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    ,. ck ft was then placed , did npt feel it expedient to ^ L sfc any definite course of action . Mr Longman said , that the success of the association . v" ^ gep , its downfajl Persons not connected with % e association had discovered thaf ; its existence would hrinff their ^ ines 3 ¥ "' ¦' & exu * J they had applied to Lord Camp bell and certain other authors , and the ress had anade the matter publics The committee had only to perform their pledge , and . resign their

    now owers . He could not see that they could do otherwise than break up the association . Although he could , riot but regret the detraction of the system by which the trade had been so long carried on » yet he felt > his duty to state that that system involved practicerepugnant to the feelings : There were always violations of pledges occurring , injurious to the honest tra ders , and protection to those whom no p ledge could bmdV He resigned his functions .

    His place having been taken by Mr . Hatchard , Mj ? . Maberly proposed a vote of f / hanks to the committee , for their , endeavours to maintain a uniform price in the trade . ! He considered the association had been de- ^ feated by unjust and immoral' conduct , classing their opponents with " Robin jlood , Dick Turpin , and the Religious Tract Society ' 1 Mr . Chagnaan ( his case having been referred £ 0 ) bore testimony to the character of the committee , considered that they had acted with great vigour and conscientiousness , and made a speech , which could jopt be reported on account of the constant interruption to which the speaker was subjected . The resolution was carried .

    Mr . Seeley returned thanks for the committee , and expressed feelings of shame and indignation that they had brought to a failure the great cause entrusted to them . He complained bitterly that the Lord Chief Justice had not , throughout the proceedings , displayed to them what was passing in his own mind ^ as , in such case , they would have been far better able to bring him to their view of the . auestiqn . They had had a judicial hearing instead of a conference ; and the real question , whether fixed prices were better for the trade and the public ; had been quite overlooked . If the system was done away with , many retail booksellers would be ruined . He thought that another association of the Mnd could npt be carried put * '; and that it was better to abandon the idea .

    Mr . Bigg propoped a vote of thanks to Mr . Longman , Mr , Murray ,- and the deputation to Lord Gampbell , for the zealous and ftble manner in which they had advocated the cause of the trade . He stated that the majority of authors were influenced to oppose them from mistaken feelings and that consequently they could not carry out th ^ ir principles , He thought the result would be mainly injurious to the authors , and that when tl £ principle of competition was universally applied , they would wiah the association had been conV tinued . Mr , ' Effingham Wilson seconded the resolution , regretting that t ] ie association should be dissolved , and hoping that another would be formed . The resolution was carried with appjause .

    Mr . Okey moved , that the association , as a protective body , be dissolved . As honourable men they could not do otherwise . He thought that it would be for their interest to give up the restrictive system . He thought that the authors hod the first right to a voice in . the matter , as ink and paper were worthless without their brains . The vigilance and espionage required to carry out this system proved its impracticability . Ho denied the existence of such a thing as a fixed prico , and bolioved that a healthy state of the trade would ensue , and the literature of the country be much benefited if the restrictions wero abandoned . This

    motion being seconded , Mr . John Chapman stated that |» o had not undersold from unfair motives , but had been driven to ifc in self-defence . He did not think that the country booksellers approved of the association , and "Hit it was unfair to presume that they did so . Mr . Sooloy , though ho could no ^ recommend a ro"frietivo association , advised that they should nwture » on > o plan bpfore thoir dissolution . Mr . Chapman ' s ob jections required mpvfl mature consideration . He suggested that the system to bo adopted for the future would bo referred to q body of gentlemen , and moved '" i amendment to that effect , which was seconded by M »' - Sftundors .

    Mr . Longman said that he felt bound to retire from "io association , which he thought should bo dissolved »> o ( oro they considered their future proceedings ; Mr . Rivingtpn said , hp murt follow the example of Jjr . Longmnn in withdrawing from the association . J * o would still support the association , whoso interests ' « had done the utmost to protect , could ho boo any <« ° unto result before them , Ho fought thai ) the ; r ° Wy coursp to . remodel the association , ultimately

    making , perhaps , some modification in the allowances to retail booksellers . After addresses from several other speakers , the original motion , without the words " as a protective institution , " was agreed to . Mr . Seeley ' s amendment was adopted as a substantive motion , and a committee appointed to consider the future regulations of the . trade , composed as follows : — -Messrs . Loiigmanj Murray , Hatchard , Colbnrn , Bentley , Smith , Gilbert s T . Miles , Rivington , J . H . Parker , Nishet , Seeley , Shaw , Walker , Moxon , Dalton , Bigg , Bohn , Niitt , with power to add to their number .

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    PROGRESS OP ASSOCIATION . THE SOCIALIST UNION . We have received the following communication from M . Louis Blanc on behalf of the newly formed Socialist Union . We are glad to welcome this proposed organization of ideas , a hopeful substitute for the sterile propagandism of the barricades . There are none among our readers , however dissident from the opinions of the undersigned , who will not be ready to wish success to an endeavour announced by so calm , so discreet , so courageous a programme . "It is not true that the usurpation of Louis Bonaparte has been absolved , in fact , by universal suffrage . As regards Europe , it is an imposture ; as regards France , it is a calumny . At all events , France would never have desired , through universal suffrage , to give herself a tyrant . For any man to believe that , would be to suppose , a people of madmenx as Jean Jacques Rousseau has said in the Control ' Social ; and , as he has also said , " 3 £ adness does not make a right . " To replace , by an independent press , the journals suppressed by the 2 nd of December ; as many as despotism condemns to silence , or their own cowardice to falsehood .

    To light up on the land of exile a beacon that our brothers of France may perceive from afar , from out the midst of the darkness-in which they are plunged . To facilitate the search after means of employment for our brethren in proscription . To provide anK ) rgan for all true ideas—an echo for all legitimate complaihts—a refuge for intelligence oppressed by force . To record the union of spirit and the convergence of ideas in the Socialist democracy . To create , in a word , a centre to fix many an errant purpose—rip rally dispersed efforts—and to receive , as in a dep 6 t , the Cahiers of another ' 89 , those of the nineteenth century . Such is our aim . How shall we attain it ?

    First , it was important to form a . group of men endowed witl * different organizations , but animated with the same faith , having different aptitudes , but so selected as at once to combine with and to counterpoise each other . This group we have had no difficulty in forming : for a long time past our spirits appealed to each other , and a secret sympathy united our hearts . The difficulty was , how to come together . This difficulty , by a kind of providential law , proscription has solved ; for almost all the undersigned are proscribed , and among them there are eight who , having been named representatives of the people , do but pursue , under the only form now possible , the accomplishment of their mandate .

    The spirit of exqlusivcness and of pride is , we know well , fit only to create misfortune : it engenders hate , it results in impotence . We invite all Republican Democratic Socialists to join in our work . If others besides us unite in a purpose similar to our ownthe search after truth , the triumph of justice , the enfranchisement of the people—far from fearing our antagonism , lot them reckon upon our fraternal

    welcome . , , It is penetrated with this spirit that wo have agreed to work together in the service of the people , hand in hand , under the auspices of friendship . It remained for us to establish the material means of action ; it remained to givo to our moral and political association , in order to put it in relation with tho world around us . the character of an industrial association . Hfirfi an unforeseen difficulty presented itHolf . The

    English laws render very hazardous in an industrial sense , associations composed of a groat number of porsons , by the throat of a mutual . responsibility , confused in its limitations , and impossible to regulate beforehand , We have , therefore , felt ourselveH compolled to separate our moral and political association from an industrial association ; and three amongst us , who form our committee—Citizens Louis Blanc , Edenno Cabot , Piorro Loroux—have undortakon tho exclusive direction of all that concerns the management of tho Journal and tho Review . It need not bo added that , all who thus roinnin unconnected with tho industrial pntorprljo dosiro its

    success as ardently as the three who are charged with ' the responsible agency . The latter have decided , on the strength of our unanimous adhesion—1 . That the Journal and the Review shall be edited in the three languages most generally known-- —in French , German , and English—so as to constitute as much as possible the intellectual unity of the nations . . 2 .-That the Review shall bear the name of the association itself —r- "L'Union Sociauste — ( The Socialist Union ) . " ¦ ¦ . " - 3 . That the title of the journal shall be " I / Europe Libre—( Free Europe ) . " Europe first I because the true republican principle , that of the solidarity and fraternity of nations : because the definitive triumph of justice can only now spring from a vast concurrence of efforts : because , when France is struck , all Europe is menaced or suffering . Europe Free ! because the first right to be reconquered at the present moment is liberty . If the enterprise succeed , the People ' s cause will be found to have at its service a grand and fruitful power . If the immense and exceptional difficulties of our position prevent our raising the necessary sum , we shall have accomplished an imperious duty , and the moral and political association we have formed will still survive to prepare for better days . Profoundly convinced that the victories of evil are but transient— -that only truth , is really invinciblethat to the scandalous orgies of despotism which now afflict France will succeed a disgust that should render their return for ever impossible : that the 2 nd of December was the maddened agony of a departing world , as the pagan world was departing under the infamous reigns of Caraealla and Heliogabalus , immediately before the triumph of Christianity , we are full of faith , courage , and hope . We appeal once more to all who partake our convictions and are animated with our sentiments . And even those who , without sharing all our persuasions , know us to be honest men , determined to fulfil loyally what we deem to be a useful work , we invite to aid us . Members of the Committee . Loins Blanc , Ex-Membre du Gouvernement Provisoire . _ Caset , Ex-Be ' pute' ( Goto d'Q ) . Pierre Lerottx , Bepre * sentant du Peuple ( Paris ) . Members of the Council . Banbsept , Eepre " sentant du , Peuple ( Strasbourg ) . J . Ph . Beejeau , Jburnaliste ( Paris ) . Botjra , Ndgoejant ( Vende ' e ) . Augusts Desmottlins , Typographo ( Paris ) . Clement Dulac , PropriiStaire , Agriculteur , Bepre * sent « ant du Peuple ( Dprdogne ) . Philippe Faure , Journalisto ( Sarthe ) . Eknest Lebloys , Jburnaliste ( Limoges ) . Jules Leboux . Typography HepriSscntant du Peuple ( Creuse ) . Malardier , Instituteur , Kcprdsontant du Peuple ( Nievro ) . Malarmet , Monteur on Bronzo ( Haute-Sa 6 no ) . Nadaud , Magon , Repi-e ' sontant du Peuplo ( Creuse ) . Louis Netre , Typographo ( Paris ) . Pelletieb , Eepi-6 sentant du Peuplo ( Lyon ) . Roust , Preprie'taire , Cultivatour , Eepr&entant du Pouplo ( Nieyro ) . Sabatieu , Ancion Elivo do l'Ecolo Polyteohniquo ( Hdrault ) . Alfred Talandier , Avocat ( Tlauto-Vicnno ) . Tkierry , Marchand Bottier ( Coto d'Or ) . T . TnoRE , Journalisto ( Paris ) . In our next number we shall give tho urticles of the "Acte do Socioto- ~( l ) ecd of Association ) , " by which it is proposed to conduct tho commercial enterprise . Tho subjoined letter will bo a sufficient testimony to tho character and purpose of tho proposed " Union" : — London , 10 th May , 1852 . To Mm . Louis Blanc , Cabkt , Piurrb Lekoux . Gentlemen , —Wo aecopt the office of Trustees of tho Union Socialists proposed by you , under tho understanding that wo aro not tlioniby considered to indicate any concurrence in your views , further than tho doaire that you Hhould have tho opportunity of making your ideas known , and should succeed in aHflisting your fbllow-countryrnon to support tliemaolvea in oxilo by thoir own . exertions . Wo arc , gentlemen , yourB , faithfully , / a- i \ cKdwa juj Vansittart Nkai-e , ( Signed ) iWirxrAM Coninoham . Tho Socialist Union have cfltabliHbod thoir ofliccs at 5 , Hart-street , Hloom 8 l ) ury-8 q \ iaro , where any information may be sought and obtained , pernonally or by lottor . CENTKAL CO-OPKHATIVE AQISNCY . Tub buHincss of tho Agency is going on moist favour- , ably . Tho principal inconvenience being tho wuut of HulHcient room in tho promiKCH now occupied for carrying on thoso operations romlorod noccsHary by the naturo of tho buainoss . To Hecuro purity in tho articles ) prepared by tho Agoney , Much iw coflbe , cocoa , flpicqs , Ac , it in nocoHHiiry tboy Hhould bo ground and prepared , on tho promincH , as it would bo most dangorouu to entrust thorn for propuvatiou to thosa who aro ordinarily

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• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), June 5, 1852, page 529, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1938/page/5/