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Leader (1850-1860), 17th May 1851, Edition Town of 1, Page 459, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      to prepare the population for this new birth of man with the spirit of charity , peace , and love , and to convey these glad tidings in the shortest time to the most distant parts of the earth . And that all may know at this time the important truth , that the means have been discovered to make all men from birth , good , wise , and happy ; to create , with pleasure , wealth in superfluity for all ; to well feed , well clothe , well lodge , well employ , well govern and cordially unite all , by placing all from birth , in good and s uperior circumstances , or external arrangements competent to effect these all-important results ; and also to learn how easily these new external arrangements may be everywhere created . ' And such will be the result of this first meeting of the human race in peace , to promote union , knowledge , industry , and justice in the distribution of its products .

      In conclusion I have only to add , that the early knowledge of nature ' s laws in the formation of the human character , has been a constant source of unspeakable happiness through my life . It has opened a wide field of new and delightful knowledge to me , reconciled me to humanity in all its variety , and made me to love human nature and to be alone anxious for its permanent happiness . It has , to a very great extent , withdrawn anger , ill-will , and all unkindnesss from my nature , made me satisfied with life , and content , without the slightest fear or dread of after consequences , to die at any time , for which I have been made to be always ready and prepared . In fact I would not change the supreme satisfaction of mind , which the knowledge of this great truth has given to me , for the most elevated position which , without this knowledge , the world has to offer .

      May 14 , 1851 . Robebt Owen . Mr . Fleming proposed , " The Democratic and Social Press of Europe and America , " and in connection with , them he would add the names of Mr . Horace Greeley , editor of iheJVew York Tribune , and Mr . Thornton Hunt , editor of the Leader . Mr . Greeley said that he was delighted to see that the International Exposition had brought so many friends from far and near together . The Social propaganda , unorganized as it was , made much progress . He had seen a venerable man standing in the transept of the Great Mart of Industry in Hydepark—that man was the Duke of Wellington—the

      man who for the last fifty years had played the most active part in revolutionizing Europe by fire and sword , stood there in " this piping time of peace , " musing on the wondrous scene around . It was a sight ever to be remembered . Mr . Greeley described with great vigour and distinctness the condition of the United States , where they think that they are in the finest state of the world—and indeed they have not gone so far on the road to ruin as England has ; but where the same causes of evil are at work , and the same prospect is threatened , unless it be arrested by the turn to sound doctrine . Mr . Greeley was received in the most cordial manner by the company .

      Mr . Thornton Hunt congratulated Mr . Owen on arriving at hi » eightieth birthday , so little changed by the progress of years . The speciality of the position of Socialism , as contrasted with that position in former times , was that the principles taught by Mr . Owen forty years ago were now actively discussed beyond the circle of his disci ples . They had found their way among opponents , —into all ranks and all partie * . In the political world we saw daily that old parties and principles were used up . The Protectionists were at a dead lock ; the Whigs knew not which way to turn ; the Financial Reformers and Manchester School could make " no House . " What was to be the next movement ? It must be one on the principle so long preached by Robert Owen .

      lhe health of General Houg , editor of Kosmos , was drank , and the General spoke with great good humour and enthusiasm , in oomewhatbroken English ; which the audience heartily acknowledged in the inarticulate responses of applause , frequently renewed . He felt that if exile led to such " pleasant rdunions , he should not regret so bitterly the loss of country , home , and dear friends . The remaining toasts of the evening was " Success to the Working Classes , " responded to by Mr . Walter Cooper , who acknowledged his debt to the teaching of Owen , especiully in charity to all who differed . Seldom hns a party of the kind passed off with so excellent a feeling .

      Untitled Article

      A N E AV M U S E U M . Prince Albert prenided at the opening of the new National Museum of Practical Geology on Monday . The edifice in which the collection in arranged in m Jcrmyn-Htreet , having one front in Piccadilly . The Museum owes it origin to Sir Henry de la Beche , and dates a « far back us \ Hlif ) . Since 181 * 7 an extensive collection has gradually accumulated under the superintendence of the Government . The specimens

      were originally kept in Craig ' s-comt , Charing-cross , but us they have long outgrown their habitation a iww one has been provided , having an entrance in . Jennyn-Htreet , and a front in Piccadilly . It iH entered from Jormyn-street , by u very spacious hall , which is devoted to the exhibition of all the building uxul ornamental stones of the British if-lands . In cases around the hull aro specimens , in nix-inch cubes , of moBt of tho native sandstones , oolites , limestones ,

      granites , and porphyries . The vestibule is faced with Derbyshire alabaster , pilasters of granite from Scotland , serpentine from Ireland ; and beautiful limestones from Devonshire , Derbyshire , and other districts , are ranged round the hall ; and upon one side will be found a very elaborate screen , the pilasters and cornices of the Cornish , and the panels of the Irish serpentine , framed with Derbyshire productions . The hall is further ornamented with numerous pedestals in different native stones , supporting specimens of marble vases , statuettes , in artificial stone and cement . Ascending by a handsome staircase , at the sides of which specimens of British industrial art are placed , the principal floor of the museum is reached . This apartment is 95 feet long , 55 feet wide , 32 feet high to the springing of the roof , and 43 feet in the centre . The roof is of iron , and around the walls are two light galleries . The contents of the museum embrace a vast variety of manufactured articles and an interesting series of earthenware and porcelain from the earliest times . Quantities of ores and the mode of dressing them , metal and earthenware statuettes , mining machinery and mining tools , cutlery and iron castings , are displayed in apartments of the building . The object of the museum is to illustrate the applications of geology to the useful purposes of life . The company assembled on Monday was composed of celebrities of all kinds . The following officers are connected with the museum : —Sir Henry de la Beche , C . B ., directorgeneral ; Professor Ramsay , F . R . S ., local director of the geological survey ; Richard Phillips , Esq ., F . R . S ., curator and chemist ; Dr . Lyon Playfair , F . R . S ., chemist ; Professor Edward Forbes , F . R . S ., palaeontologist ; Warrington W . Smith , Esq ., M . A ., mining geologist ; Trenham Reeks , Esq ., secretary and librarian ; and Robert Hunt , Esq ., keeper of the mining records .

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      MANCHESTER CHARTISM AND MIDDLE-CLASS REFORM . The Council of the Manchester Chartist Association have addressed a manifesto to the Democratic Reformers of Great Britain , which they have published in the Daily News . The Manchester Chartists had before expressed their disapprobation of the obnoxious preliminary clause in the London Chartist programme , which condemned union with the middle classes . The present manifesto is a consequence of that disapprobation , and it developes the line of policy its authors are prepared to pursue .

      The agitation for the Charter , they urge , has hitherto been rather a roar of defiance , than a philosophical appeal to the good sense of the nation ; and the consequence is , that it has aroused a spirit of resentment and antagonism , where it ought to have provoked one of respectful inquiry . All national antecedents have been overlooked , and it has been hoped , by the mere force of clamour , to destroy institutions , which , if not based upon the opinion of the country , do at least exist by its sufferance . This they are prepared to remedy by fraternising with the middle classes frankly and in good faith ; and at the same time protesting against " clubs of professional agitators . Their " future policy " is thus described : —

      " The Manchester Chartist Association has resolved to maintain itself an a distinctive and independent political body , organized for the purpose of accomplishing the legal enactment of the People ' s Charter ; but , in the meantime , it has decided upon giving its support to any body of reformers whose objects , if secured , would facilitate the attainment of the end which Chartists propose to themselves . Our sympathies are with all who are seeking even a modicum of justice . If ttie whole fabric of legislative corruption cannot be overthrown by one effort , we will be but too happy to assist in carrying such of the outworks as shall enable us to obtain possession of the citadel itself . No good shall remain undone for the want of our help , and we avail ourselves of the present opportunity to express the satisfaction which we have experienced at the efforts of the National Parliamentary

      and Financial Reform AsHociation to promote the extension of the suffrage , and to aHUiire the president and council of that body that they have our confidence and respect ; that we honour them for what they have done ; that we fully sympathise with their toilsome but noV > lc undertaking ; that bo far from interpouing ungenerous suflpicioiiH to impede their cause , such support as we are capable of shall be most freely accorded ; that we shall march shoulder to nhouldcr with them , and will regard their opponents , whomsoever they may be , autlu ? enemies of our common interest . We repudiate the notion that any conniricrable body of the working dusseK of thin dititrict are unfriendly to the Reform Association : on tin ; contrary , we know that the labouring population are moHt anxioUH to see something done which shall open Ihv . path of political importance to themselves , aud of freedom to the country at large . " They miy under tho heads " Sociul Rights" and " Cooperation "—Attempts have been made to attach a kind of mongrel Socialism to Chartism ; tliiH notion bus been borrowed from the Parisian school of philosophers ; in England wo uro content that Government should mind its own business ; what we desire is , that we should bo allowed to mind outs ,

      interrupted as little as possible by the officiousness of centralized power . * * Whilst , therefore , we are favourable to " social rights , " we disbelieve in the " right" of Government to regulate them ; and are wholly opposed to the project of adding plans for the reconstruction of society to a mere political measure like the Charter . Cooperation . —We can understand , and are favourable to associations where the capital , skill , and labour of all are combined—where each is entitled to share , in proportion to the capital and labour which he may employ to add to the general stock . This does not interfere with the principle of private

      property , and of individual right , which we believe to be a fundamental law and mainstay of society . Such combinations already abound in this district , and have been more or less productive of much ^ good . Such associations make the people familiar with the legitimate uses and real advantages of capital ; they tend also to elevate their members in the social scale , and thus to extend a knowledge of the advantages of commerce and peace , as the great instruments of the enlightenment and civilization of the world . To interest a people by direct participation in industrial pursuits , in a proprietary sense , is the surest method of anticipating anarchy , and avoiding revolution .

      The Association met on March 2 , and unanimously agreed to a series of resolutions declaring , That they as a body , continued to demand ''The People ' s Charter " as the right of all , as , until it shall be conceded , the principle of justice will be held in abeyance , and individual and national oppression will form a part of our political and social system ; that bitter experience has taught them the evils of disunion among Reformers generally , and , therefore , they are resolved to assist all who are striving for any measure of reform , and especially to tender their " earnest support" to the Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association ; that at a general election ,

      Chartists should bring Chartist candidates to the poll where possible , and where not , that they should support the candidates of the Parliamentary Reform Association ; that all attempts to reimpose the corn laws should be strenuously opposed ; that inflammatory language should be avoided ; and that they repudiate ' * the system of wholesale abuse of the middle classes , " and more especially do they condemn a recommendation to working men to " treat even harehly" those of their own body who advise them to support that section of the middle classes who are seeking for a less measure of reform than is sought by themselves , as they believe that such reform is sought for with the purest motive , and with the sincerest intention . The recommendatory resolutions were submitted to Mr . T . Duncombe , M . P ., on March 4 , and warmly approved of by him .

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      THE CHARTIST PROGRAMME . The Derby Reporter , the Whig-Radical journal of that county , winds up a rather severe article on the proceedings of the late Chartist Convention by the following suggestions , which are perfectly sound so far as they go . Few Chartists would scruple to accept the measures here indicated as first steps in the right direction : — ' Even if the result of a wide extension of the franchise were to admit some few colleagues of Mr . Feargus O'Connor , there would be no harm but great good done . We are not to look at the senseless remedies for known evils , nor at the malignant appeals of vicious tendencies which appear in the manifesto . What we have to do is to study well what the evils are of which complaint is made , for by no other way can Chartism be pjot rid of as a fact . The sooner this study is begun and completed the better ; and the presence in Parliament of a few-Chartist members would surely keep attention fixed on them . " In this manifesto is demanded the absorption of capital and the end of wagea labour . Let us not attend to that , but inquire whether it be notrightto give greater facilities to the wages-receivingelasa to form partnerships and enjoy profits . It is demanded that land should be given up to the people to squat on . We may pass that by , and confine ourselves to the question whether enough facilities are given for breaking up the land into smaller portions , so that working men may poHsesH their portion > f it by fair purchase . A gratuitous superior education ia demanded , to the intent that rich and pour may be put more on an equality ; but the inexpediency of such a demand needs not prevent our thorough concurrence in a good common and free education for the whole community , and for industrial schools . "

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      " Fltl-IK TltADK AND STARVATION . " Almost as commonly oh " No Popery" we have lately read the remarkable- inscription upon our walls , " Free Trade and Starvation . " The appearance of this cabalistic war-cry immediately after tho great Drury Lane meeting suggested tho idea that the people had suddenly been converted , and got tired of cheap bread ; in fact , that they starved upon it , and took this common mode of signifying their grievances . Hut it in not ho . The multitude have not lout faith in farinacun , nor been brought to think that a uvepenny loaf is too vulgar ; and that , tor reputation ' s sake , they must return to cightpenny and tenpenny loaves . Tho all-Hoeing eye of the police has pierced into and unveiled the origin of tho mysterious inscriptions ,

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      May 17 , 1851 . ] « # * HeaKtV . 459

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 17, 1851, page 459, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1883/page/7/