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140 THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. 
the party nearer and nearer to the Social Democrats. For the 
purpose of marching together to the poll, the two parties would 
come to an understanding; but when it was a question of 
organizing societies, the conflict of principle inevitably arose. 
Thus, in February, 1878, a general meeting of delegates from 
the miners’ associations was held at Essen. The formation of 
a vast federation, which was to unite the miners of all Germany, 
was under discussion. An oratorical combat of the most lively 
kind soon began between the vicar Laaf and the Socialist 
agitator Herr Hasselmann, whose burning words and incisive 
manner are always enthusiastically received at meetings of 
working men. “ Since you have taken the ‘ Destruction of 
Christianity ’ for your watchword at Berlin,” said the vicar I.aaf, 
“ we can no longer act with you.” Herr Hasselmann replied 
by citing the example of Monseigneur von Ketteler, who had 
acted in a very friendly way towards an association of working 
men in the cigar trade, though founded by the Social Democrat 
Fritsche.* The following day Herr Hasselmann's paper, Die 
Volksstimme, declared that the miners had got the scent of the 
tricks of these intriguers in the black robe, and that they would 
not stand any “ Chaplainocracy.” On their side, the Catholic 
Socialist journals of the province, the Tremonia of Dortmund, 
the Essener Blaeiter, the Essener Volkszeitung, the Rheinisch- 
Westfalischer Volksfreund, flred all their artillery on the Social 
Democrats. The two parties disputed the balance of electoral 
power held in this district by the working men, who were 
employed in large numbers in the coal-mines and iron-works 
there. “ Miners, follow not the flag of the Democrats,” 
exclaimed the Christlich-socialen in chorus ; “ it will lead you to 
your ruin. Range yourselves in a body under the banner of 
the Cross. Therein lies salvation.” 
We have sketched the main features of this debate, because 
r,, Twh hecn elected a deputy. It was on his testi 
mony t t err Bebel relied, in a debate in the German Parliament, when 
fPr L of the advances made by Prince Bismarck to the Socialist party. 
^ of knowing Herr Fritsche,” replied the Chancellor. 
But he IS a deputy, several members exclaimed, amid shouts of laughter. 
** If he IS a deputy, continued Prince Bismarck, “he is incapable of telling 
an untruth, and I adjure him to prove that he has had any relations with