The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-03-10
Europe After the War

Only wise craftsmanship and far
sighted economic policies can prevent
Europe from being plunged into bit
ter industrial strife at the conclusion
Of the war, in the opinion of many
political economists. History seems
to afford some basis for such fears,
for the Napoleonic struggle, the only
war at all comparable to the one now
raging, was followed by years Of in
dustrial depression.
Today is the centenary Of the
Blanketeer uprising in England, one
of the many rebellions Of the toilers
which followed the successful con-
clusion of Britain's campaigns against
the Corsican. 1t was the purpose of
the B1anketeers to commence great
instruction of the toilers. Most of
them were Manchester cotton opera
tives, and on March 10, 1917, they
met in ST. Peters Field, near the
great industrial city. to begin their
march on London. Most of the dis
gruntled workers had blankets fasten-
ed to their backs, and this led to their
being termed B1anketters. The mob
did not progress far on the way 70
London, being dispersed by troops.
At Nottingham the large number Of
unemployed artisans, calling them
selves Luddites, committed great ex-
cesses, breaking frames and machln-
cry, In October of 1917 several Of
Luddite leaders were tried for high
treason, and Brandreth, Turner and
Ludlam were executed. Eventually
ringleaders of the Blanketeers had
an interview with the cabinet minis
tiers, and better understanding be-
tween the working classes and the
government ensued.
Although Great Britain successfully
weathered the industrial storm which
followed the Napoleonic wars, the
general distress incident to unemploy-
ment and the heavy taxes required to
meet the financial 1egacies Of the
war continued for years. Tariff re-
strictions in other countries forced
British factories, mills and mines to
suspend operations for long period,
while the tax on the importation Of
foodstuffs caused prices to soar. The
labor market was overcrowded. be-
cause Of the competition of hundreds
Of thousands Of soldiers and sailors
suddenly discharged. The working
people, reduced to the verge Of star
walton, held riotous meetings in all
the industrial centers. Radical news
papers IIOurlSneQ as never before, and
Cobbett's 1.-TWO Penny Register" be-
came a greater power than any Of
the old organs of conservatism. The
influence Of the press, and Of the
radical opposition in parliament,
eventually forced a peaceful solution
of the many problems, and the popu-
lar control of government was increas-
ed rather than diminished by the test
whereas in other uropean countries
the war resulted in the re-esta blish-
ment Of the old despotisms, which
throttled the freedom Of the press ST.
fenced for a time the voice Of democ-
racy, and huthlessly crushed into
submission the discontinued workers.
.
This is the centenary of the birth
Of Patrick Nieson Lynch, who was
Roman Catholic bishop of Charleston
from 1858 to his death in 1882, and
who served as special envoy from
Jefferson Davis to France and to
Rome. Born in Ireland on March
10, 1877 he was two years old when
his parents emigrated to South Car
Dina. He became a priest in 1910.
after studying in Rome.