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" And I will war , at least in wards , ( And—should my chance so happen—deefe , ) With ill who war with Thought !" I think I hear a little bird , who sings Toe people ty and fey willlte the stronger . "—Siron . GERMANY AXD DENMARK .
THE SLESWICK AND HOLSTEIN QUESTION , The German Society for the Instruction of Working Men . in one of their regular meetings , on the 13 th of this month , took into consideration the question of Sleswick and Holstein , which at this moment produces such a strange excitement in Germany . We may well say " strange , " as the follonis * short explanation will show . The present King of Denmark has only one sun , who has no issue , and in him , to all appearance , the reig nin g lin e w ill bec o me extinct . 2 Jow , according to the royal law of Denmark , the crown , in that case , will pass to the next relation or agnat , whether male or female : who'is accidentally -a descendant from a female line ; f a
jPrince of Uessen . But in the two districts mentioned abc * e , though , they both form part of the kin g dom of Denm a rk , it is pretended that an old law is st ill in fo rc e , though . several centuries old , becanseaerer expressly abrogated in virtue of which the right of succession is limited to male descendasrts only . 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 Mr . gdom would be partitioned , and placed under the r ate of-. wo different princes . However , it maybe twenty years before the question will assume a practical form , thatl is to say , before the old reignins line will become esfsact . But . already , these
farsighted . Germans move ieaven and . ' cartltfn order to preventthe p -ssibility * f the integrity of the present kingdom of Denmark wing preserved ; they want it to be partitioned almost now , when both the King and his Son are -stHUaliw . 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 n » w pretend , that if these twa Bnchiss , in which the Gcrroaa population Is more numerous than the Danish , weie separated from Denmark and placed under a separate German
prince , they would be more " German&ed , and become really Mserman countries . In the same way , to adduce aa illustration , when Uanorer was separated from the English crown , it became a really German country , by { jeing placed under the independent rule of King-Ernest . Under present circumstances , to be a ( sermsn may be considered as tantamount te being deiirived of all political Tights , and entirely it the mere ? of arbitrary Eovennnonts . Yet , still , by a stramge infatuation ^ the Germans think ^ thisincos Tenience nmre than counterbalanced by bearing the appellation of " Germans . " We can say no longer , ** What ' s in a name ? " lor to the Germans , it seems to be almost ererything .
, . "So person , in his sober -senses , can perceive why t h e - 'Germans should feel themselves interested in the prospective partition of the kingdom of Denmark ; which , moreover , will be settled , -when the < jnestion really arises in a "practical form , by an European Congress . Tfae-good Germans , probably , also rendered eager by tkeuong silence imposed on th e m b y the censorship , now that the nuraele , for Teasons best known to the governments , has been taken from them , for a time , at least , sing lustily of " Fatherland , " "Germany , " and other each hightsonndin" nonsense .
It is against this feverish excitement without end or aim , that the society = e . bove mentioned i > as risen , in order to assert the part of truth and -common -sense ; and especialfer-to warn their fellow working men not to allow themselves to be led away by those delusive and ridiculous declamations . SJnder this view the address subjoined was proposed and unanimously adopted , in the way already mentioned . The address being clear in itself , we do not think further explanation is required . ADDRESS OF TK 3 GEBMAV SOCIET-FS'OH . THE 15 ^ TB . XJCTIO 5 OF WORKING MEN Ef -iOSDOS TO THE WOEKETCrCLASSES Or -6 EEXIAKY . "AH-Xen are Bretitrtn . " «
Brethren , a short time ago our signatures -were demanded for a letter whiea the " German . Beading Club " had directed to the inhchitants of Sleswick and Holstein . This letter bore -the = title , " Latter-Patent of the Germans in London to their -countrymen in -Sleswick and Holst * Sn , " and -was written -with ibeiatention of testifying to the latter the acknowledgement and admiration due for the firmness with which they hadtproved their attachment to the appellation of " Germans . " You know , that this letter is not the first addressed to them ; aE GtCTurov , from rthe shores of the East and STorth Seas to the f . wt of the Alps , from Poland ' * enslaved soil , to what a Genneu poet has lately hazarded to call
the " / r « German Rhine , " as if seized by one delirium of enthusiasm , has applauded in ^ a similar mode the questionable acts of the Gennans ' in SleB « riek and Holstein . And , as the-eerman Reading Club here spofee in the name of the Germans in London in general , so did the Germans in the mother country speakin the name of the whole German . nation , mostly , like the club , also not addressing themselves to the Estates , but to all the Geraan Inhabitants . of Sleswick and EcUtan . Of conrse , they assttnKd , or feigned to assume , that the people was one and the same with the Estates , and that the latter really were the representatives , the servants of the people , as they-ought to be , and at all-timei only annons for tfr **** " welfiare .
Brethren , having followed with painful . emotion the Tnovement in Sleswiok and Holstein , in ite * ise and derelopement , we see it now forced to snehaheighth , that we feel ourselves ibonnd also to say a word , not in -ihe interest of a private family or a single tribeor nation , lratintheint-. re 5 tefsJ !» atMras , in tfee service ofmanlind' The nations have always been cbsated and sobbed of their inheritance , because they have been disunited . Also je , Getman brethren , they wish to cheat again , as they have done so frequently befose . They wish to arm 50 U , in order 4 oi > ay with your Wood advantages in which you shall hftveno share , and their belief is still , that they say employ with the same -success those means again , through which thirty years since they so well accomplished their own ends . The-words
« f "Fatherland , Honor , 3 as £ ee , " hare again beeome the great war . hoop with which they desire to aVure jou today , as they once did your fathers , as twice they did jour Trench neighbours , tbe brave * hamp ions of freedom and equality , anil as they did the unhappy working classes of England ! " Fatherlandi" forsooth , and what is * hai faiherlaud , for whose tkmunatioii t he one is to figh ^ and thE other promisi s assistance ? It is the German fatberlandj-tremblingbefore more than thirty princes , fettered by a-coufederacy of those thirty , and now , notwithstanding , -invoking the aid of that very same confederacy which ieeps them in bonds ; it is , in one word , the Germany , -whose pretendtd unity has alreedy excited so often * he laoghUr of the wotM , and if much-praised Germany were one united , great , free country , what would -it avail to us , brethren t Since when , hare the
posr and working-men had a fatherland 1 O , yes , the ¦ w ell fefi-gentleman with the money bag has good reasons for extelltsg the conutry which has rounded his body—it has nourished , clothed , and educated Mm , and filled his parse—hut we do not remember that our fatherland has nourished , clothed , and educated us . It has whipped us , imprisoned kb , driven us into exile ; or if we iseie " wuH behaved" it has permitted us to pine away with wife and children in hunger and misery . Should we , then , love that fatherland , devote to it our blood , nay , even as . Huch as own and acknowledge it ? Indeed , if our good ' liberals" ha * actually hurltd all tlieir thirty masters trom their thrones and placed themselves snugly upon them , instead of the others , the sufferings of our brethren , in England audTrance , those renuwaed seats of " freedom , " show us sufficiently that even then the sun would not shine on « ur side of the hedge . By trick aiid delusion the nations have always been Cheated and robbed of their inheritance ; therefore , ie on jour guardand firmly stand together .
, And what means your ridiculous winnings for your "Justice and Honour !** Jnstice is common to all men ? And then honour ! Indeed , you good Germans ; ic jour addresses we here and there find that an idea of ike possibility of a nation bdsg inherited against their wili , inspires you with some timid allusions to tbeinalienable rights of man ; but whenever there appears a danger of consequences being deduced from your empty words , which would not be altogether to jour liking , then 50 a quickly advance your " historical light . " Even ymjk we should hear nothing of your railings agai-. ist the Banes , even now you wcnld be as silent as mutes , if you did not believe you were in possession of some musty parchment of
cftaLrring on yon fhe ng ^ t serving a German , instead , of a foreign prince . Or why , you German address-heroes , why did you not open your mouths , when tvitnessing the oppression throug h which the once so noble people of Italy degenerated ; and which permitted the Poles to die away in unsuccessful struggles ? But the oppressors are Germans , is it not sot The much more your honor as German , yoor innate 1-jre of justice ought to have driven jou to interefere . And what did yon do when Ilanorer's KiBg trampled your dear "historical rights , " under his feet ! Wkeu the King of Prussia ri fused to redeem the word of his father ; that perjured father , whom he $ j < eaks of as * " now reposing in the Almighty V
You see , brethren , it is only words they utter ; a few of those , perhaps , in the sincere warmth of their hearts , but the great majority , well knowing what they are about , and strictly calculating in their minds the ptr centagc which the increase of commerce and , forsooth , perhaps , even the " GeJinan fleet" may one day yield to thttn . Therefore , be on your guard , and standfinnly together Bo not allow yourssiveB to be dazzled by the gaudy signb » ard oa tvhxh they have engraved the high-sounding words of ' Honour . Ju tire . F ^ heriand 1 " U » not allow yourselves to be made to believe that jour uaticnul honour has been injure *!! Whoever , in his quality as a German , possesses jw 4 o )( ai urjae , WMtte a fool indeed ;
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and , in as 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 only folly , it iB per nicious and mischievous ; for , like every other prejudice " it K-ads to fanaticism , and has already brought incalcul lable misery on mankind . Before any one of human kind belongs to a nation he belongs to mankind . You are not born Germans but men ; and as men , belong to the human society , not to the German Confederation , which is but too well PieaEea if . clamouring for your rights as a nation , jou forget your rights at men ! Is this not clear , intelligible , and true ? And now , brethren , it is you whom they want to teach that oaly the Germans are your brethren ; you whom they wish to excite against men like yourselves you .
whose passions they want to rouse and arm . to send against them that you may bathe yourselves in their blood—and why ! to extend the blessings of that freedom with which our fatherland overflows , to others , and to make them participate in your extraordinary happiness It i = s not yon , brethren , who can wish that ; it is impossi ble for you to work yourselves into an enthusiasm for an idea not capable of ameliorating your physical wellbeing , or supplying one single mental want ; you would remain slaves a » 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 ; toe are men : ami in tearing down all prejudices separating nation from nation , ana involving them in mutual hostilities , we strive to approach nearer and nearer the standard of human perfection and happiness . You will do the same ; not join in the ridiculous cry of your so-called ' Representatives . " who more than your princes , are your oppressor * , an 4 will continue so much longer , if yrm are not on your guard . Yon will tear down in love the frontiers which separate yon itom 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 your real enemies .
The nations , brethren , have always been cheated and robbed of their inheritance , because they were ignorant and disunited . Thence , if you cherish your own—the welfare of mankind , be on poar guorJ , and sta *< J firmly loaetier' i
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THE FRATERNITY OF NATIONS . DEMOCRATIC FESTIVAL . The Fraternal Democrats celebrated their First Annual Festival , on Monday last . September 21 st , that day beine the anniversary of the proclamation < ff the " French Republic of 1792 . The festival , in the shape of a public supper , came off ; it the White Conduit House , Islington . Democrats from all the European states were present , fully realisinc the motto of the soc " iety— " All Men are Brethren . " The chair was taken by Dr . Eerrkr Fontaine , supported by Feargus O'Connor , J . A . Michelot , Julian Ilarney , Garl Schapper , Colonel Oborslri , * Professor Sievers . and Samuel Kydd . The vice-chair was occupied fay Thomas Clark , supported by Philip M'Grath and Henry Bauer . The supper was admirabl y served , and reflected ereat credit upon the worthy host , Itfr . Rouse . After the removal of tire cloth ,
The Chatitkah briefly addressed the assembly in both the Trench and English languages , describing the struggles of the people for their rig'hts . and the progress -of democratic principles since the ¦ eternally Riorums "Slst and 22 nd-of ' Septeniber , 1792 . He concluded his remarks , in the coorse-of which hehard'been loudly applauded , ty giving thetfrst toast of the evening : — The "Sovereignty of the People . TJr . "TJLAitX said : Mr . President and Brothers , — "Oar meeting "this evening is to celebrate the most important event 67 ancient or modern times—the establishment of the French HepuDlic of 1 » SJ . ( Cheers . ) And I am gratified beyond expression to witness this gathering -of -men from everv nation in Europe , as it plainly foretells , that , erelong , " The Sovereignty of the People" win be
-established . This , Sir , is-as it ought to be ; the reprpsentatires of the United Democracy of Europe meeting together in the true spirit-of fraternity , to pledge themselves anew to theglorioas principles of the French Revolution . ( CheersJ The sentiment propo 9 ed by 30 a , Fir . iras often teen toasted at aristocratic assemblages ! withT . 0 other view than that of making the " people " serve the interests of "faction ; but the cordial response which it has met with here this evening , convinces me that-the triumph of fee people ' s cause is the first and most-earnest wish of -every individmal 3 n the reom . ( Cheers . ) The people -of England , like their brethren in other countries , have hitherto been engaged in fighting the battles of fastion and of party : but henceforth they will -struggle for themselves . ( Cheers . ^ . In England , the people enjoy many privileges of which our
continental-neighbours are deprived ; and it is my anxious wish that-tbose 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 . ( Che * rs . ) The French Revelation gave birth to new Mea 6 * nd developed a novel philosophy—all previous revolutions had bien a mere transfer of power from one party to another- bu- the people of Pranoe , under the direction of wise « nd able' men , declared for man ' s right social equality . < Chesrs ) Defpotism was , for a lime , destroyed ; and the " Sovereignty -of the -People " wss in the ascendant . I hope . Sir . that we ehdll all live to see the people of every countrj triumph over their oppressors . ( Cheers . ) 1 respond most heartily to the - " SoTereignty of the People . " ( Cheers . ) JoitAK Harxey fhen rose and read the following J < AMreaj "—
THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS TO THE DEMOCRATS OF ALL NATIONS . AH men are bre&ren . ** Eeiiow Mes , Assembled at eur first animal festival , on the anniversary of a day memorable in the annals of European progress , we think this a fitting occasion to briefly explain the origin , principles , and . aims of our society . To the founders of this society it had long been a matter of rejrret 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 tlieir knowledge of passing events cpon the public journals , the great majority
of which represent the interests of usurping governments aed privileged class , to the exclusion of the rights and interests of the masses . In Germany , Italy and Russia , the censorship suppresses or distorts all intelligence 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 the penalties for telling "too much truth . " In Great Britain a canning !? devised tax combined with the influence of property , h as m ad e t h e p r es s t h e venal slave of the aristocratic and profitraongering classes . In A merica o ffi c i a l and clas s corruption e ffe ct s wh a t censors , penalties , and taxes accomplish in Europe .
The oppressed and wronged millions have certainly « ome 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 apon the ari-tocratic and libert iei d al jo urnals of the great ca p ital s f o r th e ir int e lligence 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 sectionaliy , or even in opposition to each other , when there needed but mutual enlightenment to cause au to act in concert , and move at one and the same time for the triumph of their common cause .
Impressed with these ideas , and seeing that , in this great metropolis was gathered men from all parts of the earth , brought here by the pursuits of labour , science and travel , or driven here by the tyrannical persecution which has exiled them from tbeir respective coentri . es , 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 nnd combination of mind which would impart to all associated more accurate and enlightened views of the state of the masses in all countries , and ( he course of action most advisable to elevate them abf > ve the bondage and misery to which class domination has everywhere consigned them . Tiius thinking we
proceeded to act , and the present festival anuounces the termination of the first year's existence of the " Fraternal Democrats . " Our princ iples are expressed in the declaratory motto of our society— " All men are brethren . " In accordance with th's declaration , we denounce all political hereditary inequalities and distinctions of "caste ; " consequently , we regard kings , aristocracies , and classes monopolising political privileges in virtue of their possession of property , as usurpers and violators of the principle of human brotherhood . Governments elected by , and responsible to , the entire people , is our political creed .
We believe the earth with all its natural productions to be the common property of all ; we , therefore , denounce all infractions of this evidently just and natural law as robbery and usurpation . We believe that 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 labuur for inadi quate rewards , and even condemns them to socia = slavery , destitution and degradation , to be essentially unjust . The principle of universal brotherhood coinniauc ' s that labour and rewards should Le 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 ware which have ' desolated the earth , in consequence of these national vanities . Convinced , too , that national p re j udices hare been , in all ages , taken advantage of by the people ' s oppressors , to set them tearing the throats
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of each other , when they should have been working hgether for their common good , this Society repudiates the term " Foreigner , " no matter by , or t <> whom , applied . We recognise our tellow-men , without regard to " country , " as members of one family , the human race ; and citizens of one commonwealth —the world . Finally , we recognise the gre « it moral law , "Do unto thy brother , as thou woaldst thy brother should do unto thee , " as the g reat s a f e g uard of public and private happiness . Such is our moral Our one aim is the trium p h of the p rinc ip les ab o ve enunciated . In pursuit of that object we seek mutual enlightenment , and labour to propagate the principle of general and fraternal co-operation . Once for all we explic't ' y state / thatwe repudiate all idea of forming any " party , " in addition to the parties already existing in England . ' We desire not to rival , but to
aid all men who are honestly combined to work 011 the emancipation of the people ; and with this object in view , we shall gladly hail the adhesion of all convinced of the justice of our principles , and the purity of our motives Whether few < r many , we shall continue to act in accordance with the duties we believe we owe to 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 be e n p ublishe d in th e working men ' s papers of that Republic , and warmly responded to . In conjunction with the great Gharist party we have defended the cause of unhappy Poland , and trust our efforts have been hotaltogetlur fruitless , borne of our members have returned to
the homes of their birth on the Continent , or are at this time travelling in different parts of Europe . These , our brothers , will propagate our principles in the several countries they may visit , and wil l i n f orm our fellow-men of other lands , that in this capital ol the British Isles is bauded together a body of men , who , renouncing the crimes and delusions of tin miserable past , and yet unhappy present , desire and work for that hapoier future which shall witness THE TRIUMPH OF JUSTICE , THE EMANC 1 PATIuN OF THE MILLIONS , AND THE FRATERNITY OF NATIONS .
Signed by the Secretaries : — G . Jvuan IIarnky , native of Great Britain ; Caul Sciiaffeb , native of Germany ; J . A . Michelot , native of France ; Peter Holm , native of Scandinavia ; J . Scuabelitz , native of Switzerland ; Louis Oborski , native of Poland ; N . Nemexu , native of Hungary ; September 21 st , 1 S 46 . The " Address" was received with great applause . Mr . -John Arnoii sung his song , " All hail , Fraternal Democrats , " which elicited much applause . The Chairman then gave—The Fraternity of Nations . May the principles ot the French Revolution have a speedy and glorious resurrection 'in France , and may that equality for which the French people so nobly struggled becomeestablished in France , and triumphantly propagated throughout the world .
• Jlr . J . A . Michelbt responded to the sentiment in the French language . Hisj energetic defence of the Frcucli devolution was warmly applauded . Cael Schapper said—Sisters and Brothers , the fraternity of nations is a toast to which I can respond from ¦ the bottom of my heart , for I am convinced that when the oppressed of cirilisgd Europe unite and demand , as nitb 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 refuse . ( Great applause . ) The-object of our Society is Co extinguish national hatred , to remove national . prejudices , and to propagate the great principle . that ail onion belong to onu family , that all men are brethren , aod . 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 aud Mr . Clark were amongst us , and sanctioned by their presence the exertions and urin . ciples of this society , we can say that the future belongs to us . Mr . O'Connor and the ChartistBxecutive will soon be members of Parliament , and I hope the day is not far distant whezi they will be tile advi&ers of the crotvii , and then bail to the oppressed , woe to the tyrants . ( Cheers . ) '' May the glorious principles of the French Revolution have a speedy resurrection throughout the world . " Ves , I wish , I hope it , but fifij-seven years have elapsed since this great revolution ocean , and now we
will not be satisfied with what oar forefathers demanded , we want more . We want not only to be freed from tie oppression of priests aud nobles , we also want to be freed from the oppression of Messrs . ' Rothschild and Co . — ( Cheers }—in short , from Messrs . Moneymonger and Co . ( Cheers . ) There was a time when mother church was all-poiverful , when she gwaved the world , and then she scourged the people , but she fed them . The nobles and the people united und overthrew her power ; - but after the victory the nobles took her jilaee , and began beating the people with larger sticks , atid gave them le& £ food the nobles were overthrown in their turn , und now w «? find the uoneyniongers governing the civilized world , beating the people with iron rods , and absolutely starving
them . The people have fought for the church , the nobility , aud the moneymongers , but they have been ill . treated by them all , and the worst by the money mongers , they now begin to fight for themselves , they are struggling for thela&d , ai \ d they will get it . ( Great cheering . ) The worth of a mail will and shall not be longer in hie money-bag ; we will no more say he is worth a thousand or a . million of pounds ; no , we will judge him according to bil 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 und justice will triumph , mankind will be free and happy , and the earth wili become a . paradise . Onward , and ive shaU conquer . ( Great applause . )
Jdliah Habnet said—Citizen Chairman . twelvemonths 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 Revolution was the destruction of inequality , and the establishment of institutions to secure to the people justice und 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 he . That previous to the reaction of the 3 th , Thermidor , ' the only men who apparently were honestly desirous of securing to the people the legitimate
fruits of their sacrifices aBil sufferings , was Robespierre and his friends . ( Applause ) The rest of the parties , whether followers of Laffayette , Brissot , or D . inton , wei e , of the most part , schemers , brigands , and humbugs ; the best of them were half ignorant and timid men , whose nugktive virtues were positive vices in the circumstances in which they were placed . What was but indistinctly shadowed forth by the friends of equality , previous to the destruction of Robespierre , was afterwards put into shape and sorm by Babeuf and his noble compatriots ; and had their glorious conspiracy but been successful , had they succeeded in establishing that Communist Republic , in which labour and enjoyments would have been equally apportioned , France would never have succumbed to the bayouetsof the Holy Alliance : on the contrary , by this time
neither oppressor nvr pauper would have been 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 Buurbous , were but continuations of the reaction against the pure principles of the Revolution , and now France has theblestudi ' uleof the mousy mor . gois , witti Rothschild , the First for Kiii £ , and Louis I'hilippeforhis deputy . The composition of the present Chamber of Deputies , proves that the reaction has well nigh reached its climax , There is no act of baseness or villainy that these precious representatives of the 200 , 000 bougeoisie are incapable of . With
such a crew ot Deputies , anil Paris enclosed in a chain of bastiles , the money-mongers hug themselves with the bellel that their reign will be eternal : and Louis Philipjie in his last days , tottering 011 the biinkofthegrave , thinks he has nothing left to do but to find thrones and principalities for his precious brood . But this State of things cannot for long continue . It is not possible that the descendants of the men of ' 93 should for ever endure the odious supremacy of the two hundred thousand kings of gold . ( Cheers . ) The houv of reckoning is coming , tliu day of retribution is drawing uigli , France willuut much lunger submit to the present detestable order of tilings . No ,
" She has sous 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 tender worse impossible . Depend upon it great events are coming , and I perfectly agree with Michelot ( the celebrated French author ) that before the next struggle "Frenchmen should reconnoitre Ihtin . selves well , " but I perfectly disagree with him , that Frenchmen should " trust only in France , and no tat nil in Europe . " Before Frenchmen engage in another revolution they will do well to reconnoitre themselves and ask n-liat they are to combat for . If to establish the supre . macy and " glory" of France , if to win " the boundary of the Rhine , " if to abolish monarchy and the aristocracy of titles , if merely these arets 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 sauritice of ubroken head . Experience has proved—bear witness America—that kingcraft aud lorderaft may be abolished and yet the people remain practical slaves . ( Applause . ) The classes commanding the wealth of a country can alw . iys b y force or fraud ensure the practical slavery of the millions . Our French brethren are just now in that position which Vohu-y 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 ! We haw an excellent soil , and we are destitute of provisions ! Wo are active and laborious and we live in indigence We pay enormous tributes and we are told that they are not sufficient ! We are at peace without , aud our persons and property are not safe within ! What , then , is the secret enemy that devours us ! ' If they push this
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! ip !) niir ? ' «? * fina tVmt the secre * enemv which l ' ° rT Jw m is the social organisation of IWe on rent ? ^ pemit 8 vam P ' clas 8 eg to 1 Ti , i' Profit 8 ' taxe 8 . •» 8 uok « d ^ m f e SZ l ' eer 8 >; No mtioml " glory , " no changing , f mere forms ot pwnmmt will emancipate the people from this veritable slavery . That emancipation can only take place through the working out of the principles proclaimed in the address of the Fraternal Democrats ( applause . ) This toast " pronounces" for the fraternity of nations—would that Spanish pronunciamentos were always as sensible . ( ChoerR . ) When bad men conspire , good men should combine . The German diet has resolved to persecute the German Communists , and have declared Communism to be high treason . The principles of the German Communists are the princi ples proclaimed in our " address" this evenmg , we therefore must
sympathise with our persecuted brethren . ( Cheers . ) As . he German Governments have declared war agninst the people , the people must declare war against them . ( Applause . ) While we sympathise with the Germans , let ut g ve them a few words of advicp . Some fool in the Augs burg Qozelte , ' : bellov i g for German nationality , has said Germany will proclaim war to the knife against Denmark ; let us , howeverj | advi 8 e our German friends to let Denmark alone , and proclaim war to the knife against fieir own abominable governments , at the same time , f-aternaUy inviting the Danes to follow their example . ( Great applause . ) The society of Fraternal Democrats is yet but i . i its infancy . It is yet but the acorn , but will become the giant oak . It is yet but the " little cloud no W g 5 er tnana man ' s hand , " but that cloud will ultimately overshadow the thrones of the earth , and its thunrlerbolts strike prostrate the oppressors and ravagers of mankind . . ( Great cheering . )
The celebrated " Marseillois Hymn" was then snnpby Joskpii Moll , the whole company enthusiastically joining in the chorus : — ¦ Aux armes citoyens , Formez ros bataillone . Marchons < ja ira , Jlarchons ga ira . La Hepubllque Un jour triomphera ! Tfie Chairman then gare—The'Democrata of Great Britain and Ireland , may they , remembering tliat political power is only valuable as a means to social reform , speedily obtain the "People ' s Charter , " and use Has an instrument for the regeneration of society .
Mr . O ' Connor , on risin g , was r ece ive d with th e most deafening applause , He said : Sir , —To me , coming from . my cold , quiet home +- from labour ' s calm retreat , this gathering of tfie outlawed sp irit of a ll n a tions , is cheering in'the extreme . ( Cheers . ) I have never sought * tirfimit the struggle tor liberty to country , cree d , ,-dr colour ; for I have invariably declared that R eared not where the country , what the colour , » r which the creed , of the patriot was—that if he loved liberty and struggled for it , I would call him brother , and take him by the hand . ( Loud cheers . ) Much that has been said here to-night must be inspiring to the friends at present outlawed by 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 Buttons . ( I oud cheers . ) Therefore , while you meet to commemorate an event glorious in contemplation and intention , but disastrous in result , bear in mind , that to us , the Chartists of England , you are indebted for ihe privilege of being able to do honour to your principles . How many attempts have been made to drive us from the field of discussion—and yet all jave failed . Graham would fain have substituted the policeman's truncheon for the executioner ' s rope , his sagacity for the judge's wisdom , his fiat for the jury ' s verdict , but the ripened mind of England rcbelled' -against the unconstitutional law , and
triumphed in the struggle . ( Loud cheers . ) Our course . Sir , is no Quixotic crusade ir . search of undiscovered or even , remote regions ; it is the mind ' s travel in guest of its legitimate throne , from wliicli it has been long evicted by the barbarous ignorance of barbarous ages . ( Tremendous applause . ) That knowledge by which the eld world wts governed , was trleaned from celestial phenomena , cunningly conjured into despotic expediency , by some state astrologer , or gathered from the smokin g entrailsj of wild birds and beasts , from the croaking of the raven , the cawing of the crow , or the appetite of the vulture , interpreted by cunning priests or hired soothsayers , and transmitted to posterity in the mystic language of priestcraft and statecraft , which the *
improved mind of this day cannot translate into rational phraseology . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Yes , Sir , such is the ignorance—such the cunning mystery , that has held aspiring knowledge in subjugation and murdered truth for ages ; until at length , knowledge snatched the dagger from the assassin ' s hand , and plunged it into ignorance—the assassin ' s breast . ( Loud and tremendous cheering . ) Sir , it was that ignorance that 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 tlie necessity of physical force . ( Cheers . ) He has very plainly pointed out that strength , that moral power , which in the surest weapon of liberty ; and perhaps it may be a
conundrum , why governments and monarelis do not now go to war upon such slight and hasty provocation as tliey were won't to do ? In days gone by the French monarch would have recruited his armies before now upon opposition offered to the marriage of his son with the littlesimpleton of Spain , and England would have buckled on her armour as heedlessly to resist it , But why are they now more cautious ? It is lest the Cap of Liberty should proudly waive over the Tuilleries , as the tro p h y of Frenchmen ' s trium p h , and lest the six 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 . Scha pp er has told you , and told you truly , that although you are assembled to commemorate the French
Revolution of 1793 , 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 bul . a poor tribute to knowledge , but a scant gathering from 53 years' harvest , if the democrats of 1810 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 b a for the Land . ( Great cheering and clapping of hands . ) And hence , the superiority of the Chartist movement over the French Revolution—the one was a recourse to arms , and ended in the ascendancy of the oppressor—the other defies all armed resistance , and 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 and the system that engendered it—but unfortunately they were not prepared with a substitute , and deiice tliey lost the spoils of victory . WE ARK PREPARED . ( Cheers . ) We have created a new mind , which like an epidemic has spread its contagion throughout the length and breadth of the land ; and oh ! Sir , would to ( rod that I could flatter myself that it had infected theinert mind of my own brave , generous , hospitable , but oppressed countrymen . ( Great cheering . ) Oh ! Sir , while the growing mind of all nations is represented here to-night , it is melancholy that there is no national representation of Ireland , and how ffo must loathe the name of the hoary sycophant who
has said " IRELAND FREE OR IRELAND IN A BLAZE , " and who now lolls in luxurious ease and secluded retirement , construing Saxon Acts of Parliament , professing to iced his countrymen upon . Saxon alms , telling them to be thankful fur the stftp-raotUtr ' s bit , an < l to humbly beg for more wlien it is consumed . ( Great cheering . ) Sir , I often wish , and especiall y when I readof the infuriate madness of some Polish peasants in the last revolution , I often wish that the Irish people had Polish lea crs , or that the Polish leaders had Irish people . ( Cheers . ) But let US hope that the mind ' s contagion will yet reach that land , and that when the mental fla-sli announces the coming thunder of popular anger and popular union , that the sun of Poland may once
more rise from the cold . ashes and smouldering emburs of her li g htnin g s truck opp ressors , ( long and continued cheering , ) Sir , we have ; lighted the rushlight ot liberty at the expiring blaze of tyranny , and when we hear that it has compelled the wilds ot Siberia to restore the frantic wife to the fond embrace of her overjoyed . husband , and a g ain g ivon parents to afflicted orphans , who would not welcome death in . any shape to participate in such a gala-day ? Who wou a not fall upon his own sword to witness such ali « ly reunion . ( Indescribableapplause . ) Mr . Scliapi . cr has plainly s h own you , that religious liberty nuw rxists in many countries where social inequality prevails , but in my opinion he has made a mistake , when he tells you that it is for social liberty that you
must now struggle . I tell you that political liberty must be the precursor of social equality and religious treedom . ( Cheers . ) Nor do I entirely agree with Ml' . Hartley in his definition of man's secret enemies , think that man ' s chief and greatest enemy is lisuuion , an enemy which , if destroyed , would lead to the surrender of all social , political , and religious lights , inasmuch as authority is ready to yield all the moment they are demanded in one united aud irresistible voice . ( Cheers . ) But in our struggle we must be . cautious , and , while you love a republic because it iss the watchword under which your mind has been marshalled , and around which your feelin&s would rally , yet you must never ask us to surrender
the name in honor of which we have suffered , and in defence -A' whic h mill i on s woul d be prep a red t o perish . ( Loud I'licer * . ) There is no guarantee , ne protection , that liberty could derive from a Republic , that it would 1101 equally derive from the People ' s Charter . Chartism means defined republicanism , ( tremendous cheering , ) and when the power behind the throne is greater than tne throne itself , I care not by What name you call the chief magistrate who si ts upon t h at t h ron e , provided that he ia the limited executioner of the most extensive public will , and removeable at its pleasure . ( Tremendous cheering . ) We were Radicals , and when we had drawn the name and principles through all the mazea 0 ) persecution , and made them respectable , we then
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foolishly assumed another name , which again we were obliged to purify , but now we have it and we 1 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 , th e d un g eon , and the transport : it is d ear to us as the cri ppled child to its mother , is made dearer by its weakness , and by the sufferings it has imposed upon ua . ( Tremendous applause . ) Let us go on then conquering and to conquer , bearing in mind that we owe nothing to the toleration of despotism , the law ' s clemency , or authority ' s mercy . That the law of treason , the law of libel , of conspiracy and sedition , stand as they did fifty years ago upon the statute book , but the pw > gre 9 s and ripeness of mind has forced upon them a milder construction . We have lighted the rush-light of liberty at the
expiring blaze of tyranny ; we have studded the firmament with the twinkling stars of freedom , as so many beacon lights pointing the 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 the 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 feel my Irish blood rising a « 1 proceed with the exciting topic , and therefore I shall conclude by assuring you , and the outlawed of all nations , that when liberty ia the prize to be contended for , 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'Grath said , Mr . President and Gentlemen , I am . unacquaintedjwitfy language strong enough to express the delight which I have experienced at the elegant outpourings of the spirit of Democracy , which we have heard here this evening . The pleasure which I feel upon this score is , I nm sure universally participated in by you . ( Hear . ) Gentlemen , it affords me unalloyed satisfaction to henr of the progress your society is making , and the amount of good which its diligence has effected . My ardent hope is , that it may go on incroasing in strength ; that it may become a great poJitic . il light , shining oh and making plain the path of duty , which must be pursued by the despot-cursed nations of the world . ( Cheers . ) Or adopting the mataphor of Sir . Ilarney , I hope that this little cloud , which has gathered in the west , will
continue to increase in magnitude , and to shoot forth those electric discharges which must ultimately shake the throne of every despot in Europe . ( Great Cheering . ) Gentlemen , I heartily respond to the sentiment proposed by ou ^ PresidentJforyour adoption ^ The democrats of Britai n are the only party in this country who are imbued with a sincere desire for human progression . Pot while Young England cries out for retrogression , and the Whigs for finality , the democrat ' s watchword is , ' onward and we conquer , backward and we fall . " While other parties are lounging in idleuess , or busy in mischief , the democrats are diligent in the 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 democrats of Britain . ( Applause . ) Poland , the blood of whose brave sons has consecrated her to liberty , writhes under the Ia 6 hing of a triple tyranny ; who are they that endeavour to arouse British feeling in behalf of the oppressed t—the democrats of Britain . ( Cheers j Every act of domestic tyranny , whether in the shape of an Irish Coercion Bill , the embodiment of the Militia , whether practised by Legislators in St . Stephen ' s , by Minister * in Downing-street , or by Coal Kings or Cotton Lords in the north , is sure of exposure to the 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 the recreant who proves a traitor to that cause , ( Great Applause . ) That cause , I am convinced , must , in the long run triumph ; it has within it the elements of success , being founded upon truth ; and , as raagna esl veritas elprwvaUbit , we may hope soon to see the cause of the Charter triumphantly ) oulmiR&king in the ascendant . ( Cheers . ) Union has hitherto been our desideratum , let that be supplied and our success is sure . ( Cheers . ) Let the millions fraternize , let their bond of union be love of father-land , their incentive to action the good of mankind ; and though their progress may be checked by the obstacles which tyranny will not fail to throw in their way , there is no power that can prevent the ultimate
realization of their hflly purpose . ( Cheers . ) We must not be driven from the path of duty , either by the threats of open foes , or lured by the blandishments of pietsaded friends . 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 , be hailed by those smugglers and pirates by which the political ocean is always beset . For these we have one reply—behold the banner of the People ' s Charter , proudly floating at our masthead ; it U there naiUA ' , and come weal , come woe , we will battle beneath it , until victory ' s gale shall wave it over the wreck of class misrule . ( Great cheering . )
Mr . Strauss ( German ) delivered an excellent ana eloquent speech showing the causes which had hitherto prevented the triumph of free principles , and urgiug the education of the people as their best safeguard against tyranny . . Mr . Strauss was warmly applauded . The Chairman then gave—May the patriots of Poland , acknowledging the supremacy of eternal justice , seek the liberation and re-establisbraent of their country through the recognition of 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 Inml , and may they speedily succeed in overthrowing the tyrants and desolators of their country . Colonel Obobski responded in the French language , the following is a translation of his remarks : —
Citizens , —The anniversary we celebrate this evening , is at the same time edifying aud painful—Editying , because it reminds us of an epoch which was the begining of the real life of a great people , when was performed one of the great acts of their noble efforts to attain 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 us that the result of the generous efforts of so much heroism was anihilated by the combined action of the enemies of humankind . It is doubly painful to me , as a Pole , because , two years after the epoch which this anniversary celebrates , my futherlahd was crushed , and anihilated by the same enemies who , . tien , meditating
the destruction of France , wished before all to secure their reur , in order to be enabled to pur 6 ue their work of destruction in the west—and they have succeeded in their diabolical work . Shall it be for ever ? They don't believe it themselves ! and as to us , if we H'ould 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 toust just given are well adapted to present circumstances . , for they encourage us Poles to pursue the same work which the epoch we are 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 bten for centuries past directed towards the fulfilment of this
very work , and that wurk she never will cease to pursue , ( Cheers . ) Allow me to cite you onlj two examples , Two centuries ago , on the 28 th April , 1 C 3 S , the Polish diet promulgated a law , by which eve $ v individual , accepting any privileged foreign titles , such ns Prince , Count , Baron , Marquis , < fcc ., "is covered with infamy . " This law wa 9 never repealed , on ( ho contrary , its existence waa several times asserted in the diet . But it will be saU , notwithstanding all that , there lias always been a privileged class in existence , the " nobles ! " Yes , tliatis a fact—vet if you only reflect a little , that , in Poland , this title , or rather this designation , signified nothing else but soldiers on horseback , men who were bound to defend the country as soldiers of cavalry , and that for their entertainment they received , instead of a salary in
money , landed properties for life , or only temporary , ( which , those who did not go to war were obliged to restore . ) In fact , this was not a privileged class , it was only in subsequent times that this class assumed unequal privileges . Later , it is now tifty-six years ag . i , on the 7 th May , 1791 , our immortal KosoiusUo . acting as dictator , proclaimed by a special law , the absolute equality of tho peasantry with the rest of the nation , ( Cheers . ) Thus , citizens , by those two facts , you see that the endeavours of the Polish people have always be- n In accordance with the . sentiments expressed in the toast , nnd it was only that great crime against all humanity , that act of vile brigandage with which you are all acquainted , perpetrated towards our nation , which
prevented the accomplishment of this work and the march towards an aim , which even vro to the presint moment—I am sorry to say—ha 6 not been attained fully by any nation . We must hope , brethren , that this aim will at last be attained ' , und allow me to say , that being animated by this hope , which is my only consolation in this world . I must here express my sincere f , -rntitilde , for the kind wishes expressed in this toust ; and permit me , from the depth of my heart , in my turn to give a toast to the eternally glorious memory of the day we arc now celebrating , " May all the nations , in reminding themselves of this glorious epoch , hasten their march towards their full and entire re o'encrati 0 ii . " ( 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 tor which they are struggling . IYofcFsor Sievers ( who sp ' uke 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 midst ongly as they do at the present period . Prom 0110 end of Europe to the other there is but one outcry of violated national honour . The Spaniards contend against the French , the Germans against the Danes , and only the Slavonic race is striving to unite , closely in opposition to the other two races who have taken possession of Europe . It has been to no purpose that mankind have suft ' ured the coiiBcquonees of such national prpjndicrs in the most readful manner from the nncict times up to the present
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diiy , neither war , nor domestic slavery have yet cured the ntvtionsof their tolly . ( Hear , hear . ; But is there no excuse whatever for such a folly ? Has the love of fatherland not anything in it that is good and noble ? Has not every one of us , when reading the deeds of a Leouidas and his three hundred Spartans , or of the few thousand Athenians contending against hundreds of thousands of Persians , have we not felt moved , and cle . vated , and warmed ? Yes , we admire these men and their magnanimity , we admire all those who act like them ; but then , brethren , -was it Greece for which they struggled ? was it thoir fatherland ? No , brethren , it was not , for Greece was at that time but another name for liberty , as Persia was for tyranny . ( Cheers . ) But I ask you , brethren , is Germany ^ also another ^ name for Ubertj ? is Rufiaia ? is twy othsv country in Europe I No , brethren , you suy there is no country where libtrtybas been realised to its full extent . Well then , a principlean ideamay throw enthusiasm into our breats , a
, , bit of cluy cannot . " Down with the national pr . judic . s throughout Europe , up with democratic institution :.. " But , brethren , such institutions can only arise where the nations are united ; nations fighting against one another are like to friends who , excited in the dark by a traitor * fight , as soon as daylight dawns they will find out that they are friends , will fall upon their foe and unite m peace and happiness . Thus " philosophy now begins toenlighten , the uations , and Eoon will unite them , and they will embrace one another before the eyes of their dethroned tyrants , and earth will be consoled and heaven satisfied . " ( Applause . ) It was a Frenchman who spoke these words , a brave fighter for the rights of men in the time of the He volution , and Isnard spoke truth . Let the nations be united , and no power in the world can withhold from them any longer the rights they now ask in vain ; no power in the world can withhold from them ihe democratic institutions which the second part of the present toast is devoted to . ( Cheers . ) But , brethren , these
democratic institutions woul ¦ be nothing but a mockery , political equality a mere word , and oppression soon would rise again us it did in France , in spite of the republic , if social inequality were not removed along with despotic power . Real , Biucere democracy can only be founded on the common possession of tbc soil und its natuval productions , on community —( Cheers )—without community there is no safeguard for the people against a new oppression , and without community there is no hope of elevating the moral state of human society in general . ( Appluuse . ) Is it impossible that nothing but making money should be 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 tho 3 e ctassei of society who are at present possessed of property cannot but see ' shortly that their own happintss , nay , their own dignity as human beings , will be much better provided for in such democratic institutions as are founded on community . ( Great applause . )
Mr , H . Baoer also addressed the meeting in the German langunge- The following is the substance of the speech ;— Brethren , —Our festival of to-day bas a twofold purpose : we not only celebrate tbe memory of the proclamation of the French Republic—we are assembled here also to celebrate the anniversary of the foundatien of the Society of Fraternal Democrats . It was the French Kepublic which proclaimed the universal fraternity of man -, but the circumstances of the times prevented France from always practising 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 . ( Cheers , ) But tbe principle alone is insufficient , unltss it be also put into practice—unless it become fact . Great were the difficulties which our society had to overcome before it assumed its present position ; but we persevered ; and now ,
with pride , moving pur eyes around , we can say : " Look behold here a fact—the brotherhood of nations realised ! " ( Applause . ) Representatives of all the nations of Europe are united here in brotherly affection and harmony ; aud , believe it . it we coiuinu& * to improve ouisslves and our society , and to render closer and closer the bonds of our fraternity , we shall set an example to the nations , which , in time , will find its imitation ; and if added to the iact the practical example of our association—we spare no exertion , and miss no opportunity , to proclaim ouv principles ! before tbe world , if we do this , then , brothers , have uo doubt but that , as we are all united here as individuals from all countries of Europe , so the nations of the 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 oni ! purpose to realise , through universal brotherhood , the universal happiness of mankind , ( Great applause . )
Mr . Pfjendek also spoke in German ; his speech was loudly cheered . The Chairman then gave—The veritable Democrats of the United States , may they [ succeed in their noble efforts to carry out the principles of their famed " Declaration of Independence , " by abolishing the slavery of white and black—wages and whipping—and secure to every man his own rights and no more , social as well as political . Mr . Samuel Kidd said , Sisters and brothers . as I kave calmly listuncd to the sentiments expressed by tbe various speakers , sentiments ivhiuli , if understood and expressed by mankind generally , would change the whole arrangement of society , social a * well as po . itical , I have this night asked myself what will tbe press of England say of us to-morrow , will they pass by our assemblage in sombre silence , will they speak the truth , or will thty
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 capitulista are the real friends of the labourers , without whose aid they could not live ! " The latter sentiment 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 , tben , 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 I conceive , the mere political reformer to be a mere fool—at best a discontented aud half-informed man on the uveat evila
of society in its present state . Tbe political ccomiomist , and also the mure politician , admit that the earth is by nature tlift' common property of man . They lay down , as tLe . bfisis of their theory that there must be labour , capital , and exchange . That these-propositions require labourers , capitalists and e&chungers , of conrse , must follow as an iiu-vitable deduction . I illustrate their theory , as follows ; — A ., B , and & — A , the la » bourer , B . the exchanger , and . C . the capitalist , andof course , the hoarder up of labour ' s fruits . Now akilljand physical power exercised on the earth , or raw material produces the capital , and if the exchanger gives in representative or money TulueGs . for one day ' s labuur to A , auu sells the same to C , tne capita list and customer , for 83 it follows that B . tbe exchanger , who has added
nothing to the value of the commodity , must either have paid 2 s too little to A , or charged C 2 s too much , except these wise und clever advocates of the present system of commercial policy , un shew the advantage of keeping a man idle for the express purposo of consuming without producing- But again C looses nothing by the transaction—he is an exchanger of labuur , a capitalist , and a consumer of labour ' s produce—and as meh , bu . \ s in the cheapest niurkut , atid sells in tiie clearest , i'lic iabuurtr is the only party who can loose , " Oh ! " but exclaims the political economist , "he gets his wages . " So he does , but we this evening ask our American brethren to look to England ns au illustration of the state of society that America is fast advancing to , from this systuoi of wages and capitalists . I ask our American brethren to look to
tJie state of morality this theory of Land appropriation and money power has produced . Some three » wkx back , cart-loads of rubbish from the Church Yard of Shoreditch , in Christian , pious , rich , and monied London , were heaped on a dunghill , and there was seen the ragged urchin and the up-grown man gathering human bones patched with the flesh of their once living brethren ; a woman was gathering uoffLu furuituve , aud the bone inercbuti tiuight be seen weighing and buying bones of the dead from the degraded living . The poor urc-tches who gathered sculls and coflin handles , got their wages , and bout merchants and store dealers their profits , Such is the state of moral feeling existing in England . American labourers possets political poiw r , and we ask them to rtmedy their socinl wrongs , to curry out the principle of tlieir declaration of
Independence , ( Cheers . ) Vet , equality is in America but a name . In the year 1842 tho operatives ot yew York were in a state of destitution : the agricultural labourers were half naked ; the agricultural serf and manufacturing slave produced wealth to repletion , and starved in the midst of plenty . Vet , America has no state church , no standing army , no oxpensive government . She bus slaves aud slave owners—landowners ami capitalists —labuurers und wages . The last word , is the worst of all , 'tis another name for the whip . Wages is the whip for the white slave , aud the capitalist is the slave owner . ( Cheers . ) We say to our American brethren , give to every man his rights aud no more . ( Cheers . ) The eyes of tho world ' s democrats are on you . You may lead the van in the cause of holy brotherhood . Your labourers may bo capitalists , your labourers be exchangers , giving equal
value for equal value , and claiming for their rights the full shave Of all they produce , aud keeping tbe principle of nature inviolate—the earth is the common property of man , and all men are brethren . Americans , when you achieved your independence , you set Europe a noble example ; your physical power overawed the allied crowns oi' olil states ; your moral influence was great , because your physical power was dangerous to your unnatural step . mother ; the voices of your Washington aud Franklin Were listened to with respeet . But now we ask you to jo ' n in a bloodless crusade—a war against the inequality of possessions —( cheers)— a war against robbery , wrong , and error—a war against enslaving men for color , erced , or birth . ( Cheers . ) We ask you to join us iu our endeavours to regenerate all men of all nations claiming the world as our country , und all men as our brethrtn .
( Great vheenng . ) The Chairman then gave—The solemn memory of all who have suftered and perished in prison aud in exile , ou the scaffold and tho battle-licia , iu struggling to CBtabish tbe rights of man .
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Untitled Article
SEPmtSER 26 , 1846 . - - THE N 6 r ¥ he 4 k STAR . i
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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/vm2-ncseproduct1385/page/7/
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