The Working Classes On Peace And War: An Address From Those ...

The members of the national Association of Great Britain for promoting the political and socinl improvement of the people, addressed not long ngo to the working classes in F ranee a comnninication on peace, of which tho following extract will show the general drift: "In furtKerance then, of this sacred cause - in tho spirit of brotherhood, in our love of peace and hatred of war, we respectfully submit the following propositions for your considerado, amendment, or approval; hoping that tlicy may form a preliminar bond of fellowsnip, to unite us for every good object tending to advance tho intelügence, rnorality, freedom and happincss of mankind: -I. That wo, the Working Classes of France and England, respectfully present our different legislative bodies with a solemn Protest against all war; as being a principie opposed to morality, religión, and human happiness. "2. That we request ihem to use their influenoe with the nations of the world to rstablish a Conference of Ntions, to be cosnposed of three or four representotives, chosen by the people of their respective countries, lo meet annually, for the purpose of settling all national disputes that may arise, by arbüralion, without having resource to war."3. 1 hat we urge on thom tri devote the enormous sums now expended in war and warlike preparutions to the education and improvcmenl of the pcople of their respectiva countries. "4. That we irnpresson them the necessity of setting an examplc to other nations of that ju.sticp, forbearace, niorality, and religión, which Ihey preach the necessity of to their own people. "5. Tliat we earne.stly beseech them to set the bounds of justicc to iheir acquisilions, of territorv, and seek to atnend their institutions, and improve tlie condition of their peo)lo."'Whcn 1 u.-.s .1 por gjjlj' sal(l 'he Briiisli Dutche.cs ol St. Albnns, 'woiking vpry hard for ihir'ty shill'üigs a weck, T .vent down to ( pool (uring ihc holy-dnys whcre I was alwaysr ki.idly reoeived. I wns 10 pèrform in o piece , 3CVriething hl'." lliose pretfy l::iïe rifTect'ng dramas i!ity crt np now al our minor tlicnirep, and in my diameter l leprotenict! o poor, frientilcss orplian girl, rediiccd to iho most wre'.ched jioverty. heinless irncltsm.-rti proeecïtcs ti.e s.".t heroico fur q heavy debt. nd insisison putting her ín prison. milcsssonie onc wül bc buil lor her. The girl replies 'mIumi I hovfl no hope - I h.ivo not a (rjend in tho worhl.'" What! wili no ono be hail for you to snrE y o u Trom prison'' :ii-!S ilie ttrn crt'litor. 'Í have lold you I have nol n friend on eoilli.' wns my ro!3'. Bui jnst nu I wns ütierfng tho words, I .iw i sailor in the upper illery springing over ilie rnifing. letting himseH Irom one ïiertoanother muil he bouiuiBil clcnr over ihe orcheslra and t')(iligli!3. ui 1 placed himsolf bisidc me in a momeni "Ycs. you shall have onc i'riend, at leosl, my poor young wonnn.' s.iid he. with the greatest expiession in his sunburnt counteüance, '1 will ko bnil for you any nmount. And as ior yan, (turning to frigl-tened acior) i; vou don't benr n liand ond shift your inooring, you Iubber, it will bo worse lor yoa wbfirt I come qthwart your bows.' Evciy crealure in the hoiiec rose: tlie upronr was port'ectly indescribabte: ficals of l.-tughior. screaniig of terror, chcer ffom tawny nirssMviics i iho illery. prepnrntory scrapings _jf vioiins iri the orcliestro, ond amidst ihe unive Rl din, ilvcre stocd the tincotiscious cause of i'. -in lui, n,; im, "tlic pnor riislrcösed young wo'ii:ii).' r,)i breatlitng dcfiance and destruction aflni.nat my nirmn: persecutor. Ife was only pttrstindod to reKhi}tnsH hts care of me by iho nannger's preiondircg f1 nrnvc to resetie me, with a prolapion of thcatrical b.tuk noies.