the international workingmen’s association (internationale arbeiterassociation) is a society based on social democratic principles, and intended to embrace all the laborers of christendom. the internationalists believe that working-men, having nothing to hope from the higher classes, must fight out their own emancipation. they hold, also, that the interests of labor throughout the civilized world are so vitally connected, that it is necessary for all lands to march together. they are thoroughgoing cosmopolitans.

the following permanent “statutes” (by-laws) were adopted at its first meeting in london, september, 1864, and confirmed at its congress in geneva in 1866:

“in consideration that the emancipation of the laboring classes must be accomplished by the laboring classes, that the battle for the emancipation of the laboring classes does not signify a battle for class privileges and monopolies, but for equal rights and duties, and the abolition of class rule;

“that the economic dependence of the laboring man upon the monopolist of the implements of work, the sources of life, forms the basis of every kind of servitude, of social misery, of spiritual degradation, and political dependence;

“that, therefore, the economic emancipation of the laboring classes is the great end to which every political movement must be subordinated as a simple auxiliary;

“that all exertions which, up to this time, have been directed towards the attainment of this end, have failed on account of the want of[184] solidarity between the various branches of labor in every land, and by reason of the absence of a brotherly bond of unity between the laboring classes of different countries;

“that the emancipation of labor is neither a local nor a national, but a social, problem, which embraces all countries in which modern society exists, and whose solution depends upon the practical and theoretical co-operation of the most advanced lands;

“that the present awakening of the laboring classes in the industrial lands of europe gives occasion for new hope, but at the same time contains a solemn warning not to fall back into old errors, and demands an immediate union of the movements not yet united;

“——, in consideration of all these circumstances, the first international labor congress declares that the international workingmen’s association, and all societies and individuals belonging to it, recognize truth, right, and morality as the basis of their conduct towards one another and their fellow-men, without respect to color, creed, or nationality. this congress regards it as the duty of man to demand the rights of a man and citizen, not only for himself, but for every one who does his duty. no rights without duties; no duties without rights.”

the international resolved to hold yearly congresses. its members have met at geneva at least twice, at basle, at lausanne, at the hague, and other places. it is not necessary to give the history of these different meetings, as they were all of one general character.[179] their importance consists in the repeated emphasis given to the thought of the oneness of the interests of laborers in all civilized states. delegates at the congresses gave reports of progress, of strikes, reductions in labor-time, and of all matters likely to interest the working classes. measures for continuing the propaganda more successfully were discussed. the[185] congress at the hague in 1872 is more important than the others, as it witnessed a split in the ranks of the internationalists. the original international stood under the influence of marx, who was the guiding spirit of its general council, with its seat at london. the whole arrangement was that of a strong government. some were envious of marx, and others—the anarchists—objected to the principles of the organization. bakounine led the opposition, and a new international was formed, based on anarchic principles. instead of a general council, they instituted a federal council. the internationalists of the country where the next congress was to be held carried on the correspondence with the various societies, gathered statistics, etc. thus, their leading body, their central organ (not authority), changed from year to year. each land was left free to conduct its agitation in its own way, and every individual atom, i.e., local organization, was left free to come and go as it pleased. the anarchists, and other adherents of this newer branch, made strenuous efforts to spread their organization, and were particularly successful in spain, where bakounine was their representative. both internationals held congresses in geneva in 1873.

it is often supposed that the international is dead. this is a great mistake. the formal organization of the old international was dissolved in 1875; but the original spirit survived. i am much inclined to think that the association founded by bakounine has still a formal organization, but, however that may be, the international to all intents and purposes is stronger to-day than it ever was before.

membership in the international is one of the conditions of membership in the revolutionary organization[186] of the black hand in spain.[180] prince krapotkine and others were this year condemned to imprisonment for belonging to an international association of laborers, and to-day organizations are being formed in america, with the title of branches of the international association of laborers. at the great mass meeting held in cooper union to honor the memory of karl marx, march 19, 1883, speeches were delivered in english, german, russian, and other languages, to illustrate the spirit of the international, and to impress upon laborers the fact that at such a time no differences existed between them due to the accident of nationality. one of the speakers declared triumphantly to the audience that the spectacle they were then witnessing was conclusive proof that the international still lived. he was right.

the international has caused the governments of europe no inconsiderable alarm at various times, and it is likely that its importance has been overrated. still it must be acknowledged that the existence of such a society, presided over by a man of undoubted ability, spreading itself over europe and america, was in itself a significant fact. its importance must by no means be estimated by the number of its declared adherents or the attendance at its congresses. where one laborer avows himself openly an internationalist, we may be sure that there are twenty holding like views who conceal them from motives of policy. moreover, the society is still in its infancy. it may yet play a r?le in the world’s history.

at present, the international appears like a little[187] cloud on the horizon, no larger than a man’s hand, but it is possible that it points to growths and formations which in the future shall darken the heavens with black and heavy clouds. it is possible, it foreshadows a tragedy of world-wide import, which shall make all the cruelty and terror of the french revolution sink into utter insignificance. it is possible, it portends the destruction of old, antiquated institutions, and the birth of a new civilization in a night of darkness and horror, in which the roll of thunder shall shake the earth’s foundations, and the vivid glare of lightning shall reveal a carnival of bloodshed and slaughter.

these are all possibilities, but let us trust that they are not probabilities. the international workingmen’s association is one of many signs which gives us reason to hope for a continued growth of international relations; and this growth may terminate in that longed-for internationalism, which shall lead to the formation of a world-organization, guaranteeing to the nations of the earth perpetual peace. there are numerous evidences of this development, of which the following are a few examples; the international postal union, international congresses, international courts of arbitration, and the efforts to establish international factory legislation. it was once hoped that free-trade would help on the good work by knitting nation to nation so firmly that they would realize the identity of their interests. in this people have been disappointed. free-trade has united, perhaps, a few great merchants and manufacturers, and led to cosmopolitan feelings among the wealthier classes. the masses have never been affected by questions of international commerce. it may be that an international union between the laborers of all lands will finally force upon[188] men the recognition of the folly and crime of war, and will bring to pass that peace and good-will among men prophesied so long ago.