The Socialism of to-day

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 835096955

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-28834

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Laveleye, Émile de

Title:: The Socialism of to-day

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Field & Tuer

Year of publication:: 1884

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XLIV, 331 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

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THE RISE AND FALL OF THE INTERNATIONAL. 155 extreme left” The English kept to what was possible under existing circumstances. Should all religions be condemned as hostile to the emancipation of the labourer? The congress refused to pronounce upon the question, the subject not entering into the circle of their inquiries. Ought only working men to be admitted? The French wished to exclude inexor ably “ the brain-workers,” the lawyers and the Journalists, “ all those fine talkers” who make a trade of agitation. The English and the Germans opposed this. It would, in fact, have been to expel all those who had created and were directing the International. The congress also refused to adopt any particular plan of social reorganization, and limited itself to formulating general principles. It thought that, by means of free co-operation, power and capital would at length pass into the hands of working men. However, it urged trades unions not to content, themselves with seeking higher wages, but to unite in order to obtain “ the complete emancipation of the labourer.” A wish was expressed in favour of the independence of Poland ; but a motion “ to stigmatize Russian despotism ” was not admitted. It was also decided to aim at the general reduction of the normal working day to eight hours. Children’s labour could not be entirely prohibited, but it must not exceed a few hours a day, the rest of the time being devoted to education, which the employers were bound to provide. A portion, however, of the children’s wages might be deducted to pay their teachers Finally, resolutions were voted in favour of direct taxation and the suppression of standing armies. This was a reminiscence of the Peace Congress. In 1867 the International began to make its power felt Its victories date from this epoch. The Parisian workers in bronze had formed a union since the year 1864, immediately after the abolition of the law forbidding coalitions. In February, 1867, they struck work, and the employers resolved on a “ lock out,” which threw five thousand workmen out of employment. Three of their delegates went to London to ask aid of the International. The assistance they obtained was scanty enough ; but the employers, thinking that money was

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