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    • THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1842.
    • TO THE CHARTISTS OF SCOTLAND.
    • THE SCOTTISH CONVENTION VOTE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR.
    • <E* i^^a trfrgf Cottc^ontJent04
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      Untitled Article

      TO T&E CHARTISTS OF NORTH LANCASHIRE . Brother Chartists . — We , the delegates of North Tjtncaahire , address ourselyss to you at this most critical noraent , withafoD confidence thst you will at this time give us your undivided support in carrying out the plant ire hare adopted for forwarding the cause of Universal liberty . It is quite time that the working da .-sea should begin to act in union together , they hare too Ion ? been led away by the subtle and cunning schemes of the designing knaves who have fobbed them of their hard-earned money , to squander it away upon tfeeiuselves , their sons , * angbt « rs , and dependents , in useless pensions , abominable sinecures , and unjust wars . We have too long obeyed them and suffered them to sow discord amongst us bv keeping up relicious

      feuds , and national antipathies , so that they may be able with more ease to crush any movement eatculated to give the people their rights . But , thank God , the people have opened their eyes ; they have examined from whence has arisen their present distress . They have have studied political science , and have found tbat the csttse of all their grievances springs from class legislation . The people of England can no longer be persuaded to look with contempt and indifference upon the people of Ireland ; they no longer regard them as aliens , but pity their sufferings brought upon them by the cruel deeds of their and our oppressors ; they solicit them to join in an agitation for a fall measure of justice , one not only calculated for repealing the union , and the Com Laws , hut for the repealing every * ther bad

      law ; we deplore the many divisions that hare taken place on former occasions , and hope for the futvre all bickerings and jealousies may be done away with ; "we , are glad to find tbat a . spirit of perseverance has began to be maaif ertsd in North Lancashire , unequalled on any former agitation , and smidit all the persecution we have to contend againrt from both Whig and Tory , we are increasing the members of our association with astonishing rapidity . We particularly advise the working classes to keep aloof from every agitation , save that which will give to them political power , and not to laid their mighty power to accomplish any object but that of the People's Charter . A mighty move is now endeavoured to be got op by the Corn Law repealers , in order to divert the working classes from the agitation

      they are so nobly engaged in . The Corn Law repealers are so friends to the people , they are a money-grubbing act of individuals , who are determined to enrich themaslvas at the expenoe &f all whom they bring under their tyrannical sway , however loud they may boast of their feelings for the poor . Theiraetionsspeaklonderth . au Worda , which proTes that they are the greatest enemies to the working classes . They persecute tkera . in every way they possibly can , only by meeting in fair and open discussion : this they shrink from , knowing tbat the principles of the Charter are based upon the eternal rock of truth that cannot be undermined by flimsy argustento brought by such a crew of political hypocrites . They deprive us of places to meet in ; they discharge all whom they may employ who have the honesty to

      express their opinions , if they differ from their own ; and yet they would persu % de us that they were Chartists > and if the working classes will only assist them to obtain a repeal of the Corn Laws , they will then go for the Charter J Beware of wolves in sheep ' s clothing . They intend not what they promise ; they want to make a second reform agitation to accomplish their own ends , and then tarn round and laugh at the credulity of working men . We warn the Chartists of the folly of agitating for a repeal of the Corn Laws , even if a repeal would benefit the country . Whilst . the aristocracy have under their command a standing army of butchers , and a base and dissolute priesthood , there is no prospect of the Cora Laws being repealed ; for the landowners , for whose benefit they are . kept on , have

      lived up to the extent , and even exceeded their incomes , they , consequently , have been compelled to mortgage their estites to pay the interest of the mortgage , and if a repeal of the Corn Laws do take , place , and the price of land be lowered , the rents of the farmer would be reduced , and those landowners , whose estates are mortgaged as a majority of them are , ( some of thelandowners paying as much s > 3 three-fourths of the rent tfcey receive in the shape of interest upon mortgages , ) would be entirely rainetf , left deep in debt , and nothing to pay with ; whilst the money-monger , who lent the money , would be benefited ; and yet the landowners , before the Com Laws can be repealed , must give their consent by passing the bill through the House of Lords . Asd what power has the Commons left to enforce them

      to pan it , even if & majority could be obtained to pass it through the House of Commons ? Just none ; for if tfet-y stop the supplies , the Corn Law repealers would be the greatest losers ; the trade of the estmtry being carried on by paper money and fictitious capital , the nosey system would be entirely destroyed , anarchy and -confusion become the order of the day . The landowners having the army to asr ' st them , their boob being tbe officers would serve them , sooner than sse the estate of their father , the baronial castles of their ancestor * going to the hands of tha money speculators , would cast down all who opposed them , like the mower cutting down the ripe grass . Yes , we assure you , that no measure can be obtained for the relief of the people until they have a control over their representatives .

      Give us , then , werking men , your support . Unite , unite ., lor the purpose- of obtaining political freedom . Support the forthcoming Convention with all your might . Give your assistance at this time . Before your delegate can take his seat in the Convention , tha sum of £ 18 aust be raised . This sum your delegates have agreed to have in the hands of the treasurer , Mr . Smith , on the 13 th of February , at the latest No tanejanst be lost ; all hands must be at work . There must be no banging back at this time . Let all the signatures be obtained to the Petition that possibly can begot , but let them be the signatures of all entitled to the franchise . Follow not the example of the Corn

      Law repealers , who , in crder to obtain as many signatures as tbe Chartists , are taking down the names " of little children , and are even boasting at obtaining the signatures of children two and three times over . Act honestly but determinedly , and nothing can stop you from obtaining your political rights as freemen . We « all upon you to supply the required sum for tbe Con-Taition without delay ; and that union and brotherly love may still increase amongst us , and that "Universal Suffrage , and ne surrender , may for ever be the metto of working men . W . Beeslet , District Secretary .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . ¦ JiT Dear Friends , —I have no doubt yon will feel anxious to learn what I have been deing for some time past , and I snail feel it my duty to give you a shoit sketeh of my labours in the cause during my tour in the •* arious parts of the country . In the course of my agitation since I arrived in the metropolis for the purpose of meeting the members of the Executive , I have visited Ipswich and Norwich , in both of which places I addressed meetings , and proeared an addition to the numbers of the Association . 1

      would likewise have visited Chatham , but tbe fog in the river prevented me from reaching that place in time , and consequently the people had dispersed long before I reached Gravesend in the Ipswich steam boat . A second disappointment arose from an announcement in tfceSfar , to which I never gave my consent ; and 1 tract parties , in future , who advertise me to be at places at certain dates , will , in the first place , ask me the question whether I can go or sot I visited Canterbury , and lectured in the Town Hall to an audience who never heard of tbe Charter except

      from prejudiced sources . The impression was good , aad an association was formed in the priest-ridden city ; to whom I disposed of 50 cards , which , with 54 1 left at Ipswich , strengthened the association in that part of the country embraced in the tour by 104 new members . I then proceeded to Diventry , in Northamptonshire , where I addressed a respectable company of my old friends , and caused an increase of members . I moved on , or rather marched , wiih a company of friends to Long Buckley , where I addressed a very good paying audience in a barn , formed an association , and disposed of fifty cards .

      I aext marched , escorted as usual , throngb . the snow to Pitchford , and was received by a joyful peal of bells rang for the occasion . I lectured in a barn where there were two pks outside and two policemen inside . The pigs grunted , the police grumbled , and the people were gratified . The police were sent for by an old lady , who either imagined we were going to storm her house , or steal the pigs . Tbe pigs remained unmolested to digest the fiiit Chartist lecture ever addressed to the swinish multitude , and the police , like all ¦ watchful guardians on a frosty night , repaired to the nearest public house , for the purpose of drinking the oldUdys health , at her especial expence . On the folloiring evening 1 lectured in the Town Hall , which was filled to overflowing 1 y my constituents , and who were , by all accounts , satisfied that free trade was good enough abstractly , but likely to be ruinous , under present circumstances , if practically enforced , without the People ' s Charter . . ;

      1 proceeded to Wellingborougb , where I delivered two lectures , in a coach-maker ' s shop , and enrolled twenty-fire new members , which fact is the best illustration of the tffect of the lecture . AtKettering I lectured twice , and attended a very large tea-party , given by the ladies . Thirty cards were taken tt lettering , which , I am happy to Bay , is very likely to tak » a leading part in the movement I proceeded onwards to Weidon-in-the-Woods , where I found bat few Chartists to begin with ; they were , however , of the right sort , and the agricultural labourers were very attentive .

      Candle was tbe last place in Northampton which I visited , and I had much pleasure in meeting with a Tenerablfl and respected old gentleman , of the name of Hames , who has distributed an immense number of tracts of all kinds , who contributed l . vrgely to the old Convention , and who provided a place of meeting . Chartism is such-indebted to Mr . Hames , and be has jny Hunks , &s one of the party , for his unequalled exertions in the cause , surrounded as he is by prejudice and hostile interests . I am , my dear Friends , Tout ' s , in the cause , P . M . M'DotAXL . My address is 1 , Shoe-lane , London . Wisbeach , Cambridgeshire , Jan . 17 th , 1842 .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE MEMBERS , SUB-SECRETARIES , AND GENERAL COUNCILLORS OF THE NATIONAL CHASTER ASSOCIATION . Brother Democrats , —Nothing can arrest the rapid progress of our principles except our own divisions or apathy . Divisions ever have been the bane of the progress of the cause of justice and humanity ; observe how the Whiga and Tories cover every fault they possibly can in the parties in their ranks . I have invariably found fckat tbe best way to forward our great and sacred cause ii , to avoid jealonsy ; every good democrat will be appreciated according to his deserts . I wish that parties writing to me would pre-pay their letters , I have had lately to pay for several letters twopence each , whereas if they were pre-paid they would

      come free to me , and only cost the senders one penny each . Such places ai have not had cards can have them by applying to me . I would feel obliged to the gentleman who remitted ten shillings from Bedruth , in Cornwall , for cards , if he would write to me again ; when he shall have done so , I will transmit cards to him . I also wish to know if Mr . Martin , of Brampton , has received the cards I sent him . I received a letter from Boston , yesterday , stating that cards were wanti ng , they remitted me £ 1 Os . fid . for the cards ; this is the fourth town in Lincolnshire enrolled in the National Charter Association . The association new

      exists in every town of note in England ; it has a strong and firm footing in London , the metropolis of Europe ; in Manchester , the great commercial mart ; in . Liverpool , in Birmingham , Newcastle , Carlisle , Leeds , York , Hull , " Bamsley , Bradford , Dewsbury . Huddersfield , Halifax , Oldham , Ashton , Rochdale , Bolton , Stookport , Chester , Macclesfield , Dsrby , Lonjjbioroogb , Nottingham , Leicester , the Potteries , Stafford , Coventry , Warwick , Worcester , Merthyr Tydvil , Brighton , Bath , Bristol , Norwich , Ipswich , Canterbury , Durham , Sunderland , Chatham , Portsmouth , Isle ef Wight , Oxford , Cambridge , and hundreds of other places .

      You see we h&ve penetrated into the seats of State Church inteleraaoe , viz ., Canterbury , Durham , Chester , and Norwich ; into the great sea portB , into villages , in almost every county in England and Wales ; into tbe University towns of Oxford and Cambridge . I uow ask when were our principles so rapidly extended before in so short a space of time , with such little means ? I am particularly anxious that the following places should authorise the sub-Secretaries to write to me , viz . : — Wandsworth Deptford Heywood Selby Qaeensbead Cbarcbwell Beverley Newcastle-under-Lyne Walsall Birmingham , Swallow-street Coventry Stapleford Ruddington Dalston New Mills Glessop Blackwood Yam Percy Main Hartlepool Milford Seghill Crwnlington Bazlegrove Wilsden Stanningley Kingswood-hill Bipon Boroughbridge Bridlington Chelsea Wolverton BLrst&l Cleckbeaton Dodworth Woolwich Lepton Chatham Hollingwood Winslow Ncrtawicb Bridport Royten Exeter Tonbridge Birkenhead «¦ Melksham Silsden Camborne . Com- Driffield wall Wednesbury Sonderlaad Nuseatoa Croydon Idle I sincerely hope that the sub-Secretaries of the above will immediately correspond with me . I return my most sincere thanks to Messrs . Bairstow and Taylor for sending me the names of the sub-Secretaries wherever they establish the Association . Years in the cause . John Campbell , Sec .

      The Northern Star Saturday, January 22, 1842.

      THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , JANUARY 22 , 1842 .

      Untitled Article

      THE NEW " NEW MOVE" " Hit . BIGGS AND HIS MIDLAND COUNTIES ' CHARTER . The position of the people and the " liberal " middle-classes of this country affords an illustration of the old fable of Mohammed and the mountain , which bat for the consequences involved in and the circumstances which have led to it might be amusing . Most heartily , however , do we rejoice to see that the well-schooled people understand their lesson and arc resolved to perfectly play out their part . Whatever of bullying and blustering and kicking and vapouring and coaxing and wheedling may be

      resorted to , the mountain will not badge ; and Mohammed , if he purpose to effect & janction must positively advance , not merely halfway , but the whole distance . The Whig middle classes succeeded , ten years ago , in persuading { he people to win power for them , with the dittinct bargain that it should be used for the protection of the people and shared with them ; they used that power for purposes of oppression , robbery , and spoliation under the name and forms of law ; they were reminded of their compact by the abused and deceived people ; they replied by proclamations

      police-bludgeons , military pageants , unjust arrests , mock trials , murderous pre-determined sentences , dungeons , and tortures ; the spirit of tbe people was aroused ; they were hurled from the seats they had denied ; and the sceptre was wrested from their grasp . They are now beginning to find that the prosperity of the wicked is not for ever ; that a reaction mast eome , and does come . They are beginning to feel how very powerless they are withont the aid of the abased and vilified and insulted people . Seeing thi 3 , their first thought was

      to neutralise the power they had called into activity by dividing its forces ; hence the many attempts by corrupting or cajoling venal or weak-minded leaders to split up the people into sections ; to convert the sections into factions , and so to occupy them in destroying each other : hence the " new move , " the Brewster factioH , and the other efforts that have been made and are yet making to destroy that unity of action which is the anchor of the people's hope . This game has been tried to surfeiting , but ineffectually : the people do but laugh in the faces of their tools , and drum them out of the ranks .

      Unable to destroy the people ' s energies , they perceive their only chance of maintaining their own position and of regaining power to lie in the devising of some means whereby it should be again purchased to their use ; and they are very anxious therefore to close np the wounds they have 10 rudely opened and to knit the people again to them . Hence the Cora Law Repeal clap-trap which has 59 signally failed as to have become a bye word of contempt ; aud hence too the more recent and more wily move of M complete Euffrage" to which the aid and countenance of Mr . Stcbge has been obtained ; in which the vague principle of Universal Suffrage is recognised , but with a careful exclusion of all those necessary fences of detail which are alike

      important for the obtaining , guiding , and retaining of it All these are alike unavailing ; the time for cajoling the people has gone by ; they havo long since settled in their minds the principle of Universal Suffrage ; they have prepared and laid down a plan for the useful working of that principle ; and they don ' t choose to begin their work again , because the middle classes find it only now convenient to acknowledge their ignorance . Hence , to resume our simile , the people like the mountain have remained firm ; while the middle classes , like Mohammed , have been mouthing and mouthing , and coaxing and coaxing , and are now beginning to think seriously of coming to the mountain .

      As & last coaxing effort , Mr . "Wh . Biggs , of Leicester , has thrown Ms delicately-formed tub to the great whale . He gives a flourish of trumpets preparatory , which is echoed by several " Liberal " ¦ papers of an amended Charier , which , was to remove from the People's Charter all that was unjust or offensive , and cause it to be adopted by the middle classes ; he is permitted to occupy six mortal columns of a large folio newspaper , with the full-length bantling at its birih ; and -what is the result ? Why an abortion , so perfect , that it is alike spurned by all parties 1 Poor Mr . Biggs ! What an ill-used man How shameful I that the naughty people , and the still more naughty middle classes , for whose service , it was specially adapted , won ' t touch his amended Charter ! We ave waited to see the answer of the " Dissenting idland Counties' Reformers" to

      Untitled Article

      the very modest devolving ' of Mr . Bioas' bantling upon them , before we said anything about it . That reply Mr . Biggs furnishes in the following letter to the Editor of the paper which inserted hiB " amended Charter * ' ; : — " Leicester , Jan . 6 , 1842 . " Sir , —In you * last week ' s paper , you were kind enough to insert a letter of mine , ia the course of which I intimated my intention ' of devolving the success or

      failure of the Amended Charter upon the dissenting ministers of the midland counties . ' I have , since tbat time , bad the pleasure of seeing many of those gentlemen , and I find that though they generally agree in the principles of the Amended Charter , and will have no objection as citizens and friends of civil and religious liberty , at fitting times and seasons , to give to it , in as far as they approve it , their support , yet tbat , as distorting ministers , thej are disinclined to be so intimately identified with it aa I proposed .

      " I regret further to Bay , that the result of my correspondence with the Whig Radical Reformers , and dissenting ministers of Nottingham , Derby , and Lougnborough , as to the proposed Political Convention , is not encouraging or satisfactory . Under tkese cucamat&nces , the plan must be left to the calm consideration and reflection of Reformers generally . So far as I am individually concerned , it is enough that I have redeemed my promise of introducing it to the public . I believe firmly that the working classes will consult their real interest by adopting it .

      I believe further , tbat the mlddlo classes may support it with perfect security ; but of this both classes must constitute themselves the judges : it is a subject on which it would be gratuitous on all sides to be precipitate . Having no greater personal interest in the progress of pnblie liberty than the poorest man in tbe empire , I can be well content that some other more feasible projectmay be launched , which may have a greater prospect of immediate or ultimate success . " I remain , Sir , " Your obedient servant ,

      " William Biggs . " So that Mr . Biggs now figures something like a Chinese mandarin , without his button . His " amended Charter " , instead of being " the Midland Counties ' Charter , " is poor Mr . Biggs' lame bantling ; kicked out by the Dissenting Ministers , disowned by the Whig-Radicals , and cuffed equally by the Nonconformist , and the good Chartist Parson , Humphrey Price ! Well ; well ! these things will happen . The best of projects are sometimes frustrated ; and as heavy a fall as this has ere now overtaken as great a man as Mr . Biggs .

      We have a spice of that indiscriminate charity in our disposition which would induce us , had we the means , to keep an open refuge for the destitute ; aud in the true spirit of this disposition , as Mr . Biggs'friends " bowed him out" we proceed to " take him in , " and to introduce him to the notice of our readers . We have read this " Midland Counties' Charter" most carefully ; and find dishonesty in every lineament . He sets out with a flaming eulogium on tbe principles of the People ' s Charter . He says , speaking in the character of " the under-signed Ministers of Religion , members of Reform Societies , fcc " : —

      " We hold that the general principles of the Charter are correct and indisputable ; that they lie at the foundation of all democratic governments ; that they are old as time , immutable as fate , sternal as the hills , and are at once the pride and birthright of the human race . " " He proceeds to assert that the design of t > . original framers of the Charter " to cause the Radicals of the United Kingdom to form , if possible , a concentration of their principles ia a practical form ,

      upon whioh they could be brought to unite , and to which they might point , as a Charter they are determined to obtain" ; in other words , to induce a union of all reformers in the empire , for the purpose of effecting a grand national organic change in the Parliamentary representation , based upon the principles of the " Equal Rights of Man , " has signally failed ; and tbat though the Charter has been now three years before the public , it is as far from effecting the object designed , as it was when it was first launched into political existence .

      These are his reasons for sitting down to remodel and to purge of its impurities the Charter ; of whose p , incipies he has spoken so highly : and after labouring , as we have Baid , throsgh six long columns , the " amendments" he proposes are to give the vote to all persons of twenty-five years instead of twentyone , —to make the residence qualification twelve months instead of six , —and to fix the duration of Parliaments at three years instead of one . With these alterations he regards the Charter aa : — " A practical scheme of political reform , which , while It is based upon first principles , may in our honest and conscientious conviction , come inte immediate operation to morrow , without the slightest insecurity to life , liberty , or property . "

      Now , the first natural feeling of a honest man at sight of this statement is , "Why then make afuss about such trifling matters of difference as these ! Why not at once , seeing that the Charter has been three years before the public , and has therefore many admirers and honest advocates , merge these Blight and inconsiderable matters of difference on detail for the attainment of the great end sought ; a cordial agreement on the principlesV This we say is the first thing that strikes a honest mind . The end avowedly sought is an union of the middle classes with the Chartists , for the purpose of honestly promoting the great principles of the Charter ; and if this end were really sought , and if the Charter was so near to Mr . Biggs' mind as to need

      only these alterations , and if the middle classes , were very anxious about the union fob the purpose avowed , there can be no manner of doubt that they would sacrifice their own predilections on these points , rather than hazard the continuance of that disagreement which they affect to deplore . This is the clear-sighted view of . the matter , taken by tfee Rev . Mr . Price , who , in a letter to the Leieester Chronicle , says : — " If Mr . Biggs can win over the middle classes to the Charter cause , withont compromising a particle of true liberty , I for one will gratefully honour him as one of the noblest friends of the working man , and of the united empire . Let Mr . Biggs proceed in his design , but in such a way as not to stop others . The first ,

      which may now be called the old Charter , is most probably , rooted in tbe very souls of hundreds of thousands under five and twenty years of age . Such ardent spirits , downright in earnest , might possibly be brought to contemplate , their liberty held five or six years before thair eyes , in abeyance ; and thus , after having finished one five or seven years' apprenticeship , to look forward to another . But this will now become a severe trial . Mr . Biggs should have come forth somewhat earlier with his amendments , and I am not prepared to say that they are not amendments . * * Though myself one of the middle classes , and approving of Mr . Bigga's amendments , I for the present adhere to the old Charter for two reasons : first , because my main trust , under God , is in the working men ; and next , because the old Charter is rooted in their hearts . "

      In the same spirit of manly sinceiity , the Nonconformist , after stating his objections to the laying down of details at all , for which he thinks the minds of the middle classes yet unprepared , exclaias : — " Nor do we see anything so much more valuable in a twelvemonth ' s residence , and twenty-five years of age , regarded as pre-requisites of the franchise over six months' residence and twenty-one years of age , as to render an entire change of the principles upon which complete suffrage is based , either necessary or justifiable . Were the whole matter talked over now for the first time , we will hot aver that Mr .

      Biggs might not adduce strong arguments why the on © set of cheeks upon the suffrage were to be preferred to the other . But why , when the other plan has been some years before the world , when it is based upon intelligible principles , and when it affords a guarantee for the fit exercise of the franchise , but an inconsiderable fraction less trustworthy than that proposed by Mr . Biggs—why now , at the commencement of an important movement , the suspicions of working men are to be excited by provisions which , after all , will not allay the fears of the middle classes , is to our minds , we confess , a question to which we can furnish no satisfactory reply . "

      We confess that had not Mr . Biggs himself furnished it , we should have been as much at a loss for a reply as our contemporary . Mr . Big « s has , however , taken great pains not to be mistaken . He has , as we before said , stamped dishonesty upon every lineament of his new Charter . His professed object is to prodace union with the Chartists . Wo have already seen enough to shew that that is not his purpose ; and lest we Bhould , by any possibility , mistake him , he begins this crusade for union with a volley ef senseless and scurrilous invective against the Chartist lfaders . " The conduct of some of the Chartist leaders has beea Btrangely inconsistent : —with " equal

      Untitled Article

      rights" upon their lipBj they have been practically intolerant to all who differed from them ; with a professed sympathy for the millionsj they have perpetuated their distresses ; with an avowed hatred of Toryism , they have coalesced with and supported Tories ; vfith a claim to superior patriotism , they have been praotically the worst en emies of civil liberty this country ever saw ; they have thus alarmed , abused , and vilified those whose assistance was indispensable to their success , and without whose

      concurrence they had not the slightest shadow of a chance ; they have alienated friends , strengthened enemies , obstructed practical measures of relief , and have aided to , restore that party to the Government , from which they have not the smallest chance of dislodging it;—and yet , with all these merits and performances " full blown , and fresh as May , " affect now to wonder there can be no union between them and the middle classes , when they themselves are the guilty authors of the separation !"

      TWb is the mild and conciliatory language of a middle-class writer who seeks an union with the Chartists 1 We don't wonder that the Dissenting Ministers are ashamed of their connection with such a man as this ; so ttfry bungling a workman in cloakmaking ! Not less singularly unfortunate-is Mr . Biggs in the consistency of his animadversions on and proposed alterations in the Charter with his professions of respect and veneration for its principles . He holds : — ¦ ¦• ; .

      " That the general principles of the Charter are correct and indisputable ; that they lie at the foundation of all democratic governments ; that they are old as time , immutable as fate , eternal as the hills , and are at once the pride and birthright of the human race , " . . : '; - / - ; . ;¦ ' ¦[ . ' . ; ' ¦ .. ¦ -. ; ' . '" And yet two out of the three of his proposed alterations are in the very teeth of those principles , and t o a third he accords but a very grumbling kind of assent ! The first great principle of the Charter i Universal Suffrage , and Mr . Biggs affirms his cordial belief in this great cardinal principle by proposing an alteration whioh would disfranchise a very large portion of those who now have the suffrage !

      Another great principle of the Charter is Annual or Sessional Parliaments—and this principle Mr , Biggs labours , through a full third of his document , to upset and quotes numerous authorities to show its mischievous tendency I Another great principle is the negation of Property qualification . Upon this principle Mr . Bicgs says : — "We do not as practical men entirely agree ^ s to the expediency of this proposition , yet , acting upon

      the principle with which we set out , of agreeing in all cases where we can without a compromise of our integrity , or honest convictions , we shall not insist upon any particular property qualification as a sine quanon . * . * But as we apprehend that ' in this old European world of ours , ' and particularly in our day , and generation , ( other considerations being equal ) men of property would always be preferred , we leave this clause of the Charter untouched . "

      This is Mr . Bkws' mode of holding that "the general principles of the Charter are correct and indisputable ; that they lie at the foundation of all democratic governments | tbat they are old as time , immutable as fate , eternal as the hills , and are at once the pride and birthright of the human race" ! . :. ' ' . \ - ' - ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ; , . : ¦ , ¦¦ "¦ ¦ ' ¦ " ¦ ' Really , the thing , after all , is a good joke to laugh at ! And then the "indispensable importance of the middle classes to the Chartists" ! Without

      them ; the Chartists have no manner of chance ! The Charter agitation "has signally failed" ! It has been " three years before the public , and is yet no nearer the attainment of its object than at first ! " Good , simple Mr . Bi «« s whenoe came this " amended Charter" of your ' s 1 How long must we have waited for it , if your friends , the Whigs , had yet been on the sunny-side of Downing Street , and if the Charter agitation had never risen 1 Answer that ; Schoolmaster ! The Nonconformist'is not quite so astute . He says that the appearance of this "Amended Charter "

      " Indicates , that the accession of the Tories to power has given a mighty impulse toi the cause of the people , and that the removal of ihe VVhigs has restored to more than its wonted elasticity the reforming spirit of the present day . Leading men of the middle class are beginning to shake off the lethargy with which , the opiate of Whig professions had fairly overcome them ; and as , one by one , they are brought round to consciousness by

      the cold water of Tory rule , they discern tbe anvacing difference there is between the airy dreams of stimulated fancy , and the obstinate realities of actual and waking life . We hail their restoration to the ranks , which , for a brief , period , and under a temporary hallucination , they quitted—and we trust the time is not far distant , when the reformers of every class will be again animated with one soul , and march down in one compact and irresistible phalanx upon the common foe . "

      This is just what we have always said . We always told the people , maugre all the grumbling of some good Cnariists at our" protory" policy , that a bleak view of Dpwning-street , was the only thing for bringing round the Whigs and making Chartists of them . See how the thing works ! Let this Charter of Mr . Biggs , answer . Let the people but keep true to themselves and their own Charter , as they have hitherto done , and We stake our lives on it that when Mohammed is fairly satisfied that the mountain won't move ; he will soon come to the mountain !

      To The Chartists Of Scotland.

      TO THE CHARTISTS OF SCOTLAND .

      , Mv dear Friknds , ^ -You invited me , after my incarceration , to visit your country for the purpose , as your letters stated , of proving that yonr affection towards me had not abated . In compliance with your wishes , I went to Scotland before I had visited any district of England , and after attending nearly fifty large meetings I had the heartfelt consolation to find that you were a people worth suffering for , while nothing more increased my affection towards you than the hearty response with which my appeals on behalf of my native land were met .

      For seven years I have : laboured in England and Scotland in the cause of national liberty ; and although almost exiled from the loved land for which my family have suffered an unprecedented martyrdom , yet have I at all times , out of season and in season , brought the woes of Ireland before you . When I went amongst you in 1836 I found you distracted between the undefined tests of O'Connell and Durham , as they were called ; and then , for the first time , did I , in person , unite the whole of the working classes in one great national union . My subsequent Visits to Scotland have been numerous and expensive ; and it was my delight to hold you up in all my speeches and writings as the stronghold of democracy .

      In October and November : last , I say , I attended nearly fifty large public meetings , at each and all of which the National Petition was unanimously adopted , While a djstinct pledge to assist Ireland in her struggle for redemption was also carried . During my sojourn , a National Convention of Scottish delegates was spoken of , and , without my knowledge , the good men of Eiders'eyi the birth place of the immortal Wallace , did me the honour to elect me

      as their delegate . Rutherglen followed the example of Eldersley , and by its election strengthened my hands by the increased confidence . While I was in Scotland no opposition , not any , was offered to the National Petition . No amendment was moved to its adoption—all was unanimous , till those , whose duty it was to preserve union , met in Con * vention on the third day of January ; and to the proceedings of that body I shall now apply my self . " ¦ ¦ ., ' ¦ ¦ . ¦'¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . '¦ ' - . . ' , ¦ ; . . - ¦ 7

      I should have written to you on the subject in last week ' s Star , but I preferred waiting till you had the whole of the proceedings before you ; and even now , in consequence of the neglect of my reporter , you are in but very imperfect possession of the facts . Nay , I cannot make head or tail of his infernal trash myself , although I was present . I must now relieve the proceedings from the-obscurity in which neglect and treachery have enveloped them .

      On Monday , the 3 rd , the delegates met , I was not present upon that day , and I havo no reason to regret my absence , a 9 I learn that Brewster , the old torment , occupied the whole day in an attempt to sow discord and confusion : he was baffled , however , by the good sense of the delegates . Nothing of more importance than putting down this firebrand occurred on Monday , beyond the very discre-

      Untitled Article

      ditable manner in which one of the synod of GlaSgow 7 pf © cured his election , firewater said that any four or five persons inight elect a delegate ; and on the instant off ran Mr . Charles M'Ewin to a few houses called Gavan , tapped at a few doore , which were opened , and oh Tuesday , their pious representative ^^ presented his credenti als and was admitted ; thua leaving Gattoc and Old Sarom in the shaded : / ¦' .. ¦'' ¦ , ' ¦ : ' / . ' . [ ... - : . :-: ' ¦• ... : ; -7 ' - ' yv '¦ ¦ ' ¦ .

      You shall now hear how the principle of equal representation was practically carried put by the Church-Chartist Synod of Glasgow . Fifty-four delegates was the greatest number that voted , and of these fifty-four Glasgow alone returned seventeen ! Aye , seventeen ! and of those setenteeir the fp liowi » g were Whigs—rank Whigs , and compose the Chartist presbytery of Glasgow . M'Farlane , he was said to be elected for Montrose , Malcolm , ( for some country district ) , Patteson , Currie , Jack , M'Ewin , Dixon , Cassels , Rodgers , and some other whose name I do not recollect . Now , all these ran about like rats , endeavouring to get a constituency ; and I

      am bold to assert that altogether they did hot represent 500 of the working classes of any part of the world . Added to these wo had Brewster , and three of his tools chosen by the shopkeepers of Paisley , and a person of the name of Mitchell , elected at a twopenny ticket meeting at Aberdeen , one of the Calton Hill bucks , and subsequently one of the " new move" gentry . Now , Proudfopt , Ross , Co ! - quhoun , and Meyers , ( the treasurer of the Chartist Church ) , as fine a fellow as lives , and myself were also elected for parts of Glasgow , Messrs . Proudfoot and Ross being bound down by the instructions of their constituents .

      Thus , there were ten Glasgow preachers , all Whigs— -not a drop of Chartist blood in their veinsfour Brewsterites and Mitchell , making a total of fifteen ; and will any mm in Scotland tell me that the set represent 500 working men 1 and yet we bad to contend against them . In consequence of M'DouaH ' s very excellent letter in last week's Star , I shall be explicit . That letter was written under a misapprehension . It was written under the impression that the vote of the Synod , by which we were to have had two petitions , remained undisturbed , while , thanks to Lowery , for a very excellent amendment which rescinded the one of the Synod , we were spared the disgrace of a double petition .

      I shall now lay before you all that happened of importance during Tuesday and Wednesday . On Tuesday- Jack moved the rejection of the petition and the adoption of a new petition for Scotland . One of the Saints , of course , seconded it , and that firm and noble fellow , John Wallace M'Crea , moved an amendment for the adoption of the petition as it stood . To this Lowery mbved another amendment , to the effect that all places where the National Petition had been adopted should go on procuring signatures ; and that in future , to prevent disunion , all extraneous matter should ba omitted from a National Petition . The

      vote was first taken upon the amendments , when M'Crea ' swascarriedby a large majority . M'Crea ' s amendment and Jack's resolution were then put when the numbers were equal , 27 and 27 ; the Chairman having voted , and Rodger who was pledged by his constituents to support the Petition , having refuted to vote . In this dilemma the Chairman was called upon to give his casting vote . I , with others protested against this , as be had voted before ; however , he requested five minutes reflection in the vestry room , and at the end of that period , he gave the casting vote against the National Petition . /" - ¦ . - ¦ ; ¦¦ . - ; - ¦ : . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦" . •• ¦ . ¦" ¦ ; ¦ "' .

      Emboldened by their temporary triumph , Patteson , another of the Synod , moved a resolution deprecating all interference with meetings which had for their object the removal of what he termed"infamous monopolies "— -a most rascally resolution—one calculated to hand us over , bound neck and heels , to the League ; the Synod to a man , with Brewster and his tools and a few who were looking to thePreabytary for preferment , voted for this ; but wo carried an amendment of Lowery ' s , recommending the old course of explaining our principles and taking the vote at all meetings , by a sweeping majority .

      On Wednesday morning the committee brought in a new petition for Scotland , and Brewster , who objected to any details , even the mention of Repeal and the Poor Law Amendment Act , opposed it , because there was no mention made of Paisley N 6 Wj Scotchmen , what think you of that man ' s brain i Did I not always tell you that he was " daft . " However to this petition there Was some objection , but it passed . . C Continued next week . )

      The Scottish Convention Vote. To The Editor Of The Northern Star.

      THE SCOTTISH CONVENTION VOTE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR .

      81 R—In juBtice to those delegates , who , in the late Chartist Convention , supported and voted in favour of the National Petition , I think their names and votes ought to have : been , recorded in the reports sent you by your Glasgow correspondent I much regret that this has not been done , as I perceive from Dr . M'Douall ' s letter , published in last Saturday ' s Star , some delegates are accused ( and I have good reason to believe justly ) of not voting , who had instructions from their constituents to vote for the Petition .

      Now , as the names of those who acted thus treacherously to their constituents , and , in fact , to their country , are not mentioned , and lest I may be reckoned among those who objected to the Petition , I beg leave to state , for the satisfaction of my English friends , that I supported it to the utmost of my ability ; and on its being rejected by the casting vote of he chairman , he having voted against it previously , 1 supported and voted for Mr . Lowery ' s amendment , By inserting the abeve in the * S 7 ar of next Saturday , you will confer a special fivour on Yours very respectfully , Duncan Robertson . Motherwell , Jan . 16 , 1842 , ,

      Untitled Article

      Bkief Roles for the Government of all wh « write for Newspapers . — Write tegitly . Make as few erasures and interlineations as possible In writing natnes of persons arid places be more particular thanusual to makelevery ^ letter dislirict and clear—also in using words not English Write only on one side of the paper . Employ no abbreviations whatever , but write out every word in full . Address communications not to any particular person , but to "The Editor . '' Finally , when you sit down to write , don ' t be in a hurry . Consider that hurried writing makes slow printing . Horton Reform Association . —We have no room for the address ; at all events not this week . Belfast Chartists . — We are compelled to reserve their report till next week . T . S . —The Sheflield Political Institute is an isolated

      body , altogether distinct from the Charter Association ; but professing , to advocate the same principles and to seek the accomplishment of the sameobject . H . Johnson , Portsea , is not the H . Johnson whom we lately designated " a fool , and something more . " W . Cqrdkux—The reports of the York Chartists will be always subjected to precisely' the same discretionary process as all other reports sent to this office . We hate further to request , that in future they will confine their resolutions to sitch matters of local or general policy as eome properly within their scope , and leave the business affairs of this office to those who have its management . ¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ - ' . - ' ¦ .. ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦''¦¦/ ¦ : - - ' . ' ¦ "'

      DEiiPH . —The Saddleworlh Chartists wish to ask Mr . O Connor , through the medium of the Star , t / he can pay them a visit some time soon , dft his way to or from Leeds . Saddleworth is in ds corrupt a state as London :: hundreds of working men would gladly come forward but for the tyranny of their masters ^ shopkeeper 8 , and parsons They return their thanks to the Editor of the Star for his able advocacy of the rights of labour , and to Mr . Penny , oj'MillsBridge , forhisletterste Mr . Stansfield . ' Arthur O'Neil , sub Secretary to the Redfearnstreet Chartists , wishes thai all communications intended for him be addressed , for the future / to the careofMr . James Wheeler . 9 Whittle-street ¦

      , Manchester . ' V :- ;; . ;• : ¦¦ , : : v- ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ :- ¦ ¦¦' " . ¦ . . ¦ -.-. ¦' Bolton . —Ail letter * and communications to be sent tfl William Baird , No . 7 , Flash-street , Bdllon , Lancashire . Persons holding Petition Sheets are requested to bring them in as soon as possible to the rooms in Howell-croft . H . A . Donaldson . —received . The ChabtIsts ofSpitlle-gate , Gfantkam , wUlplease to write to ^ Mr . J . Sweet , Goose-gate , Nottingham , and state if They can aid their brethren in supporting the Convention . Joseph Andrews . —The statements of shoemakers ' wages byrailI meanti ; but mind and be correctsend not a word which can be disputed . We cannot answer his question .

      Untitled Article

      Patt Ji'TwouLTBR w a sad simpleton . ' He hadevidently , as he says , but lately seen the Northern Star , or he would hove known thai all his objections about Corn Law Repeal have been met ^ and ¦' . replied to in it again and again . rf Kbtterino Chartists ixill see titat Dr . MIDouatt '* letter has rendered their ' report . unnecessary . General Secbbtart '? Address . —Mr . John Campbell , 18 , Adderleyatreeti Shaw ' s Brow , Man Chester . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦;¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ < -: ; V ^ - \ ~ ^^¦ ¦•; :. '' ; ¦ : '¦ , "' - ' - ¦¦ Hanley Chartists qomplatn v their brief reports being curtailed . We can assure them that we do it with reluctance , but have no alternative . We are obliged to curtail all reports as much as pos sible . If our Hahley friends were here to see the amount of labour this causes , they would readily believe that we would gladly excuse apor l tionof it if possible . Hanley Fem Lhus . -r-Their address next week .

      Mr . T . Falvby and our Manchester Reporter —We havereceived a letter from our Manchester Correspondent in reference to the letter of " Mr . Falvey noticed in our last , defending theaccuracy of his report . As we denied insertion to Mr . Falvey ' s letter , we do > hot think it would . be fair to insert 'this . Enough that our reporter ¦ affirms his report to be true in . every particutdr t arid appeals to the audience and the local press for corroboralion . He has also enclosed extraets from the Manchester ' anti-Corn Lawpress , which bear out the statements of his letter . Mr .: Campbell wishes that some person would forward to him a Northerri ^ Star of the 5 th of October , 1839 . ¦ ¦; ...-: . ¦¦ ¦ . '; . y .: :::. - ¦ '/¦¦; : ¦' . ' ¦ ' ^ ¦ -. / - — : ¦ " ... All , Letters to be addressed as usual to Mr . Camp * bell , Salford , until a further notice appears in the ¦ Star . ' .: ¦ - ¦ - v ; .: ; . ' - -f ' . - / ' .- "V- ' > ..::: ; - ' . Support for the ExecptiV £ . —William Fairburn

      writes :- — - ' : ' : . ' - . ¦ . - - ' .. '¦ ¦ : ¦ . ¦ ¦¦ : , ..: . 'If you will allow me , I will point out a plan to the Chartists of England whereby they may raise a fund not only for the Executive ^^ but also for the Executive to be able to employ something like fifty able lecturers for this country , namely : There is 300 Chartist Associations , and by each Association getting up a ; tea party and ball once in 8 ix months , the proceeds , after paying the expences , to go to the fund , and , with geod management , it could be made to bring upwards of JE 300 . The Executive to pay 53 . per week to each lecturer , and the associations reckoning six places , one for each night , ( and Sunday as a rest day ) to pay 2 s . 6 d . to the lecturer , which would make his wages £ l per

      : week . By so doing , it would be the . means of spreading our principles in places wkere they are unknown . Then there would be the additional ¦ members which would be got , and the cards of ' membership , being paid for regularly every month , would enable the Executive to go on with their good work ; which would strike terror to the oppressors of the working millions . —The Chartists of Wednesbury intend to get up a tea party and ball shortly , for the benefit of the Executive ; and they hope that the above plan will be acted upon by all the Chartists of England . " Plan for the support of the Executive , and tbb Cause generally . —A Factory Youth propases the following plan : — Let the Askociatiori

      rooms be opened two nights per week , or on Sundays if more convenient , for the purpose of teaching reading , writing , accounts , < $ *

      take rooms , 3 hd commence supporting the Executive and the cause generally according to the above plan , which will at the same time be the means of spreading sound information amongst the rising generation—a subject which ought to be kept in view by every real philanthropic mind But , setting aside the moral and intellectual view of the effect which such a plan is calculated to produce , letus see what would be the effect of it in another point of view , if only partially carried out . Suppose that out of the 300 towns which at present compose the Association , only 150 could be induced to put the plan into opera ' tioh \ and the attendance of pupus was , upon an average , thirty-six at each room ; then thirty-sue

      at one penny each night , would raise 6 s . for . the two nights per week , and that multiplied by 150 would produce a weekly sum of £ 45 , which is equal to the weekly contributions of' 10 , 800 members ! and that carried forward would , in a year ' s time , produce the sum of £ 2 , 340 !! With suvh a sum at the disposal of the Chartist body , could nothing be done ? Unhappy Ireland might have missionaries sent over to her , and her long-deluded sons might be made to see . their true interests ; in short , a steady fire might be kept up on the citadel of corruption , which would speedily compel Us factious occupants to surrender . " - ' . Chartist Tokens of Honour . —A Correponden writes thus : —

      ' ¦ * Some time ago I observed in the valuable paper of which you are the Editor a few lines on the subject of presenting every Chartist who warsarTering in prison at that time , for his advocacy of the good cause , with a Medal , inscribed with bis name , the date of his arrest , sentence , name of the Judge , &C , to serve , as a token of gratitude to himself , as well as to be worn on public occasions , and be an heirloom to bia family . : >\/\ ; - '¦¦ ¦ ' " Now , Sir , I know not how this agreeable proposition fell to the ground ; but it appears it is forgotten , and perhaps it was laid aside for lack of fundB to carryifcput . '¦ . : ' / :. ; }¦ r-: ' " But just at this time , when the Executive is sadly in want of the means of pursuing their bjectil think

      a goodly sum might be raised by having 600 medals of the above description , and eaeh individual to pay for his own . Then there might be some use for the tricolour of the « Woolwich Cadet / as they would surely pay for their own , as well as Feargus ' si and if any proSt remained , let it go . to the : . Executive . ;; ' ¦'¦ ¦ : ¦'¦ ¦"¦ : " . -. " ; .. ¦¦ . v . : ' ¦ ¦; ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' " Surely- the high-minded and intelligent individuals who were incarcerated would be proud to per . petuate their names amongst their progeny , and the cause of which they were the advocates : and I feel satisfied the heroic Feargus would endeavour to see the object carried out on a scale worthy its importance , particularly as he has lived to see his

      own in circulation , and coveted by every lover ol liberty . I would ^^^ respectfully suggest , then , that stfips be taken to carry out this desirable object , by the appointment of a Cdmmittee , or Borne other expeditious method , if only to aid the ExccuUve . " Hoping this proposal may meet yonr approbation and the public eye , as well as the proposition of our intelligent friend at Chichester , "I remain , Sir , "A lover of equality , and " One ; of the Sufferers . ' * " P . S . There would be no need for a bead on the medal , an emblem of Freedom would answer quite as ¦ treil ' - .. ¦ ¦' " ¦ ¦ ; ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ " . ¦ ¦ ¦ - : ¦ .: , ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ _ "• ¦

      Bisley .- —Distribution of the Funds ; of the Manufacturers' Relief Committee . — -A correspondent , who signs "Abel ' D * Cook , " and who states himself ready to prove his assertions on oath , writes us , that the portion of the funds of the Manufacturers' Relief Committee sent to Bisley , is being shamefully misapplied ; that a system of favouritism and exclusion is carried on in its distribution , whichiif true , is abominable ., ffe says : ¦ — ¦ ... ;¦ , , "On Thursday , December 30 , 1841 , a person who has been left dest ' . tate by the death of an only parent , applied for some relief from this fund , but was refused ; the alleged reason being that she kept a Chartist lodger in her house , and that as long as ~ she kept him she should have no relief , though the parties knew that she had no other dependence . Another person was refused , because he had made

      and mended shoes for the said Chartist ; and permitted him to frequent his house : this being given as the only reason for refusing relief . Other persons , who are actually starving for want of the common necessaries of life , have been refused relief npon equally frivolous grounds : some because they had pariah relief , to the extraordinary amount of one shilling per week—although their order is to dMribute this money without regard to the parish : others because they went to chapel , &c ., &e . ; while some persons who are " well to dp in the world " nave . received : relitf . One person who has a large sum of money deposited in the bank , and an extensive busineaa , has been relieved with a quantity of coal . Another person , who has constant employ , earning on the average 30 s . per week , bad some coal given him . And another person , with constant employ , and property enough to keep him , 2 ia » also received part of thia charity . "

      Of course we cannot know whether the facts be as here stated .- we only know that if they be it is abominable . - Skipton Corn Law MsExim . —Mr . Knowles , of Keighley , sends us . an accounti of a moral-force anti-Corn Law meeting at Skip ton , at which Messrs . Dr . Smiles and Councillor Moore were the > ' 7 tojw , " and where tlie writer , wishing to discuss the question , was seized by the throaty thrown from the platform into the body of the : meeting , and ultimately pitched ' downstairs , and

      taken away insensible ; but he does not say when ¦ the meeting was held . ; \ A .. C . ^ -The proprietor of the Weekly Dispatch w Alderman Harmer . Legal ; ¦ Questions . —Several of these have come , to us lately . We can do nothing with them , Mr . O'C is not here : and if we , who have hot . professxonally studied the law , should advise , we . might do more ^ mischief than we could repair , i . e ., if our advice were acted on . ; John Ke ^ sky . —The lUt was inserted just as we receivedic . ;¦ ¦¦

      &Lt;E* I^^A Trfrgf Cottc^Ontjent04

      < E * i ^^ a trfrgf Cottc ^ ontJent 04

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      -. ¦ v . - . v . . . . ' - . , .: ¦ ,. - . - V . .. . - . ¦ ¦ . - 4 THE NORTH ¦ J ^ S ^ c ¥ ^ B > \ , .... . ; . . ; : , ; .. ; .,: - ~ . .... . :, ¦ . : ¦ . '¦ ¦ ¦ :: ^ - . U ^ t

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 22, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct583/page/4/