The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-13 00:00:00

THE PRESTON STRIKE.

GREAT GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF
PRESTON AND BLACKBURN.
PRESTON, SATURDAY EVENING.
To-day was witnessed a new and remarkable feature
in the history of this extraordinary movement. The
factory operatives of Preston and of Blackburn assembled
in their thousands on a piece of ground situated near to
Hoghton Tower (well known as the place where King
James knighted the loin of beef). Hoghton is about
midway between the two towns, which, by the turnpike
road, are eleven miles apart. The Prestonians arrived
on the ground at three o'clock this afternoon, having
with them two bands of music and several banners.
They had to wait two hours for the Blackburn people.
who were at work until two o'clock and then
had six miles to walk. The Blackburnians also
displayed their banners and were attended by three
bands. When the two parties met, the most deafening
cheers rent the air and rendered the brazen instruments
inaudible at the distance of only a few yards. So vast.
was the multitude that it was quite impossible for all to
stand within the reach of any speaker's voice ; conse-
quently, a considerable number betook themselves to
dancing and other amusements. All the banners un-
foiled on the occasion bore inscriptions appertaining to
the struggle ; the following being amongst the number :
—" Ten per cent, and no surrender" ; " A fair day's
wage for a fair day's work" ; " Peace, law, and order" ;
" Cursed is he that defraudeth the labourer of his wages",
(Lc. The proceedings commenced with a song, one
i verse of which is subjoined as a sample of the rest:—
‘: You may see of a truth that the people are not dead,
Though 'twas said that they died long ago,
But we're risen from our sleep, a holiday to keep,
Determined to work under price no more."
CHORUS.—" So we've put by the reed-hook and the comb,
And hung up the shuttle on the loom ;
And we'll never be content
Till we get the ten per cent.
In spite of their let well alone."
Mr. CHEETILIM, of Oldham, occupied the chair, and
said they were met there that day because a portion of
the authorities of Preston had thought fit to prohibit
their meetings in the borough.
One of the speakers remarked that they had been
struggling for the 10 per cent. during 29 weeks, and
their ardour was not in the least diminished. Another
said they were assembled that day to re-inaugurate the
labour movement, and he believed it was possible at the
present time not only to concentrate the veritable work-
ing classes of this country into one mighty union, but
that, by discretion and a proper course of procedure, they
should be enabled to enrol under their banners all who
were depending on wages for a livelihood.
Addresses were also delivered by a number of other
speakers, all of whom pointed out the paramount im-
portance of the preservation of the peace. The immense
multitude set out on their return home shortly after six
o'clock, the music of the bands cheering them on the
way. To-morrow afternoon, weather permitting, there
is to be an aggregate gathering in the same place of the
factory operatives of the East Lancashire district, to
meet the unemployed from Preston. The meeting is
expected to be one of the largest ever witnessed in this
country.
The total number of strangers brought here during
the week by the associated masters is estimated at from
2.50 to 300. The excitement originally produced amongst
the resident operatives by the introduction o. these
"foreigners" seems to have almost died away, the new
corners now attracting but little notice. The depot
where the strangers are received on their arrival has a
sign affixed over the door, with this inscription—" The
immigrant factory operatives' house." Iu addition to
this building, a number of cottages adjacent to some of
the works have been furnished at the expense of the
masters, who have also clothed the ragged Irish through
the medium of the dealers in cast-off apparel. The ex-
penditure of the operatives' committees during the pre-
sent week amounts to 3,288/. 2s. 2d.' the number of
hands relieved being 14,378. It appears from the report
of the weavers' committee that they owe the treasurer
52/.