Engels in Neue Rheinische Zeitung September 1848

Arrests

Source: MECW Volume 7, p. 426;
Written: by Engels on September 11, 1848;
First published: in the Neue Rheinische Zeitung No. 100, September 12, 1848.

Cologne, September 11. We are addressing the following request for information to whichever gentlemen in the Public Prosecutor’s department it may concern:

Is it true that at 8 o'clock yesterday evening Herr Salget and Herr Blum Jr., from Cologne, who had already formed a workers’ association in Cassel, were arrested in Wesseling, by the Burgomaster Herr von Geier, on the instigation of the parson? They had intended to form a workers’ association in Wesseling too, but were arrested before they had even spoken a word in public and before the meeting had begun.

Is it true that the only reason for this arrest, which did in fact take place, was the pastor’s denunciation that the two gentlemen wanted to stir up the workers?

Assuming that this is how matters stand, will the Public Prosecutor take steps to deal with this outrageous infringement of the law or — in expectation of the Radowitz Ministry and of the speedy abolition of the right of free association — will he give H err von Geier a vote of thanks?