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R andinas far as national prideIn genera...
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foreign iHohrmtnts.. . ¦rfirPtft'tt . -M9T«\f«<ytt%A«»t-*'
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" And I will war , at least in words, (A...
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« A>1 3len are Brethren
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—^ THE FRATERNITY OF NATIONS. DEMOCRATIC...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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R Andinas Far As National Pridein Genera...
Septembeb 26 . 1846 . THE NORTHERxV Sf ^ R — ~ - 1 1 ¦ II . mil _ 111 ———————— _ —__^_ - - ¦ . — -,.- ~— . » - ... i ., .- ¦ ¦ : < -. ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ . .. — , r . - -. ¦ ¦ ¦¦¦ ¦;» -..-y ; , J , aiV ,. „ ; ....- ^ ' — ..... .. ^ ,. „ -.... . .. e . x . i :. . . . „ , < V . . . » I 1 1 11 1 i . " ' ~ - ^ " ^ ¦ ¦
Foreign Ihohrmtnts.. . ¦Rfirptft'tt . -M9t«\F«≪Ytt%A«»T-*'
foreign iHohrmtnts . . . ¦ rfirPtft'tt . -M 9 T «\ f «< ytt % A «» t- * '
" And I Will War , At Least In Words, (A...
" And I will war , at least in words , ( And—should my chance so happen—deeds , ) With all wh » war with Thought I " 1 think I bears , little bird , irhosinga Tae people by and by will be the stronger . "— Bibojt . GERMANY AND DENMARK . THE SLESWICK AND HOLSTEIK QUES
TlOtf . The German Society for the Instruction of Working Men , in one of their regular meetings , on the 22 th of this month , took into consideration the question of Sleswick and Holstein , which at tuvsraoinent produces such a strange excitement in Germany . " VVe may well say " strange , " as tbe foUowiK- ; short explanation will show . The present King of Denmark has only one son , who has no issue , and in jhini , to all appearance , the reigning line will become extinct . Now , according to the royal law of Denmark , the crown , in tbat case , will pass to the next relation or agnat , whether male or female : who'is accidentally a descendant from a female line , f a JPrinee of Hessen . But in the two districts men .
fumed above , though they both form part of the kingdom of Denmark , it is pretended that an old law is still in force , though several centuries old , iieeause never expressly abrogated , in virtue of which the right of succession is limited to male de-SSeimautS O & lT . And if this law should be considered to be still in force , then the successor in the two districts would be another than that for Denmark , properly speaking ; in other words , the present Idngdom would be partitioned , and placed under the rule of two different princes . However , it may be twenty years before the question will assume a practical form , that" is to say , before the old reigning line will become extinct . But , already , these farsighted Germans more heaven and " earth"in order to
prevent the p ssibility of the integrity of the present kingdom of Denmark being preserved ; they want it to be partitioned almost no w , when both the King and his Son are still > . ive . And what is the reason ? Of these two districts . One ( Holstein ) forms part of the Germanic Confederation ; but according to old treaties it forms a kind of unity with the Duchy of Sleswick , and both of them stands under a separate administration . The Germans now pretend , that if these tws Duchies , in which the German population is more numerous than the Danish , were separated from Denmark and placed under a separate German prince , they would be more '* Germanized , " and
become really German countries . In the same way , to adduce an illustration , when llanover was separated from the English crown , it became a really German country , by being placed under the independent rule of King Ernest . Under present circumstances , to Le a German may be considered as tantamount to Msing deprived of all political rights , and entirely at ins mercy of arbitrary Governments . "Set , still , by a strange * infatuation , the Germans thinlTthisincon-Tenience nv > re than counterbalanced by bearing tbe appellation of " Germans . " "We can say no longer , «* What ' s in a name ? " for to the Germans , it seems to be almost every tiling
, No person , in his sober senses , can perceive why the Germans should feel themselves interested in the prospective partition of the kingdom uf Denmark ; which , moreover , will be settled , when the question really arises in a practical form , by an European Congress . The good Germans , probably , also rendered eager by the long silence imposed on them by the censorship , now that the muzzle , for reasons best known to the governments , has _ been taken from them , for a time , at Jeast , sing lustily of « Fatherland" " Germany , " and other such hig hsounding nonsense .
It is asainst this feverish excitement without end Or aim , that the society above mentioned has risen , in order to assert the part of truth and common sense ; and especially to warn their fellow working Hen not to allow themselves to be led away hy those delusive and ridiculous declamations . Under this view the address subjoined was proposed and unanimously adooted , in the way already mentioned . The address being clear In itself , we do not think further explanation Is required . ADDRESS OF THE GERMAX SOCIETY FOE THE I . VSTR 17 CTIOX OF VfORKVXG 3 IEN IX LONDON TO THE WORKING CLASSES OP GERMANY / .
« A≫1 3len Are Brethren
« A > 1 3 len are Brethren
Br . thren , a short time ago our signatures were dejmanded for a letter which the " German Reading Club " iad directed to tbe inhabitants of Sleswick and Holstein . 5 ais letter bore the title , "Letter-Patent of the Germans in London to their countrymen in Sleswick and Eolstein , " and was written with the intention oftestiiriug to the latter the acknowledsement ^ and admiration due for the firmness with -which they had proved their sttaehment to the appellation of " Germans / ' You fcsow , that this letter is not the first addressed to them ; all Germany , from the shores of the East and North Ssas to the f-ot ef the Alps , from Poland's enslaved soP , . 5 what a Gennaa poer has lately hazarded to call fie "free GtrmanShmefasU seized hy one delirium et enthusiasm , has applauded in a similar mode the Questionable acts of the Germans in Sleswick and
Holtein . And , as the German Heading Club here spoke in he name of the Germans in London in general , so did he damans in the mother country speak ia the name * the whole German nation , mostly , like the club , also lot addressing themselves to the Estates , but to all tbe Jerman Inhabitants of Sleswick and Holstein . Of smrse , they assumed , or feigned to assume , that the « ople was one and the same with the Estates , and that he latter really were the representatives , the servants of She people , as they ought to be , and at all times only anxious for their welfare . | Brethren , having followed with painful emotion the movement in Sleswick and Holstein , in its rise and pevelopenient , we see it now forced to such aheighth , that we feel ourselves bonnd also to say a word , not in the inurest of a private family or a single tribe or nation ,
latin theinfcrestofall nations , in the service of mannad The nations have always been cheated and ttbhed of their inheritance , because they have been distaited . Also ye , German brethren , they wish to cheat sain , as they have done to frequently before . They in to arm yon , in order to buy with your blood advanagssin which yon shall have no share , and their belief i ° stiu , that they may employ with the same success hose means again , through which thirty years since bey so well accomp lished their own ends . The words f " - 'Fatherland , Honor , Justice , " have again become the reat war-hoop with which they desire to allure you tolay , as thty ones did yonrfathers , as twice they did your ' tench neighbours , the brave champions of freedom and caalitv , and as they did tbe unhappy working classes
f England 3 " Fatherland 1 " forsooth , and what is that iileriand , for whose domination the one is to fight , and ie other promist B assistance ! It is the German fatherind , trtanblingbefor « more than tbir : y princes , fettered t a confederacy of those thirty , and now , notnithstandig , invoking the aid oi that very same confederacy rliica keeps them in bonds ; it is , in one word , the Ger-( iay , whose pretended unity has already excited so itaii tbe laughter of the world , and if much-praised knaauy were one united , great , free country , what roaid it avail to us , brethren * Since when , ha-e the par and working-men bad a fatherland ? O , yes , the f eU fed gentleman with the money bag has good reasons ir extolling tbe country which has rounded his body—it las nourished , clothed , and educated him , and filled his trse—bat we do not remember that our fatherland has
> an = h « a , elothed , and elocated us . It has whipped us , asrisoued us , driven us into exile ; or if we weie " well dared" it has permitted us to pins away with wife and aldrenin hanger and misery . Should we , then , love t » t fatherland , devote to it ourbloiid , nay , even as . such » own and acknowledge it ! Indeed , if our good literals * had actually hurled all their thirty masters Ml their thrones and placed themselves snugly upon tan , instead of the others , the sufferings of our breb .- = a , in England anoVFcincs , those ren-jwued seats of £ « doni , "showns sufficiently that even then the sun ra & l not shine on our side of the hedge . % trick aad delusion the nations have always been ' * Med and robbed of their inheritance 5 therefore , been ^ ffjuaro , and firmly stand together . Aad what means your ridiculous winnings for JOUT ]
f ' astice and Honour ! " Justice is common to all ¦ ?*>! And then honour ! Indeed , yon good Germans ; wjoar addresses we here and there find that an idea of ^ possibility of a -aatiau being inherited against their V'ltl inspires you with some timid allusions to tneinalien-S 'S rights of man ; but whenever there appears a ^ nger of consequences being deduced from your empty '¦ irds , which would not he altogether to your liking , then ¦ iu quickly advance your " historical right . " Even now v 5 houldhearnothingofyourrauiogs against the Danes , ! rea now you would be as silent as mutei , if you did not HStve yon were in possession Of some musty parchment herring on you the right of serving a German , instead , Of a foreign prince . Or why , yon German address-heroes , i *~ T 4 id you not open your months , when witnessing the jP ? JTession throueh which the once so noble people of
181 J degenerated ; and which permitted tbe Poles to die | j * J in unsuccessful struggles ? But the oppressors are ^ mans , is it not so f The much more your honor as " ^¦ nan , your innate love of justice ought to have driven jwt te interefere . And what did yon do when Hanover ' s "" "Jtrampled your dear "historical rights , "under his ' 1 When the King of Prussia , rtf used to redeem the ' -d of his father ; that perjured father , whom he speaks W as « ygposing ju the Almighty I " / 'usee , brethren , it is only words theyntter ; a few * -a » 5 e , perhaps , in the sincere warmth of their hearts , ^ Jt tie great majority , well knowing what they are " * l , and strictly calculating in their minds tbe per cen-I ^ Hhich the increase of commerce and , forsooth , per-^? 3 < even the " German fleet " may one day yield to pto .
Tlisrefore , be onyour guard , aad standfirmly together * not allaw yourselves to be dazzled by the gaudy sign . ¦ ird on which they have engraved the high-sounding « ds of "Honour , Justice , Patherlaud 1 " Do not allow Selves to be made to believe that your national ho-^ has been injured ! Whoever , in his quality as a eRnan , possesses national pride , must be / a foolindeed ;
« A>1 3len Are Brethren
and , inas far as national pride , In general , is folly a German nationalist must be a fool of the first degree National pride is folly ; and it Is not onl y folly , it is pernicious and mischievous ; for , like every other prejudice It leads to fanaticism , and has already brought incalculable misery on mankind . Before any one of human kind belongs to a nation he belong , to mankind . You are not born German * , ' men ; aud as men , belong to the human society , not to the German Confederation , which is but too well pleased if . clamouring for your rights as a nation , you forget your rights at men ! Is this not dear , intelligible , and true ' And now , brethren , it is you whom they W 3 Jlt to teacb that oaly the Germans are your brethren ; you whom they wish to excite against men like yourselves . nnd . in « q f * r as natinnal nriib » In „«« m-, i j- . »_ , _
; you whose passions they want to rouse and arm , to send a ^ nnst them tha t you may bathe yourselve 1 ia tbe'r Wood—and why % to extend the blessings of that freedom with which our fatherland overflows , to others , and to make them partici pate ia your extraordinary happiness ! km not yon , brethren , who can wish that ; it is irapos-SI nle for yon to work yourselves into an enthusiasm for an idea not capable of ameliorating your physical wellbeing , or suppl ying one single mental want ; you would remain slaves as before , and would have erased t ' e truth springing from your hearts— " All Men are Brethren . " Behold ! we , in a land from where we address these words to you , call ourselves , not German ? nor Dan s , though Germans and Danes , and almost all the other nations of
Europe , are represented amongst ns ; we are men : and in tearing down all prejudices separating nation from nation , and involving them in n . utual hostilities , wa strive to approach nearer and nearer the standard of human perfection aud happiness . Ton will do tbe same ; not join in the ridiculous cry of your so-called "Representa . lives , " who more than your princes , are your oppressors , and will continue so much Iornrer , if you are not on your guard . Ton will tear down in love the frontiers which separate you from your neighbours , and not , in hatred , wall them up higher and stronger than they were before ; you will lend a friendly hand to the Dane , as we have done here , and make common preparation against yonr real enemies .
The nations , brethren , have always been cheated and rubbed of their inheritance , because they were ignorant and disunited . Thence , if you cherish your own—the welfare of mankind , be on your guarl , and stand firmly together l
—^ The Fraternity Of Nations. Democratic...
—^ THE FRATERNITY OF NATIONS . DEMOCRATIC FESTIVAL . The Fraternal Democrats celebrated their First Annual Festival , on Monday last , September 21 st , tbat dav being the anniversarv of tbe proclamation of the French Republic of 1792 . The festival , m the shape of a public supper , came off * t the White Conduit Honse , Islington . Democrats from all the European states were present , fully realising tbe motto of ihe society— " All Men are Brethren . " Tbe chair was taken by Dr . Berrier Fontaine , supported by Feargus O'Connor , J . A . Miclielot , Julian Harney , * Carl Schapper . Colonel Oborsk ? , * Professor Sievers . and Samuel Kydd . The vice-chair was occupied by Thomas Clark , supported by Philip M'Grath and Henry Bauer . The supper was admirably served , and reflected ereat credit upon the worthy host , Mr . Rouse . After the removal of the clotb .
The Chaibhax briefly addressed the assembly in both the French and English languages , describing the struggles of the people for their rights , and the progress of democratic principles since the eternally glorious 2 Ut and 22 nd of September , 1792 . He concluded his remarks , in the course of which he had been loudly applauded , by giving the first toast of the evening : — The Sovereignty of the People . Mr . Clabk said : Mr . President and Brothers , —Our meeting this evening is to celebrate the most important event of ancient or modern times—the establishment of tbe Trench Republic of 1792 , ( Cheers . ) And I am grati . fied beyond expression to witness this gathering of men from every nation in Europe , as it plainly foretells , that , ere long , " The Sovereignty of the People" will be
established . Tbis , Sir , is as it ought to be ; . the representatives of the United Democracy of Europe meeting together iu the true spirit of fraternity , to pledge themselves anew to the glorious principles of the French Revolution . ( Cheers ) The sentiment proposed by you , Sir . has often been toasted at aristocratic assemblages , with no other view than that of making the " people " serve the interests of faction : bnt the cordial response which it has met with here this evening , convinces me that the triumph of the people ' s cause is the first and most earnest wish of every individual in the room . ( Cheers . ) The people of England , like their brethren in other countries , have hitherto been engaged in lighting the battles of faition and of party : but henceforth they will struggle for themselves . ( Cheers . ) In England , the people enjoy many privileges of which our
continen-I tal neighbours are deprived : and it is my anxious wish 1 that those privileges shall be turned to the best account , AS the people Of this country have the destinies of Europe , in a great measure , entrusted to their care . ( Cheers . ) The French Revolution gave birth to new ideas and developr-d a novel philosophy—all previous revolutions had been a mere transfer of power from one party to another ; bn the people of France , under the direction of wise » nd able men , declared for man ' s right —social equality . ( Cheers ) Despotism was , for a time , destroyed ; and the " Sovereignty of the People " xv = s in the ascendant- I hope . Sir , that we shall all live to see the people of every countrj triumph over their oppressors . ( Cheers . ) 1 respond most heartily to the " Sovereiijntj of tb « People . " ( Cheers . } Julian Harset then rose and read the following "Address : "—
THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS TO THE DEMOCRATS OF ALL NATIONS . " All men are brethren . " Fellow Mes , Assembled at our first annual festival , on the anniversary of a day memorable in the annals of European progress , we think this a fitting occasion io briefly explain the origin , principles , and aims of oar society . To the founders of this society it had long been a matter of regret that the democrats of the several countries of Europe and America knew so little of each other . In all countries the friends of progress are mainly dependent for their knowledge of passing events upon the public journals , the great majority
of which represent tbe interests of usurping governments and privileged class , to the exclusion of the rights and interests of the masses . In Germany , Italy and Russia , the censorship suppresses or distorts all jntellnrence of popular movements , at home or abroad . In France the "liberal" absolutism of the moneymonsers has imposed laws upon the press which render ruin and captivity tbe penalties for telling "too much truth . " In Great Britain a cunningly devised tax combined with the influence of property , has made the press the venal slave of the aristocratic and profitmongering classes . In America official and class corruption effects what censors , penalties , and taxes accomplish in Europe .
The oppressed and wronged millions have certainl y some representatives in the press of Western Europe and America ; and , in defiance of the censorship , even in Germany . 'but these honest journals have immense difficulties to contend with , and are in a great measure dependent upon the arHocratio and liberticidal journals of the great capitals for their intelligence of passing movements . From this cause , the democrats of different countries have been comparatively ignorant of each other ' s progress , and from ignorance or misconception have often acted sectionally , or even in opposition to each other , when there needed but mutual enlightenment to cause all to act in concert , and move at one and the same time for the triumph of their common cause .
Impressed with these ideas , and seein ; that in this great metropolis was gathered men from all parts of the earth , brought here by the pursuit ? of labour , science and travel , or driven here by the tyrannical persecution which has exiled them from tbeir respective countries , the founders of this society saw in the friendly union of such men with the leading sp irits of the democratic movement in Great Britain , the practicability of establishing a nucleus of thought and combination of mind which would impart to all associated more accurate and enlightened views of the state of the masses in all countries , and the course of action most advisable to elevate them above the bondage and misery to which class domination has everywhere consigned them . Thus thinking we proceeded to act , and the present festival announces the termination of the first year ' s existence of the " Fraternal Democrats . "
Our principles are expressed in the declaratory motto of our society— " All men are brethren , " In accordance with this declaration , we denounce all political hereditary inequalities and distinctions of " caste ; " consequently , we regard kings , aristocracies , and classes monopolising political privileges in virtue of tbeir possession of property , as usurpers and violators ofthe principle of human brotherhood . Governments elected by , and responsible to , the entire people , is our political creed . We believe tbe earth with all its natural
productions to be tbe common property of all ; we , therefore , denounce all infractions of tbis evidently just and natural law as robbery and usurpation . We believe tbat the present state of society which permits idlers and schemers to monopolise the fruits of the earth and the productions of industry , and Compels the working classes to labour for inautquate rewards , and even condemns tlieni to social slavery , destitution and degradation , to be essentially unjust . The principle , of universal brotherhood commands that labour and rewards should be equal Such is our social creed .
We condemn the " national" hatreds which have hitherto divided mankind , as both foolish and wicked ; foolish , because no one can decide for himself the country he will be born in ; and wicked as proved by the feuds and bloody wars which have ' desolated tbe earth , in consequence of these national vanities . Convinced , too , that national prejudices h . re been , in all ages , taken advantage of fcv tne pet de ' s oppressors , to sst them tearing the , throa , t »
—^ The Fraternity Of Nations. Democratic...
of each other , when they should have been working together for their common good , this Societ y repudiates the term " Foreigner , " no matter by , or to whom , app lied . We recognise ouriellow-ynen , without regard to country , " as members of one family , the human race ; nnd citizens of one commonwealth —the world . Finally , we recognise the great mora ) law , " Do unto thy brother , as thou wouldst thy brother should do unto thee , " as the great safeguard of public and private happiness . Such is our moral creed . . . - , . Our one aim is the triumph of the princi ples above enunciated . In pursuit of that object we seek mutu il enlightenment , and labour to propagate the principle of general and fraternal co-operation . Once for all we explicit ' y state , that we repudiate all idea of form-- * ., . ..: u . __ - __ .- __
ing any " party , " in addition to the parties already existing in England . Wo desire not to rival , but to aiil all men who are honestly combined to work 011 the emancipation of tbe people ; and with this object in view , we shall gladly hail the adhesion of all convinced of the justice of our principles , and the parity of our motive- - . Whether" few t-r many , we shall continue to act in accordance with the duties we believe wo owe fri our fellow-men , leaving them to judge of us by our actions . In the course of the past twelve months , our labours have been rewarded by the approving voices of distinguished patriots , both in England and on the Continent ; and our " Addresses" to the people
of the United States , have been published in the working men ' s papers of that Republic , and warmly responded to , 111 conjunction with the great Char'ist party we have defended the cause of unhappy Poland , and trust our efforts have been notaltogethtr fruitless . Some of our members have returned io tbe homes of their birth on the Continent , or are at tbis time travelling in different parts of Europe . These , our brothers , will propagate our principles in the several countries they may visit , and will inform our fellow-men of other lands , that in this capital ol the British Isle * is banded together a body of men , who , renouncing the crimes and delusions of the miserable past , and yet unhappy present , desire and work for that hapoier future which shall witness THE
TRIUMPH OF JUSTICE , THE EMANCIPATION OF THE MILLIONS , AND THE FRATERNITY OF NATIONS . Signed by the Secretaries : — G . Julian Harxky , native of Great Britain ; Cakl ScnAPPER , native of Germany ; J . A . Michelot , native of France ; Peter Holm , native of Scandinavia ; J . Schabklitz . native of Swiizcrland ; Louis Oborski , native of Poland ; N . Nkueth , native of Hungary ; September-Slst , 1 S 4 G . The " Address" was received with great applause . Mr . Joux Aknott sung his song , " All bail , Fraternal Democrats , " which elicited much applause . The Chairman then
gave—The Fraternity of Nations . May the principles ol the French Revolution have a speedy and glorious resurrection 'iu France , and may that equality for which the French people so nobly struggled become established in France , and triumphantly propagated throughout the world . Mr . J . A . Micuelqt responded to the sewtiu \ w . t \ n ihe French language . His ; energetic defence of the French Revolution was warmly applauded . Carl Schappeh said—Sisters and Brothers , tbe fraternity of nations is a toast to whieh I can respond from the bottom of my heart , for I am convinced that when the oppressed of civilized Europe unite and demand , as with one voice , their rights , demand justice , they will get them ; aye , they will get them without having recour-e to
physical force , for when the people enlightened , united and strong demand , no tyrant on earth will dare re / ose . ( Great applause . ) The object of our Society is to extinguish nation-il hatred , to remove national prejudices , and to propagate the great principle that all men belong to one family , that all men are brethren , and , although we are but few ia number , yet we have hope , we have courage , for our principles are true and just , and with truth and justice on our side we shall ultimately conquer , Yes , we shall conquer , for when such men as Mr . Feargus O'Connor , Mr . M'Grath and Mr . Clark were amongst us , and sanctioned by their presence the exertions and principles of this society , we can say that the future belongs to us . Mr . O'Connor and tha Chartist Executive will soon be members of Parliament , and I hope the day is not
far distant when they will be the advisers of the crown , and then hail to the oppressed , woe to the tvi-anfe * . ( Cfcecrs . ) " May the glorious principles of tbe French Revolution have a speedy resurrection throughout the world . " Yes , I wish , I hope it , but fifty-seven years have elapsod since this great revolution began , and now we will not be satisfied with what our forefathers demanded , we want more . We want not only to be freed from the oppression of priests and nobles , we also want to be freed from the oppression of Messrs . Rothschild and Co . — ( Cheers )—in short , from Messrs . Money-monger and Co . ( Cheers . ) There was a time when mother church was all-powerful , when she swaved the world , and then she scourged the people , but she fed them . The nobles and the people united and overthrew her power ; hat after the victory the nobles took her place , and began beating the people with larger sticks , and gave them less food :
the nobles were overthrown in their turn , and now we find the moneymongers governing the civilized world , beating the people with iron rods , and absolutely starving them . Ihe people have fought for the church , the nobility , and the moneymongers , but they have been illtreated bv them all , and the worst by the money mongers , they now begin to fight for themselves , they are struggling for the land , and they will get it . ( Great cheering . ) The worth of a man will aud shall not be longvr in his money-bag ; we will no more ssy he is worth a thousand or a million of pounds ; no , we will judge him according to his intrinsic worth ; we will say he is worthy , as an honest man , or he is not worth anything at all . Sisters and brothers , let us unite , and right and justice will triumph , mankind will he free and happy , and the earth will become 3 paradise . Onward , and we shall conquer . ( Great applause . )
dOLUS HiBSES said—Citizen Chairman . twelvemontbs ago at a festival similar to the present , in speaking to a toast almost identical in words with the one I now rise to speak to , I declared that the mission of the French Re volution was the destruction of inequality , and the establish , meat of institutions to secure to the people justice and happiness . On that occasion I observed , that viewing the Revolution in this light , there could be no difficulty in arriving at a correct estimate of the characters of the men who figured in that struggle . I showed , that tried by this test , the Constitutionalists and Girondists were not the friends to true liberty , which the ignorant have supposed them to be . That previous to the reaction of the 9 tb , Thermidor , ' the only men who apparently were honestly desirous of securing to the people the legitimate
fruits of their sacrifices and sufferings , was Robespierre and his friends . ( Applause ) The rest of the parties , whether followers of Laffayctte , Brissot , or Danton , were , of the most part , schemers , brigands , and humbugs ; the best of them were half ignorant and timid men , whose negative virtues were positive vices in the circumstances in which they were placed . What was hut indistinctly shadowed forth by the friends of equality , previous to the destruction of Robespierre , was afterwards put into shape and ; onu by Babeuf and his noble compatriots ; and had their gloriousconspiracy but been successful , had they succeeded in establishing that Communist Republic , in which labour and enjoyments would bare been equally apportioned , France would never have succumbed to the bayoaetsof tbe Holy Alliance ; on the contrary . by this time
neither oppressor nor paupur would havebeeu found on the broad surface of Europe . ( Cheers . ) The mission of the Revolution having not yet been accomplished , proves that the Revolution has not yet terminated . The imperial despotism of Napoleon , and the restoration of the Bourbons , were but continuations of the reaction against the pure principles of tbe Revolution , and now Francs has the blessed rule of the money-mongers , with Rothschild , tbe First for King , and Louis Philippe for his deputy . Tbe composition of the present Chamber of Deputies , proves that the reaction baa well nigh reached its climax , there is no act of baseness or villainy that these precious representatives of the 200 , 000 bottgeoisie are incapable of . With
such a crew of Deputies , and Paris enclosed in a chain o > bustiles , the money-mongers hug themselves with the belief that their reign will be eternal : and Louis Philipue in his last days , tottering on the brink of the grave , thinks he has nothing left to do but to find thrones and principalities for his precious brood . Rut this state of things cannot for long continue . It is not possible that the descendants of tho men of ' 93 should for ever endure the odious supremacy of the two hundred thousand kings of gold . ( Cheers . ) The hour of reckoning is coming , the day of retribution is drawing nigh , France will not much linger submit to ^ the present detestable order of things . No .
" She has sons that never , never , Whilst heaven has light , or earth has graves Will stoop to be such despots' slaves !" ( Great applause . ) I rejoice that the present deputies are , so bad as to render worse impossible . Depend upon it great events are coming , and I petfectly agree with Michelot ( the celebrated French author ) that before the nest struggle "Frenchmen should reconnoitre themselves well , " hut I perfectly disagree with him , that Frenchmen should " trust only in France , and notat all iu Europe . " Before Frenchmen engage in another revolution they will do well to reconnoitre themselves and ask what they are to combat for . If to establish the supremacy and " glory" of France , if to win " the boundary of the Rhine , " it * to abolish monarchy and the aristocracy of titles , if merely these are tm be the results of a revolution then I would say to Frenchmen—that is to the working
men of France—keep quiet , such a revolution is not worth to you the sacrifice of a broken head . Experience has proved—bear witness America—that kingcraft and lordcraftmay be abolished and yet tbe people remain practical slaves . ( Applause . ) The classes commanding the wealth of a country can always by force or fvaud ensure tbe practical slavery of the millions . Ol ' . r French brethren are just now in that position which " Volney has so beautifully described , and might at the present moment describe their situation in his very words— " We are a numerous people , and we want strength 1 We have an excellent soU , and we are destitut e of provisions ! We are active and laborious and we ij ve j n indigence ! We pay enormous tributes and we a \ -e told tbat they are not sufficient ! We are at peace without , and our persons and property are not safa Vdtbm ! What , then , is ihe secret enemy that devour ? , -us ! " If they push this
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French social * Jt , soclal or S <™™ tloit o ! 5 0 , rent ? n W , '' P ermit 8 vampire classes to ?„„ L / 7 n . P ° ' m , d taxcs . »» sucked from SfT ' ° « i 0 " « « W' no changing lo 7 muZn ^ : r ameat wi " «"'«> P « te the people f . orn this veritable slavery . That emancipation can only take place through the working out of the principles pro-, 1-Mtned n the address of the Fraternal Democrat " , ( applause . ) This toast " pronounc-s" for tho fraternity of nations—would that Spanish pronunciamentos were always as sensible . ( Cheers . ) When bad men ccn . spiro , good men should combine . The Gorman diet has resolved to persecute tbe German Communists , and have declared Communism to be high treason . Tho principles of the German Communists are the princip ' es proclaimed ill bur " address" this evening , we therefore must sym-. x .
pathise with our persecuted brethren . ( Cheers . ) As die German Governments have declared war against the people , tbe people must declvre war against them . ( Applause . ) While we sympathise with the Germans , let us 5 ve them a few woris of advier-. Some fool in the Augs-ImrgGazette , bettor i s for German nationality , has said Germany will proclaim war to the knife against Denroavk ; let us , however , aAvise our Carman friends to I -t Denmark alone , and proclaim war to tile knife H"alnst fieir own abominable governments , at the same " time , { atomaUy inviting tbe Danes to follow their example ( Great applause . ) The society of Fraternal Democrat is yet but i . i its infancy . It is yet but the acorn , but will become tho giant oak . It is yet but the " little cloud no bigger than a man ' s hand , " but that cloud will ultimately overshadow tne thrones of the earth , and its thunderbolts strike prostrate the oppressors and ravagers of mankind . ( Great cheering , )
The celebrated " Marsoillois Hymn" was then sung by Joseph Moil , the whole company enthusiastically joining in the chorus : — Aux armes citoyens , Former , vos bataillons . Marehons 5 a ira , Mardioiu ga ira . La Republique Un jour triomphera 1 The Chairman thea gave—The Democrats of Great Britain and Ireland , may they , remembering that political power is only valuable as a means to social reform , speedily obtain the " People ' s Charter , " and use it as an instrument for the regeneration of society .
Mr . O'Coxxob , on rising , was received with the most deafening applause , He said : Sir , —To me , coming from my cold , quiet home — from labour ' s calm retreat , this gathering of the outlawed spirit of all nations , is cheeritv , ; in ihe extreme . ( Cheers . ) I have never soughs to limit th 6 straggle for liberty to country , creed , or colour ; for I have invariably declared tli . lt I cared not where the country , what the colour , or whieh the creed , of the pits-lot was—that if he loved liberty and strangled for it , I would call him brother , anii . takeliim by the hand . ( Loud cheers . ) Much that has been said here to-night must be inspiring to the friends at present outlawed b y the tyranny of their several systems , and cheering to us who , in the midst of the
laws s terror and authority ' s power , have yet preserved the field for discussion , and kept it open as the resting-place and hope of the struggling of all aitions . ( I oud cheers . ) Therefore , while you meet to commemorate . 111 event glorious in contemplation and inteutvan , hut disastrous in Tesu . t , bear in mind , that to us , the Chartists of England , you are indebted ' or the privilege of being able to do honour to vour principles . Uow many attempts have been made to
triumphed in the straggle . ( Loud cheers . ) Our course . Sir , i * no Quixotic crusade in search of undiscovered or even remote regions ; it is the mind ' s travel in quest of its legitimate throne , from which it has been long evicted by the barbarous ignorance of barbarous ages . ( Tremendous applause . ) That knowled ge by which the old world wis governed , was cleaned from celestial phenomena , cunningly conjured into despotic expediency , by some state astrologer , or gathered from tho smoking entrails * of wild birds and beasts , from the croaking of this raven , the cawing of the croiv , or the appetite of the vulture , interpreted by cunning priests or hired soothsayers , anil transmitted to posterity in the mvstic language of priestcraft and statecraft , which the *
improved mind of this day cannot trai : slaf e into rational phraseology . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Ye . « , Sir , such is the ignorance—suck the cunning mystery , that has held aspiring knowledge in subjugation and murdered truth for ages ; until at length , knowledge snatched the dagger from tho assassin ' s hand , and plunged it into ignorance—the assassin ' s breast . ( Loud and tremendous cheering . ) » S ' u-, it was that ignorance tbat created feuds , and wars , and bloodshed ; but I agree with almost every word that has fallen from my eloquent friend Schapper , not in denunciation but in his protest against the necossitv of physical force . ( Cheers . ) He has veryplainly pointed out that strength , that moral power , which is the surest weapon of liberty ; and perhaps it may be a
conundrum , why governments anil monarchs do not now go to war upon such slight and hasty provocation as they were won't to do ? In days gone by the French monarch would have recruited " his armies before now wptM . opposition offered to the marriage of his son with the littlcsimpleton of Spain , and England would have buckled on her armour as heedlessly to resist it . But wb yarotbey now more cautious ? It is lest the C .-ip of Liberty should proudly waive over the Tuilieries , as the trophy of Frenchmen ' s triumph , and lest tl \« * is points of the Charter should adorn the summit of the new House of Commons , as the fruit of England ' s victory . ( Loud and continued cheering . ) Mr . Schapper has told you , and told you truly , that althongh you are assembled to commemorate the French
Revolution of 1703 , that yet the democrats of this day would not be satisfied with what in those days the people struggled for . ( Cheers . ) Sir , it would be but a poor tribute to knowled ge , but a scant gathering from 53 years ' harvest , if the democrats of 1846 would be satisfied with those changes sought for more than half a , century ago . ( Cheers . ) Our next demand , as he has eloquently told you , will be for the Land . ( Great cheering and * clapping of hands . ) Aud hence , tho superiorit y of the Chartist movement over the French ltcvolmion—the one was a recourse to arms , and ended in the ascemlancv of the oppressor—the other defies all armed resistaiiov , asd will end in the emancipation of the oppressed . ( Cheers . ) The French republicans waged hastv and
inconsiderate battle against an accumulation of grievances—they sought to destroy oppression aad the system that engendered it—but unfortunately they were not prepared with a substitute , and hence they lost the spoils of victory . WE AltiS PREPARED * . ( Cheers . ) We have created a new mind , which like an epidemic has spread its contagion tliroughout the length and breadth of the land ; and oh ! Sir , would to God that I could flatter myself that it had infected the inert mind of my own brave , generous , hospitable , but oppressed countrymen . ( Great cheering . ) Oh ! Sir , while tho growing mind of all nations is represented here to-night , it is melancholy . that there is no national representation of Ireland * and how wj mnst loathe the name of the hoary sycophant who
hassiid "IRELAND FREE OR IRELAND IN A BLAZE , " and who now lolls in luxurious ease and secluded retirement , construing Saxon Acta of Parliament , professing to iced his countrymen upon Saxon alms , telling them to be thankful for the atep-mother ' s bit . and to hnmWy beg for more when it is consumed . ( Great cheering . ) Sir , I often wish , and especially when I read of , the infuriate madness of some Polish peasants in the last revolution , I often wish that the Irish people had Polish lea , ' ers , or that the Polish lenders had Irish people . ( Cheers . ) But let us hope that the mind ' s contagion will vet reach that land , and that when tho mental flash Announces the coining thunder of popular anger and popular union , tbat the sun of Poland may once
more rise from the cold , ashes and smouldering embers of her lightning struck oppressors , ( long and continued cheering , ) Sir , we have , lighted the rushlight of liberty at the expiring blaze of tyranny , and when we hear that it has compelled the wilds of Siberia to restore the frantic wifo to the fond embrace of her overjoyed . husband , and ' again given parents to afflicted orphans , who would not welcome death in any shape to partici pate in such a gala-day ? Who wou 'd : iot fall upon his own sword to witness audi ahely reunion . ( Indescribableapplause . ) Mr . Schapper has p lainly shown you , that religious liberty now exists in many countries where social inequality prevails , but in my opinion he has made a mkta ' Kc , when he tells you that it is for social libertv that you
must now struggle . 1 tell you tliatpoliiicailiJberty must be the precursor of social equality and religious freedom . ( Cheers . ) Nor do I entirely agrw ; with Mr . Harney in his definition of man ' s secretunomics , I think that man ' s chief and greatest wiemy is disunion , an enemy which , if destroyed , would lead to the surrender of all social , political , wirt religious rights , inasmuch as authority is ready to yield all tile moment they are demanded in one united and irresistible voice . ( Cheers . ) Hut in ouc struggle we must be , cautious , and , while you lows a republic because it is the watchword undci-which your mind has been marshalled , and around whic ' n your feelings would rally , yet you must never ask us to surrender
the name in honor of which wo have suffered , and in defence of which millions wouVd be prepared to perish . ( Loud cheers . ) There is no guarantee , no protection , that liberty could dew . ye from a Republic , that it would not equally deri , r e fTOm the People ' s Charter . Chartism means < - ; j efinod republicanism , ( tremendous cheering , ) and y .-hen the power behind the throne is greater than the throne itself , I care not by what name you call tlle cuief mitgistvatc who sits upon that throne , prov ided that he is the limited executioner ot the most extensive public will , and removeableatits Pleas ^ e . ( Tremendous cheering . ) We were Radicals , ? . nd whon we had drawn the name and principl '_ . through all the mazes of persecution , aim /" uiade them respectable , we then
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foolishly assumed another name , which again we were obli ged to purify , but now we have it an I we'll keep it . ( Tremendous applause . ) It is sanctified by our songs , our hymns , our badges , our mottoes and our banners ; it is endeared by our sufferings and our persecution ; our vows of faith are registered in the dock , the dungeon , and the transport : it is dear to 113 as the crippled child to its mother , is made dearer by its weakness , and by the sufferings it ha ? imposed upon us . ( Tremendous applause . ) Let us go on ¦ then conquering and to conquer , bearing in mind that we owe nothing to the toleration ofdespotism , the law ' s clemency , or authority ' s mercv lhat the law of treason , the law of iibel . V consp ' i racy and sediiion , stand as they did fifty years ago upon the statute book , but the progress and ripeness of mind has forced upon them a milder construction . We have lighted the rush-light of libertv at the
expiring blaze of tyranny ; we have studded the lirma . ment with the twinklingstars of freedom , as so many beacon lights pointing tho hesitating , the lagging , and the coward to the beaten track of the pioneers , and inviting them to follow . ( Tremendous applause . ) 1 trust , sir , that my foot-mark will be found in tbe general ruck . I now feel the prudence of your wise limitation of the . -speakers ; you have prescribed them within the rational limits of prudence , for I fstl my Irish blood rising as 1 proceed with the exciting topic , and therefoie I shall conelwde 1 > V iwswving yr > w . and the outlawed of all nations , that when liberty is the prizo to bo contended tor , that neither the dock , the dungeon , or the scaffold , shall have horrors for me , but , if stretched on the rack , I would smile terror out of countenance , and die . as I have lived , a pure lover of liberty ;—( tremendous cheering and waving of hats )
Mr . M'GaATn said , Mr . President and Gentlemen , I am unaccniainted ) with language strong enough to express the delight which I have experienced at tho elegant outpourings of tbe spirit of Democracy , which we have heard here this evening . The pleasure which I feel up » n this score is , I am sure , universally participated in by you . ( Hear . ) Gimtlemen , it affords me unalloyed satisfaction to hear of the progress your society is ranking , anil the amount of good whieh its diligence has unvoted . My ardent h » pe is , that it may goon incr < asinjt in strength ; ¦ bat it may become a great political light , shining oa and making plain the path of duty , which must be pursued by the despot .-jursed nations of tho world . ( Ch ' -eis ) Or adopting the mataphor of Mr . Harney , I hope that this littli ! cloud , which has gathered in the west , 11 ill continue to increase in magnitude , and to shoot forth those
electric discharges whieh must ultimately shake the thron . iof every despot in Europe . ( Great Cheering . ) Gentlemen , I heartily respond to the sentiment proposed hy nar Presidentjforyouradoption . ^ The democrats of Ilritain are tbe only party in this country who are imbued with a sincere desire for human progression . For while Young England cries out for ri'tr' -gr- ' . ssion , and tbe Whigs for finality , the democrat ' s watchword is , ' onward and ivn conquer , baulcward and we fell . " While other parties are loun » ing in idleness , or busy in mischief , the democrats are diligent in tbe prosecution of some meritorious work . ( Hear ) European tyrants trample upon the liberties of their unfortunate subjects ; who are they that sympathize with the victims , and denounce the wrongdoers!—the demourats of Britain . ( Applause . ) Poland , tbe bloou of whose brave sons has consecrated
her to liberty , writhes under the lashing of a triple tyranny ; who are they that endeavour to arouso British feeling in behalf of the oppressed ?—the dunoerats of Britain . ( Cheers ) Every act of domestic tyranny , whether in thtt shape of aa Irish Coercion Bill , the embodiment of the Militia , whether practised by Legislators in St . Stephen ' s , by Ministers in Downin ^ -street , or by Goal Kings or Cotton Lords in tbe north , is sure of exposure to tho world , and reprobation by the democrats of the country . ( Cheers . ) The Chartists of England make the establishment of the rights of man the grand aim of their labours—they have sworn allegiance to the cause of the Charter , and may grinning infamy be the monument of tbe recreant who proves a traitor to that cause . ( Great Applause . ) That cause , I am convinced , must , in tUe long run triumph , it has within it the elements of success , being founded upon truth ; and , as magna est Veritas et prcevaUblt , we may hope soon to see the cause of the Charter triumphantly } culminating in the ascendant .
( Cheers . ) Union hag hitherto been our desideratum , let that he supplied and our success is sure . ( Cheers . ) Let the millions fraternize , let their bond of union he love of father-land , their incentive to astion the good of mankind ; arid though their progress may be checked by the obstacles whieh tyranny will not fail to throw in their way , there is no power that can prevent the ultimate vetdKivthttY of tbeir holy purpose . ( Cheers . ) We must not be driven from the path of duty , either by tbe threats of open foes , or lured by the blaiidhhnients of pietonded fi-ienris . We must stick to the good ship , whether the storm menaces destruction , or the calm prevents her from making headway . In our progress to the port of success we shall , no doubt , he hailed by those smugglers and pirates by which the political ocean is always beset . For these wc have one reply—heboid the banner of the People ' s Charter , proudly floating at out- masthead -, it is there nailed ' , and come weal , come woe , we will battle beneath it , until victory ' s gale shall wave it over tbe wreck of class misrule . ( Great cheering . )
Mr . Stbakss ( German ) delivered an excellent and eloquen t , speech showing the causes which had hUluvtn prevented the triumph of free principles , and urging the education of the people as their best safeguard against tyranny , Jir . Strauss was warmly applauded . The Chairman then gave—May the patriots of Poland , acknowledging the supremacy of eternal justice , seek the liberation and re-establishment of their country through the recognition nf the equal political and social rights of the entire Polish people ; may they , guided by such an aim , have the support of the patriots of every land , and may they speedily succeed in overthrowing the tyrants and desoiators of their country . Colonel Q » w . wiii . TdsvoxvdeA \ xv tbe Tveneb language , the following is a translation of his remarks : —
Citizens , —The anniversary we c * Iebrate this evening , is at the same time edifying and painful—Edifying , because it reminds us of an epoch which was the begiuing of the real life of a great people , when was performed one of tho grt-at acts of their noble efforts to iittaiu an end which providence has assigned to all the great families of mankind which is , that of being free , and not a mere passive tool in the hands of a despot or a rogue to oppress their own brethren . ( Cheers . ) Painful , for it reminds ns that the result of the generous efforts of su much heroism was anihilated by the combined action ot the enemies of humankind . It is doubly painful tome , ns a Pole , because , two years after the cpuck whieh this anniversary celebrates , my fatherlahd was crushed , and aiiihitaced by the same enemies who , -rten , meditating the destruction of Prance , wished before all to secure
their rear , in order to be enabled to pursue their work of destruction iu the west—and they have succeeded iu their diabolical work . Shall it be for ever ? T hey don't bulieveit themselves ! and as to us , if we would admit it , we would commit a mortal sin against our sacred faith in the incessant progress of humanity , which nothing can stop . ( Applause . ) The words of the toast just given are well adapted to present circumstances , lor they encourage us Poles to pursue the same work which the epoch we avo now celebrating proclaimed , namely , that of recognising the equal political and social rights of the entire people . Well , citizens , I can assure you that the tendencies of Poland have been for centuries past directed towards the fulBlraent of this very work , and that work she never will cease to pursue , ( Cheers . ) Allow me to cite you only two examples .
Two centuries ago . on the 2 Sth April , 1 L 3 S , tho Polish , diet promulgated a law , by which every individual , accepting any privileged foreign tilles , such as Prince , Count , Baron , Marquis , tfce ., "is covered with infamy . " This law was never repealed , on the contrary , its existence was several times asserted in the diet . But it will be saU , notwithstanding all that , there has always been a privileged class in existence , the " nobles 1 " Yes , that is a fact—yet if you only reflect a little , that , in Poland , this title , or rather this designation , . signified nothing else but soldiers on horseback , men uho were bound to defend the country as soldier * of cavalry , and that for their entertainment they received , instead of a salary iu money , landed properties fin- life , or only temporary , ( which , those who did not go to war were obliged to restore . ) In foot , this was not a privileged . « lass , it was only iu subsequent times that this class assumed unequal privileges . Later ,, it is now fifty-six years ago , ou the 7 tli May , 1791 , our immortal Koaeiusko . acting as dictator , proclaimed by a speaial law , tie absolute
equality of tho peasantry with Uie rest oS the nation . ( Cheers . ) Thus , citiaens , by kbosc- two facts , you see that the endeavours o ? the Polish people have always lief 11 in accordance witu tbe sentiments expressed Mi Jhe toast , and- it was only that great crime against all humanity , thatacSof rile brigandage wish which . you artall acqiviintsd , perpetrated towards our nation , which prevented , the accomplishment of this work and the march towards un aim , which even up to the present moment—I ara sorry to . say—has . not been attained / ttlf > os any nation . We must hope , brethren , that this aim . will a t last bo attained , and allow me to say , that being animated by this hope , which is my only consolution in this world . I must here express my sincere gratitude for the kind wishes expressed iu tbis tons *; and permit me , from tho depth of my heart , in my turn to give a toast to tho eternally glorious memory of the day we are now celebrating . " May all tha nations , in reminding themselves of this glorious epoch , hasten their march towards their full and entire regeneration . " ( Great
applause . ) The Chairman then gave—The Democrats of Germany , Scandinavia , Switzerland , Italy , Spain , Russia , and Europe generally ; may they abandon national prejudices , and speedily acquire the democratic institutions for which they are strugg ling . Professor Sievers ( who spoke in German ) said—So be it , brethren ; down with all national prejudices , up with democratic institutions . ( Cheers . ) National prejudices did not of late break out so generally and st-ongly as they do at the present period . From one end of Europe to tbe Other tberu is but one . outcry ot violated national honour . The Spaniards contend against tho French ) the Gtrmans against the Danes , and only the Slavonic race is striving to uniie closely in opposition to the other two races who have taken possession of Europe . It has been _ to no purpose tbat mankind have suffered the consequences of such national prejudices in the most ) dreadful manner from the anciet times up to the present
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da y , neither war , nor dome-tic slavery have ytt cured the ations of their iolly . ( Hear , hear ., Butisther . no Mthprlaid not anything i „ u that is K 00 d and noble ? las no . everyone of us , vrhen reading the dc « U of » Leo ,, das and h ,, three hundred Spartans , nr of tu * . ew . tbou . and Athenian , contending against hu , dreds of thousands of Persons , hiVvCWe Il 0 t telt nwe . d vated , and wanned ? Yes , we admire these „ , *„ and their magnanimity , we admire all those Who act liko ihem ; but then , brethren , was it GrLcce for which they struggled 1 was it their fnllu-iland ? N | brethren , it was not , for Greece was , it that time but another name for liberty , as Persia was lor tjrauiiy . ( Cheers . ) But t ask you , brethren , is Gjimauy , also another name for liberty ? is llussia ? is any other country ii \ ' Em-ope ? 1 V 0 , brethren , you s : iy there is no country where liberty has burn realised to its full extent . Well then , a principle , an idea , may throw biithu . iiiism into our brcats , a bit of clay cannot . "Down with the national prijudieig
throughout Europe , up with de « i' -cra :: c nictitation . ' , " liut , brethren , such institutions can only arise where the nations are united ; nations lighting against one another :. re like to friends who , exciud in the -dink by a u-uitor , ti ght , as soon as daylight dawns , they will find out that they are friends , will full upon their foe and unite in peace and happiness . Thus " philosophy now begins to tntigliten the nations , and soon w : il unite iln-in , yd they will embrace one another before the eyes oft . f , tir deihronea tyrants , am ] earth will be eons :.-led Ullll tllJIVCn Satisfied . " ( Applause . ) It was a Frenchman who spoke these words , a brave lighter for the villus of men iu the time of the Uevolution , and Isnard spoke truth . Let the nations be united , and no power in the world can withhold from them any longer the rights ta < y nwW Silt ill vain ; no poweriu the world can withhold lroni them tho democratic institutions which the second pari of the piesunt toast ii devoted to . ( Cheers . ) liut . brethren , these
democratic institutions woul bo nothing but a niuoki ry , political equality a mtreucrd , and oppression Sooll would list again as it did in France , in spitu of the republic , if social inequality were not reus re-. l along wilh despotic power . Heal , sincere democracy can only be founded on the common possession of the soil and itj natural productions , on community —( Cheers )—without conimuniiy there is no safeguard for the people against a new oppression , asid withou . community there is no hope of derating the moral state of human society in general . ( Applause . ) Is it impossible that nothing but making money should bo nothing but man ' s destination on earth , it is impossible that man can ever be happy in such a pursuit . We ; therefore , are convinced , that even those obust . * of society who are at present possessed of property eaunot but sue shortly that their own happiness , nay , their own dignity as human beings , will le much better provided for in such democratic institutions as are founded on community . ( Great applause . )
Mr . II , Bauer also adlressed tbe meeting in the German language- The following is the ; substance of the speech!—Brethren , —Our festival of to-day has a twofold purpoxe ; wo not only celebiate the memory of the proc amatiou of the French Kcpublic —we art * assembled here , also to celebrate the anniversary of the foundation of the Socieiy of fraternal Democrats , It was the French Republic which proclaimed : the uiikei'sal' fraternity of man ; but the circumstances of tbe times prevented France from alwayspractising this principle . We proclaim the same principle ; and , behold , our society also practises it . If , as yet , we are not many , nevertheless , a great principle does not require numbers to force its acknowledgment . It requires to be true—nothing more . ( Outers . ) But the principle alcue is insufficient , unless it be a ! so put into practice—unless it become fact . Great weie the difficulties which our society had to overcome before it assumed it .- ! present position : but wo persevered ; and I 101 V ,
with pride , moving our eyes around , we can say : " Look [ behold hare a fact—the brotherhood of nation ' s realised ! " ( Applause . ) Representatives of all the nations of Europe are united here in brotherly affection and harmony ; and , believe it . if we continue to improve outstives ami our society , anil to render closer and closer the bonds of out- fraternity , we shall sot an example to the nation * , which , iu time , will fuvd its imitation ; and if added to the fact the practical example of our association—we s-iiare no exertion , and miss no opportunity , to proclaim our principles , before the wotld , if we do this , then , brothers , have no doubt but that , as we are all united here as individuals from all countries of Europe , so the nations of tho world will one , and at no very distant , day , be banded together in the bonds of universal fraternity , forgetting their feuds and wars , all united fur one purpose—to realise , through universal brotherhood , the universal happiness of mankind . ( Great applause . )
Jlr . Pf .-exder also spoke in German ; his speech was loudly cheered . The Chairman then gave—The veritable Democrats of the United States , may they > ucceed in their nob ! e efforts to cany out the principles of tbeir famed 'Declaiationof Independence , " by abolishing the slavery ot white and black—wages and whipping—and secure to every man his own rights and no more , social as well as political . Mr . Samuel Kved said , Sisters and bvotuers . as I have calml y listened to the sentiments exprtssnd by the various speakers , sentiments whieh , if understood aud expressed by mankind gener . illy , would change the whole arrangement of society , social a i well as po . itk-al , I have
this night asked myself what will the press of iugland say of us to-morrow , will they pass by our assemblage ia sombre silence , will thr-y speak the truth , or will they dish up our sentiments in a ten-line paragraph and finish it with the declaration , "the fraternity of all nations is Chartism in disguise . These silly men rail at money mongers and capitalists , not knowing that capitalists are the real friends of the labourers , without whose aid they could not live ! " The latter s . ntimene is the every day expression of men who pride themselves ou their philosophy , and are glibly logical on that science they term political economy . I ask your attention , then , you , philosophical political economists , and I also bespeak the attention of those gentlemen who cannot discover the difference between political and social
evils , I contend that a vile and self-appropriating government encourages social burthens , and shields the oppression of money and capitalistic power , yet , do I make a clean breast on this point , and assure you , that 1 conceive the mere political reformer to be a mere fool—at best a . di .-conteuted and halt-informed man on the great evils of society in its present state . T he puVUieul tewiiiwrniit , and also tha mere politician , admit that the earth is by nature the common property of man . They lay down , as the , basis of their theory that there must be labour , Capital , and exchange . That these propositions requirelabourers , capitalists and exchangers , of course , must follow as an inevitable deduction . I illustrate their theory , as follows : — A ., B . and C . — A . the la , bourur , B . the eachanger , and C . the capitalist ,
andof course , the hoarder up of labour ' s fruits . Isow skill ] and physical power exercised ou the earth , or raw material produces the capital , and if the exchanger gives in representative or money value 6 s , for one day ' s labour to A , and sells the same to C , the capitalist and customer , iorSs it follows that B . the exchanger , who has added nothing to the value ot the commodity , must either have paid -is too little to A , or uuuiged C 2 s too muuh , except these wise and clever advocates of the present system o £ commercial policy , can shew the advantage of keeping a man idle for the express puiposu of consuming without producing- But again C looses nothing by the transaction—he is an exchanger of labour , a capitalist , and a consumer 01 labour's produce—and aseuch , buys in the cheapest market , aud sells iu the dearest . The labourer
is the only party who can loose , " Oh I" but exclaims the political economist , " he gets his wages . " So he does , but we this evening ask our American brethren , to look to . England as an illustration of the statu of society that Amovieu is fast advancing to , from this system of w . sges and capitalists . I ask our American brethren to look to the state of morality this theory of Laud appropriation aud money power lias produced . Some three wu-eks back , cart-loads of rubbish from the Church Yard of Skoraditch , in christian , pious , rich , and momed London , wese-iieaped on , 1 . dunghill , and there was seen the ragged urchin and the up-gvowu man gathering human Uoues patched with tbe llesh of their once living brethren ; a woman was gathering cuttm furniture , and the bone meridian tniight be seen weighing and buying bones of the dead iV . m the
degraded living . The poor nretrhes who gathered ttulls and coffin handles , got their wages , and bon ..- aierebants and store dealers their profits . Such is the state of moral feeling existing in England . Ameiicanlabourers possess political pow < . r , and we ask tlum to rtnudy shtir social wrongs , to carry out the principle of their declarntiim of Im . ept ' Mleiu ; e . ( Cheers . ) Yet . cyuulity is in America bitta name . In tho year 1 SV » the optvaiives 01 1 m : w York were iu a state of destitution : the agricultural labourers were half naked ; the agricultural serf and manufaeturiog slave produced wealth to repletion , and starved in the midst of plenty . Yt-i , Amerira hits no state .
church , nostanding army , no expensive goveruim 111 . Sho has slaves aud slave owners—landowner ! and capitalist ! —labourers and wages . The last word , is the worst of all , 'tis another name . for the whip . Wages is the whip for tho white slave , and tne capitalist is the slave owuer . ( Cheers . ) We say to our American brethren give totvet-y man lii » rights and no more . ( Cheers . ) The eyes of the world ' s democrats are on you . You may lead the van in the cause of holy Motherhood , Your labourers may be capitalists , your labourers be exchangers , gi * ii > g equal value for equal value , and claiming for their rights the full share of nil they produce , and keeping the principle of nature inviolate—the earth is the common property of
man , and all mew are brethren . Americans , when you achieved your iuduueiideuue . you set Europe a noble example ; your physical power overawed the allied t-rowna of old states ; your moral influence was . grfttt , because your physical power was dangerous to your unnatural step-mother ; the voices of your Washington and Franklin were listened to with respect . Hut now we ask you to jon in a bloodless crusade—a war against the inequality of possessions —( cheers)— a nar against robbery , wromA and error—a war against enslaving men for color , cr ; eo \ or birth . ( Cheers . ) We ask you to join as m our endeavours to regenerate all men of aH nations claiming the world as our country , and all men as our brethren .
( Great cheering . ) 'Php Chairman then gave— ¦ T e solemn memory of all who have suffered and ¦ 1 ^ 1 ; , , nrionn and in exi e , on the su-aiioid and ? irbS ^^ t 0 csWls * ttie * ofinan .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 26, 1846, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_26091846/page/7/
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