Year: 1872




When the Hon. George +. Hoar, of Mas
sachusetts, introduced his bill into Congress
for the appointment of Labor Commits
sion, he made some favorable illusions to
the International, which created no little
tiutter among many of his friends, and
gave rise to some not very Hattering COM
ments. The report upon which these were
mostly founded was, in many respects, in
correct, and Mr.. Hoar has since explained
his views more clearly, and in a man
ner which well defines the leading
principles of that great organization which,
in spite of its being as yet very imperfectly
understood, promises soon to exercise no
small influence upon the action of govern
ments. Mr.. Hoar approves of the lnterna-
tional upon four grounds: First, because it
recognizes that there is a relation existing
between men of all nationalities which is
stronger than that which binds any man to
his government; second, because it resists
the action of rulers i'll using the working
classes to promote and carry on war: third,
because it proposes TO accumulate informa-
| ton respecting the condition of the working
men and fourth, because it demands univer-
sal education at the public expense. He
has clearly given the subject all the consd-
Grafton available, and it may lessen the
alarm of some people to know that man
of Mr.. Hoar's competency and standing
can, after careful study, find no more dam
gerous principles in the International than
those here defined. He sees nothing sub
versive of society, nothing incendiary, no
symptoms of the terrorism of the Com
mune, but only those four propositions as
fully agreed upon, which he is ready at
once to approve and indorse. And he does
approve them.


Perhaps it is hardly to be expected, but
it is certainly much to be desired that new
or comparatively new theories could always
be Judged as impartially and with as much
intelligence as Mr.. Hoar brought into his
examination of the International. Progress
would certainly be more rapid, and good
cause would not be covered with obloquy
only because it is new. The reasons
which upon his own showing induced Mr..
Hoar to become friend to the present
movement, should, however, upon his
definition, draw away many more from
old preiudices into more candid recognition
of the merits of the International doc
trines, which, whatever may be urged to
the contrary, are founded upon nothing else
but Justice between man and man. An
elaborate argument was used few even
ings since in one eff our leading lecture halls,
to show that the tendency of society is to.
ward universal brotherhood. No thought
full man can doubt this. The time must be
distant-not, perhaps, as distant as many
| thinl-when the consuinmation is to be re-
allied !; but no man can read the signs of the
times and not see that the tendency of civ
ilization is to beat down ancient barriers, ant
to bring the whole human race more init
mately together as one vast family witt
different associations, different pursuits, bu
with everywhere common interests. Nor dt
we think that there are many people wht
would like to admit that such consumma
ton would not be desirable. TO hasten j
then is the sole purpose of the Information
al, and Mr.. Hoar not only judges the soci
ETY. wisely, but he also marks the sound
ness of his own principles by giving it hi
countenanee and support. The lnterna
tional proposes to effect no subversion il
society except of that which is bad, unjus
and dangerous to the peace of the nations
1t was only against wrong and IN the estab
ment and maintenance of right. If 1t
principles are opposed to much that j
prevalent among us now, they stand upol
equity, and from that basis they must com
mand the favor of all men who will care
fully and impartially consider them.