The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-11-27
From the Pennsylvania Statesman.
Despotism Of Corporations. 2

lHo DoStOn dfus gives Inc lOHOWlnS III
stance of despotism and oppression exercis
ed by an agent in one of the factories o
Lowell towards the employees engaged a
work n the establishment Instances o
this kind are by no means rare, and we have
had occasion 10 refer 10 them frequently be
fore. In this State, the same spirit Of AFRO
gance and despoiism has generally NANTES
ted itself among the iron-masters, and ohe
manufacturing establishments of great extent
We could refer TO occasions where Viii:
employers were known TO have marched
persons in their employ up TO the polls tt
vote, with tickets marked in peculiar man
ner, aud if in any case the laborers were
discovered 10 vote any other than the mark
ed ticket they received, they were immedi
ately discharged. In this manner has Q
great deal of the Whig strength in this State
been acquired.
But, says the Boston Atlas, il being report
ed in Lowell that Linus Child, agent of the
Boot Mills, had declared he would not EN-.
Ploy any man who should vote ior the len
hour ticket, (coslition,) a committee of gen.
tlemen wsited upon him 10 ascertain If such
were the fact /; to their utter astonishmenl
Mr. Child openly, boldly, unequivocully a.
vowed his determination 10 employ no man
in the mills of which he was agent, who
should vote for the coalition candidates ior
representatives from Lowell on Monday next!
This tyrannical attempt TO coerce the suf.
frages OF free citizens through the influence
of corporate power granted by the lesisla-
ture-by The abuse of privileges conferred
upon company merely for manufacturing
purposes--is one of the grossest and mos'
insolent oulrages upon the purity of the e.
lective franchise that political proaisacy or
desperation ever brought 10 our knowl-
ekge. A corporation crealed by the people
sets itself above It's creators, and attempts TO
trample upon their dearest nghts-to play
The Lord and render the voters of Tree
country its seJS-,o enact the 1yrant, and
say 10 American citizens "ao my bidding or
starrs 3'-to peryert the purpose of our insti-
tuIions, destroy the guardian of American
Liberty, the Ballot Box, and finally TO ins,i-
!ule power TO overawe and control the citi-
zen, more abhorreht than the arbitrary will
which fills the dungeons of Naples, or sends
victims TO the frosts Of Siberia.
Mr. Child may dare 10 execute his despot-
ic threats, bu, he had better have care, and
remer Der the fate of Haman. If he abuse
his power and insult the spirit of freedom in
the manner he threatens, he will have fear
full reckoning TO answer before public opin-
ion, the omnipotence of which, thank God,
neither he nor all the powers of his corpora
lion can Withstand when unjust oppression
is exposed TO that scrutiny which justice
will surely demand.
We hope the voters of Lowell are not SO
craven as TO bow 10 tie cap of this factory
Gesler, but will spurn him and his threats,
and teach him and those he represents that
rhosU- who gave can take away that msus-
edsprlveges can be recalled, and abuso- of
power punished.
The contest in Lowell is possessed of far
greater Importance under the present aspect
than was attached to il beiore-it will solve
the question whether we are TO have free
elections or not-whelher men or money
shall rule-wheher the Ballot Box-so long
considered the Palladium of American Inde-
pendence-shall express the voice of free
citizens, Or only the dic,um of corporate
wealth.
When such issues are presented for the
voters of Massachusetts 10 decide, all others
sink into insignidcance, and every man who
Iecls himself worthy of being called an A.
merican-a fre eeman-sAould vindicate his
claim 10 these glorious appellalons by rebu-
king The audacity that would rob him Of the
of the Revolution.