276 THE CLASS STRUGGLE MARX AND THE INTERNATIONAL 277 ened. In reactionary Central Europe the remaining walls of mediaeval craft domination were rent asunder. Freedom of movement, freedom of labor were victorious over ancient craft rules.
The free play of economic forces began. Capital started on its triumphal march over the European continent.
But at the same time it bore, in the words of Marx, its own gravedigger.
The rapid development of capitalism in the countries of the European continent, awakened the labor movement as well. In France labor and Socialist organizations of the most widely diversified character came into being. In Germany Lassalle agitation culminated in the organization of the Allgemeine Deutsche Arbeiter Verein, and in England the trade union movement grew as it had not grown in 30 years.
In London, in 1862, the World Fair was held, a triumph of a growing capitalist world. At this rendezvous of the bourgeois world, labor, too, played its part. From Germany and France labor delegations were sent to London. Here they met the English workers, and became familiar with a form of economic labor organizations that was practically unknown on the continent. The relations thus established were continued in written communications and discussions. At that time the labor movement in London stood under the influence of persons who used the economic power of the trade unions for political purposes.
The ties that were formed between workingmen of London and Paris during this Exhibition, led to the decision to arrange mutual demonstrations on all international questions that moved the world. The overthrow of the Polish revolt of 1863 led to a protest demonstration that again brought French workers to London. This protest meeting was held on April 1864 in St.
James. Here a committee of English workingmen was elected, which sent a sharp protest to the workers of France, whereupon the latter answered with a second delegation for whose reception a public meeting was arranged on September 28, 1864, in St.
Martin Hall in London. This meeting became the birthplace of the International Workingmen Association.
The meeting was attended by Germans, Poles and Italians as well as by French and English. The chairman was Professor Beesley, who had already made a name for himself by his support of the working class. In his opening speech he expressed the hope that this meeting would lead to the formation of more intimate relations between the workers of the various nations.
He further dwelt upon the autocratic acts of the government, calling upon his hearers to rid themselves of that egoistic sensitiveness that hides under the name of patriotism.
The shoemaker Odger spoke in the name of the English workers.
The English trade unionist, Wheeler, brought in the following resolution. The meeting has received the answer of our French brothers to our appeal. Once more we bid them welcome, and since their program will further the harmony of labor, we accept it as the basis for international unity. At the same time we appoint a committee with the privilege of increasing its membership at will, to draw up the by laws and regulations for such an organization.
This resolution was debated and accepted. The election of the committee was taken up, and among those elected was Karl Marx.
Thus the International Workingmen Association founded.
With the years a legend has gained credence that Marx was the founder of this famous association, that he was its creator and patron. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a matter of fact he came into this organization rather unwillingly and was exceedingly critical of its aims and ideas. In a letter to Engels written at that time Marx draws a vivid picture of the unclear semi bourgeois opinions of the prominent members of the association, and shows how, only after he was convinced of was