The third International Working Men's Congress met at Brussels last
Sunday, and began by reading the annual report of the Association, which was of a rather vigorous political character. It sneers at the French Government as compelled to " assume Alternately the attitudes of the official Saviour of the Bourgeoisie, -and of the paternal protector of the Proletariat ; " calls the Emperor the " would-be patron " of the Association, and asserts that " the sub-Emperor," M. Rouher, would have recognized the Association, and permitted the circulation of its manifestoes, on condition of introducing "some words of gratitude to the Emperor, who has done so much for the working-classes." This -overture met with a "blank rebuff," and hence the Empire has declared war on the Association, seized its documents,—only recovered through Lord Stanley,—and prosecuted the Paris branch. the report laughs at the French tribunals, which "had the naivete to declare that the existence of the French Empire was incompatible with a working-men's association that dared to proclaim truth, justice, and morality as its leading principles."
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