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Leader (1850-1860), 1st May 1852, Edition Town of 2, Page 412, Untitled Article

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      objects to which the sub-committee proposed to apply the building were thus stated . ¦ : —* ¦ " In the first place , a portion of the space may be allotted to a winter garden , avoiding extremes of temperature , embellished with fountains , statuary , geological specimens , and a great variety of other interesting objects- , " Another portion might be appropriated for the reception of new inventions , and of a collection in illustration of the commerce of the world . " Lastly , the building might contain a gallery of design for the promotion of taste among manufacturers and the public * and lecture rooms , and museums , which would relieve the already overcrowded state of many of our greatest scientific institutions . "

      These objects , he contended , were worth a trial , and the attempt to obtain them was creditable . " These things , whether actually effected or only attempted , did produce a great and lasting effect on the mind of the nation at large ; they humanised men ' s spirits ( cheers ) j they abated discontent , and they tended to unite classes ( loud cheers ); they brought together differing influences , and they operated most favourably on the feelings of the working man when he saw wealth and station engaged on his behalf , and seeking in what way they could conduce to his improvement , to his lasting benefit , and to his

      just , and safe , and honest recreation . ( Cheers . ) He knew it was said that the working people of this metropolis and of our other large towns had not sufficient leisure for these things , but he did hope that the benefit of this institution would not end in . the mere display of things beautiful to behold . He hoped that it would produce some permanent effects , that it would lead to some kind and beneficial concession of the hours of labour ( cheers)—to the grant of a half-holiday on the Saturday , in which the working man . might avail himself of the opportunity afforded to inspect and to enjoy the objects contained in this institution . ( Loud cheers . )"

      Enlargingwith great fteling , and aptness of illustration , upon the advantages of the Crystal Palace , as a place for the amusement and instruction of all classes , Lord Harrowby moved the following resolution : — " That a frequent contemplation of works in the fine arts , of historical and literary monuments , and . objects of natural history , is eminently conducive to the instruction , refinement , and rational amusement jof the people , and that this meeting views with satisfaction the increased

      facilities lately given to the public to view the collections contained in the British-Museum and National Gallery , while the decorous conduct of the people visiting those collections proves that they fully appreciate every Opportunity of instructive recreation ; and this . meeting taking into consideration the successful proceedings at the Great Exhibition of J 851 , are of opinion that the Crystal Palace should be preserved on its present site for the instruction and recreation of the people . "

      The wealthier classes had their galleries of sculpture and painting , their libraries , their beautifully ornamented parks , and many other sources of enjoyment which were not available to the mass of the people , and it was but fair that the former should , as far as possible , provide that the humbler classes should share in those enjoyments . They were not going to ask the Government for anything . There were gentlemen in the City who were willing to undertake the matter as a speculation—men , too , who were not in the habit of throwing away their means—and he believed that the new appropriation of the Crystal Palace would be carried out in a manner worthy of those who founded it , of its noble site , and of its previous history and uses . ( Cheers . )

      Mr . Hume made an interesting and characteristic speech , based upon documents , which ho pulled from his pocket , saying , " there was nothing like them , " showing the great improvement in the general behaviour and morals of the people since the great public institutions had been opened freely to thorn . He testified to the growth of a kindly feeling among the uppor to the lower classes ; and urged the importance of not losing the present opportunity , which it was as much the interest of Government as of any one clso , to embrace , of adding the Crystal Palace to the public institutions open to the people .

      The Duke of Argyll , paying graceful compliments to his noble friends , and to Mr . Hume , heartily supported the scheme for retaining tho building , and moved this resolution : — " That , in tho opinion of thin meeting , tho Crystal Palace can bo maintained on tho - ' self-supporting principle , ' undor a groat trust , calculated to afford the highest guarantees for tho uses to which it may bo applied . " Tho main of Iuh argument was directed to refute the plea of bad faith in retaining tho building . Ho contended that tbo pledge given applied not to tho present , but to tho proponed brick and iron building ; and that oven if it did , then tho public which exacted the pledge could roloaao Government from tho obligation .

      Mr . Wakloy , M . P ., secondod tho resolution , which , with tjie preceding , whs carried unanimously . It was resolved ulso that 11 deputation should wait on Lord Derby ; and ft memorial bo presented to tho Queen . Sir Joseph Poxton ' s speech contained some interesting fuote . After a well-deaerved castigation of Lord ISeyiinour for bis conduct in respect to the evidence of

      Sir Joseph before the commission of inquiry / he announced that the Duke of Devonshire , the Duke of Argyll , the Earl of Shaftesbury , the Earl of Harrowby , the Earl of Carlisle , Lord De Mauley , Viscount Paltnerstpn , Lord Londesborough , Baron Meyer de Kothschild , and Mr . Peto , M . P ., had consented tbform part of the proposed trust . Referring to the success of the Exhibition as a ground of encouragement for future efforts in the same direction , and conducted on the same principles , he quoted the following remarkable statistics of that event : —

      In May the number of visitors was 734 , 782 ; in June , 1 , 133 , 116 ; in July , 1 , 314 , 176 ; in August , 1 , 023 , 436 ; in September , 1 , 155 , 240 ; and up to the 11 th of October , 841 , 107 . On the 7 th of October , 92 , 000 persons were in the building at two o ' clock , arid during : the day 109 , 915 . On the 6 th of October 28 , 853 entered the building in one hour . Let them look now at the police returns . There were in all 25 offences committed within the building : — 9 for picking pockets , 6 for attempts to dp so , 10 for petty larcenies at stalls . These were all the Offences , or he mi g ht tuat toc

      rather call them indiscretions , uc piace m me uu . nu .-ing during the Exhibition . ( Cheers . ) As to charities , before the 9 th of July no record was kept of the schools that visited the building , but after that date 466 schools visited it ; of these the largest number was 900 sent ^ by Christ ' s Hospital . The return included a list of 23 parties , chiefly agricultural labourers , comprising 7758 persons sent by private benevolence . ( Cheers . ) With reference to finance , the greatest 5 s . day was the 24 th of May , 5078 ? . ; the greatest 2 s . 6 d . day , the 11 th of October , 4845 J . 13 s . 6 d . ; the greatest Is . day , the 6 th of October , 5283 ? . 3 s . ; making a total for three days of 15 , 206 ? . 16 s . 6 d .

      Meetings have been held in the Metropolitan boroughs during the week , attended with great success-In consequence of the vote of the House of Friday night the Crystal Palace will be immediately sold to private parties , whose offer of £ 70 , 000 had already been conditionally accepted—the condition being that the bargain should not take effect if the building was retained on its present site , The work of removal will commence on the 1 st of May , the opening day of the Exhibition last year .

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      PROGRESS OF ASSOCIATION . rUTTTBE POLICY OF THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENG-INEEES . The Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers have issued an address , and manfully acknowledged that they have been defeated by the superior wealth of the employers . " From the Executive Council of tlie Amalgamated Society to their Members and the Trades in general . " Fexlow Membebs ,- —At a meeting of the general Executive Council , which was attended by five delegates from Manchester , Oldham , Bolton , and Eochdale , held on the 22 nd of April , 1852 , for the purpose of deliberating upon tho present dispute between the operative engineers and their employers , tho following resolutions were adopted : — " 1 . That in consequence of tho present position of our affairs in relation to tho dispute , thia mooting is of opinion that those of our members who may be compelled to-sjgn the ' declaration' should not be excluded . " 2 . That the General Executivo Council recommend the necessity of making a levy of half a day ' s wages on all the members in work , for the purpose of supporting those out of employment in consequence" of the present dispute . " 3 . That any member neglecting to pay the levy of half a day ' s pay , the same shall bo placed to his arrears of contributions , subject to the approval of the next delegate meeting . " 4 . That the non-society men recoivo their fair share of support the same as formerly .

      tt t" mi _ _ A . 1 J . L I __^ — __ — . i ? J-l *«« ¦ mhaI'Ivi / h T-irtnJ- ^ lrt T * S \ Ot Cit" ^ " 5 . That in tho opinion of this meeting , hostile resistanco of labour against capital is not calculated to enhance tho condition of the labourer , wo , therefore , advise that all our future operations should be directed in promoting tho system of self-employment in associative workshops , as tho best means of effectually regulating the conditions of labour , and that this resolution bo submitted to our next delegate meeting . " Tho Executive Council , in publishing the foregoing resolutions , think it necessary to accompany them with a few words of comment and observation . They frankly and unhesitatingly mako tho avowal , that in tho content between capital and labour tho latter lias been defeated . Whatever hopes wore entertained that tho worker might

      successfully assort Ins rights by an open and avowed ro-Histanco to a tyranny of the moat despotic kind , they have fadod before tho immonso power of wealth , and the determination of its possessors to bo absol ute and unconditional masters . However wo might lmvo relied upon tho truth of our causo , and the justice of tho effort to elevate tho industrial position of the artisan—to havo conciliated and convinced our adversaries , and to secure us extended support , wo liavo found , b y bitter and door-bought oxporionco that' more right—right unsupported by strength—truth discarded from powoi \ may bo uoaton down ana trampled

      upon by rich strong-handed wrong . Nothing that wo could do has been loft undone . No effort that it was in our powor to mako has boon spared . Wo havo invited diaoussion and criticism—wo havo ohallongod controversy- ^ wo havo fearlessly laid bare boforo tho world our motives and our purposes—wo havo invited tho verdict of public opinion—we havo offered to submit to arbitration—we havo endeavoured to arouso tho trades of England , thoso who are as much intorostod in tho result of our struggle as ourselves , to unite action , and at last , wo havo offered con * ceuoionfl as great m could honourably bo mode , and

      withdrawn our circular of the 24 th of December , 1851 , but all without javail . Help we have had , but not to a sufficient extent to enable us to continue the . battle ; sympathy has been : awarded to us , but our ^ opponents , great in . the world of wealth , were enabled to command the most influential portion of the press ; hope that we should triumph ; has made thousands of hearts beat high ; but they belonge d to those whose voices , were not heard in the world ^ -the workers of the . country ; and they were c omparativ elv powerless . Through all the" history of the strife We have nothing to reproach ourselves with , nothing to regret but the want of success . : / -

      " In the last extremity , when we had givenup all that could be conceded , the Employers ? Association still maintaining their determination to suffer no man to Work unless be would admit his own slavery and ^ degradation by signing then * infamous declaration , it became necessary to take some steps to avert the crisis . We must submit to inevitable necessity ; Tho poor man , without funds t <) fall back upon , is'dependent upon labour for life . In . the midst of all the wealth he has created for others , his only right is to toil when he can get leave for a bare subsistence- ^ -he is an infant in the grasp of a giant , to whom-he must perforce submit . We cannot ask any man to become a pauper or starve . We cannot say to the artisan , let your-wives and childre and thin

      grow haggard your n pale , and ragged and your hearths cold , till misery past endurance ' force ! you into the poorhouse , where social affections are violated by the law which attaclifes degradation to relief . We cannot command absolute self-sacrifice . Between two evils we are compelled to choose the least . The proposals contained in the above resolutions , if they are adopted , as we doubt not they will be , will place those members who continue in the society , after having signed the declaration , in a position not to violate a moral truthj however reluctant they may feel to submit to such an act of tyranny ; and , in the prospect of this change , we say , that we will not exclude any member who now signs the employers' ' declaration' to obtain bread for himself and hi s family . > ' .-

      "We are aware that honest men may feel an instinctive abhorrence of doing what may subject them to the slieKtestj imputation of acting uricbnscientiously . But we think that this honourable scruple need not prevent their coritihuing in the society if this be done . We think that any one may justly consider his present position to be one of moral compulsion , which has not the stringent obligation attending a freely made agreement . We hold . ourselves and every man who unwillingly puts his hand to that detestable document , which is forced upon us , to be as much destt tute of that power of choice which should precede a contract , as if a pistol were at his head l and he had to choose between death and degradation .

      " Our future efforts must be constantly directed to prevent the possibility of such a catastrophe again occurruig How shall we set about the work of preparation for a coming time ? There is but one way—we must co-operate for . production . The events of the last few months have directed the attention of working men to co-operation ; and inclined them to it more decidedly than years of prosperous industry could have done . Perhaps a greater gopd is to come out of present evil than could have been in any other way brought about . We have learned that it is not sufficient to accumulate funds , that it is necessary also to use them reproductively ; and if this lesson does not fail in its effectsa few years will see the land studded with

      , workshops belonging to the workers—workshops where the profits shall cheer and not oppress labour , wher ? tyranny cannot post an abominable declaration on the gates , where the opportunity of working is secured without the sacrifice of all that makes -work dignified and honourable . Then , indeed , the artisan may successfully assert his claims to bo treated as a man with thoughts and feelings , instead of a machine . And if the employers , seeking to wrong him , close tho gates of the factorj . es , ho will not then stand in forced idleness , consuming the accumulations of past years , but with double energy he wiu

      turn to the factory , and there do tho work of the country , without the unneeded help of others . ' That is a ^ onsummation devoutly to be wished , ' and if we set about mo task with only the some earnestness , good faith , ana patience as have been brought ' to bear upon bur past movement , it will bo accomplished . " So much for the past and pie future . With , respect to tho immediate present , wo hope that those who are in work , and those whoaf once procure employment , wiu not refuse or oven hesitate to support those who are loss lortunato , whether society men or non-society men , tilUaDour is found for them . It is beyond the power of tne employers to induce upright men to disregard those oDiiga .-entered ?

      lions into which they havo voluntarily . ^ » r o «»* ' for tho reputation of our trade , that tho half-day a pay wiw bo cheerfully accorded ; we hopo for the consideration or thoso honest independent men who have to "" ^ dependent upon them for support , and who Btiij , w » w * irrosifltiblo loathing , refuse to eign tho atrocious aoclorft-10 That done , we must organize for the future—assisted as wo havo been by tho advice of men who toko a interest in tho promotion of working men ' s associations , and havo counselled tho abandonment of all attempts w deal with capitalists in a spirit of hostility , and ff »™ m » g their opinion that nothing but treating a now rolfttjonsi » p botwooncapital and labour can effectually olovato tbo- con dition of tho toilers of eociory , we must progress >« " ¦ £ » principles ; and wo hopo that our n » t debate m 0 ° " * £ will lay down tho basis of our futufe permanent pro «

      « immediately on receipt of this circular , each secretary is instructed to convono a meeting of tho comber * ° *' branch , bo that its contents may bo made gonorauy *« to tho members . m \ " ( On behalf of the E ^ ooutivo Council ; , W . Ajxan , 8 earetary > «« London , 26 , Little AUcetreot , WMfceohapol , April 20 . "

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  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 1, 1852, page 412, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1933/page/8/