People’s Assembly in Worringen

[„Neue Rheinische Zeitung“  
No. 106, September 19, 1848]

Cologne, September 18. Yesterday, a large people’s assembly took place near Worringen. From Cologne five or six large Rhine barges, each with a few hundred people, the red flag at the prow, had sailed down the Rhine. More or less numerous deputations were present from Neuss, Düsseldorf, Krefeld, Hitdorf, Frechen, and Rheindorf. The assembly, held on a meadow on the Rhine, numbered at least 6,000 to 8,000 people.

Karl Schapper of Cologne was appointed president, Friedrich Engels of Cologne secretary. In response to the chairman’s question, the assembly declared itself, with all votes against one, for the republic, specifically the democratic-social republic, the red republic.

On the proposal of Ernst Dronke of Cologne, the same address to the Berlin Assembly that had been adopted the previous Wednesday on the Frankenplatz in Cologne (in which the Assembly was called upon, in the event of a dissolution, not to yield even to the force of bayonets) was also unanimously adopted by the Worringen assembly.

On the proposal of Joseph Moll of Cologne, the Committee of Safety elected at a public people’s assembly in Cologne was recognised, and on the motion of a member of the assembly three cheers were given for it.

On the proposal of Friedrich Engels of Cologne, the following address was unanimously decided upon:

To the German National Assembly in Frankfurt.

The citizens of the German Reich here assembled hereby declare that if, as a result of the refusal of the Prussian government to comply with the decisions of the National Assembly and the Central Authority, a conflict should arise between Prussia and Germany, they will stand by Germany with life and property.

Worringen, September 17, 1848

On the motion of Schultes of Hitdorf, it was resolved that the “Kölnische Zeitung” does not represent the interests of the Rhine Province.

Speeches were also made by W. Wolff of Cologne, F. Lassalle of Düsseldorf, Esser of Neuss, Weyll, Wachter, Becker and Reichhelm of Cologne, Wallraf of Frechen, Müller, member of the Worringen Workers’ Association, Leven of Rheindorf, Imandt of Krefeld. The meeting concluded with a short address by Henry Brisbane of New York, the well-known editor of the democratic-socialist “New York Tribune”.

During the meeting it was communicated from a reliable source that it was intended “on Tuesday to have the 27th Regiment march back into Cologne, to call in the other battalions of the regiment as well, to provoke the soldiers into quarrels with the citizens, on that occasion to proclaim a state of siege in the city, to disarm the civic guard, and, in short, to treat us in Mainz fashion”.

In the event that this report should prove truly founded, that a clash should occur, the inhabitants of the surrounding area present promised the people of Cologne their help. Indeed, the people of Worringen are merely waiting for the summons to appear.

This for the information of the ex-commander of the civic guard, Mr. Wittgenstein.

17.

[Resolution of the People’s Assembly in Cologne  
in Connection with the Frankfurt Rising]

[„Neue Rheinische Zeitung“  
No. 110, September 23, 1848]

Reprint requested!

PROCLAMATION!

The citizens of the Reich, assembled in a people’s assembly in Cologne on 20 September,

Considering

that the resolution of the Frankfurt National Assembly of the 16th, approving the dishonourable armistice with Denmark, is a betrayal of the German people and of the honour of German arms,

declare:

Art. 1. The members of the so-called Frankfurt National Assembly, with the exception of those who have declared themselves ready to resign to the people, are traitors to the people;

Art. 2. The Frankfurt barricade fighters have rendered good service to the fatherland.

This proclamation is to be distributed as widely as possible by means of posters and the press.

Contributions for the support of the insurgents and their families will be received by the dispatch office of the Neue Rheinische Zeitung.

18.

[Notice of the Managers of the “Neue Rheinische Zeitung”  
concerning the Ban on the Paper]

Special Supplement of 28 September

TO OUR HONOURED SUBSCRIBERS!

As a result of the state of siege declared for Cologne, in which the pen must be subordinated to the sabre, the

“NEUE RHEINISCHE ZEITUNG”

is forbidden to appear and is unable for the time being to meet its obligations towards its honoured subscribers.

We may, however, hope that the exceptional state will last only a few more days, and we shall then, in the course of October, be able to deliver our paper to our subscribers all the more punctually in enlarged format, supported by fresh and substantial means, for we shall in a short time have it printed by means of a new high-speed press.

Cologne, 28 September 1848  
THE MANAGERS