The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-19
"L'INTERNATIONALE."
Anniversary Of the Uprising Of the Commune
Banquet, Ball and Speeches at the Hous-
ton Street Casino Last Night-vic-
toria Woodhulrs Address

| The anniversary OF the uprising of the Commune
was celebrated last evening by the various sections
OF the InternatOnallsts having organizations III
this city, at the Houston Street Casino, by
banquet, succession OF short orations and q
ball. The room was very tasterully decorated with
red banners and inscriptions. Among the latter were
the followng:-"F Full employment and remedy for
strikes" "Interest money direct tax upon labor
to Support Wealthy Paupers," equal Rights Its
Opportunities and Compensation" "And They
Had All Things In Common" The flag
which was borne five miles by Miss
Tennle Claflin in the International procession was
scription:-'CompeteS Social and Political Equality
for Both Sexes-September H." The meeting was
presided over by Mr.. T. Banks, who introduced Vic.
toria woodruff as the first speaker.
Mrs. Woodruff said
CITIZENS EaNa thank you for the
opening address ' upon this memoraS Ss o elle
caslon-the first anniversary of an event
mat w ever remain 1ha pans a. epoch IN history
birth. Thousands OF French citizens, women as
wei! as men. led by patriotic zeal that knew such
patton from the yoke OF tyranny. They weighed
the possibilities OF their cause. and though they
could not have been the most promising they did
not hesitate to strike They dd strike, and had
not their enemies been more than they OF their own
ss no n9 e III rns lost
generations will look back upon the terrible scenes
they has passed pa, ed through and rea7e the great
whom we recently paid the last testimonial
tnan filed with the same noble enthusiasm that he
brought to the cause me Commune was only
his voice fed his words lived in the
hearts o OF wi th0usanGs Who when opportunity
did not die There have been great
battles fough! and lives paid for freedom. But
mains with ITS iron grasp upon the neck Of great
proportion OF humanity. Perhaps few yet realize
amos. earu s nnSgSqsG at Is thus %e xa
one Of rne most dangerous. questions
how shall this tyranny be conquered? Heretofore
there mas been but one way for freedom TO assert
itself, and that by the arbitration Of war brought
{, e.. hundred thousand lives and three
by r no means an inappropriate question as to how
much blood and treasure shall be required to con-
s s we u the
Yet hope that none OF us are determined
that shall BE- bought with blood unless oil
Those who are interested In this larger freedom
are large majority OF the people OF this coontry.
has Just as much power as has every man
who is his enemy. The trouble IS that heretofore
wrong men, VINO have assisted to rivet the cnains
still more closely upon us. You see my friends
that this ueSp0tlSm WHICH Is maintained over the
| people is a political one, through unequal
| not exist, the despotism could not be. II the
present laws were replaced by tuose founded upon
| human rights all our miseres would cease, since
| their causes would be abolished. 1t seems TO me,
| them that the question before us Is, first the
conquest of Political power which In this county,
NAV be achieved by the ballot. If this be So 1t is
| the duty OF lnternationas to give the country to
understand that they intend to achieve their free.
dom by political organization. hear some say we
organize politically to conquer by the ballot, we
| must organize as q military body to conquer by
! revolution. But II We should be well organized
POLITICALLY and fail TO accomplish emancipation, II
| would be the best possible framework for o mill
| tary organization to try the other method. So IN
| either Case 1t seems to me that we must become
| political body whose organization cannot be begun
| too SOON l sincerely nope that the various sections
and the federal council will discuss TINS great ques
ton calmly and wisely and come TO the right con
cusi0n; and when IL Is done let me
the French Commune and that they have sister:
In this country who can, II called 10 do so, lay
down their lives upon the altar OF human rights
You must pardon me for having spoken TO you upOI
this grave subject at time when you might have
| expected something more in harmony with TIT
| spirit OF the occasion. But others will follow M
anu make amends for my gravity by iashe
| souls and sharpen the dull edge which have givel
to your festivities. But II have been grave 20
| shall not also say have been tedious.
| me meeting was afterwards addressed by severa
delegates, Including Mr. Ward, Ira b. Davies all
the very enthusiastic party did not break up unit
| o late hour.