Page:Zelda Kahan - The Life and Work of Friedrich Engels (1920).pdf/20

16 Brussels. He did this partly because his family and friends hindered his Communist work in his native town, but chiefly because he wanted to work out together with Marx their common philosophic and economic principles. Here in Brussels they worked out together their scientific system of Socialism, whilst at the same time endeavouring to bring the existing working-class movement to class consciousness, and to place it on the foundation of their theoretical system.

Their first work here was a criticism of the later Hegelian philosophy, which was a definite break with the contemporary German philosophy. This book, in two volumes, which was never published on account of a literary boycott of Marx's works in Germany, served the useful purpose of clearing their own thoughts, and giving them a sure grasp of their theories. And this accomplished, they went to work practically as well as theoretically.

They established a German Labour Union in Brussels, and took a leading part in conducting the Deutschen-Brusseler Zeitung. At the same time they kept up a close and constant connection with the revolutionary elements of English Chartism and with the French Social-Democrats through the journal Reforme, to which Engels supplied news of the English and German movements. They also became associated with the "League of the Just," which ultimately, under the influence of Marx's and Engels' teaching, developed into the International Communist League.

In the summer of 1847 the League met in congress in London to adopt a new constitution and program. Engels was present as the representative of the Paris group. In November of the same year the Congress met again to discuss the question of issuing a manifesto of its ideas and aims. The draft suggested by Marx and Engels was discussed very fully for ten days, and finally they were commissioned to prepare it for publication.

From a letter from Engels to Marx in November, 1847, we see that it was Engels who was responsible for the title of the manifesto. "Reflect a bit on the confession of faith," he writes. "I think we would do best to do away with the catechism form and entitle the thing 'Communist Manifesto.' Since a certain amount of history must be related therein, the form we have so far adopted is quite unsuitable. I am bringing along the copy I have drawn up; it is simply a statement, but wretchedly put together in very great haste. …" Then follows the headings of the various points with which the manifesto deals.

Under their influence the sentimental cry of the old Utopians—"All men are brothers’"—was replaced by the living battle-cry of "Workers of all countries unite." The manifesto was published in 1848, and it meant the public unfurling of the banner of modern Socialism. In the Marx pamphlet we have already dealt with this manifesto. We shall, therefore, not stop to analyse it again here—only one quotation