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Northern Star (1837-1852), 2nd September 1843, Edition 4 of 5, Page 5, Untitled Article

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      both at bo&& and abroad , was too valuable to be passed over . Ufa * testimony seals the doom of H Free-Trade . " It shows , conclusively , that all the attempts to redoee the Free-Trade" principle to practice , has failed in maintaining for us our " foreign trade . " It also shows that we are being regularly driven ont of the markets of the world ; and that B National Extinction" awaits as , unless we give a new direction \ o national energy . Mr . Buses shall prescribe that new direction for us in oar next . Meantime we crave the reader ' s serious considera for the matter presented him already . It is big with mighty import . May it have a jnst and due effect ! ^

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      THE DAMNABLE ACT . THE KEAX MOTIVES OF ITS CONCOCTOBS DIYHLGED . "We shall commence our commentary by pnb-Hshing the order of the "Devil-Kings" of Somerset House , as issued to the Swansea Board of Guardians : — Swaksba , Arc . 23 A special Board of Guardians ¦ was" held here to-day in oomequence of & letter having leen receiTed from the Poor Law Commissionera upon the dutressed itate o ! Vhe * country , in allusion to the strike of the coppermen . The board iras very fully attended , every Guardian in the Union haring been jn TPTTyppftOr * The Her . 2 ) t Heirson hating taken the chair , read file letter , as follows : — " Poor Law Commissioners ' -oniee . Somerset-hbnse , ASEBSt 14 .

      Z . "Sit , —I am directed by the Poor Xaw Commisnoners to itate , t&a ^ their attention has been drawn to theitrite of the -workmen employed in the Swansea copper works , in consequence of a proposed reduction of tbeir irages , and to the probability that it -will lead to a large number of applications from ablebodied sieo for relief for themselves and families , -in oonseqnenee of the loss of their accustomed means of support . 2- "'The Commissioners , tbarfelore , haTing regard to the difficulties -which , nnfier such circumstances , the Guardians would doubtless experience in dealing -with the somerous applications far relief ¦ which might be snadedy made to them , feel it their duty to offer sick advice to the Guardians as the Commissioners consider may be useful to them , in the $ event ; ol such difficulties actually occurring .

      3 . " The Commissioners need uot point out to the guardians that , to long as there is room in the -workhouse , the best course is , undoubtedly , to order all able-bodied applicants for relief into it 4 . "The Commissioners feel assured that the Gaardians will be-anxious to meet the calls upom the poorrates which most probably will arise from the abovementiooed cause with promptness and vigour ; and the Commissioners do not doubt that if due precaution be used , and proper arr&ogenwate be made beforehand , the Guardians will be enabled to meet this pressure , should it actually occur , wife less difficulty than might otherwise be apprehended .

      5 . ** Under the circumstances , however , the Commisikiners think it right th&t the Guardians should be quite prepared for any sudden pressure upon the funds under their control which may ultimately ensue from the state of the copper-workmen ; and they would recommend that a special meeting of the Board should be calied , and that the financial situation of fcbe Guardians in respsct to the funds of those parishes in the Union likely to be affected by such pressure « bonld be investigated ; and that fresh colls , if found to be necessary , should be immediately made , and served upon the overseers of such parishes , who should , in the meantime , be warned of the necessity of securing sufficient lands beforehand to meet the numerous- claims upoa tbs parishes which m&y , and probably -will , arise for relief . In tha event of the existing rates being imoffiriwit for this purpose , fresh rates should be prepared , and got . ready for -signature by the justices .

      • 6 . "xfcs Gnsrdisns will likewise do well to consider whether persons who . become chargeable to the parishes in-question ., and whose settlements are in other parishes , sheuld not be removed to their respective parishes as quickly as possible , TMb eosrse appears to be recommended &y the consideration that the ratepayers , if the apprehended pressure should arise , cannot relieve themselves from the burden ef supporting tfrf' * own settled poor , " 7- " The CommissioBers on previous occasions , when ^ milax cases of emergency to tbe present one have

      occurred m Staffordshire and other places , have issued an out-door labour-test order to the unions " where it was found to be necessary . This order , where carried into effect , has afforded the Boards of Guardians-much yniifaiiOT ) in PTi 5 iT > 7 mg + ht > m to deal "with the muntrous applications suddenly amde to them for relief , under a fgrmn « . T pressure to thsfc which it is feared may soon arise in t&e Swansea Union . The Commissioners enclose a -copy of the order far tbe consideration of tiie Board of Guardians , and the -CoiBsaissioners -will be prepared to issaa a tri-mit ** order to the Swansea Union . In the

      meantime , hoverer , swans should be taken i > eforehand to procure some stone and oakum , or such other materials xs may be accessible , in order to be in readiness for tbe purpose of setting tbe able-bodied meo to -work , in return for the relief affisrdei them- These materials , if not used , will be availsble for setting to work the able-bodied inmates of tbs workhouse . The Guardians shoala" also be prepared te appoint a superintendent of o * t-door pauper labour , and to procure tools , if necessary , at the . shortest notice . 6- "At the special meetasg which the Commissioners xeramaiend should be held , they sogeest that the question of where the out-door labour should be carried on , is case of seed , ^ should be dketttsed , and the whole of the arrangements which it Bay be necessary to make be considered . The expenses iBcarrying out the provisions of the order above referred to , will be a charge «« on tbe p&rishas to which the paupers relieved and set to work -under it may be chargeable .

      9 . " The Commissioners thiak it necessary to observe that in case of a strike of workmen for higher wages fJwm their employers are wining to give , a question arises whether the Guardians would ie justified in refusing or discontinuing relief when the Bieo might obtain employment , if they chose to accept it , at wages snmeksxt to furnish the " >»)"" of subsistence tor themselves and their families . 10 . " In reference to this question , the Commissioners Would remark that the poor-rates constitute a fund for the relief of destitution . The staount so levied is withdrawn from the capital which must itself furniEh employment to the labouring classes , and proves a severe burden on the middle classes , who are themselves liable to be reduced to poverty by the contingenciei of irade and the excess of public burdens .

      11 . " So long , however , as real and involuntary destitution exist * , bo long must the Gaardians , in discharge of ttaor public duties , require from ths ratepayers , and distribute to the applicants for relitf , that sustenance which the necessities ef tbe latter class demand . 15 . " But the question becomes a different one if the destitution i » self-imposed , and -when the guardians are « atis £ ed that individuals supported by the poor-rates may obtain employment at wages aotqaats for the maintenance of themselves or families .

      13 . " With the dispntes between masters and wortsnen , or with tha agreements of either class amori ? themselves , the Guardians have nothing to do . If , therefore , the GaaTdiaES are in a situation to say , that tba men now applying for or receiving relifef w ~ j obtain -work -within -tbei ? reach as -wagta suSciest f < -r their maintenance ami iiiat of their famUieB . zni ii « dy depends on tbemKises to accept it , they are jnstiSed iu Tfefusiug relief to those persons , siiapiybeesssa they can do longer be considered as drst-. uue .

      Jt is sot , however , sufficient that they Ehoeki eay V 3 XBc 3 j" to anylarge num bar in a mass . - em ploy . ro wit may "be had *; but on being Kitisficd in tsch indiTi ^ nal cass that work is offered or may be procured by tie man in question within a practicable ducance , reiitf might thea be refnsed to that man , always provided that the Guardians are satisfied cf the g .-iffirieaey of tht wages cSsrsd for the actual maintenance of the parties , and that all cssta of great urgency or of a mere temporary nanne from saamentary fear of vioitice should be ties ] : with as rxeepdons .

      14- "It is cot tbe object of the poor-rates to aid « i : her mssteri or men in any struggle against each - © sber , and it isust be assumed that tae law will be iosnd sufficiently Btrong to protect those willing to Wvrk from the prolonged action of forcible interierecee . i 5 . " Tbe ComsissSonEra will be ready , should the ^ itecfcEHty for Eucit a step arise , to sanction a temporary \ dtparlEre from the prohibitory order , to the extent ] which Ksy b ; requisite npon the cas = s being reported \ to them under article -4 . 5 . " Tpp Commissioners , in m&kiag the foregoiDg rena , do not wish to excite any unneceesary appre- ' kssaiGn in the minds of ths Guardians . Their object ! is amply , that -whenever ths crisis may arise , it may fiad tha Guardians fully prepare * to meet the pre >) -Rjreu poathe Union . !

      " 1 aa , Sir , your most obedient Servant , " B . Chad wick , Secretary . "To the Clerk of the Guardians of the Swansea Union , Swansea /' 2 > r . Hbwsos then B&id , that » far as tha copper" rafcejs were concerned , it did not appear necessary tint they should sake any provision , as not one of Jfeem had applied to the Board for relief ; but their J « onduct in striking had affected other large bodies—the ] eolliersj for instanct , who " were thrown ant of work by . j them . Some of the colliers had applied for relief on j Friday last , and i » d been told to come there that day . j Kone or them were , however , in attendance , and there- J fitte , perhaps , there would not be any necessity of going into ths qnestion eyes zs respected them .

      Mr . Yivian , il . P ., said , as a partner in the Swanse Coal Company , he had expressed his strong desire tha *« the men should be found work j and * as that had beea done , he was surprised that any of them should have asjOied for relief . 3 Dr . He wson erplsined that it wm a sort of prospective *?> pli » Son , as fes men haa thosgtt thai they ihc-ald be out rf wsrk frem Batwdsy but

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      Mr , Vivian said no man could regret more than he did the present nnf&vourable state of things . The coppermaBtera had , after the most mature deliberation , and the most urgent necessity , proposed to reduce the wages of the men ; still , however , allowing them wages fully competent to their maintenance ; and one of the most painful things arising in consequence of the strike was , the way in which it affected tbe poor colliers , whom he pitied . He had recommended that work should be found them , and that had be « n done , for although not at cutting coal , yet they were employed about the works , and paid as the coppermen were , in money , there being no shop in connection with the Swansea Coal Company . in which it

      A desultory conversation ensued , was stated thatthe coppermen were 4 etermined to still stand out—that on Saturday they had given notices to draw out £ 1 , 300 from the Savings * Bank—that they were about to break up all their benefit clubs , in which they had £ 25 . 000 , and divide the money to enable them to continue on strike . We pass over several sections of this cold-blooded and ferocious edict , In each and every one of which will be recognized the anxiety of the Trustees" of the " Poor Law Fund" to make destitution and paupebism more heiimus than the blackest crime I From the mass of inf . ernalism wo select for comment those sections which develope the real object of the "Devil" law . Those sections are from No . 9 to

      13 , inclusive . To them we call special attention for the benefit of those whose wages are henceforth to be regulated by a Board of Guardians under the controul of the Poor Lav ? Commissioners , and whose duty they are told it is to protect the middle classes from those burdens which the destitution of the poor is likely to impose , npon them . From these sections we learn that if wages

      adequate for the maintenance of a man and bis family is offered by an employer , that such man refusing snea offer is to be deprived of all parochial relief ; and that the Guardians ttpvn whom in his poverty tie is likely to be a burthen are to be the parlies to judge of the question of haiktkkakce ; and they are to be the local Executivo of the devil-kings of Somerset-house and io mark the amount which the masters are trilling to give ! 1 ' I

      Let us suppose a very possible case , by which the standard of" sufficiency" will be judged by the Poor Law Guardians . Snppose a copper miner , earning thirty shillings a week , to have a wife and three children . He is threatened by his master with a reduction of five shillings a week . His master is either a duly Elected or an Ex Qfficio Guardian of the poor . The man resists the reduction , and applies to the parish for relief . His mas \ er is upen the " Board . " The roll of the really destitute is read over—the amount given to them is the standard by which a SUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE is to

      be jndged , ths will of the hastes is , no doubt , the basis of the judgment of the Board . Say it would amount to as mnch as five shillings and Bixpence a week ; and suppose the Guardians , anxious to make out a good « ase ftr the "devilkings , " say to the miners we'll allow you ten shillings a week for jour family . This offer at once compels him either to submit to tbe proposed rednciion or to starve , and leases him for ever at the mercy « f the maBter who may henceforth reduce his wages to a little above the standard established as a xiiable maintenance" by the Guardians . If

      thi 3 rule is once acted upon , and if tho working classes should ever tolerate such an infringement of their rights , the power of adjusting the rate ef wa s , at which the masters shall henceforth condescend to employ them , will be vested wholly and entirely in the haads * f the Poor Law Commissioners . However slow then this vile Starvation Act was in developing its real object , can any man bow have * donbt that the intention "was to starve the poor into complete subserviency 1 making poverty a crime , and themselves the arbitrators as to what constiuued sufficient maintenance "* &A therefore sufficient wages \

      We have bui very little sympathy for the middle classes , who , as a constituent body , have tolerated thai system of invasion opon the poor , which has at length corns to their own door . Was there a man of them , who , had he thought , but must have come to the conclusion that the aristocracy , although chosen as the representatives of the middle classes would stave poverty from their -own doors as long as possible , and that bankruptcy t-honld only , reach them after the rain of tbe middle classes had been accomplished . The middle classes will now discover that the sy 5 fcem . notwithstanding all their representative

      power , has reached their « rd . er ; and that instead of being the agents between producers and consumers capital upon the one hand \ & hourly making paupers and pauperism upon the other hand is hourly making bankrupts of them . Instead of being the governing pany , as in former times , when the -whole weahh of the country was equitably -distributed among the ¦ whole popal&tien of the country , and which wsb by no other means so fairly adjusted as by admitting the claim of the unwilling idler to all the necessaries and even tbe comfortB of life , they are now the ressrroir froa which tbe paapers must draw ; the broken reed , npon which the destitute must lean .

      Wjiat a satisfaction it must be to their order te read the gratifying intelligence that the amonnt raited for the support of the poor has gone on annually diminishing since the whole fnndwas consumed by the staff for carrying the law into operation ! Bat will they not awake to a knowledge of the fact , thai when the Poor Law Fund was highest , their -own condition was best ? Although we have sever joined in a fruitless endeavour to repeal , or even to amend the damnable act : and although we have

      viewed the vagaries of Rebecca in no very favourable light ; yet , who but must anticipate a junction between the " fair lady , " who vows vengeance agaiuat the Poor Law system , and those who have now learned tbe uses to which it is to be pnt I and -who . but mast arrive at the conclusion that property has W 3 gcd war upon poverty ; and who but must admit , that we were ri ^ ut nearly six jeara ago , when writing upon this very subject , we divided the elasf-s , withom reference to political creed , into ' It ch Oppressors and Poor Oppressed ?"

      Mr . Ccbbett , when opposing tbe Starvation Act toid ibe Maitbn = ians of that dsy , that , when brought ; nt > fail operation , it would shake their titles to thvir tiiatfs ; and that the people would never iam «" 'y ? usmit to each an infringement npon their inhere nt rights . He was a true prophet upon more ocesions t :. amhat ; and in the document now before us v ,-. j r-coxuize she beginning of iho end . " We see ihc coming of that time , vvrhen disinherited poverty ¦ will demand from the holders of national property , tbe title by which it has been applied te their sole use , behoof , and benefit .

      Perhaps ibsdayof reckoning may have been postponed by a more canning management ; but assuredly a core nnfertunate season than the present for the assumption of sueh extravagant power could not have been selected , when the Minister is assailed not by one , or two , but by every interest in the country . And aliaough that class who 3 e rights are thns insolently and audaciously invaded may be despised as affording no parliamentary strength , yet if there is

      tru ' . b in the assertion that "hnn ^ er will break through stone walla , " it may be eqnallj true that the power of the unrepresented m 3 y break through the forms of Somerset Honse . What we fear is , that this recent tyranny will strengthen the hands of " Rebecca " and those who contend for theiedres * of sectional grievsnees ; and in truth we can scarcely blame an insnlted unwilling panper from taking the shortest possible cnt to relief .

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      [ Jnion ; while Mr . O'Connell has very pointedly hinted at the assistance that Ireland would be likely to receive from France in the evant of tbo English Minister having recourse to force . Every man possessed of common sense , however , nust be aware that to any compact between France and Ireland , the occupant of the tottering throne of the former conntry would be no party ; therefore , French sympathy does not mean the sympathy of Louis Philuppb , who , in the success of the Repeal agitation would see the downfall of French despotism . May it hot , then , be very reasonably

      supposed , that with all the professions of Irish loyalty , added to professions of French sympathy , that tbe Monarchs of both countries , through the advice of their ministers , are designed to meet and combine for tie purpose of opposing democratic intrusion by royal combination ! If , as we learn , the English Cabinet is opposed to the marriage of the Spanish Qaeea with { he Bon of the French King ; and if that project is , as we understand , nearer to the heart of Louis Phillippe than any other consideration at the present moment , —always barring the transition of France from Monarchy to Republicanism— surely we

      may be pardoned for wondering thut the moment of England ' s rejection of such a scheme should be selected as the time for inviting the English Queen to the shores of Franco ! while we can well understand that even the temporary occupation of the throne of Spain would be but poor consolation for the loss of that of France . This Royal meeting is to all intents and pnrposes but the precursor either to a Conference of Crowned Heads for the protection of Monarchies against the raging desire for Republican institutions , or the forerunner ofHn understanding between their two " Majesties- "

      The reckless manner in which the French King has furnished the means of creating revolution in Spain and the destruction of every liberal institution by the tyrants whom his money has placed in power , will at once betoken the horror , in which the prospect of a Spanish Republic holds him ; and we doubt not that the wily monaroh will judiciously play Spajn against Ireland , and out of British terror at last accomplish his desired object . The present position of France with regard to Spain is not very

      dissimilar of that of England to Ireland . If Spain proclaims for a Republic , the fortifications of Paris -will furnish but a poor barrier against tbe national demand for a similar form of Government : and shonld the English Minister drive the Irish people to a knowledge of . their own power , the infection of popular strength would not be filov ? in orossing thjB Irish Channel . Thus we surmise that the present royal visit is likely to terminate in a gambling speculation , with "the safety of thrones" for the stake .

      While monarchs are engaged in gambling for thrones abroad , let us take a review of bur ills at home . All must now be awake to the awful inroads made upon tho social comforts of the working classes . Perhaps the best picture that can be drawn of the present gamblers in human labour is to represent them in their former character , and in their present position ^ In the olden- times , when a good understanding existed between tho master , and some twenty or thirty manual labourers , they played

      for pence , and the game was fair . J ! the profits of the masters were comparatively small , it was betause an equitable distribution was made of the profits of all : and socioty was seldom disturbed by any misnnderstaading , which the good sense of the interested parties , did not very speedily reconoile , without the interference of the law , the military , the special constables , or the police . At that time , the small masters were not invested with tho double character of employers and justices !

      When machinery was introduced , and aa it progressed , they began to gamble for shillings in the first instance , and tbe pennies were put out of play . As new inventions or improvements went on , they began to gamble for pounds , and the shillings were also put out of play . As toon as the accumulated property was able to contend for representation with the landed interest , the gamblers in poundB wsre able to achieve an amount of representation , which compelled their Government to appoint them

      to the magistracy of the country ; and thus , armed with the two edged sword , the power of capital to reduce wages , and the power of the magistrate to coerce into an acquiescence , they began to gamble for hundreds , aud put the pounds out of play ; until at length th « y have not only rendered all the real money in the world incapable of representing their stakes , but have gone to tho extent of gambling for the produce of foreign states ; Great Britain and Ireland being too narrow a field for gambling speculations .

      We believe it was during the vice-regency of Lord Towxshem > , in Ireland , that the demands of patronage by the Huichinsons and Berebfords became so extravagant that the Viceroy , upon one occasion , observed— " I do" believe that if the Hutchinsons and Bebestobds got a gift of England and Ireland , thty would want the Isle of Man for a potatogarden . " So it iB precisely with our manufacturers * They have gambled for all at home . They have cheated until they have won all . They have placed it ont of play by a non-consuming producing power 5 and nonr they ask for some higher stakes to represeat their power of cheap production .

      It may not be unimportant to shew the immediate effect that this progressive system of gambling is likely to have upon the parties engaged . Let us group them , and mark their progress . Snppose that a number of persons sit down at a gambling-table , to play for penny Btakes . As long aa the play is confined to those stakes , the penny will represent something , and have its value in the market . If the play is changed to shilling stakes , tho pennies are put out of play and out of the market ; and he will be considered impertinent who offers to pay a shilling in pennies . The shilling then becomes valuable

      as it reprefents the stake played for . If , however , the gambling increases to pound 6 takes , the shillings are put out of play , and out of the market ; and the man who attempts to stake twenty shillings would bo laughed at . Aa the blood warms , and the desiro to speculate increases , the stakes increase with its until at len&tn they arrive at hundred pouad stakes ^ when pounds are pat out of play : aud it not unfrequently occurs that the hundreds are put out of play by bonds , bills , I . O , Vs ., Post Obits , and mortgages , rendering what may be cons . dexed real money but an inadequate repreeentation of the gambling speculation . Observe , then , the effect which those altered

      stakes vill produce , as if by magic . As long as a pensy rtprcsent 3 a stake , it was of certain value ; and four or five pennies would be looked at twice before they would be given , Bay to a messenger who brought a note . When the stakes increased to a shilling , however , the pennies would be freely given in handsful , as they represented nothing , vfhile passing importance would be attached to the shilling . And this again , when put out of play , would be as freely given asthe pennies were ; and so on : each increase of the stakes rendering comparatively valueless those smaller amounts which were previously played for .

      Now Each precisely is the position of our present speculators in human labour . They have got more artificial power than would supply the world with produce ; and in the wildness of speculation , they have lost all thought of the land at home , so inadequate to represent the stakes they play for . If the system be not checked , no power on e&rth can much longer soppress that popular fary which , though long pent up , will in its rage destroy the whole system , leaving no trace of what is called England ' s greatness . Machinery has put masual labour out « f play and rendered it comparatively valueless in tho gr sibling market .

      We hare now drawn a picture of the slakes for which Monarchs and capitalists play . Bat notwithstanding the power of both , the people ( without King , Queen , or knave ) have the whole game in their hands , provided they play their cards with judgment . The position of Mr . O'Cowikll is one of awful eeponjibility j—on « rrbioh if gupporte *

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      may result in great and mighty changes , —< % from which ^ should he . be driven by a compy $ ( ra of orowacd he ads and knaves will lead to thttemporary prostration of the democratic cause ; and is one therefore which every friend of liberty i should strengthen by all the means in his power . ty > man can doabt for a single moment that the ! feeling created by him is Btrongly in favour of democracy , whatever his view may be ; while all must jsome to tbe conclusion that those aspirations so universally raised by one man can never be checked by tbe individual

      power which © aJled them into existence . The working classes hare lost much by tha consideration of who ahall do , rather than what shall hMone ; while their constant shout has been " measures not men . " We trust , however , th&t in the nineteenth century the public mind is too far advancedj to care whether CConnkll or the Chartists shall [ lead in the road of democracy . We feel convinced that the people are being conspired against by their e ^ iomies ; while we feel equally assured that everi Ijad Mr . O'Conneu , joined in that conspiracy , the means that

      he has taken will have the direct tendency ai frustrating the machinations of tbe people ' s enemies . If repose is necessary , after hi 3 gigantio exertions during the summer , God forbid that we ; should take advantage of that repose , to gratify any personal animosities . More has been done in Ireland within the last three months to ' advance the democratio cause than ever was done before ; and in the full reliance that it will evenfuate in benefit to the whole people , we say to Mr . O'CoNNEiA : "Go ; take rest ; make no compromise ; return to the struggle when you are refreshed ; and fear nothing so long

      as your motto is : " Ireland for the Irish . Rebeal , and NO SURRENDER ! " Do this and England ' s Charter will not long lag behind Repeal

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      MR . O'CONNELL AND I ? IS NEW CHARTER . We have received many communications upon the subject of Mr . O'ConnellV backward move with respect to the Suffrage , substituting ' wife" tenure , for "land" or "house" tenure , and Household Suffrage as an improvement upon either " manhood " or Universal Suffrage ; but we shall abstain ( ia strict accordance with that policy which We have deemed it ri ^ ht to observe since the commencement of the Repeal agitation ) from a single comment upon the subject calculated to furnish any argument that the Liberator , may use as proof of " Saxon "

      hostility to Ireland . We may observe , in passing , that he has paid his own countrymen , bo weir prepared for the full enjoyment of their rights , but a sorry compliment , by acknowledging their , unfltness in 1843 , ' for that description of franchise Which in 1836 he drew up as the only standard with which Englishmen should rest satisfied }! We have cover made odious distinctions between the "Saxon" and the " Celt ; " and we trust , therefore , that the

      different franchise proposed by Mr . O'Connell for the " Saxon ? ' and the " Celt" will not be hereafter urged by him as proof of English indifference towards the Irish people . We have laughed at much that we hate not thought it prudent just now to comment noon ; but our anxious correspondents may rest assured that no false step of ours shall furnish Mr . O'Conkeljl with any , the slightest , pretext for marring , obstructing , or retarding the Repeal Movement .

      We attach importance to the success of the undertaking from a conviction of its universal , rather than its local effeota ; and therefore we abstain from grappling seotionally with the great question of national independence . Our readers may rest satisfied either that the democratic principle must receive an astounding impetus from the accomplishment of Mr . O'Cownell's praise-worthy undertaking : , or the Chartist causo must receive an increased strength from any apparent shrinking upon his part . In either case the Chartist body will find that our policy has been directed to the furtherance of their cause ; and that nothing could more tend to tho injury of our party , than furnishing Mr . O'Connell

      with a justifiable pretext for abandoning the ! Repeal agitation , in consequence of tho opposition of the English Chartists , as evinced in the spleen of their only organ . We are quite awake , and not unobservant of passing events . We fully understand the value of ( Jnion , the extent to which it Exists In Ireland , and the reward to which it entitles the Irish people . They have not yet said , nor has Mr . O'Connell said , that they will be satisfied With less than a Repeal of the Union ; and until we see something more than symptoms ' of defection , wo shall abstain from creating any useless alarm , which would only tend to the frustration of that object that we have as much at heart as either Mr O'Connell or Dr . Me . Halb .

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      My Dear Friekds , —At this distance from Leeds—theposttaking solongtotravel—and lecturing every evening somewhere , and on Sundaysj two or three times ; besides travelling , and the time occupied with receiving friend ? , who crowd round me by scores in every place , anxious to " haeja crack wi me " , this being my first visit to Scotland—I find it difficult , and , in fact , impossible to devote so much time to writing as I could wish . I shall , D . F ., be in England again soon , and then may bo able to "hold counsel" with you more largely , because more leisurely , upon the great subjects whieh interest us all .

      I had a very large meeting of Repealers and Chartists last night to hear from mo an exposition of my views upon the present aspect of the Repeal and Charter movements . I epf > ke at great lengthgreat length for meat least—nearly tvyo hours—and never "had I a warmer , moro heartily approving , and more enthusiastic audience . After tho lecture an attempt was made by some of our friends to test the value of the Repealers ' plaudits during the lecture and at the c ' osa of it , by proposing a resolution , pled g ing them to tho practical embodiment of its leading recommendation by joining with the Chartists hand ia hand for the obtaining of i the people ' s liber ties—the Charter and

      Repeal . This , however , the Repealers would not do . A priest who was present was their chief spokesman . He paid some high compliments to my lecture , but said that the Repealers did nothing on their own judgment— they surrendered their judgments entirely to Mr . O'Conntll ' a prudence , and they must have his consent before they could take one step ia the matter : whiile at the Fame time he and another gentleman who spoke , a Doctor , I think , both admitted the value of Chartist , co-operation , and expressed themselves individually anxious to give and to receive all possible aid in the struggle going on between the Repealers on tbo one hand , and the Chartists on the other band , against the common enemy of man and liberty .

      I may hereafter bare much to say to you upon tho lessen to be learned from this meeting ; but I desist now , because , though I am now writing in Glasgow on Tuesday noon , this will not be received at the Star Office until Thursday morning , when a long letter might not find admission . ' My last was posted on Monday and was yet too late for that part of the paper in whioh it seems to have been intended th » t it should appear . I regret that it was not inserted ; but as the eamo subject was taken up by my old friend , at much greater length , I can only now commend the whole matter of Organization again

      most earnestly to your attention , and express my ardent hope , that good may come out of the consideration of it by your delegates . I have now lying by mo an extraetJFrom the Times newspaper , from which I shal hereafter shew you more and perhaps better arguments for Organization than any other yet shewn you . : I am just now off to Kilmarnock , where I have to epout" to-niftht . " To-morrow night I hold foj : th at Edinburgh , on Thursday ni ^ ht at Leith , and on Sunday , sometime , I hope again to free !; my friends at Hull .

      Meantime I am as I have ever been , Yew faithful friend end servant , William Hill

      Untitled Article

      EXTENSIVE SEIZURE OF " POCKET PISTOLS ' lNllRELAND . On the morning of Tuesday last a gentleman of th ' u neighbourhood gave private intelligence to one of out vigilant plot-hunting police—Head Constable Cox—to tbe effect that Mr . Batttrly , a respectable grocer and spirit dealer , tesiding in Shop-street , bad that morning received from England a large contraband consignment of pistols and other implements for tbe express purpose of arming tbe Repealers ; and , more awfully ominous and audacious , they were branded as if in utter defiance and contempt of Lord Eliot ' s Arms' Bill , with the dreadful word " Repeal ' . " Here -was an opening for an active man , A badge of merit , . the first

      vacancy in the list of sub-inspectora , and a letter of thanks from the valorous Do Grey danced merrily before the mind ' s eye cf the Head Constable . There could be no mistake in the matter . The information came from a gentleman—one of the right sort—a Conservative every inch of j him j and like Napoleon on tbe eventful morning of Waterloo , the incipient subinspector bad but to stretch forth bis arm and annihilate the enemy . This seizure made—Repeal must be blown . Imagine then the worthy functionary poising hia porUy person , of bis feet in circumference , upon the Tholsel steps ; his chest dilated to a mest awful magnitude with the mighty importance of the duty he was about to perform '; bis keen grey eye rapidly revolving aa be proceeds alone . There is bo time to

      procure assistance . Numbers might create alarm and defeat tho object ; and besides the whole glory must rest upon his own ample shoulders . Just see him moving down Shop-8 tjceet -with majestic Btep . He teaches the Bhop of the doomed " arms importer . " Gentle reader , have youj ever seen the final operatorthe finisher of the law , commonly called the banguau , while about adjusting ( the fatal noose ; with what ; extreme politeness , what blaudness of voice , he urges the victim about to be operated on to move on one step farther—just a little step or so— 'till ho gets him on the trap ? No you have not ; or , if you have , the occurrence has for years been so rare that you forget ; bat let it suffice that yoU are now assured Head Constables can be fexcet&tvely poiite when they are about to nah

      a man . " Good morning ; Mr . Butterly ; coulii I speat a word to you in privato ? 4-ah ! I baVe infoniiatioji that you have got a large number of pistols into your housa this morning ? " " Oh yes , " replied Mr . B ., somewhat relieved , " stay , I'll ahoV yon a pistol " " Oh no , sir , yon bave got a chest- or large case full of pistols ; my information is precise , I want to see them—to see the case . " Rjsistacce was out of tho question . Tba procer was caught He led the way to bia store-room . There was tbe package--shipping marks all on . Tbe j straw was removed—and-sure enough , a most splendid array of email arms was there ! The constable ' s ii-. tid J was upon them I But tear-an-agers , constable dear , j don't break the fielph V There they were—as many

      pistols as would appropriately fit up tha arms' room of tbe j Kliadamanthas on her next expedition , all formed out \ of the most beautiful crockery ware I Most creditable to ' ¦ ¦ the ingenuity of tbe Staffordshire potterymen— tbo > shape was perfect—lock , jstock , and barrel , of genuine ! brown delph , and each capable of holding fuil half-s-. piut of the real " mountain dew . " There they were , veritable crockery-wure "jpocket-pistols" made for the I convenience of gentlemen anglers and others who when out of town love to a tatte of something to beep thu chill out . Could it be possiblet There might ba a mystery below . Deeper search however only brought to light certain other crockery implements , which , taken individually , rhyme jwitb " Coe , " and which we fear will long strike the rniud when the word Coe is

      pronounced . All was over : The ee ' zuxe was abandoned . Fame , dignity , and rev / ard vanished before the rattling of the delph . Tbe vigilant officer descended vety quietly . Tbe inflation was gone . He gained tbe door , when melancholy to relate , ] at a little distance stood his respectable informant , tbe thumb of bia sinister band resting waggishly on the tip of his nasal organ , while the thumb of bis dexter hand slightly touched the digits which were spread in fan form for an instant before the horrified-guz ^ j of the disappointed functionary ! The merry informant loves bis practical joke ; and he had it And poor Eliot . ' the crockery men of Staffordshire turn your arms' bill into ridicule , while yoar Conservative friends feel delight in hoaxing yonr spies . We trust their plot-hunting propensities may never find better grounds than ia this case . —D . ogheda Arms .

      The "Duel" Mubhsb . ^ -At the Central Criminal Court the parties in the late fatal duel were called on to surrender and take thebfrial . Mr . Cuddy the second of Colonel Fawcett appeared , as did Mr . Gultiver , the surgeon ; with respect to the latter gentleman a nolle prosequi was ] entered , and he was discharged . Mr . Cuddy was ithen put on hia trial , and after a prolonged investigation , the jury returned a verdict of NorG'iilty , and be was immediately Wleawc ? . j

      Untitled Article

      TO THE EDITOR OF THE N 0 KTHERH STA R , Sir , —For some time past I have observed , with much pain , your columns occupied with compl& ^ ata , by , and on behalf of the incarcerated Political Vic-lam and their families . Now this , I ranst positively deolate , originates in the gross neglect of the parties-resident in the neighbourhood of tbe Victims . Had there betn one individual who would have exerted himself , fcenngfefc have done a great deal towards keeping them frsm . starvation . Duwsbury , for instance , has had its share of persecution to encounter . I have now before me a "lawyers bill , respecting the defence of Mr . Da a hirst , at York , to the amount of neariy £ 20 , all of vrJjich has been paid . Then there was tho defence of Messrs . Sheldrake and C-isaett , at York . We now look after their families , and support them , allowing them weekly donations , at tbo rate of 1 * . 6 d . per herd ; or , when our funds will allow , Is . 81 , or Is , 10 d . p-r hf ai i wbich amounts weekly , at n . fid-, for Sh ^ drLfcf * of

      ' amily , 10 a . ; . Clissett's , 63 . 8 & ; making a total L 6 * . 8 d . weekly . Iu addiiion to which the Da inty ii&trict have sent upwards of £ 12 to the Gsferal Defence . Fund . These families would have been lit to starve if we had not exerted ourselves . Wbe ;? ti « last strike had ended , our Organization was broken op and a few have done tba work . * We got men with pt ^ senptions books , who went about tbeir own loca ' . it ! , and jofc weekly subscriptions of a penny , or more , as it Bould bo afforded ; and by thesa means we are cabled to afford relief ¦ to out imprisoned brethren , ai-l k « e ? them from the fangs-of Pickersoill . Had » L places bestired tbemseles , and looked after their Vittma , as they ought to have done , instead of being apatbcvic , the complaint of the Victims would nothavebeenso jeneral . My good friends , be up and doing in the gcoi cause , and let not your incarcerated friends , and their femiiies , fall victims to starvation . I remain yours , in the good cause . James Fox . Secretary to the Dewabnry Victim Fund .

      Untitled Article

      Thurso , Aug . 19 . —The Margeret , M'Leod , of and from Inverness , sprung a leak 15 &h instant , wen $ ashore in entering tho harbour , and has become a wreck ; cargo saved , and bull sold . Coroner's Inquest . —On Monday , an inquest was held at the . Queen's Arms' Inn , Bradford ; , oa the body of a young man of the name of Dixon , who was drowned , on Saturday , in the Bawling Fish Pond . It appeared in evidence that the deceased , who was nineteen years of age , went , in

      company with two other lads , one aged eleven , tha other twelve , to bathe ; the younger lad could swim . Deceased , after being a short time in the water sunk . The boy who was in the water with him , immediately swam to the place , and saw deceased at the bottom , struggling ; but , through fear , durst not go near him . Both boys ran for assistance . Shortly afterwards , hundreds of persona were on the spot ; but upwards of an hour elapsed before the body was got out of the water Medical aid was useless , as life was extinct . The jury returned a verdict accordingly .

      Fatal Coal-pit Accident , at Swtnton , —On Saturday morning last , a fatal accident occurred in what is called a ladder pit , in Moss Lane , Swinton , belonging to the trustees of the late Duke of Bridgewater , 'lhis pit is an old one , and till flooded a month back , it was used for the colliers to go to their work by . It is about a hundred yards deep , and the descent is made by a series of ladders , each about eight yards long , and a landing place at tho foot of each ladder . It seems that three boys , named Robert Lansdale , Robert Worsley , and James Tnorp . of the ages of ten , eleven , and twelve ycara , were amusing themselves by going down the top ladder , and when they had descended about four yards , being overpowered by the " black damp " f

      ( carbonic acid gas ) , they all ell down to the first landing piaca , about ei / jht yards from the surface . Fonuuately , it was strong enough to supnen them , otherwise all must have fallen to a depth from which they coufd not have , been recovered . Another lad . named Thomas Knight , who was near the surface , oa hearing his companions fall , immediately called to a man named Peter Richardson , who was passing by , and told him what bad happened . Richardso n ran to the assistance of the boys ; but in descending the ladder , the deleterious gas overcame him , and he hkewiee fell down , Thomas Woraley , the Fa'her of one of the -boys then came up , and in like manner fell to the

      landing , overpowered by the noxious Will am Charlton , to some men in a brickcrcft in an adjoining field , and one . of them , named Jesse Holland , having had one end of a rope ifed round his waist , ventured to descend the ladder ; but , whm about halfway down , he fell , and was pulled up bj the rope . He soon recovered from tho effects U $ w f \ £ Dd he i directed that s ° mo water should be thrown down the aperture . This being immediately done , he again descended witfiaropa E ! V"n 1 an asfra «*><> > which be fastened to rhomas Worsley ( the father of one of the boys ) , uid , Holland making the sfcnaJ . thev war * hnth

      drawn up . Again Holland descended , and was a third time drawn up , together with Robert Worsloy . A man named Wm . Ormrod next went down with pter Richardson . Then a man named Wmi Arden descended in the same way , and was drawn op with James Thorp . Arden again descended , and was pulled up together with Eoberfc Lansdale , wno was the first boy that fell down , and was brought out last . Mr . Hilton , surgeon of Swinton , was by this time in attendance ; and , as tfae sufferera' were bronght out , all in a state of insensibility , and several of them to all appearance de ' ad , he applied such remedies as were available , with great assiduity and

      perseverance , and at length had the satisfaction of seeiDg all but one restored . The boy Thorp , aged twelve years , was past recovery ; and Peter Richardson was upwards of two hours before sensibility was restored . It is supposed that tha ciuse of Thorp ' s death was , that Richardson , in . descending , fell upon him ; and , lying over his body , deprived htm-of the benefit of the partial purification : of the air , caused by the throwing down of the water . Richardson himself had suffered more than any other of the survivors , probably from the same cause . An inquest was held before Mr * Ratter , on Monday , on the body of the poor lad , and a verdict of" AoioidentftJ deatk" was retar&ed .

      Untitled Article

      NORTHERN jjVUt ^ ¦ : 5

      Untitled Article

      WHAT'S IN THE WIND 1 WHY DOES OUR QUEEN GO TO SEE THE FRENCH KING ? The Session has dosed , and the next business of our showmen is to provide amasement for ow Qaeen . Ii appears that two youig Prince 9 of the Honse of Bonrbon have , at the request of ^ their august Sire , the King of the Barricades , delivered an invitation to the Queen to honour las Majesty witfe a visit -, for what purpose It is not for us to inquiry although we may be pardoned for a gness . The Roj- * 1 ministeral speech , spoke * at tbe close of the St . Jamts ' B Ee&son , dealt largely in denunciation of the Brcseat agitation fw a Repeal of the

      Untitled Article

      THOMAS DUNCOMBE , ESQ . We understand that the good men of Manchester have it in contemplation to invite Thos . Duncombe , Esq . to a public entry to their town , to have an opportunity of testifying the high estimation in which they hold their almost only parliamentary friend . The time will be about the beginning of October . Should suoh be their intention , we have no doubt that the demonstration will surpass anything heretofore witnessed , even « in Manghesteb .

      —— -—-R . ¦ F — To The People. J

      —— - — -r . ¦ f — TO THE PEOPLE . j

      Untitled Article

      NORTH SHIELDS ; COURT—Tuesday , Aug . 29 . HOODIE AGAirfeT JOHN AND GEORGE CARK , PUOPKIEIOHS OP SEGH 1 LL COLLIEBT . Mr . Roberts , of Bath , appeared on behalf - of Moodie . Tho sitting magistrates were John Fen wick , Esq ., J . H . Fryer , % q ; , and J .. Sidney , Esq . On Moodie being called and sworn , Mr * Roberts rose ; and , addressing the Magistrates , stated he was requested by the complainant to state the case . Magistrate Fenwick—Are you an attorney ? Mr . Roberts—I am , I may just state that I am " Roberts , of Bath ; " and have como 300 miles , for the purpose of stating the case ; and in order that you may give it your most serious consideration , I beg to inform you that on your decision rests the fate of 130 cases of the same nature . Magistrate—That matters nothing ; in our decision we shall be strictly guided by the evidence adduced . I

      An Attorney ( whose name we did not learn ) hero rose on behalf of Carr and Co ., and referred to a clause in the bond agreed to by both parties , in which it is stated that if any-dispute arisa between the men and tbeir masters , such dispute shall be decided by two viewers ; and , in cases where they could not come to a decision , they should elect a third , whose decision should be final . Mr . Roberts—The ! men have - a strong suspicion that they cannot get : justice from suoh decisions . They Buspeot the honesty of viewers : and I believe I may say of viewers ' what Horn Tooke said of a special "jury : — " It is like giving me a dozen of rotten oranges out of which to select a sound one . " The magistrates are looked up to as the natural protectors of the poor ; and on their decision depends the amount of justice administered to those who look to them for protection in the present state of society . If that gentleman holdB to viewers , I cannot agree with it . Themen are not satisfied with the decisions

      of viewers . i Messrs . Carr ' s , attorney—I will agree that the men shall have tho appointing of one of the referees and the masters the appointing of the other ; and if tbe two elected cannot come to a decision . They shall appoint a third ; as umpire and his decision to be binding . i Magistrate—That proposition is perfectly free for the masters aud free for the men . It is a just way of settling a differeaco of opinion . Mr . Roberts—The ] men say it is not a difference of opinion ; it i « a fraud : Messrs . Carr ' s attorney—My clients agree to two indifferent persons . :

      Mr . Roberts asked [ leave from the Beach to retvre for ten minutes ., for the purpose of consulting with the men . This was granted . On returning he said he had laid the proposition of the gentleman before the meu , and he found they had a strong leaning for a magisterial decision ; but would agree that the case should stand over till that day fortnight ; and if not then mutually agreed on , it should again be brought before that court . Messrs . Carr ' s attorney ; did not agree to Mr . Roberta ' s proposition ! Magistrate Sidney 4-We have no power to decide in the case . The parties have agreed by bond that all disputes shall be settled by referees .

      Mr . Roberts again ; asked leave to rotire for ten minutes , which was granted ; and it was finally arranged that the men ! should appoint one refereethe masters the other : the appointed having tho power to appoint a third if necessary , whoso decision is to be binding on all parties concerned . I understand the ground of complaint oft the part of the men to be—that in the measurement of the coals 19 ibs . more have been added to the owt . This overweight has been' practised from the 10 th of April to July the 18 th . The sum claimed by each man is eleven shillings . —Correspondent .

      Sooth Shields . —The working people of this once prosperous town are at present in a most miserable condition . The staple trade of the borough is shipbuilding ; aud the dull state of trade in general has completely paralyzedjthis branch of British industry . There are several excellent new vessels , adapted for the coal and other kinds of trade , that have been on sale for years , and are as yet unsold , and likely to continue so . The shipwrights , who used formerly to earn from 25 s ^ to 130 s . per week , are parading ( he streets , talking over their miserable condition . A few of their number are employed by the parish at Is . per day . Crime is rapidly on the increase ; and the corners of the streets are constantly placarded with bills offering rewards for the apprehension of offenders . In most cases it is bheep-stealing and potato-lifting . The Messrs . Cooksons are about to close their extensive j alkali works , employing 700

      men . These , and their dependents , will thea be thrown upon their respective parishes ; and this town will lose the circulation of somewhere about £ 600 weekly . The middle classes are all on the move . Public meetings have been held at the Cross , and on Messrs . Cookson'a premises , convened by these parties . Speeches have been made , shewing the deplorable condition of the working classes , and begging Messrs . Cooksons to continuo their factory . This is glorious 1 Heavy shop rents , small profits , and increasing poor-rates ^ are exoellent " ¦ abguhent * . " Shipwrights , joiners , blacksmiths , and chain-makers , are nearly all out of employment . The Poor-house is already filled , and the Poor Law Guardians are all in fidgets . A few more works closed , and we shall soon have but two classes—the very rich and tho very poor . Then for a melee I

      Untitled Article

      READING . —At a special meeting , held oui Tuesday evening , tho 29 th ult ., at the large room of the Masons' Arms , Cross-street , Reading , Mr , T . M . Wheeler , of London , was unanimously elected to represent this locality in tho Conference , to be hoiden at Birmingham on the 5 th inst . BOLTON . —Loyal Order of Ax . cient Shkphekds . —Tae Loyal Lamb Lodge of the above Order , No . 341 , held their first annivei ^ ary on Saturday , Aug . 26 ih , at the house of host i axeadale , when upwards of J 30 sat down-to a go .. a substantial dinner . After the cloth was removi d , the yuuag men . and maidens enjoyeti themsclvis wish dancing and singing , which was kept up wii . 'i jjreat spirit , tiil time announced that the Sabbath % \ a ? fast approaching .

      . STOCKPORT . Mobe MANUEACTURro Trbajnny . —Nothing can be too base for manut ' atr . iuing rascallity , cor anything too ht-rriblc for the perpotration of our cotton " Nabobs . " Poor aud wretched as their emaciated and toil-worn slaves are , all tells for nothing , when it suits the whsm or convenience of a purse-proud " chimney lord" to squeeze cut another drop of blood , as the folk-wing piece of robbery will prove . The large mills , lately the property of Charles Carv , have been recently occupied by Messrs . Essorigg and Co . ; and sine . ? the resumption of work by the above firm , the " hauds " have not been subject to the stringent rule of being on the premises precisely as the engine starts . On Saturday night last , however , notice was giver :, that

      all who were nofe inside the mill-gates at ten minutes past five o'clock on Monday morning , would have the usual deduction ( threepence ) made from their week ' s wagef . On Monday morning , Heaton-laue , a wide street in which the mill is situate , was thronged with the factory operatives . On enquiring , it . turned out that the engine had been started before the proper time by several minutes ! The consequence was , that upwards of three hundred of tha slaves had the mill ( or , more properly speaking , prison ) doors locked in their faoe , notwithstanding that the avenue leading to the mill was thronged with persons rushing to gei in . This chaia « iteri 3 tic mai . ceavre was made under the superintendence of a fellow named Ashton , a manager ; who , no doubt , by this step has enhanced his value in the estimation of his tyrannical employers ; a ? it will put jour pounds into their pockets , without costing them a- single farthing , Or troubling their conscience with a solitary pang of remorse . Great numbers

      remained out until breakfast time . These are to pay the forfeit of their temerity , by suffering a deduction efone ihilling and sixpence each from their miserable andscanty earnings . Surely villainy such as this ought to meet with exposure in ord er that honest men may know what value to attach to manufacturing canting and whining professions of sympathy for the " starving poor" ! Ta : k about the " hearties pron gaoy" and " bare-faced robberies" of the " monopolising landlords . " Bah ! They are perfect novices in the art of " prigging , " when compared with their more knavish and " blood-stained" neighbours , the " free-booting" cotton lords . "Richard the Rover " , like his worthy prototype , Bamfield Moore Carew , ia traversing the agricultural districts , out-doing his patroa saint , Baron Mnnohau ^ en , in . mou ' . hing the mo 3 t ridiculous absurdities . It ia said he has , during the late session , devoted much of his valuable time to the grave and deliberate consideration of the useful science of

      necromancy ; and as a preof of his great proficiency ia his newly-acquired art , attention , is pointed to the manner iu which he has transmogrified a few dozens of broken-down shopkeepers and hungry hangers-on of the canine tribe into " great meetings of ihe agricultural serfs . " To my mind , he would be more usefully and beneficially employed in endeavouring to reform the accursed and murdering factory laws ; and , if I mistake not , gentle reader , joa think so too . — Correspondent .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 2, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct817/page/5/