The actively political portion of the working-class, on the other
hand,—a very small portion, by the way, —is generous to rashness in the exuberance of its sympathy with the young Republic. Lad by Professor Beesly and Dr. Congreve, a certain number of London working-men have declared that the duty of England is active intervention if Germany persists in her demands. At a meeting held on Thursday night, at the Sussex Hotel, Bouverie Street, a resolution embodying this declaration was carried, after a very warm discussion, by "a large majority." It was carried, too, after speeches in which it was contended that it would be rather a trifling matter than otherwise for England to embark in this war against the hugest of European Powers ! Twenty thousand men, landed in Normandy, might probably be enough ! Professor Beesly and the other instructors of the work- ing-classes in politics have as perfect a right to advocate a war policy as any other they think right, but hardly to recommend that policy by the most sanguine illusions. There is an old saying, for which Professor Beesly has evidently no great regard, but which all politicians are obliged to respect, and even working-men, if they would be true politicians,—" What king going to make war against another king sitteth not down first and oonsulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand " ? How much more, if it should be
whether he be able with 20,000 to meet him that cometh against him with 200,000?
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