frowns, no longer groaning forth with a hungry quaver the abject old cry—
"We've got no work to do, to do,
We've got no work to do;"
but with new heart and hope singing with hoarse but manly voice the Union hymn—
"Then up, be doing, brave-hearted men.
Stand shoulder to shoulder again and again,
Then ask for your rights, and you'll have them, when
Each man has joined the Union.
Be temperate, manly, true, and brave,
Let each combine his comrade to save;
Then, though the masters may storm and rave,
He may shout and sing of union.
We won't be idle, we won't stand still,
We're willing to work, to plough, and till;
But if we don't get a rise, we'll strike, we will.
For all are joined in union."
A great mass meeting was held at Leamington on Good Friday. The Warwickshire Agricultural Labourers' Union was there and then formally inaugurated, rules framed, and officers appointed. It was evident the men meant what they were about, and accordingly the masters began to understand that they must change their attitude.
At a meeting of the County Chamber of Agriculture, held at the Shire Hall, Warwick, April 13, it was admitted that the labourers had a right to form a union, and one of the speakers strongly deprecated the attempt to prevent it by refusing to employ any man who became a member. It was urged that they should meet the labourers in a friendly spirit, and that the Council should try to bring about a conference between the landowners, the farmers, and the labourers. They also unanimously adopted a resolution in favour of piecework where practicable, and against the payment of wages in kind.
The meeting of the Chamber in May was still more conciliatory. One resolution was passed in favour of stringent regulations for the education of labourers' children; while others were agreed to
