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Northern Star (1837-1852), 30th October 1841, Edition 5 of 5, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1841.
    • <Eo asiairir* artir € owe ffmtHfentff.
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      Untitled Article

      • isLEETING D * ST . AKDSEWS SALL , NORWICH . The unparaHeied destitution now existing in the British Empire , and partieulariy in Norwich , induced the Chartists to present a requisition to the Mayor , requesting aim to call a public meeting to consider and adopt some meant of immediate sod permanent relief , that the direful effects of inromntary idleness might te everted , sad comfort restored to the industrious Itf ^ HliTI Many question * were asked , bat , ultimately , hii Worship oonseDtad to allow na the use of St Andrew's Hall , if we thought proper to convene the meeting ourselves ; we consented to embrace the opportunity , and were given to understand that a repeal of the Corn Xaws would be proposed as an efficient remedy , and thai Sidney Smith , would be solicited to attend , and , with other gentlemen , show to the meeting the benefits to be expected from their abolition .

      Nothing daunted , the brave Chutist * -vent to -work , Sparing neither labour or expense . The day arrived , aad on Wednesday scon , Oct . SO , they entered the spacious h&U . Order being obtained , Mr . Richard Satson was elected chairman , and opened the meeting by reading the placard , and requesting that each and every gentleman , who wished to address the meeting , would ascend the platform , and express Ms sentiments without reserve . He then impressed npon the meeting the seeeesty of giving a patient hearing to each ¦ speaker , and should » diiierenee of opinion arise , allow 12 m arguments of each to be duly considered , and give their decision according to merit Two Reverend Gentlemen requested permission to address the meeting , and were invited to " a seat near the rhahr . The business of the meeting then proceeded . The Bev . Gentlemen waited fill near the dose , then rising , said they had no fault to find with file arguments adduced , and retired .

      Mr . Hcbekll , in movie s the first resolution , referred to the Duke of Wellington ' s declaration that the distress did not exist to a great extent , and that any man who was willing to work would be sbte to rise to riches . Sir Robert Peel , that very Joseph Surface of Cabinet Ministers , had acknowledged that there was some distress , but at the same time gave the lie to his dfedai&aon by quoting the amounts placed in the Barings' Banks in order to shew £ ow rich and prosperous the esontry was . This was not true ; the living soass before him , with their pallid cheeks , declared there was { Bs&ess . He knew the poor of Norwich well ; and their homes betpeka their wretchedness . He knew there were hundreds whe rose in the morning not knowing where a find a breakfast Numbers had not a bed . but

      "ware compelled to lay on straw . Be asked Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Wellington , was not that distress ? As he came to the Hall , he met a friend who was then going to tbe workhouse . He said he had remained in Norwich for work until he had lost his all , and that he was now compelled to co to Wicklewood . If they walked the streets ef liorwieh , they would oease te bear the ham of industry—not a shuttle was to be bead . If they went into other districts , although they yr&i bad , still they would find them weaving the work Korwich should do . Distress was throughout the county ; thera was aearely a person who did not in some degree feel it , except the aristocrat He had gone about with the requisition , and the shopkeepers universally declared they felt it ; that where they formerly took ten pounds , they sow received only one . Hurreil then

      referred to the numbers in the workhouse , on relief , and frha hundreds whriiMJng either by charity or begging because they could obtain no relief , in proof of toe distzess . H * then read a long letter from a Stockport paper to shew the great distress in that district All this be argued , proved that the country was in a state of great misery . Was this to be bome , and ware they to go on until the whole kingdom became one lump of degradation . Tee working men were fait falling , the shopkeepers would next go , and the rich men wouid then b-3 compelled to maintain thtm . It was time foi tfeem to see what could be uoo& Measures would be brought forward in which he thoujht all would agree , and if any one did not , let him come forward and pro poae his own plans , fie teen read the first reao-Ilifctnw ;_

      " That this maeting is of opinion that unparalleled dSBtito-tion and distress now exists in the British empire , and that immediate relief la absolutely necessary to stay its appalling effects . " Mr . —— HSWXTT seconded tie resolution . He ( rooted two cases cf distress which he said he had seen . One a woman named Hone , in Thorpe Hamlet , who was laying in bed 111 without furniture or food ; her busband had bees ill in the hospital for five weeks , and she had to work . The other person was a woman of

      the name of Hndd , who had walked to Smallbnrgh for relief , but could ebtiln noss , and was obliged to return the twelve miles , the Guardians having told her they did not care anything about her distress . He then referred to the numbers of poor compared with those of last year . Was it not , he a ? k « 5 , an . awful state to be brought to , for industrious people to be travelling the streets of the city unable even to obtain sufficiect potatoes ? The speaker then read a long extract from the Dispatch to show the distress in various places . Be concluded by seconding the resolution .

      The bZCBETABT ( Mr . Groat ; then read a letter from the weavers in the waiving shop in the woikiou » e , complaining of their distressed state . After which hs went on to state what lie said had occurred to himself when placed there . The men were not allowed more than the amount of relief—one » hn : fng per week &er head , -srhica was not more than seven farthings i-d&y , and wha . . was ihii , when oat of it they bad to pay lor rent , light , and firiag . TVbea he was there , ha found that Iks loom is which he was placod , from its construction , would be fatal to his existence . He told the ov&rscar it must be altered—&&t he was a practical

      man , and had worked such doth . Te which the overseer replied , you do not expect to come here to have yoarloom altered in such a way as to add to your corntort ? as it ia fixed bo , you must work it Many were obliged to leave because they could not ; but fee did sot say that there were not some who were able te work it ; but he was looking at the tyranny cf the masters , who would have compelled him . What , he asked , was the slavery of the West Indies to this ? These were circumstances of which he was sorry to speak , but they could be borne testimony to by many . Be concluded by supporting the motion . Hr . Claek . e

      moved" That it is the opiaion of this meeting , that it is the imperative duty of the present Government immediately to advance the sum of twenty millions sterling , for the porpasa of locating upon the land the industrious artisans of our country whose labour is superseded through t&e application of machinery , and that an address be presented to hsr Majesty ' s Government to that elect " In support of the resolution , he adverted to the statements of preceding speakers , on the distressed c .-jdition of the country , and to the strange anomaly of txireme Wa<h and extreme destitution existing together in Bo striking a manner as is afforded by the different classes of tax-eaters , tithe-eaters , profit-mongers , landlords , and tax-payers , tithe-payers , and workers of this

      country . He referred to the black slave grant of twenty millions , and then went on . There is a portion of men in this country who get their bread without the sweat from the brow . We a ? k £ 20 , 000 , 080 for the people of England , who have been superseded by machinery . Do we a&k for it as a direct gift ? And is there no land in England which you have a right to ? What is become of the land -which belongs to the people ? Where are the Crown lands ? Where are the Church lands that were given to you ? Why , they bave been nrallowed np by men who have no right vo them . Let Government call upon them , and say , assist U to locate the people on thslaad—to give them bread to eat There are other lands now lying waste which night be taken in , upon which the people might

      labour , and beDefit themselves . The principle has , We find , worked well in America , where . by the magic touch of her industry , the barren lands had become fertile , and that the Waters had withdrawn . We toow that that great Being who gave us existence , and all things suitable for cur wants , was ever ready to assist us , and if the rich legislators of the country would only so distribute their Wealth , there weald be no such Hosery . They may call M anarchist * and revolutionists , but first let these prove that the institutions , as at present administered , were for the general happiness of the country , while others , OB the contrary , Were starring for want The iustit'i-Esm is this ceontry was like s little bey , who was grown out of bis clothes and wanted to have a new suit J ? 2 » , 00 » , 000 was all they asked fer , and if the G iVernjnant , Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Wellington . do justice to the people , they will grant it immediately .

      If we , in order to give relief , alter the sugar duties , file monopolists will come forward and say , you Ehall not meddle with oar interest If the Corn Law , the landowners and parsons jump up and say you must not touch our Tested right * . They then say the country is in an *»« Twtag situation , of which he had no doubt . Sat to you who an powerless they turn a deaf eutoyou , Bd as powerless as you are , yon have never yet righly SBdexatood the might and power placed in your hands . ( Heat , hear . ) It is you who produce the temple and palace *—it is yon who prectace the clothing—it is you who produce all that decorate and ornament these bnDdings ; by you industry everything is made ; by Tout industry we see things travelling across the seas to exchange with all the countries in the world ; and if job bar * only the spirit to tell , them in plain and distinct terms- that yoa are prepared by you honest indastry to go upon the land , and as soon M joe ess 70 a will return the capital

      Mx . Xb Joxss then came forward and addressed the meetisg with gnat rapidity and length . The meeting bad given Urn gnat pleasure , not in hearing the distress , not in seeing their care-worn sod haggard countenanses , but in besting them discuss the question with a calm sad constitutional voice , which most have its effect He knew that ft had been said that these meetings were Bore the result of agitation sad the speeches of certain earning and interested men than of the distress . He would ten such persona that a misrepresentation of disbest could sot produce sach a cry of distress as had gone forth , and that it could sot be allayed until a wise ear was tamed to the miseries of the poor ; It was not the speeches of agitators bat the distress wb ' cii yon feel deeply , bat cannot divert roar eye—for yoa meet In very const of the street , meet it at every board , you Bust it st every hearth . It is as palpable as the sun , sttd neither the Duke of Wellington nor Sir Robert

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      Pe . 1 can cieat yon out of the belief . In this distress you call npoa the Government for twenty millions , that you may locate yourselves upon the waste lands of this country—that by the union of your labour with their capital yoa may place yourselves in such s position as had never bcea dona before . This call should not be violent—should not arise out of a spirit of anger , that Bplrit is fart dying away . Notwithstanding the WsbopBnotwitatanding oor venerable institutions—good Institutions when raised—there is no doubt that they hare allowed the mass of the people to remain in utter ignorance . Oat of this ignorance , acted upon by severe distress , arose a feeling among the people of retaliation snd revenge—that was what most naturally first axis * when their suffering continued . They then asked , why

      they were suffering ? And now came that wisdom which bad produced th * result , and had created a roioe and shoot which could not be put aside . He thought they were right in demanding this money ; He knew there was a great deal of benevolence in the country . Would there were equal wisdom ; he knewthat benevolence wasextending itself to every part of the country and in every form Notwithstanding they had sent twenty millions to the West Indies—another half million for the saving of souls in other countries , and a third half million to the colonies of convicts—although they were caused by their own m Urn imagem jnt , still be thought it high time they should aak for a sum of money for tbeir own use , acd labour to divert the distress . There was no doubt that it was not the interest of society to support them without work . At present society bad done something for them , and it was better they should take to the woods and forests , if they could not go on with

      better support If the rich oppress , the poor will hate them . If this had not been removed , religion bad been a se « -ff , wisdom nothing , society not worth a fig , and it would be far better to divide and separate at once It bad been said that the evil had been caused by the introduction of machinery . He knew it was sot a general evil , and that though it ~ produoed distress , still it was beneficial to some societies . He should never say it was an evil—not that it must be Allowed to continue to work evil—but as it is a new element , and has only effected that evil during the last twenty yean , nothing could be more plain than to introduce new forms and rules for its better regulation . Machines were originally made to meet a demand—they were now bo increased as to require an extension of trada They were told that the repeal at the Cora Law would produce that benefit—that trade could be doubled—but the supply would soon overstock the market—Hr . Johnson and Mr . Thomson do not know how much the market

      exactly required—and soon overstock the market , and they were forced to lay by their stock in their warehouses , for however cheap their bread may be , they must compete with each other . Just so long as the market is overstocked must the working man remain out of employment , for he had nothing to depend on but his labour . These were the facts which came before him , and he deSed any one to contradict them . The question then was , were they to cast them off , or were they to listen to tfaem ? Were the working people of this country to suffer , and while they were clothing all the world to be compelled to walk about with none on their backs ? Were these the evidences of the policy and wisdom ef the Government ? No . Were these the proofs of our greatness as a nation ? Were these the

      things that made them the envy and admiration of the world ? When we look to the condition of our own people , we eome to the conclusion , that if the world knew what we were , they would not think England so great ? s she would have them . The labour of the working man was most valuable , and the greatest next to that of the intellectual man , which points out to them how to use it They had heard of the large sums received by the Bishops , but what did they do for it ? They preached a sermon which he could go and buy printed for twopence . Therefore we give them tent of thousands for what competition would produce us for twopence . You who produce this are thousands ef you living upon twopence . Was this rational 7 Bat ao long as yoa speak of violence , so long will the rich walk away from you ; when you talk on the subject of distress ,

      B 3 long will they try to stifle the public voice and keep down the working man . If you thnr that you understand the subject , and when you speak , speak with a voice of a determination , that moment will they manifest respect for you , and be as willing to assist you as they were to give freedom to the blacks . Let us then choose for ourselves . There are the smbi in oar bands . ' ~ housbndj of seres ore uncultivated , sad hundred * of thousands occupied by gentleman's parks which produce nothing . Let us teU the Government that we can do much for ourselves , snd that we are ready to employ them for the benefit of ourselves and ftygiiHn * . This will do more good in the country than any political party . Having made these few remarks , be hoped they would Khow the gentlemen that they were also the gentlemen of the land , and were determined to be the freemen also .

      Mr . Marshall , in seconding the resolution , said , it was a question of importance that was before them , and he hoped that Great Britain would respond to the call , for who could resist that cry when put in the right spirit . You ask Government for youx own land—land , which if they put the unemployed upon with capital find industry , will prove available to the poor man . Will you be starving ? No ! my friends ! you will not ; and I say wa must call upon the Bishopi and Dean to come out like Christians ; and ask the Government to aid us . He felt it his duty to express his unanimous euQcorrence in tin resolution . The resolution was passed unanimously .

      The SEcaETAB . ? ( Giat ) said be was confidently of opinion the ohserr&tians thai had fallen from th « various speakers were useful , and were objects ef the most Titil importance , and more necessary of co-operation . But he hod one question to put to them , which was , the probability of sueeess . It is a general maxim with me , when any object is in view , first to consider the means which ought to be exercised for the accomplishment of that abject , and then to consider whether those means are at my disposal . I feel confident with many , that what you ask for , yoa have no chance of obtaining , while the Government is constituted as it U , who exercise their utmost power to benefit themselves and crush the working classes . If we consider the position

      which we hold , and the source from whence it springs , it is not probable , however humble might be the requisition made to the Government , that they would concede , for I assure you that usder the existing circumstances of this country it is almost needless to attempt it He then read the resolution , and said that he entirely concurred in the expressions which had been uttered that day , but he felt confident that it was useless time for them to throw away in petitioning Government . You will this day have an opportunity to show whether the People ' s Charter is au inateument of unfairness or illiberality . I fear not any antagonistic obasrv&tiofcs from any one present , and I now beg to prop&se the resolution which I hold in my hand

      ;" That this meeting is of opinion that however requisite it may be for the legislature to protect the sons of toil , and restrain the fiendish avarice of the monopolist , it is useless for this meeting to expect such an act of justice under the present representation in the Commons House of Parliament ; in consequence thereof it resolve to assist all virtuous men in their endeavours constitutionally to obtain those rights specified in the People ' s Charter . " ilr . Benbow seconded the resolution . A petition was then proposed by the Secretary , but as it would occupy half an hour , was not read , and it was carried- Thanks were voted to the Mayor for the use of the Hall . The meeting broke up about four o ' clock .

      The Northern Star. Saturday, October 30, 1841.

      THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , OCTOBER 30 , 1841 .

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      HYPOCRISY OF THE WRONGHEADS . THE FOXES CAUGHT IN THErR OWN TRAP . It is somewhat difficult to exhibit good humour after disappointment , and coartesy after defeat ; and where the human jniad does rise superior to such circumstances , we are naturally led to imagine that its training must have been in Borne of the superior schools . We are not , therefore , at ail fiarprised that the Leeds Foxes having failed to " put salt on the people ' s taila" find themselves , maupre their philosophy , "in a most towering passion , " and that their worthy a ll y , Mother Goose , should hiss and splutter vastly like an offended gander .

      Goosey opines that the Chartists have committed mortal wrong in not standing quietly to have their tails salted . Bat Goosey should not be so very angry if the " bird" was a little shy ; perhaps the " salt" might hive been more effective , if a little more M savour , " —a little m ? re evidence of sincerity—had been infused into it . So far , however , as any cordial wish for any kind of " union" save a union for themselves was concerned , the meeting in the Commercial Buildings on Monday week , which issued in the triumphant defeat of the Seam Radicals , afforded ample proof of the ntter insincerity of thai tortuous

      and wretched party . On the faoe of it , the first resolution proposed—tho salt for the birds' tail—was deficient in ha expression of principle ; and where the principle is bad , the practice a not likely to be good .. It vaguely acknowledged the defective state of the representative system , bat contained no plain assertion to the effect , that our political grievances were traceable to the want of univeesal gnffrago ? as if a mere extension of class kffiilalion might not , — nay , must n » t , —in reference to the people , be still more *• defective" fay increasdnfi the power of the ASISXQCRACT OB * HS LOOM over the DEKOCKAXT OF

      UBOCB . Bat this bit of " salt" was a mere introduction to the quick lime that followed—a wedge to make an aperture for resolution number two—in the hope of bo " uniting all grades of reformers" as to make them all serve the " Plague . "

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      But alas for the poor foxes ! The bird was too wide awake . It whisked away its naughty tail and turned round to peck at them . And sorely aghast do Mother Goose and Mister Muckery alike stand' Goosey is at its wit ' a end—an end soon reached—and laments , in a long doleful dittj , the " untimely end " of all its hopes and aspirations . It tells the «* Geese " , its readers , that the Chartista bare lost the food opinion of the mu 2 oY « m « n—those who ape the pride , while they bow to the power , of the loom

      or land-ocBAcr . "They hare disgusted these !" Qaoth Goosey ? ' " They hare lost , by their irrational conduct , the support of the patriotic and intelligent shopocraoj ! " A hint to the wise is sufficient . If the Chartists ( by which we mean every honest man who seeks not to legislate at his neighbour ' s expenoe ) quietly withdraw their support from the shopocrats , the ahopoerats will quickly bring their support to the Chartists I The brains of the shopooracy lie in their tills ; and reason and right are to be . taught them only in

      one way . Goosey gives us another version of the fallacy propounded by the American hireling Squire of the M Plague "—that the Cora Law was the sword for enforcing class legislation . Mr . Lkbs exploded the fancy , in showing that this " sword" had been itself first manufactured on the pre-existent anvil of class legislation—that it was an effect , not a cause , of the greatest a £ monopolies—the monopoly of making la trs . Goosey demands to be informed how we intend to get the Charter , if vr « persist in refusing to cooperate with the Anti-Corn Law and " extension " men . " Yon array yourselves , " says she : —

      " Against the middle classes , the great body of Anti-Corn Law men , the manufacturers , machine employers , machinists and tradesmen , the landholders , and the great body of possessors of property of all kinds , whether merchants or landowners . " Well , and what then , Goosey ? If all these be against us , are we , therefore , to " sing small , " and ask for less than our full right by way of conciliating them !! Oar fight is against all villany ; and we point to the array of forces that are marshalled against us , and , with the old General , we say to our brave brother Chartists , " There is the enemy ; if we don ' t beat them , by G—d they will beat us . ' " And what should hinder us ! Why . says

      Goosey" They hare the Suffrage , they elect the representatives , and unless the representatives elected by these pass the Charter , it will never be passed by moral and legitimate means . " Granted ; and what then ? There is no need to concede anything ; and yet we may obtain tbeir consent to elect such men as will obtain the Charter for us by legal means : and for the following reasons . There can be no action without a motive ; every motive ib induoed ; and the working classes possess the power to induce the motive and beget the action . How ! Because their opponents are

      perfectly insignificant , as compared with the masses , in point of numbers ; and equally insignificant when compared with them in point of mind and morality . All that is necessary is union among M the workies " . This once obtained , who or what can or dare resist their lawful and constitutional demands 3 The terrors of the Almighty would be in their voice ; the puny opposition of the " property" men would flee before it ; the oppressor would lose courage , and faint for Terr fear ; and the shackles would drop

      from his hands . At the roar of the king of the forest—at the united demand of the Sovereign People—all threats of coercion on the part of Government , would cease . They would evaporate like the morning cloud before the son ; and long before the mid-day of their fall nnion and power , this same Government , as her only protection and safety , would throw open her wide embrace—place them M within the pale " , and proclaim them parts of the one great whole .

      The people know this ; and hence they laugh at the stale salt" which Doctor Goosey would fain " place upon their tails . " Not even the good Colonel can get near enough to manage it . Goosey says : — ' < The Devil and the Tories will enjoy this . " We wish them joy , and the Whiga to join them . They may laugh , if they think proper , but" The tale applied , May nuke them laugh on t ' other side . "

      At all events , we hare taken the laughing out of the "Leeds Reform Association , " so called . And when tbeir scribe next prates of his attachment to the Charter ; and of the landowners being arrayed against us by their fears , we warn him not to lie bo fast ; nor to misrepresent the conduct aud language of those whose arguments he cannot answer , as is done in the following paragraph : — " The fears of the possessors of land have been often appealed to ; nor is Mr . Feargits O Connor ' s recent promise to divide the land 0 / the country among his followers ! allotting a five-acre paddock to each , by any means likely to allay the distrust of this powerful class of individuals . " ! !

      Was ever misrepresentation more base than this " Divide among his follows * s" ! It is a bad cause that requires lying like this to protect it ; it out-Neddy ' s Neddt . " m Allotting a five-acre paddock to each" ! What for ! That working men may feed on grass \ O , Goosey , Gooseyi-tliis is surely the full stretch of thy " lang craig S" This is not merely " driving the nail through tho moon , " bat " clenching it on the other side . " We must , however , just look at the unanswerable questions with which Goosey winds up her cackle : —

      Firat— <• How the prevention of all measures of practical reform aud improvement ean in any respect advance the cause of the People ' s Charter ? Answer . — " You beg the question , Goosey ! Your measures are not * practical , ' but wild , wicked , and visionary . Their professed object carries with it no certainty of being realised by thoBe who most need it . " Seeond— " Haw the Charter is to be obtained so long as ali the classes in actual possession of political power , and having at their command the armed physical force of the country , are arrayed in direct opposition to the Chartist party ?"

      Answer . —By the united efforts of the people . The people—the working people—can command all the armed physical force in the country whenever they will it . Third— " How the Charter is te be obtained without the aid of the middle classes , who are the only portion of the people whose sympathies and interests are with the Chartists , and who are at present in possession of any portion of political power ?" Answer . —What brought them , now , to seek •* extension" and the repeal of the Corn Laws ? Their aid will come , when the till shews them that it must ; and not a jot before .

      Fourth— " How the removal of any practical grievance would lessen the people ' s chances of carrying the Charter , or place the working classes in a worse position in respect of political power and influence than that which they now occupy ?" Answer . —The same amount of agitation required to remove this same " practical grievance'' would obtain for us the Charter . Moreover we hare no desire to strengthen the hands of oar enemies , for without Universal Suffrage , the repeal of the Corn Laws would increase the opposition to the Charter , and perpetuate for many years longer the wicked factory system . All , all must go together , and , therefore , we say , " On for the Charter 1 One thing at a time—the Charter !"

      So much for Mother Goose ' s long cackle on the defeat . But who would have expected to find the defeat of the Household Suffrage party lamented by the ministerial Mercury ? Yet , so it is . The Mercwy reciprocates the woeful Smiles" of Goosey and is evidently mortified at tho defeat of the Foxes . As usual , the herring-soup man keeps op his character . The logical and philosophical address of Mr . P . R . Lees , which was based upon no personality , such as disgraced the Corn law Repealers ' speeches , but on general- principles , is selected for especial injustice , because it was especially hated and feared . The lying record of " the Liar of the

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      North" is this—that he indulged in personality and imputed mercenary taotiues } o the manufacturers ! J This is a positive and malidioua falsehood , doubtless designed to injure our advocate with the readers of the Mereuryyipt the address had no reference either to ' the mciives of ^ o ne ; party or another , but . great principles and interests . The speech of Mr . Lbm is most ^ carefully burked , that the lit may not appear ; while the false , personal , and impudent remarks ; of the enraged Whigling who succeeded him , and . ' which deserredly received a check from the indignant assembly , is inserted at full length ! by which the lie is perpetrated orer

      * g « n « . , - - . ¦ . ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . , : , . - " - ¦ ¦ ¦ If the canting scoundrels of the Whig andMongrel-Whig-Radical factions are thua to take advantage of the liberty to us —( asking to be contradicted afterwards , but suppressing the speeches and explanations of the people ' s champions , )—we shall recommend the people to hiss them off in future . The reptiles hare the mere pretence of fair play , and riohly deserve to be hooted off the stage whenever they appear . , The pat of BECKOMJfo will COMB ' , and even now it tarrieth not .

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      THE PLAGUE PAID JN THEIR 4 > WN COIN . We direct the attention of our readers to the report of a meeting held in the Carpenter ' s Hall , Manchester , on Monday evening last , in which we hare another instance of the blood-thirstiness of the " Big Loaf" gentry and their penchant for ** physical force , " which now appears to be the only argument from which the " Plague" can hope for support in its expiring moments .

      The old adage says , that " whom the gods design to destroy they first infatuate , * and we think the proverb was never more palpably verified than in the conduot of the Corn Law Repealers . Their infatuation has been evinced in the attempt to hoodwink the people by representing the Repeal of the Corn Laws as the panacea for all the ills under which the body politic now groans . It has been

      manifested by a blind perseverance in their Utopian projects , after the complete refatation of their untenable fallacies . It has been shown in their own expottuS their objects , namely , to cheapen food that wages may be reduced , and the profits of the capitalist be thus secured . And now it is demonstrated by claiming their tight and title to all the dark deeds with which the factions were ever ready to charge the undeserving Chartists .

      Sure ! jour opponents will now" place the saddle upon the right horse , " and henceforth crown the " Plague" with the laurels they hare so vaJiantlywon . They cannot now hare the effrontery to declare the Chartists the advocates of physical force , seeing that it is now entirely monopolised by ' the powers that be , " and the power that would be—the large loaf and more work fraternity . We are not advocates for physical foree . We

      hare contended , and still contend , that the great body of the Chartists repudiate the idea of wresting their rights from the grasp of tyranny by means of physical force , until every other means has been adopted and proved ineffective . It is the dernier resort ; aud ^ whoever he be that recommends its application , under existing circumstances , is an enemy to the liberties of bis country . Oppression may load men beyond the possibility of endurance , then nature will dictate her own remedy .

      But this is not the doctrine promulgated by the "Plague , " for , lacking all argument , finding themselves bewildered in a labyrinth of difficulties from which no artifice can extricate them , and seeing that they must make their exit from the stage , they resolve to go out of the world in an honourable manner , bullying , blustering , and breaking heads . Well , let them go , with " all their blushing honours thick upon them . " Peace be to their manes , and may they nerer be disturbed by a resurrection .

      fiat alas ( what a falling off since the Stephenson ' s Square tragedy ! The " Prepare to meet your God" troop hare dwindled down to suoh an insignificant number as to be kicked out of the door of the Carpenter ' s Hall , and well they merited the eastigation they received—they were the aggressors . The Chartists desired order—their weapons were argument and unsophisticated facts ; these were too powerful for the crafty League , therefore their hired ruffians must be brought into action—tho preconcerted signal was given , and the onslaught commenced ; but rictory smiled not upon the assassins . No , the Chartists , though lovers of peace , showed the cowardly ruffians that they could fight and conquer when driren to the point .

      We cannot blame the Chartists for the part they acted in the affair . Self-defence is neoessary , and we are glad they gare the drunken blackguards a hint to find their way home . It gives us great pleasure to state that the Repeal Association denounce such brutality on the part of thair deluded countrymen , and we trust that they will ever discountenance the wretches who would create audperpetuate animosity between Irishmen and Englishmen . Even the Manchester Guardian says the fight was promoted by those " who ought to have known better" and does not attempt , in this instance , to charge it on the Chartists .

      Let the canting hypocrites fight their own battles , and let the oppressed form one mighty phalanx , and direct all their energies to the annihilation of the parent evil—class legislation . In conclusion , we conjure our brother Chartists to continue their onward course in the Bame picifio and praise-worthy manner they are now doing . They may depend upon it that every means will be resorted to , and every artifice employed to induoe them to violate the law . Five hundred viotims hara not satiated the monster , despotisnv—it still pants for the blood of patriots , but let it thirst in rain . Be

      not the aggressors . When attacked , be not slaughtered like sheep , but shew yourselves men who will not brook the unprovoked insults and assaults of designing knaves and their hired panders . You hare a power—an invincible power—use it with prudence , and success is certain . The peaceful and moral demeanour evinced by the Chartists throughout the country , is winning the esteem , the admiration , and support of all the good and true—it is hastening the anihilation of despotism , and laying the foundation of a new order of things which will secure the happiness of all . Be peaceable—be manly .

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      UNITED WE STAND . " Take heed that ye fall not out by the way , '' was the warning of an- ancient patriarch on the departure of his children ; and , in the sacred name of freedom , we would now reiterate the injunction * The success of our cause demands a strict observance of it . We . stand in a most important and most critical position ; a position , from which the combined

      powers of faction cannot remove us . Faction has now lost its once boasted potency : its every attack serves only to demonstrate its imbecility and accelerate its final overthrow . The apostates from our own . ranks—the sowera of discord who mingle among us—and the proud and . envious , who , for sinister purposes , arrogate to themselves the now honourable name of Chartists , are alone to be dreaded . The actions of such characters are Far more baneful

      than the open hostility of avowed opponents , inasmuch as they not only retard our progress , but furnish data for the enemy and food for corruption . Though it is the duty of the Chartists to rebut every false allegation made against the cause , and to repel erery attack of the foe , yet we sometimes find that there is Much Ado about Nothing " performed on our stage , as well as upon that of St . Stephen's ; for instance , Mark Cbabtkek meets a few Dewsbury Chartists in a tap-room j they disagree ; angry words are bandied about ; and then the half-dozsn patrons of " mine host" must bring the matter into the Chartist court , to the exclusion of more important causes . Well , the cause is heard , and the whole amounts to an alehouse squabble !

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      Now , this is not well . It is a dereliction , of the Chartist ' s duty . Amongst ourselres we ought to cultivate amity and brotherly lore , and then , but not till then , will the National Charter Association become a mighty magnet , attracting into oie focus all the ** good men and . true " , : ,, , The Cbj ^ istsharet © pursue high game , and keep up an incessant warfaie ^ ith the antagonist factions . We bare no time to waste ; but must direct * U oor artillery against the citadel of corruption . We hare no ammunition to epare for child ' s play . Tote is known to all in our ranks , and , ought to be attended to .

      We hare watched the career of Mr . Habnet very closely . For some time his youthful impetuosity gare us some uneaoneBS , but we consider him , bow that ripe age and a little experience has matured him , an honour to our cause . His sterling rectitude and adherence to principle render his oharacter invuinerafole to tho shafts of slander . We trust that wo ehall have no more of these puerile squabbles , and that all our energies may be engrossed by the one great point of action and attraction—the establishment of the Charter .

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      THE MASON'S STRIKE . We refer attention to a lengthy report elsewhere of a most important delegate meeting on this subject . We do hope and firmly trust that not merely the masons but the operative classes generally , throughout the whole empire , will take care that these good men be net beaten in their , righteous struggle . If working men be their own friends they need fear bo enemies : but it too often happens that they display s » much apathy or folly in the upholding of each other and themselves , as creates for them many difficultiesthat might hare been averted ; of which we cannot altogether acquit the masons in regard to this straggle .

      We hare this week received in reference to them , the following letter : — 17 , Grantbam-street , City Road , London . Beak Sib , —Feeling deeply interested in whatever concerns the interests of what I and the great body of Chartists bare been accustomed to look up to as our national organ , " I cannot consider I should be doing my duty to the Editor of that organ if I neglected to call bis attention to facts of importance on which the prosperity of the Star must necessarily depend . Thera hara been of late several complaints made against the Star , with what degree of truth it is net tot me to decide ; I win only refer to one fact of very recent occurrence , I mean th « strike of the atom * m&sona at the House of Lords .

      Now Sir , the Northern Star , witheofc identifying itself with the Noble Fustian Petition carriers , without taking any active part on behalf of those men who had sacrificed their time and money in the attempt to draw the trades of London into the Charter agitation . The Northern Star , week after week , copied the opinions and statement ! of the bribed Whig press of London , which were decidedly opposed to them , and the injury which has been dene these mee , by . the weapons of the treacherous press , baring been picked up by the only stamped paper advocating the cause of the toiling millions , and re-hurled at the men who bad at first been assailed with them oa the ground of their

      being Chartist agitators , &o . ) will take tone time to efface from their minds ; and indeed bo keenly hare many of them felt it , that I hare it from the best of authority , that twenty-four of theee much injured men hare relinquished the Star , who had before been the staunchest supporters of it and its principles .. Where the error rests 1 know not I am unwilling to believe with you . I know it is sot Mr . O'Connor ' s wish . I am nob & mason , or in any way connected With ^ them , except as brother Chartists ; but as-a subscriber to the Star from its commeneement , as a bumble worshipper of Its principles , 1 tm grieved , to say the least of it , both with the cause and the effect

      Hoping you will attribute the above remarks to the true motives which actuated the writer , I beg to remain , Your obliged , humble Servant , J . Watts , sub-Secretary , National Charter Association , Flnsbury . October 25 th , 1841 . . Now , we thank Mr . Watts very cordially , for this very proper expression of his feeling ; while we must beg entirely to disclaim all blame in the matter ; and to say , that if the masons hare experienced any want of due attention from the

      Northern Star , it has been solely and entirely their otto fault . We are always ready to receive and to attend to everything in which the interestB of the workman are involved that may be sent to us . The first week of this strike , having received no communication from the men , we took no notice of it . The second week we waited for the last post , in expectation of receiving some intelligence ; but , none coming , we were compelled te hare recourse to the only source of information open to us , the London papers , taking care distinctly to

      specify our authority as a Whig official print . Our Sab-Editor then wrote to the Masons' Seoretary , expressing our surprise at hearing nothing from their body and wishing to hare correct and authentic information . We hare since then received some communications from the Masons' body , and every syllable has been inserted . We have omitted nothing that has been sent to us . We hare looked to every source of information for authentic statements , and hare inserted everything which we thought likely to serve the men .

      Feeling conscious that we have in this , as in all other matters of discussion , consulted , simply , by the best means afforded to ua , the interests and rights of labour , we think , and we know that erery reflecting workman will agree with ub in thinking , it unfair to withhold from us the means of service and then complain that we do not use them . :

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      WHIG OFFICIAL KNAVERY . A discsvert has , within the last few days , been made , which has caused a sadden and an unexpected panic in the money market , and led to an expose of official villany , resulting in the apprehension pf a person of high standing in the Exchequer Office ; but whose name , owing to the peculiar delicacy of the Whig and Tory press in these-matters , has hitherto been carefully withheld from the public . The circumstances are , that a number of Exchequer Bills were lately deposited in the City

      as securities for loans to a large amount , and these being hastily wanted back , led to the discovery lhat there were other bills bearing the same number , and signed in the same manner , in circulation , to the amount of from 4150 , 000 to £ 200 , 000 . The bills , of course , bear the signature of Lord Montzaolk ( to seat whom in the Exchequer office the country was saddled , by a peculiar Whig job , with Sir John Newpobt ' s thousand a year pendon ) , which signature , it is stated , has been surreptitiously obtained ; so that it is delicately hinted the offence dw » not quite , amount to forgery . It would

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      scared ; eetui oredible , however , that an amount so enomous could actually hare been prepared and sold , ; W < Jv < n » Xodge * against money . advaices , without almost ^^ iannediate detection ; nor ia the improbability -d ^ miniflhed bj iho positive belief that these unlicenVed issues hare been syste * maticaUy © wnrfed o ^ for sereral levs pastj in order to cover siock gambling transactions and losses . The publiomuaV for thepresent fiodconBO lation in ihe fact that a evrict investigation is going oh into all the circumstances , but there is no hope held ^ mt that those , whose inattention to the details of business ( except on quarterx day ) has opened the door for the commission of this knavery , will be made to refund from their ill-gotten gajas the amount which the public must certainly losev

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      tThe following notices are of communicatioM received bnt not noticed in our last . J John Bboww , Yobk , l » desirous for every member of the National Charter Association to pay one halfpenny per week per head , for one month , to the Executive . " Supposing ? says he % that tee had 60 , 000 members , it would realise £ 500 at the end of one month . The Executive might engage fifty lecturers to take a tour through the country that each town , village , and hamlet might hear ' the sound of Chartism . " Brighton . —Inaccurate Reports . —A correspondent who signs himself "A Lover of Truth / 1 but offe rs to give his name if required , thus voritet «* . —** Dear Sir , —I have waited expecting to set

      a statement in the Star of October 2 nd contra dieted ; but as no one has undertaken to do so , t feel bound in duty to do so , although , with great reluctance . In referance to ike said report , the fintpart is quite correct ; but how pour reporter could be guilty of such falsehood at to state * that the meeting was , if possible , more crowded on Monday that on Friday—that there was scarcely standing room , " when it is well known that the rwm would have comfortably seated at least double the number that was present . Now such base falsehoods only tend to injure ihe cause which you advocate : First—by holding you in a position which you ( or us ) do not occup * . and so

      deceiving our friends in other localities ; secondly—by giving a very cogent reason for those in this locality to disbelieve reports from other places : for I have heard our friends in Brighton say , 'O , very likely these meeting * are not haff what they make them out to be * in other places . ' I hope you will write to your correspondent , and endeavour to obtain correct reports for thefuhire" Our correspondent also says , that previous reports from Brighton have been muck exaggerated . Of course we can kjtow nothing but what is sent to us : and we do hope that thorn who tend reports t » u * will adhere rigidly tofacti , and rather under them over state our

      advantages . Cvrt ow CoBK . -T-John O * Rourke torites . —•*/ taJtt the liberty of trespassin g a little en ybur valuahlt space , my object being to call the attention qfthete of your kind reader * who have been supplying us here with Stars to the change which I deem tf desirable to make from the places to which thq have been hitherto directed . It wiU , in fuivrt , be more convenient to send them to Wm . Folq , of No . 1 , Stephen-street , Cork . Therefore , I trust this announcement will meet ihe eye ( if every reader who has sent the Star to No 4 , Cookstreet , or to No . 5 , Sullivan ' s Quay , and that k will be kind enough not to direct any henceforward to those places . I should , indeed , Mr .

      Editor , be guilty of a great omission did I not atknowledge the liberal supply of Stars which «* have been getting . We are distributing then } and , believe me , the principles of Chartism an spreading hereto our heartfelt satisfaction , and I think will fructify btynd expectation . Men «/ England Wales , and Scotland , but continue it send , and , i f possible , to increase them ; and tit day is not Jar distant uhen Irishmen will lean the true meaning of freedom , and join heart and soul with your—from whom they have been « te < diously separated—for the full and equal enjoyment of British right * and liberties . " Stabs to Ireland . —James Collier writes ;— While I acknowledge that meat good has already bm

      done to the Chartist cause by the circulation ^ the Northern Star in Ireland , I cannot help thinking that much more might be done i f tit importance was more strenuously and reptait&t impressed upon ihe attention of all your readm , Mr . O'Connor will be in Ireland very shorty , and by every one of your subscribers sending their Stars , they would serve as a powerful amy of pioneers preparing his way for a glorious mid successful campaign . A M'K . writes : — "As a traveller , my route laying through Wilts and Berkshire , I beg to oojflt ; , in ihe eastern parts oj'the former and the centrt of the latter county , Chartism is hardly knoum even in name—what is the Executive about ? I

      can assure you there are plenty of materiaUk work upon . " H . M . Mat . —Declined . A Litkry Skbvaki sends us an appeal to his fel lows sb and out of livery , on behalf of the Stock port Spinners , and of the Chartisl cause . Wt nave not room for its insertion , but would verf cordially " support Us prayer . " Robert Holmes wishes to learn where several vcorh which we have reviewed in the Star may be purchased . We have of Ion before had like inqwria It will be well for all parties who feel interested in works thus noticed to observe what London publisher is named in the title , which wttalvayt

      give . Any bookseller can get any work from the London publisher . A Subscriber at Longport is informed that the Arthur Blackburn spoken of in the Star of the 16 th instant was doorkeeper of St . Peter ' s We * leyan Chapel , Leeds . If a "Sincere Chartist" at Ashton-under-Lyw had read the Star of the 16 lh instant he worn have seen why his communication was neither inserted nor noticed . His present note is a mott insolent cne . Samukl Wilkinson . — We have not room forlM address setit , but he will see that we have noltcei the school . Thomas Clark must stand over . We are toofujl >

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      THE DAILY BHBAB PSAGTJB . —We have 1 * eeived a very long communication , addressed to the Proprietor and Editor of the Northern Star , professedly in reply to our article of last wees on this illegal conspiracy , from a person wM states himself to be the amhor of -vwi Bread ; The Bread Eaters' Advocate "] &c , and who attaches to it the impudent oontmioft . that in case of oar refusing to insert it «• communication , " weshall give it as an adyerusement , and state that we have first bullied «» then robbed him . This alone might be considered a sufficient reason for refusin g to mat either this or any other communicationfrom WB ai-all . At present he is informed that *» have not enough of plague metal" in 001 ¦ composition to "sell justice" in the form of » advertisement . Any communication w rWJ to our own strictures , which would be toserw in this paper with an advertisement fee , wpo » be inserted without it . His communication isw reply to our article . It is a long tirade of paw insinuations about Feargus O'Connor ' s uwiaw the people of Newport to riot , and theo go ^ into Scotland out of the way—about moP ™" prietorand editor of this paper wishing » ** thepsople thinned by famine—and a " ° « j *! teaching and advice of the Northe rn w » having caused the prisons of » D K * 1 to be filled with law breakers . » % ever , it shall appear in our next , f / W-JS its own story . It should have appearedin * " ? number if it had comein time ; but we didnw reoeive it until that part of our paper wmcn » appropriated to " original correspondence i " filled .

      Our numerous Correspondents will ohlige y > t ** alt cases , if they will for the future w ™? . £ one tide of their , paper only . We vtslt *»• to be adopted as a general rule , in no case » » departedfrom . Thk National Petition . —We announce teilA ^^ sure that our publisher , Mr . Hobson , has V *™* the National Petition for 1842 , on a nef * ^ t for the purposes indicated in our short leaver V last week . Be is ready to supply ] ihe f . r ^ associations and to individuals at ttefflovw charges : —im copies for 2 s ; 1 J 3 WM& * ' ZL tition sheets , of good strong paper , ruled tnjo * columns ^ and holding two hundred names »«" filled , may also be had , price 2 d . each , jr cretaries and persons who need them aSV 8 . ^ te send an order addressed to Mr . H-, " f a Dost-oMce order , or stamvs , to the amount , "

      they may have sent to their address ang numo they require . A Republican , York . —IF 5 » cannot * nser , ^* ^ i munication . We feel the truth of all y and whenever we can do so effectively nev ^ J , ^ to say it ourselves ; but we have no ff ** ' " . provoking prosecution unnecessarily and mw ^ benefit to the cause . This we should prowo * . i f toe inserted his letter . Is the consctousnf * % that the reason why lie withholds Aw name •* - . address ? , , , A Friend to the Press — The paper about M" ^ he writes has not reached usof some weeKt . " believe it to be dead . , txxr « a&r A Chartist calls upon his brother Chartists of w « Tj worth , and the country generally , to use £ £ exertion for raising the necessary fundsjor supporting of the approaching Convent * *'

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      THE WHIGS AND SWING ! The dastardly Whigs are at their old game again , Btriripg to incite the suffering people to acts of outrage and incendiarism . Some of their diabolical agents last week cammitted two or three incendiary fires in Warwickshire ; and the Whig press is endeavouring to mislead the labourers of other counties into acts of the same kind . The Chronicle says the incendiary fires result " f rom a feeling of revenge against the bread taxing landlords •"' andthe Globe calls them " the beginning of a fearful organised system of destruction" Did any one ever read rillany like this U Did not O'Connor speak truly when he said , " that the Whigs in opposition

      would soon throw the torch and dagger Chartists into the shade t" Thank God ! the monsters are too well known for their appeals to hare any effect upon us . But we must be cautious ; one outrage or Acr of incendiarism , by a member of the Association , would injure the cause more than ages of persecution . This is what the Whigs are aiming at . Brother Chartists , and especially in the agricultural districts , beware ( spies are abroad I villains are lurking about striving to incite you to outrage ! Spurn them ! Cast them out from amongst you ! Remember the last hope of the expiring Whig faction rests upon your violating the lava . Keep within it , akd disappoint them !

      &Lt;Eo Asiairir* Artir € Owe Ffmthfentff.

      < Eo asiairir * artir € owe ffmtHfentff .

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      ... . : . - . . " : . : \ - \ . ' . y- ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ . ' . ¦ \ - ¦ - ¦ . . 4 THE NORTflJBRfl STAB . , ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 30, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct867/page/4/