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Northern Star (1837-1852), 14th August 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 11

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    • DEMOCRATIC.
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      Untitled Article

      TO THE REFORMERS OF ENGLAND . It seems to be admitted upon all hands that the most efficient safeguard of such liberties as a nation has ^ X acquired and the best guarantee for the attainment of greater freedom is a free press . That is at once the mos perfect and powerful agency for the formation of opinions and the machinery by which they are most widely distributed . So sensible are all parties of this , that by all organized political sections the establishment and maintenance of a press is regarded as an essential condition of power There is scarcely a shade of opinion the advocates of which do notseek , either by occasional pamnlilet

      ^ by unstamped magazine , or by duly taxed broad-sheet , to influence thought , and to spread their peculiar doctrines and it is obvious to all who are acquainted with the subiert that success has been generally proportioned to the energy and intellectual power with which such efforts have bera carried out . In proof of this , it is scarcely necessary to adduce more than two facts . First , that tyrants have never been able to destroy freedom without destroying the press which gave it yoice : the second , that the power of any party may be measured by the talent and circulation of its newspaper organs .

      It is hardly necessary to say that hitherto what are usually called the upper classes of society have had the best of this battle of the press . Their resources have enabled them to give permanen cy and stability to their organs , and to purchase the best of that talent which is bought and sold m common with other marketable commodities . Toryism clinging to the corpse of the past and endeavouring to chain the progressive life of a great nation to dead corruption ; Whiggism , belonging neither to the past nor the future , and unable to abide the present ¦• Sectarianism , elevating theological feuds into disastrously important struggles ; Commercialism , regarding the acquisition ot wealth as both the means and the end of human

      happiness , have been , and still are , all as well advocated as —their nature considered—they can be ; and what is perhaps of as much consequence is the permanent character of that , advocacy ^ The history of Democracy presents a sad contrast to this . Its supporters have appealed to the largest but the worst organized of all classes ; the class which has had the least opportunity for intellectual culture , and is , from its habits , the least able to appreciate mental effort . They have been compelled to work with deficient

      and imperfect machinery . For want of necessary means their efforts have often been fitful and interrupted ; or when persevered in , in spite of all obstacles , their energies have been weakened by the necessity for seeking in other channels for that subsistence which has been beyond their reach as journalists . It is scarcely to be wondered at that , surrounded by circumstances like these , the people have

      never had a press worthy of them , and that Democracy has appeared to assume rather a physical than an intellectual or moral character . It is true that in times of great excitement , when the passions of men have been raised almost into frenzy , the fever of the moment has given an impulse to a democratic press ; but the agitation once passed , indifference has again asserted its dominion .

      Of all we have said , the history of this very paper , which ( under its present and other names ) is the oldest existing advocate of popular rights , would furnish ample corroboration . When men met together by tens of thousands , and listening to the voice of some enthusiastic orator , dreamed that liberty was within their reach , that they had only to put forth their hand to grasp it—when

      watchwords were shouted , and banners waved , and long processions lined the streets , the Star was a widely-circulated paper ; but when discouragement came Upon the People , when the voice of the speaker was stilled , when shouts no longer rent the skies , when the torn banners were furled , and the processions dispersed , the circulation of the paper sank again , till men shrunk from the loss , if not ruin , which the advocacy of the cause of the many threatened to

      entail . Of the causes which led to the loud demand for the Charter subsiding into silence , of the reasons which worked the degradation of the cause of the politically Unenfranchised into powerlessness , there is no necessity to speak at any great length . The subject is at best but an unpleasant one : there were no doubt faults on both sides . In

      some respects leaders and followers were alike wrong , but beyond mere personal and petty errors , there was the grand mistake of supposing that any movement could be carried by the mere force of numbers desiring its success . It seemed to be forgotten that the largest mass without discipline , intellectual training and organization , is -only a mob ) and is helpless in proportion to its hugeness ; that the best , banners of the millions are not of calico ,

      inscribed with popular golden legends , but the broadsheets of the press , covered with living thoughts , and that the only real procession to actual liberty is the procession of opinions and ideas through the hearts and minds of men . That period of fierce excitement and of false confidence , was like one of those early spring days , when the sun ,

      bright and warm before its time ,, tempts out the tender bud to be nipped by the hoar frost of the night . The effect was almost as disastrous , and when the vision of Freedom near at hand , faded away like the mirage which shows palaces in the desert , to the overstrained activity and hope which had prevailed , succeeded lethargic inactivity and hopeless despondence .

      It seems to us that must always be the case with movements which , however holy , are the objects they tend towards , are built upon simple impulse . They lack the steadfast power which is conferred by calm thought ; they are destitute of those deeply laid foundations which are only obtained by earnest preparation ; they are too sudden arid tod violent to be secure against reaction . It

      Untitled Article

      w not the violent storm with its sudden deluge which forwards the golden harvest , but the gentle continuous rain . Wat rights do not spring into existence like toadstools , in a mgnt . Like all that is good they grow slowly , impercepwDiy , and are no more to be had at once than next year ' s Z \ b ? tore tkey lmve § l ' - We have had the sudden aemge ot meetings and processions , speeches and shoutings , oancis and banners . We have seen the same effect produced « w /» ^ r by temPests among com-our hopes have been wW i musti if we are t 0 succeed at all , try now J ^ done by earnest persevering effort , and for f « + i | e -D ress 1 S the only medium . We must make a press tor the People . l

      We have already noticed the fact that the democratic Jf XS e Wldest emulation , and brings the best chance oi pront to those engaged upon it , in times of the greatest excitement ; but we omitted to state the truth that it is wi 7 . ? uch times tllat its true influence is the least felt . Wiiat the organ of any party should do , what is more particularly the duty of a Peoples . paper is to support its views oy clear , calm argument , and to enable those who read it to give a reason for the faith that is in themBut at

      . penoOs ot wild agitation , popular columns are filled with large type headings , strongly-emphasised declamatory sentences , and « hear hears" and " cheers , " which in the conspicuousness of « italics" may be said to look loud . It is a scene ot hurley burley , and topsey turvey , from which thought creeps away affrighted . With a knowledge of all this , once more the attempt is to De made to create a really popular paper ; and our object

      now is to tell the world , or such portion of it as we may be able to reach , what sort of paper we mean * and the course we intend to adopt .

      m endeavouring to carry out this attempt , the principles oi the Star will be what they ever have been—the principles of the People ' s Charter . We believe that to thousands of thinking men those principles are dearer than they were when it was hoped that they were destined speedily to be successful . The Chartist organization may be dying or dead ,. but the spirit of Chartism has a far greater vitality . I he desire for liberty which the Charter expresses more perfectly , comprehensivel y , and simply than any other document has spread wide among the masses , become more thoroughly identified with their best hopes , and siink more deeply into their hearts than ever . We shall endeavour to

      advocate those princplea , not for the benefit of a class , but tor the good of all , as the basis of the only settlement complete and just enough to make a happy future . We shall neither blame nor vituperate those who cannot think with us , convinced as we are that their inability is a misfortune rather than a fault ; and though we shall not hesitate to give free expression to our thoughts respecting opponents who interestedly and knowingly support a bad system , we shall avoid those terms of opprobrium which more frequently create a prejudice against those who use them

      than those against whom they are directed . We have had quite enough verification of the adage that " Curses like chickens come home to roost , " What we conceive to be wanted—what we shall attempt to supply—is argument without vituperation ; disapprobation without violence ; and earnest appeals without frothy declamation . If we can succeed in doing that—if we can blend extreme opinions with moderation of tone , and separate firmness from tierceness , we may hope to win the ear of those who have hitherto stood aloof , to reassure the timid—to fix the

      wavering—to command the respect' of conscientious opponents , and to excite the hatred of none but those who against their better knowledge support the wrong . A paper doing that may , we trust , live even in times of political lethargy—may serve as the machinery for careful organization , and prepare the minds Of all for future and successful action . We cannot omit from this address at the commencement

      of a new series , some mention of our social creed . We are not of those who would separate social and political reforms , but would see them go on together . All experience tells us that they are mutual aids—sometimes one a little in advance , sometimes the other . They are the wheels upon which human progress runs , and neither can be spared . We want political power to render social progress more possible — we need social progress to render political power beneficial . Either alone would be unable to sustain itself . While therefore we raise the banner of equal political rights , we shall maintain the necessity of individual and collective effort for social

      advancement . We want not only to be wiser but betternot only more powerful , but more happy . Impressed with these notions , we shall devote a part of our space and attention to the explanation and advocacy of industrial and commercial Co-operation , as of equal importance with political organization . Of the other departments of the Star of Freedom in its new form , we would rather let time speak than praise ourselves by anticipation . A newspaper to be successful must be something more than a political magazine . It must not be something more than a political magazine . It must not

      only contain opinions , but facts ; not only indicate what Should be , but describe what is ; and beside the world of men , a paper for the People must also take in the world of books , so as to let the masses know the progress of science , and bring them into acquaintance with the great minds , which in the region of fiction , are developing the resources and pointing out the direction of human intellect . In these respects we shall labour earnestly and thoughtfully to make the Star of Freedom at least the equal of the best conducted journals of the day .

      Workingmen and brother Reformers , it is for you to say whether such a paper as this shall exist . Without your aid we must ^ fail , whatever energy , devotion , and talent we may bring to bear ; with your help we must succeed , not only for ourselves , but for you—succeed in giving to your aspirations for liberty a basis of real thought ; in making the intellectuality as well as the phy-

      Untitled Article

      sicalpower of your movement appreciated and respected ; in conciliating and enlisting the best feelings of " those who have hitherto been opposed ; in creating an effectual organization , and in ensuring ultimate victory . We make the effort , to you we leave the decision , telling you in all candour and sincerity , that if you will not have a popular press , popular in the best sense of the word , you neglect your best interestsforego what should be your

      , dearest hopes , and bequeath to your children the condition of political and social serfs . Such a press , if you are as earnest as we are , may be supported without individual sacrifice , and be made an engine of such power as to gradually undermine and beat down the remnants of the tyranny of the past , and the prejudices and wrongs of the present . In your own hands you have your own and our late , and to you hopefully and trustfully we leave the

      issue

      We have , in order to ensure directness of expression , and clearness of meaning , spoken as though we were about to take upon ourselves the practical conduct of the paper . That , however , is not the case , the management still remaining inthe hands of the Editors . This address , however , is written in accordance with reports made by them to us , and embodies our common sentiments and opinions . For ourselves , our intention is to remain a committee , for the purpose of promoting the circulation , and increasing the influence of . the Star , and we invite our fellow working men in every town throughout the kingdom to form corncommittees for the same purpose , and to comimmcicate with us through the Star . William Newton—Chairman . Josiah Meuriman , A . E . Dedafokce , James E . Moiukg , Geokge Farrah , James Fenwick , John Washington , Augustus Piercy , Jamess Gtkassby , T . S . Clarke , John Mathias , John Shaw , Isaac Wilson , D . W . Ruffey , J . B . Leno , W . Isham , T . Fauraii , William Davis , George Taylor , William Tkavehs , J . Wilkes , W . MlLFOBD . J . I , FeEDISASDO , J . Pettie , R . Levy , William Robson , John Milke , Walter Cooper , Secretary .

      Democratic.

      DEMOCRATIC .

      Untitled Article

      PUBLIC MEETINGS , &c .

      Our friends will oblige by forwarding- reports of Democratic and other meetings . POLITICAL REFUGEES . The committee formed to reader aid to the destitute exiles driven to this country by the tyranny of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte , and the other continental despots , held its first quarterly meeting on Monday eraihuj last , at the Literary and Scientific Institution , John-street , Eitzroy-squarc . Mv . G . T . Holyoako was called to the chair . Letters expressive of regret at being unable to attend were read by Mr . Juliau blarney from Messrs . Shaw , Furnival . LockUurt , and G . W . M . Reynolds . The latter gentleman , also expressed the deepest sympathy with the objects of the committee , and stated that , if others would do tho same he would subscribe to the funds . *

      1 he following report was read , and , on the motion o ^ Messrs . Arnott and Piercy , unanimously adopted : — - QUARTERLY UEP 0 R 1 ' OP THE DEMOCRATIC HEFUGfcE COMSliTTJEE . " When the champions of Freedom are proscribed from the land of their birth by a reckless despotism—when on smother soil they beheld little before them but the prospect of starvation—there can be no worthier opportunity for the manifestation of that hospitality which lias sd ldhg been applauded as the attribute of the English nation . Impressed with this consideration , and horrorstricken at the hopeless , friendless , position of a number of refugees iro ' m other lands , where despots reign supremo , we , the Central Refugee Committee , some three months ago , took some initiatory Steps to organize relief for our unfortunate brethren , by forming at once a committee for the object . " All means open to us were adopted of making our purpose known as widely as possible . We appealed by addresses , and by other means , for that assistance without winch no cause can bo successful . We distributed some hundred collecting-sheets among such friends as are personally known to us , or whom we believed to be embued with generous sentiments . We published lists of the refugees , in which they were classified according to their trades , and called upon our English brethren to exert themselves to obtain employment for as many as possible , and thus relieve the committee , aud place the exiles in comparative independence . We called upon friends to form local committees to assist in carying out bur object . Nottingham responded , and , independently of pecuniary assistance , has contributed employment for a small number of the refugees . " With such nn object as that we had in view , we nursed the hope that the aid afforded us would be of no insignificant character , but would be worthy of so good an object . We lament to report that we have been disappointed . The funds raised have fallen far , far below our anticipations , and can go but a short way to relieve the necessities of our unfortunate brethren . "To those noble-hearted individuals who have contributed to our assistance we pay a tribute of our esteem , to those who have been willing but unable to assist we wish a better future . To those who have neglected their duty we say , ' * Come forth now—it is yet time to retrieve the character of Englishmen from the odium of suffering our brethren to fall a sacrifice . Such a calamity for them and dishonour to our country may yet be prevented . '" The balance-sheet for the past quarter was then submitted , and , having been duly examined was , passed as correct . It appeared therefrom that the receipts amounted to £ 23 Os . 3 d . and the expenditure to £ 9 lls . Id ., leaving a balance in' hand of £ 13 Os . 2 d . It also appeared that the principal items in the expenditure were for printing circulars and forwarding them to friends throughout the country ; and , further , in paying the expense of conveying refugees who had procured employment to Nottingham aiid elsewhere .

      The disbursement of the funds in hand was next considered , ¦ and after some discussion , during which several of the committeo expressed their deep regret at the paltry amount to be distributed , it was agreed that the samo be divided as equally as possible between our proscribed and suffering brethren , and that Messrs . Ilarney , Holyoake , aud Arnott be requested to superintend the appropriation thereof . Ou the question arising of the necessity for future and energetic action , G . J . Harney rose , and having briefly alluded to the destitution and misery at present existing among the exiles , through then- inability to procure employment , advised the formation of local committees in all the principal towns , for the purpose of procuring them such employ as would afford them the means of subsistence . The Chairman said he was going on a tour through the country , and he should be most happy to render all the aid in his power to the committee . * A letter was received from Mr . Thornton Hunt and Mr . Ludlow . but not until a day or two subsequent to the meeting ,

      Untitled Article

      _^! ! ^ ! ^ _ _ jrH ESTAR OF FREEDOM . u

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 14, 1852, page 11, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1691/page/11/