The Labor enquirer., 1888-04-28

1. -! II 3 =
Unionists representin If1le "
ions, our conrad ii Il y German
Reichstag asking tIe wofkinG
classes of all countries net to
attend the congress ia question.
1--WE regret that our German friends
did not think iit to consult u. be-
fore issuing such manifesto and
thus assuming the responsibility
of interfering with an important
and promising movement. We
are the militant advocates. of so
cial democracy in England; we
have proved our devotion to the
cause by the risks we have incurred
and the sacrifices we have made;,
lit is also in a great measure owing
to our efforts that the leaders of
English Tr.de Unionism have
been so far forced forward as to
convoke this international Trade
Union congress at all. Being on
the spot and engaged daily in the
struggle we surely are better able
to Judge as to what are the best
tactics to,pursue than any outside
body however able and energetic
they may be. We quite agree
that thct attitude of the parlia-
mentary committee of the English
Trade unions is not worthy of. a
body claiming to represent work
ing men and having at least the
real interests of their class. We
will add for the information of
our German friends that there are
some members of the parlia-
mentary, committee who have
striven hard to prevent our Inter-
national Trade Union congress
ever being held, and who would
only be too pleased if the forth
coming congress should prove a
failure. The social democratic
section of the German Reichstag
by entreating the workingmen Of
Europe not to attend the London
congress is unconsciously playing
into the hands of these traitors to
the cause of the workers.
For many years we have been
seeking to conuert English Trade
Unionists to Social Democracy
and we look forward to the forth
coming Trade U&ion congress as
an unique opportunity of carry
ing our doctrines into the very
centre Of our opponents camp.
We therefore earnestly counsel
our comrades of all nations to urge
upon the Trade societies of their
respective countries to send rep
presentatives to the English con-
gress. The English Trade Union
lists must learn by the e xample of
the workers of the continent that,
under normal conditions it is pre-
cisely the best Trade Unionists
who are the most sincere socialists.
It's not a technical trade society,
but social and political party; it
cannot itself as such, participate
in the International Trade Union
congress any more than the depu-
ties of the German Reich stag who
represent the political party of the
social democrats of Germany. We
must both stand aside; but surely
we ought both to help by every
means in our power, those who on
a platform which is not our
own, are nevertheless fighting our
battle.
1t is most essential for the sue
cess of our work of socialist prop
aganda in England that the work.
ers of the continent should make
an imposing demonstration on this
occasion. This will be best done
by sending delegates to London
who, by their numbers, and the
varieties of countries and trade
societies they r.presentawia azPss-
duce a deep impression on the
Trade Unionists of this country.
The foreign delegates by speedily
advocating in a scientific manner
free from wild. violent declama-
tion, but strong in the earnestness
that arises from knowledge and
deep conviction-the socialistic
solutions for the problems dis
cussed will accomplish great
educational work; will dispel the
.-c, ~