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say of that working-man, since such I must acknowledge him to be, who, at such a time, deserts his post, and sells his flag; who, at such a time, turns a traitor and a craven and a recreant, who, at such a time, is not ashamed to make to you the dastardly and humiliating avowal that he will hold himself aloof, and will not be one of those associated in the gallant stand for Freedom and for Right? The assembly was divided at this point. There were some groans and hisses, but the general sense of honour was much too strong for the condemnation of a man unheard. Be sure youre right, Slackbridge! Put him up! Lets hear him! Such things were said on many sides. Finally, one strong voice called out, Is the man heer? If the mans heer, Slackbridge, lets hear the man himseln, stead o yo. Which was received with a round of applause. Slackbridge, the orator, looked about him with a withering smile; and, holding out his right hand at arms length (as the manner of all Slackbridges is), to still the thundering sea, waited until there was a profound silence. Oh, my friends and fellow-men! said Slackbridge then, shaking his head with violent scorn, I do not wonder that you, the prostrate sons of labour, are incredulous of the existence of such a man. But he who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage existed, and Judas Iscariot existed, and Castlereagh existed, and this man exists! Here, a brief press and confusion near the stage, ended in the man himself standing at the orators side before the concourse. He was pale and a little moved in the face his lips especially showed it; but he stood quiet, with his left hand at his chin, waiting to be heard. There was a chairman to regulate the proceedings, and this functionary now took the case into his own hands. My friends, said he, by virtue o my office as your president, I askes o our friend Slackbridge, who may be a little over hetter in this business, to take his seat, whiles this man Stephen Blackpool is heern. You all know this man Stephen Blackpool. You know him awlung o his misfortns, and his good name. With that, the chairman shook him frankly by the hand, and sat down again. Slackbridge likewise sat down, wiping his hot forehead always from left to right, and never the reverse way. My friends, Stephen began, in the midst of a dead calm; I ha hed whats been spokn o me, and tis lickly that I shant mend it. But Id liefer youd hearn the truth concernin myseln, fro my lips than fro onny other mans, though I never cudn speak afore so monny, wiout bein moydert and muddled. Slackbridge shook his head as if he would shake it off, in his bitterness. Im th one single Hand in Bounderbys mill, o a the men theer, as dont coom in wi th proposed reglations. I canna coom in wi em. My friends, I doubt their doin yo onny good. Licker theyll do yo hurt. Slackbridge laughed, folded his arms, and frowned sarcastically. But t ant sommuch for that as I stands out. If that were aw, Id coom in wi th rest. But I ha my reasons mine, yo see for being hindered; not ony now, but awlus awlus life long! Slackbridge jumped up and stood beside him, gnashing and tearing. Oh, my friends, what but this did I tell you? Oh, my fellow-countrymen, what warning but this did I give you? And how shows this recreant conduct in a man on whom unequal laws are known to have fallen heavy? Oh, you Englishmen, I ask you how does this subornation show in one of yourselves, who is thus consenting to his own undoing and to yours, and to your childrens and your childrens childrens? There was some applause, and some crying of Shame upon the man; but the greater part of the audience were quiet. They looked at Stephens worn face, rendered more pathetic by the homely emotions it evinced; and, in the kindness of their nature, they were more sorry than indignant. |
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