The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-04 00:00:00

NON- UNIONIST DEMONSTRATION :AT
STAVELEY. •

The workmen in the employ of the Staveley Coal
and Iron Company, who formed themselves into a
non-union association, on Monday presented to Mr.
Markham, the managing director, and who has
been mainly instrumental in adjusting matters be-
tween masters and men, a testimonial consisting of
a beautifully-designed claret jug and waiter, toge-
ther with a chastely-designed inkstand and an illu-
miaated address. On the claret jug was engraved
the following inscription :—" Presented to Charles
Markham, Esq., Iby 2,566 of the workmen of the
Staveley Coal and Iron Company (Limited), in
grateful acknowledgment of the zeal and ability
displayed by him in vindicating the right of the
British workman to freedom of labour and of
action against the operation of trades' unions, and
also in appreciation of his uniform kindness to his
workpeople.--August, 1867." The cost of the tes-
timonial was £53, which amount was raised by a
subscription amongst the workmen themselves, none
being allowed to give more than 61 The proceed-
ings excited almost an unparalleled amount of in-
terest in the district, and the day was observed as a
general holiday, the whole place being en fete.
Special trains conveyed workmen and their families
from the Speedwell and Seymour Collieries, and
at four o'clock a very numerous company sat down
to tea in a large marquee, erected close by the rail-
way station. The proceeds were to be devoted to
the funds of the newly-established Mechanics' In-
stitution, the inauguration of which was thus
auspiciously celebrated, the Duke of Devonshire,
and other distinguished visitors, being present
during tea. A luncheon was also provided in the
Workmen's Dining Hall. At five o'clock a meeting
was held in the Staveley Works School, Barrow-
hill, which was crowded to excess, a considerable
number of ladies being among the assemblage.
Mr. B. WHITWORTH, M.P. for Drogheda, pre-
sided, and in the course of his remarks, greatly
eulogised Mr. Markham, with whom he said the
working man could not find a truer friend. As
one of the directors, he could assure them that Mr.
Markham had studied the interests of the working
men as well as those of the masters, and he felt sure
that Mr. Markham would never do anything that
was not strictly right, that was not truly honourable,
or that he would be ashamed of.
The presentation was then made by Mr. Thomas
Henshaw, on behalf of himself and fellow workmen.
Mr. MARKHAM, who was received with hearty
cheers, said—l accept with gratitude this address
and testimonial, which is gratifying to my feelings
after the events that have recently taken place at
these works. I can assure you I should not have
been found advocating the cause of the freedom and
liberty of labour if I had not been deeply impressed
with the conviction that their principles were founded
upon truth, justice, and equity, and that it was for
the advantage of society at large that the most per-
fect freedom of labour should prevail amongst all
classes, and that no man was worthy of the name of

an Englishman who placed his liberties at the mercy
of any others, and ceased to think and act for him-
self. (Hear, hear.) I am a member of the Civil
and Amalgamated Engineers, but if that society
attempted by rules to regulate my freedom and
liberty of thought and action, I should never have
joined them, as I would not delegate to any council
or living being my personal freedom which I inherit
by right as an Englishman. The pioneers of the
non-union movement are men who have been en-
gaged in numerous strikes from their early life, and
after great experience these men are now convinced
that they have frequently suffered the greatest
privation by placing their liberties at the dictation
of other people, but like all sensible men they
are not ashamed to proclaim their altered opinion.
Much has been said about the effects of education,
but I am convinced that the working classes, when
they become more intelligent and enlightened, will
cherish as I do their right to think and act for them-
selves. It is only where gross ignorance prevails
that men are induced to join in combinations which
deprive them of their rights and liberties. It is well
known to me that the freedom of labour in this dis-

tie. hits enabled ILe workiug man to elevate and

improve his position in a manner that would have
been wholly impossible if he had delegated those
powers to others. If working men combine upon
what grounds can they object to a similar combina-

tion of employers of labour ? If such a conspiracy
were formed upon a similar scale to the trades
unions the position of the working man would be
miserable in the extreme, as capital in such a struggle
must succeed. To show the competition of foreign
workmen I may remark that many years ago I had
the joint charge of some ironworks in the north of
France with Mr. Jas. Morrison, the well-known
ironmaster in the north of England. We found
hundreds of Englishmen in almost every depart-
ment, but we soon discovered that every operation"
that was performed by Englishmen cost from 30
to 100 per cent. more than if it was undertaken by
the French and Belgian artisan, whose intelligence
and industry are proverbial. At that time the com-
mon labourer received only a franc and a half per
day, or 15d. Our sympathies were, of course, with
but we soon found we must
our fellow-countrymen,
pass into the Bankruptcy Court or meet competi-
tion, and when I left France there was only one
Englishman left in the wor'.;.s I had charge of. A
recent visit to the French Exhibition has satisfied
me of the great strides the foreigners have made in
mechanical improvements during the past ten years,
and unless the most perfect freedom of labour pre-
vails in the country in all trades and occupations,
the English workman will find himself and family
reduced to paupers by the presumption and folly of
trades unions. As long as I live I shall never cease
to advocate the spread of knowledge and freedom
of labour amongst all classes. In the present critical
state of society no body of men, however intelligent,
can control the trade of the world, which becomes
adjusted to the great law of supply and demand,
and any interference with such known laws must,
sooner or later, bring distrep amongst all people.
The workmen of Staveley will long remember with
gratitude the presence of the Duke of Devonshire,
who has come amongst us at great personal inconve-
nience to sanction with his presence your non-union
movement, and lam sure his grace will not fail to appre-
ciate and approve the example you have set to your
countrymen in the establishment of the non-union
movement, which will spread its influence through-
out the land. (Loud and protracted cheering.)
The Duke of DEVONSHIRE then stepped forward,
and was greeted with loud cheers. He said—l have
listened with attention and equal pleasure to the
speeches just delivered by working men. I came
here principally in the character of a spectator, and
I would gladly have continued to occupy that posi-
tion. I have no desire to take up the time of this
company, but having been called upon by the chair-
man I think it is my duty to address a few words to
you. As one who is deeply interested in the mate-
rial prosperity of Staveley, and still more interested
in its good name, high character, and peaceable
conduct, it has given me the very greatest pleasure
to be present on this occasion. I may well call this
a remarkable occasion, and I think no one ac-
quainted with the events which have taken place
here during the last year will think I use too strong
language when I call it such. These events have
excited more than a local interest—they are such
as well deserve to receive a large share of public
attention and to make an impression on the public
mind. I scarcely know which of the two parties is
most to be congratulated upon the event of this
day—whether I should congratulate Mr. Markham,
whose conduct has been such as to gain for him this
signal mark of the confidence of the working men
with whom he is concerned, or congratulate the
working men on having been so prompt in recog-
nising his conduct as being such as to well deserve
their approbation. And now let me say one or two
more words respecting the purpose for which we are
assembled. If I could think this meeting could
with any propriety be characterised as a triumph of
one class over another—a victory of employers or
employed—l for one should not have thought it my
duty to be present on this occasion. What appears
to me to be the distinguishing character of this
assembly is that we are ',net to commemorate a vic-
tory on the part of both employers and employed—
a victory of good gun and judgment on the part of