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Northern Star (1837-1852), 13th February 1841, Edition 3 of 5, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • #om«i cin& ssonwgttc
    • Cftarttgi Zbtisllixmtt
    • THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 33, 1841.
    • Errata.—In our leader of last weak, upon Colonel
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      #Om«I Cin& Ssonwgttc

      # om « i cin& ssonwgttc

      ^ m ~

      Untitled Article

      SPAXST . —Serious differences are expecied . arise between the Spanish Regency and the Court of Spain , on the subject of the dissolution of the Rota Court . The settlehekt of the Douro question , by the Ifcveurable vote of the Portuguese Upper Chamber and the sanction of the Q , uee n , had given very great satisfaction in Madrid , where it had not « nly restored all fears of war , but had added much W the ^ popularity of Espartero and the Regency .

      tfV * ' f ^ fTT ^ - * * "" * - —A sufficient number of atoioasin Switxerland hare united in the demand of an extraordinary Diet to consider the question of the'Suppression of the Argovian convents . The rote of Neufckatel , a Protestant state , has decided . tins . . : BKUSSSXiS , Feb . 4 . — We learn that the . MiniflSer of Pubho Works m engaged on the mean 3 -of introducing into Belgium one of the greatest improvements that hare been made in our time , namely , a uniform rate of postage to letters . TEE POLES . —The Post A ml Gazette says that the Russian government is about to transport a great number of that class of Poles who hold a rank Between the nobles and the peasants into , the southwestern governments of Russia , to colonise vacant lands .

      . . ZJrDLfl- —By an express received from Marseilles , intelligence has arrived from Calcutta to the 16 tb Desecaber , conveying the news ihat India is £ eneral ] j pacific , and no event had occurred , since the last dates , of much political importance . Afghanistan remained tranquil . The news from Khiva and Central Asia was of a satisfactory character . "An action had occurred in Scinde , on the 1 st of December , at Kotriah , between 4 , 000 Beiooches , posted among the hills , and commanded by Nusseer Khan , 900 Sepoys , 60 irregular horse , and tw o field-pieces , commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall . The Sepoys attacked the position ; and a desperate defence was made by the Belooches till Ipar of their chiefs and 5 * 0 men were slain . Six Other chiefs and 133 followers were taken prisoners . fioneer Knarf escaped on foot ; but ail the baggage , &e . were captured by the British ; who only lost tmfi offieer and ten privates ; thirty more were wounded .

      , 7 EE UNITED STAT £ S .-New York : papers to the 9 : h January , brought by the Cam- j eri ? ge , have been at length delivered . They contain j intelligence of which no trace had been found in the j pipers of the 8 th , which only the paasecgers pre- 1 Tioosly landed had brought ashore with them . A warm and somewhat threatening discussion hadJ arisen between . Jir . Fox , the British Minister at { Washington , ana the Foreign Minister of the United States , in consequence of the arrest and approach- } leg trial , under ihe anthority of the State Govern- -, nest of New York , of a British subject , Alexander M'Lsod , on the charge of piracy and murder , as one- , ef the party who destroyed the Caroline , an Amtri- ¦ eaa steamer , within the jurisdiction of the United ; $ Utes , during the Canadian revolt . >

      TTAItT . —A letter from Naples of the 25 th ult ., i gtates tb&s on the night of the 22 nd , a considerable- * riip took place on the mountain above Gragnano , \ tiBxr Casielianiare , and that sixty houses were { crashed by the falling matter . It is supposed that j 100 persons perished by this sudden calamity . j -Makbiagb m High Lite . —On Tuesday morning , the Honourable Miss Spring R ice , eldest daughter of Lord Monteag le , and grand-daughter of the Earl of LncERJcx ( lately one of the maids of honour to '• ber Majesiv ) , was married to J . G . Marshall , Esq ., j Of Leeds . The ceremony was performed , by special Boerae , at All Souls' Church , Langham-place . i

      . ThkBpsb op Wkllisgtox . —Although the noble asd galiaju Duke has quite recovered from his late filness , the inquiries , oa Tuesday , at Apsley-house , were rery numerous . Tha answer given by the -porter was , * The Dake is recovered . " [ LVcchv <> p Lascabtkr , Febscabt 5 . —The Queen lats been this day pleased to appoint Thomas Bernard Birch , of the Hazios , Bart ., to be Sheriff of the County Palatine of Lancaster , for the year en-« UBg .

      Cftarttgi Zbtisllixmtt

      Cftarttgi Zbtisllixmtt

      Untitled Article

      TJKSWORTH . —On Tnesday evening Mr . C . £ &yle , of Manchester , delivered a lecture Id the Methodist Chapel , Una worth , to a numerous audience , which gave great satisfaction . - IiOJJOOK . —WssnctssrER . —At a meeting held alt tie Mariborough Coffee House , Great Marlbewrogb-street , Golden Square , on Sunday evening last , it was resolved— " That Mr . Southc ^ mb represent this body at the Council , in assisting them , to draw upjjwtirion 3 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 great gratification of a numerous and respectable audience , among whom were a great many of the fair sex , by whom he wa 3 rapturously applauded j after which , Mr . Parker addressed &e meeting . Six new members were enrolled . It was then resolved that the thanks of the meeting should be given to Messrs . Wall and Parker .

      BuxwsBraT . —The National Charter Association held their weekly meeting , at No . 9 , White Lionstre&t , Long Acre , which was numerously attended , and passed the following resolutions : —** That two petitions be sent from this Association to the Houses of Lords and Commons , for the release of . Frost , Williams , and Jones ; and two for the release of all political p risoners . * " That a vote of thanks be grrea to Messrs . M * rtrTm . Tp and Seal , for their noble eondact at Leicester , in refusing to mee ; Dan and Co , on a late occasion ; also , that a report of the above be inserted in the Northern Star . "

      Watworth asd Cambkewsll . —A letter , was Kad to the Association from Hi . Ransley , convening a meeting to be held at Mr . Casting ' s Coffeehouse , Borough Road , on Sunday evening next , for the purpose of forming a county Council . Three brothers were appointed to attend . Two were- appointed xo attend a meeting to be held at Lunta Coffee-bou ? e , 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 Blasting , to be called on account of the refusal ' of Lord Normanby to see the deputation , ( . Messrs . Keesom , Sporr , and Bo ? gis , ) appointed at the public meeting , held at the White Conduit Houws , on the 4 th of'January , to present a memorial to Lord Nor-Bjanby , f ° r * n alteration of the treatment of-Mr . Fsargus O'Connor , and to adopt the best means to carry it out . It was resolved , that on the death of & brother , tie members of the Association be

      informed of ; he same through the mass leaders , and be requeited to attend the funeral , a 3 many as can Bt&ke it convenient . Four new members were enrolled , and the meeting separated . WILTSHIRE . —According to previous announcement in the Star , the fet raeeung of the County Council WiS held on Sunday morning last , at the house of Mr . Tndgey , Moakton Deveril , at eleven o ' l ock , when delegates were present from the followiflg p ! a . ies : —Trowbridge , Bradford , Hull , Westbflry , WaraMnster , Kinston Deveii ! , Monkton De-Teril , and Mere . After the Secretary had read the minutes of last week , the Chairman called upon e * ch of the delegates present to give a report of the ttate of Chartism in the districts they represented

      when a ru > : > s ; cheering statement as to the progress of ihe cr .-ise generally wa 3 given . Several resolutions we ; ..-. onaniiEously adopted to the following effect : —; . "Th « the expencea of the tracts the delegate ; had given away on their journies be paid from the * tnnd > . " 2 . ( After the address from the County C- ; = ncil had been read ) Tkat the County Connell rceomipftnd to the inhabitants , in their different localities , to support the Chartist press , so far as it lies in their power . " 3 . " That the Secretary be empowered to write to ill . Vincent , to know whei be aauk 3 to be in Wiltshire , and to report the aarna to the local councils . " 4 . " That » vote of thanks be given by this Council to the friends of Mere , in offiorag to provide a tuiuble

      piaoe to hoki a public meeting in , when Mr . Philp should cose . " The following sums of money were paid in , towards having the address printed : — Trowbrid-e , 5 « . ; Holt , 2 s . 6 d . ; Westbory , 5 s . ; VanninHi- ? r , 2 s . 6 d . ; Bradford , 2 $ . 6 i . ; Mere , Ss . 6 d . ; Jv ! n 3 ton Deveril , 2 s . 6 d . ; Monkton De-Teral , 2 s . 6 d . In the ooorse of the sitting , one of th « dele ^ ixes said , that the Trowbridge aod Westbary delegates had given away a number of Chartist tracts , to the amount of 2 00 , and that he had nevar b&en so well pleased in all his life as when hi had seen many agricultural labourer ! reading ° . Wh * tis Chartism ! " ai they went to church Thacka were toted to the Chairman and Secretary sad the meeting broke op .

      omEFaiSS . —Oa Tuesday , the 2 nd instant , oar patriotic friend , Dr . M'Douall , arrived in this town , Tee Trades' Hall , before the hour of meeting , me filled to overflowing , and a thousand went Mray unable to get admission . On entering , the Doctor was greeted in the most enthusiastic manner . He delivered a lecture , at onca eloquent , practical , B-& spirit-stirring , but which we cannot report at kagth . Suffice it to say , that thereby many were converted to the glorious principles of the Charter . The Doctor entered into an able and masterly

      exposure of the cruelties and barbarities of the factory system ; ia the course of which he denounced O'Conaell for having betrayed the poor factory ohildrea for a bribe be received from Sir Thomas Potter . The Doctor was here contradicted by a son of Erie , who , at the eoaolaskm of th « lecture , made ¦ Bveral remarks , aad was folly replied to b y t h e Doctor and Chairman . A Tote of thanks were given to the Doctor ; three cheers for the * ' Charter , ¦ ad bo Surrender f and three groans for the bet » y « of the wprking miHion » of Ireland .

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      CASTLE BOTJGtAS . —On Friday , the Doctor visited Castle DougJas , and as the magistrates would not allow bin tha use of the Town Hall , another place was provided , in which , jnst before the Doctor entered , the crowd in the galleries was , so great that ihey broke down , whereby Beveral were seriously injured . Having done all he conld do as a doctor , our worthy friend acquitted himself ai a patriot , and as we have learned , succeeded in arousing hundreds to a sense of theiriWrongs ; and a determination

      to have their rights . At the eonoWaon of hu lecture , a friend of justice and liberty proposed a vote of thanks to the Doctor , whereupon the agent in Castle Douglas of that silly thing called the Dumfries Times , rose and moved as an ameadment "That while they appreciate the Doctor for his talents , they deem the principles of the Charter inexpedient . " On a shew of hands being taken , the ohampjon of the silly Time * and his seconder , were left alone in their glory , and the Tote of thanks in unqualified terms was given to the Doctor .

      otobee , Chabtist Debiting Societies . — There has been a Society of this kind in Dundee for some time past , in connection with , the Chartist Associ&tioD , and it is getting on well . It is attended by young men particularly ; and there are a good mwy of them who are learning to Bpeak and argue without any sort of fear . The subject that has come under their notice , for the last throe nights , is " the best-formed Government . " BATH . —Sc . ndat Lectures . —On Sunday , Jan . 24 th . a lecture w& 3 delivered in the Chartist-rooms ,

      by Mr . R , K . Phi ! p , on ** the present condition of the people , and the besi means to effeot a beneficial change . " On the following Sunday , the 31 st , Mr . T . Bolwell lectured upon " tho necessity of extending moral and political information amongst the people . " On Sunday , February 7 , W . P . Koberte , Esq ., lectured upon " 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 Umv £ Bsai « Suffrage . —On Monday , Feb . 1 . the comparative merits of Universal and Household Suffrage were entered into by the various spe a ke rs , 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 workiDg elates , Honsehold 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

      inclemen t , and p r eve n t e d great numbers from attending . The assembly wa 3 numerous , but no one ventured to oppose the advocates of "Universal Suffrage . _ Mr . Claike presided , aud r epea t ed ly urged opposition , an d pled ged himself that all parties , on either side , shoal d be impartially heard . Mr . T . Bolwell first addressed the meeting in au argumentative speech , and was followed by Mr . R . K . Philip , and Mr . C . Bolwell . ilr . 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 ilr . C . entered at some length upon the Bubject , and deeply interested the meeting . At the conclusion , it was announced that on the following Monday the consideration of the same subject would be repeated .

      NEWPORT . The bark of Chartism rides p roudly on here . The labours of Mr . Black have been attended with vary beueficialresults ; we had a glorious meeting on Monday night at Llanarth Inn , Lianarth-street . Mr . John Morris occupied the chair , and the meeting was ably addressed by Messrs . Jones , Black , and Cronin .

      Untitled Article

      Thoxpso . Vs letter , for " humbug ? in the \ fi » line of supposed extract from CoL Thomson ' s History of the Wars , read " numbers ; " and in Mr . O'Co . ssob ' s Letter , for " ride them in wrinkles , " read " ride them in irinkert . "

      Untitled Article

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

      We do not pledge ourselves , in the outset , to diseuss the two measures sejarately , inasmuch as it may , and probably wiU , happen that the consideration of the one will force upon qs some reference to the other . At present , our object at starting is to consider the proposition of Lord Morpcth per se , by pointing out its manly and gigajitic Btride , -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 and 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 ub without a

      compro-. We declare then , unhesitatingly , that the Bill of Lord Mospeth , for regulating the Irish Parliamentary franchise , is the most Radical measure ever ser iously proposed to Parliament , and when we say se r iousl y , we fear we shall be obliged , in justice , to limit the solemnity as well as the justice of the measu r e , to th » Noble Lord personally . We have in the cour 3 e of our many articles upon the question of the Irish Suffrage , been compelled to

      use tne 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 votes based upon a ten pound beneficial interest ; we shall now , as it forms the present county franchise , describe what it means , and then see how it would carve up into a bmajide 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 fact that , 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 distre * 3 , and no Email 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 Arthur Brooke and Sir Joss Maxwell , that they are willing to sacrifice as much as thirty per cent , of their rentals , rather than allow Papi 3 t voters to vote 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 Bsooxb and Sir John Maxwxll are samples from which the sack of Irith Protestant landlords may be fairly estimated . Let us now see the immense gross 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 , ) say twenty acres , then , at £ 1 per acre ; here , what has the tenant seeking to establish

      a vote , to swear , and in presence of the landlord , to whom he may owe arrears , and to whom he has been declaring that the epot is too dear , in order either to get an abatement , or time for payment of arrears ! He has to swear that his twenty acres are well worth 30 s . per acre , over and abore all rates , tithe , and taxes ; and that , on his oath , he could , if inclined to underlet , procure that rent from a good and solvent tenant . No matter if himself and six sons , all able to work , and to earn more than £ 10 a-year each , can make the farm more pro * uctive by the expenditure of their united labour ;

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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 tipon themselves to swear that the farm is not worth the one pound ten , the applicant , in such ease , is told to go home for a perjurer , and , although having come twenty or thirty miles to register , and having remained in attendance three or four days , that he has his remedy in an appeal to the Judge of Aseiie , 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 a tenant holding thirty acres , he must , in like manner , swear that he has a beneficial interest of six and eightpenee an acre over and above the rent . If he holdforty aoreB . he must swear abenefioial interest of five shillings an acre , and if he hold fifty acres at a pound an acre , he mast 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 Act , 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 , th « n , most amount to an average holding of , at least , sixty acres of land , at one ponnd 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 benefioial interest ; while a fifty pound tenanoy-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 -a * a pound an acre , sworn to be worth one pound three andfburpence 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 tho 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 , most have had granted to him an interest of fifty per cant ., instead 6 f being required , according to the Brooke and Maxwkll 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 ot twenty-fire per cent . ; if fifty , to an interest of twenty per cent . ; and if , as we have established it , at sixty , an interest of more than sixteen per cent . So much foi amount , and now a word upon the term .

      Here , then , is a natural presumption against the existence of any beneficial interest . during the firs * half of the term , and a natural barrier to a PJ * jfc 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 bis seven yean 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 amid be more Irish than by swearing to a beneficial Interest of from sixteen to fifty per cent .

      In passing , let us observe that Lord Morpkth showed from some , we admit V ^ ry slender , anthority , that in 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 amonat . -and even in some so low , as five . This document , which should not have been imperfectly or unseasonably used , furnished Lord Stam&bt with his best leg , and procured for him , a * it was sure to do , a load cheer from his party . The Noble Lord has yet to learn , howeter , that . In'few instances , do

      tables for the assessment of rates farmsh , nor are they intended to furnish , an unerring test of vfiBBTSBft pwrfd ^ t ^ Bjlej i » .. observed , proparty , to Vbfi amnnnt fff'rffftifTftnV , mtiy be as &jpitably assessed by a table of pence , as by a table of pounds . He most farther bear in mind , that the 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 ; when 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 , as well as from the presumption that the valuation did go pretty near to the wind , let us establish some understanding about the rate & 3 wo have about the rent . Let us , then , in Irish phrase , split the difference , " and suppose that the rate valuation would , instead 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 belo * 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 extent 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 Mokpeth ' s standard of val u e , and let us now , in as far as we can , gness at his mode of satisfying Stanley , with regard to an appeal against the vote once acquired , and against which we protest in themost unqualified terms .

      Sta ? tlet ' s proposition is , to allow the parties objecting to the voter , an appeal to the Judge of Assiie , 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 udwhbboh justice , dou&loju , to allow , in cases of frivolous and vexatious appealS j costs and recompence . Silly , silly Lord ! Morpeth , aUo , proposes an appeal , but here ho leaves us in the dark . We understand Stanley .

      His is a new trial at common law of the country , but Morpkth ' s is before , we presume , a Court of Equity , presided over by three Barristers sitting in Dublin . If this is to be a Court of Equity , which , in fact , it must be , as he never could dream of bringing parties from all parts of Ireland , to th& metropolis , for the mere pnrpose of re-registeringa vote , be should have told us something about the machinery of biB Court ; but having failed so « todo , 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 ii the thing to end 1 and if the exhibit of the valuation-book is all that is to be required , why nojK make it conclusive evidence at tae time of registrar tion , and submit it then to any test which it is tf undergo i *

      We must observe , that upon the details of this question of appeal , the Noble Lord not only elouds the matter with doubt , but actually talks ; legal nonsense—a jargon which can only be tolerajtid in ' those who are paid for perverting plain termVinto legal ambiguities . He says that he would " allow annual revision upon ALL new matter ; a right of appeal , both ways , upon all points of law , artd the fixing of the franchise upon the Poor Lun valuation . "

      Upon the question of appeal , then , dark as Stanlbt is , he is sunshiae to Morpeth . In laei , if we are to judge from the whole context , we « 06 t

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      presume Morpbth ' s appeal to be intended . as 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 hare bow pointed out some ot the abases which Morkbth ' s Bill would remedy if it could be carried in the House of Commons , and put 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 . Io the debate upon Mobpbtb ' s motion , as well as upon every other occasion where it can be insultingly dragged in , we are told that the intention of the Reform Bill was to represent wealth ; we know it , but what a pity that scope so free waa 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 obo should be made of that property , and that the vote which it conferred was to be a part ot the tenure ! The value of the barren surface of the soil is as nothing compared to the value of capital and labour expended upon it by the tenant , and yet is all' ruled by the caprice of the landlord , so that even his own land ia not repre " sented . Let us adduce an instance of this .

      Lord Mospeth , in his table of calculation , stated that the property of Lord Downshirb and others was . in some cases , valued to the poor ' s-rates higher thau , the rent , and we are willing to admi * thafriSnglish-absentee noblemen appear to be better and more encouraging Irish landlords , than either absentee or resident Irish landlords . We even admit that Lord Stanlet is beloved by his Catholio tenantry of the county of Tipperary ; but what of that t 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 ia no bulwark against a tyrant ' s power . We give bow 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 oocupying tenants ; and mark tho consequence ! This aoble act of the Duke , had the effeot of disfranchising every one of his tenants , whose rents were thus reduced . The reduction was made , it appears , from memorials setting forth that the lasds

      were too dear , and when a tenant of the Duke of Devonshire came to claim his franchise , arising out ot 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 to , and necessary proofs of title , to acquire the rrSfirittse . We will best illustrate it by % conversatfen-feefcirttn the opposing attorney and applicant : — Attorney—What's your name 1 Applicant—John Sttles . Of where ! Sacks , in the parish of Bags , and barony of Bruff . How do you olaim ! As a ten pound leaseholder .

      Who fa your landlord I His Grace the Dake of Devonshire . How many acres do you hold t A hundred . And the rest ! Saventy-five pcrands . 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 ! I do , indeed , and more . Is the right stamp on your lease 2 I suppose so . Let me see it . O , oh ! why , I find your rent is a hundred a year . I thought you said seventy -five f I say bo still .

      Why , Sir , here , in your own lease , it is stated to be a hundred ! Well , but that ' s nothing , I pays' Beventy-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 and ten pounds for that farm ? No , indeed , he-would not .

      Reject this man , yjur 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 , polioe , and call the next case on . This , wo 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 Mohpeih ' s Bill , that the minimum from whence a £ 10 beneficial interest can now be acquire ] , namely , sixty acres , would carve into eight enfranchising lots ; but as subdivision is not the de 3 iro of Irish landlords , we are merely to cons'der tho number of email holdings now not conferring a vote , which the Noble Lord ' s Bill would enfranchise . Taking it , then , perse , as a means of producing a very extensive franchise , we have no hesitation in declaring it to be the most sweeping measuro 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 Moupetu ' 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 aingid 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 is no plea against an action of ejectment at common law , nor yet such a document as can be registered ; tot 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 ihe very reverse of that proposed by Stanlet .

      a NothiDg can be more short-sighted 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 eteape from the Repeal agitation , by a concentration ^ alllreland'Henergiestothisonegreatandsurprising ^ oint . Indeed , Howick , who puts his foot in every thing , had the folly to confess as much . We may therefore fully expect to see a royal loyal Morpeth Registration Association established forthwith in Dublin , and the repeal put comfortably to rest , after having furnished the current year ' s needful . This new windfall is worth all that has yet presented itself , and if accomplished to-morrow , ita 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 Morpeth would lend himself knowingly to the hoax but this we 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 of 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 arid ingeniously woven around the magic machinery necessary for conferring it .

      Stai-let's triumphant cheer over Morpbih 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 Stanlet what it does proveoppression , cruelty , and tyranny , upon the part of the landlord ; for surely those gaping fools , who swallow ftJly and vomit admiration , n . nst be aware that the mere occupancy of a ten pound house constitutes a borough qualification ; so now where ia the laugh t

      Aa 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-svoonty and borough franchise in Ireland . For counties there are three separate " qualifications . A £ 50 freehold , a £ 20 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 £ 10 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 ridiculous 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 othe ^ and to refuse a vote to a man who holds fifty acres of land , apon 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 1 Why not , then , at once gay , instead of a rateable sum , occupancy at such an amount of rent , whioh would do away with all the complication of registration and appeals ! The answer is easy . Because its simplicity would do away with the Whig job , while its extension may lead to the correction of manyj profitable abuses , so that in suo !» case , the Whigs and the demagogues would each lose a rung of the ladder .

      The thread of our Constitution has become too weak and attenuated to admit of the Morpeth 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 2 it furnishes another sad proof that we have arrived at that period of oar 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 \« f it » measures , establishes toe rule of cabinet action .

      What ! then , exclaims the reader , will this show , of liberality end in smoke , and produce no profit t Nay , in faith . He , for whose sole benefit it was produced , told the House , in clear , diBtinot , 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 waa bound : it will be a fuss whioh , 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 Catholic 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 IriBh landlords , Churchmen , and patronage trustees , know well that , in the event of such 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 ' s 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 towns 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 county in Ireland , it is the non-electors who return the Members called Liberal . The labourers and small farmers influence the voters ; and the voter * , with the non-electors , can carry ex * elusive dealing in their borongh town to a sufficient extent to influence a sufficient number of Liberal voters ; thiB 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 so long before the Noble Lord thought of it , but his admissioa is of more importance thau boat proof . Upon the whole ,

      then , we have no hesitation in declaring the Mobpeth Bill to be a match for the Stanley Bill lest , the latttr 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 tenants-at-will , subjects to the vicissitudes of a feudal lord ' B whim and caprice . In fact , as the agitation about tithes increased the real burden upon the poor , so will tho very shadow of this Bill increase rents , diminish tenurea , and multiply cruelties .

      But let it work . It is a fire-ship in full sail , a Charter safety-valve , a universal bomb-shell , thrown into the moral-force camp of peaceful , starving Ireland . Yes , we hail it as the first indirect Charter fire from the Ministerial battery . Wait , wait a twe-wait for the dissolution , and then our Chartist physical force will be as the gentle zephyr compared to the rude blast whioh will crosa 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 , arid Mor-

      Untitled Article

      -- ... - - . -. - —~ ~^ 55 | p £ th , says— "No , that's too little ; yon shaH-WJ forty' shillings in the pound . England has a £ t franchise ; we can trust you with a five * . " Nownf Universal Suffrage who can , Hurrah ! . for the w day 8 , of Whiggery I If preparation for goingZi promises so much , what will the turn-out tiT ! Answer : —Anything that renders the key o £ jJ Treasury in return . Hurrah J for an honest Wv ! minority and the Charter ! ™ The incomparable bluntness with which evert a *

      of the Establishment , from " the leading jowjup to the tip of the tail , has approached this quests proves that they one and all are as ignorant jw Irish affairs , as if the country waa but jost , ^ vcred . We never witnessed a more miserable , ^ bition than the Establishment ' s attempt at ttlustn tion of the beauties and deformities of the NbfcL Lord ' s abortion .

      We shall watch this question in its progress ; if * does not meet with a sudden death , to prove jy-, electrically than natural dissolution , that "/ refa ^ has nothing to expect by way of'justice from < English House of Commons" Dak will undew ^^ i the last sentence .

      Untitled Article

      WANTED , A CHARTIST HORN BOOK FOtt "MOTHER GOOSE . " .., . ¦' : There is nothing more amusing , where ia * ,. ranee is shorn of its powers of mischief , than U » observing of the frefuent instances in which t novice , in politics , either becomes a dnpe to his oim imagination ; or , upon getting upon his own legi ft . the firsttime , is lost in amaaement at the string position ia which he finds himself . Last WeA

      Mother Goose beads an article , a very stupid « T " Universal Suffrage and No Surrender" ; and | J ^ . proceeds to denounce those . who assume tbeuo ^ . i and vociferate it , instead of supporting the prindiflt upon argument . Why , our friend eh © uld J ^ J known , that it was , after sixty years and ftdtt ^ argument , that the motto was adopted . Thai W have- challenged and be » Un the whole press wi ^ argument ; showing its superiority over alf yjft * standards of Suffrage . .. 'C >^

      We can best account for our friend ' s ignoram&ji a similar pnizle into which we were once led on * selves . About twelve years ago , we happeBed ^ the first time , to pass through the lovely j » le ^ Todmorden , when the full arid luxuriant foutga < tf her many woods and groves , made rich bythe snlw dour of- a summer ' s eve , and enlivened by the goal of the joyous feathered tenants , rendered the beiajj of the scene complete . Wo occupied the box-spit and : were literally lost in d « lightful contemplation In the midst of our most pleasing reverie , iaimi by the . many surrounding objects of attractija , ^ could not avoid noticing , with undisguised wrprj the cool indifference of our travelling eomp * nis »«

      the coachman , who throughout never turned a&ijk right or . lsft , but kept both rteady on his ' . ' $%% ( meat , " which , being none of the best , append § require his every attention . After he had "t « W ^ them ' along , with long thong whip , and Ami "Tommy , " and when we had passed the vaJe ^ shook himself and said , "Well , that ' s over ' rX % . that bit ' of road ; it ' s the worst ia all England t& % heavy coach . " We replied , " You lost a bqgHtf sight . ' ? "Nay , nay , " he replied , "its new to ^ Sir , but I've had it in all seasons ; it ' s coat me mm a doctor ' s fee . Just you take my place for twajy years , and see whether you'll like it as weU i ^} & end of . that time . " . , ; ,: £ i ? nf

      Now , such is precisely our friend ^ position } * tb » first time he begins to bear wmetWag j ^* what every body else is thoronghly familiar ir ^ j and he wants us , for Au edification , to go onribt whole ABC of Universal Suffrage again . Jfc cannot just afford that amount of time aod tnttUa , for the gratification and instruction of our yodsy friend , at present ; but w ^ jidirise him to attend $ i youth's political debating club ' , just opened at fee € hartist News Boom , Vicar-lane ; if he tisijajf powers there overtasked , and beaten out of eoial nance , we may yet be able to serve him , * B , it k k contemplation shortly to open & Ch&rtist ftiiji Sohool , where , w « h&veno doubt , the teacnwi wD have aa-much patience with hia natural &u * and inexperience , as may be necessary . : ^

      Untitled Article

      MR . FRONT'S FAMILY AND O'CONNOa M Words are but wind , - : Actions speak the mind . " Somr time ago , O'Connor threw out the htnftf procuring an annuity for the family of Mr . Isim , by the following means—London io engage for tbl payment of £ 20 a-year , the rest of England fern equal sum , Scotland also for £ 20 , and '' . Wales for' & % O'Connor undertaking to answer for Ireland .

      Well , notwithstanding the vociferous bawling fbt the accounts ( of whioh we have heard nothin since the balance waa shewn to be on the 1 wrong side ) , how ; stands the matter now with the bawtois ! Why , O'Connor has remitted his first quarter ' * instalment for Ireland , while the other quarter ! have yet to do likewise . This will never do ; » man's family who cannot work must be allowed to starve , while he is working without remuneration in a foreign land .

      O Connor has told us , Frost had a smile uponhk countenance , which broke through his load of card ) when he CO'C . ) assured him that the people would never desert his family ; but it is not fair , or just , that one man should be expected to perform tbfl covenant for the empire ; to stand sponsor for Ira * land is , in all conscience , responsibility quite sufficient .

      Untitled Article

      "TOO MANY LOVERS PUZZLE A MAID , " Manv friends inform us that some of their most prominent agitators are in correspondence with various parties , and ask our advice . We advise them only to remain firm ; and whenever a public meeting is convened , for any purpose , no natter what , shove in the Charter amendment ; or , if the enemy refuse to fight a H-o-u-s-e , put it forward as an original resolution ; and insist Hpon ever / amendment or resolution being read over loudly and distinctly , three times , before any vote is token upon it . Thi 3 will arouse the torpid . The mow they hear of Universal Suffrage the better . Aad always pass a vote of censure upon any man , be fc « , whom he may , who once advocated Universal Suffrage , and now declares for any other .

      Declare all resolutions worthless which are pat to a paying audience ; we shall register none excel * where there is free admission and free expresstoi of opinion . We represent poverty , not property ; and we kjnow well how meetings can be packed , even by a penny , or ticket , admission . ¦" .., Our publisher informs us that he has ordered * very handsome device for the head of the Star , which will represent tha Charter vessel in full tt&t with the * Five Points , and No Surrender flying »* the mast head , and then take it down from tb « highest H-o-u-s-e chimney-pot who $ an , but ¦•* WXLI , NEVERKKVEUHEVER BTB . IK . E IT .

      Untitled Article

      THE PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE AND TH ? DELEGATE MEETING FOR FEBRUAB 20 , 1840 . Upon this" subject , we have received the following sensible letter , which we publish , and to whioh V * call attention , with great pleasure : —

      TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTH ERIC STAR , ^ Sir , —Ever since the Delegate Meeting at Manchester , by whioh the National Charter Association was established , I have marked elosely the proceed ings of the Provisional Executive Council , t&en appointed , to carry out the first means necessary w bring the National Association into action . *{* deliberations of the delegates who assembled at M meeting T have alluded to , commenced on Monday i July the . 20 th , 1840 , and ended on the following Thursday ox Friday . It f ** then agreed : that a Provisional Execute should be appointed , to manage the business otW Association until the 1 st of January , 1841 . previoo * to which they should have secured the election w an Executive for the next twelve months , ww should come into office immediately upon the pro" " wonal managers retiring . '

      The Northern Star. Saturday, February 33, 1841.

      THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 33 , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      "" " "" "'" ¦ ^ t - THE NORTHERN STAR . : ¦ - ~ , . ; ;/;; v ^ : ^^ , -- ^ - ^ - ^ . ; . - : ^^ 1

      Errata.—In Our Leader Of Last Weak, Upon Colonel

      Errata . —In our leader of last weak , upon Colonel

  • 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-ncseproduct536/page/4/