The Henson Journals

[204]

Monday, October 6th, 1919.

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The terms of the settlement appear on the whole satisfactory and are substantially what the Government offered before the strike was declared. In these circumstances it is not easy to see why Thomas shd have recd an 'ovation' unless indeed the public still credits him with an influence favourable to peace, & supposes that he has succeeded in restraining the 'wild men'. After inflicting on the nation immense discomfort and loss, & adding greatly to the financial burden of the State, now visibly on the brink of bankruptcy, the Railwaymen return to work, without any kind of punishment, and even amid general applause as if they were performing a fine action! Such is democracy!

My sermon appears in full, but has a belated aspect, & suggests the futile & humourless performance known as 'flogging a dead horse'! It appears alongside of the report of a meeting in Hereford at which the Agricultural Labourers' Union proclaimed its adhesion to the Railwaymen, & there was an orgy of tall and heated oratory! If I have hitherto enjoyed an undeserved reputation for sympathising with "Labour", it will hardly survive so arresting and complete a discord of opinion on a "Labour" conflict.

[205]

After lunch Ernest and I walked along the river–bank. A railway man hailed me, & started talking of the Strike. He said that he & his mates had been having a great discussion of my sermon, with the substance of which he seemed to be in agreement, though perhaps a little mortified at its censure.

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