Lancashire, and the neighbouring counties, heard of the masters' advertisements
for workmen; and in their solitary dwellings grew weary of starvation, and
resolved to come to Manchester. Foot-sore, way-worn, half-starved looking men
they were, as they tried to steal into town in the early dawn, before people
were astir, or in the dusk of the evening. And now began the real wrong-doing of
the Trades' Unions. As to their decision to work, or not, at such a particular
rate of wages, that was either wise or unwise; an error of judgment at the
worst. But they had no right to tyrannise over others, and tie them down to
their own Procrustean bed. Abhorring what they considered oppression in the
masters, why did they oppress others? Because, when men get excited, they know
not what they do. Judge, then, with something of the mercy of the Holy One, whom
we all love.
    In spite of policemen, set to watch over the safety of the poor country
weavers - in spite of magistrates, and prisons, and severe punishments - the
poor depressed men tramping in from Burnley, Padiham, and other places, to work
at the condemned Starvation Prices, were waylaid, and beaten, and left by the
roadside almost for dead. The police broke up every lounging knot of men: - they
separated quietly, to reunite half-a-mile out of town.
    Of course the feeling between the masters and workmen did not improve under
these circumstances.
    Combination is an awful power. It is like the equally mighty agency of
steam; capable of almost unlimited good or evil. But to obtain a blessing on its
labours, it must work under the direction of a high and intelligent will;
incapable of being misled by passion or excitement. The will of the operatives
had not been guided to the calmness of wisdom.
    So much for generalities. Let us now return to individuals.
    A note, respectfully worded, although its tone of determination was strong,
had been sent by the power-loom weavers, requesting that a deputation of them
might have a meeting with the masters, to state the conditions they must have
fulfilled before they would end the turn-out. They thought they had attained a
sufficiently commanding position to dictate. John Barton was appointed one of
the deputation.
    The masters agreed to this meeting, being anxious to end the strife,
although undetermined among themselves how far they should yield, or whether
they should yield at all. Some of the old, whose experience had taught them
sympathy,