The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-13
The Labor Congress i'm Belgium.


Delegates representing the workingmen of
Europe are assembled in Brussels in session of
an international trades labor convention,
having for its main object the perfection of an
organization which will effect the ''emanci-
patton" of industry from ''the expressions of
assert that money capital aggrieves them, and
the members of this convention seek to adjust
the balance by uniting both in an Old World
trades union, which, acting in concert and with
an identity of feeling, will supersede the neces-
sity of local ''strikes" and regulate all differ
ences between employers and the employed
according to uniform code and the decision
of arbitration courts to be duly established.
Trades unions are to be formed in all countries
where they do not at present exist and the
local bodies to be affiliated to common
centre.
Resolutions to such effect were adopted by
the members during the sitting on Wednes-
day, but our cable report of the proceedings,
meagre in substance and rather indistinct
in narrative, does not inform us what dis
position was made of the eight points Of
very comprehensive programme laid down
for debate previous to the assemblage-
whether they were discussed seriatim, or if
the resolves indicated above were arrived at
in bulk and in accordance with an extra
parliamentary and foregone conclusion as to
the necessities of the emergency. We are not
told if the delegates treated, or if SO how,
the following paragraphs:-Second, effects of
third, private property; fifth, establishment
of credit societies for the purpose of facili-
tating the Emancipation" of the laboring
class; seventh, the course which should be
pursued by the working class in the event
of a war breaking out between two or more
of the great Powers, and especially its policy
towards the originators Of such war; and,
with due respect for the enlightenment
and ''rights" of labor, we may be
permitted to express reasonable and :,
we think, justifable doubt whether the
mind Of the mechanics and hand workers of
Europe is sufficiently educated in economic
science, and free enough from the preju-
dices of class, for an intelligent and really
useful deliberative treatment of points involv-
ing principles and consequences of such
hence of expressions such as expressions of
employers" facilitating the emancipation of
the laboring classes" ''the possession of ma
chinery by capitalists" we incline to discern
somewhat of would-be tyranny of labor,
moved by that spirit of discomfort with mans
actual lot in life-the memo contentus cioot-
which prevailed with such injurious conse-
quences in ancient Rome, and has, to greater
or less extent, agitated society ever SINCE as
civilization and commerce were extended and
capital became congested, in consequence, at
certain centres. AS to the interference of the
united European trades with the war making
propensities or inclinations of the ruling
Powers, as set forth in the seventh paragraph
of the programme, the practicability of its ap-
plication may be questioned with great pro-
priety. Indeed, it may be asked If attempts to
carry il into effect would not render war more
frequent for inasmuch as the executive body
of the affiliated trades of the Old World
must have place of common centre, a
local habitation, perhaps some foreign
Power about to make war, and interfered with
thence, would charge the government which
afforded the members shelter with exciting
''hatred and contemp among its subjects
and make the action a ctsus be1i in that direc-
ton Also Thus, if the resident centre hap
pened to be in London or Brussels, would
Napoleon or Bismarck permit France or
Germany to be agitated, even in the in
terests of labor, from such centre by a
mechanics union in opposition to war de-
cided on by royalty without calling England
or Belgium to account Local laws will also
operate to prevent the extension Of uniform
ira des union to ''all countries in illustration
Of which we may mention that the trades
union system which is now prevalent in
England would if adopted exactly by trades
men in Ireland, render the members of the
body liable to transportation for combination
under the Irish Convention act, the operatives
in the last named country not being permitted
by law to unite with objects higher than trades
benefit and relief societies.
Other difficulties in the way Of the reali-
cation Of the objects of this congress will
readily present themselves to our readers
yet, Notwithstanding the labor movement
as reflected from Brussels is Of vast signi.
Hcance just at present, as Its approach
even to realization in practice will gradu-
ally revolutionize the relations existing be-
tween labor and capital in Europe, and the
effect be extended, If only by sympathy, more
or less to the New World. It thus promises to
inaugurate an industrial crisis worthy, even by
anticipation, the consideration of social econo-
mists aud statesmen; for II the idea take