Si A HISTORY OF LONGRIDGE. [Chap. 3. 



J.P., the full wi-ath and hatred of the Tory Churchmen burst forth. 

 Not content with insults and assaults, they carried theu- politico- 

 religious feelings into the Church itself, and by the display of party 

 colours, and by open and uurebuked sneers and jeers tried to drive 

 their enemies away. Wounds were made then which have not been 

 healed since. Boj-cotting was openly practised ; boys and girls were 

 taught to throw stones and ugly words at Liberals as they passed 

 through the streets, and so well did they do their work that for nearly 

 20 years after Liberals were almost afraid to avow themselves as such. 

 But it was only at election times that the majority of the people of 

 the district took any but a faint interest in politics. They were part of 

 " the great residuum," and had no vote. 



In 1880 when Lord Hartington and Mr. Grafton won N.E. Lan- 

 cashire fi-om the Tories, there was some little excitement — but beyond 

 some fi-iendly foolery, such as using opponents' cabs and eating 

 opponents' dinners, Longridge was fairly quiet. 



But in the winter of 1883, on the eve of the settlement of the County 

 Franchise question, a movement was begun by the present writer 

 which has had the oifect of stirring up both political parties six miles 

 round Longridge somewhat to a sense of their proper political duties. 

 This movement was the establishment of a Liberal Association under 

 the title of " The Longridge and District Liberal Association," an 

 organization which undertook to look after the political education and 

 registration affairs of the following townships : — Alston, Dilworth, 

 Chij)ping, Goosnargh, Hurst Green, Eibchester, and Whittingham. 

 It was formally constituted in January, 1884, amid every encourage- 

 ment. Its officers were :— President, Thomas Eymer, Esq. ; vice- 

 presidents, J. P. Whittle, Esq., D. Irvin, Esq., J.P., T. H. Eymer, 

 Esq., and W. A. Winstanley, Esq. ; chairman, Henry Waring ; hon. 

 secretary and treasurer, Tom C. Smith. From the records kept by the 

 Association I take the following facts and figures which abundantly 

 testify to the efficiency and usefulness of such a body. 



Lectures: 1884, eight; 1885, fourteen; 1886, one^ ; 1887, eleven. 

 These lectures were delivered on almost every subject of current 



'The general electiou ami a bye- account for the only solitary lecture 



election which took place in this year being given. 



