Page images
PDF
EPUB

length he arrives-all the while in imagi- | nation at the Infiniverse, which by courtesy he again calls God, though we have already seen him give this title to one only of his "three eternal principles." It is not easy to see whether these mad fancies are the proofs or the consequences of his grand axiom, "Attractions are proportional to destinies," but it is easy to determine that upon which both alike rest -a disordered imagination. Yet it is on this fancied identity of essence between man and his planet and the universe that reposes that other fancied harmony which is to be produced throughout the world, and which is supposed by Fourier to be capable of arrangement on the precise principles of musical notation. On the same essential identity of "all that is," which is the principle of pantheism, reposes the great axiom of Fourier:-" Attractions are proportional to destinies." But we have neither space, necessity, nor inclination to chase further these vagaries. It suffices to wait till they shall be attempted to be proved as well as asserted. If they be a discovery," where are the proofs ? If a science," where is their demonstration? If a "revelation," where is the authority on which we are bound to receive it? But if they be pure "reveries," how strange must be the infatuation of the men who persist in defending them! They are a discovery only because Fourier imagined their possibility; they form a science only because he attempted to systematize them; they are called a revelation only because those who maintain them deny any God outside of man himself, and consequently any revelation except the production of the human intellect.

[ocr errors]

66

We have found it convenient in certain parts of this essay, to treat of St. Simonism and Fourierism in common, so far as their notions have agreed with each other. And, indeed, the general identity of the principles of the two is so evident, that the critic must be fastidious who will object to considering them as co-partners in the same heritage of error. Their mission was professedly the same. Starting with the assumption that "all that is, is God," and that the evil that is in the world is either no evil, or an accidental misfortune from which man is competent to redeem himself, they proceeded to legitimatize, to

deify the actions and passions of the flesh ; to change the notions of right and wrong among men. Historically, indeed, they were distinct, and they differed from each other in the details of their industrial plans-from which we have seen that both took their historical commencement. And, whether by accident, or from the greater energy and practicability of St. Simonism, it gained an earlier opportunity for its full display. Consequently it rushed forward to its catastrophe, and after a tempestuous existence of a few months, outraged humanity could suffer it no longer, and it was dissolved. The attempt to reconstruct the ruined edifice at Constantinople and in Egypt was not more successful. Some of the St. Simonians returned to a profession of Christianity, some became followers of Mohammed, and others were lost in the whirlpool of new delusions.

The Fourierites, likewise, even in the life-time of their founder, attempted an establishment at Condé, and have since often renewed their efforts elsewhere. We know little more of them than that they have each failed after a short existence, and that the leaders of the sect are at issue among themselves. As with the St. Simonians, it will only be in the practical workings of the system that all its enormities will appear, and will prove themselves the legitimate deductions of their first principles; and, therefore, we agree with the remark of M. de Lourdoueix, that "those who serve best the interests of its existence are those who retard most the realization of its doctrines."

We are no prophets. It may be, that the new state of affairs in France will soon give the Socialists, for a moment, unbounded liberty and plentiful resources for. making their experiment. But even if this happen, we doubt whether the delusion of the Fourierites be not so far dispelled as that their leaders would no longer have the profound conviction of the feasibility of their plan, which alone could nerve them to such a trial. Confidence in imagination and confidence in the hour of action are two very different things, and if Fourierites possessed the latter, we cannot believe that they would have so long failed of making a complete experiment. Fourierites boast of the spread of their doctrines in France, Germany, England, and

America. Yet they say, and their system | deteriorations of modern society, and which requires, that the moment a phalanx is established, opposition will be silenced by the success of the attempt. Now since but eight hundred and ten persons are necessary for a complete phalanx, why do they not begin? Are there not of their followers in all these countries enough to make the experiment?

We then reprobate Socialism because it is in direct antagonism with the dogmas of Christianity, and because it attempts to overturn the laws of Christian civilization. That there is great misery and much injustice in the heart of modern society is too true, but we do not owe the discovery of it to Socialism. The misery is the result of the sin of Adam, and the injustice is from the neglect or infraction of the laws which God has by supernatural revelation given to man for his conduct and amelioration. We object especially to Socialism, that, under the name of emancipating, it degrades woman from the rank to which Christianity had raised her. For we have seen that it was Christianity alone that availed to raise woman to being the equal of man by the tie of love, at the same time that it subjected her by the precept of obedience; and that the law by which woman was thus raised to equality with man was the abolition of polygamy and divorce, and the substitution of an inviolable and perpetual marriage. We object to it, moreover, that it contemns the tribunal of reason, and the voice of the natural conscience which God has implanted in the breast of every man. And, finally, we object to Fourierites the ambiguity and tergiversation of their propagandism; that they beguile the superstitious with the name of a revelation, the credulous with the profession of a discovery, the selfconceited with the title of a science, when it is clear that they have neither revelation nor discovery nor science for any one.

the Fourierites continue to repeat, have, it is true, done something to startle the public mind, and if this has urged any to cling to or revive the good principles handed down to us by our fathers, and which had been slipping away through want of constancy in their maintenance, it is indeed a good, but not much due to Socialism for its origin,-since it, instead of urging them to cling to the principles they had been taught, would have had them abandon all that the experience of six thousand years and the advancement that man has hitherto been able to make in obedience to the eternal, immutable laws of truth, have proclaimed as necessary to his conservation.

And now that we have accomplished all that we intended when we commenced this article, it is time to come to a conclusion. If Fourierites still persist in spreading their doctrines through the community, a complete and analytical detail of their theory would be a useful labor, but it would demand an entire volume to fulfil it. In the mean time, their principles should not be tolerantly judged as harmless reveries. Quite true it is that they have no element of practicability, and can never take form as a society. But it is another thing whether the bad and wild notions that they diffuse abroad in the community, and which in their detached parts are caught up and adopted by multitudes that have no idea that these are a legitimate part of a system that they themselves condemn, may not be infecting whole masses throughout every country where they are propagated with a spirit of revolution for the establishment of unbridled licentiousness. The opportunities for such a revolution are accidents to which every land is liable, and it would be a poor compensation for having contributed to the fundamental convulsion, and thereby interrupted the veritable progress of any society, to have been permitted for awhile to cry, in "great words unmeet," re-or

Nor can we consent to accord to Socialism, in any of its for ms, the praise that some even of its enemies have yielded it, that in positive ideas in the field of in-ganization of labor-emancipation of wodustry, it has made valuable suggestions. It would be difficult to mention any of its suggestions that either it has not borrowed, or that is not an abomination instead of a

thing desirable. The biting satires that the St. Simonians dealt out on the actual

man-scientific revelations―universal happiness. It is then a duty for every good citizen and for every man of conscience to oppose and to denounce Fourierism, and every other form of Socialism. And the method of doing so with effect, is not to

follow its advocates into the discussion of reveries whose very absurdity proves a cloak to them till they have been systematically studied; not to admit that, as they claim; Christianity is dead and society in a state of dissolution, and therefore some new theory must be started; but to lay hold of the positive principles of religion, of morality and of law that we have still at our hands, after all the labors of disorganizers hitherto; to hold these up against the declaimings of Socialists; to lay on them the task of destroying the Christian civilization, or of proving that it should be destroyed, instead of assuming that it is so. And as example is more potent than mere words, it is by falling back in our own interior sentiments and in our practice upon the doctrines in politics, in social life and

in religion, which have been proved by time and have brought forth pleasant fruits, that we are to be strong ourselves, and to be able to strengthen others against the emissaries of libertinism and of change. Fidelity, in political and in social life, to the plainest teachings of the New Testament, would soon reduce the number of Socialists to some few occupants of a madhouse: that they go at large is proof that more heads than their own are crazed. Certainly, in a society where divorce and adultery were unheard of, Fourierism would excite more horror than it does with us; and if Paris, in 1832, had been as much recovered from the Jacobinism of 1798 as it is now, the Saint Simonians could never have gone so far as they did in effect.

FOREIGN MISCELLANY.

THE political crisis in Europe emboldened the English Chartists to make a grand demonstration. Forty-nine delegates, elected at meetings held in some of the principal towns, made arrangements and issued a programme for a meeting to be held at Kensington Common, on Monday the 10th of April, at which upwards of 200,000 Chartists were to attend; from whence they were to march in procession, regulated and superintended by Marshals, to the House of Commons, and present a petition for the People's Charter, which was said to weigh between five and six tons. The attention of the Government having been directed to the subject, a notice was issued by the Police Commissioners, pointing out that, both by statute and common law, the intended procession was illegal; warning persons from taking part in it, and calling on all loyal and peaceable subjects to aid the constituted authorities in preventing any disturbance, and in maintaining public order. This having been announced in the House of Commons by the Home Secretary, on the 6th of April, Mr. Feargus O'Connor denied any intention on the part of the Chartists to commit a breach of the peace, and said their only object was to present to that House a petition signed by between five and six millions of the people; and he also complained

The

that they were taken by surprise in the course adopted by the Government. Sir George Grey replied that the subject had been taken into consideration at the earliest possible moment, and the Government were resolved to take the course indicated. The harangues delivered at the Chartist meetings preliminary to these arrangements, had been of a most violent character. Republicanism, French aid, and concert with the disaffected Irish, were openly talked of; and arms were at one time recommended for the great demonstration. main division of the Chartists met in the morning on the north side of London, and went in procession over Blackfriars Bridge to the place of meeting, which is about two miles south of the bridge. No extra precautions were observed until they reached the bridge, where a police force and a body of pensioners were posted, but no interference took place. Other bodies, who met on the north side of the Thames, passed over the bridges in like manner, and the meeting assembled at the appointed place about half past eleven o'clock. Although it had been announced that 200,000 were to meet, and were to be joined in procession by greatly increased numbers, there were at no time present more than from 15,000 to 20,000 persons, including spectators who took

no part in the proceedings. Mr. Feargus | O'Connor delivered an address, which he concluded by urging the meeting to disperse, as the government had taken possession of all the bridges, and the contemplated procession to the House of Commons could not, therefore, be carried into effect without a sanguinary struggle; and stated that the "Executive" of the Chartist Association would convey the petition, which he would that evening present to the House. This recommendation appeared by no means to suit the views of a large portion of the meeting, but it was ultimately complied with, and the petition, accompanied by three delegates, was conveyed to the House of Commons in a couple of street cabs. The proceedings for the enforcement of order were most complete and efficient. The bank, and all the public buildings, were put in a state of defence, being garrisoned by bodies of troops, and the persons employed in them were all armed.

The en

tire police force of London was ready to act at a moment's notice, and the bridges, the main points where difficulties were likely to occur, were under their protection. The military were not visible during the whole day, the police and private constables being more than sufficient to meet the emergency. Upwards of 150,000 men (more than ten times the number of Chartists at the meeting) volunteered and were sworn in as special constables, so that any attempt at an outbreak would have been hopeless. After the meeting had dispersed, large crowds proceeded towards the bridges, which were all closed. The greatest mob was at Blackfriars, where stones were thrown and attacks made on the foot police, who used their staves freely on the heads of the leaders, but were at last forced, by the pressure, across the bridge; where the crowd was stopped by a body of mounted police, and dispersed after numerous arrests had been made.

The petition, on being presented to the House by Mr. O'Connor, was referred to the Standing Committee on Petitions, who reported that instead of the number of signatures, 5,706,000, as stated by the member, it was ascertained by counting that there were not more than 1,975,496-that in several consecutive sheets the signatures were all in the same hand-writing-that a great portion were the names of females, and that it contained numerous forgeries. Among the signatures were Victoria Rex, Prince Albert, Colonel Sibthorpe, Sir Robert Peel, the Duke of Wellington, (nineteen times,) Snookses, Pugnoses and Flatnoses in great numbers, interspersed with ribald and obscene remarks. It is said that a patriotic pot-boy contributed several hundred signa

[blocks in formation]

Mr. O'Connor attempted to make out, that notwithstanding the fictitious signatures, there were upwards of 5,000,000 genuine, (a number which exceeds the whole adult male population of England,) and observed that in a few days he would present a petition with three times as many signatures; but the exaggerations and deceptions having been so thoroughly exposed, the affair became speedily a subject only of ridicule, and Mr. O'Connor, on the 8th of April. virtually abandoned it, by contenting himself with moving pro forma that it be read at the table. The alacrity with which the peaceable and well-disposed inhabitants of the metropolis

of all classes came forward on this occasion, proves that the revolutionary feeling_which seems to pervade the greater part of Europe, has not taken possession of the English people.

It is gratifying to find that the French Provisional Government have discountenanced interference with the affairs of a foreign nation; for the number of passports for England became so much increased as to lead to inquiry into the reason; and it becoming known to the Provisional Government that the intention of the parties was to aid in the Chartist manifestation, they put a stop to this political emigration, by refusing passports to all who could not give good reasons for leaving their own country. The Chartists have since continued to hold their meetings in various parts of the kingdom, and the speeches and propositions are of the most inflammatory nature, and in Aberdeen a proposal has been made to establish an armed National Guard. To protect the country from these incendiary attempts, and to put an end to the alarming state of affairs in Ireland, a law has been passed for the better security of the Crown and Government; by which the writing, publishing, or open and advised speaking, or any overt act intended to effect the deposition, or levying war against the Sovereign, or forcing a change of measures or counsels, or intimidating or overawing either House of Parliament, or inciting foreign invasion, is declared a felony, punishable by transportation; and a temporary alien bill has also been introduced, to enable the Government to send home any foreigners who may be mischievously disposed. On the 11th of April, Mr. John O'Connell brought forward a motion, in the House of Commons, for a Repeal of the Union, in reference to which Lord John Russell, on the 16th, stated that immediately after Easter the House would proceed to the discussion of measureswhich related to the political state of the Irish population, and declared his readiness to listen to any proposition supported by the great majority of Irish members, having for its object the improvement of the laws and condition of that country; but by discussion (if the choice should be for argument) and by force (if recourse were had to arms) he was determined, as long as there was breath and life in him, to

oppose the Repeal of the Legislative Union. This declaration elicited loud cheers. A similar statement, in behalf of the Government, was made in the House of Lords.

Prince Metternich has arrived in England. There has been a large exportation of gold from England to Holland and other parts of the continent, and the bullion in the Bank of England has considerably decreased, but fresh quantities continue to arrive from abroad.

The People's Charter, as it is called, contains six heads. 1. Universal suffrage; 2. Vote by ballot; 3. No property, qualification; 4. Annual parliaments; 5. Payment of members; 6. Equal electoral districts. The total export of tea from China to Great Britain, from July, 1847, to 24th February last, is: Black, 35,855,210 lbs.; green, 3,813,320 lbs. ; total, 39,699,030 lbs. ; and of silk in the same period, 17,089 bales.

The Irish Repeal party is now divided into two distinct sections; the O'Connells, with a numerical minority, having declared firmly against exceeding the bounds of constitutional agitation; whilst the majority, headed by Smith O'Brien, Mitchell of the United Irishman, and others, are inflaming the populace with writings and speeches of the most incendiary character, urging the people to arms, openly defying the Government, and declaring their intention of effecting Repeal by force of arms. Those of the latter party, whose arrest was mentioned in our last number, have been indicted, and true bills for sedition were found against them on the 15th of April; on the evening of which day they were entertained at a grand soirée, where they made speeches just as seditious as those for which they are prosecuted. The people, under the instigation of these men, are arming throughout a very large portion of Ireland with fire-arms and pikes, and are being drilled to the use of these weapons; rifle clubs are also formed to considerable extent, the day for practice being generally Sunday. To counteract this movement, large bodies of troops are concentrating in different sections, whilst vessels of war are stationed on various parts of the coast. Large and influential bodies of Irish, Catholic and Protestant, have tendered their services to the Government in case of necessity, and their offers have been accepted. A run on the Savings Banks has been made, at the suggestion of the leaders, for the purpose of embarrassing the financial affairs of the country. At Limerick, notices of withdrawal to the amount of £5000 on the 24th of April, were served on the 15th; and the Directors have determined to pay out all sums demanded, but not again to permit those making the drafts to obtain the benefit of these useful institutions. On the 1st of April, Smith O'Brien, with a deputation from Ireland, presented an address to the Provisional Government at Paris, the object of which was to se

[ocr errors]

cure French assistance in aid of forcible measures in Ireland. M. Lamartine, after some complimentary remarks towards the Irish people, gave a decided negative to the request. "We are," said he, "at peace, and we are desirous of remaining on good terms of equality, not with this or that part of Great Britain, but with Great Britain entire. We believe this peace to be useful and honorable, not only to Great Britain and the French Republic, but to the human race. We will not commit an act -we will not utter a word-we will not breathe an insinuation at variance with the principles of the reciprocal inviolability of nations which we have proclaimed. *** We should be insane were we to exchange such a diplomacy for unmeaning and partial alliances with even the most legitimate parties in the countries which surround us. We are not competent to judge them, or to prefer some of them to others; by announcing our partisanship on the one side, we should declare ourselves the enemies of the other. We do not wish to be enemies of any of your fellow-countrymen. *** We ardently wish that justice may bind and strengthen the friendship of races; that equality may become more and more its basis; but while proclaiming with you, with her, (England) and with all, the holy dogma of fraternity, we will perform only acts of brotherhood, in conformity with our principles, and our feelings towards the Irish nation." Smith O'Brien, and the other parties indicted, having put in a technical defence, as to the composition of the Grand Jury, the Attorney-general, to prevent delay, abandoned the indictments, and filed, ex officio, informations against the accused. All, except Mitchell, have moderated their tone since the act above referred to was passed. We give a specimen from one of his speeches. After giving instructions on the pike and rifle practice, he declared that his "mission is to bear a hand in the final destruction of the bloody old British Empire-the greedy, carnivorous old monster that has lain so long like a load upon the heart and limbs of England, and drank the blood and sucked the marrow from the bones of Ireland. Against that empire of hell a thousand thousand ghosts of my slaughtered countrymen shriek nightly. Their blood cries continually from the ground for vengeance! And Heaven has heard it. That bucaneering flag that has braved so long the battle and the breeze, flies now from a ship in distress. The Charybdis of Chartism roars under her lee; the breakers of Repeal are ahead, and the curses of the world swell the hurricane that rages round her,

pirate and blood-stained slaver that she is, her timbers are shivering at last," &c.

Some of the Roman Catholic clergy have received sharp rebukes from their bishops, for the violence of their political course.

As events progress in France, the views of the different members of the Provisional Gov

« PreviousContinue »