summary
This meeting on Bakery Hill raised awareness that everyone wanted a say in what happens on the goldfields. Peter Lalor was elected as a leader to represent the diggers for what they believed was fair and just so that the goldfields were a free and welcoming place to live.
This speech gave the diggers hope that Peter could lead them to having some control over how they live, and how they are treated. This speech also formed a union which later was a cause for the battle of Eureka which the diggers did lose, but the battle won them the right to vote. This speech was powerful because after Peter made it, he was elected as a representative of the digger community. He fought for their rights as any leader would. He was well liked which was proven after the battle because lots of people helped to sneak him away from the goldfields after the battle when he was wanted, proving that people still had faith in their leader long after the diggers lost. |
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the speech
"Liberty, fellow diggers, outraged at the unaccountable conduct of the camp officials in such a wicked licence hunt at the point of bayonet as the one this morning.
We take it as an insult to our manhood. It is my duty now to swear you in, and to take with you the oath to be faithful to the Southern Cross. Now here me with attention, the man who, after this solemn oath does not stand by our standard is a coward at heart.
We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other, and fight to defend our rights and liberties.
Commrades, assist me to pray for the safety of these men. Bless these men that go to fight for their rights and liberties. May heaven shield them from danger. I charge you to commit no violence to the peaceably disposed. I will shoot the first man who takes any property from another, except arms and ammunition and what is necessary for us to use in our defence.
Now fall in commrades, march behind our standard to the Eureka."
We take it as an insult to our manhood. It is my duty now to swear you in, and to take with you the oath to be faithful to the Southern Cross. Now here me with attention, the man who, after this solemn oath does not stand by our standard is a coward at heart.
We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other, and fight to defend our rights and liberties.
Commrades, assist me to pray for the safety of these men. Bless these men that go to fight for their rights and liberties. May heaven shield them from danger. I charge you to commit no violence to the peaceably disposed. I will shoot the first man who takes any property from another, except arms and ammunition and what is necessary for us to use in our defence.
Now fall in commrades, march behind our standard to the Eureka."
translation
Listen, everyone angry at the unforgiving way of the police officers and soldiers. The horrible licence hunt that was at knife point like this morning. We are insulted. It is my job to bring you in and take the oath to be faithful to the Southern Cross. Now listen to me, someone who takes this oath and does not live by it, is a coward.
We swear by the Southern Cross to stand up for ourselves and each other to fight for what we deserve and what is right.
Commrades, help me in praying for the safety for everyone here. Bless these men who go to fight for what is right. May God protect them from harms way, do not hurt any who have left with peace. I will harm the man who steals something from someone else unless it is to help us and not harm us.
Now come with me to Eureka.
By Alicia Thurbon
We swear by the Southern Cross to stand up for ourselves and each other to fight for what we deserve and what is right.
Commrades, help me in praying for the safety for everyone here. Bless these men who go to fight for what is right. May God protect them from harms way, do not hurt any who have left with peace. I will harm the man who steals something from someone else unless it is to help us and not harm us.
Now come with me to Eureka.
By Alicia Thurbon