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    • THE STAR, SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1853
    • So ©orrespottUftttg.
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      Untitled Article

      LETTERS FOB WORKING MEN . NO . II .-OTJR COUKSE AT THE NEXT ELECTION TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAB OP FREEDOSI . Sir , — At the close of my last week s letter I midertoo ' i to shov how my plan for petitioning against misrepresentation in Pailicment might be effected to work . Before showing this , however , it may be well to consider what opposition lies directly in the \ ra y of my project . I find three sections of those who might examine the question likely to hi opposed Theee three opponent sections I would speak of as— . ^ ^^^^^ m *^*^*^ " ~^ 1 ^^^~

      firstly , those who think political action unnecessary ; secondly , those who are tired of political action ; and thirdly , those who would pre f er a different course of policy . Prominent in the first party —( not caring to go into all the minor varieties of personal reasons against tilcing part in politics , and of course setting aside all that mass of inertness , which is never to be stirred in any puWic cause however )—prosninent among those who think or act as if they thought political action to be quite unnrcessary , are the great majority of the Trades , and that scattered party , or remains of what seemed once likely t <> be a partythe Socialists and Promoters of Co-operative experiments . To the first I will say—Is not the recent

      unhappy failure of the Amalgamated Engineers sufficient prcof that , no matter what your funds ( uhether ^ ou have £ 30 . 000 or £ 300 , 000 to fall back upon , ) 2 » o matter what your devotedness and firmness of resolution , 110 matter how righteous may he your cause , or how blameless y . tur conduct , you yet stand no chance against the combination of law-making aud protected masters . How many more failures must you have to taieh you that the only remedy is in politicalpou . er in ysur own hands , in order that you may place Lulu . or < n au equal Tooting at the outset , and carry out Free Trade to the full benefit of every class , huyond th « uarrow wishes of those whose greetings must now be protected by exclusive powers of law ? Fortv thousaud pounds spent , for what ?

      To go back , helpless as ever—more hel pless" than ever—under the resentment of your masters . Loi .-k "back to a'l tho strikes that have taken place ; try to form some r « ugh estimate of the hard-earned uionev the time , the talent , the patient endurance , the privation , the suffering of yourse ' vos and families , -which make up the statistics of this history of a delusive policy , and ask yourselves and each other , « Are we uearer to our .-dm—our just aim—oifair wages for fair tcorfc f' And might not far less expenditure

      of our lives and means , or say even the same amount of means , if turned into the channel of political endeavour , hive win us the Frauchise—not only a momentary relief , but a certainty that our fight had terminated in a lasting victory ? Many of you , I helieve , see the error of having thought you could change your social condition while the political is unremedied . May you soon all see that error , and act as bravely and as earnestl y on the wise tack as you have often heretofore acted on the unwise—and

      mistaken . Almost the same remarks are applicable to the Promoters of Co-operative Societies , Social Experiments , &c . ; with this distinction , that such like endeavours , though equally futile with strikes , eo far as concerns any extensive amelioration of society , arc yet capable of benefiting many little knots of individuals . If many little knots , why not all society ? It may be sufficient ' to

      bid you to t « ke stock of what ha 3 been done since the first commencement , and then inquire what , judging from the progress already made , you would calculate upon as a probable time for affecting , to any « - «!! siderable extent , the mass of society . Is there any likelihood of the present generation witnessing au ? th » ig like an universal alteration of the present iniquitous system through the successful working of Co-operative Societies , uuder ' our present institutions . Do not answer with this or that if , but plainly—Does past progress or present position , warrant you in expecting that the mass of the present

      generation will— ( I will not stop here to argue about might or avUd )— -find its condition materially affected toy your experiments ? No : certainly not . Then , let me tell yon , however beneficial such experiments may be to some of you , you have no right therefore to withdraw from the political camp , through whose activity alone the great body of the people can hope for the opportunity of social amelio ration . If your personal welfare heing cared for yon care no further to help those outside , all I can say ig , that your detaching yourselves from the nation ' s cause and course , shows you to have but poor notions

      of the real meaning of Co-operation and Association . So far , in few worfcd , for the first section of those who at the first blush wouldgeem to ba opposed—that is to say , not likel y to lend assistance ( whosoever is not with us is against us ) to the course of action I am desiorus of seeing carried out . The second section , which includes a great number of the first , I stated to be of those who are merely tired of political action . Well , I suppose there are plenty of this sort . Who indeed , who has worked any length of years in it has not good reason to be tired ? But what then ? Of what are you tired ? Is it political action that is of

      itself a fault , and a thing to be justly weary of ; or is it the mis-use , the abuse , the erroneous method , the falling-short , the wrongfulness of this or that political course , which should rather hear the rebuke of onr desertion ? That we have chosen insufficient political methods-that we have followed misleaders—that we have blundered , and had to pay the penalties of blundering ought indeed to w&m us from such methods , misleaders and blunderers ; but prove nothing against the necessity of political action as the onl y means , when rightly employed , of laying national foundation ? . It must be avowed

      . though that among those who profess themselveg weary of politics , there are far more than a few whose weariness proceeds rather from impatience than from much work . I come to my third section passing from the passive to the active opposition—the opposition of those who have some course of political action of their own , and who would probably prefer that to any other recommendation . This section is principally composed of those from whom the Parliamentary aud Financial Reformers draw such support as keeps their name afloat—the dasB of men who

      are either hostile to Universal Suffrage or without faith in it . Some of them , from Mr . Cobden downwards , make use of a quibbling cant of Universal Soflragp , being , in one sensa , 'impossible' the Charter itself « a compromise , ' intending to reconcile men to expediencies in place of principle , and to lead them to adopt their particular measure of expediency—He exclusion of at least a million , of the working men of England . Since my last letter was w tten » * see that Sir Joshna Walmsley has issued an adaress to the electors and non-electors ; and as this runs directly counter to my proposition . 1 am comDelled t / . nnf i ™

      , & ??« ° l , " lCtly to ^ waders-Have none of it ! fZ £ - !^ ? " Iy « an < 1 withont exaggeration , of the iSt ~ " t ndently " « *** f «« ow its ad « ce wonld be worse than folly . I throw out of view all the ga < r about Free Trade in danger , which nobody believes , but o ° f wmch certain Free-trading politicians would make a war-Sin / Wfto ? 11 ends -d ° nbly for their own endsfnd JL £ ? £ ** i arIy t 0 vm P ° for a c'ass , questfo ^ oMh ? d ° " $ ?• atlentiOn from the » vie . I du-Lt * , r " representation of the peo-Jards u ££ LSn ^ to the add «« <>« ly « " 'ewmwrn

      W *\ mlef , Prudent / 0 I tUe CounciI « Joshua Excellent words so far-some of them , at least JJnfc Jw * P" ?™** « «» - constitutional . ' \\™ lhat ltis the natural right of every human bein 7 Z be free ; aud 1 know that without political freedom there . ia no social freedom . But let it be - » m Btitutional , ' too , if they w : ll . Who would quarrel with men wanxfoBSfor the fiat of - the tuhole p ( O pU : The wholn peo ple ! Nay , there the Address Uu . Mr . Home himself deducts one million of men from the ' whole people- ' and Mr . Cobden defines the ' whole people' as f « garrison ' «> protect our present institutions from those whose thralmFLh ! Li ? M PrptlwUta . Sir Joshua ' s name ig signed to u « wmpted fraud ; an endeavour under cover of an an . S ? i nni « r « al iostice to obtain a privilege , a rep f-Some tl £ ? ?* " ? ° i tbe Reform Bi " (* r . Joseph People fell " ^ 1 ? the iame capacity ) , into which the Sd gSerS ' 5 , l nntainki"g simplicity and w _ 5 . " ™ et 0 SI ty ; and for which thou ««• ctili r , un ., a A ^ a

      *« 2 S t ' es of ««¦» <| £ m O ! turn a Jon&now theirrnnT I *** , hm *» 8 y > u again ; or if tbat , on ™««^ ounsel at » u , let it be in giving proof I" * g ^ . SSIS ^ B masse 8 / «» t y ° « to" at fc » o »« ™ lUon , ia Zr $ V , know tbat fft « wtokpeople . SSBfcssSs &ssSMK «* erthMa trimmers may dis-

      Untitled Article

      honestly assert , in the overthrow of class legislation , ' in elevating ' the industrious to their right position in the state , or in securing the peace , the prosperity , and the contentment of the whole people . ' Working men ! let your conduct show that you are not to be gulled hy such transparent cheats as these . But stick at least to these recommendations of ttio Council : — 'Let no pretences mislead you ! ' « Remember those who repose no confidence in the people , are entitled to no confidence from the people . ' The' whole puop ' e . ' Xfxtweek i will resume tho consideration of the policy "which , in my bumble opinion , lies open to jou . ^ ^^^ a ^ m ^ am ^

      Untitled Article

      Spaewcos . NOTICE ! We regret that again we have to appear without the new heading to the ' Star . ' We fully expect to overcome all difficulties by next week . We may add , tbat as early as possible the * Stak of Freedom ' will be printed in new type , and other arrangements will be made to give the paper the best possible appearance .

      Untitled Article

      Our nunerous correspondents who liave for ware ed congratulatory letters and insurances of support and co-operation , we hereby thank for their kiudnesa . Their aid will fee useful to counteract an unprincipled and unscrupulous opposition , which docs not hesitate at any falsehood , any meanness , to work the ruin of th 1 Star . ' That dastardly opposition—thanks to the valuable assista- cctf our friends—will fail .

      MOXIES DECEIVED . Foil the Ciustist Executive :-Hr . I . Keddie , Teeblcs , Is 6 J , per Mr . 11 . Robinson , Edinburgh . „ TaE O'Connor Fosd . —\ V . G . Tottingtnn , M . —Tcr Mr . Sneet , Hottinsjliam-F . C . per Mr . Ridford , ls-Mr . S . Hudson , 2 d—Mr . BaktrGd— ir . Mellors 2 s fid . —Last week Mr . Sweet cent 4 s , acknowlcd cd in the "Stan" He desires the pulihcafcon of the names of the contributors as follows : —Mr . Bng ^ s , t . d—Mr . Balton , ls-Mr . J . Itobinson , { Kirby , } 2 =-Mr . Lakin , 3 d-Mr . Kirk 3 d . J . Mamas , Hamsgate , will oblige b y communicatin ? with the pub-H-her and forwarding his fall address . The I ' ostofiice people refuse to cash his money-order on the ground of some informality . Tt mast be returned to Mr . M . gi ? Messrs . Jolm Fincli . A Campbell , and other correspondents are respectfully informed that if possible , tueir letters tllall appear in our next number . CimTlST Esecdtive . — The address was sent too late for insertion this week . Friday nibming is not the time to forward such docu . ni-nis . t £ 3 f Articles on the "Taxes on Knowledge" and other subjects are crowded out by news-matter .

      XOTICE . ( JS'A Gentleman of eminent legal attainments , has been en- ' paged as Legal Advises , and will fuliyand gratuitously answer the questions of Cumspondcnts wishing trustworthy information on points of Law . QcEsnoy . —A man had a family of sons and daug hters ; his wife , the mother of these , d ed . lie married another wife . Short ' y after wards he died , possessed of money , and left a mill , by which all his goods , gear , an 1 household furniture , were left hiswife : She is appointed by said will sole executrix . Docs the paid will dc . liwe the man ' s famtt s of kwVoA s riwtes , < Kat « h , & « . ' . —Emb . Plat . —Axswer . —Yes , if the will be a legal one . Had there been no will , the property would have been divisible—one-third to the widow , the remainder equally divided among the children . But , suppling some , or any , of the children were under age , the widow could retain their shares till of age , and make a demand for education , &c . bsfore paving orer the shares .

      The Star, Saturday, May 1, 1853

      THE STAR , SATURDAY , MAY 1 , 1853

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      BAFFLED , NOT BEATEN !! THE OPERATIVE ENGINEERS . We do not know of any public event that has occurred since the June insurrection in Paris , of so roucli importance to the working-men as the late brave struggle of the Amalgamated Engineers . That was the protest of trampled and deceived labour , against the triumphant tyranny of capital , and was drowned in blond , and hushed for the time in the terrible silence of death . This was also the protest of labour against the iron despotism of capital and

      the murderous strife of competition , and has ended in the terrible alternative of starvation , or deeper and more degrading-slavery . In both cases it has been fatal to the workers . Never was a struggle organised with a better chance of success ; the time was admirably . chosen ; their ground of complaint was calculated to win the sympathies of universal humanity ; they bad plenty of funds and able leaders , and the working classes seemed to be more alive to the vital importance of this tug of war than ever

      they were before , and assisted them largely . We confess to have exulted that their still existed such a combination able to resist the encroachments of the money-mongers , and our hearts beat high with hope at the prospect * of their success , for we did not calculate on the continued unanimity of the employers . We thought that ^ their greedy selfishness , and * the force of competition , would compel some of them to break from their agreement , rather than lose the golden harvest of trade , and that the others would follow for self-preservation ; such has not been the case , and of course we all know that where it is' a

      question of who shall hold out the longest , the employers must beat the employed , and unfortunately for us , they comprehend their selfish interests , and are a thousand times more united to defend them , than are the working-classes . When the liberty of Labour is pitted against the despotism of Capital , it is a battle-ground where the strongest roust prevail , and the weakest must succumb ; and Labour is ever the weak—Capital ever the mighty , as it has all the organised forces of society at its disposal . Government , law , the press , all are on its side , and do its bidding ;

      poor Labour stands or falls alone , and thus , as in the present case , Truth , Justice , R ght , Humanity , avail nothing—they are inevitably crushed by blind , brutal , bloody force , and rich , ravenous , rascal wrong . It is a tender unarmed youth , warring with an armed and mailed giant ! The engineers have done the utmost of human possibility in this struggle for the partial emancipation of labour , and left no means untried ; a £ 40 , 000 have been spent , and their energies exhausted , yet in fourteen weeks they are beaten , as in their- own words : •?— '

      We cannot ask any man to become a pauper or starve . \ fe cannot say to the artizan , let your wives grow haggard and your cbildr . n pole , and thin , and rapped , and your hennfcs cold , t ill misery past endurance forces 50 a into the poor-house , where social affections are violated by the law which attaches degradation to relitf . AVe cannot command absolute self-sacrifice . Between two evils we are compelled to choore the least And so they submit to inevitable necessity ; and the men on all sides are returning to their work , being driven to eigu the Employers' damnable document . It is a melanchol y catastrophe ; and working , men ! it contains a solemn and terrible warning . Men of the Amalgamated Iron Trades , let this be-your motto

      , Baffled , not beaten' ; be not discouraged , you have done bravel y . With your means and material you have wrought the best that could be accomplished . We have nothing to reproach you with . A defeat is frequentl y worth more than a victory If this straggle had been successful , the old belief in Trades' Strikes would have been revived ; as it is , it must die out ; the most ignorant of the working classes must now perceive , that with StrikeB you play a game in inhich the Masters cheat you with loaded dice . They we used up , and we must look for other means of defence . But , for the future ? That is the question . You speak of Co operation foi

      , production . It is well , Co-operation is one of the im ? mediate means within our reach ; not Go operation merely to become a little better off—not Co-operation merely to keep upon an aristocracy of wages , but a generous and manful Cooperation for the enfranchisement of universal labour . Co operation between man and , man , between trade and trude , nation and nation—Co-operation to build up the wealth and power of the workers , from which mar be developed a hol y and beautiful fraternity . We do not ask for agitation as a means of living , or as a means of sale for our paper ; therefore , we bid you to work ! silent thoughtful , determined werk . But

      let us tell you , that Co-opewtion for production iB not aU mat is necessary . Co-operation may place a few men in a position far better than that of . the employed—it will make them comparatively their own masters ; but the result of this struggle muBt have shown you that the capitalists poasess a power which no mere ' Co-operation for production' cau cope with . They make the laws which crush ub ! They direct the surplus labour , which undersells us , and which is the very drag chain on the wheels of the chariot of progress 1 They cau buy u 8 | - ell us , starve u « at their

      pleasure , for they are the masters of the world . Join us , then men of the Iron Trades , in an united , determined holy crusade against the system which gives them all the power for victory , and us all the horrors of defeat . You have the best organisation in the country , devote it to the obtainment of political power , as well as social . Many of yen , doubtless are righteously disgusted with political quacks and ehauiB , Demagogues and Charlatans . Come forth then , and take the power out of their hands ; for ' pcltical power you must have , before Labour can

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      obtain even a fair vantage-ground for its conteBt with the mbneyocracy . These are the words of sincerity and' friendship ; receive them as such . We fight the same fight . You have given a tacit approval to what we have said , in puttiug your leader forward as your political representative . Go on ; take the bold initiative in this good work ; add Political Revolution to the device upon young banner ; and the working men of Euglaud will gladly rally round jou once more . Courage ! This defeat has been dearl y bought . May you realise its full value in the precious treasure of experience . «— . —— _ i . _ . ;

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      CAN C 0 SSACKISM CONTINUE ? Cossackisji is supreme in Europe . Ignorance and disunion on the one hand , aud treachery and cruelty on the other , have been the principal causes of the triumph of the enemies of freedom . But itis important that we should clearly see upon what foundation absolute rule is based—whether it owes its triumph to a natural and intrinsic force , or merely from some folly or shortsightedness on the part of itsopponeuts .

      Witness , for example ,, the late strugg le in France . Cieverly taking advantage of the disgust aud indifference with which the conduct of the foctiona who composed the majority of the Assembly had inspired the people , Louis Napoleon boldly attacked and overthrew the Legislative body in the name of the Sovereignty of the People . But this cry was but a ' mockery aud a snare ; ' and a merciless despotism was established amid the massacre of the unarmed people . Who believeB that the Government of December 2 nd can last ? It is a Reign of Terror , and men caunot long be governed by fear . The base ,

      unprincipled tyrant may , with the aid of the bayonets of his Prcetorians , for a time be enabled to uphold his supremacy , and-cany death and desolation into every town and hamlet in Fiance—but a day of reckoning must come .: from the ashes of every martyr for freedom will spring up others , who will devote their lives to the work of bringing the murdering miscreant to justice ; and every patriot hurried off to Cayenne , or forced to seek safety iu a foreign laud , must leave behind him those who will not let pass any opportunity that may arise of successfully combntiug the rule of the Decembrist , aud in whoso miuds revenge will be treasured up as a sacred duty , aud mercy

      appear as a . No one would be surprised to hear that a new revolution had overthrown B . okapaiiik ; and certainly none could be persuaded that the political system which he has inaugurated , can ever be incorporated with , and become a part of , the future life of the French nation . This incubus weighing upou France , attempting to stifle all the noble aspirations of the people , will not out-last that , apathy which has not unnaturully succeeded' to' the excitement of the last few years . Indeed , it is well for the cause of Democratic Freedom that in this , the breathing time of the

      revolution , Frauce should havo fallen into the hands of her present infamous and unscrupulous dictator . When the good work was scarcely half accomplished the people had become unheeding , and begun to Elum ber , leaving their country and cause to be torn and injured by the struggles of selfish rival factions . The cruel despotism with which they are now afflicted will remedy this , and will stir up in their minds a spirit of patriotism and nationality . It will once more wake up the revolution , by forcing into action the people , whoso will ueither despotism nor' factions can long withstand .

      Wo cannot allow ourselves to despair of Franceher days of Cossack rule are numbered . It is impossible that the land of Robespiehjie and St . Just shall continue to crouch at the feet of this miserable adventurer . If the march , of truth and reason could not be arrested by that monarchy of a thousand years , which was associated with all the ideas and traditions of the people , will this bastard imperialism , whose shameful and bloody origin is painfully fresh in every mind , succeed in annihilating those eternal principles of truth , and reason , and progress , which have already gained so many great victories , and which live in the minds of men ; the lights of which shall guide them along the broadening pathway of the futnre ?

      The fall of Bonapartism is , at most , but a question of time . Isolated amid surrounding enmities , and clashing interests , tho autocrat is sympathised with by none . He cannot turn to the right or to the left , but he is met by bitterly implacable' enemies . ' Even the servile and degraded ' public bodies , ' whom he has called into existence , and whom he was so careful to render his humble and unhesitating servitors , he finds not peculiarly attached to the existing state of things , and willing to snarl at , and oppose him , if they had but the courage or the power . Slight

      incidents become important and worthy of attention , in a state-of things such as exist in France at the " present tunr . The late decision of the judges , declaring themselves competent to consider the legality of tl e seizure of the Orleans property , is tantamount to declaring the President ' s decrees to be merely the proclamations of a , bandit , which ought to be resisted if possible . This is another sign of the times , showing the increasing desire of the people to overthrow the tyranny that oppresses them , and clear the way for the re-establishment of the Republic .

      And , in Italy , what are the respective prospects of Cossackism , and of Liberty ? There the struggle must soon be renewed . The mutual hatred of the people aud their oppressors has become so interne that the Austrians openly express their desire to drive the Italians into the Sea , and they , in their turn , would derive equal pleasure from sheathing their daggers in the hearts of their foreign tyrants . Such is order under Cossack rule . Such is the peace , the breach of which the Manchester School men labour so industriously to prevent .- Such is the reign of authority , which Diplomatists equivocate and lie to uphold , and for whoBe conservation priest and lordling pray . But , can it last ? Ib Italy for ever to writhe in her chains , to give to humanity no wordB of hope and truth- ^ -no discovery of any portion of God ' s law—and never to be more than ' the tomb of

      a nation ^ trom which the only sounds that arise are lamentations , cursrs , and groans ? It will not be so . The Italian tyranny is a foreign excrescence which can never become mingled with the life of the people , and whose exactions and cruelty will be continuall y urging them to endeavour to cast it off . huGermany and Hungary , and Europe at large , it is the same . Quos vult perdere Ju piter dementat ! and everywhere «; e see the peoples enslaved aud Ruffe « ng » while the fvenzed despots are employing every possible means to . lash the nations into furv , and compel them to renew tho struggle—a struggle which cannot fail to end in the destruction of tyranny and in the triumph of freedom . " .

      What do tee while the struggle is pending ? Is not Britain a member of the great family of humanity , having the same right and duties—the right to be free , the duty to work for tbat freedom for herself , and to assist in acquiring it for others . We do not believe that the spirit of freedom and progress is extinct in the hearts of our countrymen . We believe that the day is not far distant when they will arise and win . their freedom , to obtain winch it is only necessary that they should will . Then free Britain will extend a helping hand to down-trodden nationalities abroad , and declare , in a voice of thunder , that the world shall be free , and that Cossackism shall not continue .

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      10 THE EDITOR 0 E THE STAIt OF FREEDOM . Sib , — Tho documents issued by the Amalgamated Society , se-tUng forth tUeiv recommendations , or , astbey have been frequently called , demands , which , by the Society of combined Employers , were said to constitute a just cause for what has been termed « a defensive policy , ' have beeu withdrawn . the united

      THE AMALGAMATED ENGINEEES AND THEIR EMPLOYERS . - : -. _ . __ , . m » t r < * Air A rnisrv Ts-KTnT-vfi 3 Ti \ T > cs » . "VfT \

      Tho Executive Council of workmen were not likely to recommeud the withdrawal of the demands of tboso for whom they acted , so long as there remained even the most distant probability of such demands being comp lied with . The mere fact , then , of the withdrawal of the recommendations of the workmen , was a distinct and uumistakeablo pro 0 - of their inability to enforce them . The want of sue . cess does not prove the unsuccessful party to have been wrong . Unfortunately , injustice frequentl y exults iu victory when justice bleeds iu chains .

      The cause of the Amalgamated Eugmeers no longer stands upon its original merits . The Employershave gainedallthat they originally demanded ; their workmou offered to return to their work on the same conditions as formerly . With such a concession ordinary men would be satisfied . The Society of the combined Employers make a fresh demand—that demand is humiliation itself ; they ask , that their workmen will sign a declaration , to the effect that they in . no future time will join any Trade ' s Society , or , in a combined capacity , ask for auy amelioration or improvement in their condition . The workmen naturally feel , that after having struggled , and , at

      last yielded , to have this unnatural , -unjust , aud new demand enforced is gall aud wormwood to their souls . We assert that such a demand is unnatural , in so far as an union among meu having the same corn ™ mon interest , associated in tho same craft or profession , working in tho same workshops , meeting in the same club-rooms , is a fixed law of socuil life ; clergymen cleave to clergymen , physicians to physicians , lawyers to lawyers , engineers to engineers . Further , tho demand is unjust . It is made by the more powerful party , and tho less powerful ar 5 asked to yield to it unconditional obedience . It is not an agreement to which each party willingly consents . It is unjust , because the parties making it are in a combined capacity enforcing others to pjedgo themselves not to combine . If combination be of itself an evil ,

      it is as much so when practised by capitalists as when practised by labourers ; and before the combined Employers could , with even a shadow of justice , asic , much less enforce , their workmen to pledge themselves not to combine , they ought to have broken up their own combination , and made their own practices consistent with their own theory . Had they even done so , the justice of asking working men to follow their example might have been questioned ; fov , as Adam Smith ^ vell remarked , ' capitalists are always in a tacit combination , ' not t > raise tho wages of labour . In the absence , however , of the adoption of the course suggested , tho demand of tho combined Employers loses even the semblance of fair play . The severity and harshness of the demands of the

      Employers of Engineers are likely , in the end , to tell against their interests in a way of which , they unfortunatel y seem unaware . Tho Exhibition of tho Industry of all Nations , held last year in Hyde-park , unfolded ccrtaiu facts which it would profit all connected with manufactures and machinery to remember . It was then made evident that France , Belgium , 'and America , were treading close upon the beds of England ' s manufacturing suporiorily ; and even Russia , Prussia , and Austria were fast following in our w » ke . America and Frauce now consume half as much cotton wool as this country ; while Austria , Russia , Prussia , and Switzerland consume a

      quantity nearly equal to the other half . America , our great manufacturing rival , offers to the Engineers of EnglaDd a welcome home—she will receive them with open arms , treasure them as a source of present strength and future triumph . Other countries , less inviting in the character of their laws and institutions than the American Republic , will readil y welcome our most skilled Engineers . These facts may be overlooked for the present , but the future will unwld their meaning . It is not for the advantage of the makers of English machinery that other nations should learn how to dispense with their services . Messrs . Hibbert and Platt have not anything to

      gain ; on the contrary , they and their associates have niuch to lose by forcing their workmen to look for homes in other countries . Many of the Engineers say they will emigrate , rather than sign the Masters ' declaration . Those who generally say so are the very men it is ' most desirable to retain . * They are chiefl y young men of enterprise and good character . Steam has so abridged the journey by sea to America as to render its performa » ce an easy matter . With what astonishment would the readers of the ' Times' and 1 Dail y News' read the following paragraph ;— ' The combined Society of Master Engineers have . presented the leading cotton manufacturers of Lowell with the

      mostimproved machinery for the manufacture of cotton to the value of £ 10 , 000 ; also models to tho value of £ 20 , 000 . ' How the Manchester cotton spinncrB would stare ! Yet that act , suicidal as it would justly be called , would not be nearly so beneficial to America , and certainly not so dangerous to the trading interests of England , and in no way so injurious to the makers of machinery , as to force , by an unjust , unwise , and unnecessary demand , even seventy skilled working Engineers , able and willing to " work , to emigrate . The statement just made is not extravagant it is a . simple matter of fact . It is desirable above all things that a reconciliation between the contending parties be effected . Employers and workmen have much to gain by not prolonging so ruinous a contest .

      The losses on both sides have been great , and as tho workmen have set the example of being tho first to make concessions—and to make them Iu 110 narrow spirit-not anything can justify their employers in following their present course . On several occasions the superior intelli gence and education of the employers have been matters of eulogy . Messrs . Maudslay and Field have been signalised for their h > h standing as practical machinists , their intelligence as men , and their humanity as employers . It would become such men to vindicate their hi gh character by using their undoubtedl y great influence in iuducing their colleagues to withdra w a declaration to which working men will never willingly affix their signatures and which , if signed , would not be adhered to .

      A tree may be safely judged by its fruit , and the declaration which the combined employers desire their workmen to sign ia as little indicative of superior intelligence as a compliance therewith would be of personal and dignified freedom-its nuthors ought to feel as thoroughly ashamed of it as their workmen feel disgusted by beinc asked to sign ; Tho Operative Engineers have appealed to the Trades of England for support . Most heartily do we hone that their appeal ijyiy he responded to . Our countrymen are . aid »„

      must ho at the service of the working Engineers The demand of their Employers to sign the repugnant declaration is un . Englwta-. it 18 more , it is unjust and tvrannic 1 t is an attempt , on the part of the powerful , to lacer ' t ^ the heart ., of the weak ; so wanton / n act of unneresn v cruelty . faould be scorned hy all good men " and who are its yiotima should meet with every aviS means of rapport .. The Engineer . ' Strike Kly ^ pJ

      aS-ASE The BnJSelrTu- L T isoliltion and antagonism . ; Si ass' ^ iatKits ; dearest '" or ' »? S * 1 , ape 8 t mrket - and 8 < - '" in tlie S ee * , phrasot W ^ w ^^ ° < the Operative be fct SSe ' ? hi 5 * -l m » llifesto , « All we want is to vtoliml 3 nhil r q ' . ' ! ld"strli « l oriew have too lon K been tlie J e he e 1 n d herp f T and d ° Ctrinal Mi ^ ' There out SrtSite'fe Of the ™ . ° ¦«• «» gi « l » ll to find

      ShSment' nfT ? . enrive views > and ' scientific en-Suced to a vt th ° Phl | osophical Economists havo been dSr' Thatm , ? - na rrOW com l ) i 48 s ' 'Buy cheap and sell be a ' settie * m ? n . ' , ? wew . b ™ f though it bo , ib said to p arties to no s ^ l . Oftl i B cli " ms of lilbour - -Welmebeen the con en of fl 8 et 1 tle ™ n t , ' A covenant made without nS ? wS W T ° K , ? re exPeoted t 0 b 0 l > ° u « hereby , AU theSrX'JJ 8 8 ettle »»«< then , must be unsettled unfortunS Lv nocount must bo "" mined . The present SESiZ tl ° 5 Reworking Engineers and their Xfom ^^ mm LvS II * ' and de « non 8 tiat . that the peace and S ^[ . CIely demand that a further investigation should take plaoe , with a Tiewto arriving at eomo more

      Untitled Article

      rquitao ie arrangement than Mw-exUta hete 55 ^ mterettv tWee >» confl ^ [ Our contributor , when writing this « . * cC nt I ct % aware that the Operative Engiueers ha ' , i Cv'denti tiona " y .-ED . S . F . ] fc 3 h " yielded i'Jjt . . . ^ .

      Untitled Article

      T . S . BUNCOMBE'S PROPOSITION „ FORMATION OF A SEW " PEOPLE'q n 011 Im , . ° l AlVry , } ' ! * _ public meeting was held at tho Cownci- -t tion , City Road , on Monday , April 2 Gtb hi « , recl W lit » Delegate Council , toeomfirr the ^ *• < £ Mr . J . A . Wood was called to the cha-r ' , * meeting was not convened to manifest person ? Sa >< l H to Mr . Duneombe , hut to show that th » n ? ' ° P ! ' 4 forth by tho honourable memoi e ^ nPff ^ satisfy tho people , especially the workini oU * nl > ttff propositions were , "Manhood Residential luffr ' ! C months previous residence ; No Property nJ , rS ? Ballot for sueb portions of the electoral ? odilhc"t i " 3 i it ; . Triennial Parliaments-one third . ffi « " < £ ret . ro anmu y ; a more equal apportionment ofu *^ to tive .-, according to population and propertv" n «« Hh necessary for him ( tho Chairman ) U > £ 3 'J } , ** & uuihuu wiiu

      u . my aucn snort comings . fne .,- , 'HiK . Buncombe had been invited to attend luu , ?¦> arrived . ' U | i "' 4 uoj "• Mr . Fknxem , moved tbn first resolufinn <• '' That in tho opinion of this meetTn ^ t £ ft ' ^ forth by our representative , T . S . Duncombe > P « for the formation of a People ' s Party , ar ° ? n '' tll (! ^ the true spirit of just legislation , and , as I ! "" "* worthy the adoption of the people of this w ''• ?* n the Empire generally . - He said " he reg , ' tcT , W « 5 of the meeting ; it might be that the people h , " Htt made up their minds to take nothing less than t , T % Charter , and therefore did not think it worth iW euss anything of less importance . ( Ciiecrs \ 11 to % Mr . Buncombe fov the many sacrifices hu h 'L m ? S « J people s cause ; nevertheless ho could not ' sJ . '"ttj should be disqualified from voting because he * * '"an ( hear , hear ) -ur because imperious circumstance ^•~ him to remove his industry from one localiiv t Oni | lt | ^ - ( bear , hear )—and he did think , undera iuV ianc ) tll « . government , able-hodied pauperism would boL ^ o ! dicated . ( Cheers . ) Besides , a man ' s povei ty di 1 " - ahim ono whit the less amenable to tlie 1 , -w . l ' ' "" ^ should it operate as a disqualifying ngent ? ' ' % reall y could not see any objection to Annual M ^ to and did not believe , if adopted , that thev wouli ' " ' nfs . more commotion than a yearly Parish Election ^ "J Mr . Ciudlks Murray seconded the resolution ' Tlie Ciuiititts said he had that moment rocdv ., 1 a following letter from Mr . Duncombe : — lvci ftt

      Palace Chambers , St . James ' s , Anril om , Sir ,-As my-duties will not permit me ta teKJ ' 1 1 meeting to night , I bep to enclose you a copy ( , t , Vf u | " Jflit Chartists of Bristol , dated Saturday last , >„ „ £ T * *» « k re-opened my views on tlie subject . May I W of v « e fu || r justice tome , to cause the whole of the com-s pund ™ a f actlf ginning to end to be read from the chair ICe fr ( ll » bt . I am , sir , your obedient ser vant To the Chairman of the Meeting . T " " Sl ' ^^ K The Chairman said , if the meeting would favourVir their attention and patience he would comn |»« W wish of the honourable member by reading the VCi « nv correspondence . a »•«>«! of the Tho "correspondence" contains tlie letter ffMn Messrs . Rogers and Shehnn , op . behalf of the wo k ? classes of Bristol , and Mr . Duncombe ' s reply whjctZ gone the round of the press ; and U . is , therefore 25 f sary for us to insert it here . In addition thereto U ? pended , bearing date April 13 tb , 1853 . a resolntinn « LS

      at Bristol , and signed » William Slielmn , Sec eim 'Q was adopted at a general members ' meeting of thoChT tists of Bristol , recording "its unabated conn / rait thejustico of tho People ' s Charter , and itsenUmy " recommending Mr . Dunoombe ' s propositions to ttae' -jS anddcliberato consideration of onr Chartist and C oratw fnends throughout the empire . " In a rci . lv of ? Duncombe 5 to a letter from the s-. me quarter , of the 1 M of April , he reduces the term of residential qualification from twelve to six months ; and says , " We can ^ 12 lect when Chartism was a oowoiful ehmont nf linn ,, i ,.

      opinion , exorcising influence both within and vritUoutthe legislature There was nothing cither in its principle its objects to prevent that influence from increasing . From the time of Mr . Pitt , those principles have been advocatcl by a succession of men , eminent in rank , station , Icarnuw and ch-raoter . From being the political creed of § philosopher in his closet , they had grown to be theprfi&d creed of the masses . " The honourable member £ to attribute the decay and failure of the Chartist ml ment , to the folly , intolerance , and occasionally worsetno political criminality of persons styling themselves Chartist leaders ; " and continues , " that they should jtOl endeavour to prolong a factitious popularity , and end vourtotradeon and by exciting the passions'J o S

      upon tne ignorance of thoso who are under their ii . tace , L ,. nrt / ° T J ° wondered &t however much it may bore gi cttcd . I did not expect that such persons would apptow ot tho policy I proposed . I want the work done , they want to live by paid agitation . Wether the working classes take my advice' or not , as to the course to be pursued with - respect to forming a People ' s Party , at all events . I hope : they will immediately button up their Dreecnes pockets , and no longer be duped into the support ° . ™™ are only robbing them and their families of their bard earnings , in seeking that which time has prored to be unattainable , and obstructing , as far as their power extends , the progress of the popular cause . " Them&g of this lengthy correspondence was listened to with foe most profound attention .

      mr . a . jones said , some might think the question in de < Diitcto be merely a little faster or a little slower . " Sot so . it was whether they should progress or not walk st all ; whether they should go onwards or backwards . It was , indeed , a question between real and sham Demo . cracy . ( Cheers . ) The Charter was the emblem ofpopular sovereignty ; equal suffrages for all , rich , and poor . ( Hear , near . ) 1 ; s progress had been through spies , bludgeons , bayonets , prisons , penal settlement . " , and scaffolds . Its advocates still stood boldly erect , and demanded the Charter as n means for the attainment of social rights . ( Cheers ' . ) Well , persecution and prosecution having tailed in suppressing that creat winewlo . \ u \ , \ m vm

      humbug was played off with a view of dWidinp the people ; but notwithstanding this , the so-called National Pul * mentary . andlinanoial Reformers were dead and buried , without a . requiem . . ( Cheers . ) What follows ? Why , they put torth other popular men , who said- " Wo are Chartists . Yes , they were wait-awhile Chartists ; tho words oontmually m their mouths being- " This is not the time . " Uicar . ) bven Mr . George Thompson had failed to throw Oust in the eyes , of tho people , and they had not ventured call a public meeting since their Conference . ( How . ) H » much feared they were endeavouring to make a tool of Mr-Uuncomoe ; but Mr . Duncombe ' s proposition had been unanimousl y repuiSed by the common sense of tlie people .

      sneers . ) The result was , Mr . Duncombe had already made a concession ; he would have six months' rosW * instead of twelve , as he first proposed . Let the Cbarw * siann nrm , and , depend upon it , tho whole Charter would be ultimatel y conceded to them , ( lleur ) Mr . DmicombeW descended to abuse . Who did he mean by paid « , « men who lived by exciting the passions ? Now , M * 4 the cap would not fit him he ( Mr . Jones ) would piU » and , in reply to the lion , member for Finsbary , ho « f , ask . that gentlemiin—Who nmnnn ^ n . » nimrtistnartyW

      made wealth by the agitation ? Ha . ] Mr . O'Connor beeof no ! T i 1 \ oritcrro O'Brien-had he ( Mr . Jones )? M no ; but look at the other side-to the present frtenjf Mr Duncombe-to tho Walmslevs , the Bri ^ htt , «» d 0 * dens . They took from the people immenu cob *> < J tunes . ( Applause . ) Ifedemanded an unanimous * J fn ° h ? ^ ' the y were determined to contif « g •^ S ( &Rte £ 3 ° P ° PUlar """ T ^ The resolution was passed unanimously . . m . m t n AVU p « 3 uu unanimously . . < ..

      Mr . J . B . O'BiiiRS moved the second resolution « " « lows :- '' Thnt in the opinion of this meeting , ihe «« lf »¦ system of representative government , calculated to * " tho whole people , is contained in tho document c * ' 1 copies Party , embracing Universal Suffraer , ! % Ballot , Annual Parliaments , Equal Electora l Pistric-s , - Property Qualification , nnd Payment of Mi'inl'f ! e said until the government was convinced that \\» V % would adopt and adhere to the right , they n « w ° concede what was demanded . IUiliad watchclW' »\ combe many years , an . l believed him to be grwtly , vance of even tlie electors who sent him to |»? •» " te and regretted that he should have allowe-l him *" .. M ) led away from tho Chartist party . He ( M ' ° JLil would not on any account be thou » ht to nrnve 111 P ' ^ hostility to Mr . Duncombe . Had this mooting been ¦ for tho purpose of passing a vote of cemure on t % ^ member , with a view to ousting him from Finsburf , "' , r on earth would have induced him to have been H » ^ He did not think it the duty of the peop le to g » "L 88 short coming propositions , and ho believed ' ^ . Lanf 6 viiiiirier i

      — * . - - »•«» carnea as it . was « -- .. fjeir smaller measure . He wished to see the pt ? op' ? tf , n Let own work , and not fall out with this or thatasso «<™ ^ if every men . either join a present Charter A »« wW"V «» ho did not like' these in existence , form one , \ w i work for the Charter , iind inculcate social righ ^ cheers . ) .. qr , Mr . J . Finun' seconded tho resolution , ^ hicI ' t ^ ried unanimously , as was also a vote of thank Chairman ; with which the meeting eonoluded .

      Untitled Article

      Tub SnAKSBPBABK - Club .-The Royal ShjkJ - ^ r Club on Friday celebrated tho anniversary of ^ fai poet s birthday ,-b y a meetifigat Stratford-on-Avon < ( b , they assembled in the Town Hall , Dr . Thompw" rf ^ chair . The annual report states that tho P ^ agt Birthplace Committee was in no way altered tince * ^ port of last year . Tho balance of the debt d » pI o-Stratford Batik for tho purchase of tlie SUaW' !; J « $ perty had not been diminished , and now amour" u $

      interest , to the sum of £ 82 19 s , whilst we V" % j ( fi v donations received at the birthplace , and the re » { w COWage . part of the property , had been little w ^ 1 sufficient to defray the current expenses for w f and exhibition of " the house , and such slight W "' tcDtio »; tect it from the weather as required ioimediat « v 6 » A communication had been made to the prew flf 0 % ment as to the transfer of this house to tue y ' , » cevtain conditions . The result was notyei * f ^ anniversary was also celebrated by a dinner uu aidency of Mr . G . Linnaaus Banks .

      So ©Orrespottuftttg.

      So © orrespottUftttg .

      Untitled Article

      Pusdke . —M » ny readers of the " Star of Freedom * ' have hoaru of the patriot George Kinloch , nnd his sufferings in the cause of freedom . He was a landed proprietor in Forfarshire , nn . a had to fly from Scotland for the interest he ^ took in tho'cause of the people so long ago as the year 1819 . Events'changed , nnd he was returned member for Dundee in the first "reformed Parliament . " Ho so endejired himself to the people , that at his death it was dotertnmed to raise a monument . to commemorate his patriotic rirtues . Various difficulties arose concerning the selection of a ; -proper si to . At length one was granted by th ? * - own Council , although not in the place the Committee would bate chosen . The Committee thought their labours

      were near a successful termination , when , in accordance with the wisdom of our ancestors , five burgesses interdicted the erection of the monument , because it was to be oppo-Bito the Royal arch , and because it would offend their con-BemtiTe ejes , as they went to the Exchange Readingroom ; Though the people had subscribed their money , and set their hearts on the erection of this monument , yet five burgesses have the legal right to set tho wishes of the whole town at defiance . Surely , we have need of the vote to remedy anomalies such as this . Kinloch ' s friends are not to be beaten , bo they have resolved to purchase a street frontage ; and collecting books are issued to raise funds for this purpose . We have no doubt the men of Dundee will do their duty .

      Untitled Article

      • 4 - ¦ -- - " ' "'"" "" ' ' . ' ¦ ¦ -- ¦ --- • - — .. - •• - ¦ ¦ - ¦ ' ¦ .. ¦¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦¦ --.. ¦ .. - ^¦ -- ¦ ¦¦ - ; - • - , ; •; ' ¦ - ¦ •¦¦¦ - - ¦ MAY " ] ift m ^ m ^ mm ^ m ^^^^^—— ~ ' ~ M »<

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 1, 1852, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1676/page/4/