Page:Eminent English liberals in and out of Parliament.djvu/214

 a Primitive Methodist, he has latterly laid aside the shibboleths of sect altogether, and taken his stand on the common ground of Christ's humanitarian precepts, and the example of his spotless, self-sacrificing life. His experience as a local preacher in addressing large audiences is to a great extent the secret of his success as a political agitator.

The National Agricultural Laborers' Union was started in this wise: "On the 5th of July, 1872,"—I quote Mr. Arch's own unvarnished narrative of "The Rise and Progress of the National Agricultural Laborers' Union,"—"two farm-laborers, named Henry Perks and John Davis, were sent by their fellow-laborers from Wellesbourne, in Warwickshire, to the village of Barford. The object of the deputation was to wait upon me to ask me to help them to form a union. &hellip; Fortunately I was at home when they arrived. I went inside to see the men, who said, 'We are come over to see you about our having a union. We formed a bit of one under the hedge the other day; but we can' t go on very well without some one to put us right. The men are all ready for it, and we appeal to you.'—'But,' I said, 'do you mean to stick together?'—'Yes,' was the reply. 'Well, now,' said I, 'you go back and get some of the best men in Wellesbourne, and ask Mrs. Baker to let you have the club-room; and I will be over on Wednesday night at seven o'clock. But, remember, you must be prepared for conflict, as the farmers will be sure to oppose you.' The reply was, 'You come: it can't be worse for us than it is.'" Thus simply was the "Revolt of the Field," the most remarkable social upheaval of the day, commenced. The news spread like wildfire, and on the Wednesday night Mr. Arch ad-