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Northern Star (1837-1852), 6th May 1843, Edition 3 of 5, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • THE NOKTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1843.
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      Untitled Article

      HOTJSE OF LORDS . —Tdeedat , Mat 2 . A ' va the presentation of a petition by the Duke or Argyll , praying for 8 settlement of the differences of tie ••~? t >*< i Church , The Marquis of BB . KADALBi . Kt declared his conviction of the incalcnlib- ' e mischief which would ensue , if some measure were not passed to settle the question . B jrbty per cent of the population would lewde nom tke Chorch along with their ministers . The Earl of ABKB . DKBN said that the GoYernment hart cffered all that could be oonceded , and that there ww to intention of introducing any measure on the goX' ** ct , T jt > second reading of the Towndiend Peerage Bill raided a discussion on the peculiar nature of the case an i the remedy proposed . I / ord CorrKNHAJi opposed the Bill" , as contrary to prec-ient . sad without necessity , a legal remedy being cp * n to the parties

      Inrds Brougham , De * kan , and Campbki l supported the Bill , as a remedy for a wrong whieh couid not He otherwise rectified , and the Earls of Devon and Wickww oppeeed it , as being at odob nnprecede ' od and extreme . ' Tbe LOB . D ChaSCELLOB supported the Beeond reading . The case was a singular and , extreme one , and if the facts were true , constituted a scandalous Wrong , noi only agaisst individuals , but the peerare , and toe privileges of tbe House of Lords , for which no adequate remedy was afforded in the courts below .

      Lord Gottenham declined to press his opposition ; the Bill was read a second time ; and counsel were called in , and an arrangement made for hearing evidence .

      Untitled Article

      HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Tuesda y , Mat 2 . gir Robesx Peel , in reply - to Captain Pechell , said that he expected in a few days the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty between France and Bugland for regulating the fisheries , and that he vould then apply to Parliament to give it effect-Mr . Hume brought on his motion for a vote of thanks to Lard Ashfeurton , for his management of the netotiatiow which ended in the conclusion of the treaty of Wa&hirgton . He went over the history of tbe negotiations between L .-rd Aahfeurton and Mr . Webster and the nature of those mutual boundary arrangements which have bees already so ample and frequently discussed , contending that the treaty was conducive to the interest of the two nations , and honourable to the negotiator .

      Dr . Bowsingseconded the motion , remarking on the violence and injustice with which tbe treaty had been assailed , and argu ng that Lord Aehburton had served ' , the interests of this country . Sir Chakles Kapieb was surprised that Mi . Hume , a plain honest Scotchman , should bare followed the ; eccentric movements of Lord Brougham . The Govern- ; xnent had not originated any motion for a rote of thsnks to Lord Ashburton , and tbe conclusion was that they did not think that he deserved it . The question ot the right of visit was left unsettled ; a suspected American vessel was warranted , by the expressed opinions ot the President of the United States , in refusing te submit to the search of a British cruise ; and at

      this very xnement we were exposed to all the rues of collision . Nor was the settlement of the boundary line between the two countries satisfactory . He moved , as « j > mn « n > rtTTmBt on Mt . Hume's motion , that the house ' do now adjourn . I Captain Bebkelbt seconded the amendment , disclaiming any wish to east oensure on Lord Ashburton , but not considering him entitled to thanks . Mr . ESCoTT taunted the gallant officers with evading ; tk ~ or > ,- « t ! on , instead of boldly meeting tbe motion with j a airec : j c tre . Impartial history would hereafter ! record its a ; o- " Hion of the conduct of Lord Aahbur- j ton , in settling he long standing boundary dispute ; between the t * countries . If tbe late Government bad any exs&M at -il for sot concluding snch a treaty , j it was because they had no such negotiator as the j NobJe Lord in or .-r to tffect it

      Mr . Edward 3 uu . es regretted the introduction of Ihe motion , and the revival of a discussion which be \ deprecated . Without blaming Lord Ashbnrton , he did j not see why they should step oat of their way to thank ; bim . Sir HoWASB DorGLAS , drawing on hit military j knowledge and experience , acquired during his gover- j noabip of New Brunswick , justified the arrangements ; of tbe treaty . Mr . Teb ^ OS Skith quoted Sir Rebert Peel's senti- 1 menu uttered on the occasion of voting the thank * of the Souse to the officers and men employed in the , Chinese war , whan be assigned precedent for not in- j duding Sir Henry Pottenger , he being a " diplomatic I agent . He was therefore surprised when he found that

      the Bight Honourable Gentleman ii tended to support j the present motion . The best that could be said , even by the Noble Lord's most darling friends , of the mislion of Lord Aahburton , was that we were all out of the ¦ crape . Hade * the treaty , we had surrendered territory , and the question ot tb « tight ot Much , was left on . settled ; andflow ground bad been taken on tbe subject of slavery injurious to a question which the . people of this ceuntey had deeply at heart . Mr . Hume was patronised , on tti * oecamoa , by the ministerial side ot the Boose ; but how wm it that the Government followed bis leading , i «« t ^»^ of having anticipated him , as they ought to have dose , if the vote of thanks was usual , or de ^ rvtd '

      Mr . Chaeies Bcxxkk regretted differing with friends with whom be usually coincided in opinion ; but , on the present occasion , be was disposed to overlook precedent , because be considered tbe treaty of Washington a great achievement of diplomacy , jand highly honourable ) sad advantageous to the country . We forgot the succession of irritating incidents occurring on tbe frontier between Canada and tbe United States , exciting hot blood , and keeping as on the verge of a disastrous war . Lord Ashburton not only removed these dangers , but be bad procured a change in tbe legislation of the United States , by which such easM as that of M'Leod could never occur again . We ought not to argue tbe question , as if we were exclusively in the right , and were Justified in insisting on tbe full amount of our claims . We bad got better terms than under tbe award of tbe King of the

      Netherlands ; under that line tbe American frontier was brought inconveniently near ( Joe-bee , which was , in fact , a material and main objection to it , and of far more isiDortanoe than the territory which had been conceded * under the treaty of Washington , and by which the frontier had been removed to a satisfactory diitaaoe . This , it might be said , had been purchased by the concession of tbe navigation of tbe St . John . Bat this was balanced by other advantages ; and even the abandonment of tbe Madawaska settlement was not of the importance attributed to it For himself , be was not disposed to censure Lord Ashburton for abandoning that style of diplomscyrof which be was not disposed to speak in terms ef very great reverence ; and he was disposed to estimate at ite full valae the settlement of disputes between two great nations , the elects of which xuight be as' great at lasting .

      Sir John Hasmeb admitted the importance of the treaty , but protested against setting a precedent which might be disadvantageous hereafter . Lord Stan let said that the Government would not , in the ordinary course of business , have departed from precedent , in proposing tbe thanks of the House to a negotiate ? , however successful . But the ungenerous attack of Lord Palmerston was the moving cause of securing to Lord Ashburton tbe unprecedented honour of such a vote , Mr . Macaulay had contended that Lord Asbburton had cast a stain on British diplomacy ; yet to-night it was admitted that the treaty was not bo bad a one after all , and the only objection taken was to the unprecedented nature of the motion . There sever bad been a treaty concluded in tbe face' ef greater

      flifffnifoa , 01 which had more effectually removed the chv" ** of a disastrous war between two countries , every blow of which would recoil on both . In a few months Lord Ashburton had concluded the settlement ot a dispute which Lord Palmerston for several years had successfully protracted ; even tbe Madawaska settlement , about which so much was new said , was one of the objects which the Noble Lord , when in office , had vainly offered , in order ta induce the TJcited States to accept the award of tha King of the Netherlands . Lord Aahburton had entered on his task , after tha question had been embroiled by tbe management of Lord Palmerston , and after separate states were committing theosselve * on the subject by strong resolutions to support the

      claims of Maine and Massachusetts , and in six months be brought it to a conclusion . Nor bad the Noble Lord or tbe Government compromised the question of the B ;? ht of Search , though Lord Aberdeen did not imitate the supercilious style of Lord Palmerston , in addressing a people at once strong and sensitive , and on a subject of peculiar delicacy . The United States did not recognise the right of search , but they agreed that it might be tx-rcised under certain conditions of remedy for injures . Tbe very oonrention on this subject in the Ashburton Treaty was litnii ^ to a proposition made by Lord P ^ lmerston in 1839 , yet be now turned r © und , and said that it was a step ia the wrong direction ! Tbe

      ease of M'Leod , wbieb the present Government , on entering office , had found to be so imminent and dangerona , had been successfully settled , acd its recurrence provided against Lord Aahburton had , in fact , obtained a better military boundary than under the award of tbe King of tbe Netherlands , he bad procured tbe enactment of a law wbich would prevent the recurrence d irritating questions , ant he made no concession dishonourable or disadvantageous to the country . Be trusted , therefore , that the Bouse would mark it * sense of bis high merits , and of the party attack which bad been made on him , by supporting the motion of Mr . Home .

      Lord J 0 H 5 Kcssell was surprised that the Government never thought of eoarng to the resiae of Lord Aahbnrton ' s reputation and honour , until a gentleman came to their aid , who was so little disposed to uphoia the honour cf this country , tkat he Iras the correspondent of one of the chief re ' t-flii in the Cine ^ iin jemrrettior : The p ? eCideEt » scevct-d by Mr . Hume for hi * mt-tio : i were iot very ipp --- * e ; a-d H \ rcnld nyprar es if t \ t ipeeehes of Lord Pa . iHfcrst-. ra and Mr . M . c . uu-y . cu 't f < nner discusrfoc cf thus su ' -ject , Lrd pr ^ cucwl ? . < vow-

      Untitled Article

      erful an pffsct that they could only be met by resolutions passed without precedent by hotb Houses of Parliament . The right of search , asserted by this country , and denied by America , bad not been settled by the Asbbnrtnn Treaty—the very convention on the subject of represninc tii ? slave trade , which that treaty contained , had already £ ««» tbe cause of producing an excitement in Franoe whlc £ i it required all tbe prudence of M . Guizot to allay . Without going into all the complicated details of the boundary question , be declared bis conviction that ( be tone adopted in the negotiations was not only calculated to lower ns in the estimation of tbe world , but had actually done so , and had produced tbe impression thatl our claims bad only to be resisted in erder to cozspe concessions . An ultimatum bad been proposed and abandoned by Lord Ashburten , who bad claimed the

      Madawaska settlement , and bad resigned it , as well as the definite proposition of a river boundary , at the bidding of Mr . Webster , in manner not calculated to sustain the honour of bis country . Lord Asbburton was not unlike Moses in the " Vicar of Wakefleld , " whose successful bargain ended in a case of shagreen spectacles . One of the first results in America of the treaty of Washington was the passing ot a Bill to seize tbe Oregan territory—a plain effect of tbe want of upholding the dignity of Britain . He was not disposed to censure with severity tbe expression of Lord Ashbnrton , in terming Boatcn the " cradle of American liberty . " He rather rejoiced that the Americans appreciated the noble struggles of their forefathers ; but while be wished to see tbe bonds strengthened between the two countries , be did not think the treaty had done so .

      Sir Robert Peel censured the conduct of Lords Palmtrston and Ruasell , and their friends , in endeavouring to ruin the character of Lord Ashburton , who , actn : ttd by the purest motives , had undertaken this difficult negotiation . Mr . Hume's support had not alwETs been so indifferent to tbe late Government . Was it creditable to public men to pursue the course which had been followed by the Noble Lords ? The Government was taunted with violating precedent by adopting the motion ; but when Mr . Canning ' s policy with respect to Spain was questioned , be refused , contrary to bis original intention , to permit the motion to be withdrawn without & definite expression of the opinion of tbe House . The question was sot , on the present occasion , about the giving up of a Madavaska settlement , or of a particular boundary ; it was one involving peace and war , on an irritating dispute

      which , in spite of negotiation , bad lasted for half a century . As to the right of search , Lord Palmerston bad authorised the capture of American vessels , which had produced so much excitement in the United States , and had rendered the question a difficult one ; and the convention in the treaty secured for five years the cooperation of a joint squadron on the coast of Africa for the suppression of the dxre trade . He believed that the Oregon dispute would be settled ere long , as well as that of the right of search ; and , notwithstanding the efforts of individuals to excite animosities , be was satisfied that the Treaty of Washington would lead to relations of amity and good will between the two countries . He called en tbe House , therefore , viewing the difficulties which Lord Ashburton bad successfully overcome , to depart from ordinary precedent in passing the voce of thanks to the Noble Lord .

      Lord Palx&rstox said that the argument used by Sir Robert Peel , on the occasion of the former debate on this subject , was that if a vote of censure were moved , he would meet it with one of approbation . No vote of censure had been moved ; yet the unprecedented course was adopted of proposing a vote of thanks . He had shewn that the treaty involved a surrender of our rights , and was not advantageous to this country , but he would not now repeat his arguments . Tbe present Government were rather partial to following the example of the late one , but in doing so they frequently did not see the principle on which they bad proceeded , and therefore imitated them wrongly . Tbe late Government bad proposed a conventlal line for the settlement of the disputed boundary , and it would have been well

      if it bad bees adopted as tile batis of the treaty . He disclaimed all intention of insulting the American flag by using the phrase " a bit of bunting , " which had reference not to tbe flag of tbe Union , but to piratical and fraudulent attempts to sail under it ; and he explained the circumstances under which suspected American vessels bad been captured on the coast of Afriea by our cruisers . It bad been effected through a voluntary arrangement between tbe naval officers of both countries , but being disallowed by tbe American Government , was immediately stopped by his orders . But the Convention in tbe treaty of Washington , for joint cooperation between tbe squadrons of the two countries , would not prove effectual for checking the elave trade . Tbe Government bad not stood up

      very manfully for their negociator , in leaving him to tbe attentions of Mr . Hume : tbe principle on which be had proceeded , of concession for tbe sake of peace , bad been repudiated by so great a lover of peace as Mr . Fox . Even admitting that tbe treaty of Washington was advantageous to the country , it remained to be shown that the merit was due to the negotiator , and ther * was no prteedent for a vote of thanks to a diplomatist , which would lo-wer the character of the House by dragging a majority through the dirt , in approbation of an ucwiaeoaddiusiTAntaceous treaty . Mr . He me slid a few words in reply . Me ma sol think that any proceedings of his would have so stirred up the Noble Lords ; and the spirit now evinced convinced him that , bad they been in office , we should have been embroiled with America . On a division , tbe motion was carried by 238 against 96 .

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      THE FACTORY BILL . THE GOVERNMENT CONCESSIONS . On Monday evening , Sir James Gbaham detailed to the House" the alterations in the educational portion of tbe Factory Bill , which have , daring tbe recess , been determined on by the Ministry . As the subject is one of absorbing interest , no apology will be needed for makiriK the readers of the Northern Star acquainted with the main of the alterations proposed .

      In th « first place the Home Secretast referred to theRTOss means of delusion that have been resorted to by the political dissenters to " get up the steam " ag&iaet the original measure ; the palpable frauds and lying misrepresentations of which they have been guilty . The measure has been almost regularly and systematically argued upon , as though it was a first attempt to introduce the principle of" Compulsory Education ;'' and this , too , by the very parties who hailed and rapported , and even carried , Lord Althorp ' s Factory Regulation Act , which made it law

      that KO child should be permitted to work in a Factory , unless the master saw to it that it regularly attended school ! How well do we remember the glorifications in which the Whig press indulged , respecting this portion of Lori Althobp ' s measure , when it was first introduced ! At that period the Ten Hours Agitation was at its height . A demand , almost unprecedented for its urgency and unanimity , had been made upon the

      Government , for the means of protecting the intent factory slave from a thraldom more oppressive , and more destructive to moral good and physical -well-being , than the most direct and unclo ^ kcj system of slavery ever seen . The simple protec-ion saked for , was a forbidding of any owner of a factory to work his " hands" more thin ten hours a-day , it ha-mg been testified to , on oa * . h , by the highest medical authorities in the world , that \ U > attempt to work ycaug per-

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      sons uader twenty-one years of age , more than ten hours a day , under the circumstances attendant npon factory labour , was to sacrifice health and sport with life ; and which testimony is to this day unoontradioted and uninvalidated ! The answer to this plain and simple demand , on the part o ! the Whig Government , was the Factory Act of Lord Aithoep ' s , introducing the miseryengendering system of belays ; the obnoxious , and harassing , and expensive spy-system of Inspectorships ; a " Compulsory Education" for all children , as a qualification for work ; and the new fact ,

      established by law , that young persons , thirteen years of age , are "free agents" and out of the custody or eare of the Lord Chancellor ! And 0 ! what credit was taken to the Whigs for the preparation of this measure . It was declared that the " Ultra-Philanthropists , " as Oastler and Sadler were sneeringly called , were beaten hollow : that these parties , with their utmost stretch of compassion , had asked for the employment of children ten hours a day ; while the Whig Act prohibited their being employed more than eight : that the IUjsiilanthropists" had not even contemplated

      the education of the objects of their commisseration and tender regard ; while the Whig Act provided that they should have an education , before any master should be allowed to employ them . O ! how vauntingly this portion of the Althorpean scheme was but set forth 1 The regard t it displayed for tbe intellectual culture and moral welfare of the factory child , was pointed out , and sung in paeans loud and long . A comprehensiveness of scheme , and enlightened views to meet the requirements of the case , were discovered in the plan ; and praise was thickly bespattered upon its " statesman-like authors . "

      From the moment of the passing of Althorp ' h Factory Act , in 1834 , to the present moment , has the principle of " Compulsory Education" been recognised and enforced by law ; and yet , notwithstanding this notorious fact , the Dissenters have chosen to represent the New Factory Bill as endeavouring to introduce that principle ; and they have deluded their dupes into strong protestations and indignant denunciations against such an attempt The introduction and legislative enforcement of the M principle , " when proposed by Lord Althobp , is statesman-like and praiseworthy ; and the principle itself is legitimate and right : but an attempt to make that principle operative ; an attempt to secure an education , somewhat worthy of the name ; an

      attempt to put an end to " fire-hoile" schools , and M firing-up" masters , with scraps of tbe Leeds Mercury for books ; an attempt to provide day schools " efficiently conducted , " fot the destitute populations of Ashton , Sialeybridge , and Oldham , where scarcely a single public day school exists , amongst their tens of thousands of wealth-producers : an attempt to accomplish these things is yelled down as an attempt to introduce a " tyrannical principle ; ' a ' principle violating the sacred relationship of parent and child ;" " a principle destroying all freedom , and interfering with natural rights , " and yelled down , too , by those who have themselves established the very " principle" denounced , and taken honour and glory to themselves ( or having dene so !

      Having replied to the objection ounniDgly enough , but roguishly , started , that the New Bill had sought to introduce the principle of " compulsory education " Sir James Graham detailed the nature and Ecope of the alterations he and bis colleagues were prepared to make in the Government scheme . He first applied himself to the question of Sunday schools . He said : — " Tbe first objection generally urged , and it is one with which the sympathy of a great part of the public , arises not so much from the intention of the clause relating to Sunday schools as from tbe effects likely , as

      is supposed , to result from its wording . It has been described as a clause violating the right of conscience , and compelling parents whose children are employed In factories to use the Sunday schools established under this Act to the exclusion of all other Sunday schools . Now , I beg to state that it is my intention to exclude from the 57 th and 58 th clauses all tbe words relating to Sunday schools , snd I shallalso propose that tbe 60 th eUbaa fth&M he altogether omitted . In lieu of olanse 60 , I shall propose to insert a clause providing that the master , or such other person as tbe clerical trustee may appoint , shall , at

      snch time as tbe said clerical master may direct , openly attend at such school to afford instruction according te the doctrines of the church of England , and Bhall give such instruction to all the children in attendance at such school whose parents may desire their attendance for tbe purpose of religious instruction o ( this character ; and further , this clause will enact that tbe said matter shall , at least once on every Sunday , enforce the attendance of the children on divine worship in a church or chapel of the establishment , or at t > . e performance of divine worship in the school-bouse , if no church or chapel is convenient The House will at once perceive , that the effect of this alteration will be that tbe schools will be open on tbe Sabbaththat tbe master will attend—and that , to tbe children

      of all such parents as may desire it , instruction in tbe catechism and liturgy of tbe established church will be imparted . Bat , as I stated on a former occasion that we recognised as a leading principle that until a child should be emancipated by age , the parent or guardian shall exercise his discretion as to that child ' s religious creed , we shall , acting in strict conformity with that principle , introduce a clause by which tbe child will be allowed to attend any Sunday-school such parent or guardian shall prefer , and by which the parent will be left perfectly at liberty to choose any other in case he objects to the schools under this act I hope , therefore , that by these provisions any objections that may have been urged with respect to instruction at Sunday-schools will be entirely removed . "

      A tremendous hubbub has been raised about the intention of the promoters of the New Bill , to " break up the Sunday Schools , " and get the children into the hands of the Church clergy and their teachers on the day set apart for rest , and not for instruction . From the above statement of the Home Secretary , it is evident , that if ever such an intention existed , it is now given up . Surely , after tbe above " concession , " we shall hear no more about " the attempt to put dowa k our' Sunday Schools . "

      For our own part , we think it would be a great good were thkt pin down : i . e ., were the necessity for their existence superseded . It is of itself an evidence of the most weighty and telling oharacter against the accursed THING , itself , that the only means of school education for the children of the poor should be the Sunday Schools , with all their narrow-minded , exclusive , and woefully imperfect arrangements . Wore the parents of the children in the porition they ought to occupy ; had they tho r share of the manifold blessings arising from the abundant means we possess to produce an illimitable

      amount of wealth ; they would not need to be dependent upon ostentatious fanatic " chari / y" for the education of their offspring in sectarianism and illiberality 1 The necessity that exists tor Sunday Schools s » t all , is a strong condemnation of all our fipcal , political , and social arrangements . The Sabbath should be a day of HEST . But there is no rest for the children of the poor . Toil all the week is their portion ; and a sacrifice of the only time for recruiting exhausted worn-out nature , is demanded as the price for merely learning it to read , —

      and to think , and judge , and act illiberally towards all who do not belong to the " sect . " Whatever , therefore , will remove the necessity for the existence of Sunday Schools , will accomplish a great good , by removing a ereat evil . The working-day is the time for the schoolmaster to pursue his " avocation . " The Sabbath commandment , commands to " keep holy ( wholly ) the Sabbath day . " In it we are to "do no manner of work f but " to REST from onr labours . " There is not much R £ ST in a Sunday School .

      Let xxb not be mistaken . We do net decry Sunday Schools , as things are . They have- been , and are , of immense use , notwithstanding all their imperfections , and all their sectarianism . They have taught hundreds of thousands to real , who otherwise would not have learned . When thus taught , th ^ y have been cast abroad into the wide world , to battle with the stern realities of life . The po ^ ver to read has placed within their reach " materials for thinking . " Thought lias been awak . ned and evolved ; and a conviction that rcan'd injuMc- has " established" a system of Belfi ^ wess and fraud * to which

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      the ignorant and unreflecting have been subjected , has taken firm hold of the mind , and given birth to a holy determination to supersede the wrong by the establishment of right . Sunday Schools , poor , wretched things as they are , have bad their uses ; and good has resulted from them . It would be bat a sorrowful reflection , however , to have to think that by their means alone are the masses of our population always to be instructed in the little they can alone teach ! The introduction of right principles into practice would Boon supersede the necessity for Sunday Schools , and give every youthful member of society a scholastio oourse of education , physically , mentally , morally , and practically , euoh as the most favoured of our race do not even now enjoy !

      The next ' concession" ot the Government relates to the Certificates for school attendance . It is the law nowt that no child shall be permitted to work in a factory , unless it attends some school ; but it leaves the master at liberty to let the school be of what nature or sort he pleases . It is from the latter cause that we have had the children sent into the " fire-hoile , " to say their " lessons" to the " firerup" of the engine boiler , their " lessons" being scraps of the Leeds Mercury newspaper , cut up for the purpose ; it is from that cause , that we have had these things practised , and dignified with the the name of " schooling" and * education . " The

      new bill sought to put an end to such wioked mockeries . It provided that a certificate of attendance , either at a New District School , or at a School of the National Society , or a School of the British and Foreign School Society , or a Catholic School , or a School attached to any factory provided by the master himself ; it provided that a certificate of weekly attendance at one or other of these schools ( stipulating that the four last should be " efficiently conducted"J should be obtained by the factory master from the schoolmaster , before he was at liberty to employ any child . An alteration in this particular is proposed . The Home Secretary said : —

      "On this point , I propose to introduce an alteration Into clauses 16 , 17 , and 18 , and also propose entirely to omit clauses 71 , 72 , 73 , and 74 . In lieu of these I propose to introduce a clause that will enable the masters of all schools in the district to grant certificates of the attendance of the children , subject only to this oondition , that all euch schools shall be under the superintendence of an inspector appointed by the Committee of the Privy Council , without any other sanction or oontrol , and with regard to the character of the instruction , only insisting that in tbe course of suob instruction the authorised

      version of the Scriptures shall be used . With respect to Wealeyan schools or to those of Protestant Dissenters generally , this clause will be unnecessary ; but it is desirable , in order to provide for tbe cases of certain Roman Catholic Bckools at which Protestant children may attend , and also it is necessary to provide against a Roman Catholic cuaster compelling the attendance of Protestant children at any private school within bis factory , and there instructing those children in religious knowledge , in the absence of the authorized version of the Scriptures . "

      The power to grant certificates of school attendance is to be extended to all schoolmasters iu the factory districts , who submit to place their schools under the superintendence of an Inspeotor appointed by the Committee of Privy Council , and who use the authorised version of the Scriptures in the course of instruction . This " concession" meets many difficulties , and many objections , that have been started . The charge that it was intended to get all the children to the New Distriot Schools , to be taught Puseyism by the Church parson , is now no longer tenable , even in appearance .

      The child may be sent to any school so superintended , and so conducted ; and certainly , if Inspection is neeessary , and if the use of the Scriptures as a class book is not to be dispensed with , we cannot see what objection can be urged against the provisions of the Bill , as now proposed . The world knows something of the utter inefficiency of much of what is now dignified by the name of school education . " They know that the keeping of a school is a ** walk" of life in not very high estimation ; and that it is generally resorted to by the unfortunate and the disabled , with ne other qualification for the task than that they are

      unablo to obtaiu a miserable livelihood by any other means . " Do you teach morals to the young people under your charge V was the question put by some inquirers into the etatiBtios o ( " school education" to the conductor of an " establishment" for the teaching and training of youth , " La , Sir , " was the answer , who oould afford to teach them for twopence a-week " If benefit ia to be secured to the attenders upon " all 6 CHOOLS , " in the major portion of them a far different 6 ystem from that hitherto pursued will have to obtain : for it is a fact that the major portion of the " masters" are as deficient of all mental and moral qualifications for the task they have assumed , as the poor children are of

      that which they go to school , but go in vain , to learn . Should , therefore , improved methods of tuition , and a natural course of treatment to the children fplaced in the hands of the " educator , " follow from giving " all schools" the power to grant certificates of school attendance , by being placed under the superintendence of the Inspector , it will be one benefit resulting from the system of " Inspection" which we have hardly any right to expect from such an obnoxious mode of proceeding . The system , however , is one of Whig origin : and , therefore , the Dissenters cannot with any show of justice complain , seeing that they were the strenuous supporters of the " principle" when it was first sought to be introduced in connection with factory children .

      The next alteration was announced in these terms : — •« T > e House will observe that I have now removed the difficulty with regard to Sunday schools , and that with respect to day-schools I have provided for the free granting of certificates , subject only to the inspection of tbe schools by the Inspeotor authorised and appointed by the Committee of the Privy Council . 1 will now go en to notice the third class of objections , for which I shall also endeavour to provide a remedy . I propose to alter clauses 57 , 58 . and 59 . It is objected , that as instruction in the catechism and liturgy of the £ tabliahed Church nay be aiven at any period

      of the school hours , tbe imparting of snch instruction may interrupt tbe education of the children of thoae Dissenters who attend ; and that it mast consequently ensue either tbat ? hose children will lose the benefit * ef the education afforded , or that attempts will be made to instil tbe particular doctrines and catechism of tbe Established Cuuixh into the rninda of those wbo dissent from its principles . We shall provide , in order to meet these objections , tbat instruction in tbe catechism and doctrines of tbe church shall be afforded during one hour out of the three of each of tbe five days on which the children are to attend the schools ; but we shall also provide that that hour shall be appointed by tbe

      masters , and that it shall be either the first or the last of tbe three hours . ( Hear , hear . ) Farther , we shall provide tbat instruction in this branch shall be given to the children of churchmen in a class held in a room apart from the school-room , and separate from that in wbich the children of those Dissenting parents who may object to the education of their children in the churah doctrines receive instruction . Then we shall take a precaution with regard to a matter on which the Rigbt Hon . Gentleman , the Member for Devonport , urged some objections the other night , —I mean with respect to tbe character of the books to be used . As

      the bill staiit ) a it ia in the power of the clerical trustee to make tbe selection , and of course it is to be expected tbat every such trustee will select according te bis own peculiar tenets . To obviate tbe difficulty we shail provide that the selections shall be made by tbe two archbishops . We shaU also provide that no Inspector shall inquire into the character of the religious instruction imparted , unless he shall receive express authority to do ee from one of the archbishops , or from the biBhop of tbe diocese . TbiB , tbe House will observe , will prevent all inquiry into the special religious instruction afforded . "

      On this we have not , at present , any thing to say . It will be better to toatV , and see how it is met and received by the religious portions of the community who object to mere secular education , and insist on the priest interfering with the functions of the schoolmaster , to impart religious instruction ; but who csnnot agree at to what is religious instruction ^ and who , in their bitter quarrels and disgraceful contests on the point , evince that they are possessed of no religion at all t but that its placo is occupied by furious fanaticism and intolerant bigotry . Sir James Graham proceeded : —

      " I now come to another point . In clause 59 it is provided , ' tLat if the parent of a-y scholar ahull certify to ti e maacer or truste-. a Uia b ^ d ^ ires that such scholar , on the groun 4 cf religious objections , rnsy not be pre ? e . ut at the periods whsn euch catechism or por-

      Untitled Article

      tions of tbe liturgy are taught , it shall not be lawful for any person to compel such child to be present at such periods . ' An objection has been taken to this clause , because of tke introduction of the words ' on the ground of religious objection , ' it being thought invidious to compel a parent to state what may be the grounds of the objection he entertains . I shall propose , therefore , to omit these words , and it will consequently be competent for a parent , without assigning any reason , simply to state that be objects . Besides this , I propose specifically to enact , that during the hour in which religious instruction is afforded , which , as I said bef « re , may be either the first or the last hour of the three , provision shall be made by the trustees that the children of

      Dissenters shall receive instruction in some branch of knowledge taught in the schools . But although we make all these provisions , we do not think tbem sufficient to meet all the objections urged . The precautions I have stated I believe to be ample against any attempt to introduce a proselyting spirit ; but although we have taken these precautions—although we have provided that education iu the catechism and liturgy of the church should be afforded in a separate room and at a fixed hour—still we think that these precautions fall short of all tbat tbe necessities of the case require . Excepting on Sundays , no provision ia made for tbe education of Disaentetsiu tke peculiar religious creeds they may profess . This is an important point I propose to

      introduce a clause to provide for it . I propose that children of Dissenters snail have instruction in tbe creed of their parents for a time exactly equal te those of children brought up in the doctrines ef the establishment This instruction will , of course , be at tbe discretion of the parent . As the case now stands the Sunday ia provided for—tbat day is at the disposal of every parent to provide as he pleases for the education of his child . During the afternoon of Saturday it is also competent for him to provide for the special religious instruction bis child ia to receive ; bat something more is wanting , and we therefore propose to enact that the trustees shall appoint a day in each week in which any scholar whose parent desires that bis child should not be present when the Catechism and Liturgy of the

      Established Church are taught may receive religious instruction from a licensed minister of any congregation at which such parent attends divine worship , and that such scholar shall attend to receive aucQ instruction at such time as the parent may notify to the trustee tbat the minister will attend to impart it , and at any convenient place other than the school-house itself . ( Hear . ) Now then , Sir , I think I may say that everything has been done that I and my solleagues could devise to meet the several objections which have been taken to tbe religious instruction of the scholars . I hope and believe that we nave met the difficulties of tbe case with that candour and firmness which was required , and 1 am quite sure tbat the object of our regard has been to secure the instruction of Dissenters , as well as of other classes of her Majesty ' s subjects . "

      This , too , is a matter which does not call for observation at the present . It concerns the " unco guid" more than any one else . Upon the provisions as they originally stood the " fighting seots" have been mest condemnatory and most severe . Let us see how they receive the " concession" here offered to them . We next come to the proposed alteration in Thb TKtrsT , ! for the governance of the new Distriot Schools . This is the whole question . If the Trust be a popular one , and unobjectionable in itB nature , the government of the schools , and the nature of the instruction imparted will be ail that they require to be . But if the Trust be viciously constituted , it must follow that their arrangements will be vicious also . Here are the alterations proposed : —

      " I will now offer to the House an explanation of the course which I propose to take with regard to the constitution of the trust . The clauses in the Bill wbich relate te the appointment and powers of the trustees of the school are to be omitted entirely . I allnde to clauses 52 , 53 , and 55 of the Bill as it now stands , and we introduce new clauses , which will give an entirely new character to tbat part of tbe BilL It is tke intention to adhere to tbat part of the Bill wbich enacts , tbat when the schoel shall be intended for a place for which there shall be only one officiating minister , such minister and tbe other trustees shall be the trustees of the school , the minister being termed the clerical trustee . When there shall be more than two or

      more ministers officiating in any such place , or when tat school shall be intended far two or more districts , the bishop of the diocese within that district from time to time shall appoint from such ministers , or from the ministers officiating in such districts , one to be a clerical trustee of the school , and the clerical trustee will have the power , in writing , of appointing some poison , being a churchwarden in the place where the school is erected , or being a person qualified to act as a trustee , to be one of the trustee of tbe school . I propose also , that a portion of the trustees shall be elected trustees . I will now state to tbe Hqub * what alterations the Government intend to Introduce on this point . I propose to enact , tbat when there shall be

      any number of persons , not less than twenty , who shall eacb bave vutuntarlljr subscribed a donation or £ 10 at the least , in one sum , towards the expenditure in the maintenance of tbe school in any one of three years immediately preceding any election , or tbe sum of £ 1 for the two successive yean immediately preceding any election , or one of whom shall bave given a site for the school , the returning officer shall bave tbe power to summon a meeting of such subscribers , and such subscribers and donors present are to elect one or -more qualified persona to be a trustees of the said school . It will be expected that I should now state to the House tbe qualification of the trustee : —' That any person being assessed to the current poor rate of any

      place wholly or partly within the district of the said school , in respect of property situated within such district , and whose assessment is among tbe first third of the assessment * arranged according te the amounts of rental from the highest to the lowest , any person being usually resident within five miles of tbe school who shall bave given the site thereof , or one-tenth part of the entire original cost of tbe school buildings , or shall have given a sum of £ 20 at the least towards the expenditure in the maintenance of the school during any one of tbe three immediately preceding years , or Bhall have subscribed the Bum of £ 2 at the least thereto foi two successive years immediately preceding the publication of the notice of the said election , shall be

      qualified to be a trustee . provided that wbere any firm or partnership shall be assessed , tbe amount of too assessment shall be divided by the number of persona whose names shall be expressed in tbe rate , and each of such persons shall be deemed to be assessed at the amount assigned to him by such division , and no person snail be deemed to b « qualified in respect of tbe assessment whose name is not set forth on the said rate . ' These are the qualifications wbich I intend to propose with reference to the trustees . The House will observe that I have now mentioned three out of tbe seven trustees . It is my intention to a Ihere to tbe originally proposed nnmbor of trustees , viz . seven . One is to be the clerical trustee , one is to be selected by the

      officiating minister , and one to be elected by the donors . After this the remaining four more trustees are to be elected . In the bill as it stands it is enacted that tbe means of erecting tbe school , and other expences connected with ita efficiency and maintenance , are to be provided out of the poor rate . The Government thought it but fair and just that tbe rait-payers should have a considerable voice in the selection of the trustees—( loud cheers ) . It ia intended to propose that tbe four remaining trustees , to which I have previously alluded , Bhall be elected by the rate payers assembled —( cheers ) The clause is as follows : — " Tbat four persons , qualified as hereinafter provided , shall be elected by the persons who shall bave been assessed to the poor-rates in any put of tbe place to which the said school shall be assigned for a period of not less than twelve months

      previous to the day of publication of tbe notice of the election , on lands , tenements , or hereditaments , of the net annual value of £ 10 and upwards , to act as trustees jointly with the trustees hereinbefore provided ; and any rate-payer qualified to vote in tbe election of such trustees may put in nomination at such election all or any of the requisite number ef persons qualified as herein provided . ' Whatever may be the predominating influence in the district , -whether thftt influence be in accordance with the Established Church or with Dissentin ? principles—whether it Ml on tbe right hand or on tbe lefi , it was resolved that the minority ( as we understood the Right Hon . Baronet ) Bhould be represented . No ratepayer shall vote for more than two trustees , and the minority in every case will elect two . "

      This " concession" is ntt sufficient . The Trust so constituted will not operate for good . It is not popular . How easy this thing could have been managed had the Government dared to have applied correct principles . They come to the ratepayers for money to support the schools : they should have given the ratepayers the controul over the expenditure of the money . Had they done so , the way would have been clear of difficulties . But classinterests interfere . There is the Church , with all her pretensions and assumptions , compelled to seek the strong arm of the law to uphold them , having lost her hold of the affections and judgment of the

      people ; and who , therefore , must bo propitiated by making her Parsons ex officio heada of Thb Tbdst : and there are , on the other hand , the hungry and aspiring hordes of Dissenters yelliug and olamouring against MoiHta Chuech , denouncing her for her intolerance and unjust assumption of power and position , while they aro merely seeking to oeoupy her place ! Were this not so , they would seek to enforce the principles of religious liberty and universal toleration , about which they so glibly prV . tio Were this not so , thty would seek to place the " doraiuauc sect" on au equality with tho rest , and IoavD each to 'he ^ ood eense and aciive suppor t of their r .-spscti ?; adherents , Were this not bo , they

      Untitled Article

      would not content themselves with annual exhfl / tions of virtuous indignation against Church JUte ! and seek to Bet the mark of public odium upon parts ' cnlar Ministers of the Church , while they resist < mt \ all their might , the only measure that would rend Church Rates unnecessary , or which could , by »» possibility , get rid of compulsory payments for tj offices of objected-to-religion . Were the Dissenter honest ; were not each "sect" seeking by unworthy means to take the place of the now " dominant sect " and thus enjoy and wield the power they now ' much decry ; were not this the case , we should haT

      them pursuing a far more open and strai ght-foruw course from that they do pursue . We should bj » them avowedly and energetically seeking for to abrogation of the incestuous union" between Church and State ! As long as there is an Esfib , lished Church , it is right that compulsory paymaj should be enforced . And as long as we hate " dominant sect" recognised by law , it cannot bnt be expected but that the " lawful" claims of sba " seot" will be maintained . The only way to *? aside the one , and abrogate the other , is to " cuttk connection altogether" !

      The Trust will not do ! There is in its congtifai . tion s union of such opposite principles , as most of necessity , lead to inharmonious action . The Parson an es-officxo head , with a power in himself to choose another to act as his echo . Another trustee to be chosen by the donors to the school ; and the remain . ing four elected by those rate-payers who are aisw , ^ to the Poor Bate at Ten Pocwds and upwariti What a monstrosity ! A union of all the woast portions of bad principles ! Even in the attempt to

      " popularize" Thb Trust , by a pretended election by the Rate-payers , the very parties who are nuinlj interested in the question are Bhut out from all « a troul ! Whose children are they who need the eds . cation sought for \ The children of Ten Pmi Rate-payers ! or the children of the poor J That why are the poor rate-payers to be denied thepriri lege of voting for the four elected trustees 1 Vj eJr it in whatever light we may , the piofessed consntu * tion of The Trust is vicious and bad .

      See how simply the object might be accomplished without injury or favour to any . Let the rite payers in Vestry assembled return annually a list , say of twenty-one names , from which the Magistrate in Sessions assembled , shall select the seven req uired , What more would be needed 1 What more simple ! What more satisfactory ! The beard so constituted could appoint the instructor , and make all tie arrangements for the school . If these were imperfect or bad , the remedy would be in the hands of those whose money was wasted , and in the hands of those whose children were deprived of the instruction purchased . Abuses would soon be rectified .

      Had those who have raised the loud clsmoai against the education clauses of the Factory Bill been sincere in their expressed desire to secure for the children of the poor an " education" at all , they would have sought to have accomplished a chugs in The Tbust of the nature here indicated , instead of seeking to defeat the measure altogether . The

      fact that they have so sought to overturn the only approximation to a measure of National Ednation ever proposed , instead of seeking to reconcile existing differences , and to make it acceptable to ill , is at once a self-evident proof that each religions " sect" dreads education , unless it can exercise over it undisputed and absolute control ! Pro-Belytism is what each seeks !

      These , then , are the mam of the alterations proposed . Whether they will be satisfactory or not to tbe Dissenters remains to be seen . We deem Ths Trust to be far from satisfactory , for the reasons just adduced . And yet , so anxious are we to bin the children of the poor " educated , " and that , too in other than Sunday Schools , that we wonW gladly prefer the Bill passed , in its present altered

      state , to no Bill at all . With those who wish tc defeat tbe attempt to compel the rich to provide education for the poor , we hold no sympathy . With an ignorant population society cannot be safe . Nor are we justified in subjecting the poor to incessant toil to procure for others the means of lnxurioaj enjoyment , and doom the offspring of their loins t 4 mental blindness and intellectual destitution . Ererj

      child has a claim to be taught . Society has an m terest in seeing that it is taught , —and taught aright too , as far as all known knowledge goes , andia fu as moral and social obligations are concerned , hs ] attempt to embody this principle will Sad support from us . Nay , we shall be disposed to pat up with many imperfections and short-comings , in its first application , for the sake ef the " principle" itself Once introduced , it will make its own way ; sni tbe errors in practice will be removed .

      Should the present measure be overturned , we shall have another blessing to thank religions bigotry for ! The children of the poor are enveloped in groBS ignorance , and mental darkness . E ^ erj attempt to enlighten their minds , and cultinfc their nnderstandmgs , is opposed by rtligfan sectarianism and intolerant fanaticism ! The M inister proposed to set apart from the £ 60 , 000 , 000 vyetf wrung at the point of the bayonet from the toil ol the producing classes , a paltry £ 30 , 000 inaidof the education of those who are uneducated , 6 ecawe their means have been absorbed in the way just pointed out ; and the proposal was mot with a yell of execration from the " dominant seot" asd the Wes

      leyan body . The Minister proposes an approximi * tion to a national system of education ; and a clamotf is raised by the discordant seots against the scheme itself , under the false pretence that they are oppoei « an anjast bestowment of power upon their al ^ f too formidable rival . And thus because of sectanw quarrelling and bitter religious differences , the people ae to" perish for lack of knowledge" !! » J Jakes Graham , in concluding his announcement » the alterations , aptly said : —

      " The great Author of religion and of Wth o « ** on record a test by which wo are able to * now ¦* true followers . It is aaid , ' By this shall aU " » know whether you are my disciples , if you 1 ° ™ £ Buother . ' In the early periods cf the DirtoU ° ' ¦ £ Christian world the bond of union was <**« " *? j | J martyrdom , and by every kind of suffering w those men were exposed . The remark was , «*> these Christiana love one another , ' but in our own ^ the sceptic , the scoffer , and the infidel , » rer T ' ,. exclaim . See how these Christians hate one

      anouw-The saying iB not confined to the-scep tic « t scoffer ! It ia truly no scoff to say it I The C 6 ^ tians" do hate one another : and because of hatred , the children are to be deprived of the pn ^ lege of having the door of understanding unl ^' and knowledge and wisdom are to be a sealed to them ! Out upon ye I ye vile hypocrite 8 ' «* stand in the way of mental light !

      $Rapm'al ^Iarltamrnt

      $ rapm ' al ^ iarltamrnt

      Untitled Article

      Shocking Accident . —Last Friday morning , about seveu o ' clock , a frightful and fatal accident occurred at the Lancaster railway station , to James Witham , a porer in the employ of Messrs . Hargreaves and Co . general carriers . It appears that be was assisting in the removal of Borne luggage waggons , slowly propeiled by one of the engines , and , whilst in the act of stepping between two of them for the purpose of u nhooking them in order to divide tbe train , was cactjht between their " buffers , " and so dreadfully crushed , that , after lingering in great agony for about three hours , death terminated his sufferings . —Lancaster Guardian .

      U . hjcst Weighing Machixe . —At the borough Court , Bolton , on Monday last , Agnes Rathbone , keeper of a public weighing machine , in Black Horsestreet , was fined 5 a and expenses , on the information of Mr . Fogg , inspeotor . The machine , at t « n hawJred-weight , was deficient a quarter of a hundred-weight , and at thirty hundred-weight , one hundred-weight . Pabdos or Wilson Rocket . —A free pardon was received on Friday week on behalf of Wilson Rocket , who was confined at the Castle under a sentence of transportation for life , for a burglary at Huntington . The intelligence as ronveyed in a letter to R . H . Anderson , Esq ., the attorney for the prosecation , —and the pardon appears to have been granted solely from the report which the Secretary of State has received from Mr . Justice Coltra&n .

      Sheep at Warkfikld . —On Wednesday week , at Wakefield cattle market , there were the extraordinary number of between eight and nine thousand sheep for sale . There were a thousand more than the pens would holo " . A large quantity remained unsold . The prices fetched were from 3 $ d to 4 d per pound for mutton . Lambs sold at 18 s -to 21 s per head .

      The Nokthern Star. Saturday, May 6, 1843.

      THE NOKTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , MAY 6 , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      I WORKINGS OF THE SYSTEM . THE NOTTINGHAM LACE TRAD&

      The Report of the Commissioners 'PP ^ enquire into the condition of the youthful m » n ^ turing population of these kingdoms is » frightful document ! It has brought oat i « w ^ of the infernal money-grubbing system under ^ we live , that make the flesh « " * "Ltf blood curdle , and the whole man blush to « race . With some of the horrors of cn ^ employed in ooal mines and in factories , out ^ ^ hava become to some extent acquainted 5 ' have become to some extern ; acqw— ,

      ^ half is not yet told them . The treatmen t Midland Counties equals if not exceeds a J' ^ been said of these pandemonia . We gi «* ^ an article from the Times , in reference ^ matter , to which we refer our re ^ era , ^^ their attention for it . It is excs ^ ing ^ Y » ° der ^ its tone ; and yet holds up a picture which h'J ffi ^ may woll blush to contemplate . The article , * i 3 to bo continued . We shall » aost P" ' ^ the conliauatiou : or , if not , revert to the s and have something of out owu to ?» y u

      Untitled Article

      a mxxTa \ t n rt m tt is T ) W ST A Tt . i . i - * ____^__ __ ... .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 6, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct649/page/4/