The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12 00:00:00

THE WORKING CLASSES AND THE
WAR.
_ _

The "Advanced Liberal Association of Greenwich"
bits issued an address on the war of some interest as
coming from the borough which returned the present
Prime Minister :
The address appeals to the "calm judgment, unblessed
sense, and brotherly sympathy of the great democracy of
England on behalf of the suffering people of France that
country of mourners for her slain, yet gallantly strugghng
for liberty and freedom." It appeals.; also to the Ger-
mans, and eels, " why should not the sword he. sheathed 1 Germany te fell of wilcws weeping Le
their husbands and no/others for their sons who have
fallen In this bloody ;Arita, while thousands of children
have been made orphans," sod thta by a war between men
who by vying in the arts of peace would "teed to promote
the happineu and prosperity of nations." After referring
to the deelaration of the King of Prude before the fall of
Sedan with respect to his not making war on the people of
Renee, the address holds that it became the duty of
Prussia to accept a fair and honourable peace when he fell
who was most to blame; but as the war has since that time
been carried on More ',Enmity than ever against the French
people, the English nation Is called upon by all Its ascender.,
to enure the French of our active sympathy. It toew
on to say, We In England have arrived at loch a con-
dition that our Government I. ;afraid to move without Gm
support of a large masa of public opinion, and it Is
by development and organisation this influent*
be brought to bear upon those in power. Let no, then, 1y
Pnblie meetings and large assemblies and a medium by
which to convey to the people both of France and Geneeey
the hallowed feelings of condolence which weigh so heavily
upon one hear;.. Human life la a sacred gift which no man
can beet ow, be he King or Emperor; yet these potentates
demised the lives of meu by true of thou/omits merely to
reentale the • equilibrium of Dittoes.' Well may dynasties
Pus awsy branded with eternal ignominy, while the divine
, principles of reason caul justice grow stronger in the minds
of Mob succeisive generation of men. We appeal
with couedence to these hc,y sentiments, assured that
, they are Infinitely more powerful than are armies
,ee navies. The great democracy of the world know
nothing of the divine tight of Kings, they believe In
the Heaven-born rights of peoples and nations to govern,
Minuet re*, and they regard military conquest, weenie, and
brute force. Infernal agencies employed to rob mankind of
their greateit bleasiug. Peoples have r:s desire to struggle
Jr inaitery, for aiiprerne dcniinlog, ior despotic oonquest,
the Interest and wellbeing if 0,4 Is the inameat and well-
being of all universal freedom is essential to prom., and
cleft's/dim. The popular lender. Ilaeonli the Channel expect
but little ay mpatly from our Government. It Is to the people
they look The uttering thousands both of France and Ger.
many :Lae pleading with us in the silence of a mighty sorrow
Snail they plead la vain !"

TEILY MAY HE HOtStWIVES YlT."—Vie May
smile—the Yrfuch on laughed—at the lays of •
French woman defending herce4 aaint the irreverent
Germans by the aid of a thimble containing pinion.
But when we have smiled, let UA own that it U 4 a good
thing that the Amazonian mind should turn in the
direction of thimble& Needle and thread may follow.
—Punch.