The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-15
3ksas.ss4 6 s q 81 sssii ss sse;fksl "A
The Workmen Of London Address
Us--A Voice Comes From
England.
To the Workmen Of the World
Let Us Make Unityn the
Watehword.
The capitalistio Class Scored, Scarf
fed, and Their Infamies
Exposed.
Manifesto to the Worlsingmen OF the World,
Issued by the Social, Laborand Democratic


Association In London.
CITIZENS: Since the Paris commune
of 1871 was suppressed and $1,000 of its
most heroic defenders assassinated, re-
action has reigned triumphantin France.
Ten years have scarcely passed away
since this terrible defeat of the workers
"a defeat without parallel in history.
1etthesapitalists are alarmed by the
unprecedented growth of socialism; and
the prosecutions are renewed by numer-
GUS trials directed ageinst the revolu-
tionists-the number of Victims who are
fighting for the cause of truth Ind ius-
tice every day increasing. Despots 1re
publican as we'll as monarchiaD of all So
called civilized countries being ready to
send to the scatfold or Punishment all
those who, being better informed than
their brothers in misery, seek for rem
edy and means to abolish the injustice
and inequality of the present state of
society.
Through many centuries the ruling
classes (aristocratic and capitalistic) have
exploited the working men. Govern
ments, no matter of what party, are but
the instruments of these classes, and
under different DISCUSSES of judges and
police, priests or hangmen, use their
strength and energies to support the mo-
nopolies and privileges of the exploiters
drowning in blood the just claims of
the workingman. The present state of
society exceeds the former epochs of
political oppression and slavery In its
brutality. Daily we see. workingmen
deprived of the most common necessa-
ries of life, dying prematurely of starva-
tion-side by side with them the most
favored section of society, producing
nothing, are overloaded with luxury.
A small section of the popuiatlon of
every country, after a life of pleasure,
laziness, and perhaps sdetestable de-
bauchery, is surrounded with so-cal1ed
honors, titles and extravaganza, at the
cost of those who are dying in prison or
the work-house after a life of sacrifice
and labor.
Do we at least possess the right of
expressing our thoughts? Is there any
real liberty of opinion in existence?
Certainly none In Russia, as in Ger
many, they are imprisoned for support
ing a single revolutionary pamphlet. In
France the socialists as at the Lyons
trials are condemned simply for their
anarchist opinions and even in England
the editors of the Freiheit were impris-
oned for expressing their opinions in
that paper. Freethinkers are now suf-
fering imprisonment for like cause. The
freedom Of speech and the liberty of the
press are entirely suppressed in Ireland
Can we expect this state of things to be
transformed by petitioning our govern
ments for reforms, or do we wish quite
new order of society in which every one
should produce according to his ability
and consume according to his necessities,
in which justice shall be equal for all,
and liberty will reign in equality? If
we wish for this order of society it will
have to be conquered by the working
people for themselves. Glasses never
willingly abdicate their privileges; and
the Capitalists-the most selfish of all
classes certainly will use all their ener-
gies to defend their monopoies created
by robbery and the exploitation of past
generations.
The most eloquent speeches of politi-
clans and members of parliament
(raised by. the aid of the workingmen
to their exalted positions) have always
to be considered as the worst example of
treachery. In the true sense the
speeches are always the same-new priv
ileges for the rich, new burdens for the
poor. Experience disperses the illusions
of those who have believed in govern
ments and laws, and they cease to trust
any longer the false advocates-tory~
eral, or republican-who always appeal
for the assistance of the people when in
danger and betray. them when in power.
d Political history is one long narrative
of the martyrdom of the people, oyer
whose corpses tyranny assembled to its
present mighty position. But the hour
approaches when the disinherited. will
settle their account with those who have
lived 50 long on their sweat and blood ;
the misuse of the power which the mid
die class retain and are responsible for,
and the misery which follows will raise
up against them all the hatred and pas
sions of the workers.
The first signs of the crumbling of the
foundation on which present society
rests are already discernable. Persecu-
Etions and the savage sentences against
the revolutionists have commenced.
Hanged in Russia and Ireland; banish-
ment in Austria and Italy; imprisoned
in France and Germany and hunted as
wild animals everywhere.
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