THE WORKINGMEN'S LEAGUE 200
ministered the pension fund, directed the propaganda, levied
assessments, conducted elections, and kept in touch with the
local Gemeinde. A Commission on Admissions (Aufnahme¬
kommission) consisting of the president, secretary, and leader of
the propaganda held office on indefinite tenure; it was expected to
meet weekly to pass on applications for membership. Women
were eligible but were expected to maintain a separate health-
insurance fund. The constitution closed with admonitions to the
members to attend meetings regularly and to observe a dignified
procedure. Significantly, it also described a method for expelling
undesirables.
The constitution represented an incredible mixture of minute
regulations and eloquent propaganda and was intended to deal
with every conceivable detail. Its grandiose proposal for a pension
fund was expected to yield the fantastic total of nearly $2,500,000
in ten years. Weitling readily admitted that his whole structure
rested on faith and high moral principles and was designed to en
noble the human species. Though he had failed utterly to provide
sound means for implementing his ambitious program, he seemed
completely satisfied with his handiwork. He convinced himself
that the movement was progressing as a practical program, for it
combined all the useful precepts of all the reformers. And though
the masses might lack faith and the "sophists" oppose his plans, he
was proud and confident of his achievement: he had founded an
Arbeiterbund open to "communist, socialist, Democrat, Repub
lican, Catholic, Jew, Protestant, and Atheist" alike, provided they
subscribed to its general insurance program and paid their dues
promptly. With such an organization, he expected to revolutionize
America within a few years.
Beginning in April, 1852, Die Republik der Arbeiter reported
regularly on the membership lists and the funds that were received
from a surprisingly wide area, from New England to Texas, and
from New York to Iowa. These lists continued to be impressive
well into 1854. In addition, the paper carried reports of organiza
tions which had resolved to join in a body and of special balls and