The meeting at South Place Chapel, 19th March, to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Paris Commune, was characterised by an intense earnestness far more significant than noisy enthusiasm, although that too was not lacking at due intervals. The resolution that—The struggle so nobly sustained by the Communards in 1871 should never cease until Labour had been freed from class domination—was carried unanimously. Stirring speeches were made by C. W. Mowbray (in the chair), D. J. Nicoll, H. H. Sparling, Wm. Morris, Mrs. Marx-Aveling, P. Kropotkine, and J. Turner. Morris expressed the opinion that the Socialists’ great opportunity would come through the labour war now being waged, but bade them remember that we must be prepared to see the workers confronted by the red coats as our masters would not give up their position at the blast of a horn. He concluded with the admonition, “Workers of all countries unite to win your freedom."
Speech on the anniversary of the Paris Commune, as reported by Freedom
Freedom, April 1890, Vol. 4, No. 41, p.15