The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-01-14

THE woRKINGNEN OF ENGLAND TO THEIR BRKTHRRs
In TIE UNITED STATES ON THE WAR AND TIE
ALABAMA CLAIMS.

At meeting of the Labor Repre-
sentation League, held at their rooms,
in Ceckspur street, London, Mr.. Rob
ert N. Latham, the President, in the
chair-on the motion of the President.
seconded by Mr. George Howell, the
following address to the workingmen of
America, on the War and the Al bama
claims, was unanimously agreed to,
and copies Of the same were ordered
to be forwarded to the English press
and to the principal American papers /:
WoRKINGMEN OF The UNITED STATES
OF AMEncA: We hail with pleasure
the expression given by resolution at a
''msss meeting" of American citizens,
held on the 10th Of November at the
Cooper Institute, New York, condemn
ing "the continuance of the war against
the French Republic az highly unjust,
and as only promoting the interests of
despotism."
This inhumsn and unjust var, which
had its origin in dynastic ambition, is
now carried on against the establish
ment of popular governne in France.
Republican freedom on French soils
fights against the military despotism of
q crowned invader. The young half
drilled soldiers of liberty struggle he
roically in opposition to sanguinary
and ruthless aggression which by it's
atrocities fills mems minds with horror
and dismsy. The workingmen Of Eng
land echo Indignantly the cry raised
BY your free citizens against this bar
bsrious conflict, and demand with them
that the sword of the Prussian despOt
shall be stayed. We make this demand
because these horrors are hateful to rs,
and We make it also because we are
convinced that the growth of despotism
in Europe, by the evident completely of
Prussia and Russia, is an immediate
and certain danger 10 our country not
to its material interests only, but also
to the principles of free government,
happily already established in America,
rapidly developing themselves in Eng
land by constitutional action and pain
fully struggled for on the battIe6slds Of
Seeing our danger, and recognizing
our duty, we are anxious that our gov
eminent should act at once and il
spirit of determination worthy of
free nation interested in the cause of
liberty. We are alarmed by the apathy
exhibited by the British government,
and Inundated by its desire to hold
conferences for the purpose Of talking,
when it ought to be gathering up the
nations strength for the maintenance
of its influence and the vindication Of
national faith, now shamefully sought to
be violated by the two leading despot-
isms of Europe.
To excuse this culpabIe inaction on
the part of our English statesmen it is
said that they are hampered by the fear
that America would take he advantage
of Englsnd's position if she went to
war, and endesvor TO enforce disputed
claims connected with your late unhaD-
py civil strife-claims which can and
should be settled in a spirit of equity to
both nations. We cannot believe that
the great American republic would act
in such manner as to justify this fear,
Notwithstanding the utterances of Cen
eral Butler and other of your pOlitic-
ians. We refuse to credit the alleoa-
ton 40 damaging to the reputation of
America. 1t is not credible that great
people, the opponents and champions
of free government, could put this HOLY
principle to risk through low party con-
siderations. The workingmen Of Eng
land appeal to you with confidence. and
ask you to refute by your conduct an
lmputation so damaging to your coun-
Iry's honor. We make this appeal the
more confidently because we feel Ger.
JAIN you will not mistake our motives
" hoover may have wronged you while
you were contending for the destruc-
ION of slavery and the preservation of
Iour national life, the workingmen of ,
England were royalty, determinedly. {
md unswervingly on your side. The
'nvations brought upon them by YOUR i
var they bore With patience, being