The Sun.
London, England, 1830-12-07 00:00:00

IMPORTANT 11EtTING.

to consequence of a notice given by the masters of cot-
on-twills in Stalybridge, Ashton, Dukinfleld, Mo'sley, and
Of a general reduetion in the pike of spinning,
Amounting to about 6a. per week to each man, a general
!meeting was called on the 4th instant of the whole of the
labouring classes, to be held in a field adjoining Dukin-
'fiald. Early in the day a numerous procession, headed by
a band of music, and bearing two tri-eoloured flags, ex-
idhiting " throe Trade,ll in large letters, moved on from
Duinfield to the several townships above named. The
meeting was announced to lake place at tint) o'clock, but
it Was nearly three before the liraesslon arrived upon the
:spot, bringing In its train a vast number of people, men,
women, and boys. front all the other townships nod their
neighbourhoods. There could not have been less than 25,000
persona present. Mr. Downes, of Ashton, was unani-
mously elected to the Chair, on taking which he observed
that it was not Ashton, orDukinfield, or Btalybridge alone
that would be involved in the coosequebees of the reduc-
don which barl brought them together, but the whole
country. He had been informed that pistols and blunder-
husses had been exhibited at the meeting, but he would
,most earnestly deprecate either the exhibition or the use of
arms. They could not yet have forgotten the execrable
combination laws, and he sincerely hoped their conduct
would be such as to afford government no pretence for
again inflicting upon them the oppression of those laws. He
requested that speakers would confine themselves to the
objects of the meeting, and if any man attempted to inter-
rupt its harmony, he hoped the meeting would put him
down, and keep him down till he promised to he a good lad.
Mr. Brrra, of Ashton, observed that Mr. Charles
Hindley had signified his intention to address the meeting.
He was aware that Mr. H. was very obnoxious to the
working classes, but he hoped they would indulge him,
and if they were dissatisfied with him, they would let the
;other speakers meet his arguments, The toasters had
spoken of equalizing stragee, but how were they going
about it ? Why, by reducing all to the level of those who
were worse paid. These reductions, width were the re-
sult of a restless spirit of avarice, ought to be opposed.
Their claims were those of reason and justice. All that

they asked to ehjuy was, that by their industry they might
obtain what would keep them from actual starvation.
Mr. GRUNDY said he felt reluctant to address them .on
such an important suNect, but if they neglected to speak
. against things like this, the very stones would cry out.
Was it depression that caused the proem reduction ? •No
such thing. Mr. Hintlley's testimony proved that it was
nut; but, if it was, why dill hey still continue to build
f mtories. What honour or dignity was there. in taking
the poor man's pittance, to give to those who have already
too much. Ile hoped they would that day came to 'the
determination not to be reduced another farthing.
Mr. Donsnvv said it had-been proposed to the masters,
at an interview which the men had with them, to post-
pone the reduction for one month, and, in the meantime,
the masters might-prepare for themselves a list, and the
men would also prepare one, from both of which they
might draw a list, which would give satisfaction to bath
parties ; but this, he had now the mortification of telling
them, the masters declined. They would indeed give
week, but they would give no. more. Was this, he would
ask, candour, or fair dealing ? The deputation had
told the toasters that the average price throughout
the country was 4s. per thousand hanks, and if one
master could afford to pay 4s. 2d., another could
pay it. Some of the masters contended, that as
they manufactured in the country, they were entitled to
something on account of carriage. To this he had an-
swered, that if they, the masters, would take notes of the
difference throughout the country, the men would pay for
that difference: But it appeared it was not the price the
masters eared for, but the power of the working classes.
They feared, in fact, that union would ultimately crush
the power that oppressed them. We are willing, said Mr.
Doherty, that there should he a regulated list, lout that list
must be 4s. 2d. They do not pretend that this reduction
is from necessity, anti are they justified in such a line of
conduct at a time whets the people are exasperated from a
sense of their own grievances—when the occurrences in
France and Belgium are still fresh in their recollection.
Mr. Doherty advised the meeting against having recourse
to violence or any other illegal measures; the man, he
staid, who would advise them to violence could not mean
well. What I wish you to do is to collect a moral force—
this will he sufficient for all the evils of oppression, and
with this you will be as successful as the Catholics of Ire-
land. I challenge the mastere—if they can show this re-
dumioa to be neceosery we will pledge ourselves to submit
to it. The Manchester masters too talk of the advantage
of a list-40 do we—but it must he a hat grounded upon a
just principle. They made a list, and the very first week
they violated it ; and is the whole country then to be
thrown into confusion because they chuse, by reducing, to
stop 62 mills? Is the property of shopkeepers, and the
lives, of thousands, to be embus:mai by the proprietors of
62 mills ? We have as much right to meet and associate,
as the body styled the Chamber of Commerce—all that
we wish is to prevent the masters being tyrants and the
men slaves.:

Mr. SLierta mid, whoever will consider the state of
trade as it now is, must he convinced of the impropriety
of the present reduction.. When the principles of power
tire exercised in behalf of the people they are useful, hut.
opposed to the people they are pernicious. The men by
forming themselves into an association may do great
things. Our property is our labour, and for it we have,
no protection, but I hope that the men will be forward to
support the declaration against further reduction.
Mr. flonosox said, that if masters would reduce the
wages of men when there was no necessity, the con•e..
quences must fall upon their own heads. There is in
every country a point beyond which oppression will not
be endured, and it is but right that those who are the.
cause of oppression should he themselves the sufferers.
The. masters of Staleybridge either intend a revolution.
or they are mad, for they are going the right way to pro-,
yoke a revolution. If there is no necessity for a reiloc-
fon, why insist .upon this list being 'put in force. They
complain of your power—have . you ever besieged their
mills, or refused to work the hours prescribed by Act of
Parliament?—(Cries of 0 No ! we, work hours beyond that
time.") Mr. H. said, masters were putting a burtheu
upon theiriracks which there was no occasion for, and he
hoped they would kick most desperately till it sat
thrown off. . .

• MA arrival of Mr. CliaaLati Ilitrat.ev (one of the
combined masters) wns now observed by the meeting. and
at the suggestion of the speakers upon the hustings, a way
was opened through the dense crowd that surrounded it to
admit him to the platform. The Chairman, at the re.
quest of Mr. flindiey, read the resolutions which had been
proposed to the meeting. Mr. Hindley proceeded to state,
he had but just returned from Manchester, where several
gentlemen had advised hint to refrain from attending the
meeting, but confiding as he did in that principle of red.
rein towards his fellow-man, which had ever influenced
hie conduct, he was not afraid to hand , forward and ,vin.
dicate it. Had I, said Mr. Windley, anticipated such 11
meeting 4M the present, should have taken care to have
come with a speech weighed in every worn and sen.
truce. I feel that if ever a Ma was placed ,in a
painful and. critical situation, it is myself at thii
moment, watched on the one hand. by the jealous
eye of master,' on the other by the shopkeepers and
operatives, never did it morn deeply concern a men to
weigh well every word.he uttered. lie had net, be said,
come to the meeting to comment on the resolutions, but to
defend his own conduct. He wished to see hartneny pre.
vail between masters and workmen, for fall when they
would, they must fall together. What was the.condition
upon which he consented to join the master's association,
when therquestion was first put to him? It was that no
attempt should be made to crush the workman', union,
which he said must be both powerful and useful, if pm.
prod), directed. •He felt confident that if a list was ob-
tained we should have, peace and contentment* A list,
properly „wed, would do mote to serve workmen than
any other measure. He was not, he said, come here to
charge the matters with a restless spirit of avarice. Ile
wished to see a band oluniou. between mattertrand work.
end he could almost curse the master who wished this
district to be worse paid thus any other. The impracti.
ability of a correct list was, he etiii, with masters the only
objection to have it; 4s. was the price that I proposed to,
the !limiters, but it watt objected to on the score that:lnas.
ters in other districts were paying hetow it, But even for
making this proposal he had received insult. We shOuld,
he Said, always endeaveui to effect that which is pi acticable.
lie cared not what the list was, whether fie. 9d., 4a., or
4s. 2d., which might be adopted--(Chters)--but this he
did oare for, that other districts should pay as much, and
,that that he such as to ;Afford to workmen
butlicirut
degree
of
comfort. "Have said Rlr. Hindley, "I tipper'.
to my own hands, ever been guilty of one act of tyranny
towards them ?"—(Criee from the meetingof 44 No, no.")
Honesty he continued is the hest policy,
.and by‘ tb
should ever lie guided. Lord Grey had said unot-7,„,
occasion that he would stand or fall bi his 'order.
Hodgkins too, who he dare say was present at the meeting,
had also said in one of his speeches (hut which he could not
say,hu rustle so many speeches), but in, one of his vetches
Mr. 11. had said that he would stand or fall ley the order
(operatives) to which he beinaged. But this he (Mr.
Hinilley) would not say—for instead of standing by ono
(oder or the other, he would take his stand upon honour

and principle. Mr. Hindley concluiitd said 'loud cheers
and retired from the meeting.
Resolutions were adopted by the meeting to the effect,
that they would not submit to any reduction below 4s. 2d:,
•
land also that a deputation should wait upon his Majesty
*ith a clear statement of their case, and praying that no
military force might be sent to aid the masters in their
;unjustifiable attempts to reduce the wages of workmen.
We are sorry to have to say that as the immense multi-
tude were retiring, there was a regular discharge of pistols
or Wunilerliusses from all directions of the meeting, ex-
cept this we observed nothing like a hostile feeling.