Star.
London, England, 1830-01-16 00:00:00

THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
TO THE THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

Sin—After the volumes that have been written on
the momentous subjects that now almost alone engross
the attention of all thinking men, and the various opi-
nions promulgated in every shape, some apology is called
for when a new disputant enters the lists. It is evident,
however, that the universality and intensity of the na-
tional distress, has set every mind at work ; and conse-
quently, that the most important and sound doctrines a, e
still unfolding, from which signal advantage must be d-
rived in future discussions. To sift the corn front th
chaff ; to trace our evils to their true source, will be the
first duty of Parliament; and if, from corrupt or otho
influences, it should still decline the investigation now de-
manded by almost every class of sufferers, we may fairly
then ask, what is the use of a body so composed ? Let the
People do their duties, and let every man who fancies that
he can throw a ray of light on any of the questions 1101 V
agitating us, contribute to the general fund of knowledge.
from out of which the truth is hereafter to be deduced.
It has been the fate of the present writer, long to love
entertained opinions adverse to most of those usually
adopted, and it is only when be perceives an approximation
between his sentiments and those of others, who have of
late appeared on the scene, that he now is tempted, in as
brief a compass as possible, to submit his ideas to public
examination. Although it will not be admitted, that
either the weight of taxation, changes of currency, free
trade, or corn laws, are, either singly or combined, the
remote or first causes of our present state of
decadence ; yet, I am quite persuaded, that they have.
in a great degree, aggravated and accelerated the
irresistible effects of that first cause, the results of
which it will soon be my business to describe. Neither
can I allow that remedies, simply counteracting the above
influences, can act otherwise than by partially stimulating,
for a short period, a re-action of prices, which must soon
yield again to superior and fatal combinations. My
principles have been formed after the mature reflec-
tion of many years, and confirmed by my personal ob-
servation during my visits to the manufacturing districts
of the North. Still I pretend to no original views, for
we have all heard Mr. PEEL more than once allude to
the new and tremendous powers of machinery. Mr.
Ow EN has made manifest the fatal consequences that
have sprung from the extension of scientific powers in
the last fifty years. We have the Quarterly
in a late article, adverting to the same primary evil, in
their remarks on the Brighton Co-operative Society,
and on similar institutions ; and, lastly, Mr. Pe 'iv is, the
enlightened and distinguished correspondent of the
Morning Journal, has proved that he was alive to this,
as well as to the other important questions that lie has
treated with so much ability in his series of letters.
Neither have they escaped the sagacity and penetration
of Mr. COBBETT, Mr. POWELL, and others. It would
occupy too much of the space of a public journal, were
I to enter into all the combinations of the anti-social
principles now undermining our existence, perhaps, as a
nation; but at all events I desire to put in a claim on
behalf of the suffering, non-represented portion of our
would-be industrious population to be heard in Court, and
that their rights and interests may not be overlooked, and
they, as heretofore, immolated to the selfish objects of
those who know how to make themselves heard.

When that time arrives, it will be shown that the ap-
palling misery now existing may be traced to one single
and palpable source, viz. to the unlimited and unnatural
competition of mechanical power with human industry,
that has, gradually extending, at length confounded and
disabled large classes of people, by its direct and re-active
effects.

This definition is sufficient, but the facts may be exhi-
bited in an infinite variety of shapes.
Can any reasonable man doubt its influence, when he
beholds the application of the power-loom, and learns
that it has reduced the earnings of the hand weaver from
20s. to 4s. a week on the average, from a state of com-
fort and independence, to absolute want and beggary.—
That an immense body of men—perhaps 200,000—are
thus affected, must of necessity re-act on the various
classes that furnish the food, clothing, and lodging, of
these unfortunate beings. Again, the returns
lesser tradesmen being contracted, they are
meet the demands of landlord, tax-gatherer

general merchant. Diminished conaumption leads
minished profits ; effects become causes, and we are f
rapidly to the order of things that now prevails : ,
member of society—save the fixed annuitant, and _
is only a while deferred—is involved in the general
lamity.

I shall develop these considerations in a second
and am, Sir,

,• t•

Your obeclient Servant,
UL'

Is. 1.30.

Persons who pay money to an insolvent in
after he has made to assignment of his effects, ,
called on to pay it over again, should the assignees
quire it.
DaXADVITL COW YLAGIAT lOU .—Wednesday
week, the very, extensive cotton and woollen
Mr. J. Greenwood, in Wheatley, near Halifax,
strayed by fire. By this lamentable catastrophe,
400 persons are thrown out of employment. The
of it is not ascertained.
Mr. R. Montilialtry, the author of the new
" Setae," has Wend himself at Oxford, with .
take orders.—lt i stated that he will moire
£l,OOO fat hie Nor pesm.—Batk Hasid.
A feeriele•=iis Midleestiseed bike
.r,
e sbirtteole • seepitelas the
the mila-em WNW or her on kept
eiv that to Lehr lid he, sae, bed wit sloe
haute:unless it was 4a moallalladhlso— •
Though **AM • 11101 Jo the streets,
Park was bok affsoloi. A arts:Bag
sleet fell during the day; yet the ice was bettor
that' it had bees for may peocoaleg dap.
'etthe Wait sod, for the BIM plasestsi eely
treset, which oxtoadool on both slam of the
Natty three-fouttlis of its Meth ;thee 'metre .
NOW bedy of lee of emsiisesbie thiekalas. Thom
but few skaiters who excelled.

Reviewers.
ary evil, in
o Society,
vitv is, ths
nt of the
ive to this,
hat be has
of letters.
penetration
It would
umal, were
anti-social
whaps, as a
a claim on
lion of our
► Court, and
looked, and
objects of
tat the ap-
) one single
I unnatural
in industry,
ounded and
nd re-active
ay be exhi-
1, when he
and learns
reaver from
de of com-
beggary.-
o,ooo—are
the various
lodging, of
.ns of these
e unable to
er, and the
leads to di-
are brought
and every
and his day
general Ca-
Bond letter,
ILYSSES.
in prison,
ets, can be
salvoes re-
eday night
1 factory of
'ax, was de-
ophe, about
The cause
bOW poem of
th a view to
mive nearly ,
ire the Me-
lon raid. by
kept a dog,
she did not
parpool Alb.
streets, -the
ing snow or
tier attended
16q-Ras
y a .Met of
be rioar "Of
re alge4 a •
Theis woe I