214

THE  SOCIALISM  OF  TO-DAY.

87  of  the  Code,  interdicted  the  “  International  Association
of  Labourers  ”  in  Denmark.  The  measure  proved  illusory.
The  Socialists  constituted  themselves  under  the  name  of  the
“  Democratic  Association  of  Working  Men,”  and  found  in
a  cabinet-maker,  named  Pihl,  an  energetic  and  dexterous
leader.
Numerous  meetings  took  place  from  time  to  time  in  the
open  air  after  the  English  fashion.  On  the  5th  of  June,  1874,
more  than  fifteen  thousand  working  men  belonging  to  the
different  sections  of  the  International  assembled  at  Diirgarten,
in  the  suburbs  of  Copenhagen.  Trade  banners  and  twentytwo
  red  flags  floated  to  the  wind.  Universal  suffrage  exists
in  Denmark,  but  there  is  only  one  large  town,  the  capital,  and
the  peasants,  of  whom  many  are  proprietors,  form  in  the
Chamber  the  democratic  party.  They  demand  the  strictest
economy  and  simplicity  of  manners,  and  they  object  to  the
expenditure  made  in  the  towns.  They  constitute  a  solid
barrier  against  sudden  and  violent  innovations.  The  Liberal
party  has  also  endeavoured  to  gain  influence  with  the  working
men.  MM.  Rimestod  and  Sonne  have  favoured  the  establishment ­
  of  working  men’s  associations,  similar  to  those  founded
in  Germany,  under  the  inspiration  of  Schulze-Delitzsch  and
Max  Hirsch.  There  are  already  more  than  a  hundred  of  them
scattered  throughout  the  country.  The  Socialist  party  was
rudely  shaken  by  the  dishonesty  of  its  two  chiefs,  Pio  and
Geleff,  who,  under  pretext  of  founding  an  experimental  colony
in  America,  embezzled  the  funds  of  the  Association.  A  female
writer,  Jacquette  Liljenkrantz,  stands  at  the  head  of  the
labour  movement,  to  which  she  has  devoted  her  pen,  her
time,  and  her  resources.  In  many  parts,  following  the  example
in  Russia,  women  are  beginning  to  take  an  active  part  in
Socialist  intrigues.
In  Sweden  the  ground  is  still  less  favourable  for  the  development ­
  of  Socialism,  for  eighty-five  per  cent,  of  the  population ­
  inhabit  the  country,  and  the  families  of  the  cultivators
still  manufacture  many  of  the  articles  which  they  require,  such
as  utensils,  tools,  farming  implements,  cloth,  and  coarse  stuffs-The
  large  system  of  industry  exists  only  in  some  districts.