The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-25 00:00:00

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THE PRESTON STRIKE.

PnEsToss, April 24.--Yesterday's delegate meeting
was looked forward to with considerable interest, it bt
anticipated that there would be a material diminution in
the receipts in consequence of the Easter holidays. At
present I have not been able to ascertain the precise in-
come ; but one thing is certain, that the requisite amount
of money has by some means been maintained, for I find
this morning that the weavers' committee are paying the
hands ss. per head as heretofore. The probability is,
that another loan has been negotiated.
Mr. Kinder Smith, of Oldham, presided over the dele-
gates, of whom there was a full attendance. In his
opening speech the chairman remarked, that if sufficient
money did not come in that day, they would get it from
where they could, and pay the hands as before. He did
not care whether the money was borrowed or given, if
they could only accomplish the object for which they had
been so long struggling. They must not be discouraged.
They were not the first party that had been in difficul-
ties. They might lie in difficulty now, but they should
get over it. If the people were not prepared to make
any sacrifice rather than give way, they would find
themselves in a thousand times worse position than they
were before. He would sooner stand on the sands of
the Ribble and let the tide wash him away than be a
factory operative in Preston if the manufacturers accom-
plish the object they have in view. They (the opera-
tives) would not surrender until compelled ; then they
would congratulate themselves upon having done their
best, and they would have another "do" with the mas-
ters at some future time. He anticipated that before
another week had elapsed the operatives of Stockport
would have resumed work, and again become eontribu- v•"*"
tors towards the support of their brethren here. And
(added the chairman) we'll not only heat the masters
',tit of a 10 per cent. in Preston, but we'll get it for
Stockport and all the localities round Preston. (Cheers.)
The Blackburn delegate stated that his constituents
had only been able to collect a little more than 2007., bat
they had made it up to about 4001. from their reserved
fund, and had still a little on hand. Reports of a pre-
judicial character had been circulated in Blackburn, and
some little division was thereby caused amongst the
committee ; but this had all bean set right by the report
of a deputation, who returned from Preston on Thurs-
day night. One mill was now on strike in Blackburn ;
the master had ill-used his hands, and they were deter-
mined to cure him. It was hoped that the people of
Preston wou:d be firm ; they might depend upon it that,
in the course of a week or so, the usual amount would
be sent from Blackburn. (Cheers.)
The Darwin delegate brought 1201. He stated that
some of the weavers he represented had only earned
is. Bd. during the week, and yet they had subscribed ls.
each. (Loud cheers.)
The delegate from Ashton-under-Lyne announced that
he had brought 120/.-201. more than last week.
The Staley-bridge delegate said it had been reported
that one of the Preston mills was filled by people from
Stockport. This and the holidays had caused a diminu-
tion in the subscriptions.
Several other delegates complained of the mischief re-
sulting from the circulation of rumours to the effect that
the Preston struggle was over.
A delegate attended from Rochdale with 4/. He stated
that a committee had just been organised, and it was ex-
pected that from 80/. to 100/. a week would be contri-
buted in Rochdale.
The following resolution was passed unanimously :
" That the best thanks of this meeting be given to the
Mediation Committee for the indefatigable exertions they
have made towards settling the question now in dispute
between the employers and employed."
To-day the annexed "Appeal to the Women of Eng-
land" has appeared :

" Wives, Mothers, and Sisters—The time has arrived
when we can no longer remain inactive. For more than
thirty weeks have been heard painfully audible the piercing
groans of the widow, while the rights of the orphans are
ruthlessly trampled upon by those who have reared their
stately mansions, amassed their hoards of wealth, and who
now turn a deaf ear to the cry of suffering humanity,
treating those who have, by the sweat of their brow, ele-
vated them to the present high position, with cold con-
tempt and lofty arrogance, as if they were of a lower
variety of species, or formed from a coarser clay, refusing
to treat either with their own workpeople, their leaders
(whom they affect to despise), of those gentlemen who
have kindly offered their services, actuated, as they them-
selves admit, by the most disinterested motives and a
sincere desire to bring this unhappy difference to an end
by mediation or arbitration.'
" All efforts having failed to heal the breach, we are
compelled to appeal to all who possess one spark of hu-
manity within their breasts, and especially to the women
of England, to whom this call is more particularly made,
to arouse from their lethargy, and let that spirit which
ever characterises the females of all ages to shine forth with
redoubled splendour.
" We do so with implicit confidence in the mighty power
and unflinching determination of that sect—degraded into
an inferior class of being by the refinements of the East,
subjected to the tyrannies of Greece and Rome. But here,
in the north, their equality has ever been preserved in-
violate.

" Among our ancestors the Saxons, and also among the
ancient Germans, they were ever looked up to as goddesses
in wisdom as in beauty, beings endowed with a superior
intelligence. They doubtless are, and hence can we ac-
count tor their authority being most fully respected in all
matters of religious trust, as welt as iu the affairs of life
an,l morals.

" To such we now appeal, in the name of suffering hn•
inanity. By the tears of the widow, and the cries of the
orphan, we earnestly implore your assistance in this trying
season, hoping, as we do, this appeal will not be made in
vain co those who have ever been ready to raise their
voice, and assist with their purse, for the suppression of
foreign despotism.
" We fearlessly assert that the power of the master was
not more exercised by the feudal lord than is wielded by
the Preston ' Associated Masters' of the 19th century, nor
slavery more revolting during the worst days of the Roman
rel
'• Let, then, the same spirit animate yon on behalf of
your suffering sisters of Preston as that displayed when the
WitUltill of England nobly combined to crush the foreign
despot, thereby elevating those whom Gud has endowed
with minds capable of reasening, to occupy a position far
higher than that of the brute creation.
Far be it from us i,o invoke vengeance upon these men.
And, yet, what fountain of confidence have they not poi•
soned ? 'What bond of slavery have they not riveted ?
What rece'ses of affection have they not violated ? In
short, what misery and destitution are they not daily pro.
paga tin g ?
" Never can domestic, social, civilised man or woman
be safe while such a state of things exists.
" Awake, then, ye daughters of Britain ! Let your
Ilnited voices be heard as in days that have gone by,
Withhold not your pence, but join in this mighty struggle
of right :against might. Suffer not the Preston operatives
longer to be down-trodden. Help ! help ! and nations yet
unborn will thank you for the effort.
" JOHN MOON, Secretary."