Written on 04 December 2012.

1st International Congress 1889 - pre-Congress notices from Manchester

1st International Congress 1889
Cologne, Germany

From The Vegetarian Messenger (Manchester), July, 1889, p181:

INTERNATIONAL VEGETARIAN CONGRESS AT COLOGNE. - As will be seen more fully from the report in our later pages, a congress is being organised by the German Vegetarian Society, to be held at Cologne from the 14th to 16th September inclusive. The Vegetarian Society will be represented by the Rev. Professor J. E. B. Mayor, M.A., the Rev. James Clark, Mr. William E. A. Axon, F.R.S.L., and Mr. Alfred Tongue, and we expect that others of our members and friends will be present. Further information will be found in the report referred to, and we shall doubtless be able to give some details of the meetings in a later issue.

- in fact the details were in the same issue - p210:

MANCHESTER: PROPOSAL FOR INTERNATIONAL VEGETARIAN CONGRESS AT COLOGNE. - A meeting of the Executive and friends of the Vegetarian Society was held on Thursday, April 25th, at the Vegetarian Restaurant, 5, Fountain Street, to welcome Herr Gustav Weidner, one of the vice-presidents of the German Vegetarian Society, who had been deputed by that society to invite English Vegetarians to attend a Vegetarian Congress in Cologne. He was accompanied by Professor André (founder of the Swiss Alpine Choir). Prof. André may be considered an "international man," for although a Swiss by birth he has many friendly ties in Germany and is now a naturalised Englishman, but still retains that broad spirit of freedom which pertains to the Switzer, combined with love for his native land. The chair was taken by Mr. P. Foxcroft, and among those present were the Rev. James Clark, Messrs. W. E. A. Axon, Alfred Tongue, Otto Pupke, A. W. Duncan, Jospeh Knight, Mrs. Foxcroft, Mrs. and Miss Harrison, and others.

After tea, Mr. Foxcroft having introduced the guests and welcomed them to Manchester, a written message brought by Herr Weidner from the German Vegetarian Society was read in German, by Herr Otto Pupke, and was interpreted and explained at length by Prof. André, who warmly supported the invitation, and gave the fullest assurance of the desire and intention of the German Vegetarians to make the visit of their English friends not only helpful to the cause, but in every way pleasant for the visitors. The dates suggested for the meetings are the 14th to the 16th of September, and it is proposed to start about a week earlier on a pleasure trip. Contracts will be entered into with hotels, and with railway and steamship companies, in order to minimise the expenses, which will he kept as low as possible. Herr Weidner expressed his pleasure at being present, and with the kind reception he had received, and said it would be a gratification to his wife and himself to do all they could to secure the comfort and happiness of English friend attending the Congress.

The following is a translation of the message brought by Herr Weidner: "Dear Sirs, - The old German Vegetarian Society, founded by Eduard Baltzer, has sent a deputy in order to convince himself of the progress Vegetarianism has made in England. Herr Gustav Weidner is authorised by the German Vegetarian Society to convey to their English brethren an invitation to an Anglo-German Congress. The German Vegetarians would be delighted to greet as many as possible of their English brethren on that occasion in Germany. The presence of English Vegetarians at the Congress would, no doubt, be a great support to the cause. Cologne is the town best suited for the purpose. The proposed dates for the Congress are the 14th, 15th, and 16th of September, this period of the year being the most favourable for the German Vegetarians. It is hoped that it will be a favourable time for the English Vegetarians also. Herr Weidner will be pleased to see the English guests a few days before the meeting, in order to show then some of the beauties of the Rhine. English temperance men and hydropathists will also be invited, but the tendency of the Congress will be strictly Vegetarian. We request you, friends, to arrange for the necessary announcements in the Vegetarian Messenger, and to establish a committee. Those who wish to take part in the excursion will do well to arrive in Cologne either on the 6th or 7th of September. The excursion is to begin on September 8, and is expected to last about six days, ending on Friday, September 13. The German Vegetarian Society intend to give a prize for or the best essay on "The use and nourishing qualities of fruit." The English Vegetarians are cordially invited to take part in the competition. - Signed on behalf of the old German Society for Rational Living."

The Rev. James Clark responded on behalf of the Vegetarian Society. He expressed the deep gratitude of the Society for the warm invitation, which he thought was one of the kindest the Society had ever received. The Society could not make any pledge as to who or how many would attend the Congress, but he was sure that many would wish to go if possible, and would feel a hearty interest in it. - Prof. André and Mr. Foxcoft also addressed the meeting.

Mr. William E. A. Axon moved the following resolution: That we cordially thank the German Vegetarians for their brotherly invitation, and pledge ourselves to help to the fullest extent of our power the success the International Vegetarian Congress, proposed to be held in September, at Cologne. The bond of brotherhood, he said, supplied by Vegetarian principles made them no strangers to German Vegetarians. That great pioneer, Eduard Baltzer, they had not seen in his bodily presence in England, but in the Vegetarian Society's library they had his writings, which were highly valued. Indeed, the English Vegetarians gladly acknowledge the richness of the German literature of food reform. The proposed congress might be the beginning of that more intimate relation between those in the two countries who were working for the common good. The glories of the Rhine, and the beauty of Cologne, should attract many. In particular, it was to be hoped that many ladies would be present. The Vegetarian system aimed at releasing woman an from the bondage of the kitchen, at least in its revolting aspects. The Vegetarian system paid honour to woman. What had Schiller said:-
Ehret die Frauen, sie flechten und weben,
Himmelsche Rosen ins irdische Leben.
But they were working for a time when they might also say-
Ehret die Menschen, sie flechten und weben,
Irdische Rosen ins himmelsche Leben.
For their ideal was that of the state in which obedience to the everlasting laws shoul make the earth-life heavenly also. One of the conditions was that of a recognition of the universal brotherhood, and the Cologne Congress would be a step in that direction. (Applause.) - Mr. Alfred Tongue seconded the resolution, and hoped to have the pleasure of meeting Herr Weidner and Professor André in Cologne, at the Congress in September. The resolution was heartily and unanimously adopted.

From The Vegetarian Messenger (Manchester), August, 1889, p.213:

COLOGNE VEGETARIAN CONGRESS. - As already announced, the Old German Natural Living Society has arranged for an International Congress, to be held in Cologne on the 14th to 16th September next, to which they cordially invite as many Vegetarians as may be able to go from England. The Vegetarian Society will be represented, we hope, by the Rev. Professor Mayor, president; Mr. William E. A. Axon, honorary secretary ; the Rev. James Clark, vice-president ; and Mr. Alfred Tongue, auditor ; while in all probability other members of the Society from Manchester and elsewhere will also attend the congress. Excursions are being organised in connection with the congress, to view some of the beautiful scenery of the Rhine. As far as we can say from information to hand, the majority of friends going from London will start from there on September 9th, and a three or four days' excursion on the Rhine will be made before the congress. This is to terminate on the 16th, after which places of interest in the neighbourhood of Cologne will be visited.

The fare to Cologne and back from Manchester will be about £3 10s., or from London about £2 10. The expenses of the Rhine trip are estimated at about £3 10s.to £4. In addition to these there will be the expenses of the subsequent excursions. Friends desiring to visit the Paris Exhibition while on this journey will probably be able to do so by taking tickets accordingly, at an additional fare from £3 to £3 10s. These figures are merely approximate, and are given with the idea of helping friends to judge of the probable travelling expenses that would be incurred in attending the congress, and the further expenses of joining the excursion parties should they wish to do so. We shall probably receive fuller details respecting the congress and excursions shortly, and if friends desiring further information will communicate with the Secretary, particulars shall be sent to them in due course. Those intending to visit Cologne are requested to intimate the fact, and also whether they will join the excursion party. - Joseph Knight, Secretary.

From The Vegetarian Messenger (Manchester), September, 1889 p.246:

COLOGNE INTERNATIONAL VEGETARIAN CONGRESS. - As previously intimated, this congress will be held from the 14th to the 16th September, 1889, and is to be preceded by an excursion up the Rhine, commencing on Wednesday, 11th September. The following arrangements have been communicated by the German Natural Living Society :-

Wednesday 11th, departure by rail from Cologne at 7-32 - visit to Royal Castle of Stolzenfels - steamer to Rüdesheim - visit to the National Denkmal on the Niederwald.
- Thursday, 12th, from Rüdesheim at 9 o'clock, by steamer to Lahnstein - visit to Bad-Ems - rail to Remagen.
- Friday, 13th, visit to the Apollinaris Church - rail to Rolandseck - boat to Konigswinter - visit to the Drachenburg and the Drachenfels - return to Cologne.
- Saturday to Monday, 14th to 16th. The Congress. Visits will be made to places of interest in the town and the neighbourhood.
- Tuesday, 17th, excursion in the neighbourhood of Cologne.

	£	s.	d.
As estimated by the friends in Cologne, the expenses for the Rhine excursion will be about . . . . . . . . . . . .	2	5	0
and the four days' stay in Cologne and visits there, about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2	0	0
Tickets at the following through fares from London and Manchester, available for 30 days, are issued by Messrs. T. Cook and Son, 61, Market Street, Manchester, and Ludgate Circus, London, from whom fares for other classes or routes can be ascertained. Messrs. H. Gaze and Son will probably issue tickets at same fares.
From Manchester, via March, Harwich, and Rotterdam to Cologne and back (3rd class to March and back, 2nd class beyond) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3	7	10
or via London in stead of March on one journey . . . . .	3	12	5
or via London on both journeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3	16	10
From London via Harwich and Rotterdam, to Cologne, and back (2nd class throughout) . . . . . . . . . . . . .	2	5	11
For the guidance of those who may wish to visit Paris, and book through, the following fares are given:
From Manchester, via March, Harwich, and Rotterdam to Cologne, thence via Liége and Namur to Paris; returning via Dieppe, Newhaven, and London, to Manchester, or vice verse (3rd class to March and from Paris to Manchester, 2nd class remainder) . . . . . . . .	5	11	11
or via London instead of March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	5	16	4
From London via Harwich and Rotterdam to Cologne, thence via Liége and Namur to Paris, returning via Dieppe and Newhaven to London, or vice versa, (2nd class round to Paris, 3rd class thence to London) . . . .	4	5	5

Luggage: 56lb. allowed with each ticket.
Passports are not required.

It is expected that the majority of friends going from Emgland will start on Monday, 9th September. Trains leaving London (Liverpool Street) at 8 p.m., and Manchester (London Road) at 3 p.m., arriving at Harwich for the steamer leaving at 9-50 p.m., due at Rotterdam about 9-30 a.m. Cologne may be reached by about 4-10 on Tuesday afternoon.

If all who are going will kindly send their names to the Secretary, that the information may be sent to Cologne, the friends there will prepare to make arrangements for their accommodation during the stay, and will also try to meet the English party on arrival.

The meetings of the Congress will probably be held in the rooms of the "Wolkenburg" (Caecilienkloster), and will be largely conducted in English.

The programme of the "First International Congress of the Societies for Natural Living, Temperance, Hygiene, and Hydropathy," is a lengthy one. The following are the principal items:-
- Saturday, 14th September. - 9.30 a.m., Opening of the Congress. 10-30 a.m., Conference respecting a periodical Congress of all societies for hygienic reform. 6 p.m., Supper for children. 8 p.m., Addresses : "Why I am a Vegetarian," by the Rev. Prof. J. E. B. Mayor, M.A., President of the Vegetarian Society ; and "New Scientific Proofs respecting the Vegetarian System," by Dr. Phil Aug. Aderholdt, of Paris.
- Sunday, 15th September. - 10 a.m. Service in the English Chapel. Conference of members of the German Natural Living Society. 11 a.m., Public discourse concerning Hygiene. 12 noon, Meeting of members of the Congress.
- Monday, 16th September. - 10.30 a.m., Final Conference. 8 p.m. Addresses by Dr. Med. Wehburg, of Dusseldorf, and Dr. Med. Stamm, of Wiesbaden, concerning Abstinence from Alcohol wiuth regard to Social Economy.

For further information inquirers are referred to The Vegetarian Society, 75, Pricess Streer, Manchester ; The London Vegetarian Society, Memorial Hall, Farringsdon Street, E.C. ; or Professor Andre, Alpine House Littelhampton-on-Sea.

Compiled by John Davis