Star.
London, England, 1819-08-03 00:00:00

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LONDON.

-THE EVENING STAR.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1819.
THE FUNDS.
FliiiioriTOCKS THIS DAT AT ONZ OVLOCK
Beak Stock 232 233 2321
3 per Cent. Reduced 72 71f
3 per Cent. CGmsols
Si per. Cent. 81i 80i 81-4 per Cent. 90fil
5 per Cent. Navy 104 fit
Bank Long Annuities 19i 3-16
India Stock 220 221i—India Bonds 10 11 pre.
Exchequer Bills (2d.) 3 4 2 pre.
Omnium 4i 4 pre.
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Consols for Acct. 71it.

We yesterday endeavoured to call the attention 01
the affluent and humane to the distresses now cap -
rienced by the unemployed workmen, especial* in,
the Manufacturing Districts; and endeavoured tO
press upon the consideration of the benevolent the ne.
cessity of making an instant provision to relieve their
sufferings, by proceeding to collect, by voluntary
contributions and subscriptions, a Fund for the pur-
pose. For this end we recommended the calling of
a Public Meeting in the City for this object exclis-
sively (all political discussions to be avoided on the oc-
casion) ; and that Charity Sermons should be preached
in all Churches and Chapels, and also in all Dissent..
ing Congregations, in aid of the Fund.
This was suggested for a present supply ; but we
mentioned also the necessity of digesting, and adopt-
ing generally throughout the Kingdom some efficient
means calculated to secure employment to the work-
men, and when employed, a proper remuneration for
their labour : and on this we shall now offer a few ob-
servations—premising, that mere discussion, however
useful, will not afford any remedy, and that the true
philanthropist, and every Christian is called upon to
exert himself according to his sphere and influence,
in carrying salutary measures into operation. To
assent w the fitness of any proposed mean is nothing,
if every one shall still continue to leave to others the
carrying it into effect.
To find employment for as many as possible of
those who are willing to labour, is an object of the
first consideration. On this subject several practical
plans have already been submitted to the public, and
one of them has received the consideration of Parlia-
ment—the plan for letting small portions of land to
the Poor.-on which the Provisional Committee sit-
ting at the King's Head Tavern, in the Poultry, be-
stowed much labour ; and to which every Parish may
give efficacy in consequence of the Act passed last
Session, relative to the Poor Laws. On this we need
not dwell farther than to press upon the well disposed
in all the Parishes throughout the Kingdom, a due
consideration of the facilities afforded by chic Act for
finding employment for the Poor, instead of allowing
the able bodied to continue a burden upon the Rates.
On MI. Owsia's rhilanthropic Plans we need not in-
sist at present, as we have, on different occasions, laid
the whole subject before our Readers : but we can-
not pass them over without pressing on their atten-
tion the claims they have to consideration. It is no
argument to say that they are new—they have not the
sanction of experience; for this is the case invariably
with all measures called for by new circumstances.
The present situation of the country is unprecedented'
and we think Mr. OWEN has demonstrated that a

complete change is indispensable in all the arrange-
ments that relate to the economy of labour, and the
means of subsistence for the labouring classes. The
plans, therefore, demand the most serious attention
and, sooner or later, if we would avoid most dread-
ful calamities, they must, either in their present or
in some modified form, be acted upon.
But what seems, at the present moment, to call
for the most decided exertions of all the friends of
humanity, peace, and good order, is the preventing
the whole mass of our employed manufacturing la-
bourers from becoming an overwhelming load upon
the Poors' Rates—that is, upon the rents, property,
and income of the rest of the community. We have
long raised our voice against the absurd and falla-
cious doctrine that labour is an article of commerce,
which, like material property, should be left to find
its level in the market without restraint. To main-
tain and act upon this doctrine, without limitation,
is to sanction and legalize injustice, and to subvert
and set aside one of the leading social duties of the
Christian religion : " The labourer is worth,q of his re-
ward." To receive from any man his whole weekly la-
bour for a less remuneration than will furnish him with
the necessaries of life, is a twofold robbery. The la-
bourer is robbed, and also those who are, obliged to
make up the deficiency. It is foUy to maintain that,
at the price at which the employer is obliged to sell
his commodity, he cannot afford to give higher wages.
will ever be regulated by the cost and the
price of labour is part of the cost,
maintain, which principally concerns
Lnity ; for the maintenance of its members
gal aim of all the public social relations:
have a right, or should be permitted,
ivalship by running a race for the star-
men who rear the fabric that is offered

for the

ri., t rf c
1 The price will ever be regutatea ny me costanu 1
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demand. The price of labour is part of the cc
and that, we maintain, which principally conethe community ; for the maintenance of its memb
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1 i is the principal aim of all the public social relatio
1 i t and none can have a right, or should be permitt
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to carry on rivalship by running a race for the st
nation of the men who rear the fabric that is offer
i for sale.
Anciently this was impossible, for the remune
tion for labour was a certain quantity of bread