The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
men the 'and work. They was both workers, and their interests was the same. He liked to see men doing their best for their master and knowing that their master was doing his best for them, that he was not only a master, but a friend. That was what he (Grinder) liked to see, master and men pulling together, doing their best, and realising that their interests was identical (cheers). If only all masters and men would do this they would find that heverything would go on hall right. There would be more work and less poverty. Let the men do their best for their masters and the masters do their best for their men and they would find that that was the true solution of the social problem, and not that there silly nonsense as was talked by people what went about with red flags (cheers and laughter). Most of those fellers were chaps who was too lazy to work for their livin' (hear, hear). They could take it from him that if hever the Socialists got the upper 'and there would just be a few of the hartful dodgers who would get all the cream, and there would be nothing left but 'ard work for the rest (hear, hear)! That's wot hall those hagitators was hafter: they wanted them (his hearers), to work and keep 'em in idleness (hear, hear). On behalf of Mr Didlum, Mr Toonarf, Mr Lettum and himself he thanked them for their good wishes, and hoped to be with them on a simler occasion in the future.
Loud cheers greeted the termination of this speech and when Grinder sat down many jeering glances were sent towards the corner of the table where Owen sat.
'What have you got to say to that?' they shouted. 'That's up against yer!'
'He ain't got nothing to say now.'
'Why don't you get up and make a speech?'
This last appeared a very good idea and there arose shouts of 'Owen!', 'Owen!', 'Come on 'ere; get up and make a speech,' 'Be a man!' and so on. Several of those who had been loudest in applauding Grinder joined in the demand that Owen should make a speech, because they were certain that the last speaker and the other gentlemen would be able to dispose of all his arguments. But Owen made no response except to laugh, so presently Crass tied a white handkerchief on a cane walking stick that belonged to Mr Didlum, and stuck it, amid roars of laughter, in the vase of flowers that stood on the end of the table where Owen was sitting.
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