
Issue No 68		25 August 2000

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History

The Victims of Whiggery

George Loveless, the leader of the rural workers who became the Tolpuddle Martyrs, recorded his ideals and experiences in a pamphlet that brings his story to life.

I am from principle a Dissenter , and by some in Tolpuddle it is considered as the sin of witchcraft. Nay there is no forgiveness for it in this world nor that which is to come ... Many a curious tale might be told of men that were persecuted, banished, and not allowed to have employ if they entered the Wesleyian Chapel at Tolpuddle.

How long will it be ere they cease to grind to dust, trample under foot, and tread down as the mire of the streets the hardworking and industrious labourer? ... never no, never will (with a few honourable exceptions) the rich and the great devise means to alleviate the distress, and remove the misery felt by the working men of England.

What then is to be done? Why the labouring classes must do it themselves or it will be left undone; the laws of reason and justice demands their doing it. Labour is the poor man's property, from which all protection is withheld. Has not the working man as much right to preserve and protect his labour as the rich man has his capital?

But I am told that the working man ought to remain still and let their cause work its way 'that God in his good time will bring it around for him'. However this is not my creed. I believe that God works by means and men, and that he expects every man who feels an interest in the subject to take an active part in bringing about and hastening on so important a period ...

Let no one expect that another will do it for him. Let every working man come forward, from east to west, from north to south; unite firmly but peaceably together as the heart of one man. Let them be determined to have a voice in, and form a part of, the British nation. Then no longer would the interest of the millions be sacrificed for the gain of the few, but the blessings resulting from such a change would be felt by us, our posterity, even to generations yet unborn ...

Let the working classes of Britain, seeing the necessity of acting upon such a principle, remembering that union is power, listen to nothing that might be presented before them to draw their attention from the subject, alike despising and conquering party disputes and personal bickerings, and they will accomplish their own salvation, and that of the world.

Arise, men of Britain and take your stand! Rally round the standards of Liberty, or forever lay prostrate under the iron hand of your land and money-mongering taskmasters!

Transportation has not had the intended effect on me, but after all, I am returned from my bondage with my views and principles strengthened. It is indelibly fixed in my mind that labour is ill-rewarded in consequence of a few tyrannising over the millions; and that through their oppression thousands are now working in chains on the roads, abused by overseers, sentenced by the comitants and punished by the flagellator ... is this the plan to reform men? I say no. if they were bad before, they are tenfold the children of Hell now ... the groans and cries of the labourers ere long will bring down vengeance on the heads of those who have been and are still the authors of so much misery.

I believe that nothing will ever be done to relieve the distress of the working classes unless they take it into their own hands. With these views I left England, and with these views I am returned.

Nothing but union will or can ever accomplish the great and important object, namely the salvation of the world. Let the producers of wealth firmly and peacably unite their energies and what can withstand them?

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Issue 68 contents

Interview: New Unionist
Britain's Trade Union Congress secretary John Monks on life under Blair and why the future of unionism could well rest in Europe.

History: The Victims of Whiggery
George Loveless, the leader of the rural workers who became the Tolpuddle Martyrs, recorded his ideals and experiences in a pamphlet that brings his story to life.

Economics: The Final Station
Corporatisation was first introduced into Australia by the former Greiner Coalition government. What is 'corporatisation' and who should we hold to account under its prescriptions?

International: Massive Union Win in American Telecom
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) announced on Thursday a settlement with Verizon Communications ending a fifteen day strike by 87,000 telephone workers from Maine to Virginia.

Unions: A Vital Community Service
What keeps the engine of the Australian economy running? Manufacturing productivity, the stock market, exports? Try child care.

Satire: Putin copies Clinton: dead seamen stains reputation
MOSCOW, Tuesday: Russian naval authorities today faced staunch criticism, and the anger of a nation gripped by tragedy, as they conceded that all 118 Russian submariners trapped in the nuclear submarine, the Kursk, had died.

Review: Blow Up The Pokies
Whether it arouses public debate about Gambling is best left to the public but Peter Zangarri thinks Tim Freedman is on a winner with the Whitlam's latest CD.

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