Seth Luther facts for kids

Seth Luther (born 1795, died 1863) was an American leader who fought for workers' rights and the right to vote. He lived in Providence, Rhode Island, before the American Civil War. He was a carpenter by trade. People knew him for his great speeches and for helping workers form groups called trade unions in New England.

Luther was important in the Dorr Rebellion of 1842 in Rhode Island. This was a time when working people tried to get the right to vote, as only men who owned property could vote then. Later in his life, he faced challenges with his health and was cared for in different places. He passed away in 1863. In 2001, the Rhode Island Heritage Society honored him for his important work in organizing unions.

Early Life and Beliefs

Seth Luther was born in 1795. His father, Thomas Luther, was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. In 1815, Seth joined the First Baptist Church of Providence. This church was founded by Roger Williams, who also founded Providence.

Two years later, in 1817, Luther traveled to the western parts of the young United States. These travels gave him many stories. He used these stories in his speeches about the rights of working people. When he returned to Providence, he was no longer a member of the First Baptist Church.

Fighting for Fairness

During the 1830s, Luther worked for new groups called workingmen's trade unions. He was an organizer, wrote pamphlets, and gave many speeches. He spoke about important topics like the right to vote and fairness.

Some of his famous speeches include:

• "Address on the Right of Free Suffrage" (1833) in Providence, Rhode Island.
• "An Address on the Origins of Avarice" (1834) in Charlestown, Massachusetts.
• "An Address before the Mechanics and Working-Men of the City of Brooklyn of the Sixtieth Anniversary of American Independence" (1836).

Luther often used ideas from the Bible in his speeches. In his "Avarice" speech, he talked about how the new way of doing business (capitalism) sometimes went against Christian ideas. He said that people who only cared about money were not truly following their beliefs. He used a quote from the Bible: "You cannot serve God and Mammon" (meaning money or wealth).

In his 1836 speech, Luther quoted an old prophet named Micah. He told his audience: "It is the first duty of an American citizen to hate injustice in all its forms; then he will be prepared to do justly, love mercy, and walk as he ought to walk in the sight of God and Man." This meant that Americans should always fight against unfairness.

The Fight for the Right to Vote

Seth Luther did not only focus on bad working conditions. He also worked hard to change voting rules in Rhode Island. At that time, only men who owned property could vote. This meant many workers could not vote. Luther wanted to change this unfair rule.

In 1841, Luther gave a speech in Newport. He said his most famous words to the crowd. He told them that the right to vote would be given "Peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must!" This meant they would try to get the vote peacefully. But if that did not work, they would fight for it. Newspapers at the time reported that rich landowners did not like this message.

The Dorr Rebellion

Luther's words in 1841 hinted at what would happen next. This was the Dorr Rebellion in Rhode Island in 1842. Luther joined Thomas Dorr in an attempt to take control of the state. They tried to attack the state's weapons storage building. However, their cannon did not fire, and the uprising failed.

Luther was captured and put in prison. He tried to escape by setting his bedding on fire, but it did not work. He was released in 1843. The government wanted to move past the rebellion.

Later Years

After leaving prison, Seth Luther traveled and gave speeches. He spoke about the rebellion and about the "Ten-Hour Movement," which pushed for a shorter workday. By 1846, Luther began to face health challenges. He wrote a letter to President James K. Polk. Soon after, he was involved in an incident at a bank. A local newspaper said he "demanded a thousand dollars in the name of President Polk."

Because of his health struggles, Luther was cared for in different places. He was at an institution in East Cambridge, then the Dexter Asylum in Providence, and later the Butler Hospital. Finally, he moved to the Vermont Asylum (now called the Brattleboro Retreat). He passed away there in 1863. He was buried in an unmarked grave.