International Workingmen’s Association 1864
From the Minute Book of the General Council
Source: MECW, Volume 20;
First published: in Russian, in Generalny Sovet Pervogo Internatsionala. 1864-1866 and 1866-1868, 1961 and 1963.
The first meeting of the Committee, elected by the public meeting held at St. Martin’s Hall on the 28th of September 1864, was held at 18, Greek St. Soho, on October 5th, 1864, and on the motion of Mr. Weston, seconded by Mr. Whitlock, Mr. Odger was voted to the chair.
The Chairman said the first business was the appointment of a secretary to the Committee when Dr. Marx proposed and Mr. Whitlock seconded that Mr. Cremer be appointed.
Mr. Cremer would prefer the appointment of M. Le Lubez who was he believed in every way qualified to fill the office.
M. Le Lubez having for various reasons declined the office, Mr. Cremer was unanimously elected. [...]
A very long and animated discussion then took place with regard to the principles on which the Association should be based, and ultimately on the motion of Mr. Dell, seconded by Mr. Trimlett, a sub-committee of 9 were appointed to draw up a platform of principles, such principles to be discussed at the next meeting of the General Committee.
The following were then elected as the Sub-Committee: Messrs. Whitlock, Weston, Dr. Marx, M. Le Lubez, Major Wolff, Mr. Holtorp, and Mr. Pidgeon, the Chairman and Secretary to be members by virtue of their offices.
Dr. Marx then read the Preamble, Address and Rules which the Sub-Committee had definitely agreed on and which they recommended to the Central Council for adoption.
Mr. Whitlock thought some explanation (in the form of a footnote) should be given as to the terms “nitrogen” and “carbon”.
Messrs. Carter, Grossmith and others spoke in favour of the Address.
Mr. Whitlock proposed, Mr. Carter seconded: That the Address do pass as read.
As an amendment Mr. Worley proposed and Mr. Wheeler seconded: That the word “profitmongers” be erased.
For amendment — 11, for resolution — 10. The amendment being carried, the word “profitmongers” was struck out and the Address was unanimously agreed to.
Dr. Marx then read the Preamble, and on the motion of Mr. Wheeler, seconded by Blackmore, it was carried unanimously.
The Rules were then discussed, and on the proposition of Mr. Dell, seconded by Whitlock, the Preamble, Address and Rules were unanimously agreed to.
Mr. Wheeler then proposed and Mr. Dell seconded that the thanks of the Central Council be given to Dr. Marx, Mr. Weston and M. Le Lubez for their exertions and the production of so admirable an address. Carried unanimously.
Dr. Marx proposed, Mr. Jung seconded, that any person not being able to attend the meetings cannot be a member of this Council.
Dr. Marx called attention to the reports in the Morning Star and Bee-Hive of the last meeting and complained that in such reports one of the fundamental principles of the Association, viz., truth, had been violated; he also complained of the Address having been published without the sanction of the Committee.[251]
The Secretary [Cremer] explained that he had nothing to do with the reports, at which he was very much surprised; he believed Mr. Hartwell had supplied the reports in question.
To obviate the recurrence of such erroneous reports Dr. Marx proposed, Mr. Fontana seconded:
That the Secretary purchase a manifold writer and for the future all reports for the press be sent through the Secretary.
Mr. Aldovrandl proposed and Mr. Carter seconded:
That Dr. Marx be requested to correct the typographical errors in the Address and that 500 copies of the Address, Programme [Preamble] and Rules be printed. Carried unanimously.
Mr. Cremer then proposed, M Le Lubez seconded: That 1,000 [copies of the] Address and Rules be printed. Carried unanimously. [...]
A long discussion then took place with regard to the terms on which organised bodies should be received into the Association, and ultimately on the motion of Dr. Marx, seconded by Mr. Blackmore, the question was adjourned to the next meeting.'
Dr. Marx then brought up the report of the Sub-Committee, also a draft of the address which had been drawn up for presentation to the people of America congratulating them on their having re-elected Abraham Lincoln as President. The address is as follows and was unanimously agreed to:
Mr. Wheeler proposed, Le Lubez seconded:
That the names of all those who are present be appended to the address, also those who are absent and are willing to endorse the views set forth in the address.'
Mr. Fox then read the address which he proposed should be adopted by the British Section of the Association and then transmitted to the National Government of Poland.[252]
A long discussion took place consequent on certain statements contained in the address and which statements were opposed by Mr. Jung Le Lubez, Dr. Marx and supported by Mr. Carter.
Mr. Fox replied defending the statement that the traditional foreign policy of France had been favourable to the restoration and independence of Poland.
Mr. Cremer thought it important that the truth of this statement should be ascertained and would propose that the further consideration of the address be deferred till the next meeting.
[The report about this Central Council meeting published in The Bee-Hive, December 17, 1864, has:
“Mr. Fox then brought up the address from the British Section of the Association to the National Government of Poland, when a very long and animated discussion took place, in which the following members took part — Messrs. Le Lubez, Holtorp, Cremer, Marx, Carter, Weston, Jung, the latter opposing a statement set forth in the address, viz., that the traditional foreign policy of France had been favourable to the restoration and independence of Poland. Karl Mary and 11Y. Le Lubez also agreeing that while the foreign policy, of France had appeared to favour such an object, in reality [it] had not, especially during the time of the first Napoleon, when the Poles had been used for his military ambition, and then cast aside. Mr. Fox defended the address and ably, contended for the retention of the passage referring to the traditional foreign policy of France towards Poland, and it was ultimately, agreed as the question was an important one that its further consideration be deferred till the next meeting."]
Mr. Morgan seconded the motion. Carried unanimously.
Mr. Cremer read a letter from Mr. Adams, the United States Minister, suggesting that the address to President Lincoln be sent to him, Mr. Adams, instead of being brought.
Dr. Marx proposed, Mr. Fontana seconded, that the Secretary send the address to Mr. Adams.
Mr. Worley proposed, Mr. Wheeler seconded, that Mr. Adams be again appealed to receive the deputation.
For amendment — 5, for resolution — 13.
Mr. Fox then resumed his defence of the address to the Polish National Government and in an able address contended for the truth of the assertions therein contained, after some discussion it was agreed to adjourn the question till next meeting.
Mr. Fox stated in the absence of Dr. Marx he should defer any, discussion on the address to the National Government of Poland.
251 Marx is referring to the publication of the “Inaugural Address of the Working Men’s International Association” in The Bee-Hive Newspaper, November 5, 1864, with misprints in the text.
252 The National Government of Poland was set up in May 1863, during the national liberation insurrection of January 1863-May 1864. Moderate and radical elements predominated in it alternately. This government headed the struggle of the Polish insurgents until mid-October 1863, when it handed over leadership to a military, dictator. It had its representatives abroad from among Polish refugees who continued to regard themselves as such even after the defeat of the insurrection.