PASTOR GEORGE WISE "Protestant Stalwart"
"Cival and religious liberty denied"
I am asked to give up my right to speak in the open air for a month. Why are other Protestant speakers allowed to hold meetings? What right have they to hold meetings which I am debarred from holding? I have as much right as any other man, and I demand the right in justice to myself, in justice to my cause and in justice to my loyal supporters Well I am told, "other men don't hit as hard as you hit" I can't help it; they need to be educated in that particular direction. I don't mean to hit but mere declamation, but to hit with a mind full of knowledge of the subject on which you speak. Mr. Chairman, I am here tonight to give my reason "why I go to prison". My first reason is; I go to prison because I have conducted in the open air in this city a crusade against Ritualism and Romanism, which has developed to such proportions that the authorities want to crush our efforts Dr. Dunning appears absolutely ignorant as to the time we commenced our crusading against Ritualism and Romanism. In his report to the City Council and the Watch Committee particularly he makes the statement:- " In May 1901, Mr. Wise began a series of meetings in open spaces and waste ground in different parts of this city". Why, I commenced the meetings in open air against Ritualism and Romanism long before 1901. What about our meetings near Mr. Wakesford's Church, near St Thomas's, Warwick Street? What about the huge demonstration which took place outside St George's Hall in 1898? Why Mr. Dunning wants correcting. He must have a short memory, or his ignorance of local matters is palpable. I don't know which. He said I commenced in 1901. or thereabouts. I thought we had made a magnificent stir even in reference to the School Board, and that happened before that time. What produced the good influence in my favour? I believe our debate with Mr. Wakesford which took place in 1897 0r 1898. The crusade went ahead by leaps and bounds, the people came to our help and we gave the inspiration for the introduction of the Church Discipline Bill now before the House of Commons. To me the cause is of infinitely more value than personal considerations. I have always lived for the people. I suppose you will even recognise that I am one of the most active men in the city. Day in and day out, it matters not to me, so long as I can devote my energies for the good of my fellows. I go to prison for my cause sake. I believe that the authorities are now beginning to realise that they have made a mistake. They are now beginning to realise that unless things wisely and rightly managed there will be sad trouble in the future. I say they have no right to put on my shoulders that for which they alone are responsible. For several years have I governed the thousands who have listened to me, for years have kept them in check and told my followers never to yield to physical force If I had said "Now defend yourselves against the attack of the rebels" the city would have been in revolution before today. Knowing as I do that the lessons of evolution teach you much. I have learned this, that physical force ends in disaster, moral force ends in triumph, and because I have always advocated moral force against physical I go to prison. But when I am away from you and there is no one to keep them in check or to control then I tell you the authorities alone must be responsible, and their heads will rest the blood guiltiness of this city, Brethren, we have to speak plainly in matters of this character"
On the expiry of the three days grace and on the day on which he was to give himself up at the gates of Walton Gaol, a great farewell meeting was held in the Y.M.C.A., Mount Pleasant, in the centre of the city, and from where he drove in an open carriage, accompanied by many thousands of people, to the prison. During his period in prison a great wave of indignation swept the city, Members of Parliament, City Councillors, Ministers of Religion interested themselves on his behalf and a petition containing nearly 90,000 signatures was presented to the Home Secretary for his release. on His release on June 6 1903 he was met outside the prison by a crowd of some 60,000 and his carriage was pulled along by his supporters from the prison to St. Domingo Pit, Everton.
Back		next