urposes had
hitherto been forbidden. The working-men obtained a right previously
restricted to the aristocracy and bourgeoisie, the right of free
association. Secret coalitions had, it is true, previously existed, but
could never achieve great results. In Glasgow, as Symonds {214} relates,
a general strike of weavers had taken place in 1812, which was brought
about by a secret association. It was repeated in 1822, and on this
occasion vitriol was thrown into the faces of the two working-men who
would not join the association, and were therefore regarded by the
members as traitors to their class. Both the assaulted lost the use of
their eyes in consequence of the injury. So, too, in 1818, the
association of Scottish miners was powerful enough to carry on a general
strike. These associations required their members to take an oath of
fidelity and secrecy, had regular lists, treasurers, bookkeepers, and
local branches. But the secrecy with which everything was conducted
crippled their growth. When, on the other hand, the working-man received
in 1824 the right of free association, these combinations were very soon
spread over all England and attained great power. In all branches of
industry Trades Unions were formed with the outspoken intention of
protecting the single working-man against the tyranny and neglect of the
bourgeoisie. Their objects were to deal, _en masse_, as a power, with
the employers; to regulate the rate of wages according to the profit of
the latter, to raise it when opportunity offered, and to keep it uniform
in each trade throughout the country. Hence they tried to settle with
the capitalists a scale of wages to be universally adhered to, and
ordered out on strike the employees of such individuals as refused to
accept the scale. They aimed further to keep up the demand for labour by
limiting the number of apprentices, and so to keep wages high; to
counteract, as far as possible, the indirect wages reductions which the
manufacturers brought about by means of new tools and machinery; and
finally, to assist unemployed working-men financially. This they do
either directly or by means of a card to legitimate the bearer as a
"society man," and with which the working-man wanders from place to
place, supported by his fellow-workers, and instructed as to the best
opportunity for finding employment. This is tramping, and the wanderer a
tramp. To attain these ends, a President and Secretary are engag