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THE STAB OF FBiEDOI SATURDAY, JUJNE 5, JS5«.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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So . VII . — Religious Liberty . TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR OF FREEDOM . Sir , —I must recur again to the Militia Bill ; for , in the midst of all the egregious nonsense talked for ind against that measure , certain grave principles iave turned up well worthy of our consideration . Dne of these is the question of Religious Libert y , nooted by Mr . W . J . Fox , late of Finsbury Chapel , in an amendment moved l > y him on Monday , Muy 17 . Mr . Fox conies before us by no means as a common-place men . ber of Parliament He sits in the House " neither in right of nolde birth , nor in virtue of large trade profits . He
LETTERS FOR WORKING MEN . TiF . TTERS FOR WORKINw MEN ,
is there especially as a philosophical Radical ; and to him we have a right to look for sound principles . Oi course , we do not expect them from the John Williaai ^ es and the Jacob Bells , any more than from the aristocratic tvrigs that finish their education in the people ' s ' service . ' 1 proceed to notice Mr . Fox ' s soundness . His amendment was to the effect that ' no person shall be liable to comirakory military service who ? e iinme is not on the registration list as an elector . ' Tha amendment , of course , was lostbeing far 'too larse' for our Tory H « me Secretary , Mr . Walpole . Had it been insignificant , it would have been rejected upon that ground . Some men
meet you everywhere . It was an excellent amend * ment , rightly coupling together the right and the duty of cit ! zen $ liip ; for indeed one cannot exist without the other . It is not for this that I will find fault with tiie member for Oldham ; nor yet for his refusal to be Hume-bugged to alter his proposition into giving every militia man a vote . A very cool recommendation of the veteran calculator ! But Mr . Fox ' s amendment was of a twofold character . ISot only was it intended to make the duty of a freeman depend upon the recognition of the right of freedom , but it was meant also to work another way , as a means whereby tender-conseienced peaeemen might
. by resigning the right of the franchise , evade the duty of military service . And this upon the ground of Religious Liberty . Here , I think , the Parliamentary philosopher was altogether at fault ; and the reply of the Attorney-General to that part of his argument quite conclusive . He ' did not think it desirable or reasonable to allow persons to eseape from discharging , either in that or any other way , the duty of citizens . Persons might have a conscientious objection to paying taxes , in doing work upon the highway , or to many other things which were an essential part of the duty of a Babject ; bat the Legislature would not do
wisely to admit such claims to exception . ' As the ¦ whole wide question- of Religious Liberty , or , rather , the popular notion of religious liberty , is involved in this sentence , and as thi 3 question has of late been very frequently before us , and sometimes more prominently than merely as an incident of a debate on the Militia , I propose hero to look a little into it . What is Reiigioua liberty ?—* Religious Liberty is freedom for every man to form his own opinion upon all subjects , and to be utterly unrestrained in all matters of conscience . ' But all things are matters of couscience . With the Brahmin to kill a son , is an offence against conscience ; the Thugs belief is in the
¦ wholesomeness of strangling travellers . The Quaker cannot conscientiousl y bear arms , even iu self-defence ; the Mahommedan makes it a point of conscience to propagate his religion by the sword . The Churchman religiously uncovers himself and kneels down in that sanctuary which George Fox denounced as a steeple-house . It was part of George Fox's religion , too , to wear his hat . Almost all things are , or may be , matters of conscience ; all things should be , whether ' important' or' indifferent . ' In truth , nothing can be indifferent to a religious man . It is clear , then , that if Religious Liberty is to have a definite meaning , it must be used in some narrower and more-exactiy-specified sense than this . Thus , all
matters of conscience will not do so loosely . For , if it could be used bo , every man becomes a law to hiniBelf ; the bonds of society , —of nations , are broken : the individual conscience is sole ruler . Today your conscience forbids you to take up arms to repel an invasion ; to-morrow my conscience " will forbid me to pay taxes for the support of an unjaai government ; a third man conscientiously objects to punishment of felons , —would let the thieves take cloak as well as coat , and turn the other cheek to every ruffian ; a fourth believes that * the earth is the Lords , * and ha 3 conscience scruplea against paying rent ; a fifth is conscientiously inclined to communit y of goods ; and who knows that it was not a full
conscience and tender heart which led Lord Palmerston to approve the restoration of order on the 2 d of December last , which brought the amiable Dr . Dodd to the gallows , and which lands so many other rogues and vagabonds in high and out of thewayplaceB ? Bah ! conscience may be made an excuse for anything ; and , so latitudanized , Religious Liberty is anarchy , and anarchy is not the millennium . Religions Liberty has , however , an exacter and more reasonable signification ; much as that signification has teen lost 3 ight of by defenders of Papal Aggression , and other enlightened liberals , the real meaning of Religious Liberty , as a special principle , is the right of
forming one ' s own opinion on all matters—tberight of worshipping God with such riteB and ceremonial observances in private or public as may seem best to the worshipper , without let or hindrance of any other relighnists . Religious Liberty is the equality of oonsciencs , the equality of creeds ; butitisnot tho license to act iu the common daily occurrences of life as if there was no such thing as public duty . Let a man , if his conscience bid him , fly in the face of the world ' s law ; but if he do eo , he must be prepared to be looked upon a 3 a madman or a deserter , and to be treated accordingly . He may , if he choose , become a martyr for conscience sake ; and , if his conscience be let from God , his martyrdom will not be in vain ; but this is quite another matter from claiming an exemption . The duties of tho individual to society
must be determined by society . However iniquitous the determination , still that is the law . There can be no other rule , imperfect as that maybe . It rests ¦ with the objecting individual to submit , or for conscience sake to fight that question out with sosietyone against the many . But no middle course is open to him . He may not expect * that society will allow his individual conscience to contradict the general conscience , and the unit give law to the many , or break the law of the many . ' But certain acts are different from others . Some are purely religious . ' "Which are they , if all are not ? It was an unhappy division of human actions into political and religious ; for out of that division has sprung noendjof Wanderings . Life is altogether religious , or not at all . There are no affairs in it which are
not human ; and Humanity is as a multiple flame aspiring ever to God cr Religion is but a foolish vrord . But when we speak of Religious Freedom , ¦ we mean not Freedom from Religion , but Freedom of and for Keligion . Religion is the doctrine of the Tcoss of life , and polity , ( brought down to politics ) the practical development of those laws . There is then , literally , not au act of life which can be said to be only between man and God : so to be placed upon some special ground of religious exemption . AU man ' s acts , from the highest to tbe lowest , belong to Humanity , either to his family , his nation , or the world . His thoughts atone are his . There is the domain of Religious Liberty .
Hero , concluding , I may not pass unnoticed the shuffling manner in which all House of Commons ' work is done . The very atmosphere of the place appears to he demoralising—a post house for any healthy man to avoid . Air . Fox hides his relief to the peace-men under a plausible talk of the coexistence of rights and duties , under the sophism that became a duty implies a right , and a right involves a duty , therefore whosoever chooses to give up the one may he guiltless in fihirkiag tho other . A most mischievous deceit . Mr . Hume cannot pass the opportunity of a trick ; pretending to see no difference between making nouo but voters liable to the militia ,
and giving the privilege of voting to every militiaman . A true Parliamentary Ecform dodge . And that blessed innocent of a Tory , Attorney-General , who would have no man exempted from the duties of citizenship , sneaks , like any Whig , into some special ll ader ' s quibble about the rights civil , and the rights political . Anything to cover knavery with words eno ^ u ; and eo bewilder the fools who ' have ears , thLi < B f < ' - . ? hixthin a well » for fi s * ° i \ vm , P at " otism in a peace-man , for honesty in LS T Lufc there » n » snch folly as " s ^? B st ^ ss . taih / Ec - Spabtacus .
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fgr The great increase of correspondence compels us very reluctantly to abridge u mass of communications down to mere notices in this column . The SsiisnisG Policy . —Mr . Shackleton has written another let . ' er , for which we cannot find room in full , c oramenting on the attempt of Mr . Janes toexpla nawav bis smashing speech Jitlfnncheater ; which attempt , i t anpenrs , is supported by a certificate from Mr . Grocctt Mr . Sbackleton says Mr . Jones's version of his speech is a pare fiction . "I have again looked over lay notes , which were taken down at the time when the words were nttei ed , nod , 1 repeat , that the words reported to have heen spoken by Jones and Cockroft , are verbatim , as they fell from their lips . " Mr . Shacklelon adds * ' the Chartists should hear this in mind , that no report was taken of these speeches at the lime , except the one which I tooV . The Epeech which M * . Jones publishes in his paper has been written out to suit the case , and hears no resemblance to the speech he delivered . Not a man among them had
anything to guide him but his memory ; and , I humbly snbmit , that my note-book is more likely to be correct , both as to the words and the circumstances under idiicli they were uttered , than the ¦ memory or the inventive faculty of any man . " D . Bratuxo . —We are sorry that press of matter compels tho postponement of your valuable communication respecting that interesting and valiant psople , ths Iloumtinians . Martw Jddb informs ih that " an Association has been formed , cons siin ; of the humane and philanthropic of all classes , to make special investigation inte every lo ? s cf life in collieries , and deduce from observation and experience the most practical remedies fop such disasters . GoMsworth Curacy , Esq ., and Mr . James Mather , of South Shields , are foremost in this work of humanity . " We shall be happy to publish any information connected with this society , and ' to render to it all the aid iu our power . In the same letter , Ur . Jude saye—'' I hope the soiree in honour of the ' Star of Freedom , ' on the 8 th of June , will Ite a Iramp'r . I should like to be present . " Mr . Jude adds— the
resolution at Manchester to expatriate all who diner from their policy , is quite in kecpinjwith the original project . Verily , what a farce to attempt , by a breach of all tbe rules of Democracy , to heal all dissensions!—to virtually depose one lawfully elected Executive , and set up one ilipjrnl ' y otected!—to heal the divisions of the body by dividing us more and more . " Augcs M'Leod , Gateshesd . —Many thanks for yoar letter . John GiiBEaTsosi . Carlisle , writes , "Itis enough to make Chartists ashamed to own they are such , to see the way in which Chartism is disgraced by some , of its professed advocates . For instance , those who lately met in Manchester and called themselves a ' Convention . ' I received a letter irom Grocott with a subscription sheet , ' desirinp ma to collect and send , to the care of Ernest Jones , ten shillings . ' For what ? To enable them to ro through the country , to propagate the doctrine , that the ' middle classes ousht to be opposed , ' even if they come out and ' advocate "the Charter ! ' I hope that wherever they present themselves to advocate such preposterous stuff they will be scouted as they
deserve . " W . Eius , Brighton , Susses . —We cannot impart the information you desire . Ten had better address a letter to Mr . Goodchap , accountant , next to the City Xeas Rooms , Cbeapside , London . C . Seaobave , Farnham . —We know nothing of the matter to which you refer . To wliom didyousend the money ? Me . Stbitton writes in reference to Mr . Kydd ' s letter , published in the "Star" of Saturday week , that he ( Mr . Stratton ) " said no . thin . » at the Delegate Council derogatory to Mr . Kydd . " We have forwarded Mr . Stratton ' slettcrtoMr . Kydd . A Voice feom Eibeenhead . — " I have read the reporijof tha SlanchesterConference of Chartist Delegates in your excellent "Star " of the 22 nd , anil I must say I hate read it with a most humiliating sensation of pain and disgust . If no wiser and better men can be found in the ranks of the Chartists than have met at that
Conference , it is hish time that Chartism was laid on the shelf among the roytfis of former ages . It is lamentable , and creates an unspeakable melancholy in my mind , to see the ignorsnee and bigotry evinced at that meeting of delegates , more especially by ene who presumes to lead and direct the people by one of the most powerful levers known to us—the Press . If the ' smcidal doctrine and resolution , which he backed , and which was carried at that meeting , is Moved up in his paper , it will be despicable , and detested by every man who can have the least pretensions to ra tionality . Mr . E . Jones , and his colleagues at Uw Conference , talked about acting on an antagonistic plan , and smashing in npon every meelinj ; which conduct none but foola or madmen would t-ver think of . My opinion is , that they and their constituents have tried the power of repulsion long enough to prove its inutility ; they should now try the other greater and more agreeable power ofaltraction . "
I nill the writer of the above be good enough to send his par . ticnfor address , and we will answer his question with reference to tbe pamphlet he intends to publish . ] Jons Stodd . —Lord John Russell was Secretary of Slate for Home Affairs at the period yeu speak of . We have not a file of the "Star" of that year at hand , but we will endeavour to answer your question in a future number . Thomas flccELEr , Oldham . —Thanks for your friendly suggestion ; we intend to act upon it at the first opportunity , rlease to favour us with yonr lull address . Tnost&s Dennis , Pickering ( whose letter we are sorry we cannot give in fall , ) writes— " As a constant subscriber and reader of all your writings and publications , and as a paying member of the Chartist Association , and a true Democrat , I must express my thorough disgust for the ' Crushers '—or would-be ' C .-ushers' of the ' Star of Freedom . * I think the Chartist bodv ought to return
tneir best thanks to Mr . Fatrah , for the _ noble manner in which , he opposed the address of the Metropolitan Delegate Council , designed to exaltMr . Jones to the position of a second Bonaparte . To my thinking , Chartism does not want , nor can it flourish under such despotism , and the only thing that Mr , Jones and his 'Crushers' have to do is to beware they do not' crush' themselves . The principles you , Mr , Editor , advocate are aV . ove suspicion , and I will do all I can to get the ' Star of Freedom' well circulated in this district . " C . B . Ksicnx , Gateshead . Before publishing the statements re . spectingthe two news agents , we will communicate with them , and ascertain what they have to say . Fiksbcet Locauti . —The notice of last wjek's meeting was awi . dentally omitted . T . Wiicock . Bradford . —The remedy is in the hands of yourself and friends . Ton remember the old motto— " When bad men conspire good aien must combine . " A word to ths wise is
sufficient . Me . W . Bboom , Le .-turer , wishes us to state that if the Democrats of Dudley will communicate with him he will lecture for them in the open air . on a Sunday morning . Their letter must be sent to So . 2 , Suffolk-street , Birmingham . [ Presg of matter prevented the publication of Mr , Broom ' s last report . ] Thomas MoTniBsnED . Failsworth , writes— " Glad was I to see you had resumed your old labours as editor of the 'Star . ' I have bei n a subscriber to al ! your publications . I have followed you through all yonr trials and difficulties , and I cannot see , for the lifcefme . that jou are' no Chartist . ' As to the attempt to crush your Journal , I think it is rather presuming too much upon our patience , and the attempt nil ] but recoil upon tkose who have engaged in ihis dastardly work . " 1 to " LN'OHAHi \ DXoBTHAMPTo . v . _ We are sorry that the reports of the Electioneering meetings , received last week , were cromfcd ont . We shall be obliged by future communications from our correspondents . Mr . James Sweet , Nottingham , sends us a letter addressed "To Messrs . Cccljroft ana Jones" which we are unable to give in full
, . Mr . Sweet says . "I hardly need inform you ( Cockroft and Jones ) that for a great number of years the unwise policy , laid down by you for the guidance of the working men , has been acted upon , and failed to achieve the object said to be sought for . To start afresh , upon that track will inevitably lead to tbe same disastrous results . I know of only two ways to obtain the People ' s Charter , -one is of a coercive , the other of a legal , peaceful , and consdtu ! fi 1 ? ' ? f ? J oriJ ' ^^ ster , ana other large tomis think of the first ? Do they agree with the sentiments uttt red by Mr . Cockroft ? Are they worahipevs of men rather than principles ! Will they oppose any class who will aid them in the obtainmeut of the Charter ? Did Mr . CockToft really represent the opinions of the men ofHalifax For my own part , I am determined to act with any maiMt any class , who will advocate political rights for my fellow countrymen . Instead of proving yourselves Democrats , yoar conduct is thoroughly despotic . You talk ab . ut' raisin" the cause aliore these low passions , ' while jou indulge in them yourselves . I would most emphatically warn the working men from acting upMi the advice given at the late Conference , as it can nnlv
produce trouble , and delay their enfranchisement . I cannot i magine fora moment that the mass of my countrymen sympathise with such vindictive feelings , or will in anyway countenance snch proceedings . " J . C :, Hulsne , Manchester . —The information you require on emigration shall he supplied in nest neck ' s number . MAims Flehixo , Kiirush . —! t is quite impossible to do anything with your lengthy communication this week . Xext week we will endeavour , it posiible . to make use of it . AuxiSDEa c&MrsEM ,, inven-. ess , sends a lengthy letter on the formation of a » People ' s Party . ' - - We are compelled to sive ex ? w " , w * ' f -, C : lr : P ¥ l say _ .. My own conviction is , that ambition of lea- ' crshin , inconsuteccy . personal spleen , and men ' s mind * \ j » n-. warped and wedded to silly crotchets and anarchv d ^ ri ^" -f ? » U P »*» intoconSn and ? Z f rV ? M i . ?!» tll : wUno « " which no union can exist . aShtfin ?* m ! 1 tIlB oM adage- ' That the man is of doubtful honesty who calU every one else a rogue . ' To re . orgamsetheChanist movement a Beneral only is " wanting-but we need nov want long . Thomas S . Duncombe is thP mm ° mA n . »
hf / nw t . f ,- ° , com 1 and « ems to be whether lie hall use n , Z i w *? ' h ° pt th ^ of W * fmure arm > - T here can he n * doubt as to the course that , as a leader , he muat pursue ; he = satss 5 B 5 affiss ; . « --fesia ffi ^ saMrcsasKssK iMjssMKJ-sjriwB ^ % ^ J ^ fJSS £ ™ % * \^ SSSK-= 2 ' * S "'» ' » ' ^ S 3 Su Thomas Walllt St- vision ami a n o . ; i , i . «? ¦ ¦ , . »"' y-i ) uiiu a is ., ajiiUo : ' . —\ V ' a are unacr ' . nV ,,. addl-ss is So- 4 - Wtsutwet , Soho ,
C 0 ^ t " weel- WiUC 1 ! dCaV ° ' : r to mHkCUSe of * QUr wmmwitaattons MAxcHKTEn .-We have this week been favoured with two commuwcationa-one of them doling a £ eri ., of resolutions adopted at the Lancashire Delegate Meeting hold oa fiundnv LavXd
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another delegate meeting fixed for Sunday laBt , which report we submit to our Manchester friends , should have been furnished us last week . [ If our Manchester friends will send their reports a the proper time , they shall not tail of publicity in tue " Star of Freedom . " ] The second communication has relation to the letter of Mr . LonRbottora , of Oldham , and Mr . Horsfall , of Koyton , published in a late number of this journal , and which , as our readers will remember , set forth that certain parties Intended to take advantage of the ( now notorious ) " Conference" to " crush" the "Stai ; " and which further represented Mi * . Grocott as speaking of the Editor of this journal as " an enemy to Chartism . " The communication before us denies both statements . So be it . If we have dono any wrong t 9 Mr . Grocott or any other person , we are ready to make the most ample apology , l . ut , we must say , that the proceedings of the " Conference , " in relation to this journal , were altogether in accordance with the sentiments imputed to the South Lancashire delegates by Messrs . ion ^ bottom and florsfall . Whatever may have been said or not said , tho design to " crush" the "Star of Freedom " is patent to the world . As regards Mr . Grocott , we have before us another communication from Jlr . Horsfflll , not hitherto noticed in this paper , rc-afflrming the truth of Mr . Longbflttom ' s statements . The questionthereforeis between Mr . Grocott and anotherdew , ^ » o « n ^« v ^ « ... sun ^ nvlast : . «•
, , Jim friends on the unt' hand , and Messrs . Longbottom and Ilor .-fall on the other . Halifax—Mr , Uriah Hinchcliffc writes to inform n » that , in spiie otthe base and unprincipled opposition to the '' Star of Frocdom , "the circulatiua is rising every week in that to-vn . Thanhs to such friends as Mr . Hinchcliffe ; wo shall yet overcome the dastardl y opposition of our unscrupulous foes . Freedom of the Psess in IUi . iFAX .-Mr . Hinchcliffe , 'in a second letter informs us that our article , the " Manchester eoup d'etat , " so enraged certain persons that tliey committed lust Saturday ' s ' Star" to the flames . Can this be true ? Mr . Hinchcliffe's informantwa 3 a Mr . John Longbottom , who professed to have witnessed the ' . autodefn . We forbear comment for the present , ns we must cling to the bflief tJiatno set of mea calling themselves uiartists , however prejudiced and milled , could be guilty of such an actof insanity . W " . PAnKiMSON . —Received . Thanks . Sp * a . TAccs .-Brrata i . » Letter O .-For "What is to be gained by holding to simply the' Principles' of the Charter ! I » the greatest possible number of adherents to be the main object of our wishes !» read , "That which is to be gained , by holding to simply the 'Principle' of the Charter , is the greatest possible number of adherents to tho main object of our wishe-. " And ( or ' repeal principle , " m last line , read , '' real princ : pie . "
The Stab Of Fbiedoi Saturday, Jujne 5, Js5«.
THE STAB OF FBiEDOI SATURDAY , JUJNE 5 , JS 5 « .
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OUR POSITION , PRINCIPLES . AJND PROSPECTS . ' It moves for all that , ' said grand old Galileo , whoa released from the rack , in spite of the recantation wrung from him by the pangs of mortal agony . « It moves for all that ; ' and in spite of the lies that have been circulated to dsimage us—in spito of the dastardl y tactics , and the stealthy stabs dealt ' us by an enemy working in secret—in spit © of tho apathy of masses of the people , and the disgust of others—in spito of all these obstacles , and of the dark and despondent aspect of the times in which Ave '
started , the Star of Freedom' has gone on , steadily increasing its circulation , and won its widening way through the length and breadth of the land ; and we can answer the defiant shouts of our enemies , and the fearful prognostications of well-meaning , but lukewarm friends , with the triumph-cry of him of old— 'It moves for all that . ' Our thanks are due to the Democrats of the Metropolis , for their mtiuly and earnest appeal to the country , and the noble words spoken in our behalf , which appeared iu our last number . "We cannot but feel grateful for the valuable testimony of men who have bravely done , and through the fiery ordeal of suffering and persecution , proved their eternal devotion to the principles we cherishand to
, the people , in whose cause we are proud to do battle . Their testimony iB all the more valuable and trustworthy , seeing that many unong them are tried and trusted by the veritable Chartist public ; aud that being on the spot , and knowing the relative position of ourselves and our unscrupulous enemies , they also fcuoiv what is going on behind the scenes , and are well calculated to form such an opinion as should direct the mind of the country . We hope our friends will give publicity to that address ; all we ask is , that the truth should be known ; we court the keenest scrutiny of our words and actions , and have nothing to fear , but everything to gain , from a full and fair examination . With fair and onen dealin "
we can cope , with honest and honourable assailants , who may differ with us in matters of policy we can combat , but we are at a loss to compete in that infernal warfare , worthy of the Thugs , in which we are assassinated by an invisible enemy , who throws his poisoned weapons from his cowardly ambush , not having prostrated ourselves to such despicable practices . It is from the stinging shaft of slander , and the barbed arrow of calumny , that our friends are called upon to guard us . It has been stated—and the statement has been assiduousl y circulated to our prejudice and injury—that this ' Paper was purchased by Mr . Le Bloxd , with Middle Class gold , for the
purpose of advocating the Middle Class interest as opposed to' that of the Working Classes . Now , Mr . Le Blond has distinctly denied this in a communication to Mr . Ebhest Jones ( the author of the said statement , ) at the same time reminding him , that 7 te has been the recipient of Middle Class gold ! This was forwarded to him for publication , but Mr . Ernest Jones has burked it ! in accordance with his usual policy regarding truth . This would have given the He direct to so much that he has said , and which , it appears , he cannot afford to have unsaid . Our friends can and should make this known amon ^ those who are against us , as well as those who are with us . Again , on every hand it has been industriously propagated , that we are the enemies to the prinof Chartism ! ttod knows
ciples how we have loved and worked for Chartism ! God knows at what a cost we have stood by it through good and evil report , and at what a sacrifice we have done our duty demanded by our principles ! This base lie can have no ground of origin save in the fact , that we have differed with some on questions of policy , but not in matters of principle ! We , ' the enemies of Chartism , and the friends of the Middle Classes !' whose life-long thought has been to establish the holy principles of tbe one , and to expose the murderous tyranny of the other ! We the enemies of Chartism ! ' who have suffered the falling off of friends , and the breaking up of old friendships into bitter and sorrowful strife , because we have been true and consistent , and never shrunk from exposing
those who have masqueraded in the guise of Chartism men who have been too ready to sacrifice the grand old cause for the sake of gratifying their own wretched egotism or miserable ambition ? We ( the enemies of Chartism ! ' who have ever proclaimed ourselves more than Chartists , and the advocates of those revolutionary principles , towards the realization of which Chartism is but a march on the way , but which we deemed so necessary a one , that we were willing to forego the advocacy of all other aspirations , so that we might concentrate all our efforts for the accomplishment of this one vital march on the way ? ¦
Chartists we have always been , and this wo are today , and when our friends , in their address , do us the honour of adverting to our principles , we feel that they could not have paid a prouder tribute to our political truthfulness and honesty of purpose . We are only the enemies of sham Chartism , of tricksters , of hypocrites , of men who are audacious because they have no reputation to lose . We are the enemies of that pohcy vhich would have ua set our hands against every man , friend or foe , and thus bring down the world ' s hatred and persecution on our principles , and give our o pponents r oom to point the linger of scorn to our glorious banner , on which we have inscribed
the magnificent -words Liberty Equality , and Fratermty . We are the enemies of all those who would trail that banner-the flag of Freedom-in the mire , instead of bearing it aloft pure and unsullied , bo that the free wind and smiling sunshine of heaven may play upon it , and so that the whole world may read what is written thereon . We aro the enemies of those who would make our cause a name at tho mention of which the cheek of its dearest lovers will crimson with shame , instead of mantling with the proud flush of triumph . We are also the enemies of a misled faction , which has effected an usurpation onl y less criminal in so far aa ltism
orecontemptible than that aoompMed by Louis BoNE-THE-WHOLEfnot BON [ E ] . A-PA RTE ) and which asse ts itself astheverrtable Democracy , to therighteous SHu i mour ^ f ? ation of •« liable "t W 6 < confidently believe that Chartism has yet true disciples enough who will stand by us in carrying out our policy , and in enabling u 8 to achieve wo w , iU" ° < S Om tbat P ' 0 ^ portion which * e aspue to of making it a Paper which shall be we-come at lie poor nWs hearth , and shed a cheermg I ght in 0 , 0 poor man ' s heart and home-a Paper Sn «\ SS + i tlie STT * the Pe ° P ' s aspira . tions the dauntless defender of the People ' s Rights , and the stern avenger of the People ' s Wags . In
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answer to the many kind inquiries of friends in all parts of the country , it is but fair that we should be frank with them as to our position and prospects . We tell them , then , that the circulation of one thousand copies more would placo us beyond the roach of all assaults , and enable us to defy all tho dark machinations of plotters and liars , and secret letter writers t And we have faith , derived from our dail y experience that there ave far more than a thousand adherents to our principles in the country , who are not yet aware that wo are in the field with the * Star of Freedom , ' and who need only to be apprised of the fact to assist us at once , by be ' eoming subscribers , and exerting themselves to add to the number of our readers . We have not the means of advertising—notwithstanding all that has been said about our liberal supplies of answer to the many kind innnin'pa nt f ,. ; nnAr , . •„ _«
Middle Class Gold—so that we must trust , in a a ; reat measure , to our friends giving us the publicity which wo need . Each of ouv subscribers mi ght becomo a living advertisement , and speak the good word for us at the right time and place ; which would do more for us than immense sums of money spent in advertising . Truly , 'it is not the rich man ' s gold , - but the poor man ' s aid and sympathy which we rolyupon , ' to carry the 'Star of Freedom' to success . We read the sky of the present with a hope ful trust , and are prepared to work in the full faith of "better times to come . We have been solicited to make a tour through the country , to meet old comrades , and to confront our foes , and it is quite possible that arrangements may be made to meet the wishes of our friends . Meanwhile , ' Nil desperandum ' is our motto ; let it be also that of qur friends .
' Nil desperandum , ' cried LE 0 N 1 DAS to his heroic Spartans , aud the salvcition of Greece was wrought out of the bloody pass of Thermopylae ! ' Nil desperandum , ' said noblo Luthek , when he started alone from his cloister for Rome , a simple monk ! ' i \ i 7 desperandum , ' and the Vatican trembled , aud the blood-cemented despotism of Popedom quaked as if with coming dissolution ! Ml desperandum , ' pleaded Columbus to his mutinous crew when ripe for rebellion , and in three days tho New World burst on their glistening eyes ! ' Ml desperandum , ' shouted heroic KOSSUTH , when the invader had penetrated to the heart of Hungary ; and at the words , the gallant Magyar nation rose like a lion refreshed with slumber , and rolled back the tide of war from the shores of the fatherland with a shock that shattered the
Austrian empire to its rotten core ! ' Nil desperandum , ' cried brave Mazzini to the men of Rome , and trampled as they had been for ages , they rose and asserted that the flower of Freedom still flourished amid all her ruins and desolation , and once more established the Republic in tho Capitol of the Cfesars ! ' Nil desperandum , ' say we , remembering such sublime instances , and yet the Star of Freedom shall shine out clear and luminous from the mists of Falsehood and the darkness of Despotism . Yet , shall it become the triumphant exponent of the Peoplo ' s Rights and Liberties , aud a beacon-guide for the Workers on their upward march from the Egypt of their Slavery .
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Notwithstanding the honourablo acquittal of the 'Bulletin Frangais'by a Belgian jury—who , as the citizens of a free-country , did not hesitate to protect tho freedom of the Press , in spito of the threats of the infamous assassin of the liberties of France—Bokapaiitb has returned to the charge , determined that as the truth has been suppressed in France , so shall it be in Belgium , and that the people of that country shall be reduced to silence , and bo no longer allowed to call—un chat un chat et Rollet' unfripon , Bass . ' , Nj , the agent of Louis Napoleon in Belgium , has prevailed upon tie weak and timid Government to
BONAPARTE AND BELGIUM .
prosecuto the Democratic journal , the ' Nation , ' for having had tho courage to express its contempt and hatred for the blood-stained despot of France , tho cowardly assassin of the unarmed people . ftow , this is a matter which concerns not merely the conductors of 'La Nation , ' but it is one in which the entire Belgian nation nay , even all the peoples of Europe , have an interest . ' Shall that vile Cossackism , which , for three years , laboured to imprison , and finall y strangled in December 1851 , the noblest child of the Revolution—the French Republic—pass over its boundaries , within which it is now devouring iuelf , and sweep away the last roatiges of const ! - tutional liberty from the face of Europe ? It ia for
the Belgians to answer . Will they consent to cringe to the usurper Bonaparte , and kiss the perjured traitor ' s hand , red with the blood of their slaughtered brethren ? Or will they stand bravely forth , and become the vanguard of that glorious army of the peoples , which shall ere long arise to give battle to the tyrants , and to their brutal and mercenary hordes ! The future will show . Meanwhile , we would warn the timid and wavering amongst the Belgian people , that they will gain nothing by servility ; that , however clearly the Belgian Jamb may show that it is innocent of any attempt 0 stir up the mud of the stream , the Decembrist wolf will be at no loss for an excuse for devouring it , should it be his interest to do so .
That such is his interest we do not doubt . His army are beginning to be sensible of the ridiculous figure they cut in being lauded to the skies as the elite of the nation , the courageous and order-loving soldiers , while all the opportunity they have had of displaying their courage , was this midnight campaign against unsuspecting citizens , and their gallant butcheries of the defenceless multitudes in the streets of Paris in December . There must be war , that these brave militaires may have a chance of meriting a tithe of that Bickening adulation , which is so unceasingly bestowed upon them , and that they may , by the attainment of military glory , wipe out the shame of the crimes they have committed in their drunkenness arid slavery . mi
- J The- necessity of war is increased rather than Jcssened , by the conduct of the Northern tyrants I heir contemptuous coldness , and their confident inaction show that , though they have the will , they have not the need , to invade France for the purpose oi destroying Bonaparte , as it is evident enoueh that the bastard imperialism will soon tumble down of itself . They will not attack Mm , as that would onl y give him the power which is failing him nowby driving the French nation to defend even him rather than suffer an alliance of foreign despots to dictate to her by what , and by whom , she shall be governed .
Even the avmy will become hiB enemy , should peace continue . War , therefore , there must be , even in spite of tho Czar . And , indeed , what now signifies to Bonaparte the dictum of tho Czar , when the restoration of the Bourbon to the throne of l ranee u . spoken © f by the Northern powers as an indisputable fact of the future ? On Belgium shall the first stroke fall . Its anexadZJ' a i I 6 Ve the des P ot from an eye £ Ore > a »<* vSv In d ? Bger T exara P le of a free «* ate at his S 7 fl ?• ° J * here the voice of Freedom may still be M »^ *** ^
sumSnn p S the P riestcraft t 0 aid M * in the S 1 * rt * f ° . T and P"estcraft , ever the SLl 1 tynnt > Offers its ser ™ towards accomihSM ? ConfitUutionnel' sufficiently ox . Kt . . " ^ -national tendencies of the Belgian ffce " 6 ir l 0 Ve for lhe Cossack rul < * id ? a s thi B e ? S o i f- ? ' ^ i » the triumph of university &iSv £££ S « St r ,. 8 howed little ** withthe which Prince S ' i ' , enth . ey see the liberty and ^"'^ Catholic par ytS& 8 vento ] llc Chur 1 * ' the Bel « v 31 S "TOuwbl y disposed towards France . » rfr ? r ! . ' Prie « and Soldier , Fraud and Force , m T& ^ m < a * »« the peoples !
vu * ?*** £ haS ) by the P en of tae infamous Elysean Bcnbe , Granier M Oassagkac , poured ££ ¦•« Tl calumny a ° <*>™ p ° " beral Belgium and her liberal institutions , accompanied * ttb threats of invasion and war , in the event of the approaching elections being favourable to other men than those devoted to the rascally tenant of the iia l ^ the ° W game so well played in iJecember , Then Bonaparte conjured up the red spectre , and terrified the shop-keeping class with pictures of anarolv and plunder : and the cowards and fools voted for the ' Saviour of society ! ' So he now attempts to traffic in tho selfishness of the
Belgian middle-class , by frightening them with the prospect of material losses into voting for the partisans of his priestl y serfs . May the electors of Belgium , hating despotism ,
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and scorning the threats of thTrT ^ ^^ an d th e curses o f the knavish ^^ st viT ' votes for those who will 2 ™\ n * ohl > and the national rights and Iil , f Uational W * k *^* 3 S ^ jpf t ^ i S ^ stars srt £ - * Ktt 5 » pW . ofrSrolntio ,, ^'| , 2 , »* ™ '"« S-lt > '
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4 r «? ss x ^ s : vrrwt . liament ; but surely it oinnrt l ? 1 ° f iC "o steps should be ' wTE £ tftjft «*« system which has sprang up of wJ .-J l ^ i » % , and obtainini . ^ t ^ te ' ^ ment and propagation of vice * ° ' « gc . It is evident that , for tho wanf r > P occupation for the minds of the nlT , 1 " * * "sorting to gambling as a sBbffi ' , * " » « J worthier mental stimulus . As usu- t o ! T sotai > eged classes-tho hereditar y so-called' Su ° , priT ithehrst o plunge into the ' path of M ? " ^ im
wegraaation , aud , by rendering vico « * m they aid in drawin / the multi Je ° » bk « and thoughtless imitators after them min m" ** poisoned the vholo life of tho iJtim . ^ y hitt « guishedor overwh elmed those pure and ? . ^ ments and ideas , which alone can pre 1 y Sei ? great , glorious , aud free . e au *» H It matters not that tho men who are po « e « pi v such abase spirit of flunk yim , as to S ] l ' ! ^ cvatic knavps mid ft ^ u ^ » „ ., U . " ™ amto . oratio knaves and fools even on the «? amto
path " crime ore a vile rabble , who form no J \ £ Zf real life of tho people , who do noting f ' ,. i of tllG of Progress and Humanity , and who ° eli £ f by the labours of the men of the past Z 2 ^ men of the present , without contribnti , ™ ff slightest degree towards the common hu ' St u 9 knowledge . It is the duty of the nation , an 5 ? government ( that it had but a government " »« tect the mentally as well as I , £ amongst its members , and to labour to turn tho 11 amount of energy they really p 0 S 3 es / ' ?„ J and worthier paths than tho ruinous and fan * courses m which they are now suffered ft engiilphed . e
Bat , m most instances , wo will find that ihiiiiu gambling system is not the consequence but t immediate eause of . that imbecility , and del which wo have to deplore . The youu * mJ I especially the < highly respectable' one ? uttJH into the world , his mental powers dwarfed hi abominable system of education , the most pi-omine ! point of which is the parson ' s precept- 'Fear S and the King and honour and obey your superiors " and with his mind thns crammed with a alml
s respect for Ugh people / and a hol y veneration for amtocratic noodle-dom , it is not to be wondered a that he is prone to copy tho habits of « noblemen ' and become a sportsman and a better . He becomes more : ho becomes a confirmed gambler ; and in all probability , his associations with tho mob of black Jogs and black guards who frequent betting offices , at length convert him into a drunkard aud a swindle
nice those around him . If , happily , he escape , m \ a tate , it his losses or success bo trifling , und be insufficient to ruin him ( for the sudden gain of wealth by inducing him to plunge into extravagance , raid be as certain ruin as the loss of his all ) , his passion is nourished , and becomes deeply rooted ; eo much bo , that all his thoughts become solely occupied with tho chances of his < favourite' horse .
Such is the bass , unmanly , and degrading life of the sportsman . ' If his feelings be not altogether blunted , and he be not dead to every tie of affection and family , what agony he must suffer , as he goes home to his wife and children , conscious that he ha 3 madl y risked and lost their inheritance , wlwdv vas required to procure them the immediato necessaries of hfe , or to ensure thorn against want and beeging in the future . Truly our Governmental system is not a political tyranny merel y , but it is also a fruitful source of
social sin and degradation . Is it wonderful that the most ignorant amongst the untaught—the poorest and most neglected amongst the poor and neglected toilers , should hasten to risk their much needed dnl . lings at those betting dens of infamy , which are spring , mg up in every street , when our rulers and legislators , who aught to be the wisest and most virtuous amongst us , shut up their 'Parliamentary prize-ring , ' and leave unfought those battles of fiction , dvgmfied by them with the title of' National Legislation , ' in order that they may be off to the Derby , to attend to their gambling speculations , and to set the example of evil to those whom their
selfishness and hypocrisy have rendered ignorant , unmanly , and vicious . To punish the traffickers in vice ^ and to elevate the people , so that they will feel themselves too noble to descend to the degradation of gambling , we must i ° mi ? onduct tlle national affairs , unselfish men , who will have at heart only the interests of the nation , and who will have both the courage and the will to overthrow the supremacy of the lordly corrnp ton . if ' % ma 8 t have a Government choseu by all from all—a Groverument of Universal Suffrage !
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NOTICE ! P ^ Tt ar p . u ° . lIedt 0 Postpone an article on the Foreign M , P fJ V , L Xl 8 tinS Government . Meanwhile , we entrea ! tue meads of humanity to give aid to THE POLITICAL REFUGEES . ? inn « f i ? i Published in another column comprise bat a pot ' In « . / f i . L ge number of m ? n existing in this Metropolis l ?«! r » Vfi - most mis e" > bls deititntfon . The " W *» HIcpL u ttorn > n 6 ' s date contains an account of the « E # f & th ° Cllristian Instruction Society , of of fiwv fe . and HnDgariau Refugees , to thennmj llf / ' ' , W » lfield-street long-acre-all ° f tim l V fvPrt t i ° ° 8 tate of distre » - To every Democrat , H , rfT . ? 2 ' * ^ aeatlv appeal , to strengthen t brads of tbe " Refugee Committre , "^ by at once fornrirt subscription to the Treasurer or Secretaries .
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GUIDE TO THE LECTURE-ROOM . aIortu w ylBStitUtiOn > JoIm-street > Fitzroj . square . -June 6 * - South-place , Moorfields .-June 5 tii ( llila . ra . ) , il . Ierson . M . A . i will Lecture . * , . Hall of Science , City-rond .-June Cth ( U ) , Thomas Cooper , luralms andIthe Discovery of America . ' ,,, niW , National Hiill . 242 , High Hoi born—June Cth ( 8 ) , P . ^ rerm ' Life and Character of the Earl of Stafford . ' ., , , ne 6 tb South London Hall , Webber-street , ]) lackfriars . road . -June „ ( 7 J ) , Charles Southwell , 'He ! l according to Believers an * believers . ' . , -n East London Literary Institution , Bcttmal-g « en .-Ji" > " '' a Lecture . white . Areopapus Coffee and Reading Koom , 50 , Church-lsM » ' or chapel . —Every Sunday , Monday , and Wednesday ( 8 J , a K « ttt 0 Discussion . ' _ ., „ ,.
City Forum Coffee House , 60 , Uedcross-strcct . -Every Su < mW ' Monday , and Thursday , ( 81 ) , a Lecture . ,. $ ) , Eclectic Institute , Denmark-street , Solio . -Every i 'f ^ j Mr . J . B . O'Bi-len . Home and Foreign Politics . Etaj * ' (< J ) . on' Moral and Social Science . ' , t Thee-Commercial Hall , fhilpot street , Commercial-road-east . - ; J ) logical Dwcussions every Sunday morning 111 ) , Sunduyett ' "' luesday ( 8 ) , Thursday ( 8 ) , and Saturday ( 8 ) . , ... _ juitf Social Institution , Charles-street . Old Garratt , Manchester . 6 th ( 11 ) , a Lecture . T „ , ,, _ £ «** Temperance Star Hotel , Swan-Btmt . Brigga te , Leeus . Wednesday ( 8 ) , a Discussion . „ ,. „ tore- * Progressionist Hall , Chcapside , Leeds .-Junc fitli ( W- ^ erj Wprkuisr Men ' s Academy , Edgav street , Prestou . -M '' Sunday at 10 J a . m . —Discussions every Sunday evening . . ^ Co-operative League .-Tuasilav evening , June 6 th ewn' tj , ' Craven note ! , Strand . Subject ; Communistic Establish To be opened by Thornton Hunt . . , unc l <" « Coxkrkncks with Wokking JlEtf . —Thursday evening , ^ . street half-past eight precia-.-ly , Working Tailors' Hall , " \^ , ts >^ East , Subject : ' What are the duties of government W to Labour . To "be re-opencd by Walter Cooper .
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West Riding . —On Sunday , the 23 rd ult ., an a ( % ife ! meeting was held at Bradford , composed of represent * ^ and friends from the several Co-operative t > w- . ^ Working Associations in the district , when it was re » u fl that the seveval societies , there represented , "' . | , eri themselves into a union , to be named " The *"' Union of Co-operative Societies , " for » he purpose o ^ j , advantages , in the purchasing aud distributing 0 I ? o ( loc and promoting generally tho causo of associative v > j tion . And it was resolved , that tho drawing up oi » h of rules for the conducting tho proposed union , w » ( entruated to Messrs . Eggleston , noil , and D V to t Leeds , to be submitted to the next district mefitii't ^ held at the same place on tho last Sunday m Jam- ¦ r following associations wc-ro . innounced , by t . i < - ' ^ jyjft as composing tho intended union : —Bratlforii , ^ ici Leeds Redemption Society , Store . Yeadon ( two Sofl ^ , Wilsdcn , Howarth , Pmisey , and Vmsky .
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Tho justices of peace for Edinburg h have PJ ** gfl » tionsfor preventing spirit shops from Ming u » days .
2to ≪!Frmrcg$Oti1ftnt&
2 To
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! - £ 0 R THE BENEFIT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REFUGEES . " AIL MIS ABE BBETHBEN , " A SOIREE , consisting of a TEA PARTY AND PUBLIC MEETING , is aosocB of "TIIE STAR OP FREEDOM , " Will be held in the Literary and Scientific Institution . John-street , Toitenham-couvt-road , on Tuesdav evening , June the 8 th , 18 j-The following fiiends to political and social reform will attend and take part in the ' proceedinss : — LOUIS BLANC , ItOBERT LE BLOND , WALTER COOPER G . JPMAJf IIARXEY , GEUALO MAS SET , SAMUEL KYDD . rBTTre C * W < BLFFY ) T . S . DUXCOJlBE , 3 I . p , THOUKTOS HUNT , G . J . HOLTOAXE , BK&XTERUE O'BUIEN , sna others , are also invitedand expected to attend . pnii tup mnmn ^ ^ « M tn >« nnoi ™ nKRnGEES .
, Tea on table at half-past six o ' clock precisely ; and the pu-jhc mi eting to commence r . teii ; ht o ' clock . Admission to the Tea aitf Public Meeting , Odcach . To Public llec-ting only , Gallery , 3 d ., Hall , 3 d . Tickets maybe had of John Shaw , 21 , GloKcester-street . Coramerrial road , East ; John Mathias , S ) , liroafl street , Ratcliu ; lira . Brafield , Globe House , Mile end-road ; A . E . Delair . rce . 10 , Kortnfquare , Portland-vlace , Glohe-road , Mile-end ; Mr . Kell , White Horse , Hare-street , Bethnal-green ; Win . Travers , 17 , Margaretplace , Hackney ; C . F . Xichol * , 10 , Great "Wincliestcr-street , City ; John Washington . 130 Golden-lane . Barbican ; George Taylor , 1 G 3 , Goswell-street ; Jolin Bezer , 183 , Flect-street ; Ilenry Ilolyoake , 3 , Quev-n ' s Head-passage , l ' ateruoster-ronr ; James Grassby , 06 , Kegent-street , l . ambeth ; John Milne , 1 , Uniun-f . trcet , Berkeley , square ; Isaac Wilson ; 7 , Sheffield-street . Ciare-marfcet ; RnbtTt Parks , 82 , Little Windmill-street , Haymarket ; D . Y . r . Huffy , 13 , Tottenham-court , New road ; John Arnott . 11 , Middlesex-place , Somer * Town ; and Edward Truelove , at the Institution . 5 . B . —The proceeds will be given to the Kefcgee Fcsd .
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4 THE STAR OP FRE EDOM , I wTiJnh mnnrt ~ 850
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 5, 1852, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1681/page/4/
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