w the
war is to be worked out to success without the action of
Europe. That is stopped by our Government but there is a
power that will move the latter, if it can only be stirred
up, and that, of course, is public opinion. I had a most
agreeable and successful visit to Glasgow upon a requisition
signed by the citizens. The enemy placarded the walls and
brought all their forces to the meeting, in which out of
4,000 I think they were fully 1,000 strong, but we beat them
completely, carrying a resolution which embraced a memorial
to Lord Palmerston. We have now carried six public meetings,
Sheffield, Oldham, Stockport, Preston, Ashton, Glasgow. We
have three to come off now ready, Burnley, Bury,
Macclesfield, and others in preparation. My plan is to work
up through the secondary towns to the chief ones and take the
latter, Liverpool, Manchester, London, etc., as we come upon
the assembling of Parliament.... By dint of perseverance I
think we shall succeed. The problem is simply to convert
latent into active sympathy. There is ample power on our side
to move the Cabinet--divided as it is, if we can only arouse
that power. At any rate the object is worth the
effort[1131]."

In the month of November, _The Index_ began to report these meetings. In
nearly all, Northern partisans were present, attempted to heckle the
speakers, and usually presented amendments to the address which were
voted down. Spence was given great credit for his energy, being called
"indefatigable":

"The commencement of the session will see Parliament flooded
with petitions from every town and from every mill throughout
the North. A loud protest will arise against the _faineant_
policy which declines to interfere while men of English blood
are uselessly murdering each other by thousands, and while
England's most important manufacture is thereby ruined.... It
remains to be seen whether the voice of the North will have
any effect upon the policy of the Government[1132]."

By "the North" was meant the manufacturing districts and an explanation
was made of the difficulty of similar efforts in London because it was
really a "congeries of cities," with no such solidarity of interests as
characterized "the North[1133]." Without London, however, the movement
lacked driving force and it was determined to create there