth ? from Bataviaj'which put into Table Bay , at the Cape of Good Hope , soWe eight or ten days afterwards , and landed the poor fellows , wtib are said to have lost everything they had in the shape of clothing , < tc . . ^ Spontaneous combustion amongBt the conls no doubt lo * Writhe firing of the ship . Tho Hilton Grove was nearly &nW T&sel ,

      Untitled Article

      NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OP UNTTF-n TRADES . « « "WJ

      " FIAT JUSTITIA . " "If it were possible for the working classes , by combinine among themselves , to raise , or keep up the general rate 73 wages , it need hardly be said that this would be a tliini ; not to hi punished , but to be welcomed and rejoiced at . "—Stoabt iliu Edmund Burke , in one of his flash y orations , mourned the departure of the ' age of chivalry ' and we in our day have to lament the departure of that sturdy independence which used to be tho distinguishing feature of the English character . Tho offers of the Council of the Amal gamated

      Engineers , both in London and Manchester , to compromise the questions in dispute , have been scornfully rejected , and the imperial conclave of Bucklersbury have willed to make no concession , but to demand an unconditional surrender to their monstrous propositions . We know not which most to admire—tho wickedness or foll y of these proceedings by the employers . Should they succeed in wringing from the men a reluctant and temporising acceptance of their tyrannous demands , can they imagine that auy pledge of such a character , and extorted under such

      circumstances , can or will be considered morally binding upon the honour and conscience of auy saue mau ? Impossible ! As well mi ght an oath of secrecy be obtained by a highwayman from his victim with a pistol at his head , be termed binding . We say this to those who have or may sign the disgraceful document ; but we sincerely hope that some means may be devised , whereby this iniquitous conspiracy against the rights of Labour may be defeated , and a Labour League bo immediately formed , to render such impudent assumptions in future impossible .

      We have received information from various parts of the country of the growing feeling for a national organisation of Labour ; and we hope that our next Annual Conference will bo the rallying point where these newl y awakened aspirations , will converge and become a national reality . The prosecuting and persecuting spirit now so rife , calls for prompt and resoluto action . The masters contemplate a National Confederation of capitalists . Jt is distinctl y indicated in the Bucklersbury manifesto , and must bo met or anticipated by a counter combination of Labour .

      We cannot conceive tho probability that a better basis for a National Union can bo formed than that which has been tested by tho practical experience of the last seven years . To the prominent features of the constitution of the National Association , as set forth in the prospectus inserted , in the form of au advertisement in The Star , ' we invite the unprejudiced attention of the Trades of Englaud . If the objects there proposed were zealously struggled fur b y a united action , we feel assured that wo should hear no more of either prosecutions or of persecutions . Under the benign moral influence of a confederation based upon principles of justico , equity , and moderation , conciliatory arbitration would supersede the heartburnings , extravagance , and antagonism of Strikes .

      In repeated instances , the more enlightened and liberal-minded of the Employin g class have borne testimony to the beneficial working of tho National Association . Wo believe it quite possible to arrive at a satisfactory adjustment of tho apparently conflicting claims of Capital and Labour , if each party can be induced to approach each other in a spirit of charity and forbearance , and that the mutual advantage and comfort of each will be thereby materially promoted . ;

      To effect so desirable a result was the design and object of the founders and promoters of the National Association in 1845 ; and the means "devised , we believe , are fully adequate to the end in view , if the Trades of England can be led to give the experiment a fair trial . William Peel , Secretary . Queen's Bench Prison .

      Untitled Article

      ill * MANCHESTER IRON MOULDERS AND THEIR ti , q t ., EMPLOYERS . ' J L ni ° HH T ° 9 pondence lias taken place between ttZTJ n tv ° * , Manche 8 t * r « nd tho secretaries to the fttlpfr T" ™<* ester , April 1 , 1852 . ffiSJ ' Jw ; lane ' MnshulUtrect To Messrs . Sn Smi ! ., * nd , ^' T orth ' Gentlemen ,-I am desired by hLdo ° ( + ! u IllOn . Mou | derS' Society to express M ^ w h rC 8 Ve - att , . COatlnuauce of th 0 mhmnderstandng that has arisen between the Amalgamated Society and their employers ; and , under the sincere hopo that a apeedy conclusion will be brought to the same , woTake tholibeity 1 ° a ^ oss , y ° u- > nS ^ connected with the Amalgamated TITR MANflTT'E'QT'n ' n Tnr ™ ••»

      ooouny , oiinor direct or indirect , as you will see by tho SSfi . ^ 'in ' r ! ?"' ' 61118 n ° ^ MenEdKgtt February 4 , we h ^ bi " Z ££ " ^ "ISWhI declaration would ere thi 3 have been withdrawn sofiiras fe s uSoU ° r S \ v lhat ws rtoaTdSISTiJibtoS ca 8 e and wl wUh ^ . fg ^ that suoh ' haa not been the throuA vn , f 11 * ° infom the Employers' Association , a 5 m ! o ,, J W 1 \ hat w « ar » both' desirous and willing to rowThdraw . 1 mwi ? ] b 0 , f 0 ll ? win 8 conditions s-KMt , the ™»«« h ^ ° l decl ™ tion from the iron moulders ; ; 2 S ! rt + * * i . dl 8 ohar 8 fl of the individuals who have subscribed to tho same . Gentlemen , we do not insist on tho nrit irom captious motives , but for the reasons already

      stated , and also we feel that , subscribing to the declaration , it would destroy the feeling of self-respect so necessary to our well-being as working men . The eeoond—We

      Untitled Article

      do not claim it as a right , but . as a compensation fur the loss which we have already suffered ; for if those individuals aro not discharged , the moulders thrown out of work for the faults of others must continue to suffer . Hoping you will lay this before the committee , and waiting your 1-e l » ly , I remain yours , respectfully , on bohalf of the iron moulders of Manchester , —James Lillie , Sccretnn-. "Manchester , April 2 , 1852 . —Sir , —Wo have toackowledgo the recei pt of your letter of yesterday and in reply we are

      , instructed b y the executive committee of the Employers ' Association to say that the two ' conditions ' n .-mied by you , on behnlfof the iron moulders cannot bo entertained , ltienionsti'ouj character of the second ' condition' is wnni- C 8 peci , al : tho wlhsrenee ° f « " » employers to those ninou . lv «„? lmve 8 i 8 ne < l the declaration is a matter una Xdienho ? rSt 0 ° ' , an ( 1 « PProv « d .- \ To are , sir , your rief \ , tS ' 7- ichiini 8 ° mw » Whitworth , Sccreta-SocieTf MancEer '' > 8 wwtap ' to tlie Iron MonIden '

      Col ' no ^ ofe ^ ' been 8 ent " fr ° '» the . Executive iri ^^^ - ^ = s " Sr ^ t iS&Se ^ f ^ re ^ Xr ^ operative eng . neers dated the 21 th of D « 22 18 S 1 which circular stated - that they had come to a "So lutSi o abolish piecework and overtime after December 3 ? fbo l . In withdrawing the above circular , which seems to "aye glVen rise to a serious contest in the trade , it is fullv anticipate d that such a course will have the i-tfJct of iX cms the employers to withdraw the ' declaration , ' which , workmen are called upon to sign before resuming employin n ™ gentlemen , your obedient servant ,, W Lo"do 1 ' , rpril s 5 ec i ^> Littie Alic ' strcot ' wwtMtapri

      Untitled Article

      NATIONAL CHAItTJiit ASSOCIATION . The Executive Committee held its usual weekl y meeting 011 Tuesday evening last , when a discussion wok place relative to the present position of its nuances ; and a desire was expressed that , as the liabilities had been reduced to a small amount , that two or . threo . weeks , at farthest , would enable the Committee to conclude its mission with honour to the cause . or p 1 James Gbassby , Secretary . 9 G , Regent-street , Lambotb . N . B . The monies received will bo acknowledged next week . °

      Untitled Article

      Me tropolitan Delegate Council . —This body met as usual , at the Finsbury Literary Institution , on Sunday afternoon , Mr . Favrah in tne chair . Tho U Connor Committee reported that the following gentlemen had consented to act as trustees , treasurer , and general secretary , and were submitted to tho country for approval . —Trustees , Patrick O'Higgins Dublin ; Simon Strighr , 20 , Lisson street , New-road London ; William Drake , 257 , Whitochnpel-road , London ; Treasurer , John Sewell , 9 , Penton-place , Surrey Zoological Gardens , London ; General Secretary rhoraas Martin Wheeler , 4 , Y \ est-street , Soho A code of rules was then agreed to , and all cash was directed to bo sent to the General Secretary in Post Office Orders , made payable to John Sewell , Esq ., at the Chief Office , London . The Council then adjourned .

      Ci ty- Locality , St . Gaorge ' s Cffee-bouse , JJarbican . — At a meeting , held on Saturday night last , Mr . Leno in the chair , the report from the Delegate Council was received . The auditors reported tbat the books were correct , and that there was Ga . 8 ii . in hand . The following officers were elected for the ensuing quarter :-Mr . Hampton , treasurer ; Mr F . Farrab , corresponding secretary ; Mr . Moring , financial secretary ; Messrs . F . Farrab and Washington as Delegates to the Delegate Council . The sum of 4 a . was voted from the funds for the Executive , to which 3 j . 9 , 1 . by subscription was added . Cards were taken from the Delegate Council , and the meetings of this locality were announced to be held every Saturday evening , at the above house .

      Aggregate Meeting of the Chartists of the Metropolis . —An aggregate meeting was held on Sunday afternoou at the Finsbury Literary Institution . Mr . Farrab . in the chair . —Messrs . Osborne and Wheeler briefly addressed the meeting relative to the advantage of these reunions . —Mr . A . Wood moved a resolution to the effect" That the National Charter Association offered every facility towards the formation of a truly Democratic party ia thiB country , " and pledged the meeting to uphold it both in name and detail . —Messrs . Day , Grant , and Jones sup . ported the resolution . —Messrs . Osborne , Alaban , and Murray thought that sufficient pains had not been taken in

      spreading a knowledge of their social rights , which nas of more importance than maintaining any particular name . — The resolution was unanimously carried . —Mr . Jones moved : — " That while we have every sentiment of respect for the past services of T . S . Dnncombe , Esq ., we regret the step he has taken in retrograding from the principles of the Charter as the basis for the formation of a People ' s party , and trust that be will reconsider this subject . We also advise our Chartist brethren to remain true to those principles which have become endeared to the people by persecution and martyrdom . "—Messes . Finlen , Chinnock , and Wheeler supported the resolution , which was carried , and the meeting adjourned until the first Sunday in May

      , Wbhechapel . — On Sunday evening Mr . Wheeler addressed the audience at the Ship Inn , Whitechapel , upon tho politics of tho various candidates for the borough of tho Tower Ilamluts , showing the superior claims of Mr . Newton , not only upon working men , but upon shopkeepers generally . Messrs . Stratton , Ivnowles , and others , also addrossed tho meoting . A Committeo was formed to assist in promoting Mr . Newton ' s return . A Committee was also formed to help Mr . O'Connor . IkTUNAirQRBEX . —Dr . Brooks addressed a very numerous assemblage at tho White Horse , ILire-streec , Uetbnalgreen , on Sunday evening , in favour of tho principles advouatetl by Mr . Newton , and was much applauded . Mr , W . Diivis , and others , supported the 9 amo views .

      Untitled Article

      Death of a Female from Fmu . —On Thursday morning while police-constable George Robinson was on duty iu Kensington-park at ono o ' clock , he observed flames bursting from an uninhabited cubin in an adjoining brick field , and upon reaching the spot found three men dragging from the cabin a female enveloped in fire , which towered over her head . Aided by the men the police-constable pulled tho poor creature . on tho grass , and rolled her upon it until the . flames were extinguished ; after which the constable . removed her in a cab to the hospital , where

      although she had the most prompt surgical aid , she died soon after admission . Just before her death she declared that the men were wholly blameless , which was all she could say , Upon deceased being put in the cab the men made off , and have not since been heard of . Upon further inquiry it was ascertained the deceased came from Doptford , whither the police went to make inquiries concerning her , and there found her mother , who informed them tlr . it her name was Mary Abbot , that her age was twenty-two , and that a week ago she suddenly disappeared without the knowlcdgo of her friends .

      Drury-iane Theatre . —A bold step has been taken by theleasee , whkb , we imagine , is sure to be met with public support . The performances in future are to be exclusively operatic ; they are to begin at half-past seven , and end at eleven ; and the prices are to be reduced nearly one-half , commencing on E ster Monday Mr . Newton for tub Tower IIamuts . —At a publio discussion between Mossrs . TV . Newton and A . Ayrton on Thursday evening , Mr . Newton declared his determination to go to the poll ; a decision which was loudly cheered by a crowded meeting .

      Tiik Fromb Murder . —This trial , an account of . which will be found in our sixth page , has terminated by the jury returning a verdict of Not Guilty as regarded all the prisoners , —Mnggs immediately raised his hands to Ileaven and said " 'Tisthe Lord that has dono it—' tis the Lord that has done it' . " Kurd said , "My lord judge , you'll see in less than a month that ' twasn ' t me ; " and Sparrow , in a slightly menacing tone , said " I want to speak to Mr . Smith . " —The prisoners were then discharged ; and the Asaizet terminated . Fire at the Easters Counties Railway Goods Depot . —On Thursday evening considerable alarm was caused in the neighbourhood of tho Eastern Counties Railway G 6 oda Depot , in conseqence of a cry of fire being raised within the building . It appeared that whilst the men ' wore employed sealing some packages , a ljght fell amongst some bales of hemp , but owing to the exertions of the employes on the premises , the damage was confined to tho destiuction of six bales of hemp . Tho services of the engines were , thereforenot required .

      , Numerous Accidents is the Streets—No fewer than seven persons of various ages were run over in the leading thoroughfares west of Temp le-bur on Wcrtiiesday , four of whom were taken to Oharing-cross Hospital , and attended to by the house surgeon of the institution ; one was taken to St . George ' s , and tho remninine two to private surgeons . The accidents were principally caused by the sufferers crossing tho streets incautiously before there was sufficient way . ' « T „„ Destitution is the Islb of Swe .-Iii consequence of tho distress existing in the Isle ot Skyo , a sermon has been preached at St . Matthew ' s Church Denmark HU ] , by tho Rev . Stephen Bridge , A . M .,, m behalf of tho triform * Highlanders . The sum of £ 1 ( 0 has been contributed by thocongregat ion ; * 1 O 5 of which has been paid into Messrs . Ransom s Tor the Skye Emigration Puml-tho remainder is appropriated to the reliof of present distress .

      Secular SociETt .-At the Third Conversazione of tho Society of Seculars , just held in London ( the Association of the Modern Freethinkers ) , it was announced that a gentleman from whom previous subscriptions had been ieoeived , h « d given COO acres of land in British America to Mr . Holyoake , for the uses of the society . Passbsoers Aci .--The bill as amended in committee f consolidate and amend the laws relating to paasengnabf sea , was printed on Wednesday by order of the Hovsj vt CommoQB , The clauses addsd have been marked .

      States' *Ntelktttttce

      States' * ntelKtttttce

      ©Ijarttot Bnfelugettcc.

      © ijarttot BnfelUgettcc .

      Untitled Article

      April 10 , 1852 . THE STAR . ' ' ~~ ' * "'" " ~ ~"' " ¦— " ——¦¦» ' ' . i W ^^^ fc ^ CB ^* . ^ J . \> fc . — ' - ¦

      Untitled Article

      Tho Manchester Commmittee , having given the correspondence with the Employers ' Association ( and which appeared in our second edition of last week ) , have issued the following address — " ™ InK M S IK S ^ K" ^ "From tho abovo correspondence you will learn what our late Employers require from us , and tho position they would place us in . It now rests with

      THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OP ENGINEERS . THE STRIKE .

      you to say what position we are to hold , Will you allow the men , who have been discharged for making two requests , to lie prostrate , and sign themselves uncondUionall y the slaves of Capital ? Shall might s ubjugate right ? Shall independent men be reduced to tho serfdom of the dark ages ? We know the answer you will give is emphatically—No ! Then let all your energies be concentrated in opposing the principles that our late employers are anxious to force upon us . What ri ght , we would ask , have our employers to dictate to us tho purpose to which we shall devote our earnings ? What right havo they to dictate to us what society wo shall join ? We are onl y their hands while in their works , and the moment

      we amve outside , that moment we are independent . " Fellow workmen , we call upon you to render ua that assistance we need . It is you that can emancipate labour by contributing your weekly sums of monoy—b y inducing others to follow tho example \ ou so nobly have sot them , of supporting men , whose on . y offence is , that they will u 8 e their earnings for their own benefit ; you must use your influence in getting other trades to contribute in your locality ; let every membor put his shoulder to the work ; by so doing you will make happy families more numerous , and at the same time maintain our independence as workraon . We know you will do your duty . Wo leave it with you . —Gentlemen , yours respectfully , for the Committee , William Hemii , Secretary .

      It was stated last week that steps wero being taken , in conformity with a resolution agreed to at a full meeting of the executive of tho Amalgamated Society , towards bringing about a reconciliation between the operative and employing engineers ; unhappily , however , those steps , so for , have proved abortive . We understand that although no formal application , by means of a written do cument , lias been made by the London members of the executive council of the Amal gamated Society to the Central Committee of the Associated Employers , individual members of the latter body have been appealed to by the iormer , with a view to enlist their influenco in the cause of an amicable adjustment of the dispute ; but , unlortunately , without having produced any satisfactory result j and indeed it would appearfrom the tenor of tho

      , Manchester employers' reply , that a satisfactory settlemen * of the question is all but hopeless , inasmuch as the men , as a body , although they have made the first overtures towards peace cannot be expected to surrender unconditionally to tho employers' terras . Tho principal reliance of tho operative appears to be upon the support ol the trades generally _ a support , however , which is not at present so encouraging in extent as it ought to be . fhe engineers , on Saturday , received their twelfth week's stnkepa , at the reduced rate-vfe ., 10 a . each for society a id non-aoeioty men ; but even this sum they will find some i ^' mo ^ 'ln' ? ^ " ? lea 3 th 0 trades ^ come forward with moro energetio assistance .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 10, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1673/page/5/