when
so many shops were running on full time! Somebody was making a great
deal of money: _they_ could barely live. Bread and meat had not fallen
in the ratio of wages. It was still next door to starvation.

Finally some self-constituted labor-committee sent the letter of
invitation, and received a cordial and flattering reply. Mr. McPherson
had heard of Yerbury. He would be only too glad to come among them in
his humble capacity, and shed what light he could upon the side of right
and truth; raise his voice for the oppressed against the oppressor. And
he mentioned that open-air meetings were generally more successful.

They put up a platform on the Common, the largest park in Yerbury. The
day was very fine, not too hot, and a shower the evening before had laid
the dust. At precisely four, a deputation awaited Mr. McPherson and his
party at the station, escorted them to the Bedell House to refresh, and
then to the grand hall of nature, with its waving arches of glistening
green overhead.

Already a great concourse had assembled. Mr. McPherson mounted his
rostrum, and, after a few preliminary flourishes, began in a clear,
strong tone, that had the power of concentrating the attention of his
audience. He went back centuries, and proved that from the very
beginning of all industries there had been the desire to oppress, that
the working-classes had to combine and fight for every advantage gained,
to wrest from kings, peers, masters, even equals, the privileges they
held to-day. Plainly, capital was a tyrant fattening on unpaid toil.
"Were not the rich always in the ranks of capital, always against the
poor man? They squeezed him to the utmost when they had need, then they
flung him away. Did it matter to them if his wife and children starved?
If he stole a loaf of bread to appease the pangs of hunger, he was sent
to prison; but if a bank president stole half a million, he went
to--Europe! [Laughter and applause.] Does the capitalist employ the
laborer in order that there shall be fewer starving men in the country?
It comes in the market, and buys at the lowest price, solely for its own
benefit. It does not concern capital, whether this man can support wife
and children on such a pittance: what business has he with wife and
children! If the man drops at the work-bench, the victim of long hours,
exhaustive toil, insufficient food, the town will thrust him into a
pauper's grave, and another will fill his place. Even negro-sl