The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-26 00:00:00

my countries and Germany, the best guarantee of
a favourable development of their reciprocal inte-
rests, I may hope that my unceasing efforts, of
which I have recently given proofs, will ultimately
attain that end, however difficult such a consumma-
tion may have become from the attitude assumed
by those of the German Governments, among the
foremost of whom I have been grieved to see your
Royal Highness. Accept the assurance of my
distinguished consideration and of my friendship,
with which I remain your Royal Highness's affec-
tionate brother and cousin,

" FREDERICIi."

THE SOUTH LANCASHIRE WEAVERS.

RIOTOUS DEMONSTRATION AT STALYBRIDGE.
On Saturday last, what is designated the Execu-
tive Committee of the weavers of South Lancashire,
assembled at the Temperance Hotel, Tib-street,
Manchester, to take into consideration the position
of affairs in reference to the power-loom weavers
now on strike owing to a reduction of wages. Man-
chester, Ashton, Stalybridge, Hyde, Oldham, Clithe-
roe, and many other towns were represented by dele-
gates. After a very lengthy discussion, the majority
of the meeting decided that, although the present
turn out was not in accordance with their views, the
workpeople generally having over-ruled the advice
of the various committees, it was now the most
judicious course to cease work, as in 1842, until
their demands were complied with. It was fur-
ther resolved to hold a conference of delegates
from all the manufacturing towns in East and
South Lancashire on Good Friday. The delegate
from Oldham stated that there had not been any
reduction offered there, and that, consequently, the
hands were at work. But if a general turn out
were considered desirable, he was of opinion that
a large procession to Oldham would cause a ces-
sation of labour. Considerable discussion ensued
relative to the disposal of the funds now in hand ;
and after some other routine business the meet-
' ing broke up. In accordance with resolutions passed
at meetings held at Stalybridge and Ashton, on
Saturday, meetings of the weavers were held yes-
terday ; and the following is a summary of the
proceeding :—At half-past five in the morning from
200 to 300 assembled on the Plantation Ground
at Stalybridge, when short addresses having been
delivered by one of Mr. Leech's operatives, named
Cooper, and one of Messrs. Cheetham's hands, named
Gresswell, it was agreed to adjourn until 8 o'clock.
A little after that time a monster meeting of some
thousands took place. John Goodfellow was called
to the chair. He said he felt great interest in the
present agitation. Their just course was to oppose
the reduction, for there was no necessity for it,
and therefore it ought to be resisted. Mr. J.
Cooper concurred with all the chairman had said.
He advised them to be determined to have their
price, and keep the peace. The masters at two mills
had said on Saturday that if "Leech's weavers" did
not go in they would lockup. Now, the hands had
been charged with dictation, but he thought that
was dictation at any rate. It was only for him
further to say that if Stalybridge did not do its duty
the weavers of Glossop would come and " fetch
them out, which would be serving them the
same as they served the Glossop people at the
last strike." Mr. George Gresswell said that
" Cheetham's hands" would not come out unless
locked out or fetched out. He wanted to know
what they at that vast meeting intended to do ;
and therefore he would ask the workpeople of
Messrs. Cheetham, Bayley, Harrison, Benson, and
all except those oMessrs. Leech (who are out), if
they intended to stop out, to hold up their hands.
(A large number of hands were then held up ; and,
on asking those to hold up their hands who intend-
ed to go in, not one was held up.) The meeting
then separated.
At Ashton, a large meeting was held in the
Market Place, at ten o'clock. An operative named
Jardine occupied the chair. The vast gathering
was briefly addressed by Messrs. R. Mellor, W.
Billcliffe, and G. Gresswell, who inculcated unity,
perseverance, and a determination to maintain their
stand at all hazards. The second speaker strongly
urged an agitation for an eight hours' bill, and recom-
mended all married women to cease working inside
the factory. A procession was then formed, which
proceeded from the Market Place to Ryecroft,
through Dukinfield, on to Stalybridge, and from
thence large numbers proceeded, to Glossop. The
operatives who remained in Stalybridge went round
to those mills where any weavers were at work,
and by shouting, kc. endeavoured to get the bands
out, and in some instances succeeded. At Messrs.
Bayley's mill they forced open the large gates,
when the workpeople came into the mill
yard, and some acceded to the wish of the
mob, and came out. At two o'clock, between two
and three thousand assembled again on the
Plantation ground, and after passiing, a reßolution to
remain out, formed in procession to revisit those mills
where any weavers were at work. They were
parading the town when our parcel left. All was
tolerably quiet.
Several thousands of the weavers at Hyde and
Newton, all of whom are on strike, proceeded to
Glossop, yesterday morning, headed by a band of
music and a number of police officers. We have
not heard of any disturbance.
LATEST PARTICULARS.
We learn that Glossop presented a scene to-day
such as has seldom before been witnessed.
the influx of power-loom weavers is estimated at
upwards of 12,000. They went there singing
" Britons never shall be slaves," in which they were
joined by a band of music. A meeting was held,
and addressed by seven delegates, all of whom urged
upon the hands of Glossop to cease work; and
they agreed to do so. The vast multitude returned
to Stalybridge and Ashton between seven and
eight p.m. singing the above chorus. It is arranged
that the operatives of Hyde and Newton visit.
Stockport to-day (Tuesday), and those of Staly-
bridge and Ashton go to Oldham " to get the
l hands out." Monster meetings will be held in the
morning with this object.