The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-08-21
JOSEPH ARCH,

Joseph AICAAS agricultural 1SDOT6r
and Methodist local preacher, was
born in the village Of Barford, War
wickshire, England, in the year 826.
His father was farm laborer also,
and manifested a marked independ-
ence Of character, which no doubt
had its influence on his son. His
mother was a woman of sterling
worth and piety, whose memooy her
son to this day fondly cherishes. AS
the manner is among those of his
class, Joseph began a life Of toll
when only nine years of age. In
course of time he married mechap-'
/ les daughter, who has proved an
excellent wife. His wages at this
time were about ten shillings a
week. In course Of time children
were born to him, and il cannot be
cause of surprise that on this mea-
gre income he found ithard to pro-
vide the bare necessarit S of life for
his little family His good wife felt
the strain to be to much, and it was
at her suggestion he took step
which not only pnt him and his in
better way of living, but also gave
him opportunities Of studying the
condition of agricultural laborers in
different parts of the country. He
sought better-paying work, and from
that time till February, 1872, never
wanted job. But hard outdoor
work did not exhaust him. SAT
nights by the kitehen-fre,'' as he
himself tells, he improved his mind,
and on Sundays he went out preach
ing.
w This is the man-providentally
fitted by training, as also by robust
ness Of constitution, independence
Of character, sound sense, and moral
worldwide last year was, by force
of circumstances, pushed into the
front as the leader of the great move
ment now in progress among En-
glish agricultural laborers. Asked
to address few men in room in
Wellesbourne-where his wife was
from-he on arrival found crowd
of over thousand persons assem-
bled, and from under chestnut-tree
In the village, delivered his first
speech IN connection with the cause
with which his name will ever be
associated, "A report of this speech
were worth having, but such does
not exist, 1t is spoken of as very
memorable one, which aroused much
enthusiasm among those present,
and was just suited to the occasion.
Its influence is said to be felt still.
In any case it placed Joseph Arch
In his natural position as adviser and
leader Of his fellows. lrase.
1t is a wonder to many that long
before some such movement did not
! arise in England; that the agricultu
raj laborer there seemed content till
the other day to strive to live on
twelve shillings a week. But it
must be remembered that the squire
and the parson are potent personages
IN English rural districts, and that
to dotf the hat to both may be con-
sldered part Of the teaching of the
State Church there. Perhaps.
therefore, the wonder is that the
farm laborers have had the courage
to act SO vigorously. However,
other results besides their social and
political enfranchisemeni NAV be
expected to be promoted. Notably
the dlsestablishment of the State
Church. Her clergy, as might be
supposed, are VIGOROUSLY siding
with oppression, and sometimes as
magistrates actively aiding it, as in
the recent Chipping Norton case,
where the law was strained to send
sixteen honest women to prison, one
beng Sunday-school teacher. But
these clerical civil servants know
not What they are doing. Mr.. Arch,
though, would seem to have an idea
OF 1t. In recent speech, he is re-
ported as having thus spoken: "He
wished to be allowed to express his
own views and feelings with regard
to the position of minister of the
Gospel. He, for one, respected
and he might say that respect was
second 10 none-an earnest minister