Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 6th March 1841, Edition 4 of 5, Page 3, Untitled Article

Page 3
Page 3
3 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (4)
    • 33oeirg
    • Itt^rarg 0xtract0
    • PUBLIC TEA PARTY, IN THE FORESTERS' REFUGE, STALY13RIDGE, TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE vF THE KEY. J. R. STEPHENS.
    • THE NORTHERN STxiR SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1841.
  • Text (8)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      33oeirg

      33 oeirg

      BE TERLEY MINSTRELSY ! to thx xpiroa op the koethjm ao . rtatTtt endowed yon the following Wtm , BO * Wito * FJ"L wntr ; bft from the pecnliariy dirtnwlttg * J ° 52 iS imunrfw ** in which tiwy were eom""iTThev m » y K ^ my friend * it least , eaniidered S ^ tiM m » proof that my apMtU not yetbroken TZT brthe enormons amount of my part , present , T \ ntiop * te ( l raSerinp , undeserved and aapreee-* t ^ iu tfcoee a nffiaiafs in reality are . It also ha * *?^ one rood jrarpo * to wjm&l already ; tbafc is . ¦ "Turing u they have done , a few noun ( about I * ¦ ° v ifdaraltogether , ia their composition ) whkhbaa *^ ntedn > y tioughi * for that period from being more F ? TiW McnweA * inteDd ^ Tene » " > " * & * S ^ Sfcl sfr of " iogan Braea "—Emtnel from s fetor lg [ # r . ji . pe&Ke-SPIRIT OF FREEDOM I

      gnXit titrei&nx ! tj ^ « » * ° dwea fr « i the pttaot In hij oeJl ; L , d doslthj heaTenl y aid impart iSTgoothe tbe sorrows of bi » heart ; iajdest him thy influence divine , JTcamfort , an exh&naUess mind , ro cteer the dBEgeoo ' s dismal gloom , Csoofh meant by tyrants for bis tomb . gpiritof freedom ! wnen yoa eppress , xrfcgB friends desert , and foes distrea ; arten erim misfortune ttoeafning lower * , Ld *> rro ^ mark the pawing hours ; « , joy to know that in bu cell , Swathes tie same spirit thatbreatb'd in TeH gjnd » Wallace , and did bum fo nobly bright at Bannockburn .

      gpirit of freedom ! be eTer nigh , xf hen the pain'd twsom beaves the Agb ; cTjen tears of woe each other chase , Powes : he patriot ' s grief-worn face ; ran of » oe for other * shed , Tor others' griefs his bosom's bled ; that n «* er for sorrows all his own Be cTer felt , or yet has shown . rfpirlt of freedom . ' be ever found , ¦^ Ij en wmnrs » d this bosom wound ; W& f ^* thoae more dear than life , Hii orphan child—his widow'd wife : lid ok - * k y heavenly influence shed , Arocnd these help less sufferer ' ! head , jjapire this breast with joys t » come , ghoald freedom once more bleas my home .

      for tiiclf . power , thy snrplieed band , jky spread their errors through the land To kad the ductile mind astray , Jsr , far , from troth ' s delightful way , Carst superstition " * bligbtirg gloom , Qt the mind ' s energies the tomb , Dispels , fair sprite , before thy ray , fist opening up a glorious day . In Tain these dunpons may endow lie suEering patriot and hia woes ; Eii orphan child to poTerty driven , His wife deprived of all but heaven ; Hal widow ' s wail—that orphan ' s cry , Awecdnig incense to tire sky j - ^ 721 on the eppressor Bring a rod , las wratfl of an avenging God .

      Is Tain , cruel power , her bands may stain With blood of freedom 's martyrs slain ; Or madly dare the deadly strife , TThert freedom msy ba bought with life . Yes , Train ! while million souls inherit , Freedom , thy neTer-dj-ing spirit , Which no w lights op my dapgeon ^ i gloom , Jttoc £ fl meant to be the patriot ' s tomb . Yes , Tain all arts will tyrants find Jo Kaap or bind the human mind j Tor onward , with resistless force , The stream of mbd sba'l hold her course . Till they can stop ti » Iiying sun , From his appointed race : o run ;

      Till they the ocean ' s -waTes can stay , Their mandate we shall ne'er ob * y . Bobeet BeTerley House of Correction , IStaFeb , lstL

      Pkddis .

      Untitled Article

      TH £ BRIGHTON CHAKT 1 ST iLEETIXG Deai Sir , —Tis na : in Tain , 1 trust , To ask you iid in c * usemost just ; Yon ask of what we do complain , ¦ What aid we-srasi ? ani VU tirlaia . Of course your readers know not yet , Thai weTe in Brighton a Gazette-, i slarish , paltry , Tory thing , Wiiici eTc ? striTfes to haTe a 3 ing A ; these who oft require a friend , Thtir noblest acaens to defend .

      You'll let taeni know , I speak the truth , Acd rait ajnie sp ^ tart dirty youth , Did , in its latest publication , Prof = ss to gxre sc-ae information Of the great meeting lately held AUtsIoWa HiJl , U ; hare expeU'd Tiom the proj&cttsl " Poor Liw Bill , " Each part whkh wonld coadnce to ill ; The rita , the poor , did all agree , They'd fa ' . n from eTery cUuse be free ; Thai Brighton did require it not , Becaase the poor were De ' er forgot ; Tfca : she rats-payers and the poor "Were happy , nor did change implore .

      & 3 fir , so grxxl , thus all agreed , la spite of p&rtr , class , or ersed ; Bcs soar there wers , who saw most elear , Tssi destitution eTery year , "Would more and more u ' tr England spread , rsal-ths £ jsie = i ' s knock ' . ; at hta . 1 , 3 t wMca to = few the millions rule And eoace those they can't be / iwL I ctrainij do nut intend , Thir fcT " ry action to defend . The " Biii" to scout , the " Charter" pralsa Wag goo<—bat aot the " 3 IarseliaLse ;" ?> a pablic objects , ¦ wL « n men meet , They caaaot wtll be tc » discreet ;

      Ts : » er = thrT plac'd ia curioas plight To ai ^ Te assesdmesu , they'd a right ; Be thsjds chairman testy—partial , Jzsi £ t , i g&zg of sLves to marsliai , Oss * to'J : a ; n ; v each pa ^^ er-by , A » eonrtabie , t ~ tenu'd - Most High ;" Wca ^ tn a Secretary of State , Jkea K . tT : ei than the people wait ; And through wq . jSc a , i , no public meeting B * th hitherto from kencc sent greeting , Id tbcee » ho ' re eail'd 8 edition-mon « era . Ai

      whcin the yYaixs hsre barl'd their tbuaders . ^ wi amenu he would not rtceiTe , ? KpM'd by Allen , Woodward , Beere ; Md if the nine had been withheld , Ek ( 2 aaist » knew they'd be repeU'd , « aald tkty again isk him to call , A pnblicmfcfcting at the ' Hail , " wtere they might shew theii Tiews wereieund , *« takes np on public ground ; ami usurh is true ; bat 'twoaJd yon tire , I plfcU-srhich I the most admire , "

      ^ P * t'a truth , or tasie , or feeling , - « = personalitirf revealing . S * ^ »» la n ? UAge d-Ah dmde Sa"i « pB" and " buses , " side by side ; J « 'd like a sigfcv-tbea as a friend , M aasct i-ii unto yoa send" ^ P jumped Mr . Allen * tr , <^ ni : * out of k ' calling « tr " v atonch of th « m ^ tt—has a Tendor of beer » aa a moath Tery frothy , and phia Tery qusei Bas doaVJesa batb both sense and wit , A ^ oofch on neither 1 can hit , *» i *« nUtatteaiaufieT . tea itof

      f ^ t AIlfcn '« beet r ^ a I an opponent attack , «« -of his CiDdnet , not his lack Vw ** WUcil a&turedeth withhold , *« Wone cause , or age unfold ; ^< i 1 cjnld aay as much tn those as good example should disclose , f * Q nnile to hear how for a sop ^ Toryis m here caa spout , ^ Oblic ' uism when' they ' re out ; * scnie will swell , &nd swear , they'd friditen , g * L «» "d Charts out of Brighton ; ji " tutt

      ^ - -. » u , ,, u ; men pranx * , P-J » I much Jacreas'd the Chartiit ranka iVli ** oa to tfce ^ Vtter » i-tor J t ^» distance , why reTeal sSrt *^* - ' ' ^ - . fcSSfc'saSKfr j ^ tti . abnuand ngih it can ^ SS . ttw ^ B ^ a ^ , > , ew M , ni . i . iwp Sir

      sSf ^ -t - * S&J ? S = 2 S ' S fifeSm ^ K " " * a ^ jS . 'JS ^ p i . i . ha . iirt . ^ -fes

      Itt^Rarg 0xtract0

      Itt ^ rarg 0 xtract 0

      A Brigx ?> d s Philosopht ; oa orb ia " w * o » the Rjch A 3 H > another for ths Poob . — It is because man ' s law is not God ' s law that I stand her © npon the mountain . Were lawg equal and just , there would bo few found tg resist them . Whue they are unequal and uDj ' ust , the poor-hearted may submit and tremble ; the powerless may yield and suffer ; the bold , the free , the strong , and the determined , fall back upon the law of God , and wage war against the injustice of man . If you and I , baron , " he tontinned , growing excited with the heat of his argument ; ** if you and I were to Btand before a court of human justice , as ii is called , pleading the same cause , accoBed of the same acts , would our trial be the same , oar sentence , our punishment ? No ! all

      would be different , * and why t—Because you are Bernard de Rohan , [ ride Lord Cardigan ' s case , ] a wealthy baron of the land , and I am none . J . name would make the difference . A mere same would bring the sword on my head and leave yours rinwounded . If so it be , I say—if such be the world ' B equity—I set up a retribution for myself ; I raise a kingdom in the passes of these mountains , a kingdom where all the priTileg < e of earth are nyerbed . Here , under my law , the noble , and the rich , and the proad , are those that mast bow dowa and safer ; the poor , and the humble , and the good , those that hare protection and immunity . Go , ask in the peasant ' s

      cottage ; visit the good pastor ' s £ re 3 ide ; inquire of the shepherd of the mountain or the farmer on the plains : go , ask them , I say , if under the sword of Corse de Leon they lose a sheep from their ilock or a sheaf from their field . Go , ask them if , when the tyrant of the castle ^—the lawless tyrant , or the tyrant of the city—the lawful tyrant , plunders their property , ingulis their lowliness , grinds the face of the poor , or wrings the heart of the meek—ask them , I say , if there is not retribution to be found in the midnight course of Corse de Leon—if there is not punishment and justice poured forth even upon the privileged head 3 above . ' '—Mr . James ' s Corse de Leon ,

      The CouyoBis of Hkaxhexs : Town Gardens ix Japak . —The front of the betttr class of bouses is occupied by a large portico and entrance , where the palanquins , umbrellas , fti'd shoes of Tisners are lef t , where servants aDd persons on business wait , &c ; and which is connected with all the domestic offices . The back of the house is the part inhabited by the family ; and it projects into the garden triangularly , for the benefit of more light and cheerfulness . These gardens , however diminutive , are always laid out in the landscape-garden style , with rocks , mountains , lakes , waterfalls , and trees : and

      uniformly contain a family chapel or oratory . Absurd as such would-be pleasure-grounds may seem , when confined in extent , as must be the garden even of-a wealthy householder in the heart of a city , this intermixture of verdure nevertheless contributes greatly to the airiness and gay aspect of the town itself . And we are told that the very smallest habitations possess similar gardens , yet more in miniature , sometimes consisting of what may be called the mere corners cut oif from the triangular back of the house , with the trees in flower-pots . —Manners and Custom * of the Javanese .

      Public Tea Party, In The Foresters' Refuge, Staly13ridge, To Celebrate The Release Vf The Key. J. R. Stephens.

      PUBLIC TEA PARTY , IN THE FORESTERS ' REFUGE , STALY 13 RIDGE , TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE vF THE KEY . J . R . STEPHENS .

      The large Hall was tastefully decorated . The applications for tickets had exceeded the expectations of the managers so far that ihey were obliged to set the tables a third Hme , before all visitors had been suppl ed . Mr . Stephens entered the room , and was loudly cheered , and took tea with the last pariy . The arrangements reflected great credit upon the managers ; and the females especially were very industrious , in trying to make erery one as comfortable as circumstances would permit . After the joyons assemblage had regaled themselves , the tables were removed . Mr . HiSLAM , having been called to the chair , introduced Mr . Stephens to the meeting ia a short en ! ogis : ic speech .

      Mr . Stephens , on presenting himself , was sainted with hurrahs , clapping of hands , and other marks of esteem ; after the applause bad subsided , he commenced his address by thanking his friends around him for their hearty expressions of welcome . Being once more at some amongst his own , he was bold in speaking of himself . ( Hear . ) Their chairman , when he called him their tried friend , their undaunted friend , and their suffering friend , was wrong in one little word , namely , their suffering intni .. He considered he bad suffered notmng , when he thought of the cause in which he had been embarked , and which led him to prison , where he had spent eighteen of the happiest months of his life . And those who had sent him there had done

      him the best and kindest turn . He said that when Csptam Williams asked how he was , he told him to give his respects to Lord John Russell , and tell him that he thanked him for sending him there ; and tell him also that he made a very great mistake in sending him there ; that , had he let him alone a little longer , he should have given very little trouble . He ( Mr . S . ) said he was nearly worn out , but now he bad made him a msn again . He did cot think it any test of public sympathy aad re ? pcct to se § thousands parading the streets to welcome their friends home . He , for his part , thought little of flags , banners , and bands of ma . sic on such occasions . He had previously made up his mind to come alone into Ash'ton . He would walk , and have an opportunity

      of seeing with his own eyes , and he would willingly have suffered eighteen mouths imprisonment rather than miss what he had seea in walking from Ashton to the Foresters' Hall , at Stalybridse , from men , women , and children , when returning from their work , and appearing so anxious m offering their dirty bands to shake with fcis clean ones , for , said he , his were likely to be so , because he had done no work for eighteen months . He had put into his hands a Manchester paper , in which it was stated that he was coming to Salybridge to join a tea party , and in the same paragraph it was asked whether the prison had damped his enthusiasm , and whether the police would be needed . But he ( Mr . Stephens ) would tell his friend of the Manchester

      Times that bad his council been Followed there never would have been any necessity for the policemen , for either Ashton or Manchester to bludgeon the people into submission . He had told the people , and the Manchester Times , and the Manchester Guardian , and the Morning Ckr . onicle , that if they were determined to pass the New Poor Law Bill that they woaJd need an army to enforce it , and the fruits were now just what he eaid they would be . ( Hear , heir , and cheers . ) The&peaker then at great length defended himseli against tie attacks which had been made in the press , which called him a madman , firebrand , and revolutionist , &c . &c , and said that those wbo called him sueh-cert&inly did not know him : he believed there never % vas a man more

      calm , more coo 2 , nor kinder than himself , ( hear , hear , ) and likewise stated that his work of agitation began in the elosst . The first shake of the hand he had in Manchester was froa a policeman who knew aim , ( although he , Mr . S ., did not know the policeman , ) and welcomed him bacl ^ again . He then advised the people not to be deoeiv « d by the advice-which was sometimes given them relative to going to America ; they must not imagine that when they were going there thai they were goiag to a free country , and argued that we should endeavour to better our country rather than leave it . He glanced at many points which more concerned himself and his own congregation , than the public at large , and at times broke out in tremendous declamation against

      the New Poor Law Bill , the Factory Question , and the Rural Police , until be came to the remarks upon the Chartists and the Charter . He said that he might correct an idea that had gone abroad . He asked whoever' heard him say that he was a Chartist f He defied any man to point to a single line where they might coaclnde that he was a a Chartist . He never was a Chartist . He was not a Chartist then , nor ever would be . But though he was not a Chartist himself , he took that opportunity of stating that he would always Bupport their right to be Chartists . They ought to have the Charter : he himself could live iappy under the Charter . Tbing 3 could not be worse than they were if it was obtained . ( Hear , bear . ) On his way thither he saw

      a child who saw him , and who said , " Hey ! there is Stephens , God bless him ; but we must have the Charter . " ( Laughter and cheers . ) Whatever might be thought of his politics , he always held that the entire people should be fully and fairly represented in the House of Commons ' " Congress , or where they wished . They might call that good Chartism , but they might take it for what they liked . Since he had been in prison , "ie had lost a brother , child , and father by death ; the latter occurrence , that ofjhis father , had been signaliied by a display of unlookedfor sympathy on the part of Lord Normanby , who kindly , and withont solicitation from himself , granted him permission , from the dnngeon , to follow the remains of his father to the grave . He , therefore , took that public opportunity of publicly , through the press , expressing his gratitude to Lord Normanby , though he was his political opponent to the

      death . He also thanked them ( hia congregation ) for their kindness towards him while in prison , in pecuniary and-in other matter * . Thej had ainistered to his wasts , and he hoped the large nnntber of sufferers then ia prison would aot be forgotten , or left unsupported by -tfeeix friends , ( He * T , heal . ) He intended to work in the great vineyard of the Lord . as he had don « before . On Sunday next , he would preach at Hyde ; the Sunday following , at Charlestown , Ashton . He would work harder , if possible , than he had dene . He wonld erer repose upon their prayers , their faith , and the heaven to which he and they aspired . - While in prison he had not been quite idle- -, he had often asked himself what he could do for the general good ! And he thought that if he could place permanently o * record his views , it would be better calculated t « ensure his object ik&n . ine delivery of local sermons or lectures .

      Untitled Article

      With this view he had started a magatine , wfcieh he called the "People ' s , " because it was for the people , with the people , whether rich or poor , high or low , and be wished to make the whole people one people . He had learnt , since his release , and on credible authority , that all ike imprisonment , all th © Goveinment prosecutions , and cruel treatment , and exorbitant bail , was the result of a bargain entered into between his old friends , the Corn taw repealing millowners and the Government , that they would put down the Anti-Poor Law agitation and the Chartist agitation , if the Government would assist them in repealing the Corn Laws . But had they put down the agitation or the agitators t ( No , no . ) Had they pnt Oastler down ! Ho ; there was

      he ia the Fleet , inditing bis Papers , happier than ever . Had they put Stephens down ? No ; there he was that night , again before his friends , his church , and bia congregation . Had they put dowa O'Connor ! No ; though in prison , he was as mighty as ever . Had they put down Oastler , O'Connor , and Stephens ! ( No . ) They had put them up better than they could have done themselves . ( Vociferous cheers . ) He saw nothing good as the result of all their imprisonment ; they had still bad times , they wars likely to bare worse ; and , before heaven , he believed God had given them up to » reprobatt mind , to work all manner of unrighteousness , that they might believe a lie , a special affliction from God , who had and would visit them with vengeance He had teen Oastler in London , and spent many happy hours with him . Mr . Stephens then recommended his hearers to read the " Fleet Papers ;" and if they could afford to purchase the " People's

      Magaiine , ' to read that also . It was extensively read in London , and he hoped was doing good ; but ibove all they must read the " Fleet Papers . " People would say he was advertising hia own book . ( Laughter . ) In conclusion , he hoped that they would not mistake him ; he knew it would be a work of prayer and a work of blood ; they must take the sword and not let it rust in the scabbard—" the sword of Gideon—they must keep it bright before the Lord "—for God had said that he would cleanse the land . He then exhorted his hearers to be up and doing , to pray more , to live to God more , to believe more , to give themselves up completely to God , to live for God and one another . He u * d giyen them his best advice , let them take it , pray over it , and he would with . God ' s assistance and theirs ,-work for and with them , he would finally and affectionately bid them good night . ( Loud cheering . )

      The Chairman then introduced Mr . Bradley , of Hyde , who was received with much applause . He observed that he had come with great pleasure , though very unwell , in answer to the kind invitation that had been sent him . Mr . Stephens had called him a consistent Chartist ; he was proud to agEert that ho was a Chartist , and agreeing with him that men ' s hearts must be"changed before they would practice justice to one another , he could not help thinking he might be bigotted , that Mr- Stephens was wrorg and he himself was right , when he demanded for his countrymen their political rights , as contained in the Charter . He would himself feel ashamed , and he thought he would not deserve the name of a man if he was not

      a Chartist ; and though be had suffered eight months' imprisonment , he would never cease to work until it became the law of the land—he would assist Mr . S . in repealing the New Poor Law , the Rural Police Bill , and in shortening the hour 3 of factory labour , though he thought , for hia part , they never could succeed till they got the Suffrage , by which to protect and legislate for themselves as working men . ( Cheers . ) How were they situated at this moment 1 Were they not worse than they had be « u 1 He told them that unless they could obtain the Charter , they would become worse than they were then , though , God knew , they were low enough . It wa * his opinion that they , like the aristocracy and cotton lords , must have their interests

      represented in the House of Commons , or they sink immeasurably lower in the scale of social misery , and moral degradation . He wished them , one and all , to cultivate a knowledge of one another , to sympathise with one another , and to struggle in the great cause , until their efforts were crowned with success . ( Hear , bear , hear . ) He would conclude , as he was in very bad health , and give way to another gentleman who would address them . ( Load applause . ; The Chairman then called upon Mr . Batrstow , who , in coming forward was received with deafening and protracted cheering , and on reaching the tribune from which be Bpoke , was shaken by the hand in the most c * ordial manner , by Mr . Stephens , upon which the cheering again

      commenced . Cheers were then given in sapid succession , severally for Feargus O"Connor , Eeq ., Richard Oastier , and the Rev . J . R . Stephens ; after the subsidence of which Air . Bairstow spoke as follows : He did not thii . k , when he entered that building at a very late stage of the proceedings , that he should have be ; n called upon to address them , but the argus eye of their Chairman had discovered him , and he must speak . He appeared there as an uncompromising Chartist , to bliuk nothing , or bate one of its immortal principles . ( Loud and long-continued cheering . ) A democrat , aye , one by birth , he would ever stand by and defend the democracy of man as embodied in the People's Charter , as the only lever for raising him from his present

      position < Hear , hear , and cheers . ) He maintained that its righteous claims were neither buaibtuj nor moonshine ; and that the Chartists , instead of hunting a wild goose , in pursuing its acquisition , were solemnly and nobly working out their country ' s emancipation . ( Cheers . ) The Chartists , on the contrary , had broken the march of every fox , and wrung the Becks of the oackling ^ eese , and rendered it for ever impossible that any agitation shall humbug the people under the pretence of repealing isolated bad laws , without giving them the franchise by which to cut down every obstruction to their unlimited freedom . ( Renewed cheer ? . ) The people hated the New Poor Law , the Rural Police Bill , and the accursed factory system . But they were fully

      conscious that it wouid be folly to attempt to repeal the one or correct the other without Universal Suffrage . ( Cheers . ) Whilo the factory lord , the capitalist , and the landowner were omnipotent in Parliament , and the people were powerless , they might as well seek to stop the diurnal motion of the globe . They felt they were excluded out of the sphere of being and doing good—tnat tho law never knew them till it branded them with criminality , and condemned them to iajprisoument , banishment , exile , or death . The people h 3 d become too wise to be pulled like puppets by the wires of leadership , a » d , guided by a resolute and indomitable adherence to principle , they would steer clear of the shoals and quick--ands of expediency , till , lashed by the waves

      of progress , they reached the haven of repose and succes * . " Universal Suffrage and no surrender " was the inscription on their banners ; the winds of every breeze unfurled it ; they had nailed their colours to the mast , and they had sworn death to the man who struck them . ( Loud and hearty cheering . ) At this moment the chairman begged leave of Mr . Bair 3 tow to desist for a short time , stating that Mr . Stephens had been 6 ent for by one of his members who was on the eve of death , and proposed that , before Mr . Stephens left , the audience should , by way of bidding him good night , give him twenty rounds of the Kentish fire , which was

      responded to by the whole meeting in the most enthusiastic may . ner . Mr . B . resumed , and , in a strain of thrilling eloquence , which carried all hearts with him , concluded amidst the loud and long continued plaudits of the assembly . The Chaibman then briefly addressed the meeting ; after which , three time 3 three were given for Mr . Oastler , O'Connor , J . R . Stephens , tbe Northern Slar ( to which Mr . Griffin replied ; , and Jlr . Bairetow . A vote of thanks was tendered , by acclamation , to the chairman , who acknowledged the compliment in a Bhort speech , and the meeting broke up just before Sunday , highly pleased with the evening ' s proceedings .

      The Northern Stxir Saturday, March 6, 1841.

      THE NORTHERN STxiR SATURDAY , MARCH 6 , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      OPEN CONFESSION OF THE MOST FLAGRANT GUILT AND LONG CONTINUED PERSECUTION OF IRISH LANDLORDS . In our last number we laid before our readers a report of a meeting of Irish landlords , recently held in Dublin , and presided over by Ireland ' s only Duke , bis Grace tbe Duke of Leinster . We have this week to draw more particular attention to the objects proposed , and motives for holding the meeting .

      Many of the early speakers would have given the complexion of patriotism to their intentions , while they would gladly throw a veil over the disasters and wretchedness which they admit to exist , and of which they hare been compelied i » coafesa themselves the perpetrators . A Mr . Ni ? BB ii the first speaker , and we again insert his speech " . — " Toward * the conelariM of th !» genilem * n '* renarki , in alluding to tbe state of tbe onotry , be observed that the b « uwB of the poor people throughout the country , were literally worth nothing—they were nst fit for habitation . In traversing tbe bogs ai a sportsman , many a time be bad seen the game fall at tbe door of tbe poor man , —those wretched hoveU were not fit for the dogs over which be bad shot "

      Now this Mr . Napes is , we understand , a Tory landlord , enjoying the small fortune of about thirty thousand per annum , while he confesses that , npon his owa estate , he has to witness the destitution which he describes to

      Untitled Article

      be endured by those who make the otherwise barren surface of his land valuable by their labour . Can reproof be stronger than th » t which this gentleman thus administers to self and order , amidst the cheers of the ddinqnen to . Good God I human beings living in hovels in which a sportsman would , not put bis dog . The bit of a Bpeech which is most important for its folly is that of a Captain Dunns , and which we reprint also : —

      "He re « lded in a district where there was , unfortunately , a large quantity of wasteland , which could , with little difficulty , be reclaimed anfl made productive if tbe people only knew how to go about it . ( Hear , hear . ) That they would at once set about it be hod no doubt , if the means were given them ; for certainly the charge of a want of industry could not with truth be Imputed to them . " Here we have a most extraordinary jargon ; the Gallant Captain sayg , that the land would be reclaimed if the people knew how to go about it , and , in the very next breath , he saya they would soon go about it , if the means were given them , and he admits that wan t of industry cannot be imputed to ' the Irish peasantry .

      The next speaker is Sharman Cbawfoed , and while we acquit him of all participation in past acts of oppression , we regtot that he did not , when such an opportunity presented itself , affirm a more extensive principle than the mere collection of subscriptions to be divided among a little Squirearchy as agricultural premiums . The resolutions went no farther than this , while Mr . Crawford very properly observed upon the' prudence and justice of making a landed provision for every labourer . But while Mr . Crawford merely suggested the propriety of adopting the principle , he went into tbe most outrageous and impracticable details fur carrying it out , that could have been suggested to the mind of man .

      Mr . Crawford recommends the allotment of an acre of ground to every labourer , and in his appropriation of that quantity he assigns three distinct duties or performances , each and all of which are founded upon the most fallacious data . He assigns a task for the man , for the land , and for the two little pigs , which none of the parties could possibly perform . v In the first place he proposes that the man , after ten or eleven hours labour , for his master should

      amnte himself m planting a half acre of potatoes ; in cultivating and digging them , and in digging and cultivating a half acre of wheac . True , he assumes that the family will assist , but he well knows that the children of Irish labourers begin to work for their masters at the age of twelve or thirteen , till about twenty or tweuty-one , when they marry and become housekeepers themselves . Therefore the performance of the required duty from the man is out of the qnestion .

      Next comes the land ; and surely Mr . Crawford must know that there is not an acre of land in the universe , with any quantity of manure , much less with that produced by two little pigs , would stand an alternation of a green And white crop ; it is rank nonsense . But now we come to a consideration of the moBt important of all tho duties , that assigned to the unhappy two little pigs , upon whom devolves the enriching process . Does Mr . Chawfoud know what he said , or do those who cheered understand it ? Is

      Mr . Crawford awaro that there aro eighty perches of land in a half acre , each perch containing over thirty square yards , and that he assigned the poor little grunters the PHYSICAL impossibility of manuring no less than seven square yards per day throughout the year , and for potatoes , too , which require more manure than any other crop . We beg to assure Mr . Crawford that forty big piga , much Ies 3 two little pigs , would not , if they had nothing else to do , and had a dispen- ary at their command , perform the duty which he has assigned to the poor animals .

      He talks of straw , while he must know that pigs alone , of all other animals , never convert straw into manure , being , as regards their bed , the most cleanly of all animals . Indeed , iu justification of the character of Irish pigs , we beg to relate a story which we heard from an Irish farmer . He had a bow with a litter of young ones ; the sow fell sick , and the farmer littered yard and all with straw for warmth ; after three days' attempt at doctoring , he at last eeut for the parish pig doctor , who , having taken off his hat and coat , and having

      deposited them in a corner of tho yard , over the straw , proceeded to tho sick bed from whence he expelled the young brood , and when the visit was over and the patient was prescribed for , the Doctor proceeded to " don" his coat and hat , but Io , and behold , the well-trained brood had taken advantage of the doctor's coat and hat , which presented the only spot that for three days appeared legitimate greund for their purposes , and there they deposited a large luck-penny for the learned gentleman , as their share of the fee . '

      We , therefore , protest at once , upon the part of the two little pig 3 , against the performance of the duty assigned to them . In fact , they must bo the dirtiest little beasts of pigs on earth , real Irish pigs , and worth their weight in gold ; as a half acre of potato ground manured by pigs would bo well worth five pounds . , Will Mr . Crawford send us a sow and boar of this manuring breed , aud we promise any price for them 1 No ; but we tell Mr . Crawford how to get over the difficulty , and how to increase the comfort , while he diminishes the burden upon the man , the land , and the pigs .

      Let each labourer have an acre and a half of ground , and apply it thus : —a quarter of an acre of potatoes , a quarter of an acre of wheat , a quarter of an acre of vetches and kitohen garden , a quarter of an acre of meadow , and a half acre of grass , and then let us see what his produce would be—300 stones of potatoes , thirty-five stones of wheat , milk , and butter , of a cowy aad kitchen garden for bush fruit and vegetables ; then Mr . Crawford may say that a cow , one pig , and the weeds of a kitchen garden , together with some little collected by the

      man himself , would manure a quarter of an aero well , while the ashes and other manure furnished by slops , et cetera , would afford ample quantity for a kitchen garden . Thus a quarter of an acre of fresh land might be broken up every year , and have a good skia upon it , instead of a continuous succession of potatoes and wheat , while the man's labour would be red uced to nearly one half , and to assist him in that , the cow would enable him to keep some of the children at home for help , while the poor pigs would be altogether released from their copious evacuations .

      The cow is the grand thing fora poor family ; and let ua now see what our disposition of the land would afford . Three hundred stones of potatoes , . hirty-five ditto of wheat , four quarts of-new . --milk per day for seven months of the year , and eighty pounds of butter , or better than half a pound per day for the remaining five months , together with a little milk for seven months , eight quarts of sou milk per day for the pigs ; to this add garden

      vegetables , and thus , without any straining at artificial agriculture , but by the very commonest process , we provide for the poor man three times as much aa he can earn by a whole year's toil ; he may eat his pig , which would , moderately speaking , give him two hundred pounds of bacon , or more than half a pound per day . That man would never let a froggy Frenchman cuter upon his little pwadise ; he would fight like an Irishman , and die like * name cock first .

      We must be understood as agreeing altogether with Mr . Crawfobd in principle , and therefore do we feel the greater jealousy and alarm , lest ridicule may be cast upon it , from the absurdity of the details . A Scotch farmer once assured a neighbour that he had discovered an essence of manure , and that he could carry a sufficiency for five aores is his waistcoat pocket ; upon which the neighbour replied , "Aye , mon ; and nae doubt you may carry the trope

      Untitled Article

      in the other . " Now , we say nothing about the crops ; but we do think that , after the two little pigs bad performed their part of the covenant , they would be Yeryfine drawn , and would make but sorry bacon . The next speaker is Mr . Gbobgk Macabtnbt ; and aa this gentleman has let the oat out of the bag , we here reprint his confession . He said : — ' Improve the agricultural resources of the coantry ,

      » nd y » n increase employment among the labouring elaasea , and decrease the poor rates , \ Hear , hear . ) It ia the interest of the proprietors , therefore , to forward these objects ; for there is uo use blinking the question -aay person that looks at the operation of the poor laws must aae that eventually the proprietor must pay the rate . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) Therefore , let the proprietors employ the people , and they will not have poor rates to pay . "

      Now , can anything be more beastly , disgusting , and flagitious , than thus seeing landlords obliged to be dragged like badgers from & hole before any notions of justice , humanity , or right , possess them . Here we are distinctly told , that the dread of a poor rate has forced these gentlemen to consider grievances , with which they admit that they have been familiar for years , without making the slightest approach towards their redress , until alarmed by selfishness and fear . Thus it ever has been , and thus it ever will be , with the rich—they must be kicked into action .

      In 1735 , the Irish House of Commons , being Protestants , passed a resolution exonerating all grass land from the payment of tithe , and thus threw the Whole burden of the Protestant church upon a pauper Catholic agricultural people . In 1824 , Mr . Goulburx , finding the security of the parsons becoming weak , ia consequence of this immunity , and the reduced price of grain holding out a premium for leaving land in grass , passed hia tithe composition bill , by which tithe was to be converted into an acrcable assessment upon all land , as well grass as agricultural From 1735 till 1825 , every war was a tithe war ; and the grass Protestant and grass Catholic proprietors ,

      shot , hung ; transported , murdered , and destroyed every man who . took part in opposition to tithes . The poor paid as high as 25 a . an acre tithe for potatoes ' ; 20 i . for wheat ; 16 s . for barley ; 12 s . ' for o&ts ; and 8 s . for flax ; and serving the parson or proctor with more than three notices to draw his tithe upon the same day was conspiracy by Act of Parliament . So , when a poor uian , or a combination of poor men , preferred allowing the parson to draw those tithes to paying the valuation three friendly Protestants wore employed to serve notice to draw , and the parish was then declared in a conspiracy against the parson , and the military were poured ia from all quarters to aid the church .

      This went on for nearly a century ; the Catholic landlord and lay impropriators and magistrates being the greatest tyrants . But , when all was brought into hodge podge , and when tho rich had to pay a little for their religion , then did lords , highsheriffs , M . P . 8 , and squires , rise in open rebellion against the parsons , and cry " down with tho church , and no tithes , " until at length they havofor another bit transferred them , in the shape of rent charge , to the shoulders of the Catholic tenants ; and now tho patriots being sopped like a furious watch dog , are mate once more . Is not this a case exactly in point with the present agricultural movo , aud has not Mr . M'Cabtney put the saddle upon the right horse ?

      A Mr . Bermjngham follows , and announces tbe appalling fact that sixpence a day is above the average price for an able-bodied man in ( he West of Ireland ; and then comes a Mr . Watt , who , in detailing some facts conneoted with tho district of Thurlcs , in the county of Tipperary , which has always been the most disturbed part of Ireland , says , that within five years , encouragement has been

      given to agricultural improvement , and for that period there has not been a single criminal , whereas previously there was not a 6 ingle year but there was a public execution . Ol shameful ! horrid ! beastly ! and who were the murderers t Why , the rascally landlords , of course , who should one and and all be hungup as scare crows , as a warning to those who may follow . The Irish deserve it for bearing it .

      W © are sick of the beastly concern ! we never read a more disgusting recital than the whole affair ; and our readers will now do us the justice to say , that however our former paintings of Irish suffering and lordly tyranny may have appeared high coloured , they become but a mcro daub , when contrasted with the picture drawn by the gentlemen themselves . 0 what a row there is , when aland shark , who has sent thousands to a premature grave , is finally sent after them .

      LandlordB of tho Green Isle ! you have written your own history , with your own pen , and in the blood of your own countrymen , and we believe it true to the letter .

      Untitled Article

      DISHONOUR , DISGRACE , AND DISSOLUTION OF THE HOUSEHOLD SUFFRAGE PARTY ; THEIR PRINCIPLES AND THEIR ORGAN . Mystert and latitude to an almost unlimited extent * re , by a kind of prescriptive right , conceded to the press ; but , inasmuch as there must be always some implied , if not deiitied , understanding between those who write and those who read , it has therefore been the immemorial custom , that the latter

      should only impugn the former when trick , disgrace , dishonour , or falsehood , shall be so clumsily veiled by Mr . Editor , as to make silence , or affected blindness , a chargo of participation against the latter . In plain terms , the disciples of a newspaper , written for the higher or middle classes , value it exactly in proportion to its powers of aiding tyranny by falsehood ; but inasmuch as the least moral must be the most scrupulous , the moment the cheat becomes palpable and is detected , then is the cry of shame reechoed through the surprised ranks .

      If a party cannot rely upon its organ ' s veracity , what influence can that party hold iu a state ; and if an organ descends to the disgraceful and dishonourable subterfuge of pandering to advertisers , and recruiting for quacks , at the oxpence of truth , and by wilful falsehood , what will it not sacrifice to preserve the support of the political portion ot its readers t We may answer principle , politics , party , and all at the shrine of Mammon .

      It is bad enough to manufacture editorial political quacks , and attach the signature "Chartist , " as if coming from other parties ; that is a part of the mysterious license ; but to issue a wilful and palpable falsehood , as the Leeds Times has done , admits of ao possible excuse . Never , then , has a more disgraceful occurrence come under our knowledge than that to which we are now about to refer .

      If honour is to be observed towards our political subscribers , Burely honesty should be observed towards our advertisers . We expound our principles aa an inducement and invitation to the former , and exhibit our circulation as an invitation to the latter . In the one we may be over xealeus and unmeasured , but with the other , seal has nothing to do . The standard ot truth is the only measure which advertisers require , and to which they are justly entitled .

      The Leeds Itmet has , then , in tbe most unblushing and dishonest manner , added no leu than nine thouaand five hundred to the amount of Btampi which the returns give to that paper , and , with the rerj returns from which he profetniU qaoU before his eyea , and from which heqaotei in these words : — The last STAMP RETURNS SHOW th « weekly circulation of the Times to be 3 , 6 * 73 ; and then the Leeds Times gives the gross amount as 95 , 000 , while the Stamp Returns before his eyes give the return thus : —

      Leeds Timei-July , 12 , 500 ; August , 12 , 000 ; September , 12 , 500 ; October , 12 , 000 ; November , 20 , 500 ; December , 16 , 000 ; making in all 85 , 500 , and then the 7 Vm ^« , having assumed this false and dishonest position , proceeds to take Us stand as a

      Untitled Article

      second-rate paper , as the Northern St « r , not bei ^ a local paper , -the Timtt Bays , cannot be taken ; : ; tQ the Yorkshire local list for advertising purpos ; .- , . For this we thank the Briggate National ; th « Star i 8 not a Yorkshire paper , nor yet an Ec-gligh paper , nor yet a National paper ; it is an Imp rial paper , and while the Times thus caters for qua-ka , by narrowing its circulation to a limited circle , what will the originators and supporters of the late " national" move say to their " toad in a hole !"

      But while we never hare catered for advertisements , but , on the contrary , have refused many , and would much rather insert a good letter from a " CHARTIST" hand-loom weaver , an account of a Whig Corn Law drubbing , or a good missionary ' * lecture , yet we beg to tell the Times that we cmrr ' .-ito more within thirty miles of him than ho circai . ^ es allorerthe world , and we send more single pu . p -ra to aristocrats and M . P . ' s , who are obliged-tc- tr-ka us as poison , than one half of the Times' circulation .

      We did not-leave it for the Times to Sad out that we were not a mere " Toad b , « hole ; " we have always taken pride and pleasure in declaring it ourselves ; our readers . viU do us the justice to say that we are cover v ry oisy about '' advertisers would do well to kok ere , " or in parading the stamp rcti ; j ; : 3 { ut , inasmuch as some condder&tion has i ^ ea forced upon us , and as we may be safolj Raid to hold the balance even betweeu the advertising portion of the community , not btii <^ an advertising paper , let us , while our hand is in . i'iva a fair specimen of the real state of the case to thai portion of the community who have HI ) Other l "O teetion , or guarantee , than the words of the i- ^ :: or for the expenditure of their money .

      The Times then calls itself the second pv ^ ur ia Yorkshire , by the retirns . Now let us see—Nol . Northern Star , Half a million and Twenty-one Thousand . No . II . Leeds Mercury , two hundred and forty-two thousand , by its own account . No . III . Lee Intelligencer , one hundred and twenh -sis thousand .

      No . IV . Hull Advertiser , one hundred and eleven thousand five hundred . No . V . Leeds Times , eighty-five thousand , fivehunlr » rj consequently had in October , and let us see how tuf matter stands .

      For those nineteen weeks , the Times had , by thd return , just 49 , 000 , or 2 , 570 , instead of \ i < 73 , per week , while for seven weeks of November ; ud December , the Times had no fevrer than 35 , 5 ilQ , ot nearly one half of the whole amount , supplied for the whole term , or ia weekly circulation 5 , 214 ; and ihea the cur echoes the yelp of . the bull-do ^ r , ¦ . id says , we make no average of the Intell ' iycr-. -r because he has not mado proper arrangements aboui bilking advertisers .

      Now can figures make facts clearer as regard fchfr dishonesty and falsehood of the Times toward * advertisers , who are , in oar opinion , ia all cases v , jra they can swear that they were governed by a 6 oiuti fide circulation , as stated in the paper which deceive * them , absolved from the payment of advertisements . Now one word for the veracious Mercury , aud here we are merely dealing bstween tho advert ; ,.:: ig ; claimants as arbitrator ' s .

      The Mercury says : — " We make no wa- ' . ly average of the Intelligencer ' s circulation , becs . 'V' % large proportion was supplied to that paper iu ; ht month of September . " Well , now , let us havo llk « case like rule . In January , 1840 , the Mercuri . '• ¦ < : td 19 , 00 'J , and in December , 1840 , 45 , 000 , In Janii ^ y , 1 * 540 , the Intelligencer had 20 , 000 , and in Decezcl r , 1840 , 45 , 000 . Now , surely , if 45 , 000 in D ^ -eu . " - , er is more disproportionate to the circulation o + t . ' ig Intelligencei than the same amount is to the . ¦ . ' * culation of the Mercury , so is , upon the other l > a-: d , 19 , 000 in January to the Mercury , than 20 , 1 ' 0 ia the same month to the Intelligencer , and nji / j" ^ . v # not , therefore , have another January tale to teU : Ja the next returns ? -

      What , then , as far as the justice of the easo'is concerned , is the fairest rule ! Why , doubtless , ti . t , ke each year within itself , and what is gained ra ^ aa will be lost in the other . Now , upon a comparison of the two half yeara , Low do matters stand between the rivals for the second place ? It appears that the increase of the Ti-. ei for the last six months over the previous Ax months , throwing in ihe 3 & , 500 for seven weeks , is

      just , —what does the reader think , —after ail tu « splutter about the spread of the all-devouring principle , and the assurance in Janmry , when bo : h hiff years were expired , that the frequent chaises of principle had produced an increase of 1 ,. Q § weekly ? Why , just fifty-six weekly , and no more ; or , in other Words , fairly dispo ^ hig of the 36 , 500 , accordiug to the previous niuet > .-3 u weeks , a falling off of about 19 , 500 upon tbo half year . So much for the truth , nicety , and iusticQ .

      We make no comparison of our circulation with the Briggate National and European Advertiso * The whole circulation of Mother Goose , we should look upon as a mere casual increase iu our weekly order . We make no mention of the Monarch , not of ih # daily , not of the Provincial , not of the E-. itfl ' - . h , nor yet of the Imperial , but of the universal press , the great Weekly Dispatch ; thousands are aa spoiled sheets , and the whole circulation of Mxfier

      Goose , would be to the Dispatch as mere w ^ iie j but we select the Whig metropolitan papers , neai-dst our match , as the school boys say , the Sunday Ti ' . tet and the Weekly Chronicle , and what do w < i uud there ? Why just this , that in the last six month of the year , as compared with the previous six months , the Sunday Times-ha . B fallen off 10 , 000 . Th « Greenacre Chronicle has fallen off 44 , 000 , and tha Star has increassd in the same period SIXTY-SIX

      THOUSAND . If this very great nicety is to be observed in tb § critical laying in of stamps , —mind , we are only speaking of the rule applied toward others , —fortunately our independence of ragamuffin advertL-on relieves us of that portion of the jealousy;—but if such nicety ia to be observed , let us just treat in * Mercury and Times to another test of a wholo Latf years'average . In tbe first quarter of the last year , then , as com > pared with the last quarter of the previous half-year , the advertising belligerents stood thus : —•

      Mercury—Last quarter of last half year , 1 32 , 0 Q # first quarter of present half year , according to hii own account , 116 , 000 ; decline , 16 , 000 upon thirtoea weeks . Leeds Times-L&it quarter of last half yea ^ 48 , 060 ; fir « t quarter of prewn * half year , 37-, 00 » j decline , 11 , 010 , or nearly 1 / W « a week . Intglligenctr—Lzat quarter ot first half yea * 26 . 0 WJ * first quarter of kat half y «* r , 44 , 00 « j increase , 18 , 000 upon the thirtee * weak * . We here takt leave » f the BrifgaU " National and European Advertiser .

      We nay have a word to aay aa t * the differ enM between consumption and returni ; a differoa »| to which friend Mercury attaches « u « h important ^ and afterwards take a review of tha whole jear ' i stock , stating the amount of stamps received , an £ the amount on hand at the end of each quarte * In future , we shall take hut a yearly review of th thing : it is well enough for advertiser ! to bestow their time and space on catch-penny ; but it is rath e * hard that their falsehoods should force as to dt likewise .

      Untitled Article

      ^ THE NORTHERN STAR . 3

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 6, 1841, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct696/page/3/