Union Prisoners Released.

*THE WORKER*

Brisbane November 25, 1893

RELEASE OF UNION PRISONERS.

All Well.

Great Enthusiasm.

A Magnificent Welcome.

A Grand Meeting.

Social a Complete Success.

An expectant and good humoured crowd of unionists and sympathisers with unionism were awaiting the arrival at the Queen's Wharf, Brisbane, of the steamer Otter on Friday, the 18^th instant, for it had been whispered abroad that ten of the unionist prisoners were to be brought up from St. Helena at about 4.30 in the afternoon. “ It's no use waiting, they won't be landed here,” said one man who claimed to have a deep insight into the character of Colonial Secretary Tozer. “He'll have them landed at Breakfast Creek just to disappoint you.” Secretary Hinchcliffe, on whom has fallen the burden of the work in connection with the reception of our mates, set all immediate doubts at rest by bringing down to the wharf the information that owing to two of the “prisoners” (George Taylor and A. J. Brown) being witnesses in the trial of a warder for striking a prisoner – not a unionist prisoner – the departure of the “conspiracy” men would be delayed until the evening. They would therefore not arrive at the Queen's Wharf until about 8.30.

The disappointed visitors (including many ladies) left the wharf and returned after tea, with their numbers considerably augmented. Much speculation was indulged in as to whether Mr. Tozer would keep his word, as the word of that gentleman is generally understood to be some what unreliable. However, at about 9 o'clock, quietly, and for some reason without the customary whistle, the Otter slowly glided up until within 20 yards of the wharf when three lusty cheers to be heard a mile away rent the air: “For the Union Prisoners!” and “One for Macnamara – left behind!” A well meant endeavour was immediately made by an enthusiast to sing the “Marseillaise,” but the desire to see and grasp the hands of the unionist “conspirators” was too keen for the measured cadence of the song of the French revolutionists and after the first verse the singer gave up to join in the general rush and excited cries of “ How are you, lads?” “Welcome to Liberty!” “All well?” “How's Macnamara?” “Hullo George!” “Hullo Hamilton?” “Hullo everybody!” Such enthusiasm was evinced that it was deemed wise to give the visitors present a chance of voting on a motion of welcome, and the following was carried amid great cheering: “That this meeting extends its hearty welcome to the union prisoners; and hopes that those for whom they have suffered will never forget their services in the cause of Humanity.” This resolution was spoken to by Messrs. Saunders, E. Y. Lowry, Arthur Carroll, H. Daniels M.L.A., and W. G. Higgs.

Mr. George Taylor made a short speech on behalf of his mates and himself in which he apologised for inability to address the kind friends assembled that evening. “A man could not talk much on hominy.” (Laughter.) They had done nothing but what was the duty of every man in Queensland to do, and he had to take a slight offence at the “Martyr business.” It was the duty of every man to put himself forward to remove some abuses at any rate. (Cheers.)

A crowd of admiring sympathisers then escorted the “conspirators” to Mr. Snell's in Upper Edward Street, where a good spread was awaiting them.

Punctually at six o'clock next morning, a large omnibus conveyed the ten liberated men to Boggo-road to meet Messrs. Forrester, Smith-Barry, and Stuart, who it was understood would be “let out” at a quarter to 7 am. After many interviews with the officials, nothing of importance could be learned other than, “We have not yet received instructions to let the men out.” Mr. Tozer was again thrice blessed, and the disappointed “prisoners” left for Slawson's restaurant, where a breakfast was obtained and a happy hour spent in chatting over all sorts of subjects, from the characteristic “gentlemen” of the gaol doctor, Mr. Wray to the difference between hominy and Slawson's ham and eggs.

Messrs, Forrester and Smith-Barry were discharged from Boggo-road during the morning and soon joined their mates. Mr. A.J.S. Stuart, who had not been brought to Boggo-road from Toowoomba as expected, wired from the latter place: “Have cut out this morning. Will leave in company with Jim Martin by 2 pm. Train for Brisbane.” Messrs. Stuart and Martin were met at the railway station, and Saturday evening saw a happy band of reunited friends endeavouring to realise that they were not in dreamland.

Monday Night's Meeting.

On Monday evening a crowded audience of some thousands assembled in the Centennial Hall, in response to the invitation of the A.L.F., to accord a suitable reception to our friends the bushman. Very many ladies were present, and gave quite a festive appearance to the gathering. The chair was occupied by the president of the A.L.F., Mr. David Bowman, whose table was graced by a pair of convict legirous and a banner bearing the words “Freedom without Dishonour.” The platform was crowed with representative unionists, and their wives and friends. The only four Labour members in town (Messrs. Turley, Fisher, Daniels and Cross) also occupied seats on the platform. As the bushmen made their appearance a perfect storm of applause shook the building, applause which was renewed when several ladies covered the “conspirators” with roses and other beautiful flowers.

The chairman lost no time in commencing the business of the evening, and called on a sympathiser to sing a song written by Mr. W. Kidston of Rockhampton and entitled “The Ballot is the Thing.” The singer was encored. Mr. Bowman then made a vigorous speech of welcome, and requested secretary Hinchcliffe to read the congratulatory telegrams received from Longreach, Hughenden, Rockhampton, Charters Towers, Winton, Townsville, and Creswick (Vic.) Mr. Hinchcliffe also read a letter of welcome and sympathy from Mr. Thos. Glassey; and expressions of congratulation from the new democratic Guardian, published at Bundaberg. Mr. H.Turley, M.L.A., then moved the first resolution, as follows:

That we citizens of Brisbane offer our hearty congratulations to the union prisoners on their release from gaol, after serving an iniquitous and unjust sentence, and commend them for the fortitude and manliness they have displayed in refusing to compromise themselves by asking the Government for a mitigation of their sentences as an act of clemency.

This was seconded by Mr. H. Daniels, M.L.A., and supported by Mr. Fisher, M.L.A., and declared carried amidst great enthusiasm. ( Space precludes our giving reports of any speeches but those of the union prisoners. Suffice it to say that all the speakers were well received.) The chairman then called on Messrs. George Taylor and Alex. Forrester to respond on behalf of their mates.

Mr. George Taylor said he must be excused if his address were not as clever as it might be. Having spent two years and a half at St. Helena he was slightly out of practice. Referring to the strike of '91, he said that in February of that year Mr. Fairbairn, the manager of Logan Downs, had spoken to him at the first camp formed, and stated that the squatters could get any amount of men from the Southern colonies. Mr. Fairbairn had also said that they had an intimation from the Government that they would back them up in the steps they took. (“Shame.”) He asked Mr. Fairbairn replied that ships would be chartered to bring men from the South, and that the Government would back that action up. He, the speaker, afterwards went South to attend a conference, of the A.S.U. And Pastoralists' Association, at which conference, after long discussion, certain arrangements were arrival at satisfactory to both parties, and the pastoralists' delegates gave these arrangements their full support at their committee meeting which would be held a few days later. In the meantime the Federated Employers' Association wired the S.A. branch that they had no right or power to act without the sanction of the whole – (freedom of contract) – which clearly went to prove the concerted action that was to be taken in Queensland. On his return he found the western district flooded by all the available Queensland military, who were thoroughly prepared at all hazards to not only devastate the whole country, but also to uphold capitalism.

The Government did not go back on the squatters like they had gone back on their hustings pledges. They backed the squatters up until they eventually backed himself and his mates on to St. Helena. In South Australia they were willing to meet the shearers, but here, with the Government at their backs, they determined if possible to crush the shearers. Yet, not with standing the injustice of the Queensland Government and the capitalists, he (Mr. Taylor) could say with all earnestness that they were willing to let bygones be bygones, and to meet them and discuss the same question that they offered before their arrest. (Hear,hear.) That was provided they would meet the workers as men and unionists, and not as scabs or individuals. (Cheers) He did not expect that, and from all he could hear there was a big strike looming in the distance. The squatters were talking of reducing the price for shearing by 2s. 6d. A hundred, but he did not think even the free labourers would stand that. They would fight for money if they would not for principle, (Cheers.) It was a matter of money with them, as with the capitalists, so he supposed they would soon have a few more down on the island. (Laughter.) He thanked them again for the kind welcome and reception they had given to himself and his mates. (Cheers.)

Mr. A. Forrester also returned thanks. He said that when they were sentenced it was tacitly understood that no unionist who went to St. Helena would ask for any remission. (Hear,hear.) On two or three occasions Mr. Tozer asked them whether they would not prepare a petition which would not degrade them and be at the same time acceptable to the Government, and so obtain their release; but he (Mr. Forrester) told them that he could not possibly do anything of the sort (Cheers.) 

They determined to remain there rather than sacrifice any principle or admit the justice of their punishment, (Cheers.) They never forget that they represented 10,000 men in the bush, and any dishonourable action which they committed would bring odium and disgrace upon the men they had been fighting for, (Hear,hear.) They would have degraded themselves by grovelling and asking for their release, and besides would have tacitly admitted their guilt. That they denied. They might have said and written foolish things. He acknowledged that he had done so, and he was sorry for it, as it may have given the press a handle to cast odium upon unionism, (Cheers.) Mr. Tozer had said that they were dominated by a clique in Brisbane. He (Mr. Forrester) wished it to be distinctly by no clique, (Hear,hear.) No man in the Labour movement, from Mr. Glassey downwards, asked them to remain in St. Helena. On the contrary their advice may be interpreted as a desire to see the petition tried. To prove this he quoted from a letter (Lane to Stuart, 24^th Nov., 1891) - “I am not advocating any petition. Only, what Hamilton, Bennett, and Forrester, without undue pressure, would sign. I would sign, unless it were an absolute denial of my principles.” (Cheers.)

They stopped in gaol because they would not be led into an admission of guilt when they were innocent, and would not allow themselves to be made use of by their opponents during the general election. They now came out, feeling that they were better men. They went into gaol with good stout hearts, and though some of them had been slightly changed by sickness, they had tried to improve themselves. They felt that they had done that, and that intellectually, if not physically, they were better men than they were when they went in. He hoped that they would show that the movement would not suffer by their being in St. Helena, (Cheers.)

Mr. W.G. Higgs moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. A. J. S. Stuart, one of the union prisoners, supported by Mr. Chas. Seymour, and carried unanimously:

That while recognising that Parliament and the local government bodies afford a most excellent means of putting an end to the competitive struggle for existence now going on, this meeting has implicit confidence in unionism as a factor in raising wages and bettering the condition of workers.

Mr. A.J.S. Stuart, in seconding the resolution, spoke of the cause for which he and others “had the honour to suffer.” He believed that it was quite possible to have unionism in politics. Trade unionism had been a baby, but political unionism was to be the giant. He considered that there had been a great change in the politicians of the day, and held that the present school of politicians had graduated in trade unionism. If the capitalists had again to be met they would be again offered conciliation, and would be offered it conscious of ultimate triumph.

He did feel vindictive as a result of his imprisonment, but felt about a hundred times more determined than he did before, (Applause.) He referred to the illness he had suffered, and stated that it was brought about by want of proper food and by ill treatment and neglect on the part of the authoritien who administered the criminal department. He had been cautioned against saying anything that was unconstitutional, and hoped that the day would never come when the Labour Movement in Queensland would despair of redress by constitutional means, because if that day ever did come somebody should get ready to weep. They would not play at soldiers. Having taken to poetry during his imprisonment he might say:

Though days of immurement have left their trace

On body and brain and heart,

Yet I feel more of pride than I do of disgrace

At being condemned to a criminal's place

For acting a freeman's part.

The loss of my birthright I bore as long

As the criminal garb I wore;

'Twas for aiding the feeble against the strong;

And to lighten the burden of human wrong,

I'd suffer it all once more.

In conclusion he would say that where a matter of principle was concerned he would rather eat hominy than humble pie.” (Cheers.)

A young lady possessing a sweet and sympathetic voice at this stage sang “ The Marseillaise,” the audience , who had been supplied with copies of the song, joining in the chorus with much spirit.

Mr. James Martin, in moving a vote of thanks to the chairman, said that he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for referring to their sovereign lady as “Old Mother Brown.” (Groans.) That was a lie. He had never in his life referred disrespectfully to any woman. He had said things meaning to prejudice the monarch in the eyes of the people, but never the women. He protested his innocence, but he was not believed – even some of his mates turned their backs upon him. Innocent, he had suffered, and he was vindictive. There was no forgiveness and let bygones be bygones about him. When he had his revenge – and he did not say that in a theatrical way – he would let bygones be bygones, and not till then. City people did not know what the workers suffered in the bush. He did not think life in hell could be worse than life in Western Queensland. (Laughter.) If he said he believed in revolution he would probably have to do another two years – (laughter) – but if he might not say so, there was no power here that he believed in it. (Cheers.) If the environments of their life were such that they could not constitutionally get a fair share of the fruits of their labour they had a right to revolt. (Cheers.)

If the Legislation Assembly was closed to working men, then they must fight their battles on the plains of the country. (Cheers.) That was true, and there was no denying it. He was not one of those who believed the present state of things could not be altered. Let them glance back a few centuries, and they would find that men of our class in England wore iron collars round their necks with their owners' name inscribed there on. By combination and agitation the iron collar was torn from the neck of man and a collar of circumstances placed round him that leaves him in nearly as bad a position as ever. As the iron collar system was abolished by agitation so could the collar of unjust conditions. And so it should be as soon as men understood the power of unionism. He wanted working men to understand that their interests were not identical with those of capitalists. Capital and Labour could not be friends until Labour had got the capital. (Cheers.) He would move a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman.

Mr. Wallace Nelson, who has received a call from Sydney and Melbourne and will shortly leave Brisbane, seconded the vote of thanks to the chairman in characteristic speech. The motion was carried with cheers, and Mr. Bowman suitably responded.

The spacious hall was then cleared for dancing. An excellent staff of musicians was engaged, and several clever amateurs contributed songs and step dances. During the evening the popular Sam Keenan contributed two minstrel items which were much applauded. As the evening was cool, many dancers “took the floor,” and everybody appeared to be almost regretful that 2 o'clock brought to a close such a magnificent demonstration of the sympathy of Brisbane citizens with sterling unionists.

The “prisoners” are more than delighted with the efforts made to entertain them. They say they never dreamed of anything approaching such a demonstrative gathering, and all express themselves as being more determined than ever to never cease agitating on behalf of the cause of Humanity.