The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-09-13
From the N. Y. Plebeian.

From the n Y. Plebean.
FRIENDS OF HUMANITY, READ!
We have embodied in the proceedings Of the
Massachusetts, Legislature on Monday last, the
subjoined petition of young females who work in
factories TO obtain their subsistence. Much has
been said of protecting American labor. Mr. Gree
y, of the Tribune, has been prasing up the good
results emanatng from the late tariff-the work.
ing people have been appealed to in order to sus-
tain the policy npon which it was adopted-pro-
hction to home industry. The simple memorial
we publish below speaks volumes 1t is more po-
tent to awaken opposition TO this scheme OF the
ordly manufacturers--for it is designed to ensure
to their benefit, and not the operaves-than all
the ingenious speculations OF mere political econo-
mjts. 1t is an emphatic, practical argument
against the tariff system. What does the simple
appeal ofthe defenceless female operatives tell us!
Why, that they are, in fact bound women-whlte
slaves to black hearted tyrants. Yet we are ap-
peaed to, the working men are appealed to, that
system, engendering such despotism, may be las-
tened to the soil aud perpetuated. The abolition
lists of the North-and there are many in the State
in which exists the Infamous tyranny and persecu-
ton set forth IN the memorial say not a word
about the oppression Of their own race They ex.
pend their sympathy entirely upon the "poor ne
gro" none for the fair daughters Of the Old Bay
State Out upon the Pharisees! Let such wrongs
as are detailed by these poor girls be known IN
siychudng State, and we question whether the
perpetrators would be allowed to hold up their
heads in society. They would be secuted at by all
honorable mel. We advise every reader to cut
out the memorial and keep itin his pocket and
when talked at by any Of the 'home leaguers'
read it for their edificaticn 1t shows wi a knd oi
p,Jiection they would bestow upon American la
bor:--
"T0 the Massachusetts, Legislature:
1--WE, the undersigned females, dependent up
or the labor Of our hands for subsistence, having
left the employment of the Middlesex Manufacture
ing Company on account Of violation on their
part of the agreement existing between the under
signed and said company, are now suffering per-
sccution,from said company, and are hunted from
place 10 place, that we may find no employment
by which to earn living. Not being able to con-
tend against our rich prosecutors, by bringing
suit at law for satisfaction, we are compelled 10
seek redress OF protection from the powers which
created said company. The "Regulation paper"
which accompanies this memorial, reads as foIlows
GAN persons entering into the employment of
the company are considered as engaged for twelve
months, and those who leave sooner will not re-
ceiye regular discharge"
1--WE did not imply, by agreeing to this, that our
wages were to be subject to any reduction which
the company might see fit to make, and when they
gave US official notice that they were going to cut
our wages down about % per cent, we consider
ed il violation the agreement which existed be-
tween us, and therefore, did not feel bound by an
agreement which they had right to break; for If
they could reduce our wages 25 per cent why not
fifty. and still hold US TO work twelve months!
We, therefore, quit working for said company, and
the consequence to us is as follows: Some OF us
went 10 work for other companies, but these COM
panies soon received our names, and we were i'm
mediately turned off. Some of US applied for
work where hands were wanted, but were INFORM
ed that they could employ none of"the turn-outs
from the Middlesex," and many who labored with
us have been obliged to leave Lowell, and seek
their bread we know not where, on account OF
the persecution carried on against them by the Mid
desex Company. Our names are upon all the cor
poratons in Lowell. that we shall find no employ
ment I'VE, therefore, pray that you will, fcon-
sistent with your constitutional powers, stay the
hands Of our prosecutors and if not, that some law
may be enacted which will prevent our brothers,
sisters aud friends suffering if ever they shouldre-
sist injustice from manufacturing companies.
[Signed,l
Ruth Hancock, Maria French,
Mary j. Stowe, Mary w. Honey,
Cardinal Sweetser, Lucinda Keeler,
Deborah Smith, Eunice G. lsley,
Betsey Tenney, Sarah B. Flying,
Mary F. Tenney, Rebecca b. fIyIng'
Lydia G. Bales, Amy Littletield.
Julia A. Taylor; Jane G. Morton,
Mary A. Morgan"