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698 f&ttV ittfairtt+ [Saturday,
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11EDEMPTION SOCIETY. FESTIVAL AND BALL. ...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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698 F&Ttv Ittfairtt+ [Saturday,
698 f & ttV ittfairtt + [ Saturday ,
11edemption Society. Festival And Ball. ...
11 EDEMPTION SOCIETY . FESTIVAL AND BALL . A festival and ball , in celebration of the second Harvest-home of the Community of the Redemption Society , in South Wales , were held in the Music-hall , Albion-street , Leeds , on Monday evening . At six o ' clock upwards of 600 persons sat down to tea . During tea a selection of popular music was performed by a large and efficient quadrille band . the the meeting also
In the course of evening was much enlivened and entertained by a company of glee singers , whose performances alternated with the speeches which were delivered . On the platform were the Reverend E . R . Larken , rector of Burton , Mr . Thornton Hunt , Mr . D . Green ( president of the Redemption Society ) , Mr . W . Eggleston , Mr . Greig , Mr . Councillor Barker , of Wortley , editor of the People , Mr . Denton , & c . & c . In the orchestra were several ladies .
After tea the Reverend E . R . Larken was unanimously called to the chair . Mr . Larken , on taking the chair , was warmly applauded . He said he had great pleasure in accepting the invitation which had been sent to him by the respected secretary of the Redemption Society to preside on this occasion . As most of the audience were probably aware it was not the first time he had officiated as chairman at meetings of the Redemption Society . He had done so at several of their annual meetings , and this was the second Harvest-home of the Society at which he had had the pleasure of presiding . To him , however , the present meeting possessed a distinctive
character from that of some of their previous meetings which he had attended ; its peculiar festive character precluded mere routine business , and business for the present seemed disposed to give place to festive enjoyment . At the same time , he considered it the duty of those who had the interests of the society at heart to avail themselves of such opportunities as the present afforded of bringing , not only before those who might be predisposed in favour of the society , but before the public generally , the great , the all-important and invincible principle of association , , The town of Leeds had set a glorious example , and if the people of other towns would labour in the cause to the extent which Leeds had done , the happy
effects of association would soon be felt and acknowledged . In the eyes of men accustomed to contemplate enormous capital , the funds of the numerous branches of the society might altogether appear comparatively insignificant , but the society contained within its bosom the germ of progress and advancement , the influence of which must one day be extended and felt throughout the whole of society . That germ was the doctrine of association . { Hear . ) Whether the Redemption Society was right or wrong in the course of procedure it had adopted , the fact was indisputable , that at the foundation of it lay this germ—the associative principle . This principle of association was in direct opposition to the leand it for
competitive , antagonistic princip ; was them to decide which of those two principles was right—to which the palm should be awarded . It was not so much his object to congratulate them upon the advancement which the society and the principle of association had made , nor yet to encourage or applaud the leaders and agon's of the society , however worthy of applause those men might be . Their duty at such gatherings was to improve the occasion , to consider what , progress had been made on the one hand , and what opposition the-y had encountered on the other , and to educe from such consideration rich lessons for future application . Since he last addressed them on a similar
occasion , events of a somewhat discouraging character , as respects the liberal cause , had transpired . They would renumber that , in consequence of the appearance of a reforming pope , the popular party was buoyed up to the utmost pitch of expectation ; in the person of that same )» opr , however , the popular cause had since received a decided check , the popular spirit had been disheartened , and , to all appearance , without hope of resuscitation . It was , however , consolatory to reflect that , though for a time society might appear to retrograde , the cause of humanity must ultimately triumph . If he were to take upon himself to recapitulate the history of the associative principle in recent time 8 , he should rrvert first of all
to the astounding defection from the ranks of the adherents of the principle of that mnn who now unfortunately lills the presidential chair of the Republic of France . That niuu—Louis Napoleon—was returned to the chair which he now occupies on the distinct understanding that he proteased communistic primipl . s . He had , dining his imprisonment , published a bm . k in which he advocated the extinction of pauperism in France by the adoption of communistic arrangements ; and the majority of the 0 , 000 , 000 vote rs who liad raised him to the presidency believed that he was a thorough-going Communist . Louis Napoleon had born guilty of still greater ciimes than that of his untruthi ' ulncss in this matter . It was scarcely nece'ssary to repeat the circumstances attending the humiliating Tinsitien ) into which l ' ope l'ius the . Ninth had
be in brought ; and those connected with the disgraceful inti rvintion oi I lie President of the French Republic in the affairs of Rome . Mnzzini , the great unel glorious Mnzzini— ( ajp / ausr )—luid come forward in the midst of anarchy , and had restored tranquillity to that capital whieih contains so many spli neliei monuments on which the me mory delights to linger , he preserved trniujuillity for many menitlis , and would , had lie hern unmolested , have see'nred Italian liberty on u firm foundation . Why was he not permitted to do so ? Because he did not suit the- selfish purpoM'H of that man—that renegade who now occupied ) the presidi utial throne e > f France . But of theme ueUi and this protection e > f temporal and spiritual despotism posterity would judge . But he would , not dwell upon the many disasters which the cause of liberty had ; sustained during the last year—on the defeat of the
Hungarian patriots , and on the melancholy fate of some of the defenders of liberty . He would , however , remark , that he did not consider those subjects which he had introduced as irrelevant to the object of the present meeting . Many of the brave and talented men to whom he had referred , if they had made terms with the despots , might have risen to the highest offices ; on the other hand , however , they were ready to sacrifice themselves in defence of their principles : their example was worthy of the imitation of all who had the principles of Communism at heart ; and , as a further incitement to the emulation of the deeds of those worthies , he would add that , many of those distinguished men were Communists , and had
written and spoken , and many of them even died in the advocacy and defence of Communistic principles . Turning from this disastrous state of circumstances on the Continent , he now came to our own happy land ,- — happy only in comparison with disturbed continental countries ; for there yet remained much of ignorance , poverty , and misery to be repressed before we were a happy country in the absolute sense of the phrase . Notwithstanding some discouragements , there were many grounds of confidence and hope . A sense of the great importance of the associative principle as a means of elevating and blessing society was evidently spreading amongst all ranks . In the advocacy of the
communistic or associative principle by such men as Thomas Carlyle , Professor Norris , of King ' s College , London , and the Reverend Charles Kingsley , who had come forward openly as Christian Socialists and given the influence of their name and their capital to the associations of working men which had been formed in London and elsewhere , in the accession of those influential individuals he saw great and encouraging signs of progress . No less than twelve or fourteen Working Men's Associations had been formed in London , Manchester , and other large towns ; and so recently as last week an association had been set on foot , in connection
with which the producers of articles could meet and exchange their productions to their mutual advantage . The associations to which he had referred had not received the same form as the Redemption Society ; nor had they the land , to which we must look for permanent improvement , to fall back upon as had the Redemption'Society ; but they were all banded together on the great principle of association ; their partial success augured the possibility of their ultimate , complete success ; and he was sure that all present
would join in encouraging and heartily wishing success to those working men of London and other towns . They had also , lately , been strengthened by the assistance of Mr . George Dawson . ( Applause . ) He wished he ( Mr . Dawson ) had been at the meeting that night . He believed not a man in England was more thoroughly convinced of the benefits to be derived from the associative principle than was George Dawson ; and he believed no man would advocate the principle more successfully than would Mr . Dawson during the ensuing season . Another ground of encouragement and of consolation under the disheartenments encountered in other quarters , which he might also allude to , was the union which had lately taken place between the Democratic and Social Reformers . Amongst ^ both these classes there were men of stern integiityand great heartiness , who had hitherto been labouring in the cause of reform independent of each other : they had now , however , discovered the principle that the effect of two parties of men working separately was a waste of power , compared with the effect of two parties of men working in concert . They had , accordingly , determined to unite their forces ; and he pointed this out as a circumstance which ought to encourage them in
their endeavours to diffuse the knowledge and advantages of the communistic principle . He would not detain them with further remarks ; he was aware that some would be anxious that the speeches should be short , in oreler that they might the sooner be allowed to enjoy the festive dance . He , however , was anxious that the gre at principle of association should receive that serious attention which it merits ; and he felt that he could not have discharged his duty without having laid before them those remarks . Mr . Larken concluded his address by congratulating the meeting on their numbers and respectability , and sat down amid loud applause .
Mr . Eoglkston was then called upon to read a number of letters which had been received from various gentlemen who had been invited to take part in the proceedings . The following are copies of some of them : — " Eversley , Winchfield , Hants , Oct . 11 , 1 S 50 . " My Dear Sir , —I am most exceedingly sorry that I cannot accept your most courteous and flattering invitatiein ; first , because I am most nnxious to make fresh Se ) cialist acquaintances , and to see more of the very remarkable men of your connection whom I met last month ; and next , because 1 believe land to be the true mid only permanent basis of associative organizations , and am , therefore , most anxious to gain information from you on this point , and to testify by all means my hearty concurrence in your schemes .
• ' Wishing you all prosperity and success , and regretting the press of business which prevents my leaving home , even for a day , Believe me , yours most sincerely , " Mr . Eggleston . " ** C . Kimqblky . " West Lodge , Putney Common , Sept . 28 . " Dear Sir , — I should much like to beat your meeting . With the purpose 1 most heartily sympathize , and should be truly gratified might I personally enjoy the celebration of the festival ; but 1 cannot . Other duties and employments deny me the pleasure of the visit ; and for the present year , 1 beg of you to accent all I can bestow , my earnest wishes for the success of jour cause , or I should rather say , the cause of all society in its forward and wiser progress . Believe me , yours faithfully , " Mr . Ilobson . " " Douglah Jkuuolt ) . " Birmingham , Oct . 3 , 1850 . u Dear Sir , —I am very sorry that I cannot come to
your meeting . I have to b « at Newport , in the Isle of Wight , on Tuesday evening , and it would be scarcely practicable to accomplish the journey in the time . If £ could come I would ; as I not only acknowledge the importance of the objects at which you aim , but greatly admire the industrious persistence with which you work . " Believe me , yours truly , Geohge Dawsox " Mr Eggleston . " " Rosehill , Oct . 2 , 1850 . " Dear Sir , —I considered myself honoured by the invitation to attend the celebration of the Harvest-home of the Redemption Society , at Leeds , and I shall have much pleasure in accepting it , provieled my numerous engagements will allow me to leave home then . You are quite right in supposing that I take great interest in Associative Progress . ' "Very faithfully yours , " W . Eggleston , Esq . * ' " Charles Bray .
Mr . Eggleston also read a letter from Mr . Denton , the secretary of the society ' s community at Garlnwyd , in Wales . Mr . Denton stated in his letter that the prejudice existing in the minds of many English people against the land of Wales was entirely unfounded , at least with respect to the Uedemptio ' n Society ' s community . The soil was good ; its resources only want developing . They are going on draining and in other respects improving the land , and during the last year have made great progress . They want more manual labour and more horse power . The weather was favourable for gathering the crops last
harvest . The crop was considered a good one . Ihe communists have three corn ricks , 10 ricks of oats , and one of barley . The inhabitants state that there was never so much corn at Garlnwyd at one time before . They have three fields of potatoes— they had a good crop , but they were spoiled by the disease . The communists live entirely on the produce of the farm except two meals of tea and coffee on Sunday . They have plenty of bacon , ham , butter , eggs , cheese , milk , oatmeal , and flour . They think it better to live on their own produce and succeed in their experiment , than to live in luxury and fail . They have two horses , twelve head of cattle ,
thirtyseven sheep , seven pigs , and a large quantity of fowls . After an interval of music , the chairman then introduced Mr . David Greek , who observed that this society differed from the London societies , the Leeds Corn Mill Society , and some other associations , in this particularthat this society had the land as a basis . The society intended in course of time to be shopkeepers , merchants , and manufacturers on their own account , but first they wanted to have a good foundation upon the land , and accordingly their exertions were now directed to the culaboitto establish
tivation of their farm . They were now . a shoe shop , Mr . Williams having offered the use of some buildings for that purpose . They could produce shoes at a much cheaper rate than under the competitive principle . The people were also maintained much cheaper in community than out ; a family could be maintained on six shillings a-week . The communists on the estate received no wages , but they were secured against want and poverty , and enjoyed a greater degree of personal liberty than they would do labouring for other employers at "the sound of the bell . ' The communists made their own laws ; they were a perfect democracy . As to manufactures , it was proved by that arti
the example of the Shakers in North America , - cles can be manufactured much better in community than under the competitive system ; and the articles manufactured by the Shaker communists could always command the best price in the American markets . But , in order to carry out their industrial objects in Wales , they must erect buildings . A fund had been established for that purpose . £ 80 had already been subscribed , and they wished £ 200 to be made up by Christmas . He invited subscriptions to this fund . Mr . Green also noticed some objections to the society , and concluded by earnestly inviting the working men present to become membersthe rate of subscription being so low as to atlord the poorest an opportunity of joining the society and sharing
its advantages . Mr . Thornton Hunt then addressed the meeting . He observed that the chairman had laid before them some very striking instances of adhesion by persons ot influence to their communistic opinions ; in the list , however , he had not observed any instance so striking as that presented by the present striking assemblystriking , not only in point of number , but also striking in that fraternal spirit which he had observed prevailing amonast them throughout the evening . _ It was , indeed ,
a cheerful spectacle . But , if he had before him a cher-rful spectacle , he must say farther , thai jt reminded him of spectacles very different indeed ;—the sight reminded him of the frightful contrast between those things which the people might have , and those things which , in the existing state of society , the people do have . When he heard the accounts of their estate m Wales , and of the mode in which workmen live em their own land , ho contrasted that state with the strvte of the woikmnn living unon land not their own ; he contrasted that abun
estate which produced profit to them , and gave - dance to the workman , with the condition of those held * from which the labourer was now driven to hye in tlio towns , or which support labourers who know neither butter nor eges , nor cheese , but live on potatoes , cabbnge , and other things which the labourers of the Redemption Society would consider refuse . Yet this latter js the state of things under the influence of competition , whicii we are told is to stimulate the energies of mankind . That state of things which has been so very injurious to the labourer , which has made him the stunted , the haltstarved , and the stupid man which we often see him , that state of things , we Bay , has its retribution : those
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 19, 1850, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_19101850/page/2/
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