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Northern Star (1837-1852), 7th August 1841, Edition 2 of 3, Page unpag

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    • TO THE LANDLORDS OF IRELAND. 1ETTBR V. I
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      i Hv Lords and Gentlemen , I never , "with one single I gXteption , felt bo self-atiE £ ed ¦ with any poor service gut I hive been able to render to the labouring classes , j w I do with the success of my letters to yon m iar as j tteyhave gone . 3 > o not miitake me , however , and ; CTppose that I mean thereby that thtir coatentaias j tad any , the riightest effect upon you : no such thing ' \

      I never expected such a result My satisfaction Sows j Ijoni the conniless asEaranees which I daily receiTe ' from mj clients , and not a few middle class converts , j coe and all testifying high approval of my letters . But i fceyond such positiTe proof , I have the BtiH greater ' jjeotire assurance of the strength of my positions , the jjreastableneBs of my arguments , the necessity of the adoption of my plan , ana the practicability of its workinp , in the gfleaee ef the press .

      At the outset I essured you that if I wrote one hunflred letters , yet would not one single newspaper in the tinrdem copy into its columns a sentence from one of tisenL I told yon that tha reason was , because in not one rould they find a line to serve the political purpose rf political faction ; and that they require not , nay , wish nst , for knowledge upon matters affecting only jhe comfert of those for whose rights alone all profess to contend -, as far as I know , not a paper has noticed a jingle line . I shall just tell yon the one exception to wfcicb I allude above , and shall then proceed with Ej satject

      I allude to the holding of a " sacred monUi" as it was e 3 ed , when from the 12 th of August till the 12 th of September , 1 S 39 , the ¦ working people of this empire were invited fcy a set of merchants to fast and pray , jnd be shot at , to carry a point for the said merchants In that 1 saw the seeds of a revolution , for which the f ^ Bpirators were well prepared , but for'Which the peonla were not at all prepared ; and I thr . nl : God tliat it tha list of popularity , and of even life itself , I

      lienped in and stopped what , in my conscience , upon satare reflection , I believe to have been a deep conspiracy hatched by a set of as great cowards as ever fiTed , to experimentalise -upon the excitability of a jB ^ en of bra-re and oppressed people , condemned for a month , without stores , provision , or ammunition , to sustain sn unequal conSict against an organised military force and a veil-supplied and thoroughly-armed com . miuiirr , uuircd wilhont distinction of sect , creed , or politics , so long as lie campaign Usted .

      Tes , my Loris sjxI GanUemen , it Ls now two o ' clock in the morninr , snd , Destructive as I am , 1 lay down et pen , sud with uplifted hands , return grateful thaTis to Almighty God that I was made the humble iuitrusent to stop the effusion of human blood , tzi . ie great " -weeping , and wailing , and gnashing of ie-th" which must have followed so hellish a conn > ira ? 7 , had the experiment been tried . " J ! y Lards and Gentlemen , I now proceed with my reject , but cot as promised in my last latver , wherein I a : d that tlr . 3 one should be devoted to a consideration cf a Kspeal of the Legislative "Union between Great Britain and Ireland .

      I fear , firstly , that such course would prejudice yon arainst say portion of my letters , ¦ which might otherwise receive a favourable consideration at your hands . Secondly , that inasmuch as you wish to remain wholly Ignorant of the subject , it would be throwing " pearls before swine . " And , thirdly , because I have not yet b ? ssy means ex ? osed the full amount of injustice which yo-i follies to call your sins by the Basest name ; entail upon yourselves and the

      nailc-n at large . My course , therefore , Eball be to eonemde my letters to you in another number , jb ( 3 then address a series cf six letters to my friend and countryman , Mr . O' ^ alley , upon the subject of Repeal ; after wt-ch 1 shall wind up with one letter to the industricus of all classes , pointing out what in my mind win ensure , and speedily , tfca adoption of my social plan , and likewise the political means of insuring its lull scope and permanent establishment .

      My Lords and Gentlemen , never lese sight of the principal object which I have in riew . That object is to redne-2 to practice the great and mighty principles » Bich all profess to contend for ; namely , io fetter the addition cfihe working classes . Be tie disputants landlords , manufacturers , merekssts , traders , or shopkeepers , TnrvltrmsiaTis , freetrsdcTS , political economists , monopolists , or anti-monepiliti , all are agreed upon that philanthropic result

      Such , then , being the ease , I have a right , as ac - credited advocate of a majority of the whole people of this rreat nation , to insist either that my positions and iremneEts shall be boldly met and refuted , or candidly EuStniered to and acted upon . It will not do to pass mi by in silence- 1 assure you that the whirlwind of . ths Uorxir . g Chronicle office , created by the contrarious blast ! of " Diogenes , " "A Bagman , " "A Working Hsa , " tad " Agricola , " and such pigmy controvertialbti , cr billows-blowers , will but throw the dust , as iB whirlwinds do , in the eyes of the immediate passengers . I ntver read such stuff since I was born .

      So much for the corps drsmatique of one of the freat Etage-czaasers ; while he ef the rival House attacys to fence your estates against the raging " Plagae" by " a cordon saTia ' airt" of & majority of BK eighty or ninety participators in abuse . Such is Its vain hope cf the Times . While the rival fcctior . s would thus whimsically Use you for ihier respectiTe purposes , I contend for principles which "sriil make you independent of both .

      "We all desire to better the condition of the people , fci least we profess it ? Very well -. I defy you by any eae social or political process . , to effrct that object , ¦ wiihoTrt establishing in the outset , some standard value lor min ' E free labour . Tou cannot do it without that ; it is impossible ; nor can you , in a mercantile country , where fictitious money and artificial labour is broujht into competition with real money and maaual labour , accomplish it otherwise , than by throwing the abonrer upon bis " otra resources ? " by which I mesa riving him an opportunity of applying his labour snd capital to the greatest advantage , and for his own bene £ i And inasmuch as the land opens the only £ eld f « the exercise of those resources , you cannot

      accomplish your profe-ssei j ^ ject otherwise by locating men upon the boH ; allotting to each a suffitioicy for the expenditure of his labour , which is his espitaL Until this is done , the inventive mind of man Bay set oae portion of society living as legalised free " looters upon another portion , according to the immediate ascendancy cf political parties ; Governments may bseome a band cf licensed smugglers , or a preventive service , according to expediency , and by the diat of brute force , may either force their contraband goods fttre , aid prevent tie importation of centraband profrnte of ether nations from co : nlcg here ; bat believe ae , that the crew , although secure for a while , will , Ere long , be exposed to all the dangers of so precarious » a ! li = ? .

      iiy Lords asd G ^ ctlemen , I will show you that you cssnot deal with , check , or Hiould , the manufacturing istetists cf this coTffitry to national piirposes , otherwise than tbsoTisli the agency of a free labour market established by the small farm system . I defy you to teal with it by law . Tou cannot do it . ' Let us try . Suppose you say tax steam-power ; I answer , you are toolkie . TOU HATE Xi . DE RESISTANCE TVOB . TH A Kvoiriiox . But suppose yon ceuld effect it , whit & = o ' : Tou would but have sharpened both edges of

      tts rsrerd for the destruction of labour . Firstlj , the ^^ siifactsrer having worked the very flash from the bcass , would see through the transparent skin of his * kve , before he would allow himself , with his class power , to be mulct to the amount of a penny in the PWind , as his share of the impost . Nay he -would ^^ is profit of the tax while he complained of its " ^ justice : Secondly , you would leave all those grie-T ^ sccs to which your monopolies expose the labourer , rcwiresBcd .

      " Reducs the hours of woik . " To that I answer you aaat £ rst practice the operative as the Frenchman did ^ ho rse , te live upon less and Itss till at length { like tt * frenchman ' s horse , who unfortunately died just as fifc master hoped he had succeeded in the experiment ) Tmi bring John Bull to live on nothing ; as fee ** ared , the master ^ motto is " nothing for noihivg . " His Pttki-wiUbethe last plant in toe vessel ; and at

      pre" ^ the operative cannot procure more than enough fta fourteen and sixteen hours of hard and incessant u i to insure % siean and sc&Lty subsistence without 022 single enjoyment to make " his chief pride to con-^ » fte modest ct-. fcris cf his cvndiUir . " This much * PP * ass to a ^ limj-aticn of ranctinerr : let US E 6 W teader tag Ttopian scheme for its extension . ? ree trade , " eejs the political economist In what ? ^ la Produce . " Olwhat ? " Why of cotton and wooL" In

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      what state ? " Manufactured of coarse . " How pray ? " By labour , of conrse . " What labour pray ? " Wny artificial labour , of course . " Well bat that labour is too free already , and the freedom is in the wrong hands . The Tery thing of which I complain is , that the profit ' on artificial labour is made free of all the markets of the world , while the owner of natural labour is restricted by laws , by custom , nsuages , and

      conditions , from taking any part whatever in the great question of labour , beyond the slaves' part of working for a mere subsistence ; without ene pleasure for the present , or a pleasiDg anticipation for the fatnre , beyond wiat the delights of a tyrant-system may afford him , in old age , a time when his labour should have insured for him a happy fire-side and calm repose , without the fear of the wolfs approach , the rich man ' s vengeance , or the law's oppression .

      " Free trade . " In "what pray ? In corn ? Nonsense ! To whom is the freedom to be extended f To a joint stock company and starve beggars , who may , by their political power , apply any hocus-pocus sliding scale for the regulation of the price of food with equal success , and perhaps unequal pressure , as a government of magicians representing the said joint-stock company regulate those matters at present ? What guarantee have the people that their position would not be made more dependent by this double freedom of their taskmasters ? and wherein have they the people , ever

      frithin tie memory of man , derived one single benefit from any measure projected or supported by their unnatural enemies ? What guarantee have they that all the burdens now pressing so heavily and unequally upon labour , and upon labour alone , would not act with a double pressure when the same amount was to be paid annually out of the proceeds of labour Teduced to continental compstit ' . ve prices ? while every salaried person , and persons with fixed incomes , would be placed in the happy situation of being able to purchase just twice as much of the produce of labour as they now can for the same salaries and incomes ?

      " Well , but trade would increase . " So it would , and prodigiously , for a while , until , by a corresponding increase of machinery , the masters could place themselves In a condition to do the thing in the cheapest way ; and , in the meantime , just oae word about SOO . of the most Taluable portion of society , and their families—the hand-loom weavers , the natural Btrugglers against artificial labour . What is to beeome of them ? " 6 , go to the mill , to be sure ! " Why , I tell you that you have now more goods than you know what to do with , without such an accession ; and if your scheme succeeded , yon -would drag the -world "With your produce , and drug England and Ireland with corn , while the land at home wonld be uncultivated , while the thing was finding its level , and the people starving in the midst of plenty .

      If you produce to the extent to ¦ you desire , and if you take corn in return—( for , mind , that ' s the ¦ whim ) —firstly , will the foreigner give you corn for more of your produce than he requires ? and will you give the corn because your steam labour brings it in abundantly , for nothing to those whom it displaces ? Xow , that is my position . If machinery is to be man ' s holiday , & 3 it ought to be , allow the Trades' Unions—the capitalists , to make what they can , and the more the better , provided the flesh and bone idlers on covpilsort STRi&E are well maintained by the mules and spinning ievznies ti tnTrfc

      , My Lords and Gentlemen , it has been often said that the agricultural and manufacturing interests should go I hand in hand . So they should . But who prevents , them ? » ad who severed ihose hands which should be l united ? and which while every man ' s value was imj pressed upon each man's own handywork , were united , j thus making England the envy and admiration ' of surronnding nations ! What was England . then ? A great national family , the several branches consisting of agricultural weavers and weaving agriculturalists ; of producers and consumers regulating demand and supply , and living united in heart and

      hand in 'Small agricultural communities ; composing themselves the civil power of the country , as having themselves the greatest interest in the peace cf the country ,- difcounUnancing crime and vice lest it sh * uid furnish an ' example to the rising generation ; making settlement a necessary qualification for a demand upon the poor man ' s saving bank , which you have converted into a blood-money . starve-beggar . reduce-labour . degradethe-pDor-fund . Yon found the hands thusnnited—you found England by such a union a nation . You have served the twin t rothers , and would now reduce your country to the humiliating condition of being a beggar at the door of foreigners .

      The law of primogeniture is the eldest son of class legislation upon corruptien by idleness ; and unrestricted artficial power is the younger son of the same parents ; and the very same discord which the law of primogeniture has caused in families , has class legislation caused between the agricultural and manufacturing interests , which siioa 2 d be as twin brotiers , cay , &s Siamese , literally dependent the one upon the other for

      existence My Lords and Gentlemen , —It is enough to make n less excitable person mad to think upon the state to which y ^ u have brought the finest peasantry of which history mates mention , —the English , the Irish , the Scotch , and the Welsh people ; and , in truth , J must blow off my wrath in a turn or two in my stone ccflin before I am fit . to resume my subject dispassionately . Before I start again , I thank God , that if my real offence did nat entitle me U the honour of a felon ' dungeon , my exposure of your oppression , and my resolution to conquer it or die , justly entitles me to your hatred , if not to your disrespect .

      My Lords and Gentlemen , —I now return to my client ' s case ; and having eo far disposed of some of the abuses of both parties , I shall proceed to comment upon a fallacy or two of good hearted theorists , who would correct , the whole of the evils of both systems by reclaiming our waste lands and just observe how plainly I deal with this subject , and also mark how difficult it is to deal with perverse and obstinate men , who , while they profess to agree upon an ol-ject , render its attainment impracticable by the whimsicallity of their means for its accomplishment . I entirely agree as to the propriety , the prudence , and the necessity of

      bringing all waste lands in ' . o cultivation , every inch of them ; it is the lean beast , and man's labour alone can make it fat . But then , waste land is not the field wherein the labourer can acquire the full amount of his labour ; it is not the market for establishing a just standard . Labour expended upon waste land as to labour expended upon improved land , is just what the labour of a hand-loom weaver is as compared with artificial labour . In the one case the man is hired according to the market price set upon his labour by the capitalist ; and in the other he works for himself ; and his industry establishes the standard of his and of other labourer ' s

      value . Capitalists alone can reclaim land by hired labour , and that labour -will be hired at aa low a price as possible , if its value . is not somehow established in a free and open market- The poor man , with only his health , his strength , and his industry , could not reclaim a cold swamp that required expensive draining ; a mountainous heath that required fencing and heavy manuring ; or scrub and . stiff soil that rtquired much labour and mantue in the commencement That is the field wherein the capitalist can insure a good interest for money laid out in reclaiming ; but it is not one in which the poor man could find any market for his labour without a money capital ; of which money capital and the m « ans of judiciously supplying it , more hereafter .

      I unhesitatingly assert , as I before stated in a letter which I addressed to the anti-Repeal landlords ol Ireland in 1 SS 2 , that rent , il care not what the amount if at all ia reason ) while labour is free , is but an item , and an inconsiderable ens , in the labourer ' s account-I therein showed that land eoestferoughBeveral processes before yielding any ciop ; and that each and every one of those processes involves an expence greater in amount than the lent ; aid the neglect cf the proper

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      performance of any one of them , would make the lowest rent of the best land high , because the loss of all is involved in this single neglect Indeed , by good fortune I have by me a number of that very letter , and I shall here insert it , just as it stood . It is as follow *—" Let hs see what rent really is . It is , in fact , one of the smallest items in the farmer's account . Let us contrast it with any one of the other items . The rent is 15 s . an acre . Let us consider the expence of the different crops in their different stages . We will begin with Potatoes : £ a . a . Seed of an acre of potatoes , 4 loads at 3 d a weigh ... 0 12 0 Cutting at 8 d a load 0 2 8

      6 14 8 This is one item . How near the rent ! Take the expeuce of aaother stage : — Expence ef patting out manure , 120 loads to the acre ( very moderate . ) Six horses at 20 loads a day , at the rate of 2 s . 6 d . a horse 0 15 0 Expence of cultivation , one plough 0 5 0 Eight men at 8 J . hacking 0 5 6 15 6 This item you see ia 10 s . 6 d . more than the rent , Let us lake another : — Eight boys at 6 d . sticking 0 4 0 Sixteen men earthing and second earthing ... 0 10 8

      0 14 8 "Within fourpence of the rent ! Let us try again : Digging— . " 50 men at Sd ... 100 Picking—10 women at 3 d ... 0 2 6 £ 12 6 This item is one half more than the rent . And , bear in mind , that every one of the processes above enumerated and estimated are necessary , and that if any one of them be neglected , the whole will be lost , rent and all . So much for Potatoes . Now for Wheat , the farmer ' s great crop . Half .- \ Lag of seed Wheat at 253 0 12 6 One horse ploughing 0 2 G

      0 15 0 Just the amount of the rent . Try again . Expence of reaping , 5 men at Is 0 5 0 Bindin ? , 2 * at Is . 0 2 6 Thrashing , 5 hundred , at Is . per hundred ... 0 5 0 Cleaning , shaking straw , and taking to market , 0 2 6 0 15 0 The rent again ! Indeed , the same result will come out , in whatever light we view the matter . We will now consider the small profits from an acre of land , putting aside , for the moment the consideration of the larsrer profits . From theBe , too , it will be seen that the rent , I 03 . per acre , is bat an item .

      The stalks alone of an acre of early potatoes are worth , for cattle , nearly a year's rent . The B'raw of an acre of wheat , at five cwt . to the acre , and at 5-. per cwt . will be worth £ 1 5 s . —ten shilliDgs more than the rent . The etraw of an aero of oats , say five cwt ., at 3 * . 6 d . per cwt , will be worth 17 s . 6 d . —two and sixpence more than the rent . Indeed , the very weeds taken out of a potatoe field are worth a great part of the rent . "

      I have been a very extensive farmer , and a very extensive employer . My skill in farming has been generally acknowledged ; and I have no hesitation in saying that I would rather give £ 5 10 s . per acre for ten acres of land worth only £ 5 , than give 15 s . per acre for land worth a pound ; provided that the scale of the respective valne ef each was justly established by some correct standard . And why ? Because , after payment of rent , I should have three times as much for my labour upon the good ground ; and this again proves

      the value of labour over raw material Give a good workman without capital , ten acres of bad land at 10 s . per acre ; he will work away at it , and will not do much more than live , and pay his rent , at first ; bat he will certainly , if it is his own at a corn rent , by degrees improve it , and make it a savings' bant for his labour deposits . However , when 1 start at a ten shillings rent , I start from the very lowest at which man can work , pay his way , and live- without capital .

      My Lords and Gentlemen , I have now shown you and , I think , plainly , that the reclaiming system , while it would certainly increase our produeing powers , and pay the capitalist a good per centage , would not , however , be the proper field for ascertaining the real value of a working farmer's labour ; and as that is my object , and in order that a difference as to means should not lead to a split upon the principle , let us see if , by agreement upon proper details , we may not even yet agree upon this reclaiming system . In the consideration of this subject , I open a great national question well worthy the attention of statesmen who would yet reclaim their country , and make ber -what she ought to be .

      The term " reclaiming , " of course , applies to the practice of bringing barren and heretofore uncultivated soil into cultivation , and the process requires capital . The question is , how the double object can be achieved of opening a free market for labour , and reclaiming waste land at the same time ; for I am not for reclaiming any thing that will not reclaim my clients also . Waste land , if it is to be thus reclaimed , must be made a proper field for the exercise of free labour .

      My Lord's and Gentlemen , it is a sad ana melancholy fact , that the philanthropist cannot discuss the simple question of digging or ploughing the ground without finding himself hemmed in and hampered on all Bides by the mysterious science of politics ; a science at a perfect knowledge of which no man can arrive , while the knowledge of to-day may be ignorance to-morrow ; a science whimsically worked into practice by the most opposing principles—those of Whiggery to-day and of Toryism to-morrow ; a science ¦ which makes the greatest statesman and boldest tyrant in office quail before a single night ' s mildew ,

      and break before " the wind that sheds the corn , ' while he refuses to bend to a simple system which would make roan independent of all casualties save those with which God in wisdom thought proper to visit him ; a science which makes man ' s happiness , nay his very life and the peace of the country , and the very existence of society to depend upon the rule of farthings . Ah ! my Lords and Gentlemen , the wild hypothesis of the metaphysician , or the complicated and unravelable assertions of the theorist , provided they are wrapped up in classlegislation dresses , pass current in the world of letters as wisdom and philosophy ; while the simplest assertion

      of the philanthropist , if it tend to the elevation of the poor man , is set down as infidelity and heresy . However , as the rays of knowledge begin to Bhine through my prison bars , and as they are sure to spread their benign influence abroad over the whole face of the earth , I am nothing daunted ; and shall therefore , despite the political-economist , thefariihing-sliding-scale patriot , and the dread-shower statesman , proceed at once to my purpose which is to apply details to your principle of reclaiming waste land . Of that land you have in Great Britain and Ireland more than fifteen millions of acres capable ef reclamation . It at all events can scarcely be called your own , and is therefore out of the Newcastle principle of

      doing what you please with it By its proper appropriation , you net only do not suffer damage , but , on the contrary , I propose to do for you what you cannot do for yourselves : to make it valuable . I estimate that laud at a rent of Is . 4 d . per acre . I calculate that each acre in the outset , taking the tenant's house and stock , and means of subsistence , till the land is brought to bear , into account , would require somewhere about £ 7 per acre , or a capital of about £ 100 for every fifteen acres . The fifteen million acres allotted in farms of fifteen acres to one million heads of families , would thus require a capital of one hundred ruilluna of pounds sterling to aid the working communities in their work of reclamation

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      The value of those fifteen millions of acres , at twenty years' purchase , at a rent of Is . 4 d . per acre , would cost Government £ 20 , «« e , 080 . Now what I propose is , that Government shall purchase the lands from yon , say at that rate , and then under proper official management , at the head of which should bo a Cabinet Minister , to be called the Minister of Agriculture , lease those lands at Is . 4 d . per acre , in lots of fifteen acres , with a capital of £ 10 * advanced to each tenant , subjecting the tenant to a rent of £ 5 per annum for the land , and the interest of £ 100 at four per cent , that is £ l for land and £ 4 for interest

      This sum of £ 120 , 000 , 000 I propose to consolidate into one national fund , which shall stand as a mortgage upon the fifteen millions of acres , and over which the Pariiment alone shall have controul ; and that it should not be a transferable stock , or a stock allowed to be made the medium of exchange , barter , or traffic in the . Jews temple ; but that the Government shall merely be agent for the fund-helder and * fuud-payerreceiving from the « ae and paying to the other .

      I propose that after the first eleven years the tenant shall yearly pay ten pounds in liquidation of his debt ; thereby liquidating the whole amount at the end of the next ten years , or with the twenty-first year of bis tenancy ; at the close of which period—twenty-one years—I propose that the tenant shall pay no more than the original chief rent , of Is . 41 . per acre , and all local taxes ; or a pound psr annum for his holding for ever and ever , and amen—until somo future generation , in Its wisdom , shall see the State necessity of making the then occupiers—themselves being parties—pay something more as their quota of any national requirement Now , those

      who ore in love with a national debt as a bond of union , have it herein the flash and the spirit ; those who so loudly call out for the cultivation of our waste lands have here the only chance by which , their desire , which is improvement and the bettering of the poor man ' s condition , can be simultaneously effected ; those who " fear that population presses too hardly upon the means of subsistence" have here the means of obviating that disaster ; those of the school of political economy have here the practical illustration of one of their daring principles—that " when circumstances close up

      one channel of speculation and industry , other circumstances open another channel j" those who would gladly find a resting place fur the " surplus population , " made such by the substitution of artificial for natural labour , have here the harbour open for them ; those who would add te our no . jr , as they say , " too scanty surface of wheat producing land , " have here an extension offered to them ; wiiile , although I would much prefer the more improved field for the establishment of a free labour standard of value , I have no abjection , provided he gets the moans , to allow my client to work out his own salvation in the more barren field .

      Here we have a means of immediately providing for seven millions of people ; and in less than ten years of providing for fifteen millions of people ; and at the expiration of tweaty-one years , the original farms of fifteen acres each would be capable of being subdivided for the families , into farms of five acres each , if necessary . Thus would our present tvaste lands , New England , Ireland , and Scotland , of themselves , support on the spot , twenty-one millions in affluence , comfor t , and splendour , at the end of twenty-one years and for ever .

      The laws to effect this purpose need not occupy more than a folio sheet , while the difference between Three-and-a-half per Cent , at which Government coui . i easily raise the money , and four Per Cent cheerfully paid by the labourer , would more than cover all the expenccs of adding a new and necessary department to the state machinery . But it is too visionary ! ' tis complicated t because the interest of the poor man is concerned ; while if two hundred millions of pounds were

      required for a speculation to build a floating-bridge across the Atlantic , or to make a tunnel from Dover to Calais ; if the . subjugation of labour , or the importation of foreign troops , was the object , every angle in a fascinating drawing by some happy draftsman would be scanned , and all FOOLISH objections overruled by " Bagman , " " Diogenes , " " a Working Man , " or " Agricola ; " and " the wind would be raised" in spite of all perils by land and water .

      In the sixth chapter of my book ( for I have got so far . treat this subject more minutely , and shall , therefore , for the present , allow you to chop upon it ; just asking you if you imagine that any tenant of New England , New Ireland , or New Scotland would require the process of the Ballot to make him iy to the cry of" The Staie , ( of which he composed a part ) is in danger " ?—ot even as a cloak to cover his face while he declared who should be his reprentative . No , no—Those , lika all your arrangements , are but poor substitutes for the plain and simple rights which man should possess ; and the 'want of -which makes national service a badge ot slavery , instead of being a work of pleasure .

      My lords and Gentlemen , the fact is this ; the people have now had quite enough of the great cricket-match between Whigs and Tories . The Tories had a long innings and left a heavy score before they were run out ; the Whigs in turn have been bowled out ; and they have not made a bad innings ; but now , wo must try a match of all Britain aud Ireland against the oligarchy And believe me the Britons and Irish will catch the

      oligarchy out at every ball they strike . Will you never learn wisdom ? or do you not see that the time has come wheu a great nation must have some better Charter ot its rights some better seeurity against starvation , some more defined policy for iU government , than what fickle faction may whimsically eke out of the address of a defeated minister' to his supporters , ox out Of the plausible speech of aa expectant minister to his wellfed and welcome guests ?

      We must have some assurance that a night ' s mildew or a day ' s heavy rain shall not consign us to famine ; and we must have some better rule for regulating our supplies of food than the farthing or fractional sliding scale of political economists . I can find no such rule except in a free labour market ; and therefore for that I contend . My Lords and Gentlemen , hitherto you have played yonr cards badly . Ton never should have relied upon other wealth tban the highest cultivation of your own natural resources and artificial

      advantages . Your iron , your coal , your insular position and green fields , added te your mechanical advantages over all other nations , and the hardihood and bravery of the people , should constitute your wealth , your greatness , and your pride . But in order to make slaves of the people , you have cheerfully joined in every experiment for their oppression , degradation , and humiliation , until at length you have made them declare in their wrath , that if injustice and this great disparity between man and man , Is to be perpetuated , It shall only ba so by the right of conquest , and not by the sliding scale of obligarchical whim .

      My Lords and Gentlemen , no man has a more thorough contempt than I have for the mere professional patriot , who lives upon abuse , while he looks upon dissension with the same interest that a lawyer looks upon a good complicated Chaucerr suit . I have now opened every door of the t « mple of corruption in which you have been long pent up , so that no obstacle should be opposed to your advance to meet popular opinion , so long appealing to you in vain . I have denuded the buggaboo Chartism of the party garb

      in which faction has long dressed it I have shewn it to you in all its Destructive simplicity . I have explained the modest results anticipated from its success , and the great national advantages to be derived from its substitution for the present pauperizing , sterilizing , brutalizing , degrading , peace-destroying , hatred-creating system-I have shewn you tbat the people neither court idleness , or contemplate plunder , but that their principle is strictly Malthusian—amounting to a desire to be " thrown upon their own resources ; " and thereby to

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      prove that " their chief pride consists In the modest comforts of their condition . " I am , my Lords and Gentlemen , Your obedient , And 'very humble servant , FEABGl / S OCONNOR . Aug . 4 th , 1811 . P . S . My Lords and Gentlemen , I have this moment laid down the IIorning Chronicle of the 3 rd of August , and I cannot avoid the temptation of a postscript , to which the following , among many equally ridiculous passages , extracted from a pamphlet of the Hon . and Kev . Baptist Noel , invites me . Now , pray attend . He says : —

      " There is an opinion sometimes expressed by well meaning persons , that we ought to keep up the agricultural population , and prevent the multiplication of great manufacturing towns , with all their disagreeable accompaniments of dirt and smoke and noise . But this opinion is surely thoughtless . The land is already so thoroughly cultivated that while the number of families in Great Britain employed in agriculture in 1821 was 978 , 656 , the number employed in the same manner in 1831 was reduced to 961 , 134 . The land , therefore , cannot : employ the additional population ; and to endeavour to prevent multiplication of towns and the extension of manufactures , is to endeavour te secure that the whole additional population of Great Britain and Ireland should be without employment and without food . "

      In God ' s name , I ask , is it wonderful that we should have 400 , 000—nay , 4 , 000 , 000 of stray sheep from that fl 9 ck of which the Hon . and Rev . Gantleman is shepherd in common with the fleecing Church ? What , O ' . what can equal this manifest , this egregious , this consummate ignorance ? Well for the man he is a gentleman and no Chartist . ' else Would he have written himself down for a fool . But what think you of the leading political Journal of the " ten years' Reform ministry" bestowing much above a

      column of laudatory , comment upon the absurdity ? I shall tike the above chapter from the lamentations of the Rev . Baptist Noel , aa the text for my next letter ; and if the man , who wrote the comment for the Chronitle , ( I hope it was " an old and valued contributor , ) does not hide his face for very shame , why then he is a man of stoel indeed . Perhaps the whole thing may be a puff . If so , it has succeeded ; for , upon reading the above , I instantly wrote to my publisher to send me the Rev . Gentleman ' s whole book , with the intention of exposing its fallacies , heresies , dogmas , and falsehood .

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      GLASGOW . —A meeting was held in the Universal SuftVago Hall , College Open , oa the night of Wednesday , July 28 th , of those persons appointed as lectvweis at a previous meeting . Mr . Cullen in the chair . He opened the business of the meeting by stating that the object for calling them together was that they might adopt proper rules and regulations for their guidance during their lectures and the debates wfeich would follow ; also to draw lots for their turn of lecturing Mr . M'Farlane considered it very probable that two or three of the lecturers might choose the same subject , and that it would be necessary to select a number of subjects for their adoption . This was opposed by Mr . Giile&pie , who moved that every one be left to choose his own subject , and that no other question bo allowed but those which embraced the wrongs of Britaiu and

      their cure . This was seconded by Mr . M'Kay , when it was put from the chair , and carried unanimously . Mr . Rodger then moved that forty minutes be allowed to the lecturers in Glasgow an i suburbs , those from the couutry to be left to their own discretion , and , as a matter of course , the privilege of reply at lh « conclusion of the debate . This was seconded by Mr . M'Farlane , and unanimously adopted . It was also agreed that ten minutes be the time allowed to each speaker in debate . Mr . Gillespie then remarked , that as their present object was not so much for the elucidation of important political subjects , as for the fostering and bringing out talent for the approaching Chartist campaign , he would movu that no speaker be allowed to speak more tiian once on the sime night ; and that if any person moved an adjournment of the debate ,

      said penon shall open the question on the next night of debate . This motion produced a discussion , in which Messrs . Cjlq . ihoun , Rodger , Ross , Moir , Roy , Hoey , and others , took a part , when Mr . M'Fariane moved , as a rider to Mr . Qilieapie ' s motion , that if any speaker wishes to address the meeting a second time , he shall appeal to the chairman , who shall then take the sense of the meeting whether the person shall be heard or not . The motion and rider was then put and carried , it was also agreed that the chair be taken every night of lecture , at a quarter post eight o'clock , and the debato to finish by ten , and that the first lecture be delivered in SI . Ann ' s Church , on Monday night , the 9 th of August The lots were then drawn , which created considerable amusement . Messrs . M'F&dzen , M'Dove , and Calder , were added to the list of lecturers : as Mr . Currie ' s lot was number one , he

      will lecture on democracy , and its adaptation to the present state o ( society . Mr . Gillespie stated that his question would bo the People ' s Charter , home colonization , co-operation , and emigration . Mr . M'Farlane , numbers , money , and talent , to carry on the agitation . Mr . Roy , the best way to promote the interests of teetotalisui , is by carrying into law the People ' s Charter . Mr . Hoey , that general teetotalism would carry the Charter . Mr . Capell , the origin of civil government . Mr . Cullen , the duty of civil governors . Mr . M'Kay , the absolute necessity of speedily gaining the Charter , and the best means to be used for that purpose ; the other lecturers are not yet prepared to say what their subjects of lecture would be . After some business relating to the late election bad been discussed , tho meeting broke up , after giving a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

      . Meeting of Directors . —A meeting of the directors of the Lanarkshire Universal Suffrage Association was held iu the Hall College Open . Mr . Clelland , of Toll-Cross , was unanimously called to the chair , who , after ascending the pulpit , good humouredly remarked that his Glasgow friends did not require advice to conduct themselves iu a proper manner , and of course his duties would be very easy ; he would , therefore , call upon their warm-hearted Chartist friend and worthy secretary , Mr . Brown , to lay before them what they mre now called upon to decide . ( Cheera ) Mr . Brovru then read tus minutes of the above meeting , which was drawn up in his absence , by Mr . Lamont , reporter for the Scottish Patriot ; the various motions previously adopted by the appointed lecturers , were read over and unanimously adopted with the following

      amendments : —That Mr . Gtllespie ' s motion relative to the wrongs of Britain and their cure , shall be considered as having reference to political subjects , as certain portions of the religious world consider the peculiar views on religion as the only cure , and their rejection the only curse Britain baa to complain of . Mr . Brown read a list of new lecturers' , which had been voluntary handed in : — namely , Messrs . GUlffislan , Adams , CHffin , Moir , Todd , Houie , Kimniburgh , Pinkerton , Dixon , Cameron , M'Lardie , Clelland , Chisholm , Strathean , Dickson , Allan , Patterson , ( Whig , ) R . Lang , and J . Lang . It was then agreed that all persons , whatever may be their political creed , shall have the liberty of taking part in the debate . Sometime after , an amendment was added that they might have the power of lecturing , providing they gut the sanction of the

      directors . Mr . Pattison addressed the meeting . The remarks of that gentleman should be kept in mind by every true Chartist ; tbat poor hard-working men , with wives and families , cannot leave their employment , by solicitation , and go to different parts of the coup , try 1 b order to lecture and pay their own expences . I ( says our reporter ) am satisfied that Mr . Pattison has sacrificed upwards of £ 50 since the commencement of the Charter agitation , In the loss of his work , and his other expences , going and coming . Mr . Pattison , however , can suffer this loss ; his wages being four times the sum of ordinary workmen ; and it says much for Mr . Pattisos , that he has ably taken up the situation of his poorer-paid fellow workmen , many of whom suffered severely before they retired from a contest in which their hearts were willing but their purses were weak .

      In the two first years of our agitation , when application was made , out went the intellectual five shillings per week handloom-weaver , with the no less talented printer , manager , brass-founder , moulder , engineer , with from £ 1 10 to £ 2 10 s . per week . These individuals of course could very well afford to say we are quite disinterested- —we want no remunerationwe will pay all our expences ourselves ;—while the poor five shillings a week jack-ass said— " 1 , 1 am quite disinterested—all that I have said or done is for the love of the cause , " while every working man within reach of bis voice laughs him to scorn , and wishes they could with propriety take a kick at his breech ; his wife

      aud family in at borne ; he forgets them ; his soul is in the cause , and his sensitive mind 'will not brook to plead poverty before strangers . These remarks , although coining from myself are the deliberate agitations flawing to the minds of many present , and that we will not suffer whole counties to die a political death , while we have a flower of liberty to send as a restorative from the baneiul and narcotic drugs of Whig and Toryism . A vote of th . tnfes was given to Mr . Clelland , for his wise and judicious conduct in the chair , when the meeting , as usual for working men , broke up a little before twelve o ' clock , a too late hour for those who have te rise to their hard and Incessant toil at five o ' clock next morning .

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      crt /' Z / ¦ / - /^ v / NEWPORT . —On Monday night , the Chartists df this place held their weekly meeting at the Black Horse Inn . The room , which is a small one , was crammed to euffocation . After the transaction of some important business , and the enrolment of a few new member ? , . thefollowing resolution was carried ; — "That this meeting do now give Messrs . Edwards and Dickinson an opportunity of coming before a Committee of the ' blistered hands , ' for the purpose of seeing how far they will be able to vindicate meir characters , and if they decline to do so , they shall be discarded for ever ; and , farther , we will warn tha j

      country against them ? ' The Committee will meet at Mr . Jonah Williams ' s , Llanarth-street , on Tuesday , the 9 th day of August , at eight o ' clock m tha evening . A vote of thanks was also given to Mr . W . Shellard , of Pontypool , for the brotherly manner be acted towards our old and tried friend , Mr . Biack , of Nottingham . Messrs . Philp and Clarke were highly censured for acquitting Messrs . Edwarda and Dickinson without having a fair trial : they had promised to publish their correspond' nee , and then give us an opportunity of refuting it , but they have acted quite the contrary , therefore , we cannot place confidence in them in future , unless they offer some apology for their conduct .

      6 TROUD . —The Stroud Charter Association having received a circular from the Executive in Manchester , its contents were read at their meeting on Monday evening to those of the members pre ? out , when it wa 3 agreed , on to call a general meeting of all the members , on Monday , August 9 th , to lay its contents before them . It is respectfully requested that all the members will be present on Monday next , as important business will have to be laid before them for their serious consideration connected with the welfare of the Association . The meeting will commence at seven o ' clock in the- evening .

      HUDBERSFIELD . —An overflowing and enthusiastic meeting of the Huddersfield Chartists was held in their Association Room , ( which was far too smalLfo ' r the numbers who flocked to the place , } on Monday evening last , Mr . Gallimore in the chair . Mr . Julian Harney addressed the meeting for nearly two hours , principally upon the question of Corn Law Repeal , exposing the fallacies , lies , aad hypocrisy of the " Leaguers . " Mr . H . then reviewed the past career of the Tories , showing up in first-rate style their former dark , despotic , aud bloody deeds ; Mr . H . concluded with a powerful appeal to hir audience , to muster all their force , aud bring into action all their energies to put down the stand-ssilldo-nothing-aristocratic-Tory-faction , as they ha < i put down the miserable , drivelling , villa nous Whigs . The worthy lecturer ' s address was responded to moa * heartily . That old and well tried champion of democracy , Mr . Vevers , moved the thanks of the meeting to Mr . Harney , and these being awarded the meeting broke up .

      HALIFAX , —Mr . Julian Harney lectured hero on Thursday evening , July 29 th . The meeting had been announced to take place in the Cattle Market , but the weather being very adverse , there was no alternative but to hold it in the Association Room , which was much too small for the purpose , great numbers being unable to get admission . Mr . Ravrson was called to the chair , and introduced Mr . Harney , who for an hour and three quarters rivetted the attention and charmed the feelings of hip auditors , by his masterly exhibition of tho crimes of the Whig and Tory factions , and his powerful vindication of the rights of the oppressed people . His address was repeatedly and warmly applauded . The thanks of the meeting having been given to Mr , H . the meeting dissolved . A uumber of the fair sex graced the meeting with their presence . We are happy we can add , that they ( the ladies ) are already making active preparation for the reception of our Champion O'Connor .

      HOLjyxFiHTH . —Monday was a glorious day m Holmnrth ; it being made known that Mr . C . Connor would deliver a lecture near the Shoulder of Mutton Inn , a large concourse of people assembled to hear the lecture , a cart being placed for hustings . Wm . Cunningham , an operative , being called to the chaiTj he opened the meeting in a brief and energotio speech , after which ho introduced Mr . Charles Connor , who spoke for upwards of an hour , touching upon the Corn Law , free trade and middle class policy , and proving to a majority of the vast assembly that nothing short of the People ' s Charter would emancipate the working millions ; after which the worthy lecturer eat down much applauded by the vast assembly . Alter a vote of thaDks being given to the lecturer , the people quietly dispersed . — Correspondent .

      ILMNGWOHTH . —An open-air meeting of the men of Iilingwortli and Bradshaw was held in the neighbourhood of the . former place , on Friday evening , July 30 , to hear an address from Mr . Hariiey . That staunch veteran in liberty ' s cause , Mr . Beojamin Rushtoa , was called to the chair , and in an excellent speech introduced the lecturer . Mr , Harney addressed his delighted hearers for an hour and a half ; at the conclusion Mr . Pickersgill moved the thanks of the assembly to the speaker , which he having handsomely acknowledged , the proceedings terminated .

      MILTON OF BAX . GONIE . —A public meeting of the inhabitants of this place was held on Friday evening last , in the School Room , for the purpose of presenting Mr . W . Melville , » f Markincb , with ft token of respect for the straightforward manner in which he haa advocated the principles of freedom and sobriety . Mr . Andrew Philp was called to the chair , and after stating the object of the meeting , called on Mr , Crombie , teacher , to come forward . Mr . Crombie rose , and in a neat speech set forth the

      estimate of Mr . Melville s merits , and in the name of the meeting presented him with an elegant plaid , iu testimony of their esteem for his services . Mr . Melville rose to return thanks for what he called the unlooked-for and undeserved token of their kindness . He had done nothing , he paid , to merit such kindness , as he conceived in doing what he had done he had only done his' duty . The business of the evening being concluded , a vote of thanks was given to Mr . Melville , and to the Chairman , when the meeting broke up .

      SALISBURY . —The Rendezvous of Fifty-ninb Ecclesiastical Diqnitahies . —Notwithstanding the worse than heathen blindness in which the people of this ancient city have been kept , they are now making their way into clear light , and wending their way to the Council Room , of the National Charter Association . The Northern Star , the Western , or rather the National Vindicator , and the incomparable English Chartist Circular , are now being purchased , on Saturday nights , to be read to family circles . Our meeting last Monday evening encourages us to hope for better things of Salisbury than we wete some time ago justified in doing ! We must endeavour to convert every new member into a useful one , preachers of the Gospel of Chartism , tract distributors , visitors , fee . Those who honoured us and themselves with a visit .

      last Monday evening , promised to come again , and bring their friends . This is good—as it ought to be—it ia glorious I How it will rejoiee the heart of Mr . Carrier to find an association here ready te receive him , and appreciate his services in our cause , when next month shall see him restored te what in thin country goes for tbanaineof liberty . It would be very wholesome disci - pline for every lover of liberty to walk down by his prison at least once every week , and give way to such reflections as his unparalleled case ought to call forth . Carrier has laboured hard , and is justly entitled to the best thanks of his country . We have as yet no better place to meet in than the bouse of our excellent Secretary , Mr . Wilkinson ; but we intend shortly to engage a room , and invite Mr . Vincent to open it : after which , there is every room to hope that our progress will be more rapid .

      YORK . —At a meeting of tbe O'Connor ' s Demonstration Committee , on Wednesday evening , July 28 th , it was proposed and carried unanimously , " That a triumphal car be provided for F . O'Connor , Esq , on his release from the dungeon in which he is now a prisoner , to bear him in triumph through the City . " A large white banner , with an emblematical design , ia also being painted for the occasion ; the men of York being determined to . have a demonstration worthy ot the incorruptible patriot wnom they intend to honour , and of the glorious cause for which he has suffered .

      The Council met on Sunday , thelstinsfc , when the practicability of totmlug a North and East Riding district , for the purpose of supporting a Chartist lecturer , was discussed at length , and it was ultimately resolved that th » sub-secretary should communicate with the Chartists of Selby , Hull , Market Weighton , Pocklington , Malton , * c . &c for the purpose of making arrangements for effecting tbe above desirable object NORTH SHXEUDS — The cause progresses gloriously here . Ever since the late election the liveliest interest has been manifested by the entire working population of Shields . Mr . Mason was brought forward as Chartist candidate , and in one of the most eloquent

      addresses -we ever heard won the good opinions of every class present ; Indeed , when he came down from the meeting , groups of the middle classes came forward and shook hands with him , and seemed confounded to learn that Chartism meant prosperity to the tradesmen as well as justice to the poor . The Tories even invited him to go and dine with them , for which he modestly thanked them , and refused . Mr . Mason has since held two meetings here , for the purpose of addressing the people , at which thousands attended , applauding hU sentiments , aud proving the certain triumph of democracy . This gentleman will hold another meeting on the New Quay , on Tuesday evening , the 10 th inst , for the purpose of extending the organisation ot the National Charter Association .

      OTTJSSELBURGH . —Public Lecture . —A lecture was delivered here on Monday night , in the Masons ' Hall , to a large ; and most respectable audience , by Mr . James Lowe , ot Dundee ; Mr . John Blillock , a working man , in the chair . The lecturer spoke in a most eloquent manner , and gave much satisfaction . A number of the middle classe * were present The causa is going on well here . They recommend Mr . Lowe to any association who may want a lecture , as a talented and able lecturer . Associations wanting his services in the South of Scotland , may write to him , care of Mr William Taylor , bookseller , Dalkeith .

      To The Landlords Of Ireland. 1ettbr V. I

      TO THE LANDLORDS OF IRELAND . 1 ETTBR V . I

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      AND LEEDS GENERAL ADVEBTISEE .

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      VOL . IV . NO . 195 . SATURDAY , AUGUST 7 , To 4 L *™~ i £ S 5 ? , £ 'SKT > " (

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 7, 1841, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct391/page/1/