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Northern Star (1837-1852), 13th February 1841, Edition 2 of 5, Page 4, Untitled Article

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  • Departments (3)
    • rfforn'gn ant» i&omsattc.
    • Ctjartigt itttelZmtwe
    • THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1841.
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      Untitled Article

      BPAZK * . —Serious differences are expected to a » 8 e between the Spanish Regency and the Conrt of Spain , oa the subject of the dissolution of the Rota Conrt . The sErtLBKEKT of the Donre question , by the fcfouxable rote of the Portuguese Upper Chamber » d the sanction of the Qfleen , had given very great satisfaction in Madrid , -where it had not ftnly restored all fears of war , bat had added much to the popularity of Espartero and Ute Regency . wuimegt . Aim . —a sniSeient number of

      cantons in Switzerland have united in the demand of an extraordinary Diet t « consider the question « the wppresaon of the Argovian convents . Tfce Tote of Neafcfeatel , a Pretestant state , baa dee »* ed this . VB . VSSEL& , Fa . 4 . —We leaxa that the Minister of Public Worts is engaged on tfee means « f introducing into Belgium one of the greatest improvements that bate been made is oar time , satnely , a uniform me * f postage to letters . TBZ 7 OLES . —fte Post A mi G ^ sette says that Hut Russian govers » emt is about to transport a great nwnber of that-titass of Poles who held a rank between the nobles a& 4 the peasants int « the fcOuthwestera governments * f Russia ) to ookatae racant lands .

      XXDXA . —By sa . express received from Marseilles , intelligence feas arrived from CaWtta to the 16 th December , orareying the news Aat , India is . generally pacific , aad no event had occured , since the last dates , of much political importasce . Afghanistan remained tranquil . The news from Khiva and Central Asia was of a satisfactory character . An action had occurred in Seinde , on the 1 st of December , at Keiriab , between 4 , 06 d Beloocnes , posted among the hills , and commanded by Nusseer

      Shan , 900 Sepoys , 60 . irregular horse , and two ¦ fold-pieces , commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel y » . T » WlT . The Sepoya attacked the position ; and a desperate defence was made by the Belooehes till ¦ four of their chiefs and 3 * 0 men were slain . Six -other chiefs and 132 followers were taken prisoners . Jfosseer Khan < eseaped on foot ; but all the baggage , * c were captured by the British ; who only lost one officer and ten privates ; thiity more were wounded .

      THE XJSJTSD STATES . —New . York papers to the 9 th January , brought by the Cambridge , hare been at length delivered . Tney contain intelligence ef which no trace had been found in the papers of the 8 th , which only the passengers pre-Tiously landed had brought ashore with them . A warm and somewhat threatening discussion had arisen between Mr . Fox , the British Minister at Washington , and the Foreign Minister of the United States , in-consequence of the arrest and approaching trial , under the authority of the State Government of New York , of a British subject , Alexander M'Leod , on the charge of piracy and murder , as one of the party who destroyed the Caroline , an Ameriean steamer , within the jurisdiction of the United States , during the Canadian revolt .

      XTALT . —A letter from Naples of the 25 th nit ., states that , on the night of the 22 nd , a considerable slip took place on the mountain above Gragaano , near Castellamare , and that sixty houses were crushed by the falling matter . It is supposed that 100 persons perished by this sudden calamity . MAiBLkGB iw High Life . —On Tuesday morning , the Honourable Miss Spring Rice , eldest daughter of Lord Monteagle , and grand-daughter of the Earl ofLncKRiCK ( lately one of the maids of honour to her M . sj « sty ) , was married to J . G . Marshall , Esq .,

      of Leeds . Tne ceremony was performed , by special license , at All Souk' Church , Langham-place . Th « Dukb op Wellington . —Although the" noble And gallant Duke has quite recovered from his late illaess , the inquiries , on Tuesday , at Apsley-house , were very numerous . Tne answer given by the porter was , " The Duke is recovered . " Dochy op LurtASTEa , Febbcart 5 . —The Queen has keen this day pleased to appoint Thomas Bernard Birch , of the Hazles , Bart ., to be Sheriff of the County Palatine of Lancaster , for the year ensuing .

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      innswoRTK . —On Tuesday evening Mr . C . Doyle , of Manchester , delivered a lecture in the Meihodist Chapel , tins worth , to a numerous audience , which gave great satisfaction . tONI > ON . —Westhisstbr . —At a meeting held at the M&rlborougn Coffee House , Great Marlboroogb-atreet , Golden Square , on Sunday evening last , it was resolved— That Mr . Southcomb represent this body at the Council , in assisting them to draw up petitions to both Houses of Parliament , for the liberation of Frost , Williams , and Jones , and all political offenders . " Mr . Wall lectured here , according to promise , to the gre « gratification of a numerous and respectable audience , among whom were a great many of the fair sex , by whom he was rapturously applauded ; after which , Mr . Parker addressed the meeting . Six new members were enrolled . It was then resolved that the thanks of the meeting should be given to Messrs . Wall and Parker .

      Bloomsbust . —The National Charter Association held their weekly meeting , at No . 9 , White Lionstreet , Long Acre , which was numerously attended , and passed the following resolutions : —** That two petitions be sent from this Association to the House 3 of Lords and Commons , for the release ef Frost , Williams , and Jones ; and two for the release of all political prisoners . " " That a vote of thanks be given to Messrs . Markham and Seal , for their noble eonduct at Leicester , in refusing to meet Dan and Co ., on a late occasion ; also , that a-report of the above be inserted in the Northern Star . " \

      Wajlwobth asd Cambeewell . —A letter was read to the Association from ilr . Ransley , convening a meeting to be held at Mr . Castling ' s Coffeehouse , Borough Road , on Sunday evening next , for the purpose of forming a eounty Council . Three brothers were appointed to attend . Two were sppointed to attend a meeting to be held at Lunt'a Coffee-house , Bethnal Green , oa Tuesday evening , at seven o ' clock , to appoint a delegate to attend the delegate meeting to be held at Manchester , it was also agreed that the meeting should support a public meetiug , to be callfed on account of the refusal of

      Lord Normanby to see the deputation , ( Messrs . Neesom , Spurr , and Boggis , ) appointed at the public meeting , aela at the White Conduit House , on the 4 th of January , to present a memorial to Lord Normanby , for an alteration of tbe treatment of Mr . Fear ^ ua O'Connor , and to adopt the best means to carry it out . It was resolved , that on the death of a brother , the members of the Association be informed of the same through the class leaders , and be requested to attend the funeral , as many as can make it convenient . Four new members were enrolled , and the meeting separated .

      WILTSHIRE . —According to previous announcement in the Star , the first meeting of the -County Council was held on Sunday moruing las :, at the house of Mr . Tudgey , Monkton Deveril , at eleven o ' clock , when delegates were present from the following plaoes : —Trowbridge , Bradford , Hull , West : -bory , Warxoinster , Kinsw > a Deveril , ilonktoa De-TerU , and ilere . After the Secretary had read the nutates of last week , the Chairman called upon each of the delegates present to give a report of the state of Chartism in the districts they represented ; when a most cheering statement as to the progress of the cause generally was given . Several resolutions were unanimously adopted to the following effect : —I . * ' That the expences of tbe tracts the

      delegates had given away on their journies be paid from the funds . " 2 . ( Alter the aadress from the County Council had been read ) ** Tfeat the County Council recommend to the inhabitants , in their diffsreat localities , to support the Chartist preE 3 , so far ae it lies in iheir power . " 3 . " That the Secretary be empowered to write to Mr . Yincent , to know when he thinks to be in Wiltshire , and to report the same to the local councils . " 4 . " That % vote of thanki be given by this Council to the friends of Mere , in offering to provide a gnitable place to bold a public meeting in , when Mr . Philp should come . " The following sums of money were

      paid in , towards having the address printed : — Trowbridge , 5 s . ; Holt , 2 i 6 d . ; Westbury , 5 s . ; Warminster , 2 s . € d . ; Bradford , 2 * . 6 d . ; Mere , 2 b . 6 < L ; Xiaswn DesenL , 2 s . 6 d . ; Monkton Deveral , 2 s . 6 & In the course of the sitting , one of the delegates said , that tbe Tzwbridge and Westbury delegates had given away a number of Chartist tracts , to the amount of 200 , and that he had never been so well pleased in all his life as when he had seen maaj agrieKltural labourer * reading ** What it Chartism ? ' as they went to church . Thanks were voted to the Chairman and Secretary , and the meeting broke up .

      SUZSFaiSS . —Oa Tuesday , the 2 nd instant , our patriotic friend , Dr . M'DoiaH , arrived in this town . The Trades' Hall , before the hour of meetlag , was filled to overflowing , aad a thousand went away unable to get admission . Oa entering , the Donor was greeted in the most enthusiastic manner . He delivered a lecture , at once eloquent , practicaJ , Jtad spirit-stirring , but which we cannot report at length . Suffice it to say , that thereby many were converted to the glorious principles of the Charter . The Doctor entered into an able and masterly

      exponre of the cruelties and barbarities of tbe factor ; system ; in the coarse of which he denounced O'Coonell for having betrayed the poor factory children for a bribe he received from Sir Thomas Potter . The Doctor was here contradicted by a-son ef £ ria , who , at the conclusion of the lecture , made eraral remark * , and was fully replied to by the Doctor and Chairman . A vote of thanks were gxm to th « Doctor ; three cheers for the Charter , ad bo Sarrender f and three groans for the he-Snjtg of the working millions of Ireland .

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      CASTWI DOCGtAS . —On Friday , the Doctor visited Cast' ie Douglas , and as the magistrates would not allow b ja the use of the Town Hall , another place was provided , in which , just before the © actor entere i , the erowd in tbe galleries was ,-so great that they broke down , whereby Bevertl were seriously injured . Having-done all he oould do as- » doctor , oar worf Ay friend acquitted himself as < $ , patriot , aad as' ire have learned , succeeded ia arousing hundreds t < > a eense of theirrwronzB : and a determination

      to havrj their rights . At the coaetasienrf bis lectare , -a friead of justice and liberty proposed a rote of thanks to the Doctor , whereupon we agent in C&stle Douglas of that silly thing caKed the Dumfriet Ttmet , rose and moved as an aaendment " That while they appreciate the Doctor for k » talents , they deem the principles of the Charier inexpedient . ' Oq » shew of hands being taken , the champion of the Billy Times and his seconder , were left alone in their glory , and the vote of thanks in unqualified terms was given to the Doctor .

      DUNDEE . Chaktist Debating Societies . — There has been * Society of this kind ia Dundee for some time past , in eonneetion with the Chartist Association , and it is getting on well . It is attended by young men particularly ; and there are a good miny of them who are learning to speak and argue without any sort of fear . The subject that has come under their Dotice , for the last three nights , is " the best-formed Government . " BATH . —Sunday Lectures . —On Sunday , Jan . 24 th . a lecture was delivered in the Chartist-rooms

      by Mr . R » K . Philp , on ** the present condition of the people , and the best means to effect a beneficial chanee . " On tho following Sunday , the 31 st , Mr . T . Bolwell lectured npon " the necessity of extending moral and political information amongst the people . " On Sunday , February 7 , W . P . Roberto , Esq ., lectured npon " the contents of , and events connected with , the Tower of London . " These Sunday evening assemblies have been extremely interesting , and attended by a large portion of the intelligent people , both of the middle and working classes .

      Household versus Umveesal Suppraqe . —On Monday , Feb . 1 . the comparative merits of Universal and Household Suffrage were entered into by the various speakers , at the Chartist Room . The attendance was numerous , and the proceedings highly interesting . Bills had been issued , inviting persons favourable to Household Suffrage to discuss the important question , but no one appeared . Universal Suffrage was adopted by the meeting . A meeting , to consider " which will most benefit the middle

      and working classes , Household or Universal Suffrage , " was held on Monday , Feb . 8 th . Bills had been plentifully issued , announcing the meeting , and , from the rumours afloat in the course of the week , opposition was anticipated , as it had been earnestly invited . The weather proved very inclement , and prevented great numbers from attending . The assembly was numerous , but no one ventured to oppose the advocates of Universal Suffrage . Mr . Clarke presided , aad repeatedly urged opposition , and pledged himself that all parties , on either side , should be impartially heard . Mr . T . Bolwell first addressed the meeting in an argumentative speech ,

      and was followed by Mr . R . K . Philip , and Mr . C . Bolwell . Mr . Alderman Crisp came forward amidst loud cheers , to advocate the right of Universal Suffrage , and to argue that nothing short of this could benefit either the middle or working classes . Mr . C . entered at some length upon the subject , and deeply interested the meeting . At the conclusion , it was announced th&t on the following Monday the consideration of the same subject would be repeated .

      KEWPORT . The bark of Chartism rides proudly on here . The labours of Mr . Biack have been attended with very beneficial results ; we had a glorious meeting on Monday night at Llanarth Inn , Llanarth-street . Mr . John Morris occupied the chair , and the meeting was ably addressed by Messrs . Jones , Black , and Cronin .

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      Ehb-ita . —In our leader of last week , opon Colonel Thompson's letter , for " humbug , " in the first line of supposed extract from CoL Thompson ' s History of the Wars , read "numbers ; " and in Mr . O'Co . hmob ' s Letter , for "ride them in wrinkles ? read " ride them in winkers . "

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      LORD MORPETH'S IRISH REFORM BILL . Wb have now enough of the leading features of the rival Irish Suffrage qaestions before us wherefrom to judge of the animus , if not of the ability , of the antagonist Lords , whoee offspring they are . We almost shudder at attempting even an outline of these opponent measures ; hovtever , aB the question is now fairly afloat , and no longer a subject of mere speculation , we apprehend that little apology will be required for ( although a lengthy , yet ) . brief a comment as the importance of the subject demands .

      We do not pledge ourselves , in the outset , to discuss the two measures separately , inasmuch as it may , and probably will , happen that the consideration of the one will force upon us some reference to the other . At present , our object at starting is to consider the proposition of Lord Mohpsth per se , by pointing out its manly and gigantic stride , which we can best effect by contrasting it with the crippled step of the ranchise conceded to Ireland by the Reform Bill .

      In our comment upon this question , we shall best explain to our readers the beneficial result of that advice so often given in our columns , to the effect , that while we , with the people , struggle for the grand aud unequivocal measure of Universal Suffrage , we are , nevertheless , ready to accept and say thank you , " for any lesser measure of relief , which may be forced upon us without a cotnpro .

      nuse . We declare then , unhesitatingly , that the Bill of Lord Morpeth , for regulating the Irish Parliamentary franchise , is the most Radical measure ever seriously proposed to Parliament , and when we say seriously , we fear wo shall be obliged , in justice , to limit the solemnity as well a 3 the justice of the measure , to tho Noble Lord personally . We have in the course of oar many articles upon the question of the Irish Suffrage , been compelled to

      use the term £ 10 beneficial interest , the requisite qualification for an Irish county voter , without much explanation to our readers^—sixty-four , out of one hundred and five Irish members , being returned upon voUs based upon a ten pound beneficialinterest ; we shall now , as it forms the present county franchise , describe what it means , and then see how it would carve up into a bonafide five pound rateable possession , and how far , by the touchstone of justice , those who sit for boroughs can refuse to county electors the privilege which they themselves enjoy .

      Every one who knows anything of the history of Ireland , will readily concede the factthat , a beneficial interest , of any amount , is a thing of very rare and uncommon occurrence ; writers and travellers of all ranks , countries , and politics , ascribing much of the distr «« s , and no small portion of the subserviency , of the Irish tenants , to the system of letting lands upon " rack rent " . We have heard the recent declaration of the two

      Protestant tyrant landlords , Sir Abthce Brooke and Sir John Maxwell , that they are willing to sacrifice as much as thirty per cent , of their rentals , rather than allow Papist voters to vete out of a beneficial interest held under them . This amounts to a total refusal to let to Catholics ; in fact , to an adoption of the clearance system ; and Sir Arthur Brooke and Sir John Maxwell are samples from which the sack of Irish Protestant landlords may be fairly estimated .

      Let as now see the immense gro 38 tenure required in order that what is called " a beneficial interest " may be carried out of it . If a farmer hold twenty acres at an average rent , ( and we will take a high one , that being more against us , and in favour of our opponents , ) Bay twenty acres , then , at £ 1 per acre ; here , what has the tenaut seeking to establish a vote , to swear , aad in presence of the landlord , to whom he may owe arrears , aad to whom he has

      » een declaring that the spot is teo dear , in order either to get an abatement , or time for payment of arrears ? He has to swear that ki « twenty acres are well worth 30 s . per acre , over aoda&ove all rates , tithe , and taxes ; and that , on his oati , he could , if inclined to underlet , procure that tmt from a good and solvent tenant . No natter if hiaself and six sons , all able to work , And to earn more than £ 10 a-year each , can make the farm more prouctive by the expenditure of their united laboor ;

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      such is not an item to be taken into account , and , in case the landlord , or two respectable Protestant neighbours , will take upon themselves to swear that the farm is not worth the one pound ten , the Applicant , in such ease , is told to go home for & perjurer , aad , although having come twenty or thirty Bailed to register , and having remained in attendance three or four days , that be has his remedy in an appeal to the Judge of Assize , when he may walk forty , fifty , or sixty miles , and go home , if the best comes to the best , with his very dear whistle .

      Suppose » tenant holding thirty acres , he must , m like manner , swear that he has a beneficial interest of six and eightpence an acre over and above the rent . If he hold forty acres , he must swear a beneficial interest of five shillings an acre , aud if he hold fifty acres at a pound an acre , he must swear before his landlord that the land is worth one pound four per acre . Now , we imagine that these stumbling-blocks in the way of registration , fully account for the great discrepancy between English and Irish county constituencies , and also that the fifty-pound tenant-atwill clause , in the English Reform Aot , is a much

      larger measure of franchise than a ten pound beneficial interest of the Irish Reform Bill , as interpreted by a majority of Irish Judges . A ten pound beneficial interest , then , must amount to an average holding of , at least , sixty acres of land , at one pound per acre , and fourteen years the original term . Now , a fifty pound holding , for fourteen years , would be a more extensive franchise than a ten pound beneficial interest ; while a fifty pound tenancy-at-will , which we learn is now becoming a very fashionable term in Ireland , would be , by at least cent , per cent ., a more extensive measure .

      Starting , then , at sixty acres , held at a pound an acre , sworn to be worth one pound three and fourpence over and above all rates , tithes , and taxes , as the lowest amount out of which a beneficial interest , according to the narrow constructions of the Irish Reform Bill , can be carried , let us see , according to Lord Morpeth ' s plan , how this joint would cut up . He proposes that all tenements for an unexpired term of fourteen years , and which shall be assessed at £ 5 to the poors' rates , shall confer a vote upon the tenant .

      From the above statement it appears that the tenregistering a ten pound beneficial interest in twenty acres , at one pound an acre , must have had granted to him an interest of fifty per cent ., instead of being required , according to the Brooke and Maxwell proposition , to walk out at a loss of thirty per cent , to the landlord . If he register out ef thirty acres , he must swear to an interest of thirty-three per cent . ; if forty , to an interest of twenty-five per cent . ; if fifty , to an interest of twenty per cent . ; and if , as we have established it , at sixty , an interest of more thau sixteen per cent . So much for amount , and now a word upon the term .

      Here , then , is a natural presumption against the existence of any benefieial interest during the first half of the term , and a natural barrier to a proof , or even assertion of it , during the latter half . For in the former period , lands cannot so fluctuate in value as to give the advantage of a chance rise in favour of the beneficial interest , while , during the latter period , the poor tenant who has spent his seven years of labour , and made a kind of location , is thinking how he can best persuade the landlord , at the expiration of his lease , that the spot is too dear ; and surely no mode could be more Irish than by swearing to a beneficial interest of from sixteen to fifty per cent .

      In passing , let us observe that Lord Morpeth showed from some , we admit very slender , authority , that ia very many instances ( where information had been furnished upon the question of rent and valuation with a view to rates ) , it appeared that ten pound tenements were , in many cases , rated at a less amount , and even ia some so low as five . This document , which should not have been imperfectly or unseasonably U 6 ed , furnished Lord Stanley with his best leg , and procured for him , as it was sure to do , a loud cheer fiom his party . The Noble Lord has yet to learn , however , that , in few instances , dc

      tables for the assessment of rates furnish , nor are they intended to furnish , an unerring test of value , and provided the rule is observed , property , to the amount of millions , may be as equitably assessed by a table of pence , as by a- table of pounds . He must further bear in mind , that tho same critical value was not likely to be put upon tenements , with th single view of rating them for payment of poor rates ^ as would be likely to be laid on if designed with the further object of establishing an elective franchise . Of this branch , more anon ; wheu we shall prove that a cheer in the House of Commons may have neither rhyme nor reason in it .

      Judging , therefore , from the received opinion of Irish landlords , a 3 well as from the presumption that the valuation did go pretty near to the wind , let us establish some understanding about the rate as we have about the rent . Let us , then , in Irish phrase , " split the difference , " and suppose that the rate valuation would , iaatead of presuming a beneficial interest , rate a tenement , held at £ 7 10 s . rent , at £ 5 to the poor laws ; thus if the £ 60 rent was carved in the most judicious way , it would cut up into eight votes . Allowing for the large farm mania , let us halve it again , and it would render four votes , besides enfranchising the many small holdings which are now below par .

      These observations must be received as if we were now arguing a desire upon the part of Irish landlords to enfranchise their tenants to the fullest esteut which Lord Morpeth ' s Bill would admit ; they must not be received as if we imagined that the measure would have such a tendency , as we prove that its tendency would be quite the reverse . So much for Lord Morpeth ' s standard of value , and let us now , ia as far as we can , guess at his mode of satisfying Stanley with regard to an appeal agaiust the vote once acquired , and against which we protest in themost unqualified terms .

      Stanley ' s proposition is , to allow the parties objecting to the voter , an appeal to the Judge of Assize , for the purpose of producing better testimony , or of meeting with one of the beneficial Judges and a mixed Jury . In fact , a last resource , and he has the uncommon justice , doubtless , to allow , in cases of frivolous and vexatious appeals , costB and recompence . Silly , silly Lord ! Morpeth , ako , proposes an appeal , but here he leaves us in the dark . We und « rstand Stanley . His is a new trial at common law of the country , but Morpeth ' s is before , we presume , a Court of Equity , presided over by three Barristers sitting in Dublin . If this is to bo a Court of Equity , which ,

      ia fact , it must be , as he never could dream of bringing parties from all parts of Ireland , to the metropolis , for the mere purpose of re-registering a vote , he should have told us something about the machinery of his Court ; but having failed so to do , we shall presume that the pleadings are to be confined to the simple exhibit of the rating-books ; but if interrogatories are to be put to the valuator * , and if the appellant is to substantiate his case viva voce , where is the thing to end 1 and if the exhibit of the valuation-book is all that is to be required , why not make it conclusive evidence at the time of registration , and submit it then to any test which it is to undergo ?

      We must observe , that upon the details of this question of appeal , the Noble Lord not only clouds the matter with doubt , but actually talks legal uonsense—a jargon which can only be tolerated in those who are paid for perverting plain terms into le *; al ambiguities . He says that he would " allow annual revision upon ALL new matter ; a right of appeal , both ways , upon all points of law , and the fixing of the franchise upon the Poor Law valuation . "

      Upon the question of appeal , then , dark as Sxasley is , he is sunshise to Morpeth . In fact , if w& * re to judge from the whole context , we must

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      presume Mobtbih ' s appeal to be iatended a 8 a mere exhibit of the valuator's books ; while , judging from the bit of explanation which he unfortunately offers ,. we have no other alternative but to look upon his Appeal Court as a tribunal having even the power of directing an issue to be tried at the bar . Doubtless , all the bursting young patriotic legal members of the Royal Loyal Regulation Association , will support the measure , if it had bat this one paramount advantage over all others which could be devised . This part looks very like a job .

      We have bow pointed , out some of the abuses which Morpeth ' s Bill would remedy if it could be carried in the House of Commons , and pnt into practice in spite of the Irish landlords . Let us now direct attention , for a moment , to the fallacy of a system which makes one man ' s caprice the basis of another man ' s vote . In the debate upon Morpeth ' s motion , as well as upon every other occasion where it can he insultingly dragged in , wo are told that the intention of the Reform Bill was to represent wealth ; we know

      it , but what a pity that scope so free was not given to reform tongue before the measure was carried . But even allowing that property was the one and only thing to be represented , was it also intended that a capricious use should bo made of that property , and that the vote which it conferred was to be a part of the tenure I The value of the barren surface of the soil is as nothing compared to the value of capital and labourexpended upon it by the tenant , and yet is all ruled by the caprice of the landlord , so that even his own land is not repre " sented . Let us adduce an instance of this .

      Lord Morpeth , in his table of calculation , stated that the property of Lord Downshibb and others was , in some cases , valued to the poorVratts higher than the rent , and we are willing to admit that English-absentee noblemen appear to be better and more encouraging Irish landlords , than either absentee or resident Irish landlords . We even admit that Lord Stanley is beloved by his Catholio tenantry of the county of Tipperary ; but what of that f a negro may love the man who holds his life in his keeping , and by whose will alone he exists . Such love proves the characteristic gratitude of a people *

      but is no bulwark against a tyrant's power . We give how an instance ; the case of the Duke of Devonshire , one of the largest lauded proprietors in Ireland . In 1823 , when lands got a serious fall in Ireland , the Duke of Devonshire , as we learn from registration reports in Irish newspapers , reduced twenty-five per cent upon nearly all farms held by occupying tenants ; and mark the consequence This noble act of the Duke , had the effect of disfranchising everyone of his tenants , whose rents were thus reduced . The reduction was made , it appears , from memorials setting forth that the lauds

      were too dear , and when a tenant of the Duke of Devonshire came to claim his franchise , arising out of his interest , suppose in a hundred acres of land , he then learned that the Reform Bill had disfranchised him . We give the form of application for , and necessary proofs of title , to acquire the franchise . We will best illustrate it by a conversation between the opposing attorney and applicant : — Attorney—What ' s your name ? Applicant—John Styles . Of where ? Sacks , in the parish of Bags , and barony of Bruff . How do you claim ! As a ten pound leaseholder .

      Who is your landlord ? His Grace the Duke of Devonshire . How many acras do you hold ! A hundred . And the rent ! Seventy-five pounds . And do do you swear , Sir , that any solvent tenant would give you eighty-five , if you were going to leave the farm to-morrow f I do , indeed , and more . Is the right stamp on your lease ! I suppose so . Let me see it . O , ohl why , I find your rent is a hundred a year . I thought you said seventy-five 1 I say so still .

      Why , Sir , here , in your own lease , it is stated to be a hundred 1 Well , but that ' s nothing , I' pays' seventy-five , and' gets' a receipt for the hundred . Now , Sir , answer me one question upon your oath ; would a good and solvent tenant give you a hundred aud ten pounds for that farm 1 Ho , indeed , he would not .

      Reject this man , your worship . Go home , Sir , we ' re registering " beneficial interest" over and above the rent reserved in leases , and not his Grace of Devonshire ' s word . How is that ? Turn him out , police , and call the next case on . This , we think , will serve as another satisfactory mode of accounting for the discrepancy between the rural constituencies of the two countries .

      We have now shewn that , if enfranchisement was the object of Lord Moiu'Eth ' s Bill , that the minimum from whenoe a £ 10 beneficial interest can now be acquired , namely , sixty acreB , would carve into eight enfranchising lots ; but as subdivision is not the desire of Irish landlords , we are merely to consider the number of small holdings now not conferring a vote , which the Noble Lord ' s Bill would enfranchise . Taking it , then , per se , as a means of producing a very extensive franchise , we have no hesitation in declaring it to be the most sweeping measure ever submitted to the House of Commons . So far our readers have looked on that picture , now we invite their attention to this .

      The result of Lord Morpeth's Bill , with or without the Ballot , would be to produce another electoral rout , similar to that of the forty-shilling freeholders , by knocking all small farms into large ones ; and , if that process was considered rather hazardous , just behold how , under a vicious system , we blow down his Lordship's baseless vision with a single breath . An original term of fourteen years by lease , constitutes the title of the voter ; and how easy would it be , either to give no term , but a mere possession-at-will , or a term short of that required by the Act .

      Moreover , let it be understood , that leases are not given of small farms in Ireland : they are merely held upon accepted proposal , which ie no plea againat an action of ejectment at common law , nor yet such a document as can be registered ; not being on a stamp . It is an equitable title , but not a legal one , and becomes a good instrument in the Court of Chancery , if the tenant of straw has an inclination to try titles with his landlord of steel , in that expensive department . Just take the fact of nearly all the wealthy landlords of Ireland backing Stanley ' s Bill , and then let the reader ask himself if such persons are likely to allow their land to be carved up for a purpose the very reverse of that proposed by Stanley .

      Nothing can be more short-si ghted than the hope which the ignorant attach to this proposed measure ; while the Ministers have brought it forward with a two-fold aim—Firstly , as a good back door for an escape from the Repeal agitation , by a concentration of all Ireland'aenergies tothisonegreat andsurpriiing point . Indeed , Howick , who puts bi « foot in every thing , had the folly to confess as much . Wo may therefore fully expect to see a royal loyal Morpeth Registration Association established forthwith in Dublin , and the repeal pat comfortably to rest , after having furnished the current year ' s needfuL Thia new windfall is worth all that has yet presented itself , and if accomplished to-morrow , its only fruit would be to make the cruelties practised in annulling it another source of profitable abuse to

      demagogues . Another object which this Bill has in view is to get a good dissolution hobby , and a cry of " Down with the Lords , " should it pass the first toll-bar and come to the check-gate .

      Untitled Article

      We do not say that Mobpkth would lend himself knowingly to the hoax , but this wo assert , that if there was any , the slightest chance , of the thing passing into a law , her Majesty ' s Ministers would oppose it to a man , if they had not that reliance for obstruction in the Irish landlords , which never fails tyrants at a pinch . A thirty pounds' tenancy / that is , an undertaking to pay thirty pounds rent , would be , ten , times over , a more extensive franchise , and would more than quadruple the present constituency ot Ireland ; because landlords would be loath to make small

      disfranchising farms in the first instance , and they could not altogether exterminate the Catholic tenantry , while they can evade any Act which makes the franchise depend upon a lease , or any other term , than mere occupation . ' Here then we find the truth of our assertion worked into practice ; That so long as one man's property constitutes another man ' s title to vote , sojong will the property man either confer the title upon a slave , or evade all those technicalities so cumbrously and ingeniously woven around the magic machinery necessary for conferring it .

      Stanley ' s triumphant cheer over Morpeth was as ridiculous and ignorant as it was premature , and for this reason ; the fact of houses in an Irish borough , constituting a ten pound franchise , being rated at five , or three , or two pounds , proves neither perjury nor corruption upon the part of the voter ; but we tell Lord Stanley what it does proveoppression , cruelty , and tyranny , upon the part of the landlord ; for surely those gaping fools , who swallow felly and vomit admiration , must be aware that the mere occupancy of a ten pound house constitutes a borough qualification ; so now where ia the laugh ! , '

      As this question of Irish reform is now becoming of importance , it is necessary that our readers should understand the different descriptions of property which constitute a « ounty and borough franohise in Ireland . For counties there are three separate qualifications . A £ 50 freehold , a £ 29 annual profit , arising from leasehold , which need not be in the possession of the voter , and a £ 10 beneficial interest in lands occupied by a tenant for an original term of fourteen years . The qualification for city or borough , is a £ 16 tenancy—that is , a simple undertaking to pay £ 10 a-year : Freemen , living within seven miles of the borough ; and forty shilling freeholders in existence

      antecedently to the Reform Bill . Now , can anything be more ridiculouB than to confer the right of voting upon the occupant of a ten pound tumble-down old house , who may not do a day ' s work from one end of the year to the other , and to refuse a vote to a man who holds fifty acres of land , upon which himself , and perhaps four or five hearty sons , expend their every day's labouraye , though he occupies 1 , 000 acres for a term less

      than fourteen years ! Why not , then , at once gay , instead of a rateable sum , occupancy at such an amount of rent , which would do away with all the complication of registration and appeals ? The answer is easy . Beoause its simplicity would do away with the Whig job , while its extension may lead to the correction of manyj profitable abuses , so that in suck case , the Whigs and the demagogues would each lose a rang of the ladder .

      Tbe thread of our Constitution has become too weak and attenuated to admit of the Mo&peth knot : it is too strong a weld for the rotten material . But shame , eternal shame , upon a British Ministry , who could have recourse to so base a subterfuge as a last resource to prop a falling house . They neither hope , desire , or expect to carry this measure ; but , alas ! it furnishes another sad proof that we have arrived at that period of onr country's history , when the existence of a weak , an imbecile , and profligate Government , and not the character of the House of Commons , nor the efficiency of its

      measures , establishes the rule of cabinet action . What ! then , exclaims the reader , will this show , of liberality end in smoke , aud produce no profit Nay , in faith . He , for whose sole benefit it waa produced , told the House , in clear , distinct , and emphatic terms , that , for such a measure , the Irish were ready and willing to cut German throats , or French throats , or any throats . And this measure will snap the last cord by which Irish society was bound : it will be a fuze which , set to the combustible materials of centuries' gathering , will ignite a flame which will not end in smoke !

      This measure , intended as an extinguisher for Repeal , will , eventually , lead to a separation . War , between the tyrant landlords , as well Catholio as Protestant , ( for there is not a pin to choose between them , ) and the long oppressed Catholic tenantry , must be the result ; and that the latter may conquer , and teach justice to such monsters as their Brookes and Maxwells , is our sincere and devout wish .

      In this struggle , the glorious effect of a standing army of over 8 , # 00 rifle police , will be felt in Ireland ; and now we shall be enabled to judge of the measures intended for the protection of Irish liberty . These 8 , 010 police , mostly Catholics , will have as little compunction in cutting their Catholic countrymen ' s throats , for pay , in opposing the measure , as the rural population , it appears , would have in cutting French Catholio throats for the

      measure . The Irish landlords , Churchmen , and patronage trustees , know well that , in the event of suc h a measure passing , and not opposed by depopulation , or restriction of a fourteen year ' s tenure , they would lose all borough , as well as county , parliamentary influence ; for , although it may appear , by Lord Morpeth ' b tables , that the effect of the measure would be to disfranchise some of the lower-priced , and therefore , more liberal houses , yet , inasmuch as borough and parlia . mentary townB in Ireland are , even now , and would be much more under Morpeth ' s Bill , subject to county influence , the change , as regards borough election franchise , would not counterbalance the increased rural influence which the measure would

      give . In every oounty in Ireland , it is the non-electors who return the Members called Liberal . The labourers and small farmers influence the voters ; and th * voters , with the non-electors , can carry exclusive dealing in their borough town to a sufficient extent to influence a sufficient number of Liberal voters ; this is just what Lord John Russell declared constitutional , at Bristol , when he very properly assigned it as a reason for opposing the Ballot ; he said , that the Ballot would deprive the nonelectors of their legitimate influence over the electors .: it is true that we said bo long before the Noble Lord thought of it , but his admission is of more importance than best proof . Upon the whole

      then , we have no hesitation in declaring the Morpeth Bill to be a match for the Stanley Bill lest the latter should have a walk over . A Bill , which the minority have neither the means , the hope , nor the wish to carry A Bill , whose real character is that of a counterirritant . A Bill , which opens a trap-door to save them from a collision with their crutch . A Bill , which , if carried , would depopulate Ireland , and reduce those who did remain upon the land to the conditions of mere tenant 8-at-wiU , Bubject to the vioisBitudes of a feudal lord ' s whim and caprice . In fact , as the agitation about tithes increased the real burden upon the poor , so will the very shadow of this Bill increase rents , diminish tenurea , and multiply cruelties .

      Bat let it work . It is a fire-ship in full sail , a Charter Bafety-valve , a universal bomb-shell , thrown into the moral-force camp of peaceful , starving Ireland . Yea , we hail it as the first indirect Charter fire from the Ministerial battery . Wait , wait a wee—wait for the dissolution , and then our Chartist physical force will be as the gentle zephyr compared to the rude blast which will cross the Channel . from our moral-force neighbours .

      The Government have all , in one body , turned Chartists without knowing it . Dan asked but for equality with England , as an instalment , and Mob-

      Untitled Article

      * eth says— "No , that ' s too little ; you shall w forty shillingis in the pound . England hasiai | franchise ; we can trust you with a five . " N ow J * Universal Suffrage who can . Hurrah 1 for tlfe 7 * days of Whiggery I If preparation for going , * premises so much , what will the turn ^ -ou ^*^ ! Answer : —Anything that renders the key of J Treasury in return . Hurrah ! for sn honest fyvj minority and the Charter I - The incomparable blontness with which er ^^ , of the Establishment , from the leading jon ^ J to the tip of the tail , baa approached this qm ^ Z .

      proves that they one and all are as ignorant ^ T Irish affairs , as if the country was bat just (^ vered . We never witnessed a more miserable eju bition than the Establishment ' s attempt at ilW _ tion of the beauties and deformities of the } Ul Lord ' s abortion . " ¦¦ ¦< : We shall watch this question in its progress ; jju does not meet with a sadden death , to prove ' w . electrically than natural dissolution , that " / fe ^ , has nothing to expect by way of justice fig ^ English Bouse of Commons . 1 * Dan will uu&hjjjo the last sentence .

      Untitled Article

      WANTED , A CHARTIST HORN BOOK FOB w MOTHER GOOSE . " There is nothing more snmaing , where W ranee isBhorn of its powers of mischief , tlm ji . observing ef the frequent instances in whiei novice , in politics , either becomes a dupe tohij ^ imagination ; or , upongetting upon his own W | , the first time , is lost in amazement at the ( taw position ia which he finds himself . LutinA

      ¦ mm- . * *» - * * - • * **•* Mother Goose heads an article , a very stup ^ -I * " Universal Suffrage and No Surrender "; and flia proceeds to denounce those who assume the Bofjn and vociferate it , instead of supporting the prtn&u upon argument . Why , onr friend should W known , that it'was ,, after sixty years and j ^ argument , that the motto was adopted . That i ^ have challenged and beaten the whole press apjj argument ; showing its superiority over all o ^ standards of Suffrage .

      We can best account for our friend ' s ignoraeg }* - a similar puzzle into which we were once led W salves . About twehre years ago , we happened , ^ the first time , to pass through the lovely y * le ^ Todmorden , when the full and luxuriant foljjgj ^ her many woods and groves , made rich by tfo splij . dour of a summer ' s eve , and enlivened by the sonc of the joyous feathered tenants , rendered theW ; of the scene complete . We occupied the box-guy and were literally lost in delightful contemplation , ] In the midst of our most pleasing reverie , induced : by the many surrounding objects of attraction , * could not avoid noticing , with undisguised sarpnvt

      the cool indifference of onr travelling oompuum-I the coachman , who throughout never turn » d u « l right or left , but kept both steady on his "dqrJ meat , " which , being none of the best , apptutj kl require his every attention . After he had too !«? l them along , with long thoig whip , and faA "Tommy , " and when we had passed the tale , id shook himself and said , " Well , that ' s over : d-ii that bit of road ; it ' s the worst in all England fat heavy coach . " We replied , "You lost a beaaJiftf ^ sight . " " Nay , nay , " he replied , ¦ its newto jw 1 Sir , but I ' ve had it in all seasons ; it ' s cost maBuj . a doctor ' s fee . Just you take my place for twentj ¦ years , and see whether you'll like it as well at lit

      end of-that time . t '; Now , Buch is precisely onr friend ' s position ; for the first time he begins to hear something abort what every body else is thoroughly familiar iriilu j « and he wants us , for his edification , to go OTeithi fi whole A B C of Universal Suffrage again . Its cannot just afford that amount of time and trpolla ? for the gratification and instruction of our jom / friend , at present ; bat we advise him to attend tbl youth ' s political debating club , just opened at tb § Chartist News Room , Vicar-lane ; 5 f he&idhil powers there overtasked , and beaten out of coMta-li

      nance , we may yet be able to serve him , % t his al contemplation shortly to open a Chartist Smdiji School , where , we have no doubt , the teachers ni ] have as much patience with his natural daises and inexperience , as may be necessary . i

      Untitled Article

      J' ^^ , i i Js MR . FROST'S FAMILY AND O'CONNOR . " Words are but wind , I Actions speak the mind . " Some time ago , O'Connor threw out the hint rf procuring an annuity for the family of Mr . FKffli by the following means—London to engage for the payment of . £ 20 a-year , thereat of England for unequal sum , Scotland also for £ 20 , and Wales&r A ; O'Connok undertaking to answer for Ireland . S

      'Weil ; notwithstanding the vociferous bawlingfoi ^ the accounts ( of which we have heard notbin | | since the balance was shewn to be on the inoogfl side ) , how stands the matter now with the bafflers l | Why , O'Connor has remitted his first qnarter ' i | instalment for Ireland , while the other qmrtenl have yet to do likewise . This will never do ; m mau's family who cannot work must be aUowedf to starve , while he is working without remunentioii ;| in a foreign land . i

      O'Connor has told us , Frost had a smile uponhiipj countenance , which broke through his load of otre , ^ when he ( O'C . ) assured him that the people would never-desert his family ; but it is not fair , or jost , that one man should be expected to perform & covenant for the empire ; to stand sponsor for Ire * land is , in all conscience , responsibility quite bbS ^ cient . ?

      Untitled Article

      " TOO MANY LOVERS PUZZLE A MAID-I Many friends inform us that some of their n > wi prominent agitators are in correspondence wiu various parties , and ask our advice . We »< W * them only to remain firm ; and whenever » pobJi « meeting is convened , for any purpose , no nwtWwhat , Bhove in the Charter amendment ; or , if t ^* g enemy refuse to fight a H-o-u-s-e , put it forward * an original resolution ; and insist upon « WJ amendment or resolution being read over loudlyl and distinctly , three times , before any vote is takenj upon it . This will arouse the torpid . The more they hear of Universal Suffrage the better , Ai always pass a vote of censure upon any man , be k ^ whom he may , who ence advocated UniTO *

      Suffrage , and now declares for any other . ¦ :-Declare all resolutions worthless which ate P « || to a paying audience ; we shall register none w « P § where there is free admission and free expresain « of opinion . We represent poverty , not Proper ^^ and we know well how meetings can be P *** even by a penny , or ticket , admission . | Our publisher informs us that he has o rdered ' | very handsome device for the head of the # * which will represent the Charter vessel in ? & j with the Five Points , and No Surrender fly ing ¦ the mast head , and then take it down frw » ** highest H-o-u-s-e chimney-pot who can , boi * | WILL NEVER , NEVER , NEVER STRIKE IT . fj

      Rfforn'gn Ant» I&Omsattc.

      rfforn ' gn ant » i&omsattc .

      Ctjartigt Itttelzmtwe

      Ctjartigt itttelZmtwe

      The Northern Star Saturday, February 13, 1841.

      THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 13 , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      m + — - ~ THE PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE AND W DELEGATE MEETING FOR FEBRUA * 20 , 1840 . ; Upon thia subject , we have received the follo *^ sensible letter , which we publish , and to whie& * , call attention , with great pleasure : — '

      TO TBE EDITOR OP THB KOBTHEfcS STA * - _ v > SiBv-Ever since the Delegate Meeting at Mjjj cheater , by whiob the National Charter Assow" * s was established , I have marked eloiely the pro ** " ^ ings ot the Provisional Executive Council , ^ , appointed , to carry out the first means neMsatfL ^ g bring tne National Association into action . * q ; deliberations of the delegates who assembled » m meeting I have alluded to , commenced on M ° BU $ g July the 20 tb , 1840 , and ended oo ^* following- Thursday or Friday . 1 \ J $ 1 then agreed that a Provisional ^ P should be appointed , to manage the business o ^ - Association until the 1 st of January , 1041 . Pf ? " p to whieh they should have secured the ^ \ M an Executive for the next twelve roont ? 8 ' - « f | f should come into office immediately upon the P ^ g sional managers retiring . I

      Untitled Article

      J " . . . ....- ¦ . .. ... ...... .. . ¦ - « ... * ,..,-.. -.,. , . .,, .... .... . .. .. .. . , , , % . , _ ,. „__ . . ^ . ^ . ^ ; j _ - . , _ ^ - P ~ ~—— " --¦ - ¦ ¦ _ ' ' *^ . * £ A THE NORTHERN STAR . " . ^ ' .: ^ : v ' : - . . ¦ ¦ - . ¦ - '" - "" ' ' ¦ " ' " ' ¦ .- ¦

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 13, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct366/page/4/