In the earlier struggles of the Pioneers I had looked forward to the day of their jubilee, when I should stand in their regard as I had done in their day of need. Of course, this gave me a little concern to find myself treated as one unknown to them. But in truth they had not forgotten me, though they ignored me. The new generation of Co-operators had abandoned, to Mr. Bright's regret, participation of profit with Labour, the noblest aspiration of the Pioneers. I had addressed them in remonstrance, in the language of Lord Byron, who was Lord of the Manor of Rochdale:-- "You have the Rochdale store as yet, Where has the Rochdale workshop gone? Of two such lessons why forget The nobler and the manlier one?" Saying this cost me their cordiality and their gratitude; but I cared for the principle and for the future, and was consoled. In every party, the men who made it great die, and leave no immediate successors. But in time their example recreates them. But at the Jubilee of 1892, they had not re-appeared, and those who had memories and gratitude were dead. I spoke over the grave of Cooper, of Smithies, of Thomas Livesey--John Bright's schoolfellow--the great friend of the dead Pioneers saying:-- "They are gone, the holy ones, Who trod with me this lovely vale; My old star-bright companions Are silent, low and pale."* The question arises, does this kind of experience justify a person in deserting his party? The last incident and others preceding it are given as instances of outrage or neglect, which in public life explain ignominious desertion of principle. I have known men change sides in Parliament because the Premier, who had defect of sight, passed them by in the lobby without recognition. I have seen others desert a party, which they had brilliantly served, because their personal ambition had not been recognised. Because of this I have seen a man turn heels over head in the presence of Parliament, and land himself in the laps of adversaries who had been kicking him all his life. If I did not do so, it was because I remembered that parties are like persons, who at one time do mean things, but at other times generous things. * "History of Rochdale Pioneers, 1844-1892" (Sonnenschein).