Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/430

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416
THE MONOPOLISTS' PRESS.

Sons, Hurst; J. Bright and Brothers, Rochdale; Thomas Ashton and Sons, Hyde, James King and Sons, Rochdale; T. Booth, and J. T. and James Hoyle, Rochdale; S. Ashton and James Ashton and Bros., Pole Bank; P. Dixon, scn. Carlisle; Josh. Eccles, Blackburn; Eccles, Shorrocks, and Co. Darwen; II. and E. Ashworth, Bolton; Pilkington ani Brothers, Blackburn; A. and S. Henry and Co.; A, and F. Reyner; J. and N. Philips and Co.

£700.—Family of the Mathers, Liverpool.

£500 each.—James Buckley and Brothers Ashton; N. Buckley and Song, Saddleworth; John Buckley and Brothers, Mossley; Laurence Heyworth, Liverpool; John Ben, Smith; John Cheetham, Stalybridge; Richard Matley; Gardner and Eazley: John Ashton, Hyde; Callender, Bickham, and Co.; James Heywood; John Fenton, late M.P. for Rochdale; M'Connell and Co., John and Thomas Potter; Henry Bannermun and Son, Richard Cobden; Elkanah Armitage and Sons & Friend, by John Bright; Sam. Fletcher, Son, and Co.; George Foster, Sabden; William Ross; Thomas Whitehend and Brothers, Rawtenstall; Robert Johnston; Shanek, Suchay, and Co.

The subscription of £60,000 in an hour-and-a-half, threw the monopolists into a state of great consternation. They could not deny the fact, but they could depreciate the motive. The Standard said: "It is not uncharitable to pronounce it a selfish, sordid object, for, on looking over the names of the subscribers, we cannot find a single name connected with any pious, generous, or humane enterprise. They are not the men to build churches, or schools, or hospitals, or alms-houses, or who contribute to any plans of benevolence unconnected with the advancement of their trade." Persons who knew the individuals better than the Standard did; knew that they were the men who were the most distinguished for their plans of benevolence totally unconnected with their trade interests. If a church, chapel Sunday school, day school, infants' school, or mechanics institution, was to be erected, these were the men who were first applied to; if a local charitable institution was needed or land was required for places of recreation for the pent-up multitudes, these were the men to whom the first application was made. Nor was their benevolence confined to the promotion of the physical and moral advancement of