The Labor enquirer., 1886-09-18

the square itself, a mass of human be-
ings, was most imposing. The total
number of people present is estimated at
between $4,000 and 10000.
Punctually at A o'clock in the afternoon
the speakers at the three platforms
commenced. Shortly before this, how
ever, the Frenc', Socialist workmen del
egates, whose visit to this country l men
toned in my last communication, to-
gether with the principal English
speakers, marched in BODY into the
square, and were greeted most heartily
by the assembled multitude. The
speeches in French and English were of
the usual thorough going Socialist type.
The resolution, which was submitted
simultaneously at the three platforms,
was carried amid the greatest enthusi-
asm, The following is the text of the
resolution
THAT this mass meeting of the citi-
zens of London expresses its deep indig-
nation at the unjust condemnation of
John Williams and Samuel Mainwaring
for doing that which religious and other
speakers are allowed to do Sunday after
Sunday without interference, demands
the immediate release of John Williams
who is now suffering Imprisonment and
calls for the maintenance of freedom of
speech for men of all opinions. That this
meeting declares its conviction that this
police interference with and condemna-
ton of the Social Democrats are due to
the fact that they alone work constantly
to obtain short hours of labor, good
food, good clothing, and good education
for the workers, are striving to secure
for the producing classes collective con-
troll over the railways, shipping, mines,
factories, machinery, and land, and in
tend to recommence at once their vigor-
GUS agitation in favor of the organiza-
ton of the labor of the unemployed.
That this resolution be sent to the prime
minister and the home secretary"
The principal speakers were Hyndman,
Fielding, Champion, Burrows, Hall and
Louber, of the Social Democratic FEEDER
alton, Courtoux, Blondou and Lousrd,
of the French delegation. Rousing
cheers were given for the Social Revolu-
tion, for John Williams and for our
French comrades. | am satisfied that
the reception given to the Frenchmen
will do much to strengthen the
strong international feeling which is de-
veloping among the workingmen of
| Europe.
At the close of the meeting the various
branches reformed and marched away
to the different parts of London from
whence they had come. Needless to
add that we were escorted to our branch
rooms by mounted and foot police the
whole of the wav, and as the demonstra-
tors fell out of line to return to their
homes and the procession dwindled to
some 500, who went to their local rem.
devious at Bermondsey, the detachment
which accompanied, t. g police were
nearly as numerous as we were. An
inquiring child who saw this was heard
to remark to its parent, 'What have
they done, mother ~ evidently under
the impressi IN that We had committed
some enormitY, and were accordingly
about to be inCarcerated. And, indeed,
the little band had all the appearance of
BODY of Revolutionists being taken to
some British bastile under the charge of
the officers of the law.
Altogether the Revolutionary Social
Democrats of London have every reason
to congratulate themselves on this mag
nifcent meeting, more especially as sim
| liar demonstrations were held on the
same day and for the same purpose at
Manchester and Glasgow, in both of
which industrial centers Socialism is
m king the most rapid strides. No pO-
| litical party, or other organization in
this country, cou possibly bring to-
gether such vast concOurse of people as
assembled on this occasion. In fact,
nothing but Socialism now stirs the Lon
| doners up.
am deeply grieved at the result of
the Chicago trial, and wish to assure my
American comrades of my deep sympa-
thy with them and our friends who
have fallen victims to the capitalistiC
conspiracy at Chicago, and need hardly
say that all the London Socialists are
surprised and grieved that things should
have cached such a pass in America.
Some of us still have hope, however,
that the courage end determination of
the American people may prove sufi-
GENTLY strong to prevent the judicial
murder of men whose sole crime has
been to explain to their fellows how
they have been plundered by the land
grabbing, proft-mong, ring, brothel-fre-
quenting classes. JAMES BLACKWELL.
Cancel street, Walworth.
LONDON, S. E., England, Aug. 80.