HELD IN LONDON FROM JULY 14 TO JULY 20.
[From Liberty's Special Correspondent.]
[From Liberty's Special Correspondent.]
AMSTERDAM, Holland, July 28. - Though congresses are always a part of parliamentary tradition and therefore illogical as well as inconsistent with true revolutionary and anarchical principles, we may, by reviewing the work of the past International Revolutionary Congress, avow, with satisfaction and enthusiasm, over the prospect of the future, that it had nothing in common with speech-congresses; that it was the manifestation of of earnest men and women with earnest intentions; and that one result attained, - the reconstitution of the International Association of Working People, which arose, like the Phoenix from the ashes, a thousand times stronger and better than before, - would alone have amply contented all expectations.
The Congress was opened on Thursday, July 14, at 8 A. M., in the exclusive presence of the fifty-four delegates, representing 320 federations of groups composed of 600,000 organized members. The countries represented were France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Egypt, England, Mexico, and the United States (America was comparatively well represented, having as many as five delegates).
No presidents, no vice-presidents, etc. Three secretaries officiated: one for taking note of the numbers of those wishing to speak; one for translating speeches from foreign languages, one for preparation of the minutes.
The strictest secrecy was maintained throughout, and delegates were designated only by numbers, though of course many already knew each other personally. After the close of the Congress, a public meeting was held at Cleveland, and only then did the easily-frightened bourgeoisie of London learn what a disagreeable guest they had harbored.
All the principal decisions of the Congress were taken unanimously, though no votes, in common sense of the word, were cast, it being agreed that, not recognizing the right of a majority, only adhesions should be recorded, giving the different factions the opportunity to announce their particular notions of each question. The first two days were spent in listening to the reports of different countries, giving their situations from the general and revolutionary standpoint, statistics of our forces and those of our adversaries, etc. The third day was occupied in the discussion of the principal object, the reconstitution of the old International, to which all, after a debate of fifteen consecutive hours (we worked each day 10 A. M. to 1 A. M.), agreed on the new basis of autonomy of the groups and individuals composing the association, each country forming at the same time a complete, autonomous sub-organization, the only general connection of the parts being an international information and statistical office at --------, conducted by three members, thus disabling individuals, through any centralization whatever, from attaining any undue influence or authority in the association, and, further, relieving the International of the danger incurred under the former constitution of being beheaded and disorganized by the arrest of a central authority.
No group or individual is bound to recognize the general information office, all having the right to correspond and federate for certain purposes among themselves directly, without the intermediation of the office. The only and all-absorbing object of the international will henceforth be the Social Revolution.
The following days were occupied with particular consideration in reference to this object, the means to employ, the modes of action, etc., for the different countries. You will appreciate my reasons for keeping silent on these points. The Congress, at its close, adopted a series of resolutions, elaborated by delegates No. 9, No. 13, and No. 22, and embodying the work of the Congress, laying particular stress on the agitation of the peasantry (an agitation to be adapted to their particular needs and requirements), the recommendation of the study of chemistry, electricity, and all the sciences offering the means of defense and destruction, the establishment of clandestine periodicals and literature for those countries where open agitation is impossible, etc.
I am sure that the London Congress will in future history mark the beginning of a new period, the period of the solution of the social question, the only question worthy of the attention of men, the only question truly existing, which, like the Gordian knot, admits no other resolution than the sword. The London Congress means the beginning of the Social Revolution, of the inevitable, sublime-terrible hurricane, purifying the present heavy-laden atmosphere and dispersing the clouds from that divine picture: Universal Happiness and Universal Freedom.
The Congress was opened on Thursday, July 14, at 8 A. M., in the exclusive presence of the fifty-four delegates, representing 320 federations of groups composed of 600,000 organized members. The countries represented were France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Egypt, England, Mexico, and the United States (America was comparatively well represented, having as many as five delegates).
No presidents, no vice-presidents, etc. Three secretaries officiated: one for taking note of the numbers of those wishing to speak; one for translating speeches from foreign languages, one for preparation of the minutes.
The strictest secrecy was maintained throughout, and delegates were designated only by numbers, though of course many already knew each other personally. After the close of the Congress, a public meeting was held at Cleveland, and only then did the easily-frightened bourgeoisie of London learn what a disagreeable guest they had harbored.
All the principal decisions of the Congress were taken unanimously, though no votes, in common sense of the word, were cast, it being agreed that, not recognizing the right of a majority, only adhesions should be recorded, giving the different factions the opportunity to announce their particular notions of each question. The first two days were spent in listening to the reports of different countries, giving their situations from the general and revolutionary standpoint, statistics of our forces and those of our adversaries, etc. The third day was occupied in the discussion of the principal object, the reconstitution of the old International, to which all, after a debate of fifteen consecutive hours (we worked each day 10 A. M. to 1 A. M.), agreed on the new basis of autonomy of the groups and individuals composing the association, each country forming at the same time a complete, autonomous sub-organization, the only general connection of the parts being an international information and statistical office at --------, conducted by three members, thus disabling individuals, through any centralization whatever, from attaining any undue influence or authority in the association, and, further, relieving the International of the danger incurred under the former constitution of being beheaded and disorganized by the arrest of a central authority.
No group or individual is bound to recognize the general information office, all having the right to correspond and federate for certain purposes among themselves directly, without the intermediation of the office. The only and all-absorbing object of the international will henceforth be the Social Revolution.
The following days were occupied with particular consideration in reference to this object, the means to employ, the modes of action, etc., for the different countries. You will appreciate my reasons for keeping silent on these points. The Congress, at its close, adopted a series of resolutions, elaborated by delegates No. 9, No. 13, and No. 22, and embodying the work of the Congress, laying particular stress on the agitation of the peasantry (an agitation to be adapted to their particular needs and requirements), the recommendation of the study of chemistry, electricity, and all the sciences offering the means of defense and destruction, the establishment of clandestine periodicals and literature for those countries where open agitation is impossible, etc.
I am sure that the London Congress will in future history mark the beginning of a new period, the period of the solution of the social question, the only question worthy of the attention of men, the only question truly existing, which, like the Gordian knot, admits no other resolution than the sword. The London Congress means the beginning of the Social Revolution, of the inevitable, sublime-terrible hurricane, purifying the present heavy-laden atmosphere and dispersing the clouds from that divine picture: Universal Happiness and Universal Freedom.
DELEGATE NO. 22
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