The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-04
ENGLAND.
speeeh Of MIR. Gladstone at Lcish.


On the evening OF October 20 Messrs. Gladstone
and Grenfel, the candidates for the representation
OF Southwest Lancashire. addressed large meeting
in Leigh The candidates wero met AZ tho railway
station and escorted to tho hall OF the Cooperative
Society, where Mr. Gladstone was introducedto the
audience He spoke as follows
Mr. CHAIRMAN AND GsNTLKMEN-In addressing
you tonight my Hrss DUTY and not the least pleasant
duty have to perform Is to thank you for the hearty
reception you have given US to-day both out Of doors
and In doon-thear, hear,-and my second duty IL
Society u Lelgh-(cheers)-which has supplied US
with this spacious place Of assemblage. will en-
90 sas WncS Tons no %
possible except with such cid, namely, to address
you spon some Of the subjects which are At this mo
sscesy OK Islsh induces me- 10 say : few
sors e 1nss very s.Hr SseI
est and, ~ think. likewise OF very needless
ALARM mean tho question Of the relations between
capital and labor Hear, hoar) There are those
who consider that tais y among the great dificu-
tiesfit be not the greatest dianculty-that clouds
opinion. I have sufficient confidence in the good
sense Of my coantrymen OF AL classes, and espe-
SateIy concerned and feel the perfect conviction
that not perhaps without some occasional local diff
but dS Su s
and the mazcs OF that question to satisfactory
solution. Hear, hsar.l Certainly one class OF
for the purpose OF helping out the attainment OF that
solution, Is that which, without removing iaborng
men from the class OF laboring men, nevertheless
gives them some OF the sentiments and some Of the
interests OF the capitalist. (Iiear, hear.)
DO not believe from what have said that am one
who believes the functions OF the retail radesman OF
the distributor OF commodities ever can be either
permanently or bene1cially supplanted. That do
not believe. clear, hearJ 1 believe that The union
OF working men among themselves in cooperative
societies may be extremely beneficial as check
upon the more ordinary method OF manufacture
tUh rsate an fais ta n
Wholesale and retail tradesmen. but that 1t will sup
plant those methods !, for one, wholly disbelieve.
thinaa On the one hand, l am convinced It
Ia only In very advanced state or the labor
lng and wagc-earning classes THAT tho co-opera-
ton can be at ali possible and beneficial
and therefore, whenever l ace II producing
locally good effect, rejoice IN q mainly as proof
that In that particular neighborhood the laboring
class is greatly advanced. tnear, hear.) But tien
on the other hand the risks and responsibilities OF
joint stock enterprise are serious l must own TO
you that Sithough ever since my mind was given to
commercial subjects have bccn hope, pretty
steady friend to the principles OF iree tradelhear
hearI-yet never have had tho universal faith In the
principle Of joint stock as opposed TO individual
agency and enterprise Which know has been enter
tanned by many far greater authorities than myself.
hope. therefore that the greatest caution will ever
be exercised by the aboriag classes with regard to
joint stock enterprise, and may Justly add by every
other class; but wherever otat stock enterprise sue
ceeds greatly rejoice In it ana bid them God speed
There Is another mode, favored, I know, by some
highly intelligent gentlemen OF this district, TO which
cannot but WISH an unqualified prosperity, and II
IN because think II to be free from the dangers that
attach In many cases TO the simple principle or
joint stock company. IL Is this mode--where q pri
vate individual, or limited number OF private indi-
vhiuals in nrm carrying on their business on the
principle OF joint stock enterprise, are enabled by
their skill 80 " adjust their operations and accounts
that they can contriye to give to their workpeple
an interest In the profit. Now know not and
II would be presuinptuous In me TO pretend sto
know, how FAR that principle h capable OF extern
sion; and can only say that wherever 1t II capa-
BILE OF application, II would be one oil the most bcne
fetal methods OF dealing with the dnhculties that
beset the question between capital and labor that
have ever been presented to There - one other
method TO which cannot but refer, though the name
OF the person most connected with 1t and most honor
ably connected with It, q gentleman OF foreign de-
scent - less known perhaps In this portion OF the
country than IN the county where he resides and
where his beneficial exertlons have been principally
fclt-i mean Mr.. Mundela- Mr.. Mun1elia Is q man
who has devoted, at small sacrifice, his time ard
no small abilities and energies TO organize those
methods OF friendly and systematic communication
between workmen aud capitalists In the form OF
boards appointed In both quarters which, as far "a
their operation has az yet been tried have pr0uuced
the most happy results. (fear heafl refer TO thcse
not as u were competent TO give a judgment that
proceeds with far greater weight from practical
men, nor because believe we have as yet exhausted
Tue whole catalogue OF expedents for adjusting
those dificultics which must necessarily arse In the
natural aud wholosoms comnctition-fcS II "a .