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Northern Star (1837-1852), 1st October 1842, Edition 7 of 8, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • IRE 50ETHEB.F STAB. SATURDAY, OCTOBER I, 1842.
    • £o Meavevg auto CotrrflSjJon&tfMjBf*
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      Untitled Article

      SECOND 0 T 7 IB 1 UAK OF THE GREAT FIRE AT LIVERPOOL . ( From the Liverpool Standard . ) Last night ( Monday ) , shortly before ten o ' clock , the fire again broke oat within the ares before noticed , in premises that ¦ srers thought to be quits safe after dart It fns first discovered by a boy , -who communicated it to Inspector Moore : he immediately made it known to Mr . Whlltj , who fortunately was just then making a torn of the ruins . Tha >« Jarai -waa . given throughout the lower part cf the Uifrn soon after ten o ' clock , by the springing of rattles and the tolling of the station bells ; and from the destruction of life and property that had already taken place , the most painfai apprehensions 'were entertsinrd , and thousands rushed to the cene , which "was indicated by the glare on the sky , nearly oT ^ r the site of the previous conflagration .

      On reaching the spot-we found that the premises ignited « r ere Webster ' s small house and extensive ysrd behind , acfl Devan ' s marine store adjoining , and also some premises occupied by a carter named Basholl , who h 3 d ssreral horses in tea stables behind . The ¦ whole ef the premises are situated . at the loirer part of Gronipton-strest ( the northern boundary of tee great fire ) , and the Sre had communicated from the interior of the area -where the bail dings are in rnias , and yet burning in ths sublime manner before described . The flimes from the buildings though low , being almost wholly t-l wood , gained a rapid head , and the cooperage , ttesiaiine store , and Busheil ' s ( at the baeki -were all speedUy in fl&mes , over s bont&ga to the street of about twenty-five yards . Twe or three of the hurses j and some pigs were got out alive , but some were bnrnsd to death . Just above , in the same row , ana to the easi . was a doable cotton shed , IcEgitudical with

      the street , which was for some time in great danger , but Superintendent Leverett had the door burst open , and got the fire extinguished just in time to save it . When the fire began the greatest alarm naturally pre-TaHed amorsgst the inmates of the premises , ssv ^ ral of whom were in their beds—females as well as males ran cat in their shifts and shirts . A number of engines were speedily on the spot , and were worked by the police , uader Sir . Whitty and others , with as much energy , notwithstanding their previous fatigue , as if they had come fresh to the scene of action . We can form no estimate of the loss , but we may say that this fixe , as well as the greater one we have had the pain to record- shows the necessity for some law to prevent the build ' . ng of shsSs and other premises of timber , and other combnstibla materials , particularly in the mercantile and crowded parts of the town , where mnch Tsinable property is stored , and many lives are endangered on the spreading ef a fire .

      Haif-past twelve o ' clock . —We have just returned from the scene of devastation The fire , we trust , is for the present got under ; and , but for the amazing rapidity with which it burst , we may say , amongst the wooden buildings destroyed , would have been arrested in a few minutes by the large and active force at present on the spot We regret to say that six valuablo herses belonging to ilr . Bushell are destroyed . We saw amidst the smoking ruins upon the site of the stabling , the carcases of two . burned to a cinder , and the bones perfectly wh t-j ia parts , fcvrn which the skin and flesh had been stripped uE A donkey was the only tenant of

      the stabling which made its escape Without assistance ; and as it rushed through the gates of the yard into Comptaa-street , with its long ears all a-flame , and shaking its head , furnished a laughable exhibition contrasted with the horror of the remaining scene . We know not as yet fl » fata of the pigs which were upon the premises . We were told , however , by the inspectors and nremea cpon the spot , that they were in all probability saYed , having promptly made their egres 3 from their sties , and distributed themselves in all dircedons amongst the legs cf those engaged in arresting the progress of the nUn ; es . The stench which we experitDced , whilst seeing the remains of the fourfooted tenants of the stable , was dreadful .

      We cannot conceal our impression that the state of the entire locality of the fire is far from satisfactory .

      INQUEST OX THE MEN KILLED AT THE FIRE . Osigis of the FraE—An inquest was held on Monday beiora P . F . Curry , Esq ., teroner , touching the death sf John Martin , Luke Smith , asd James Bell , the three men who , as has been previously ireutioned , were killed by the filling of a wall , and whose bodies are lying at the Northern Hospital The " witnesses examined were Edward Knight , warehouse ke * per ; Samuel Tack , police officer ; Hugh Falknsr , labourer j Joseph Massey , inspector of police ; Michael Martin , labourer ; Mr . Harris , surgeon of the Northern Hospital . But the most interesting portion of the evidence which had reference to the origin of the fire was given by the servant of -Mr . Peniston , tke bone-merchant , in whose premises it is said the fire originated , and was to the following effect : —

      John Coghlan . —I am the engineer at Mr . Penistoirs , in Crompton-street , and have been in the employ of Mi . Peniston for the last three years . I haTe the charge of the engine , have to look after the fires , to lock np the place at night , and I have charge of everything in the yard . The last time that I locked up the gates on Thursday night last was at ten minutes to ten . Before leaving the place I drew the red fire out of the store , as usual , and filled np the bars with slack , in order that we might have a small fire ready for use on the following morning . Sometimes , when 1 have slacked the fire ,-it had been ' coaipletely burnt out Trhen I went next morning ; feut generally there wns a little fire in the stove . I have followed the practice of slacking the fire for the last frur months . The engine was set nt > with briekwork . The smoke was carried off

      through a fine which went under ground , the whole breadth of the yard . The engine-house was built of brickB and wood . The roof was ef wood , and the back was of wood . There was a sufficient brick wall around the boiler , as is the case with almost every engine , and then there was a wooden partition between the engine-house and the next yard . The furnace has an iron door , divided into two halvas . It was not elosed at night If we had closed it , thera would have been no draught , and the fire would haTe gone out . It ¦ was always left open at night . The engine-house is flagged . There were no chaira in the engine-house , nor any seats of any kind . "There was not a joiner ' s bench in it . There was a bit of a board temporarily fastened to the wsH , and to which the vice was made fast . We used it to lay oar tools upon , bat never as a seat .

      Inspector Murray—That is the bench of whkh I spoke . It michi have been used for laying tools on , and also as asaat . John Cogblan , in continuation—I was rousea out of bed on Friday morning , at about a quarter before three O'clock . The man who knocked at the door informed me that the yard was on fire . I first ran to my master ' B Jhouse , told Mr . Peniston , and then went to the yard . I found the whole of the building belonging fco my master on fire , and other places besides . There were two buildings , one on each side , on fire . I have no idea where the fire originated . On Tcursd&y night I ordered the lads to fi . il up the slack , and they thraw their spadss , three in number , into the fire-hole . The spades were lying there next day , and the handles were not at all burnt We left no light of any description in the place . We would sot be allowed to do that We haTe a dark lantern * which was not lighted more than one sight in twenty . We were very cautious about light * ; for if it had been known that I bad had a candle abou ; the building , I should have been turned off . he in

      The beadle mo ^ tioned that waiting another witneis , one of the boys in the empioy of Mt . Penisten , who was also present when the place was locked up . Ee could corroborate the evidence of Coghian . Mr . Curry remarked that he had no reason to doubt the truth of Coghlan ' s testimony , and that it was unnecessary to call the lad . He added , " The fact which the last witness has mentioned about the spades is sufficient to convince me that the fire did not originate from the store . " Inspector Murray—When I went in , the fire was confined to the engine-house . I did not see anything of the spades . They might have' been there , though I did not see them . The Coroner—Have you any id 6 a , Mr . Peniston , how this ire originated ?

      Mr , Peniston—Not at alL I feel confident that it could not have originated in my yard . I feel very sorry , foi I am a sufferer very much by it . I had not a farthing of my property insured . I have examined all orer , and there was nothing at the end of the yard that could have ignited-The Coroner—It is now a question for you , gentlemen of the jury , whether we should adjourn this inquest fot further evidence as to the origin of the fire , or not Mr . Peniston—I should be Tery glad if any gentleman would come and examine my premises , to see "whether there is any proof of the fire having originated there . The boiler is all good .

      The Coroner—Do you think , Gentlemen , there is any occasion to adjourn , in order that we may have further evidenoe as to the origin of the fire ? Or , supposing that the premises were maliciously set on fire , would that have any effort on the verdict you would return ? I hare not any doubt on my own mind ; but some persons have doubts , though they lean to my way of tfifnkfng . We are of opinion that though the place was maliciously set on fire , and these parties were killed in »« " « Hng to extinguish it , the only verdict could be aoridmiM dexth- I have put the point to one or two , ud they think that there ii something in it ; and , M this was such ft meUaeholy event , and involved such » kn of property ( with which , however , you have nothing to do ) , * s well * i of life , I think that it would

      be better to adjourn for further information as to the origin of the fire . I sent ft note to Mr . Shuttleworth , and he has retained me an answer , stating that the point to which I have alluded involves a very important question , and one he should not wish to decide upon in a hurry . I should not myself hesitate to give my opinion on the law of the case ; but it will no doubt be more satisfactory to the public to hare the case sifted aa thoroughly as we can do so . What witnesses can 7 <» get , Jbeadle ? The Beadle—There are Beveral police cfneers whom I cut get , and the man who fin > t taw the fire . He can , porhapa , throw some light upon the origin . Then there is Mrs . Isaac's man . Be vras injhis mistress ' s place the lut , though alone .

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      Mrs . Isaac was present , and stated that she could give no evidence which would at all tend to elucidate the erigin cf the fire . She added , " My place is an oil and colour store , and we have a boner in it ; but the iast fire we had ou the premises , and the last light , either candle , match , or anything else , was on Tuesday , when a small fire was lighted to heat some water . " The Beadle—There is some tar scattered about the yard , and that is thought rather curious , as tar was more likely to burn than run about A Juryman—It is quite necessary , I think , that further evidenoe should be keard , if only for the sake of these two persons here , Mr . Penirton asd Mrs . Isaao , who are blamed about the town . The jury thought it was Tory desirable that further evidence as to the origin of tha fire should be obtained , and agreed to adjourn .

      The Coroner remarked , " Suppose the premises had been maliciously set on fire , would it alter the verdict or not } I have no doubt abr . ut it ; bttt as one great legal authority holds a different opinion , I shall accede to the wish of the jury , and adjourn the Inquest " The inquiry was according ly adjoumtd .

      THE ADJOURNED IXQ . UEST . The inquest on the subject of the deaths of Martin , Smith , and Bell , was resumed on Tuesday morning , principally for the purpose of hearing farther evidence respecting the origin of the fire . It may be as well to mention here . , that Mr . Peniston , in whose shed the fire commenced , has received a curious epistle through the post It was addressed , " Mr . Peni 3 ton , Wood-street North , Liverpool . " It was not pre-paid , and bore the post-mark September 24 , 1842 . The following is a copy : —

      Malus . Bonus . Behold Love Reason and Justice by Beauty for ashes where The Poor asked for bread but the rich gave stones . Behold the cress adore the crown . Now Christ casts guilty nations down In blood and fire millions rattle The Devil Bankrupt falls in battle . Great Babylon . " Beat your ploughs into swords and your scythes into spears . " Read S Joel Brale tout Elias . The Coroner said there appeared to be no certainty as to the precise spot where , or the manner in which , the fire bad commenced . He did not see any good which could arise by keeping the inquiry open for any lenger period .

      The Foreman announced the verdict of the Jury as fallows : — " We find that the three deceased parties were accidentally killed while they were employed in removing goods from a warehouse which was contiguous to one that was on fire , but how it became on fire no evidence doth appear ; and we wish , at the same time , to clear Mr . Peniston of the charge that his premises bad been purposely set on fire by himself , or by the neglect of any of his servants . " On Tuesday , Patrick Doran , who kept the marine store where originated the fire of Monday night , was tike . ' , into custody , on suspicion of having wilfully set fire to the same . He underwent a private examination on tbe same afternoon , in the presence of the Mayor , Mr . Rushton , a large body of other magistrates , and the Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk . The event was , that he was remanded for farther examination , which was to takeplaca in open court , at one o ' clock , on Wednesday .

      Ire 50etheb.F Stab. Saturday, October I, 1842.

      IRE 50 ETHEB . F STAB . SATURDAY , OCTOBER I , 1842 .

      Untitled Article

      ANNUAL PARLIAMENTS . The following able dissertation appears in the Evening Star , of Tuesday and Wednesday , in the present week . We leave cut an article of our own that we may have room to present it to our readers entire : — So much importance do we attach to the question of Annual Parliaments , that if we were in a situation to make our election between Universal Suffrage , accompanied with Septennial Parliaments , or the Suffrage as at present settled with Annual Parliaments , we would much prefer the latter . Having said so much , we shall now proceed to a consideration

      of the right to petition , and the effeotB of petitions in those times when elections were annual , and when they were triennial and septennial , distinguishing the relative effects which petitions had upon the Legislature under those three separate tenures . The delegation of representative power was in the first instance a great convenience to tbe community at large , and could not be attended with any disadvantage to the whole psople , so long as they had a controlling power vested in themselves . The right of petition in olden time ? , when Parliaments were annually elected , was cherished as a certain appeal of the good sense of the majority of the people

      against the premature , lBjudioious , or hastily conceived projects of those to whom the right to legislate was delegated , and seldom or never failed of producing its legitimate effect . Indeed , in those days when the people's representatives were obliged to return to their coastituents at the close of each session , to receive their smiles as a reward for virtue , or their frowns as a punishment for vice , the best title that the candidate could plead was his observance of the popular will , and a ready compliance with , its commands . The time wa 3 so short between the commission of wrong and

      the certain punishment of the wrong-doer , that few were found hardy enongh to resist the remonstrances of those who were so speedily to constitute his judges . Thus we find , that in the times when Parliaments were annual , the House of Commons in most instances anticipated the popular will , and was the first to sound the alarm when the royal prerogative or the power of the Lords threatened any abridgment of popular rights . The successive invasions upon the people which . were commenced by Henry VIII ., and which have been going on increasing in enormity from the period when the duration of Parliaments was extended

      from three to seven years , in the reign of Gkoksb I ., have one and all been direct consequences of the abrogation of the right of annual elections . When Henry ' B subservient slaves abrogated Sessional Parliaments , and extended the tenure which their constituents had conferred upon them for only one year , to a period of three years tho Constitution of England was virtually and actually annulled , aud the people would have been justified in falling back upon Magna Charta , in arming themselves , dethroning the tyrant , ejecting the Commons , and resuming again that trust , whioh in the hands of their delegates had been violated .

      From the days of Henby the Eighth , to the expulsion of the Second James , and the conferring of these realms upon a foreigner , the tyrannical and bloody acts which characterized each successive reign , were one and all consequences of the lost right of annual elections . The popular will lost all control over its elected servants ; while the partition of the plunder stolen from the people , among the slavish followers of Habblt , at once laid the foundation of a bribed , subservient , venal , and corrupt loligarchy . From this period we date the establishment of our oligarchy , whose interests were bound up with those oi the reigning monarch , and separated in ioto

      from those of the people . Protestants would not have waged deadly war against their Catholic fellow-countrymen in honour of God , had the peopk not lost the right of annual election . Charles would not hare lost his head on the scaffold , had the good sense of the people been allowed to use its controlling inflaenoe for the correction of abuses , before they became magnified into a general charge of high treason against the monarch . Neither would the rightful King ( if we may use the frightful term as an illustration ) , Jahes the Second , hare been driven from the throne to make way for % foreigner , whose religions feelings were more © ongenM to the recipients of that property

      which Hasbt had stolen from the people . Neither would the bloody murderer , CsomnaL , haTe been allowed to lick up the remainder of the plunder , or to murder , burn , shoot , transport , or otherwise destroy the brave Irish Catholics , had the English people not been first robbed of the right of annual election . Neither would a stranger CWiluam the Third ) hare been allowed to establish the Bank of England , and to create a funded debt for the support of an oligarchy , and to be paid by the people , had the people ' s representatives been subjected to the settlement which annual accounts were certain to produce . From the moment of the abrogation of the richt to elect annual ser-

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      vants , we hear no more of Hahpderb , Stdneys , Russells , and aristocratic opponents to royal encroachment . King and oligarchy from that period became one in interest , one in action , and one in principle : no more do we hear of stopping the sapplies for the purpose of arresting invasions upon popular rights . If / the change from Annual to Triennial Parliaments worked so much evil , let ns now enter upon the consideration of those results which have issued from a farther extension from three to a seven years' tenure of office . A Parliament elected only for three years extended the right

      to itself to sit for seven years , and the act would have justified the ejection of the Commons who passed it , and the dethroning of the Monarch who gave to it his assent . It was a violation of the compact of Magna Charta , of the Bill of Rights , and of the spirit of the Constitution ; and , as the Tory , Lord BoLiNGBEeKE has well and truly said , it is , in such cases , as much the duty—mind , the duty , not the mere right—of the people to rebel against a corrupt House of Commons as against a tyrannical prince . From that period , when the people ' s representatives had unconstitutionally

      conferred upon themselves the right to hold their trust for seven years , we find the lines of demarcation between the electoral body and the unrepresented people become wider and wider ; and schisms , theretofore unknown , jealousies theretofore unheard of , and snspicion never before entertained , causing discord , disunion , strife , and discontent in the human family . Now we come to a vital portion of our subject From that time when Parliaments were not elected annually , we find that the people ' s petitions were looked upon as mere waste paper , until at length it was reserved for a reformed House of

      Commons to turn them into a mockery and port . The three great events which have taken place in the world from the period when Parliaments were elected for seven years , are , tbe American war , the French Revolution , and the Irish insurrection of 1798 . And the first and last of theBe two great events , which were more immediately consequences of British policy , we shall be able to trace distinctly and irrefutably to the loss of annual elections , and the consequent disregard of the people ' s petitions . As regards tho American war and the subsequent declaration of American independence , much as we rejoice at the

      glorious r < suit , and although we can trace it to the abrogation of Sessional Parliaments , yet the friends of American freedom cannot hail the change as advantageous to them , because those grievances , of whioh they justly complained , never would have been allowed to exist by a Parliament annually elected , while the right ' of self-government would have been conceded to right and will , instead of waiting upon force and superior strength , by the same rightful authority of a Parliament , constitutionally elected , or rather constitutionally controlled by the appellate jurisdiction , which never failed of having its due effect upon annual servants .

      We prove our case thus : —When the Americans first complained of the injustice of their step-mother ' s rule , they couched their grievancos in the most modest language , embodied in what , even now , would be considered fulsome adulation of the monarch , and reprobation of the British oligarchy . They asked not for separation , nor yet for equality ; they merely petitioned , and that right loyally and humbly , for a remission of heavy taxation , which they considered injurious to tho well-being of the country , and unjust in principle . Their petitions breathed the strongest sentiments of

      loyalty to the Crown , affection to the laws , and respect for the Constitution , while they remonstrated against the unequal manner in which all were extended to their country . To these petitions , insulting answers were returned ; when remonstrance followed petition , and whioh being unheeded , were succeeded bv the freeman ' s last appeal—a recourse to arms for the defence of right and suppression of wrong . America succeeded ; and the very man who was spurned from the royal presence as a mediator , was shortly afterwards received by our mad monarch as an accredited

      ambassador from free America . The achievement of American independence , and the French Revolution , which quickly followed that ever-glorious and memorable event , gave hope of justice to oppressed and unhappy Ireland , where the conquered Catholic was compelled to bow his proud neck beneath the yoke of the murdering Statechurch conqueror . The Irish Catholics also tried petitions for a mere remission of grievances , to their own subservient Parliament , and also to the

      King in person ; but the Irish , as the Americans , were reminded of their weakness , laughed at for their audacity , and mocked for their pains . And as in America , so in Ireland , disappointment broke out in revolution ; but , unfortunately for poor Ireland , her day of retribution had not arrived , and her hour of freedom was delayed , but we trust is now near at hand , when that brave and generous people will rise in their majesty and glory , and throw the whole incubus of State-church , and oppressors of all shade ? , from them , and that for ever .

      To the loss of the right to elect the people s servants annually , we asoribe not only all those grievances heretofore mentioned , but every other under which the nation now suffers , from a demoralizing State Church , and its standing army of butchers to support it , to the " gold chain" of eight hundred millions of debt with which " the great statesman now no more" has bound British society in amicable bonds .

      The right to elect Members of Parliament annually is the leading avenue , the principal approach , the front door to the Suffrage , and the rampart for its protection . We have broadly asserted that the question of the vote falls into utter insignificance when compared with its frequent exercise ; and that whereas the possession of the Suffrage would but retard the principle of annual elections , the return to annual elections would very speedily put the people in possession of the Suffrage . We shall now proceed to a consideration of this allimportant subject in all its phases , shapes , and

      forms . We shall endeavour to drag truth from beneath the heap of rubbish whioh a servile press has , as if by right , for centuries , shot over it ; and , for once , place the question in a simple form before the unsophisticated , whose rights have been so long buried amid the prejudices of faction . We commence with the principle of annual elections , as breathing through the spirit of this country ' s Constitution long before Parliaments existed . Alfred called the Whittena-Gemote together twice a year , or oftener , if need were . In William the Conqueror ' s reign , it is said by an ancient statute and custom , laudable and approved , the King was , once in the yeart to convene his Lords and Commons to his councils of Parliament . By Oldfield ' s " Representative

      History of Great Britain , " in 6 vols ., Vol . I ., we find , " the Charters customal and records of tho Cinque Ports positively state that Parliaments existed in the 11 th year of the reign of Henry III . ; " and many other proofs of equal authority can be adduced to establish the fact , that Parliaments existed at periods antecedent , and , what is of more importance to as jost now , that iheir duration was only for ONE SESSION . By 4 Edward III . it is accorded , rt a Parliament shall be held every year once , and oftener if need be ! " By 30 Edward III . " Parliaments shall be held every year . " At this time prorogations were of rare occurrence ; and if any did occur , fresh summonses were , notwithstanding , to be issued for a new Parliament once A YEAR ,

      AT LEAST . In the 10 th year ef Richabd II ., the Commons sent a message to the King , in which they stated , " We have it settled and confirmed by ancient constitution , from a laudable and approved custom , whioh none can gainsay , that the King ought to assemble his Nobles and Common 3 of the kii gdom once a year . " In the reign of Henbt VIII . Sessional Parliaments were abrogated , and in the reign of Geo . I . Septennial Parliaments gave the

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      finishing stroke to liberty . Now we have established the faat , not only that Parliaments , from their earliest existence , were held annually , but , farther , that the same Parliament never eat for more than one year before the reign of Henry VIII . Such an embodiment of the living genius of the times was the spirit of oar Constitution . In fact , the Constitution of a country can mean no more , or less , or other , than the exercise , in the most convenient way , of the liring genius of the nation . And if our forefathers , living rudely , measuredly and evenly in one dull course , found it necessary to make

      representation hold pace with the progressing genius of their time , how much more necessary does Buoh a oourse become in these our days , when the genius of to-day may leave the notions of yesterday , as things only to be fonnd in "the wreck of old opinions . " We affirm , as we shall presently prove , that a Parliament under the present system , in its third year , would not , if even it were a faithful mirror of the public voice at the time of its election , be a fair representation of the improved opinion then existing . Publio opinion does not mean the whimsies of a mere mob , or the

      adopted notions of a mere section or fraction of the community . It means , the best digest of the living genius of the age , and will naturally seek vent , through that valve of representation , the Parliament , and whioh , if closed against it , will assuredly explode . We shall now proceed to show the justice of Annual Parliaments . All communities having care of their separate interests , attach a paramount importance to the power whioh they possess of holding their officers , directors , managers , and servants in check , by the right of examining their accounts at any moment , and of dismissal for

      the slightest dereliction of duty . Indeed , men , where their own interest is at stake , guard against the frailties of human nature , and elect their servants only for one year in the first instance . Governments , no doubt , from the consciousness of tbe evil use of power made by themselves , receive tenders , and enter into contracts only for one year . Corporations , sooieties , and separate bodies elect their officers only for a year—honest service for the past being the best pretensions for future favours . Now , if separate elasses , having tender regard for their own interests , should find themselves protected by

      the frequent exercise of the right of electing their officers and servants , upon what ground can they refuse the same wholeome check to the people as a means of making the combined representation of all classes a faithful mirror of the popular will 1 The answer is easy—Because unitedly all live upon labour ; and however any other class may now and then suffer a trifling injustice at-the hands of their servants , yet do they prefer the worst that can befall them from that corrupted source , to the anticipated evil of being compelled by a faithful representation of the people to earn an

      honest livelihood . Anxious , however , to sift this question to the bottom , let us now examine by what rule of right servants can hold tenures for seven years , from masters who are compelled to make an annual tender for that qualification , which entitles them to vote for a representative . Now , this opens to us a wide field for consideration ; and let the lovers of things as they are attend to this palpable evil , which , may come upon us under the present system , while we shew that it is now within the power of the landlords of England to constitute themselves , if relieved from the controul of

      publio opinion , into a permanent legislative body . The right given by the clause of the Marquis of Chandos to tenants occupying fifty pounds' worth of land at the will of their landlord , confers upon them the right of voting for a representative , who is to hold office for seven years , while the voter himself may have lest the qualification whioh the tenure vested in him , the moment after he has exercised it . Now , this is anomalous ; and is rendered absurd by that law which compels a bankrupt to surrender his seat upon the declaration of his bankruptcy . Let us follow up the

      illustration further . A solvent man is returned by a solvent constituency , a majority , perhaps , having interest for life in that property out of which they vote . He becomes insolvent , and loses no portion of the confidence of his constituents . Yet does the practice of Parliament look upon him as an unfit person to represent a constituency ; while upon the other hand , a person may be returned by a majority of fifty pound tenants at will , a majority or all of whom may lose their votes the moment or immediately after having exercised them ; they may become bankrupts , may be

      disfranchised , and yet does the tenure conferred by them hold good for seven years , thus making representation a complete mockery . Lord Stanley , during the debate on Lord Morpeth's Irish Registration Bill , asserted unblushingly that the English farmers consider themselves as mere tenants at will of that trust , which , as as voters , they were called upon to exercise . He said that the understanding between English landlords and their tenants was , that the tenants should vote according to the will of their lord ; and therefore to this portion of our subject we desire to draw particular attention ,

      for two reasons ; firstly , because it establishes the fact that the fifty pound tenants at will have in reality no franchise , and that the House of Commons consists of a body of self-elected landlords , who may re lain office , those who'elected them having lost the franchise . And , secondly , to deduce from the fact the advantage which the landlord must have in his political capacity of thus turning his landed property to political rather than to social purposes ; but , above all , to show from the practice the advantage whioh farmers of publio will , have in conveying to their tenants as short a period of tenure as possible . Th s subjeot is so important , that even at

      the hazard of being considered prolix , we shall probe it to the very bottom . We have shown the great controul which landlords have over those tenants , who hold their property merely upun their will . Now , mutatis mutandis , the people being farmer of the representative trust , and the representatives being the mere tenants at will of that trust , a fortiori , it follows , that they , the people , would have a like controul over their tenants , that the landlords now have over the farmers of those estates , which lose the distinctive value whioh they ou # bt really to have , and receive a counterfeit value for the political power with which they invest the lord .

      Thus we have traced Annual Parliaments and the right of petition , from the earliest period , when both existed and were in force , down to the present period , when the one is lost , and the other in consequence become a mockery ; and now let us sum the whole in brief but convincing terms , thus : — Tbe country now divided into two antagonistic forces , —the non-elective power on the one hand , and non-electire influence on the other , let us consider how that unrepresented interest conld best make head against the elective power , whether by Universal Suffrage with a seven years' tenure , vested in the

      farmers of their will ; or under the present franchise ; or with that annual control whioh the spirit of living genius , though unenfranchised , would be sure to exercise at annual elections . Firstly , it is admitted , and truly , that with Parliaments no great measure of liberty ever originates ; that , in fact , they are rather the drags upon , than the propellers of , liberal principles ; that they lag immeasurably behind that public spirit and existing order of things , which fairly struggle for representation ; and

      that they are only driven to measures of relief and improvement by the force of public opinion , —not that opinion which originates with , or is advanced by , the electoral body , but by that whioh is to be found in the rising genius , which daily becomes manifest among the unrepresented body , acting net in concert with , but in opposition to , the will of the represented party . Confer , therefore , a tenure for seven years , even with "Universal Suffrage , and the whole of that period would be spent in the violation of every

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      pledge given upon the hustings , and in the concoction of measures best calculated to render the possession of the Suffrage as harmless aa possible to the interests of the several classes , who would still contend for their separate rights to live out of the plunder of labour . Upon the other hand , let the Suffrage remain limited as ft is , slip publio opinion annually from that leash in which despondency and the law now hold it , and so powerful will be its control and influence , that it would smile vice out of countenance , and compel the most ounning slave to act upon the maxim that " honesty is , in truth , the best policy . " Who would be foolish enongh to

      submit a bankrupt fame to the annual revision of a virtuous publio opinion ! and who would be bankrupt enough in character to dare to vote against him who had honestly discharged his duty , and in defence of the will of those for whom he had thus discharged it ! In consequence of elections being septennial , we now find the action of the unrepresented brought into the field without vigour or concert ; but let it be understood that that will is to be exercised aunually , and then it will be brought into action under a perfect system of discipline and order , before which the marshalled force of faction shall fall and perish . The publio will , and not the

      Parliament , carried Emancipation and Reform ; the public will , and not the Parliament , established the freedom of America ; and when once the public shall decide upon the right to reserve to itself the appointment of those who are to represent it , for a term not exceeding one year , then will the nation HAVE WILLED ITS FREEDOM J—THEN WILL THE nation be free . Thus we establish the fact , that Universal Suffrage is the sanctuary of the Constitution ; and that of the many ways of access to it , Annual Parliaments are the grand approach and front door , by whioh alone it can be securely entered and proteoted . After this exposure , none will

      wonder at all parties professing affinity with Chartists , expressing their disapprobation of Annual Parliaments , and their preference for triennial elections With a perfect knowledge of the great value of annual elections , Mr . O'Connell says , that he is a Chartist upon the principle of Triennial Parliaments while Dr . Black , the mouth-piece of the Metropolitan Parliamentary Reform Association , another section of professing Chartists , says " If you had Universal Suffrage , with Septennial Parliaments or Hundred-year Parliaments , how soon could you alter the matter ; the great question of tbe Suffrage was the thing . " Again , we find Mr . Sturge , the

      leader of another section of professing Chartists , declaring that he found it almost impossible to reconcile the middling classes to the principle of Annual Parliaments . These objections of themselves must establish the fact , that from Universal Suffrage , cramped by a long tenure , faction would have little to dread , while from the annual control of the popular will it would have little to hope for : — made up , therefore , as our mind is , to stand by every point of the Charter , whole and entire , to the death —we give it freely as our opinion , that were we to receive any one point of the six , we would

      imeasureably prefer that of Annual Parliaments to the other five put together . Hereafter , we shall treat separately of the several other points—Vote by Ballot , Equal Representation , No Property Qualification , and Payment of Members , —establishing , as we trust , the fact , that the whole , with , perhaps the exception of the mask , the Ballot , constitute a complete machine , the want of any portion of which would render the whole incomplete . The Chautek IS OUR PRINCIPLE , AND No SURRENDER IS OUR Motto . And with these as our arms , we will fight faction to its teeth , in whatever ahapo or form it may present itself .

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      THE COLLIERS' STRIKE . We Borne time ago laid before our readers copious extracts from the reports presented to Parliament , developing the horrors connected with the system now obtaining in the working of the mines of this Christian Country . Those extracts furnish a bird ' s eye view of the hardships endured by the adults and youth of both sexes , who earn , or essay to earn , a livelihood by toiling in the bowels of the earth . Those extraots supply a solution to the question , why ignorance and vitiated morals—to say nothing of emaciated frames and premature old age—are more prevalent among the miners than any other class of operatives . 'Tis a base , inhuman , unohristian , and murderous system to which these

      men , women , and children are subjected ; and one , not of their own creation , but emanating , root and branch , from the tyranny , rapacity , and cupidity of a band of unfeeling capitalists . Taking the facts embodied in tho report to which we allude , in connection with the more recent conduct of the masters towards the employed , we unhesitatingly pronounce them to be the veriest tyrants that disgrace the haunts of men . The condition of those who are doomed to their accursed controul must be dreadful in the extreme . Their burdens are in reality unbearable , and those who lord it over them are alone responsible for all the consequences that may ensue ; and we trust all the evil will ultimately recoil upon the heads of these worse than Egyptian task-masters .

      Elsewhere our readers will find an address from the Yorkshire colliers to the consumers of coal , in which they dilate in touching terms , upon the many evils to which they and their families are exposed ; shewing that their labour is more severe than that of the victims doomed to toil in the Siberian mines . They are incessantly exposed to dangers from various causes—dangers more perilous and frequent than that of the soldier and sailor , who , in case of misfortune , may be pensioned for life , and in case of

      death , their widows and orphans may be provided for in some of the established institutions , which provision the colliers have not . They also depict tho starving state of their families , on whose behalf they make the appeal , in hope of reaching the ears of the benevolent . We trust the call will bo responded to , and that these poor men will be convinced that the demon of money-grubbing and olas 3 domination has not yet entirely extinguished the old English love of fairplay in the land .

      THE STURGE MEN'S " NATIONAL" CONFERENCE . " . " . We give in our present paper a letter from Mr . John Campbell , the General Secretary , in reference to this subjeot , whioh we recommend to general attention . We perceive that Mr . Sturge and his co-lecturers are most busy in their vocation : of going round from town to town to stir up the 3 mbers of Complete Humbug , though the fire burns so gently that but for the official notifications : of

      their organ , the Nonconformist newspaper , we should be unaware of its existence . We have no fear whatever of the people being gulled by this projected Conference . The bulk of them know too well " what ' s what . " But we desire that not one individual should be deceived ; and , therefore , pray all to read Mr . Campbell ' s exposure of the " national" character of this intended tub for the whale .

      We add to Mr . Campbell ' s our own exhortation , that not a single delegate be appointed to this humbug Conference by the people . On the eontrary , let the people at every meeting which may be held to elect delegates attend , and speak outlet them show them that they are awake . Let them look to the factory and mining districts for an abundance of samples of middle class sympathy , and let them return friend Stubgb his " NO . "

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      EMIGRATION . CONDITION OF THE EMIGRANTS IN AMERICA We commend to general attention the following extraot from a letter lately received in Leeds , from a very intelligent and observing man , who , while in England , was exteafively known among the Chartists : — " Do you want to know aoy thing of thb country ? if you do , I hope that you and all my friends in Leeds will rest sattsHed with my assurance , that all had better remain at home . What I some ¦ would exclaim , amidst poverty and wretchedness ? Y 63 , my friend , eveu so , for nothing but poverty and wretchedness of the worst description awaita them here . Thousands are out of

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      . . —"~ - i ¦ work in every direction , and -was it not for the " alms houses , " or what would be termed " soup shops" in England , thousands weald be without food In the city of New York alone . So not imagine that this account is in any way exaggerated , for I solemnly assure you that that it is strictly true , as 3 , 885 are living upon what they receive in the alma houses in New York , whilst , according to the different publio papers , the whole country is in a similar condition . Hundreds are daily returning to this place , seme of whom have travelled thousands of miles wlthont being able to pm . cure employment of any description . All that can raise the means , are returning home , 475 have done so last week , and three ships leave this week , crowded with men , women , and children in the moot destitute condition , having had to sell their clothing to pay their passages and procure provisions . They ( the ship owners ) are taking passengers home for two or three dollars per head . Bat even this hundreds cannot procure . Scores are compelled to lie in the open air , under trees ,

      ia the public -walks in the city , for the want of money te pay for beds ; ¦ whilst tho streets are crowded -with men . women , and children craving charity . The press of New York is daily calling upon the authorities to put down the begging , aud provide houses for the destitute to sleep in , but as yet no stepB have keen taken to accomplish either . I have bad , several times since my arrival , to give money out of my pocket to starving families , that I was keeping to buy food for myself snd family ; and we have had to go without until we could sell something . Oh , my friend , It wonld make y om heart bleed to see the misery that I daily witness , foi although I have been accustomed to wretched sights nearly all my life , I cannot remain an indifferent spectator to the sufferings of my fellow creatures—no , in whatever part of the world I reside . I am now in aa office for tbe forwarding of passengers and emigrants to all parts of America ; and this brings hundreds to miserable beings under my notiee , that I might fon , otherwise see . "

      . This but confirms many other accounts that we have seen , of the wretched state which the temporary dominance of the rag-money men , and the extraordinary pressure , by emigrants , on the "Labour market , " has brought about in the United States , Under such circumstances , no man of sense will emigrate who has not either connections already there to take care and advance him , or money to carry with him , which may enable him to buy land .

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      THE DEFENCE FUND . On Monday tho trials at Stafford commence . O'Connor will be there ; he has specially engaged Counsel in London for the defence of Ellis for High Treason , and of the other imprisoned victims . The sinews of war come slowly in . Timeisshort ; the importance of the crisis none can doubt . A small amount from each , and that amount contributed without delay , and the cause is safe . Let there be no backwardness . Let all subscriptions from every quarter be forwarded at once . Remember , that now is the accepted time , and that " England expects every nun to do his duty !"

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      T . M . Wheeler , London , correspondent to the Northern Scar , informs the public that he has removed from Knightsbridge to 243 A , Temple , Bar , where all future communications must be addressed . Timely notice of all public meetings , < f"O , is respectfully requested . The order to withdraw the address of the Testimonial Committee to Mr . Watkins , and that gentleman ' s reply , came too late to be attended to . Tliat part . of the Star in which it appears had gone to press . J . C . Geady , near French Park , County Ro'common , Ireland , writes to say that he has received a letter from a gentleman of Bath , staling that ¦ thirty Stars fold ones ) had been sent him , and of which thirty , eight only have come to hand .

      He requests , therefore , that all parties who have sent him Stars will be fiood enongh to write and say how many they have sent , and also furnishing their particular addressses . Thomas Boardman . — We cordially concur in his opinion , and have sent his letter to the proprietor of the Northern Star for his consideration . "The Old Commodore" must ' excuse us this week : we are full . ; "A Chieftain unknown to the Queen . "—Next week . P . W . B . means well , and has our thanks ; but his acrostic is deficient in poetry . Thomas Gekraed . ——Me have not room for his letter . Wingate Grange Chartists . —Their feelinqs do

      them honour ; but the like sentiments are forlU nate / y held by so many who would be happy to have leave to express them through the Star , that we fear to make the precedent . ' Notice . —All communications for the Derby Charlists must be addressed to Mr . T . Briggs , at Mrs . Parry ' s , News-agent , Cheapside . An Exile . —His address was received too late for - the chance of insertion this week . John Hindes . —His letter to the " Tars of Britain " was received : but its publication might subject us to prosecution . A Constant reader , Ddnfermlinb . —His remedy would be worse than lite disease . The people are by no means prepared for it . Bernard M'Cartney . —His letter was received on

      Thursday morning : too late for insertion . John Mowbhay . —Too late for this week : shall appear in our next . Con Murray . — We have not room this week either to insert his letter or notice its contents . We shall notice it next week . L . Snelling . —Never mind the scrawling fool . John M'Knight , Liverpool , after some very pertinent remarks anent the brutal behaviour of the middle-class blues and specials on the occasion of Poor Lyon's funeral , tells the following story by way of counterpart to it .- — " On Sunday last , it was rumoured that an Orangeman was dead , and that the order would walk in pro-¦ cesBion . It turned out to be tiue , The body went to the residence of the deceased , which is three

      miles from Liverpool , a place called Bootle . The dead Orangeman was an attorney . About 300 formed into procession , with black scarfs and OTange ties , and many with broad ribbons round their necks . The very horses that drew tbe hearse sported the rampant faction ' s colours . On their way to St . James ' s Cemetery the streets were lined ¦ with people ; and , . mind you , Sir , the police was walking along side ' to protect them t If the Mayor of Manchester bad been here to have seen this , I wonder what the sleek-fac'd man would nave said !" H . Moule , Redditch . —His letter of Thursday night

      was duly received . Wm . Dixon , Manchester . —We received his news letter on Friday morning , fifteen hours after the first edition of the Star had gone to press . It contained nothing of later occurrence than the Sunday previous . All Communications for the Committee of the General Defence Fund at Manchester must be addressed to Wm . Dixon , No . 11 , Nelson-slreeU Bank Top , Manchester . On account of the arrest of Mr . Cartledge , all letters for the South Lancashire Delegates must for the present be addressed to William D ' ucon , No . 11 , Nelson-street , Bank Top , Manchester .

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      Parcels of Plates have been sent to the following Places : —Robson , Durham ; Barry , Thornhill , and Arkle , Wingate Grange , to 3 . Williams , Sunderland ; Bowman , Richmond , and Thompson , Darlington , to Oliver , Darlington . — Hebden , Stokesley , and Medd , Midulesbro ' , to Nash , Stockton . Mitchell , Aberdeen , to Legge , Aberdeen , via HclL Hudson , Carlisle , and Biiley , Cockermouth . to Arthur , Carlisle , per France , Newcastle . Johnson , Galashiels , to Hogg , Hawick . per France . Wilkinson , Sooth Shields , Vasey , Barnard Castle , and White , Gateshead , to France Newcast ' e . M'Larn , Loith , Easton , Leitfl , : md RjDkin , Edinburgh , to Drummond , Edinburgh . Nicol , TilHcoultry , and Stein , Alva , to Thempson , Alloa , per Paton and Love , llother-• well , Paisley , to Aitken , Paisley , per Paton and

      Love . Innes , Greenock , and Lennox , Greenock , to Marshall , Greenock , per Paton and Leva White * law , Ooatbridge , to Young , Airdrle , per Paton and Love . Tosh , Fisheracre ; Thompson , Saltcoats ; M'Ciintock , Irvine ; Carru'h , Kilmarnock ; Anderson , Colquhoun , Barnes , Campbell , and Jack and Carrie , Glasgow ; Davie , Campaie ; Simpson , Falkirk ; M'Pherson , Perth ; Ross , Forfar ; and Millar , Dumbarton ; to Paton and Lo ^ e , Glasgow . Brown , Settle , per carrier . The Plates to Cardiff , Porth y Glo , Newport , Trede' gar , Merthy * , and Abergavenny are all sent to Mr . Hoarding , Monmouth . Parcels for Avery , Barnstaple , to Mitchell , Collumpton . Elms , Newton Abbott , to Mann , AshburtonJ Hancock , Bedruth , to Burridge , Truro . Mitchell , Mann , and Burridge , are sent to Smith , Plymouth .

      PjUTES for Lowe , Newport , Salop , will be forwarded from Shelton So Wilcox , Wolverhampton , where they have been sent per favour of S . Bevington . Plates for Mr . Hoaton , Ciitheroe , and for Mr . Clegg , Burnley , are sent to . Mr . Rickarda , Burnley . Parcels for Rickards , Burnley ; Pitfield aud Woodbum , Chorley ; Gill , Blackburn ; and Liddle , Preston , are enclosed to Mr . Halton , Preston . Parcels for T . Traverse , Prescot , and R . Dunn , Liverpool , are enclosed to Mr . B . M'Cartney . Liverpool . * The Paecels for Ireland and Brighton are at Mr . John Cleavd ' a , Shoe-lane , Loudon .

      £O Meavevg Auto Cotrrflsjjon&Tfmjbf*

      £ o Meavevg auto CotrrflSjJon&tfMjBf *

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      THE NORTHERN STAR .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 1, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct975/page/4/