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Northern Star (1837-1852), 2nd September 1843, Edition 4 of 5, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      UMVERSAL BROTHERHOOD . LETTER XXni . TO rBS . KDITOB OP THE K 0 STHKE 3 STAB . Sis , —In my last letter , inprmmance of the badness I bad undertaken , namely , "To examine the various remedies thai have hitherto been proposed to remove ¦» h * t has been fosnd oppressive , " I reviewed the temperance movement of Father Msthew ; and Usb agitation under ii&O'Connell for the Repeal of the ITnian -with Ireland . J £ ball commence this week by calling the attention o ? jonr readers to one who has made herself not a little celebrated as an agitator during the abort period

      she has been before the public I alln . de to " Rebecca , " ¦ who , thinking that justice could not be obtained in "Wales by any of the ordinary methods , has taken upon , herself to administer it inker own peculiar manner . I haTe no dears to criticise the mode by which others act , nor to express an approval , or tbeieverse , of the coarse "which Rebecca And her daughters are pursuing ; as individuals can only proceed -with anything they hare to perform in the manner they are prompted to execute it , by their own peculiar idiesyocracies . i xhaB therefore look at t + fi * movement as a put # f the great change which is approaching , rather than in its immediate i ««» . i effect .

      Rebecca has clearly made manifest "what before was little known or cared for , namely , that the people of South Wales were suffering nnder every species of local tyranny that conld -well be conceived . The first object -which engaged the attention was the administration of the tmst of keeping the roads in repair . She found this made the subject of a most grievous charge , and appears to hare considered that the best mode of reducing it -srould be by destroying the turnpike ^ stea . A strong organization -was formed for thiB purpose , aid it was soon found that Rsbecca and her Daughters could at any time effect the object she sought : and this has led to many ether matters being referred to her .

      Tour paper of this day bearB rather strong evidence of the manner in "which this movement is operating on the minds of the landowners , not only of Wales , but of other parts of the United Kingdom ; and as the success "which has attended it will be a powerful stimulant to others , it "will be 'well to examine to what cause that success may be attributed . Tba first thing necessary to observe in this movement , is , that it is one of unity . From the reports in the Times , it is evident thai there are plenty of suggestive meetings held , but the mode of action is conn . denily referred to Rebecca , and no one thinks of interfering in any -hwhitwt with her decisions except to execute th ^ TTI

      The next is , that Rebecca is just , in her idea of the term ; and it is to the sympathy excited by the sense of justice that she owes that protection she is receiving in a most dangerous course ; lor should a contrary opinion prevail she "would Boon be handed over to the tender mercies ef the Government . The third point I would notice is that Rebecca proceeds promptly to the Execution of "what she determines on , and does not keep disturbing the minds of her followers by v sol ess theorizing ; a qualification which is essentially necessary to any practical leader . from the v&ers of abatement ef rents , abatement of tithes , removal of turnpike gates , and various other redresses for grievances , which are now liberally made to the Welsh people , it is evident that this movement is performing its part , in preparing the public Tni-nfl for an universal brotherhood ; and it will be very interesting to watch the farther progress of Rebecca .

      The next proposed remedy to which I shall call at- tention is ,, "TheRepeal of the Com Laws . " Whatever may have been the motives for which the cry of ' Repeal was begun , the public mind has decided that it is a matter of justice ; and as such it must be yielded , whatever may be the epposition brought against it . Claiming as I do , in the abstract , the free use of the fruits of the earth for every individual in , it on the ' ground that we are all the creatures of one DivinB j power to "whom all things belong , it is to me a very , trifling matter whether these laws be immediately re- j pealed or not . It would be far better thai we should commence the great inquiry of what is best lor- all ; j but as our minds are not yet sufficiently expanded to : treat this subject in any manner approaching the importanee it deserves , the exertioBS of the anti-Corn ; law Xeagne will be most serviceable in preparing us for the task . ] Prom the rapid change in public opinion which has . xivui uw xo ^ Jtu uiouge iu ywjuc upuuuu ituiui u «¦

      lately taken place in favour of the repeal of the Corn Laws ; chiefly in the agricultural districts , and brought about bj agricultural depression , which depression must inevitably increase rapidly , from the addition * to the poor rates , county rates , police force , yeomanry duties , and many other matters which are inevitable ; to say nothing of the decline in value that will occur in agricultural produce from diminished consumption , it is quite certain that no government will Iodj be . able to resist it ; but the repeal being once obtained , how will the respective parties be then situated ? Will cotton lords , landlords , church lords / or lords of any other -kind , be in a better position from this change ? Or will it not rather be that their confusion will have increased an hundred fold , and an approach will be so far made towards the inquiry into the true remedy ? Depend upon it , we may safely say to Messrs . Cobden , Bright , Smith , and all their friends and associates , " go on and prosper ; for you too have a mission to perform ,

      m preparing lor that change which is to placeman npon earth in such a position as * best enable him to work oat the mysterious ways of that power that over-mletb * """" things . *" N exfc to the Corn law movement , I would call attention to the remadies proposed by the Churches of England , Scotland , and Ireland . In England there are three , namely , a return to strict discipline , and catholicity ; the building of new churches ; and a system of Education baaed on voluntary subscriptions .

      Thanks to Dr . Pusey and bis friends at Oxford , we are about to endeavour to return to that unity and Catholicity , without which true religion can never be known . Some people may be alarmed about the dec trices of transnbstantiation , and other things of trifling importance j and half a century ago we may have been touch inconvenienced in progress by them ; but these -days have lung since passed . There can be no harm in our churches possessing those inspiring auxillaries-to the higher and more elevating portions of our being

      that are te be derived from fine painting , superior music , and the gorgeous spectacles that are sometimes exhibited to the people of the continent . There is no fear of our going backward in other respects , by forsaking thosewrimoniouB feelings which arise from dissent in religion ? and if the Chnreb ib ever again to have power over the minds of the people , it can only be by it * tavihtTn placing themselves in the advanced guard , morally , intellectually , and physically ; far this three-fold nature of man Is now for the first time about to be fully developed .

      ¦ With regard to the building of churches , what but good can arise from it ? Some will cry ont , " We dont want them ; are we to be taxed for them ? " and many other such like exclamations ; but all this ia perfectly beside the question . We are now too deeply taxed for a few millions a year to be asy objection to those who can pay it ; and those who cannot , need not be alarmed abontii . All the tention that has been devis « d is charged on the folly and ignorance of the people ; and when they shall be ready to pay earnest attention to the subject , they may early learn how to avoid it . With regard to the churches , they give employment to masons , bricklayers , carpenters , and others , is building them ; and should they not be found necessary for the immediate purposes for "which they are intended , they may be turned to account in many other ways .

      Respecting education , the Cburcb is organizing a subscription of a quarter of a millien , to devote to this purpose , to which I see her Majesty and Sir Robert Peel have each contributed £ 1000 . The Prince Aibert and the Queen Dowager have each given £ 500 . and the Bishop of London , who is the soul of the scheme , has . given £ 1000 . I "wish them evejy success in their undertaking . The light of troth is now shining too "Visibly in the world for us to have any cause for feari * ng that the elements of instruction , nnder any creed , ¦ k ill do harm . The great book of nature is being re \ d in all countries , and any helps to this reading most ten . " 3 . towards the development of that great purpose Trhk * & the Creator has designed shall be now accomplish * **•

      If a . TJ are afraid" mat we shall fall too rapidly into the an ** of the Chnrcb of Borne , they may find consolation L i the state of the Scotch Church- Those who have wai ted the proceedings which have torn the people of Scotland , to the centre , as a means of preparing the to minds for higher and more noble purposes , must much admire the calm and holy zaal , and fervent sine trity which distinguished Dr . Chalmers and bis eoad jnta " % < w ° 0 haTe lately seced&d from that church . They * a * bright examples of humanity under th « inflnence o 1 superior feelings ; and although their

      movement has . "aot at present that universal tendency " » hich it is now - "lesirablethat we should soon attain to , yet -we cannet but' admire the devoden and energy with "which they pursue their object , knowing that it must tend to the same coi "umon end . Their proposed Temedy 5 * the buMing ana' endowing of six hundred new tbnrenea on the volu "Etary principle ; and the Scotch people have subscribed' ^ ery- freely for the purpose of retaining thtir Javourii © preachers , and Dr . Chalmers is the person to fulfil bii' promise of pursuing the old mstiiirtfoai if itbe needetl even to their destruction .

      The Irish Church , by law Established , that is , the Protestant , seems to be in { treat danger from a remedy proposed—of Tendering its ^ evennes available to other Purposes ; and the tithe own . 'as will undoubtedly be much alarmed ; but no one can iail to discern in this , a step in nnmraal progress of * o- small magnitude . The grievance of supporting a body o < people with whom ^ EJ had .. ao sympathy , has been j " obj and deeply felt by the Irish people ; and they have aow mest wisely declared that this can no longer fea- No sooner do ^ J appear united on the subject , sod concentrate feir power at one focus , than plenty of persons are iSBnd to argue ihtir cause , and to asiist them in proeariag that jeEef which they will not fail to obtain , in ^ SMfc proportioa as their love and intelligence are de-T ^ Ped . Many of the Protestant clergy are making Knns with the Repeal party , and adding to that union * bo power " which can now only be disturbed by undue excitement on ihe part of the people .

      .. ** " » & take a calm survey Sien of the position of the Hiree churches , every friend of nniversal principles will ** much to idoice at The internal differences , that

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      exist in them -will cause deep and Bearchmg enquiry on all aides ; and sooner or later , in proportion to its intensity , will truth be elicited . As this shall be done , and it shall be brought tq the light of public opinion , will the fallibility ef man be corrected , and we shall be enabled to discern the true road to happiness and walk quietly therein . The more I reflect npon the subject the more strange does it appear , that with every element for happiness bo abundantly surrounding him , man is still the victim of so much vice , crime , and misery . The knowledge however of the laws which govern the universe , and the developement which is taking place in the sciences of human nature , and of society , will soon render the cause of th' * seeming anomaly plain , and easy to be understood ; and in the mean time I would say to Rebecca and her Daughters , to the promoters of the

      repeal of the corn laws , and to the heads ef the various parties in the Churches of £ nglaad , Scotland , and Ireland , pursue weil the various objects in which you are respectively engaged . To you they may appear the . allabsorbing ones ; but there are other and higher spheres in which these movements will be absorbed the moment their destined ofi . ee is performed ; and to tbs readers of these letters I would say offer no obstruction to any of the changes that are now occurring , for they are preparing the way for the introduction of that universal movement which will Boon plaoe us in a situation for receiving - all the benefits ready to be conferred on ns , by the great creating spirit of the universe , when we shall be placed in accordance with its laws . I am , Sii , your obedient Servant , Wixiiam Gauin . Concordium , Ham Common , Surrey . August 21 , 1843 .

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      There conld not be a greater evil than for the clergy to accept a provision from the Government ; for whilBt they remain free , they can act ; as circumstances require ; but , should they unfortunately be induced to accept terms of concession and provision , they would be in the position of men who agree to make merchandise of the temporal and eternal interests of thett flocks . And yet seme such thing as this mtut take place unless yon adopt more efficient means to remove the cause of oppression . It is thick headed nonsense to talk about " standing upon Repeal for the remainder of my life , " and promising a " next step" as a remedy when tUe only step likely to effect speedy and permanent good is spumed from you as contageous ! If Mr . O'Connell is in earnest—if he is determined to have Repeal , and to

      make Repeal a blessing—if he is sincere in his wish to get rid of the inenmbrance of the church , I tell him and yon that he is only trifling with the people and tampering with their patience . Why , I ask , stand upon Repeal , for the remainder or his life , when by a bold and manly , an honest and patriotic a " legaV and " peaceable" tffort , he might effectually , in connexion with the English people , not only obtain the much talked about Repeal , but also secure to tbe people the power to os » it for their good ? I tell him there is no other step worth taking ; and unless he does take this one certain and direct step , be will either be pressed beneath ihe feet of J re m ands enemies , or Irishmen will slep ovX of his way , and in the bitterness of disappointment charge him xcith being instrumental in leading them into ihe ditch !

      Open your eyes , then , and do not plunge voluntarily headlong into further depths of slavery ! You have power sufficient to conquer oppression , were it a hundred-fold stronger than it is . Use that power aright ; combine Universal Suffrage with Repeal , and then , and then only , will yon have taken a proper step—a step towards that happiness for which yon are now wasting your energies and toiling with no prospect of success . Only take this step , and I promise the rapid strides yon will make will speedily alarm tbe factions who joined you , and compel them , nolens volens , to grant you not only Repeal , bnt whatever else yon ask besides , taking the Church off your hands in token of respect for your sovereign will I am , fellow countrymen , Your obedient and faithful servant , W . H . Clitton .

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      V TO THE R 16 HT HON . LORD ASHLEY , M . P . My Lord , —Another session of Parliament bas just drawn to a close , and the philanthropic object for which your LordBhip sacrificed both place and pay , tbe Ten Hours' Bill , appears no nearer gained than when the session commenced . I am tbs more sorry for this , my Lord , as I am firmly convinced that the present factory system is a murderous system . The great numbsr of deaths , both of infants and young persons ( particularly the female portion of them ) , which are continually taking place in these manufacturing districts , are , in a very great measure attributable to ita operations .

      As your Lordship is always ready to hear anything on this most important subject , and as facts speak louder than words , I am sure your Lordship will excuse me relating the following death-bed scene which fell a few weeks ago under my immediate notice . The young person's name to whom I allude , was Mary M- . She had wrought in a factory from her childhood up to her twenty-fifth year , the time of her death . When I first knew her , she belonged to a Sunday School which I superintended . She had seen many of her companions carried to the grave , their deaths brought en by having been ever long , and over wrought , in the factory .

      A very dear companion of hers was taken away a few years ago through that same cause . This girl was so attached to the Church school , that she attended it as long as sh « could crawl . The last time she attended , she had to be taken back home betweaa two of her faithful associates . The time at length arrived when poor Mary M—— was to follow her companions to their long home . I beard that she was very ill , and visited her a long time . She constantly declared that the Factory System bad brought her to her sick bed ; to all appearance her death-bed ; and so it proved , I happened to be walking in the street one Monday afternoon , and saw the father of the young woman hurrying along the street greatly coufosed . When I asked him

      the matter , he told me he believed his daughter was dying . I hurried away at once to the death-bed side . As soon as I entered tbe . door , she turned her poor pale face to me ; and , after talking to her for some time , a thought struck me , that we had all kinds of evidence to prove the murderous effects of tbe Factory System . We had medical testimony , overloekera' testimony , and factory cripples' testimony , with the testimony of a great many master manufacturers themselves . Bnt I tbonght , my Lord , that . I would even go further than them all , and get a death-bed testimony , to see if that was wanted to convince oar " Christian" legislators that ten hours a-day is quite sufficient tor poor factory workers , as it is for any artisan , or common day labourer .

      I therefore said to this poor dying factory victim , just eleven hours before her death , " Mary , we are now before God , and death stares yon in the face ; answer me one question , fairly and honestly , as in the sight of God Almighty : do you really believe that on account of the long hours you have bad to work in tbe Factories , with the other evils consequent on ice Factory System , yon have keen brought to your grave ?" Oh . ' my Lord ; would that I could convey to youi Lordship tbe look of that ghastly countenance when I put that question to her . That look I shall never forget . ' With the little remaining strength the bad left , she exclaimed , " Yea , —I do—If I never see you more . " And then she added ,. " ! have been , many times , wet to the « kic , when leaving home in the morning to go to the mill ; and many times when I have got to the gates I have had to stand in tbe rain for fifteen or twenty minutes before I could get in to my work ; and then have to commence working with the clothes drying on my back I "

      This then , my Lord , is tbe testimony of a poor dying '' factory victim I" and this in "Christian" England too . This in " Moral" England , as Baines © f Leeds would have us believe . Weir , my Lord , whatever else it is , it is murderous England ! Talk about morality , my Lord ! wby there are , in this town , up in one short street and back of another , no less than between twenty and thirty public houses and dramshops , with numbers of brothels and places of amusement ( as they are called ) of no very good character . Such places were scarcely known of , when I first knew Bradford , about fourteen years ago ; and now tbe place literally swarms with them : and still we are growing " moral ' forsooth 1 I am sorry to say , my Lord , that these places are , in too many instances , frequented by factory workers .

      When , my Lord , will the legislators of this country wipe off the foul stain of >• While Slavery , " by giving ns a good efficient ten boar ' s bill , combined with other measures , so that the factory workers may have proper time for education , and for learning every other duty at borne , that they may become good and useful members of society . Then , instead of seeing a low , degraded , immoral generation growing np , we should have the happiness of seeing the rising generation grow ap in every virtue which adorns a man , a woman , and a Christian . That such a time may soon arrive is the sincere prayer of Your Lordship ' s obedient servant , SQtflBE AUTT . Bradford , Angust 23 rd , 1843 .

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      A NORTHERN TOUR . ' A chiel ' s among ye takin notes , And , faith , he'll prent it . "

      TO THB EDITOB OP THE NORTHERN STAR . Dear Sib ., —Tuesday , August 22 nd , I left Mauchline , proceeding by coach to Kiltnarnock , and from there by railway to Glasgow ; I bad no opportunity of seeking out old friends of the good cause in Kilmarnock , and therefore cannot speak positively to tbe state of political feeling , bnt from the information I gleaned while in Maucbiine , I believe Chartism to be in a state of quiescence throughout Ajrshire at the present time , and that Kilmarnock is no exception to the general rule . Mr . Hill has been invited to lectors in the

      town ; should be do so , his visit will , I trust , be productive of a " revival" of tbe olden spirit Arrived at Glasgow , I made my way to Mr . Barns , schoolmaster of the Chartist Church in the Gorbals . Mr . B . has about one hundred and forty scholars under bis care , and erjoys the reputation of being a very efficient teacher ; the children are nearly all about the same age as if they had been produced at a single b . rth ; the reason of tbis is , that " the moment a boy or girl is deemed to be any way fit for labour , be or she is immediately ( if work can be found them ) , removed to tbe mill or any other employment that

      can be procured for the unfortunate heir of slavery and want- What a cryicg sin is tbis to the rulers of the land , and disgraceful blot upon tbe country , that beings 'so yonng shonld be deprived of the days which should be devoted to intellectual culture , and the honrs which shonld be sacred to childhood ' s sports , that they may toil to aid their wretched parents , too often deprived of employment by that very system which drives their children to vice and death , the too usual results of condemning the rising generation to premature and unnatural labour . Mr . Burns , in addition to being a good schoolmaster , is also a good Chartist , and well deserves all tbe snpport he gets .

      In the evening I addressed a meeting of the Gorbals ' men in the Chartist Church , wkicb was thickly crowded by tbe most enthusiastic audience I bave had the honour of addressing sicce leaving feome . A Mr . Cameron filled the chair , and introduced me to the meeting . I spoke for above two hours , and was most warmly applauded . Mr . Adams followed , and delivered a brief and excellent speech . ' Mr . Livingstone moved a vote of th&nke to your hnmble servant , which was seconded by honest John Colquhoun , in ene of his usual warm-hearted and energetic speeches . Finally , we wound up by fringing " Well rally around him , " and giving the usual cheers for Frost , O'Connor , and the Charter , ind no surrender .

      A certain canting , clerical , religioas renegade , one of the gang of traitors and humbugs who opposed n « when I first visited Glasgow in Jannary or February , 1840 , had been vaunting that if 1 attempted to speak in Glasgow , he would shew me up . The opportunity wu ifiorded him , but very wisely be did sot make ids

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      appearance . Chartiam baa been all but assassinated by Siepreaching prigs , and political knaves , who , forja long time , were looked np to as the ieaderg of the democratic cause in Glasgow . These fellows , since their defection to the Complete Suffrage ranks , have actedls the bitterest enemies of Chartfem ; but noshing near the narnvwas done , by their avowed defection , compared with the evil they effected while yet pretending to call themselves Chartists . Vot a meeting was held tot many months , bnt at , wbJch strife , bickering , and denunciation was the order of the day , caused by the private slanders and open calumnies of these now justly detested traitors . Their defection , aad the strife which preceded It , naturally caused the people to beconje disgusted with " almost all public men an * wearv ( of all

      political agitation ; hence the present apathetic state of Glasgow , from which the people of that city can only be aroused by re-organtelng the movement in England , thereby rallying hope once more on the northern aide of the border by the moral influence which the English democrats will alwaya possess over their Scottish brethren ; secondly , by extending the Organization to Sootland , and uniting the people of that country with those of England in one bond of fraternity ; and lastl y ^ by framing such an Organization which Bhall render the people as independent as possible of leadership , and render it a , matter of comparative indifference whether mere mouthers are honest or dishonest , thie people being protected from their villany , M inclined te turn knaves .

      In the Gotbala the " sacred fire" of Chartism is still Jwpt burning ; and in the city , notwithstanding thfe defection of treacherous chiefs , the soldiers still exisfc-jdisorganized , or resting on their arms , 'tis true , but ready f « r action whenever the banner of democracy shall be agaia unfurled , and an aim presented to then ) by which they may hope to cut their way to victory . The Stnrgite faction in Glasgow which hoped to thrive by the destruction of the Chartist party is absolutely defunot . —gone out like the last smoke of a for i thing rushlight , leaving nothing behind but the stink of ita bad name . Ita fate has been the same 14 Edinburgh ; and here In Newoastle , although patronized by the Knight of the Spltal , Sir John Fife—that traitor to the people ' s cause—the faction has , following the good example of Castlereagb , died by Its own hands ; Lastly , In Snnderland , it has there too descended to the " tomb of all the Capnlett . "

      Of all the wens of corruption and misery it has ever been my k > t to visit , surely Glasgow is the worst . I have seen London , Manchester , Birmingham , Leeds , and other great hives of human crime and human agony ; but for undisguised profligacy , offensive brutality ! , squalid wretchedness , and unbearable filth , Glasgow , to my mind , excels them all . Take its females , thronginj the streets , and , ye gods , what a contrast between them and the weraen of Ayrshire I There are thousands to be met with in the streets and "wynds of Glasgow , whom most folk possessed of stomachs would not touch even with a pair of tongs . I know no adequate remedy for the horrors of Glasgow but that of blocking it up at one extremity and setting fire to it at the other . Never until all large cities and towns are Jerusalemized—ihe plough passed over them and monuments erected to tall the inquiring traveller "here stood Glasgow' * or

      " here stood Manchester , " &c , &c , shall we be able to drive corruption and tyranny from their strongest holds , or establish the reign of equality , virtue and happiness . Before leaving Manchline I bad received letters from England which compelled me to hasten my departure from Scotland ; accordingly I was compelled to throw overboard intended visits lo Greenock , Campsie , and several other places . I believe I have caused some disf appointment to my Campsie friends , who had expected me to visit them on the 26 th , and who , I understand , were arranging to meet me in procession with a band of music , fee . I regretted much my being unable to comply with their kind invitation ; at some future day I may see them . The Glasgow men , too , wished me to stay with them till the 28 th , and in company with Mr . Hill , attend a city meeting of the democracy . It weuld have afforded me extreme pleasure to have done so , but my engagements in England would not allow me .

      Friday , Angust 26 th—I left Glasgow for Edinburgh , per railway . The railway is a fine piece of work , commencing at Glasgow nnder a tunnel three quarters of a mile in lengths Several places of interest are in the neighbourhood of the line , particularly Falktrk and Linlitbgow : tbe former famous for the conflicts of Scotch and English In ita vicinity , in the times of Wallace and Prince Charlie , and the latter for ita hav . ing been once the seat of Royalty , and still containing crumbling monuments ef its former greatness . Castlecary is also on the line ; possibly the reader may remember having heard or raad a beautiful Scotch song called " Mary of Caatlecary" ! I forget its author ' s name .

      I that evening addressed the men of Leith in the Trades Hall . A Mr . M'Crae , & very intelligent working man presided ; several middle-class men were present , and I flatter myself that I tolerably well satisfied my hearers . The meeting was not very large , but extremely ; attentive and enthusiastic In support of my appeal for a junction of the Chartists of the two , countries . I am convinced that the veritable union of tbe two nations Is a preject that will have the hearty support of tbe great majority of the . Scottish democrats ; but great care will be required on the part of the English Chartists to keep np and cement this good feeling . The Scotch are proverbially cautious with respect to the " siller" and all matters appertaining thereto ; therefore must the English democrats take good care who , they elect or select to fill offices of trust tn tbe new Organization . Whetbbr there shall be a nnion of the two nations will principally depend upon the discretion and judgment of the English people in this vital matter . " A word to the wise is sufficient . "

      I returned to Edinburgh on Friday evening , and slept at Mr . Cranstone ' s Coffee House , a place of abiding I would recommend to all the advocates of political and , social progress , visiting « k Auld Reekie . " The proprietor , Mr . Cranstone , is a good Chartist , and intellectually a very superior man ; as such is well : worthy of the rapport of all who love and advocate the ) right ' ; Chartism is shelved In Edinburgh for tbe present The body have lost their Hall of meeting , ahd are consequently nnable now to hold meetings without the certainty of being involved in debt Faction has cut

      the throat of Chartism in Edinburgh . Leaders have been the curse of the cause there aa well as in Glasgow ; and there , too , the traitors and deserters , still having the unblushing assurance to call themselves Chartists , are the worst enemies to the movement , and are doing everything in their power to keep up disenssion , and create further disgust . Still there are some excellent Chartists in Edinburgh , and the mass of the party la atill sound at the core . New measures and modes ot action are what are principally nee Jed to improve hope once again . Confidence may then be restored , and Edinburgh may be found once again one ef tbe foremost fortresses of democratic strength .

      I had no time for " sight-seeing" ; in Edinburgh , though I should have liked very well to nave visited Holyrood House , tbe Castle , &c . bad I bad time . Edinburgh is a splendid place , that Is , splendid tot the aristocracy—splendid for the shopocracy—and splendid to the eye of the giddy tourist and superficial observer ; but to call it splendid , we must shut our eyes to its filthy " wynda , " " closes , " and Babel-like dens in the old town , where thousands live a life of want and misery until cut off by the dreadful , yet friendly , hand of fever , which , like the plague in the East , is the anenvled gsest of all Scotch towns and cities , caused by the insufficient diet and dirty houses (?) of too many thousands of tbe labouring poor .

      The monument in honour of Sir Walter Scott bids fair to be & magnifieeat structure , and already puts to shame that miserable abortion , the " Nelson Monument " of London , a monument of cockney taste with a vengeance ! One spot in Edinburgh I had a particular desire to visit ; that was the grave of FergUBaon , the poet , in tbe burial ground of the kirk in Cannongate , but the gates of the yard were closed and I could not gain admission . Certain prosecutions for that undefined and nndefinable offence called "Blasphemy" arc just now exciting no little interest in " Auld Reekie " The parties prosecuted are Messrs . Robinson and Finlay , and that now well-known character , " the man Paterson " . The two former were first arrested , and the shep of

      Robinson fairly gutted by the harpies of the law , while Robinson himself waa most infamously treated ; he being confined to bis bed with illness at tbo time , was watched night and day by " filthy dungeon villains , " who fairly took possession of hi ? house . After such treatment , and after plundering him of his property , be was brought to trial , wben it was found that , aa in the cose of the " fifty-nine conspirators , ' * tbe indictment against him and Finlay was so wretchedly defective that it conld not bo sustained ; the consequence was , the present acquittal of the defendants , and their being bound over on another warrant to meet another trial . " The man Paterson " , expecting Robinson to be imprisoned , had come to Edinburgh to keep bis shop . On Robinson being set at liberty ,

      he epened a shop of his own , and has since been engaged in constant war with the " authorities . " Persons for posting his placards bave been seized and sentenced to imprisonment , or held to ball ; his shop has already once been entered , and everything therein taken away by the police . thieves ; and when I was in Edinburgh he was in daily expectation of another and a similar visit from the " guardians of public order . " He is also under bail to appear ( it is expected ) in November . Of Mr . Finlay I know nothing , except that he bears ; the character , in Edinburgh , of an upright and clever man . Robinson I was personally acquainted with about eight years since , wben we were both engaged in the struggle to establish on unstamped press ; he bad suffered a short Imprisonment in Derby for vending the unstamped publications , and on his

      removal to Glasgow , I took up his position in the former town , which position I maintained until I was myself condemned to six months Imprisonment for a similar offence . Robinson afterwards removed to Edinburgh , where he has for some years now filled the useful and honourable office of liberal bookseller of that city . ? 'Tbe man Paterson , " I have known for nearly two years . I first became acquainted with him at Sheffield , where he was assisting Mr . Holyoake , the Socialist lecturer . Since that time Paterson has acquired no little notoriety by bis famed shop in Boly well-street , and hi > battles with Hall and Jardine , the magisterial Solons of Bow-atreet Persons unacquainted with Paterson would sappose him to be a monster , judging by the " fancy portiaite" of him given by that veritable , nany-headed monster , the London press . / know him — I know him in private life to be one of tbe best of

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      men : his morality , self-denial , warmth of affection , and love of liberty , well entitle , him to that character . Gtentle as a child in private life , he is fierce and resolute as a lion in public life ; and ihe Edinburgh champions of orthodoxy will find him ari " ugly customer" to deal with . j I have introduced this subject because , as a democrat , I feel bound to protest against all persecution . I say nothing as to the principles , theological or antitheological , contended for by these men ; the Northern Star is not the proper arena in which to discuss the merits of creeds or the truth or otherwise of any system of belief ; but aa a man claiming the rights of man , I demand for all men j the right of perfect freedom ot thought , Bpeech , writing , and publishing . If

      men speak or publish noneense or falsehood , they will not do bo for long in a state of things where veritable freedom of thought is established . Where all may enter tbe lists of mental confliet , the sophist will not long delude , nor the bad man loDg deceive ; therefore , would I have full liberty for the publishing of even nonsense and falsehood , because the evil would be immediately corrected by the publication of sound knowledge and truth . Under tbe existing system , what are called " limits of free discussion" are always defined by those who have j the power to will what they please ; and they take carje to define these " limits " that the hired tools of corruption shall be permitted to have full fling at the principles and advocates of universal right and universal justice , while these latter if they dare boldly to assail the cheatury , fraud , and humbug of the enslavers andfdeceivers of mankind are hunted down as pests to ba destroyed , pests

      to be thrust without the pale of humanity . The hypocrites and state-jugglera who raise the war-whoop of persecution against a Southwell , a Holyoake , a Paterson , or a Rebinson , would hunt down Jesus Christ himself , were he now among them , and dared personally to teach what these fellows affect to believe in . Tbe case of these men is one , In my bumble opinion , well worthy the sympathy and support of all who love liberty , and desire to see the human race freed from the thraldom of priestcraft and tyrant-craft . For myself , as one of the community , I feel that my right of free-thaught is invaded in the persons » f these men—holding , as , I do , that ; " where one of the community is oppressed , ail are \ oppressed . " I therefore protest against these ridiculous and infamous prosecutions , and ippeal to my brother democrats to everywhere raise their voices in protestation against them , and In vindication of the sacred right of free and unlimited discussion I -

      I took passage on board the Vesta steamer , and left Granton Pier on Saturday evening , the 26 th , at six o ' clock ; after a pleasant passage of thirteen hours , I landed at Shields on Sunday morning . George Julian Harney . Newcastle , Aug . 28 th , 1813 .

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      TO DANIEL O'CONNELL , ESQ ., M . P . . sir , —I have read your * f plan for the renewed action of the Irish Parliament" with the utmost attention ; and , in my humble opinion , the basis upon which the representation is founded , —namely , populationis sound , right , just , and equitable . It is the first Btep that I have seen you take in the right path since the death of Cobbett . I am rejoiced beyond expression to see that you have abandoned the infamous Castlereach ' s plan of making reutalv revenue , and population

      the basis of representation , if it were for no other reason than that Castlereagh's plan would gi 7 e an increase in tbe representation in the same ratio as the people increased the revenue by drinking whiskey and chewing tobacco ; because , where revenue is mixed up as an ingredient in forming the basis of representation , that representation must ! necessarily be limited or extended in proportion to the ever fluctuating state of the revenue ; and , therefore , such basis , or any other basis but that ot population alone , which you have wisely adopted , most be fallacious .

      It bos often grieved me to \ observe that in almost every instanco where differences ef opinion arise upon certain political propositions , ant ; ry feelings , also arise , and very often envy , hatred , 1 ill-will , and all manner of uncharitablenesa . I cannot account for tbis ; but such is the fact Now , although I do not profess to have more political virtue , or , a greater share of good temper than other people , yet it is well known that I have come to the discussion of political propositions in which I felt a deep interest , with tbe same disposition to arrive at a just conclusion ! as I should feel in demonstrating a proposition in j Euclid ot in telling up an account in a ledger , and without the most remote idea of mixing up any personal feeling in the matter . I have ever looked upon it as bad logic to

      say , " such a man is opposed to my political views ; the orangemen are opposed to them ; the orangemen are my personal enemies j therefore he who does not agree with me In politics must be a personal enemy . " Now , this is a specimen of false logic , yet it la very frequently made use of . I agree , for instance , fully and reservedly to the principle of taxing population , and population alone , as the basis of representation ; while at the same time I dissent altogether from the sixth proposition of the plain of the renewed action ; of the Irish Parliament , which in my opinion is absurd , j ridiculous , an * impracticable ; it surely does not follow as a consequence that I must j be tbe enemy of the ! author of that in which I concur because be purposes [ something else in which I do not concur . The sixth

      proposition , to which I object ; says , " It is proposed that the right of voting should be what is ealled Household Suffrage" requiring bix months resideneo in the counties , with the addition in [ the towns of married men resident for twelve months ^ whether householders or not" j Surely , Sir , you cannot avoid seeing that the principle upon which you base the Suffrage does not harmonize with that upon which you { base tbe representation . i Beside , it appears to me to be wholly impracticable . How can you or any man define a parliamentary House ? It was owing to the indefinite term " House" that you I lost Dublin . Lawyers differ in their definition of " house and premises . " Parliamentary committees I differ about its meaning . It is a fertile cause for calling petitions to Parliament , and for Parliamentary cemmittees . i

      , In 1832 there were six voters registered out of one bouse in Charles-street , five of whom were registered as " householders , and one asi a leaseholder . " Your proposition will disfranchise all those electors except the owner and tbe leaseholder : besides , it will disfranchise the aeven-eighths of the Catholic clergy resident in towns and cities , because few of them are " householders" and none of them married , or ever will be married . Is it just to deny those gentlemen tho right of citizens , because they reside in cities ; while their more lucky brethren who reside in the country are thereby entitled to enjoy that right t The question as to what is a legal marriage will arise ; the marriage articles will be examined , and proof of certificate required . I

      There are thousands of persons of small income resident in Dublin , in lodgings , iwho are not married , and who know the value of and would appreciate tbe elective franchise , and exercise jit conscientiously , to exclude whom from the rights of citizenship would be a grievous act of injustice . Suppose that adverse circumstances should overtake Mr . James Haaghton , which Heaven avert , and that he was \ obliged to part with hiB household property and live in lodgings , would it not be a great act of injustice—nay , cruelty , to add to his misfortunes by depriving him of tbe elective franchise , while he himself still remained the same benevolent , patriotic , and virtuous James Haughton ? You say that married men resident in a town or city for twelve months would be entitled to tbe elective

      franchise , whether be had a beuse or not Now , It is a great misfortune to a man to lose a good wife , and such less , to my own knowledge , has been the rain of many a man , and the destruction of his family ; would it not be a great hardship to deprive an unfortunate mau of bis elective franchise because ha bad the misfortune to lose his wife . According to your plan , the franchise should be buried in the ] grave with his wife . i was taught , Sir , by a wise , a sensible , and an upright parent , " never to depart from principle for the sake of expediency , " and every days' experience proves to me the wisdom of that lesson . Principle is permanent . Ijt will endure for ever . Expediency is ephemeral , ever

      varying—never certain—and will lead its votaries into the most extravagant absurdities , j Christianity fa based upon principle , not upon expediency . The selection of the twelve Apostles should ever afford ns a salutary ejxample . They wera not selected became they were householders , or married men , but , according -to the beat authorities , because it proved to tbe world that , if real virtue , truth , and j BincerHy , are to hi found upon earth it is amongst the poor working classes you are to find them . Wei are told that there is no distinction ot persons in heaven . Man la made ia the Image of God . Wby then deprive any man of his natural right , except tor aa offence against the Iawb of

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      God , which is also an offenca against his fellowmaaan offence against society ? Act like a man—forego your prejudices . Be what you were in tha days of Cobbett , when you blessed your son John at Youghal , for having voted with him and against yourself . You cannot . maintain Household Suffrage , Manhood Suffrage , Generai Suffrage , or Complete Suffrage , as expedients in place of Universal Suffrage , which is the true and generous . suffrage , as well known and as well understood as the words , "Coming of age , " or the " age of maturity . " In 1780 , Colonel Lennox , afterwards Duke of Richmond , Major Cartwright , the profound Sharpe , Djctor Jebb , Northcott , Lsfft , and other great men , agreed to a declaration of rights which contains amon ; st othe * propositions favourable to public liberty , the three following ;—

      " E ? ery man , ( infants , insane persons , and criminals only excepted ) is of common right , and by the laws of God , a freeman and entitled to the full erjoyuient of political liberty . " " It is essential to a man's political liberty , that ha have an actual shave either in legislation itself , or in the electing ot those who are to frame the laws ; which although they ought to protect him iu the full erjoyment of those absolute rights that are invested in him by the immutable laws of nature , may yet he fabricated to the destruction of his person , his property , his religious freedom , his family , and fame . "

      " It is a natural right and required by the principles of the Constitution that a new honse of parliament be elected once every year ; because whenever a parliament continues in being for a longer term than one session , then thousands , who since it was chosen , have utt . iiaed to man ' s estate , and are therefore entitled to enter into immediate possession of that elective power which la their best and most sacred inheritance , are in that case meat unjustly denied their right and excluded from the enjoyment of political liberty . " How plain , simple , just , right , and admirable are these principles , and how they stand the test at the end of sixty-three years . These are the genuine principles of political liberty . You once held them , cherished them , and advocated them . Adopt them

      again ; stand to them firmly and determinedly ; and you will Repeal the Union , Reform tbe Corporations , abolish tithes , Btop the clearance system , aad bring your poor , hard-working , honest , ill-used , fellowcountrymen within the pile of the constitution . It may be said that the poor labourer and the pauper in the workhouse have no right to the franchise ; but why not , let me ask ? Are they not God ' s creatures , as well aa the rich ? He made them after his own likeness , but He did not make brick houses , mud cabins , one pound notes , or a national debt , in Government debentures , consols , &c . &c , though the possessors of those things which have caused mors poor than all other things put together , have the r-. gbt to Vote . The poor labourer , who is the very foundation of society is shut out of society , and denied tha right of citizenship . The elective franchise would be his

      shield , his best protection . Gat it for aim , aud there will be an end to the clearance system . Get it for him , and the landlord or master will take care of him while he is able to say yes or no . Get it for him , and the happy looks and healthy limbs of his offspring will be your reward ; a reward which monarchs might envy . Get him , the franchise and the labourer will soon be held worthy of his hue . Remember that it is in the condition of the working classes , and there alone . that men of sense and integrity look for tbe character of a Government . There is no danger to be apprehended from the millions who would have t £ a right to vote . Few men would demand a poll when they found the popular veioe against them at the elections . It would be easy to divide and count by the use of lines as trees are counted In a wood . By judicious arrangements all the elections in the kingdom conld be taken in two hours .

      In a future letter I shall prove , or at least endeavour to prove , that the Sovereign has not the power to Repeal the Union that there is no analogy between the abdication of King James and the supposed abdication of the Union ; that the Union cannot " abdicate / ' At the same time it is but justice to mysslf to say , lest there should be any mistake about it , that sooner than see my country kept in her present de * graded and impoverished condition , if there were no other mode of Repealing the Union , or of placing Ireland upon a footing of perfect equality with England , I should turn round aad adopt tbe last resource . PAXfilCK O'HlGGIJfSL No . 14 , North Anne-street , Aug . 23 , 1843 .

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      WINGATE GRANGE COLLIERY . To the Public . —As the dispute between us and our employers is yet undecided , we feel it to be our duty to state , that we feel thankful to those of on friends who bave supported us with their mite , in our struggle of right against might ; and likewise to icquaint you that the hand bills that our masters have put out , are intended to prejudice our cose in tbe minds of the public ; but truth will stand with a- bold front against falsehood . Mr . Chicken , the Engineer of oui choice , has pronounced the wire rope unsafe , it being is a broken state , having 20 broken wires in it , and the rope otherwise split in three different places . 14 feat * 8 feet , and 4 feet , making 26 feet split in the rone : and

      tke masters' engineers have found and declared the rope te be so damaged ; still they wish to make us and the public , believe , that aftet one-fifth of the roue is b"rimn . it is but one-nineteenth part weaker I Ttiere are 20 wires broke oh 6 of 96 ; that constitutes the whole of the rope , and there is 26 feet of the rope split up ; and yet they publish to the world a bill , with their own names attached to it , that the rope is but one-nineteenth port weaker than if it was whole I We boldly assert that we thiuk them either not competent to divide 96 by 20 , or they are not honest in their decision . Since they have given their decision , the rope in question has actually broken , or drawn ought of the socket that altaches it to ihe

      cage , and the cage fell to the bottom of the pit ! . We feel determined to have the broken rope taken off before we go to work again . We thank you for the help that you have given us , and although our privations have been very great for the past ten weeks , we are determined to have justice , if it can be found . With your aid we will fight every inch of ground that the law-can give us . We are convinced it is our duty : for human life is a sacred thing , and ought not to be sacrificed fur Che gain of others . From the workmen of Wingate Grange Colliery , Committee Room , Aug . 26 th , 1843 .

      In relation to this disgraceful dispute , —disgraceful to those who wish the Colliers to trust their lives npon an unsafe rope , the following temperate and judicious observations have been made by Mr . Homer , solicitor of Darlington ; and circulated in an hand-bill . They do him great honour ; and surely justify the men in refusing to . trust their lives npon the ' ' unsafe rope " :- — " I bad occasion some months ago to observe on the bad taste and worse policy of a hand-bill issued by the owners , or their agents at this Colliery ; and I waa obliged to remark at the same time on a not very reputable suppression of such facts as had occurred in the pitraen' 8 favour . " We are regaled , or in other words , common sense and public decency have been again outraged by another publication from the same party ; in which all the bad qualities of tbe former document are renewed , and the same suppression of truth committed .

      "The report of Messrs . Robinson and Gair , on the disputed rope , is now printed for the public edification ; because , by an inference , though of a very questionable nature , the rope may be considered as practically safe . But these publishers have carefully concealed the fact that another Engineer , of venerable authority , has given in his report that the rope is unsafe , and unfit for ihe trust of human life . " In a moral , as well as in a practical sense , the concealment of the truth ia not less venal than the promulgation of a falsehood . " This is not a matter of pounds , shillings , and pence : human life is the questien at issue ; and if one single Engineer of competent authority is of opinion that the rope is unsafe , it ought to be Instantly condemned , even though all the rest of the world were of a different persuasion .

      " Messrs . Robinson and Gair give an account of several broken wires in this rope ; and it can matter little to what the fractures are Imputed : the rope is in a broken condition , and Mr . Chieken , the Engineer , declares it unsafe . It has been observed of late , on tbe occasion of tbe steam Vessel , the Pegasus , that human life is a sacred thing , and ought not to be placed in dangerous positions , evea though all the chances are In favour of escape . My duties , as the pitmenE' solicitor , are new at an end . The men of the various Collieries , on the Tyne

      and the Wear , and the Eastern Coast , have united in the appointment of ajsollcitor for their own exclusive business and protection ; and they have fixed on a gentlemen , of a zeal , not greater than my own , but infinitely more able , by his talents , to do justice to the cau 3 e into which he has been called . In taking my departure from that cause , I would beg permission to advise the Colliery Agents to be more discreet and less irritating : on the other hand , I counsel and enjoin tho men to persevere in obedience and good intentions , and I now bid them my Bincsre farewell . Darlington , August 17 ih , 1843 . T . Horner .

      P . S . —Sums received at Winfifate Grange Colliery , for the men on strike , August 22 nd , 1845 . Tromdon , £ 15 7 s . cd . Castle Eden , £ 7 10 a . Caasop , £ i 10 s , Thomley , £ 6 Os . 9 d . Kslloe , £ 3 63 . 1 ^ 1 . Quarrington Hill , £ 2 3 a . 6 d . Tesick , £ 3 15 s . 9 d . Hetton , £ l 2 * 9 d . EHorraoor , £ 2 113 . 9 d . South Hetton , £ 4 12 « . 7 d . Datton , 123 . 7 d . Hugh Hall , £ 2 Os . 6 d . Wingate Friends , £ l 16 s . 6 £ d . Newbottle , 5 s . HasweU , Is . Pemborton , £ i 63 . 6 d . Framweilgate Moor , £ 2 17 s . 4 ^ d . Sec&iBtdn , £ 1 . ESinonsley , £ 1 Is . Bedlington Distrct , £ « 8 s . 5 d . Craghead , £ 1 10 s . 6 d . South Moor , £ l lls . 6 d . . Cragwood , £ 2 3 s . 3 d . Pontop , ils . 3 d . South Tanfield , £ 1 Is . 63 . West Stanley , 189 . Two Friends , 2 b . Sbiney Row , 13 s . '* . 43 . WettonPark , 13 s , Tatttoby , ' 5 d . A Friend , 5 s . WTalbottle , £ 2 63 . A Friend , 6 d . A Friend , 5 s Seaton Burn , £ 2 14 s . lOd . Andrew ' s House , 13 7 d .

      Wallsendj £ 1 16 * Pearcy Main , eg ^ lJ&h&FSx Elswick , £ 2 4 s . 2 J . Marlow Hill , £ *^ $ * Ho # W « K 19 s . 3 d . Hebson , £ 3 . Felling . ^ EF ^ ilaC-iBII ^*^ Main , £ l . Washington , £ 1 5 s SdABcfe&ri&r 0103 . - * pr Weatmoor , £ 6 . West CramllngifiJ ¦ & *» , 3 d , . Springy well , £ 2 . Sheriff-hill , £ 2 8 s . . 9 fnf £ ytito ' ' £ i- lW& £ t East Holywell £ 2 2 b . 66 % Miami&- 9 a . ^ WyW * - Holjwell , £ l 10 s . 6 d . BiahoJ ^ Wto , ± ' 2 I ? 9 . JMU \? it V *' . / ,: ¦ ¦ ' »* , Main , <^ b ^ lJ ~ gyrgMi £ b r Hill , 4 *^? J * Ho ? f < W ^ k ' elling , ^ B ^ i ^ fe ~ iB | I «^ dffi ^ 5 s 3 d , jreo >^ &t £ 3 'O * $ JSH lingtw ? ' & $ */ 3 < k .. $ pru >( j& 9 . 2 ghe ( lAi&i £ i ^ lfsN&C ^ j Ste ^ f ^ i ^ j / 'IS ^ kK ^ ujMRUfe ** £ 2 l $ tUijlf ** j * * vt 4 /»" '/; . ;' ¦ ¦ / ~ ;( . '

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      _ THE NORTHERN jn ^ R , 7

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      TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND . Fallow CouMBTJfES , —Having disposed of the cry of " Ireland for the Irish , " and shewn yon the fallacy of seeking Repeal without Universal Suffrage ; I will now turn to the question which is of all others of tbe greatest importance in the present position of Ireland . It is a remarkable fact , that nearly . aU classes of Refomers agree in the opinion , and even loudly assert that the Church is the prolific cause of all your misery : but as the various sects and parties of society have their own reasons for attaching all blame to this soarce , I will content myself with believing in the general opinion npon my own conviction of its bulb .

      This I oonsider to be the better way , as I am aware : that numbers assail the " Old Lady" upon grounds j of envy or malice , and with a view to her annihilation , i in tbe hope that their class may one day share her | honours or her profit ; or mavhap aspire to govern this I superstitious country in her stead . i With such parti » s as these , 1 hold no sympathy , nor I do I value their opinion in the present case for mnch . ! They may " cant" about evangelical purity ; " the , only purity which is visible and apparently essential , is i the pure actual amount of pounds shillings and pence : , which ever was , amongst such parties , the distinguishing

      mark of spirituality , and " ever will be , aa Paddy says , I world without end . Amen ! " For those sysipa-; tbisers with Ireland , I repeat , I have no reciprocity , \ nor do I calculate npon their assistance to rid yon of tbe burthen which they so magniloqnently declare ' oppresses yon . There can be little difficulty in persuad-. ing an Irishman that the existence of & State Church is j an evil to his country of the greatest magnitude ; nor

      j ! j i ; j does he need to be told that both in a political and ! moral sense her compulsory mppcttTIa manifestly un-. just He knows all this , and I beinrve wonld , had be I the power , put an ond to her unscriptural career by j starving her temporal part ont of its sanctity , by the i simple measure of stopping the supplies . Now this is just tbe point I wonld endeavour to explain . Ton , would also get rid of this evil if yon had the power . j Let me see how yon prove yeur sincerity . To set rid of the Church you agitate for a Repeal of the Union ; ; bnt ss I have taken the mask from that measure in its

      present form , it must follow that if effects be equal to causes , you will never get rid of the holy (?) nuisance . Ton are now , my Countrymen , placed in a very peculiar position . O'Connell has renounced and denounced all palitical parties , save the Orangemen , and rests on his individual exertions to obtain Repeal ! This , I bave shown yon , will be impossible ; and that he cannot obtain it constitutionally without the &ld of the English people . He tells you at the same time he will stand upon Repeal , and take no concessions > I would like to know how yon can reconcile these two

      positions , so as to prove them capable of succenfnl ; results ? Do you imagine that the Government will < ^ et tired , and grant to importunity what they have bo I long refused to justice ; or that to pacify Ireland , they ; will grant a Repeal of the Union where they know yeur , first act would be to , if possible , annihilate Church : ascendancy ? Oh , sever ) will you see » constitutional : [ to use CConnell's own meaning of the term legally , ) Repeal until your English and Scotch brethren are ; united with you , and in a voice that will not be denied , . demand it . It is plain , then , there is bnt one way , one step , by which yon are to rid yonrselves ot the Church . Then , why , I wonld ask , stand npon Repeal \ for the remainder of your lives ? Why be wadded , if . yon are desirous of obtaining it , to a system whieh is essentially bad , and ultimately doomed to be ineffectual ? I cannot for the life of me see how you are to get oct of tbe awkward position with credit to yourselves or ; your cause , unless you honestly and at onoe aeknow-; Jedge your error , and cordially accept the assistance of

      men who are willing and able to make you victorious . Now , mark me ? unless yon do this , you will learn , when too late , that it is dangerous to reject friendly counsel . . Bow then are yon to rid yourselves of this monster evil ? Answer me , I pray ! Is there one man in Ireland will have the honesty or the eourage to give me an explanation 7 No . ' not one ; even O'Connell himself will shirk from the question , and in his usual vllerior way , say , by the next step J But wiil O'Connell ,-or will you , really persist in standing in a false position , unable even to answer & plain question ; and will you still refuse to reason for yonrselves ? Is there , I repeat , one man in Ireland , who has faith in O'Connell , that can tell me how he is to get rid of the church without Repeal ? or who will bave the hardihood to

      assert Repeal is possible by pursuing the present coarse of policy for its attainment ? No ! not one ; and yet you-are not only satisfied to continue in blind ignorance of your position , but dare to prate about Chartist interference as a thing to be avoided as dangerous and destructive ! Remember , I tell you the Charter and the Chartists will be yet the rallying cry to the rescne , and Ireland will owe to their inflmence and generous strength her future happiness and glory ! Mr , O"ConneD , when writing about Chartists , described them as { hick-headed . Now , in a political sense , I may be permitted to return his elegant compliment ; for certainly it was not to be txpected that so sapient a man as he is would persist in standing in s > position from which he has no posrible means of honourable escape , save through the assistance of those identical numskulls !

      The Chartisis take a broad view of the questions which distract society and oppress the people , and determined neither to be wheedled nor frightened . They agitate the question of the Charter as an effectual means , to enable them to counteract oppression , and reform abuses in cbarch and state ; whilst they build their fntnre prospects of happiness npon the principle of giving to every man a voice in governing himself . But O'Connell seeks only the Repeal of an Act of Parliament as a means to get rid of tbe burthen of the church i

      -Teen , I wonld ask is there not more thick-headedntEs in obstinately standing npon sectional reforms , than in nobly ( as the Chartists do ) waxing war against all existing evils ? Repeal , without Universal Suffrage , would not empower you to get rid of tbe Church ; but Repeal , with ihe Charter , would enable yon to sweep tbe Crrurcb aud all other evllB into oblivion . Repeal would not exonerate you from tithes ; whilst an Irish Houts of Lards and Commons , elected by Household , Manhood , or Womanhood 2 Suffrage , would rule your destiny , and compel yon to be silent spectators of their nefsricna acts .

      But whs wonld you have hi those Houses ? Would you not ha ^ e the vultur es who have preyed on yon ; the harpies who have plundered you j the tyrants who have Harnp 3 ed on yon }; the monsters who quaffed your life-b ' iood ; the leeches who have sacked until they can suck no more from your vitals ? And would yon not have "the traitors , who sold your birthright , eager to sell you again , and barter your eouatry and yourselves to political traffickers ? who too long have enjoyed the fruits of their former purchase-money , paid as the price of your debasement ! You wonld have the rampant Tory , wiih arm ever uplifted to strike , and the insidious Whig-wolf in sheep ' s clothing , ¦ who speaks fair to yon by day-light bnt to devour yon after night-fall .

      These would be the banditti who would have to make laws for your obedience . And whom would you have to oppose to this conglomerated host of enemies ? Wby , you wonld perhaps have a few talking Reformers , who if even thsy were honest , would be powerless for good , in consequence of their minority ; in fact , like the present demociatic minority in the English Parliament , who , notwithstanding their magnanimous exertions , are sure to be defeated on every question which refers to the amelioration of tbe people ' s condition . Thus would Ireland continue to snffsr , nnless the people had tbe pewer lo elect their own representatives .

      Tbeie is then as little hope of happiness with such a parliauifcnt in Ireland , as there is of obtaining one by the course you have to pursue ! The only thing left is to change jour plan of proceeding ; and this I wonld advise yon to do as speedily m possible . Remember the fate of the tithe agitation , and take warning by its result J Tithes were to have been abolished , and heaven was called to witness the determined resistance to toe impsfit {! ji and bear in mind , itmay be possible , if eonceMionssre made touching the Church and ibe Bench , that Repeal will die the death of the tithe agitation . Concessions are spoken of , and provisions for the Catko-Irish dis

      lic clergy is mooted as a means to suppress - csnUnt ! Bnt I would ask , of what avail would it be to the people if such concessions were to be made on the one side and accepted on the other J What -would be the most probable result ? I assure yon it wonW be only another rivet driven into the chains that bind yoo I The Catholic Clergy being paid by the Government , would become the slaves of Gorernment , and every act or overt act of patriotism on their part ~ w » uld be visited with the displeasure of th « powers that be . Thus your strength would be weakened ana tbe people eventually brought into confliet with their" yMtW , would become sn easy prey to their esemiei .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE EDITOR OP TH ; E NORTHERN STAR . Sir—Language is wholly inadequate to convey even an idea of the cenrorship which is at present exercised over what is called here the [ liberal press . A Dublin newspaper dare no more publish anything to which the Liberator objected , or which ' might be disagreeable to him than a toad dare to budge when under a harrow . Any change to get rid of this odious tyranny , must be a change for the better . It is intolerable . It was hoped that when the perfidious Whigs were kicked out by their own Parliament coming to a vote of want df confidence in them , that the Dictatorship would have been

      got rid of . For a short period ! Us severity was relaxed ; but the moment the Repeal delusion , for delusion it is , became profitable , the Consorship was renewed with increased vigour . And now who betide the Irish * 'LibermL" paper that will dare to publish any story but that which is agreeable to , or lauditory of , the liberty-loving Liberator . An instance of this detestable terrorism will appear obvions to every impartial reader of the Star , from the simple fact that the Freeman's Journal , which is decidedly the most independant paper in the city dare not publish the subjoined letter .

      It is right to state for the information of those who are not aware of tbe fact , that Mr . O'Connell invited commentary , and objections to his " plan for the renewed action of the Irish Parliament , " and In accordance with that invitation , I sent the subjoined letter to the Freeman ' s Journal on * Wednesday last , the day on which the invitation appeared in that paper . } Patrick O'Higgtns . No . 14 , North Anne-street , ! August 28 th , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      . Fareacres , £ 1 17 s . 8 d Spitaltonguesr , 18 s 6 < 3 . Hartley , £ b « Benra . l ) , £ 1 . * ; * . Fareacres , £ 1 17 s . 8 d , Spitaltongues , 18 s 6 d . irtley , £ -b"iBgflggii' £ ** ¦ ' . 4 O $ ? V XS ^^ r'V ; i ¥ ^ xjsk- ^ 3

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 2, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct817/page/7/