Why ? Lick The Feet That Kick You !

Will you cheer for "more work and less pay"....Will you cheer to be taunted that your want of work at such times means "you won't work" ? Will you cheer for all manner of insult and abuse, when, in distress, you approach those who are in authority ? Cheer these things and you lick the feet that kick you.

(Extract from a leaflet entitled "Anti-Humbug". distributed in the Haymarket, Bristol in 1888 when the Freedom of the City was conferred on Prince Albert)

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Picture 1831 Bristol Reform Riots
Bristol Reform Riots of 1831 - 130 (maybe more) killed by troops, hundreds injured by sabres, 88 transported, four hung

Christopher Davies, John Kayes, Thomas Gregory and William Clarke

Uxbridge Progressive Chartist - John Bedford Leno

John Bedford Leno (1826-1894)
Chartist Leader and Poet
He was friends or meet with Owen, Marx, Jones, Harney,Morris, Kossuth, Garibaldi, Palmerston, Disraeli, Derby, Gladstone

His Autobiography "Aftermath" printed 1892 (only copy held by Uxbridge Library)

Born 29th June 1826 at No 14 Bell Yard, Uxbridge

Grandfather landlord of Catherine Wheel Public House in Cross Street,Uxbridge. His Father was a footman and Mother was a lady's maid and ran a Dame School

Left school aged 11, then a cow boy for his aunt at Stanwell Moor, rope maker, postman and many other jobs became an apprentice printer aged 14 starting at 6 in the morning and travelling 16 miles to work and back
When young he states he was to young to go to the Turks Head Public House were "intellectual gatherings" were held.

He left home after his second year of apprenticeship, however at the end of his apprentice printer was made bankrupt (as were many others) and Leno had to seek work abroad, tramping thousands of miles. He returned to Uxbridge in 1848 "disheartened and penniless" he then bought a press and went into printing

Married twice First wife "Sarah" 2 sons and 4 daughters, second wife 1 son and 4 daughters
"She (Sarah) lies in Finchley cemetery the daughter of a small Harefield farmer"

Leno had read the Northern Star Chartists paper and had gone on to help establish branch of Chartists in Uxbridge But Leno would recall that he and his friends were personally to scared "act of cowardice" to attend the Great Chartist Rally in London on 10th April 1848 convinced their would be violence from the Soldiers

He along with Gerald Massey and others Kimber, Hudson, Gurney, produced a manuscript paper which became the Uxbridge Pioneer.

Leno recalls that "The first number was hardly in existence before a split occurred among the conductors, owing to political differences and Gerald Massey and myself proposed to start a new paper in opposition"This paper became famous as The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom

The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom had been started with 15s raised from friends and the first edition arrived in April 1849

The chief contributors was Massey and Leno (as well as George Redrup and Edward Farrah a Shoemakers and John Rymill of Northampton)


Leno recalls "In order to attract attention Massey proposed that my brother Frederick then a mere youth should be dressed in imitation Guarde Mobile clothing, the reason given for the selection being the Civil Corps of Paris had joined the People." "How the clothing was obtained I do not remember, but on market day my brother was so dressed and to be seen vending to the farmers town and country people the first issue of this terrible in earnest treasonable publication"

According to later editions of the Spirit of Freedom 900 copies of the first edition were sold and secured "such a furore in the tory town of Uxbridge, as supposed ensued in the Temple when Christ upset the money changers" and the publication denounced from pulpits in the town.

John Bedford Leno in his autobiography "The Aftermath" states: "We had read the Northern Star and most of the Chartists' Publications then in existence and possibly turned to fthe idea that the effectiveness of an article was dependant upon the amount of treason it contained."


The Northern Star reported on the first edition of the Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom "Such a publication appearing in Manchester or Leeds would be nothing wonderful; but we must say we are agreeable surprised to find a small town like Uxbridge containing men who not only dare think of themselves, but who also determined to give free thoughts utterance, with the view of hastening the political and social emancipation of their order; and we most earnestly we wish them success"

The Uxbridge Spirit of freedom was also well received by Chartist leaders William Howitt and W.J. Linton. Howitt stating "Working men thus ably and eloquently advocating their own rights"

Leno states "After eight or ten numbers had been published Massey who had formed an acquaintance with Walter Cooper and Thomas Shorter both lecturers, the later at the Working Men's College. Left Uxbridge to take a berth as Secretary to the Tailors Association in Castle Street off Oxford Street within a month I was at his recommendation sent to take charge of the Working Printers Association" .

"Both Massey and myself on arriving in London were able to command a leading position".

Leno was narrowly defeated in an election the the Chartist Executive in 1850
"I had determined to be of the rank & file rather than a commander"


"In truth I was for rebellion and civil war, and despaired of ever obtain justice or what I then conceived it to be, save by revolution. while bitterly opposed to thoughts savouring of physical force now, i still hold that given certain condition its use is fully justifiable, the fact being that those who condemn its use in favour of right, seldom object to its use when wrong is to be conserved We have the examples of America, of France, of Italy of England before us, to confute those who declare that nothing is to be done by force but in nations where tyranny prevails and every attempt to obtain right is met with imprisonment, rebellion and war are justified"

"In my long life, I have had but one strong desire and that has been justice and freedom to all mankind"

Leno had marched with Fergus O'Connor from Windsor to set up his Land Colony at O'Connorville, Rickmansworth
Leno was a close fiend of George Julain Harney and attended the First International held in a cafe for French Exiles in Chapel street off Oxford Street. Leno became a member of the First International was a member of the International which meet in an upstairs room of Jacques Coffee Shop.

Leno was on the Board of the Chartist paper the Red Republican

Leno helped organise protest of 10,000 of Bonaparte visit in 1888 and organised the massive welcome demonstration for the great Italian liberator Garibaldi He helped print revolutionary leaflets to flood Russia in aid of Alexander Herzen

Leno from his early days a socialist, initially revolutionary but later Christan Socialist in his autobiography he states "With regard to socialism, i feel persuaded there is justice at the bottom of it, there is however no well thought out or rather satisfactory and its advocates seem to me to eager" Leno meet Karl Marx on several occasions and seems to have worked with George Eccarius a close associate of Marx

He went to Boston in America, but the employment opportunity fell through
He wrote for the"Commonwealth" The Future, The Christian Socialist, The Workman's Advocate, The and various other publication

Leno's "Song of the Spade", first published in the Dispatch, attracted the attention of Edward Capern 1819-1894), the Bideford postman, who said it one of best labour songs ever. His 100 Songs of Labour sold extensively in Britain and also in America

John Bedford Leno carried out organising work on behalf of the Joseph Arch new union for Agricultural labourers in 1872 many home counties, but especially Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. he was also active in the eight hour day movementIn later life he was Election agent for Mr Rickman and James Acland Liberal Parliamentary candidate


Leno was a great admirer of Fergus O'Connor the great Irish liberator and Chartist leader Leno had marched with Fergus O'Connor from Windsor to set up his Land Colony at O'Connorville, Rickmansworth. And later organised funeral for O'Connor when Williams and O'Dally were imprisoned
Leno states "I had determined to be of the rank & file rather than a commander"

"In my long life, I have had but one strong desire and that has been justice and freedom to all mankind"

John Bedford Leno also wrote a book on Shoe making "The art of boot and Shoemaking - A practical handbook

Died 31st October 1894
buried at Uxbridge Cemetery

A plaque to John Bedford Leno was errected on the site, the chapel at the Kingston road end was demolished in the early 1950's and may have been lost then.

NOTE:
Reviews of the Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom
The sight of such a work has given us unfeigned pleasure. Go on, ye high spirited sons of toil, and the example ye have no nobly set in Uxbridge shall be imitated elsewhere.

Reynolds Miscellany

It is a thoroughly democratic journal and boldly written vindicator of the rights of the proletarian. We cordially wish it success, let the enemies of Justice look to it.

Northern Star.

This little periodical is highly creditable to the working class - it is full of a glowing spirit of freedom and independence. There is much talent displayed in it and the poetry, especially of Mr.Massey is of high promise. We recommend the work to the patronage of the industrial clashes .-

Standard of Freedom.

It is full of the talent and fire of true democracy, its' poetry is usually of a high order.

Democratic Review.

A thorough-going advocate of democracy, plainspeaking, and fearless utterance characterise every paper.

The Progressionist

I have just received the first number of your "Spirit" and am very much pleased with it. I trust you will succeed.

Thomas Cooper.

William Howitt expressed his pleasure at seeing "working men thus ably and eloquently advocating their own rights."



Quotes from August. No5 Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom.

NOTE

John Rymill of Spring gardens, Northampton

He (and his bothers also of Northampton) associated with Red Republican, and Friends of the People both Chartist/radical paper run by Harney

wrote for The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom articles such as "Englands true nobility" and "Why are we poor"


John Rymill also wrote for John Small (Buckingham) "The Progressionist" and that periodical was acquired by R.G. Gammage was turned into a weekly periodical but lasted just 48 editions
John Rymill refers tin the Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom edition 7 article Something for Democrats to do October 1849 of the Chartist prisoners "immured in gloomy dungeons" or
"Transported far from their land of birth, because they loved it, not wisely, but too well"


He also refers to Clayton and Holbery were murdered by horrible prison discipline of the base, brutal, and bloody whigs and that another victim has fallen Williams

he ends withthe following rallying call

"Solders of Democracy, unfurl the red banner-
Red! blood red! ay, wherefore not!
the Freeman's and, but ernest sign!

Arouse, from all lethargy! stand up in glorious manhood - and do battle for our common rights; spread the flag of Chartism to the breeze; political and social justice be the watch-word!

We fight to vanquish tyranny - we fight to punish wrong-
we fight to free the slave
Hurrah! hurrah! for the fight!

John Rymill I understand was also involved/established the Northampton Democratic Tea League
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Chartist Uniform
Chartist rosette, white blouses, black belts,green caps with red stripes

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John Rymill Northampton Chartist Born Banbury 6th November 1824 Died Northampton 10th June 1913 

At Young age Cork Cutter apprenticed to Mr Bissell (Bridge Street, Northampton) - Later set up Cork cutting business with two brothers at 15 Newland

A Wesleyan joined breakaway Baptist church Rev H Bradford (St Michael's Road) 

Friend of Ernest Jones & Gerald Massey 

Bradlaugh Riot (made his escape from the Lord Palmerston)

Nine Children 

later life resided with daughter Mrs Shape at Wantage road

Buried Billingham Road Cemetery

The Red Banner - Gerald Massey 1850 Red Republican

The Red Banner

Fling out the Red Banner! o'er mountain and valley,

Let earth feel the tread of the Free, once again;

Now, Soldiers of Freedom, for love of God, rally—

Old Earth yearns to know that her children are men;

We are nerved by a million wrongs burning and bleeding,

Bold thoughts leap to birth, but, the bold deeds must come, And, wherever humanity's yearning and pleading,

One battle for liberty strike ye heart-home! Fling out the Red Banner! its fiery front under, Come, gather ye, gather ye! Champions of Right! And roll round the world with the voice of God's thunder

The wrongs we've to reckon—oppressors to smite;

They deem that we strike no more like the old hero-band—

Martyrdom's own battle-hearted and brave; Blood of Christ! brothers mine, it were sweet, but to see ye stand Triumph or tomb! welcome! glory or grave!

Fling out the Red Banner! achievements immortal

Have yet to be won by the hands labour-brown, And few, few may enter the proud promise-portal, Yet, wear it in thought, boys! the glorious crown! And, oh! joy of the conflict! sound trumpet! array us! True hearts would leap up, were all hell in oar path, Up! up! from the slave land! who stirreth to stay us Shall fall as of old in the Red Sea of wrath! Fling out the Red Banner! and range ye around, Young spirits, abiding to burst into wings,

We stand, by the coming events, shadow-crowned,

There's a grim hush in heaven! and the Bird of Storm sings:

"All's well!" saith the Sentry on Tyranny's tower, "

Even Hope by their watch-fire is grey and tearblind."

Aye, all's well! Freedom's altar burns hour by hour—

Live brands for the fire-damps with which ye are mined.

Fling out the Red Banner! the patriots perish!

But where their bones moulder the seed taketh root—

Their heart's-life ran red the great harvest to cherish,

Then gather ye Reapers, and garner the fruit.

Victory! victory! Tyrants are quaking,

The Titan of foil from the bloody thrall starts, The Slaves are awaking: the dawnlight is breaking! The footfall of Freedom beats quick at our hearts

Gerald Massey -
Red Republican Journal 1850

The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom and Working Men's Vindicator

The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom and Working Men's Vindicator

Gerald Massey and John Bedford Leno

Edition 1 April 1849

Review Chartist newspaper – The Northern Star 4^th April 1849

Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom

Conducted Men No. 1. April

Published by J.Redrup. Uxbridge. Middlesex. London :
J. Watson Queen’s Head-passage, Paternoster Row.

A NEW monthly publication, of thoroughly democratic character conducted by Working Men. We Shall let our friends speak for themselves ;—

We shall be accused of class-feeling and party spirit; Well be it so. We would fain clasp the whole world in the arms of love; but ye will not ye who spit upon us and flout us with being the “swinish multitude” What can be the nature of that union where the subjection of the one party is maintained by the force of the other This is treason to the sovereignty of the people and treason to god, by destroying that moral beauty of unity which the creator intended for mankind: and, if to work out our own redemption be called “party feeling” we accept it.

We call upon true democrats of all ranks to support us; but especially on the working class; we invite them to contribute to our pages, for we want the sledge hammer strokes which working-men who do think can give, and, if we cannot reach the head of the present system of things why we’ll let drive at the feet ! Keep at work, and the mighty Triune which crushes us now, shall ere long make way for an educated and enfranchised people, who shall yet make Old England a land worth living and worth dying for.

Such a publication appearing in Manchester or Leeds would be nothing wonderful; but we must say we are agreeably surprised to find a small town like Uxbridge containing men who not only dare think for themselves, but who also, are determined to give their free thoughts utterance, with the view of hastening the political and social emancipation of their order.

Such men claim our respect and good wishes; and most earnestly we wish them success. 

The whole of the article in the number are well written; their titles are significant – “The Labour Question”, “Letter of a Labourer” “Emigration and the Aristocracy” “Where is Religion to be found” &c, &c We must make another extract from this boldly-written “Vindicator” of the rights of the proletarians:-

“We have to play a grand part in the history of the future. Our gallant brothers of Paris, Vienna and Berlin, must not bleed on the barricades for labour’s rights in vain. The problem will again and again force itself on the world. And, if our rulers dare not grapple with it, we must do the work ourselves. Working men, we must understand each other – let us learn what wrongs have been perpetrated for that is the first step towards redress. We must ourselves, assert our rights or we shall never win them. We have been listeners in the political arena – now let us mount the platform.

The Schoolmaster is abroad. Let the enemies of justice look to it. 

Work, on ye “MEN OF THE FUTURE”.

Advert NORTHERN STAR

The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom and Working Man’s Vindicator

A monthly journal devoted to the advocacy of the rights of the working classes. Price one penny. Conducted by Working Men. All profits arising from the sale of this journal will be given to the (Chartist) Victim Fund or Executive