152

THE  SOCIALISM  OF  TO-DAY.

his  faculties,  and  also  to  avoid  over-production  and  a  glutted
market.  The  success  of  certain  co-operative  societies  proves
that  working  men  can  manage  even  a  large  concern  without
the  direction  of  an  employer.  The  conclusion  may  therefore
be  drawn  that  wage-earning  is  a  transitory  form  of  labour,  and
that  it  will  soon  give  place  to  the  system  of  association.  This
system,  by  securing  to  the  workman  the  entire  product  of  his
labour,  will  stimulate  his  zeal  and  conduce  to  his  welfare.  To
attain  this  end,  an  understanding  amongst  all  workmen  is
required.  Hence  the  establishment  of  the  International  Association. ­

This  manifesto  contained  nothing  alarming.  Michael
Chevalier  or  J.  S.  Mill,  who  had  both  spoken  of  the  principle
of  association  in  similar  terms,  might  have  signed  it.  The
International  also  affirmed  that  “  the  emancipation  of  the
labourers  must  be  the  work  of  the  labourers  themselves.  This
idea  seemed  an  application  of  the  principle  of  “  self-help  ;  ”  it
enlisted  for  the  new  association,  even  in  France,  the  sympathies
of  many  distinguished  men  who  little  suspected  how  it  was  to
be  interpreted  later  on.  This  affords  a  new  proof  of  the  fact,
frequently  observed,  that  revolutionary  movements  always  go
on  increasing  in  violence.  The  originators  of  the  movement
are  quickly  left  behind.  They  are  thought  lukewarm  and  are
soon  looked  upon  as  traitors.  They  are  replaced  by  the  more
fanatical,  who,  in  their  turn,  are  pushed  aside,  until  the  final
abyss  is  reached  to  which  wild  revolutionary  logic  inevitably
leads.
The  progress  of  the  new  association  was  at  first  very  slow.
A  few  English  working  men’s  societies  joined  it  ;  but  the
Italians  established  in  London,  though  at  first  giving  in  their
adherence,  soon  afterward,  by  the  advice  of  Mazzini,  withdrew.
The  delegate  Lefort,  sent  by  the  general  council  to  Paris,  was
badly  received.  Tolain  and  Fribourg,  who  had  come  to
London  to  explain  the  situation,  could  not  agree  with  Le  Lubez,
who  sent  in  his  resignation.  Harmony  was  aimed  at,  and  the
result  was  discord.  The  congress  which  was  to  have  met  at
Brussels  did  not  take  place,  but,  in  its  stead,  an  ordinary  conference ­
  was  held  in  London,  in  the  month  of  September.  The