The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-22 00:00:00

Speech of Ir. Edwin James.

(From the \t York Times)
The outpouring of the labouring masses at the Cooper
Institute last evening was among the grandest gatherings
that ever assembled within the walls of that building. The
vast assemblage filled the large hall of the Institute in
every part, and thousands were compelled to go away un-
able to obtain an entrance. The inside of the building was
profusely decorated with American flags and streamers.
On the platform were many gentlemen who have taken an
interest in all movements that had for their object the
amelioration of the condition of the labouring classes.
Among them we noticed the Hon. Judge C. P. Daly, Ed-
win James, Esq., John Dunphy, Esq., and Dr. J. 11.
Robinson.

Several illuminated banners were on the stage, bearing
appropriate inscriptions. Among them were the follow-
ing :—" Eight hours a day the motto of labour." "Free-
men no slaves." "The interests of labour and capital are
inseparable." "Eight hours for work, eight hours for re-
creation, and eight hours for rest." The Musical Protec-
tive Union furnished, free of charge, 100 pieces of music,
whose executions of operatic and national airs added
greatly to the interest of the occasion.
After some introductory remarks, the CHAIRMAN said—
But there are orators here who discuss thiS topic more
ably and at length. I have now the honour to introduce
to you an earnest friend of the working men, both in Eng-
land and in this country—Edwin James, Esq.
Mr. EDWIN JAMES, who, on rising, was enthusiastically
cheered, said—Fellow-workmen, I have more than once re-
ceived the honour of an invitation to attend a meeting of the
workmen of New York, and 1 have more than once given
my reasons for declining that honour. I thought here, as I
did in England, that it was better to leave this great move-
ment to be inaugurated and carried out by yourselves—and,
moreover, I was fearful that in this country, where politics
are so rife, if any extraneous influence was brought to bear
on the side of the working man, politicians might possibly
turn the objects and position of this mighty organisation to
their own base purposes. (Cheers.) But on this occasion
I acceded to.the request to be present and to give you the
benefit of nu, humble opinions and co-operation, because
others whom I know were to be present, and because I felt
I could not do wrong in following their example. Gentle-
men, I have felt that if politics find a place for a single
moment in this organisation, its whole moral effect will be
shattered; continue your cordial union and manly co-opera-
tion undisturbed by the state of the political atmosphere of
this country. It has fallen to my lot in the English House
of Commons, where I was elected to represent over 100,000
working men of the metropolis, to do battle for the rights
of the working man against what the capitalists then and
now erroneously believe to be their interests. And of all
the " representatives of the people"—you will not, I hope,
gentlemen, think me guilty of self-laudation—there were
few of us who were on the side of the working man. The
power and the interests of capital were chiefly represented
in that house. Now, gentlemen, I see around me here
specimens of what is called the labour market, and it is
bringing its labour, not in competition with or antagonism
to capital, for, as I have just noticed on an illumination in
this hall, " Capital and labour are inseparable." Labour
of itself is in some sort capital. The might that slumbers
in the workman's arm is his capital. (Cheers.) The rich
man's riches, whether they were bequeathed to him, earned
by him, or stolen by him, is simply hoarded labour. Now,
what is the labour market ? It is an unseen but all-pervad-
ing reality ; the corn market, the hay market, the meat
market these you can see ; but the labour market you
cannot see, although it is the most mighty market of the
world. And who are the men who labour in this market?
The workman in the factory, the artist in his studio, the
lawyer in his office, the judge on the bench, all these are
contributors to the great labour market. What, then, is the
grand motive power to sustain these workers ? Capital ;
and in our bargain with capital all we ask is that that com-
past shall be founded on principles of equity and justice.
(Loud cheering.) We are not here in antagonism to capital;
if we were, you will pardon me for saying that I should not
be among you; we are simply here to see and insist that the
ibargain between capital and labour shall be just; and that
t shall be founded upon such principles as will allow of
the two great interests marching together in the cause of
industrial progress and the civilisation of the world. (Ap-
plause.) Capital has its duties ; labour has its rights ; and
our great object in meeting hero and in carrying on the or-
gani sationis to exact our rights and call capital to a perform-
ance of its duties. (Applause.) Gentlemen, this great move-
ment, the power of which is now beginning to be felt, is, in
this country at least, of comparatively recent origin. In
England labour has been engaged for years in a struggle
against capital, and capital has never lent a helping hand
to labour in the hour of necessity; it has intreuched itself,
as it were, behind a barrier of corporate irresponsibility,
and it is this barrier which we have laboured to destroy.
(Applause.) Mr. James then proceeded to refer to the late
visit of the English capitalists to this country, speaking
jocularly of the fact that they brought " Xenophous and
Livys in their train to chronicle their doings, a lawyer (for
fear of being outwitted by a Philadelphia practitioner), and
even a doctor." The inhabitants of the United States
welcomed them, and were pleased to see them, and he
for one did not regret their visit. He had enjoyed the
honour and pleasure of Sir Morton Peto's friendship, and
had done battle with him on the floor of the House of Com-
mons for the rights of the workman. "I congratulate the
country and themselves," said Mr. James, "on their visit
and on their investment of money in America, for it was
what we lawyers would call a recognisance to bind the two
countries in an amity which would tend to the peace,•hap-
piness, and civilisation of the world. (Applause.) But why
such a flourish of trumpets from their cortege? One would
think they came upon some high philanthropic mission,
instead of a mission—and a very natural one too—to make
four or five per cent. for their money here when they only
get three per cent. athome. (Laughter.) They came repre-
senting capital to employ labour, and we should see that
the bargain between the two great interests is just. But
they should come in their true character, and with the
amount of importance justly due to that character. One
might not unreasonably have supposed, from the fuss they
made here, that they came as commissioners to pay this
country the large sum due to it for depredations. I will not
say by the connivance or collusion, but I do say through
the scandalous apathy and negligence, of the British Go-
vernment. (Tremendous cheering, again and again re-
newed.) To show you how important and mysterious they
made themselves, I may mention that an Irish friend of
mine, of a very sanguine temperament, said, ' Good luck to
'em ; shure and haven't they come over to build a railway
to take us Faynians to Canady ?' " (Immense laughter and
cheering.) The speaker then referred to the great contrast
between the capital and labour in England, and predicted
that the same contrast would be kept up here unless de-
stroyed by some influence, between the shoddy aristocracy
and labour. Every republic, as it grows, must neces-
sarily have an aristocracy—an aristocracy of rank, an
aristocracy of wealth, or an aristocracy of talent and
education ; but of all these the most corrupt was the
aristocracy of mere wealth. In support of his view of the
relations of capital 'sad labour in England, Mr. James read
a paragraph from' the London Observer (the semi-official
organ of the Government), in which the state of the Lan-
cashire operatives was described as alarming. Referring
to one of the resolutions of the organisation passed at
Albany, Mr. James said he differed entirely from it on
the question of legislation. The labour interest must not
rely on legislation ; but rather on manly co-operation and
the inherent dignity of labour itself. In England all
attempts to legislate iu favour of the workmen had been
failures, and it was more likely to be the case here, where
adjoining States might take diametrically opposite views
of the case. If they relied on legislation, it ivctuld„ulti
-
mately resolve itself into a question of " lobbying, and
in the end the workmen would have the worse of it.
(Applause.) He had been told in England that there was
injure
capital, in the movement ; that labour sought to
capital, and to compass the ruin of those who had em-
barked their wealth in mighty undertakings. This he
emphatically denied, and in disproof of the assertion,
he cited the cases of the English operatives, two years
ago, when not a single case of larceny occurred, and of
the French revolution in 1848, when the French workmen
themselves were the first, although agitating for an abridg-
ment of the hours of labour, to quiet the popular disturb-
ance. In conclusion, Mr. James said—You are now
struggling for an abridgment of the hours of labour to
eight ; that is practically nine, for you must reckon the
time consumed in going to and coming from labour.
(Applause.) At all events, you and I are here as advo-
cates of some abridgment. (Cheers.) We desire that the
workmen should have time for intellectual culture ; time
to become sentient beings—a being rendered responsible
for his acts by education to God and to his conscience.
We only ask a just bargain between capital and labour, so
that seals shall enjoy a share of that leisure and happiness
which God apportioned to us all. (Loud cheering.)

THE LATE KING OF THE BELGIANS. ,
On Sunday last a funeral sermon on the death 0.1
the King of the Belgians was preached by the curate,
the Rev. W. R. S. Williams, in the church at Esher,:
the parish in which his late Majesty's domain °I
Claremont was situate. The church was draped in
black on the occasion, and the congregation (a more
than commonly numerous one) was attired ill an
the usual emblems of mourning. Delivered upon
the spot where the memory of the older inhabitant
still fondly clings to the Leopold of nearly 50 10°5
ago, newly wedded to 'the young bride whom 3'll
England so deeply loved and reverenced, and in
the midst of those towards whom his well-consi-
dered charities have since never ceased to flew, the
words of the preacher, as they recalled, in the chaste
language of sober truth, the many virtues of ill:
King, and the many advantages and blessings Whie
his benevolence had conferred upon the neighbour;
hood, fell with touching and irresistible afect,
produced an impressionthat will not easily be efface'
from the mind of any who heard them.
It is announced that the late King of the Belgiatls
has divided his fortune, estimated at something
about 80,000,000 f., into four parts. The firs
three are reserved for the three children, the Duke,
de Brabant, the Empress Charlotte, and the COun.:
de Flandre. Out of the fourth part will be pal°
the legacies and pensions which the King grants te,
all the members of his household, from the highes!
to the lowest. The surplus will revert to the Conn'
de Flandre, who has already a penion from the
' nation of 150,000 f., and which will probably be
augmented before long.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge
came to town from Cambridge Cottage, Kew, yesterdaY,
and paid visits to the Countess (Dowager) of Jersey at be
residence in Berkeley-square, and to Lady Emily V`Talsh.
The Duke and Duchess of Grafton left town 6
few days ago for Wakefield Lodge, Northamptonshire.
The Duchess (Dowager) of Grafton left her resi-
dence in Grosvenor-crescent, yesterday, for Wake.flel,
Lodge, to pass the Christmas with the Duke and Duches"
of Grafton.
The Earl of Wemyss left town yesterday for hie
seat, near Coldstream.
The Earl of Warwick has returned to his town
residence from entertaining a large party of gentlemen f°
shooting at Warwick Castle.
The Earl Somers will come to town to-day froit
Eastnor Castle. The Countess and family are staying
Brighton.
The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P, letifto
town yesterday for his seat, near Gedstone, to pass
Christmas.
The Grand Duke Michael, accompanied by tbea
Grand Duchess Olga Feodorovna and his children, 11111-
arrived at Georgia, in Georgia.
The Prussian journals state that it is not 14be;
-cident of the Prussian Char'

Bockum-Dolffs, Vice-President of se 1. -n
of Deputies, who has just died at Berlin, but M.
Councillor of the Government, at Breslau.
-ota
Jenny Lind is announced as suffering rat
serious indisposition, and is compelled to seek rail'
climate, among other valetudinarians at Nice.

NEW LIFEBOATS.—The National Lifeboat Instie'
tution has just forwarded two fine self-rightingD, lif
boats to the coast. One of them is intended for Courtovl
on the Irish coast. She is 36ft. long, Bft. wide, rows
oars, and is indeed a very fine boat. The cost of this bah'',
was contributed by the citizens of Manchester, and iS
t;t
fifth boat presented by them to the National Lifeb'sf,
Institution. The boat is called the Alfred and 6ebother,
after the sons of Mr. B. Whitworth, whose .
Mr. Robert Whitworth, in connection with the Bal.'
Hewlett and Mr. J. G. Bell, has been indefatigable iei" 0-Irtf
exertions in collecting the cost of the lifeboats. in
Courtown, Mr. James S. Scott, and other gentlealeti of
Courtown, have also contributed towards the erectioo
the lifeboat house. The second lifeboat, which is
long, 7ft. wide, and rows 10 oars, was sent by the histo.
tion yesterday by railway to Arbroath on the Scotch ea"tile
This is the second boat presented to the society bine
subscribers to the People's Journal, published at Det'';:e
through the editor, Mr. W. D. Latto. The boat is tf ,-1
its
exhibited at Dundee on the 30th inst., on the way
station. The first lifeboat contributed by the subset'
of that paper is stationed at Peterhead. Of
PONTYPOOL SAVINGS-BANK. During the edeed
ending the 20th November last the total deposits reef.
at this bank amounted to £2,974 4s. ld., and the rel;cl
ments, including interest for the same period, re° /.lo'
£3,645 19s. 10d. The funds of the bank on the 20th
the
vember, 1864, amounted to £21,431 19s. 9d., and c).0.5t1
2Cth November, 1865, to £21,355 9s. 10d., being a dec-sAV'
of £76. There were no transfers to the Post-ofdca
ings-bank during the year, but the decrease in the del:7
no doubt arose from the operations of that institutioo•
ROMANCING BY AN ENGLISH LETTER-WRITE
The London Times, of Nov. 23, contains a res'
from Winchester, Va., from the pen of "our olevtl.ac°Arleis
pondent." The utter desolation of the Shenandoah ""
and the wretchedness and misery of its inhabitePtPs 'per'
vividly and powerfully diseribed ; but the writer
re ha
cog
mitted himself to be betrayed into statements g6ef
events of the war which would better suit the Pegessjoo
fiery Southern romance than the columns of tliel)°sAriiii
Times. In his description of the last great battle of 00
Chester he informs his readers that a rebel army, ool'avoioo
of only 8,500 infantry and 2,500 cavalry, engaged 6 eOtC
of
force of 40,000 and 12,000 cavalry from sunrise to
0-0
almost winning the day, and inflicting on theta afat
more than 12,000 men ! As if conscious that theeli OP'
are rather startling, and can hardly be kept in /arc'
statistics of ordinary battles, he kindly tells us 11°f reDei
11
great feat of arms was accomplished. A 1100
skirmishers charged a division of Union cavalrY "Pogo,
and drove them back in disorder! The redoubtebicoof6
Gilmore, single-handed, surprised and captured a b°f the ti"
Union cavalry ! But the most astounding event °„t, o°4,
was the surrender of a whole Connecticut regiol- oge",
bering 800 men (" Our Own" is very precise ioll'e6do, t°
as it is well to be in narrating such wonderful dc.neol sll3i,
single orderly, who rode unexpectedly aluelig tf
that fif
actually bamboozled their colonel into the betels, sae ,"e0
was surrounded by a large force of ferocious r,oe
waiting the signal to go in and "thaw them oP',4 to t
to,
men were thereupon unconditionally surrender:to
smart young orderly and marched off to the ',lea corti..ol
Is it possible that the sensible and acoomplis,eara sto'
se
pondent of the London Times believes the eb,ja peretv
he was serving up, or was it only necessary t°e sossoo.
that they should be believed in England in re e° ,d
valley is full of stories such as these, arid tba't clg°.;osr
ing them the people half forget their disasters: lcitijeove
this is true, but we should scarcely expect to tilfistory ,1,4
exaggerations detailed as veritable facts
turf bi x eto
columns of the lending newspaper of ort
Times, I)ec.