Page 161 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

Hughes Bids Farewell.

and his fellow-workers in the early Cliristian Socialist movement
may not have seen their way clearly tlirough economics. Time and
again, like ancient heroes over whom a spell has been cast, they
fought against rather than for the cause in which they beUeved.
Concert, in its mundane embodiment, frequently struggled on
assailed by its rightful champions. Nevertheless, in the sphere of
ethics and of the spirit especially, the work of Hughes and his
friends, in the criticism it brought to bear, and the traditions it
estabhshed, left the co-operative movement and the working class
through it permanently indebted. And now "my active work
amongst you," Hughes concluded, " is a thing of the past. Well,
it has been the work which I have felt through all the years of my
manhood to be by far the noblest and most pressing to which a man
could put his hand, in our land, in our day. Would that I could have
served the great cause better ! ^lay you prosper ever more and more
in carrying on the flag."
While withdrawing from regular activity Hughes remained
for many years in touch with the movement, contributing as
the " Bystander " to the Co-operative News, and occasionally
reappearing at Congresses, for the last time in 1895.

Centkal Offices, Bank, and Wabehouses, Balloon Street and Garden Street,
Manchester, at the time of the Coming of Age.

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