This state of things brought forward, in 1830, M. Richard Oastler, of Fixby Hall, Huddersfield as the champion of the child and mill operative, and to his unbounded energy, eloquence, and courage, at the sacrifice of the friendship of his class, was due State legislation in amelioration of the cruel Conditions under which they worked. It is not surprising that men were discontented, and continually discussed means of improving their lot. Is it cause for wonder that they flocked to the standard of Feargus O‘Connor in his propaganda for the Peoples Charter ? In these days Horton was a hotbed of Chartism and bristled with physical force men. At times the patrol surprised bodies of men armed with guns and pikes, etc., drilling in preparation for the uprising that was to take place if the People’s Charter was refused. The handloom weavers and wool-combers flourished the Radical colour almost to a man, and they received O’Connor’s gospel with special enthusiasm. All through the long days, and often far into the night for these men had to work fourteen or sixteen hours a day to earn a mere pittance - the combing shops rang with wild denunciation of wrong-doers, or of fervid admiration of the champion of democracy. The Northern Star newspaper, which cost 7d, was subscribed foe and read in all the combing shops ; but even this could not be done until a reader was obtained, very few at that time having mastered the rudiments of reading. The enthusiasm created was remarkab1e, and it is certain that every man was a politician of no mean order. Although it must he admitted that in general knowledge and education they were inferior to the working men of to-day, upon all questions appertaining to politics they were infinitely superior. The difficulty was not then to find speakers at the many public meetings which were held, but rather to find places for all who were anxious t unburden themselves. When Feargus O’Connor visited the village, tremendous enthusiasm was aroused, and we are told that no royal personage could have been received with greater honour than was the leader of democracy in England on that day. All the village was astir almost before the morn broke, and. when O’Connor appeared, the horses were taken from his carriage and he was drawn through the streets amidst the wildest enthusiasm. It is said that every man. ay, and boy, too, knew the six points of the Charter, and, as showing the Utopian character of their longings, we give them here :- (1) Universal suffrage. (2) Vote by ballot. (3) Equal electoral districts (4) Annual Parliaments (5) No property qualification. (6) Payment of Members Over two hundred names were on the book of the branch of the National Chartist Association at Great Horton, and these subscribed regularly to the funds, and also to the secret fund for the purchase of arms, quantities of which were hidden under the floors of workshops in and around Westcroft Fold, Upper and Low Green. &c. Stringent measures were taken to repress the movement by the authorities, both in Horton and throughout the country. It is related that the suspected ones were watched and their footsteps dogged and even their actions interfered with. They were watched in their homes, especially if a light appeared in the window somewhat later than the general rule. “Dave Reet” or David Wright on one occasion was sat at supper which consisted of boiled milk, when he heard voices outside his cottage, and on looking up saw faces peering through the fanlight. He knew instinctively that he had been followed and was being shadowed, and in a flash he picked up his dish of milk and shied it through the window, Thus disturbed their intentions, and throwing caution to the winds, they went off with a clatter, Not daring to wait for the man they were tracking, who seems to have been a man they feared and whose powers they respected. Persecution showed itself in another form. John Clough, commonly called “Jack Cliff,” was the bellman of the period, and for “calling” a Chartist meeting he was forcibly deprived of the bell, and it was given to another man. This was not accepted by the inhabitants, and they set to and subscribed for the cost of another bell, which was presented to him to be used for any purpose whatsoever. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.12.10/459 - Release Date: 29/09/2006