On this page

• Text (2)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    March 13, 1852.] THE LEADEK. 251 ¦' ¦ ' ...

  • 

    . NOTES OI ;WAE. BY A SOLDIEE. ¦No. VI.—...

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Social Reform. A New Solution Op The Soc...

    Uv stated in the cant language of trade , 'A thing is worth what it will bring / Between these two principles , < o similar that the difference in the statement would hardly attract a moment ' s attention , unless it were speciallv insisted upon , lies the essential difference between the whole system of . civilised cannibalism by which the masses of human beings are . mercilessly ground to V owder for the accumulation of the wealth of the few , on the one hand , arid on the other , the reign of equity , the just remuneration of labour , and the independence and elevation of all mankind .

    " There is nothing apparently more innocent , harmless , and equitable in the world , than the statement that a ' thing should bring what it is worth ;' ind yet even that statement covers the most subtle fallacy which it has ever been given to human genius to detect and expose—a fallacy more fruitful of evil than any other which the human intellect has ever been be * clouded by . * * * " The term ' Equitable Commerce' does not signify

    merely a new adjustment of the method of buying and selling . The term is employed by Mr . Warren to signify the whole of what I have preferred to denominate the Science of Society , including Ethics , Political Economy , and all else that concerns the outer relations of mankind . At the same time , the mutual interchange of products is , as it were , the continent or basis upon which all other intercourse rests . Society reclines upon Industry . Without it man cannot exist . Other things may be of higher import , but it is of primary necessity . Solitary industry does not supply the wants of the individual . Hence trade , or the exchange of products . With trade , intercourse begins . It is the first in order of the long train of benefits which mankind mutually minister to each other . The term ' commerce' is

    sometimes synonymous with trade or traffic ; and at other times it is used in a more comprehensive sense . For that reason it has a double appropriateness to the subjects under consideration ; It is employed , therefore , "in the phrase ' Equitable Commerce , ' to signify , first , Commerce in the minor sense , as synonymous with ' trade ; ' and , secondly , Commerce in the major sense , as synonymous with the old English signification of the word , ' conversation , ' i . e ., human intercourse of all sorts—the concrete , or tout ensemble , of human relations . * * * " According to Mr . Warren , the following is The Problem to be solved in all its several branches : " 1 . ' The proper , legitimate , and just reward Of labour . '

    " 2 . ' Security of person and property . " 3 . ' The greatest practicable amount of freedom to each individual . " 4 . ' Economy in the production and uses of wealth / " 5 . To open the way to each individual for the possession of land , and all other natural wealth . ' " 6 . ' To make the interests of all to co-operate with and assist each other , instead of clashing with and counteracting each other . ' " 7 . To withdraw the elements of discord , of war , of distrust , and repulsion , and to establish a prevailing spirit of peace , order , and social sympathy . *

    "And according to him , also , the following PitlNciples are the means of the solution : " I . ' Individuality . ' "II . 'The Sovereignty of each Individual . ' " III . ' Cost , the Limit op Price . ' " IV . ' A Circulating Medium , pounded on the Cost op Labour . '

    "V . ' Adaptation op the Supply to the Demand . ' " Mr . Andrews observes that" The move reading of this programme will suggest the immensit y of the scope to which the subject extends . In the present volume I have selected a single principle—the third among those above named—and "hull adhere to a pretty thorough exposition of it , ruthev than overload the mind of the reader by bring-Ji » £ into viow the whole of a system , covering all posmblo humau relations . A few minda may , ft-orn tho more statement of those principleH , begin to perceive the rounded outlines of what is , as I do not hesitate to

    " . farm , the most completo scientific statement of tho 1 'ioblom of human society , and of tho fundamental pniioiploH ° f social science , which lias ever been pro-Hontecl to tho world . Most , however , will hardly begin ' <> understand tho universal and all-porvading potency "itlicso ' fow simple principles , until thoy find , thorn omborntol y displayed and elucidated . At present I toko tlio broad licence of asserting that they aro UNIVERSAL I'lUNOlPLES . " As an example of tho vivacity -with which Mi " Andrews illustrates those principles , two instances will mtorost tho English reader . Spoaking of w » o pvmoiplo— " Adaptation of tho Supply to tho Domand "—Mr . Andrews adds : " Thi » seems to bo a formula relating merely , a « , in

    fact , it does relate mainly , to ordinary commerce—trade - —commerce in the minor sense . In that sense , it expresses an immense want of civilized society—nothing less , as Carlyle has it , than a knowledge of the way of getting the supernumerary shirts into contact with the backs of the men who have none . But this same principle introduced into the ^ parlour , becomes likewise the regulator of politeness and good manners , and pertains , therefore , to commerce in the major sense as well . T am , for example , overflowing with immoderate zeal for the principles which I am now discussing * I broach

    them on every occasion . I seize every man by the button-hole , and inflict on him a lecture on the beauties of Equitable Commerce ; in fine , I make myself a universal bore , as every reformer is like to be , more or less . But at the moment some urbane and conservative old gentleman politely observes to me , ' Sir , I perceive one of your principles is , ' The Adaptation of the Supply to the Demand . '' I take the hint immediately . My mouth is closed . I perceive that my lecture is not wanted ^—that he does not care to interest himself in the subject . There is no demand , and I stop the supply .

    u you are ready to say , Would not the same hint given in some other form , stop the impertinence of over-zealous advocacy in any case ? Let those answer who have been bored . But suppose it did , could it be done so gracefully , in any way , as by referring the offender to one of the very principles he is advocating , or which he professes ? Again : grant that it have the effect to stop that annoyance , the hint itself is taken as an offence , and the offended man , instead of continuing the conversation upon some other subject that might be agreeable , goes off in a huff , and most probably you have made him an enemy for life . But , in my case ,

    it will not even be necessary for the conservative old gentleman to remind me— -I shall at once recollect that another of my principles is , ' The Sovereignty op the Individual . ' One of the highest exercises of that sovereignty is the choice of the subjects about which one will converse , and upon which he will bestow Ids time—hence I recognise Cordiall y ^ his right to exclude my subjeet , and immediately , and good-humouredly , I glide off upon some other topic . Then , by a law of the human mind , which it is extremely-important to understand , and practically to observe ^ if it be possible that there should ever arise a demand with him to hear

    anything about that subject , my uniform deference for even his prejudices will hasten the time . Indeed , all conservative old gentlemen , who hate reform of all sorts as they do ratsbane , would do well to make themselves at once familiar with these principles , and to disseminate them as the means of defending themselves . Do you begin to perceive that such a mere

    tradesmanlike formula , at first blush , as ' The Adaptation of the Supply to the Demand , ' becomes one of tho highest regulators of good manners—a part of the ethics of conversation—of tho 'Equitable Commerce' of gentlemanly intercourse—as well as what it seems to be , an important element of trade ; and do you catch a glimpse of what I mean , when I say that it is a universal principle of commerce in the major cense ?"

    Those who read thus far , will be of opinion that Mr . Andrews is a superior theorist , whose expositions aro worth attention . He seldom falls into the discoverer ' s sin of exaggeration , without a qualifying remark which announces his consciousness of it , and which becomos a guarantee that it has its limits . The disbeliever in tho now theory is not only endured by Mr . Andrews , but his prejudices are respected , and ho is reasoned with—a much more efficient modo of winning him , than the most i ) hilanthropics abuse tho

    im-Satient advocate of progress could heap upon him . fiv Andrews' stylo is clear and substantialperspicuous without prolixity , and brief without trancondontalinucndoos . Of the " Cost Principlo , " wo must know more before expressing any decided judgment about it . It has this advantage over many others — namely , that tho world noed not bo swept clean before it is introduced . It can commence as we are , and renovate as it proceeds . Yot , without experience , no discovery „„„ 1-w ^ « , 1 , ^ ,,,.. W - rJXtr li . ArmA « ^ fkf I » IT » IT tftvf . MVflR

    history , " said Guizot , wisely , "like logic ; " and the samo may bo said of theories . Wo take an attractive theory and deduce from it all legitimate conclusions , and tjion proudly exclaim : " Thcro is a transcript of tho old world undor tho now system ! " AH this would bo vory well if society was a syllogism in which all tho legitimate conelusions impliod in its major promiso could be evolved . But wo know differently . Wo must take the world as wo find it , with ita passionstorms , its turbulent interests , and its immenBo passive resistance to intellect , in tho shape of stolid ignorance . Logic is , no doubt , tho lonvon

    which will leaven all one day- —but the difference between allbeing leavened in theory , and leavened in practice , must make us pause—moderate our expectations , and qualify our predictions . . Ion .

    March 13, 1852.] The Leadek. 251 ¦' ¦ ' ...

    March 13 , 1852 . ] THE LEADEK . 251 ¦' ¦ ' . - ¦ . ' * ' ' ¦ ' ' ' ' ' " _ J i : L _ - ! L __^——^—^—»—^^^—P—

    . Notes Oi ;Wae. By A Soldiee. ¦No. Vi.—...

    . NOTES OI ; WAE . BY A SOLDIEE . ¦ No . VI . —Cavalby , and Conclusion . The two most expensive branches of a regular army , cavalry and artillery , make a much grander and more imposing appearance , and commonly cause much greater consternation , than their real destructive value warrants . The rapidity of movement , the sweeping headlong charge , the clatter , and jingle , and thundering tread of Bavalry , have always proved

    extremely efficacious in prodxxcing panic and disorder among inexperienced troops . But if infantry soldiers were properly armed , trained , and instructed on principles which would appeal to each man ' s intelligence , and by which the value of each hostile force to be overcome , and the mode to overcome it , were explained and made apparent , much of this unreasonable and unfounded want of confidence in their power of successfully resisting and destroying cavalry would disappear .

    M M - % m * * % . mmm—ml - ^ iV V mm m A ) In as few words as possible I will attempt to give an idea of what is to be feared from eavalrv by a National army , ( consisting , as before stated , of one-fourth riflemen , and three-fourths armed with swords and shields and p ikes , ) and also how cavalry attacks are to be resisted and retaliated . And I must begin by laying down as an axiom , that the sole danger of cavalry consists in their charge ¦ ; and to this I would call particular attention . The charge of cavalry avoided , overcome ,

    or anticipated , the whole danger is past , and the horses and their riders may be cut to pieces and taken prisoners with the most perfect certainty by determined , swordsmen on Jbot . Of course , some part of a discomfited "body of cavalry may gallop away , form again , and try a second attack , if they are inclined . But a squadron of cavalry at a walk , or stationary , or anything but galloping straight at its opponents , is the most imbecilo of military bodies , and cannot withstand a close combat of well-armed foot soldiers . With muskets

    and bayonets , it is true , little could be done m that or any other species of close fighting , but swordsmen of the right sort would never fail . The charge at the gallop of good cavalry is certainly a most formidable species of attack . Horsemen are very dangerous as long as they are permitted to have it all their own way . But they must not bo permitted to have it all their own way . Definite rules cannot be laid down for every case that may occur , but take the following as an illustration of what is meant .

    Let us imagine a regiment of cavalry preparing to charge down a street to clear it of a force of foot-soldiers : now instead of remaining in the open road to bo galloped over and sabred , or even attempting to form some stationary defensive position , such as a square—which , whether the men are armed with muskets and bayonets , or with pikes , I believe ought to bo swept away by good cavalry—tho infantry , under tho direction of their leaders , as rapidly as possible , but in rocular order , form in two lines with their backs will

    to the houses , and close to the walls . What tho cavalry do then P They cannot rush with , their horses' heads against tho bricks or tho area railings ; they thoreforc slacken their pace , and become rather embarrassed , the steadiness and composure of both men and horses being also by no means increased by a sprinkling of bullets . Probably not many soconds will elapse before they will think of resorting to their carbinos or pistols , —if so , they will not do much damage ; but I should hopo that no time would bo given them for that . The vory moment that the paco ia

    slackoncd and tho cavalry brpak into a walk , they must be attacked sword in hand , and the rosulfc would not long bo doubtful . Horsos cannot bear wounds , —tho horseman ' s loft side is tho weakest ; , in a groat hioaBure dofencolosa , —if the horseman's loft arm is wounded , or the reins cut , he is hors do combat , —all those little facts must bo taught tho young recruit , and the Btrongth and weakness of cavalry explained to him . Various modes would bo adopted by tho general of an army ( organized as is hero proposed ) for keeping cavalry at a distance , and for avoiding and resisting thoir charges during tho advauco of

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), March 13, 1852, page 15, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_13031852/page/15/