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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 Asso 
ciation. 
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 con 
ference was held in London, in the month of September. The