Page:History of the Anti corn law league.pdf/418

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WORKING CLASS CO-OPERATION.

week as during any previous one. We had a meeting last Thursday evening at Stourbridge, we had another on Friday evening at Wolverhampton; one on Monday, at Colne; one on Tuesday, at Bradford; one last evening, at Burnley; and to-night, Mr. Cobden and other friends will be addressing a large meeting at Warrington.(Applause.) Next week there will he meetings at Bolton and Birmingham; and the week following will commence the great demonstration in Scotland. That at Glasgow will commence on the 11th, and I have great pleasure in stating that our excellent friend, Mr. Cobden, has had the freedom of the city of Glasgow voted to him by the Lord Provost. I rejoice that he has received this distinguished honour, because we all know that Sir R. Peel and Lord Stanley were not able to obtain such an honour at the hands of the men of Glasgow, when they visited that place. (Cheers.) I am also happy to state that the work of distribution of tracts is proceeding in several counties; we know it is successful, for we have evidence it is doing good in our correspondence. We have proofs of conversions having been effected by it in several quarters, where before we were met with open hostility. We have received subscriptions during the last week from men who never spoke of the League but in the language of opprobrium. (Applause.) I may also mention, and I do it with pleasing satisfaction, that the portion of the working classes who have hitherto hung back, are daily manifesting a greater disposition to join us, and I shall read a letter we have received—not the only one I could produce as evidence of the fact:—

"'Dukinfield.

"'TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE MANCHESTER ANTI-CORN-LAW LEAGUE.

"'Gentlemen,—We, the working people of Robert Ashton, Esq., Dukinfield, are much gratified to inform you that we have made a subscription for the furtherance of the great and glorious cause, the abolition of the Bread Tax; and we most cheerfully remit you the sum of £16 18s. 2d., resting assured that you will make the best use of it, by aiming a death blow at the most dishonest, dishonourable, destructive, demoralizing, and murderous laws that ever disgraced the statute book of any civilized nation a law, which if suffered to exist, will in the end reduce the honest tradesman to bankruptcy and poverty, and his dependents to misery and starvation. But we anxiously look forward to the time when masters and men can take each other by the hand, with a determination to crush down that foul fiend, monopoly, in whatever shape it may be found, so that we may in future dwell together in peace, love, and harmony.—Signed on behalf of the above.

"'George Bradley, Warehouseman.
"'David Jackson, Weaver.
"'Thomas Bowker, Dresser.

"'Barn Meadow Mills, 27th Dec,, 1842.'