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Leader (1850-1860), 9th November 1850, Edition Town of 1, Page 777, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      Thus page is accorded to an authentic Exposition of the Onmions an ^ - Acts of the Democracy of Earope : as such we do not impose any restraint on the utterance of opinion , and . therefore , limit our own . responsibility to the authenticity of the statement .

      Untitled Article

      We present to our readers this week the second manifesto of the Central European Democratic Committee , whose first address will be found in the Leader of the 12 th of Octoher . The former document was essentially an appeal to Democratic parties throughout Europe to unite in a common organization for mutual aid and defence ; and it pointed out the common ground of principles upon which that union might be accomplished .

      The document which we present to-day is eminently practical in its nature : it professes to indicate the means by which that organized unity may be attained . Independently of its immediate practical object and import , it will be interesting to the English reader as containing an enunciation of the true idea of Nationality , as entertained , in general , by

      Democracy abroad , —distinguished from the narrow nationalism fostered by dynastic interests on the one hand , and a vague cosmopolitism on the other . We present this second manifesto without additional remark , which we postpone , from a press of matter unconnected with this department of the paper , until next week .

      Untitled Article

      THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE . To the Peoples ! We have invited European Democracy to manifest its existence , that is to say , to organize itself . We have pointed out the common ground on which that organi-Zcition is practicable ; our thought has been understood . Let the men of goodwill , who have from all parts of Europe hastened to adhere to the work of concentration , accept our sincere thanks . As to those who , penetrated by the same idea , ask us by what means it can be realized , we will endeavour to tell them , with regard always to the different conditions of liberty in which their various countries are placed . Let us again specify the object : —

      Just as in the bosom of every state individuality and association , or , in other words , liberty and authority , ought to be represented and harmonized , so also , in every general democratic organization , it is requisite to harmonize and represent nationality and alliance , country and humanity . Without a reconciliation of these two elements , there can be nothing but despotism or anarchy , and we want neither the one nor the other . There were in the last century men who , alarmed by the international conflicts which left traces of blood at every

      pageof the history of mankind , and confounding the narrow nationalism of royal races with the nationality of free and equal Peoples , endeavoured to efface the national idea by a kind of vague cosmopolitism . By so doing they placed the individual , weak and isolated , directly in face of the great problem of universal humanity to be solved ; they proclaimed the object , but suppressed every means of attaining it . This was an exaggerated but unavoidable reaction against a system which had per . verted the parent idea of nationality , substituting for it the hostile interests of some princely families .

      The fundamental idea of nationality is the organization of humanity in homogeneous groups , with a view to the accomplishment of a common duty . Progress of all , development of all the forces imparted to the human race , for the commonweal . Each People is a labourer in the vast common workshop of the world , representing , by its own peculiar aptitudes and tendencies , a special function in the work , the object of which is identical , although the means are varied . Each People is recognized by the other Peoples and loved by them , according to what it accomplishes for the advantage of all . It is to humanity what the distribution of labour is to production .

      The definition of the common duty is the work of all ; it is the charter of humanity ; and the day will come when it will be elaborated in a congress formed by the representatives of all free Peoples . The choice of means belongs to every People . It is the charter of nations ; they alone can determine it . Under the inspiration of the general thought each will determine the special mission which it has to accomplish in the world . These are the bases on which the organization of Democracy ought to be founded . Every organization having the conquest of the future in view ought to represent that future in its essential conditions .

      In order , therefore , that the organization may be complete , it is necessary that , in the bosom of every nation , and on the common ground v * e have indicated , a reconciliation and fusion of all fractions of the Democratic party should be carried out , without , however , interfering with the study of special questions—economical and social . From this internal labour of reconciliation and fusion ought to emanate a National Cani ~ mittee , as a true and regular expression of the wants , desires , and general tendencies of the country . It is then that the delegates of the National Committees will constitute the Central Committee of European Democracy .

      It should be well understood that the men who at present compose this committee , who collectively sign these appeals , consider themselves merely as precursors . If they have taken the initiative , it is because somebody must initiate the work which no one hitherto had at ' tempted to commence . They will continue their labours until the organized national democracies are prepared to proclaim their sovereign will . To give a uniform impulse to the great European organization , to originate the apostleship of ideas which

      ought to bring into a close union the different members of the human family ; to provide the necessary guarantees , so that no revolution shall betray or desert the banner of fraternity , by isolating itself ; so that no revolution shall ever violate , by a fatal ambition , the rights of internal life belonging to each People ; so that no revolution shall die from abandonment , under the concentration of leagued aristocracies ;—these are the duties of the present committee . To it also it belongs to prepare men ' s minds for international brotherhood , until the definitive compact of all emancipated nations shall

      appear . Lastly , it is its duty to give the signal for a common awakening of the Peoples . The duty of the National Committees will be to elaborate the preparatory means destined to facilitate the internal development of each nation . When circumstances shall require , the Central Committee will summon all the most intelligent and devoted men of Democracy to a supreme manifestation . There are two ways by which the National Committees may be formed . In the first , the initiative comes from above , and embraces the masses ; in the second , from belowand creates a unity by elected chiefs . Both are

      , good : the selection ought to depend upon the peculiar circumstances in which each country is placed . With Peoples whose organization is already advanced —with whom the absence of irritating questions , and the proclamation of a national object , render adhesion easy to foresee , the first method is the most expeditious . Let some known and devoted men embody in themselves the national mission ; let them boldly become its interpreters . With their hands upon their hearts , free from all egotism and personal vanity , let them proclaim themselves organizers ; they will be followed . Whenever a power reveals itself by truth , by sacrifice and determination , it is acknowledged and accepted .

      With Peoples , on the other hand , whose elements being more divided by the multitude or rivalry of schools , unification cannot be quickly enough accomplished , let the movement begin from below ; let it begin on every point where there is a germ of devotedness and energy to be found—wherever men meet who wish for good , and believe both in the future of the cause and in themselves let that organization at once commence . Let them understand each other ; let them rally themselves together , and gradually propagate discipline and organization ; let regular relations be established amongst these fraternal groups . Let them recollect the three shepherds of Switzerland , the twelve Apostles of Christ ; and let them work on as if the whole cause of the People were centred in themselves .

      There exists at present , as everything testifies , an immense desire for unification in the bosom of the Democratic masses ; the People will drag after itself the leading men—the army will choose its chiefs . And let this task of unity be publicly performed , in the broad light of day , with the calm and resolute courage of faith , in those parts of Europe in which , as in France , legal modes of expression are not all exhausted . Let it be secretly accomplished in countries where silence is the common law : catacombs or forums—every place is good in which to labour for the triumph of justice . The Central Committee will never leave those groups of the militant church who may accept its initiative , without the aid of a common inspiration—without counsel and fraternal words .

      Close and indissoluble ties must be everywhere and unremittingly established amongst the men of futurity . Brethren , think of those who suffer—of those Peoples who die under the knife . Remember that every day of torpor allows the aristocracies to pollute with a . fresh stain the noble banner of the Revolution . Let , therefore , all mistrust , all indifference disappear before the great idea of a common duty . Thus will vanish , under our united efforts , those accusations of anarchy which are daily directed against us from the camp of our enemies . They havn nothing but interest to pursue , whilst principles guide us ; interests divide , principles alone rally ; we arc , therefore , the party of unity . In three months Europe must know this . On that day wo shall be triumphant . For the Central European Democratic Committee , Lkdhu-Rollin . JosKi'Jt Mazzini . A . Da . ua . sx , Delegate of the Polish Democratic ( Jentralizntion . Aun'OU ) Rugk , Member of the National Assembly at Frankfort . Loiidon , October 20 , 18 . 30 .

      Untitled Article

      WORKING ASSOCIATIONS OF PARIS . The Chairmakers . This association occupies two or three stories on both sides of the court , and is decidedly the most flourishing and extensive in Paris . It is difficult to know which to admire most , the skill and industry of the men or the excellent good feeling that reigns among them , which is truly the characteristic of all the three associations in this court where real fraternity may be seen in daily practice . We were conducted over the extensive workshops , and explained the various steps in making chairs and seats of every kind , and we found every department as well denned and arranged as in the largest

      establishments of our own country ; the division of labour was carried on in every branch ; all were hard at work with cheerful countenances . We were greeted at every step with the welcome bonjour , citoyen , and many a shake of the hand , while above and below the court outside resounded with the songs of these brave pioneers in the industrial army of progress , songs which we understood were all composed by members of the establishment . The gerant , Citizen Auguste Antoine , explained to us with great clearness and eloquence the principles upon which the association was founded ; that

      the members were on a perfect footing of equality , obeying only the laws agreed to at the general assembly , and executed by the gerant and other officers elected annually by the whole society ; all are paid according to the work in respect of quantity and quality , and the profits are divided in proportion to the amount of wages gained by each member ; this method he insisted upon as being necessary under existing circumstances for the real prosperity and success of any similar undertaking . I explained to him that they wanted but one thing to make them the first business in France , and that was Taylor and Jordan ' s steam lathe for copying any pattern of carving on wood or

      stone . The association commenced in November , 1848 , with six members , subscribing what funds they could , and which have been since repaid them . There are now 180 members , including about 80 adherents not yet admitted into the establishment , besides upwards of 100 paid workmen . They received the last 1500 f . of the three million grant , and in January , 1850 , after having repaid all deposits previously made , the interest of ten per cent , on the profits of the preceding October , the rent and all expenses of trade and management , the society possessed a profit of more than 9000 f . ( £ 360 ) to be divided among the members in proportion to their salaries , reserving a small sum for the expenses of the ensuing year .

      The Upholsterers . This association makes up for home trade and exportation all kinds of materials for furnishing rooms—seats , beds , curtains , and decorations of every sort ; and sends workmen to those who wish to have their rooms furnished and decorated at home . The following account is from the official documents of the society . It was formed in December , 1848 , in a sort of shed adjoining the house of one of the members , and its first order came from Citizen Guinard , the member of the Constituent Assembly , and , not having money

      sufficient to purchase the velvet required , the members raised lOOf . by pawning their little property . From December to May business was so dull that three-quarters of the time not a single member was employed ; but , instead of losing courage , they transferred their establishment to the ( Jour St . Joseph , rightly judging that they would receive the sympathy and assistance of the Chairmakers' Association , whose business is intimately connected with their own . So poor were they at this time that the only furniture in their establishment was a carpenter ' s bench , two pair of trestles , and three rickutty stools , but not a single chair to offer their

      customers . Their first employment hero brought them in 35 f . to each member for a fortnight , out of which they deducted 5 f . as a reserve fund , making in all * 100 f ., which , added to the 190 f . arising out of their previous transactions , formed a capital of 290 f . ( £ 11 10 s . ) The following table shows the results of their proceedings from the 1 st of Muy to the 1 st of September , 1819 : — llusinoHS transacted to the amount of lSlilf . 15 c . Alumburs' contributions at various periods , H 3 f . 80 c . Stock in warehouses 4 Ijr > f . 85 c . DebUduu ~ 'K ) 45 Cash in hand 8 75 ( l !) f ) 05 Owed by society lOfi 00 Jialunci ! in hand 081 05 They could now obtain credit from the tradesmen to a small amount , but throughout September they made no more iluiu «' J 13 f . worth , imd lost 150 f .

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      AND ITS OFFICIAL ACTS .

      Untitled Article

      Nov . 9 , 1850 . ] © f > e JLeaimr . 777

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 9, 1850, page 777, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1858/page/9/