It is no more than fair to call upon "A Socialist" to place the principles of "Socialism" distinctly before the public, by doing so he the "Socialist" will give the public an opportunity of judging for themselves, whether, the Social System has been fairly represented by those who denounce its principles. When this has been done, the commentator will have to compare the principles propounded by ROBERT OWEN, with those instituted and promulgated by the LORD JESUS CHRIST and if it can be clearly shewn, that ROBERT OWEN has invented a system of moral government, more pure, more perfect, and better adapted to insure the present and future, the Temporal and Eternal happiness of mankind, than that which Divine wisdom and omnipotence has provided—it may then become a question whether or not Christians may not lawfully relinquish Christianity for Socialism.
We cannot say that we envy the temerity of the man who has the confidence to engage in so fearful a contest—but we distinctly maintain that the defender of Socialism is bound by every principle of fairness, to do as we point out.
Some of our readers may be of opinion that we act injudiciously, in drawing the attention of the public to the enormities involved in the Social System of ROBERT OWEN. Some may say, let it remain unnoticed, it contains within itself the elements of its destruction. If you bring it into notice by denouncing it, you may be instrumental in creating Proselytes to it. We differ most completely from this description of reasoners. In a state of society sufficiently demoralized already, we should hold ourselves to be culpable to the last degree, did we not use every means in our power, to drag from its lair, the poisonous reptile, and lay bare its ruinous fangs. As far as we are acquainted with the principles imputed to ROBERT OWEN, and his disciples, we believe them to be subversive of every moral feeling—and calculated, if generally, or even partially acted upon, to brutalize and beastialize society. We hold this opinion perfectly distinct from, and irrespective of all purely religious considerations. The principles of the Social System are, we regret to say, but too well attuned to the immoral predisposition of a very great proportion of this community. The arguments of its disciples are specious, and like the arch Mahometan impostor, the pleasures and gratifications promised to those who would be most likely to embrace its principles, are of so purely sensual a nature, so admirably suited to the vicious propensities of the licentious and immoral portion of mankind, that the glaring deformity, as well as the absurdity of its nature, is so insidiously kept out of view, that it may almost be said to be clothed upon (if not with the garment of the purest morality), at least with the mantle of philanthropy. We do therefore call upon the defender of Socialism to make a full declaration of its principles. If we have misconceived them, and therefore misrepresented them, let us have an opportunity of correcting our own error, and of doing justice to those whom we may have ignorantly aspersed. But we demand the full display of the entire system. No prevarications nor mental reservations will do. Let OWEN'S principles be as fully declared as are those of the Gospel, and let truth and morality decide.
THE SOCIALISTS.
The Bishop of Exeter then proceeded with his motion against Socialists. It might appear from the terms of his motion that he doubted the determination of her Majesty's government to persist resolutely in the suppression of those doctrines He frankly owned he had that fear, unless some impulse was given to them by the expression of their Lordships' opinion. Messrs. Mackintosh and Murphy had stated last Sunday that men in office at Birmingham would do what they could to screen the Socialists if prosecuted. He refered to the coldness of Lord Normanby's declarations, and to the formal acknowledgment by Lord Melbourne of letters complaining of Mr. Owen's presentation at Court ; then alluded to the progress of Socialism in America, and read an extract from the Socialist journal there, which congratulates the world upon tho success of Owen's doctrines, and upon the impunity which bad attended his proceedings, whilst Carlile and Tailor, who had not gone a tenth part as far, had been pursued to their utter ruin. He had inquired that very day, and had asserted that the New Moral World was regularly received at the Stamp-office ; and that being the case, be maintained that her Majesty's government had no right to plead ignorance of its horrible contents. Where the worst evils of socialism did not appear, there were dangerous doctrines. He alluded to the lectures of Dr. Epps, and quoted a commendatory notice of the New Moral World in the London and Westminster Review, citing the words of a juror, who said he would not convict a man of a certain crime, because he (the juryman) thought he could not help committing it. Government might deal as they would with seditious publications, but blasphemy no government had the right, or the power, to suffer. On the sanctity of on oath depended life and property ; the foundation of government and society was religion. In 1819 Lords Grey, Erskine, and Lansdowne, Sir S. Romilly, Sir J. Mackintosh, &c, had declared that the existing law was strong enough to prevent abuses of the press if the government were but energetic. There was still an Attorney-General, and the last ex-officio information had been filed against Mr. O'Connor for a seditious libel ; but what was that to the libels and blasphemies he (the bishop) had quoted? He then read at length the Queen's first proclamation for the suppression of vice and immorality, and concluded, moving, that a humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying her Majesty to direct that steps be taken to prevent the diffusion of blasphemous and immoral doctrines by printed publications, and by other illegal means.
The Marquis of Normanby went into the case of Mr. Pare, who, he said, had in his own justification, placed in his hands the report of proceedings of tho fourth Congress, held at Bermingham, at which the question was, whether in the new civil society persons professing to believe in Christianity should be admitted and Mr. Pare argued the negative. This, he said, was sufficient to prevent the government from suffering Mr. Pare to hold his situation as registrar. The only notice of an official kind the government had received was from the chairman of a quarter session, inclosing pamphlets, addressed to the clergy, of a blasphemous and obscene character ; these were now under the consideration of the law officers of the crown. (Hear.) He did not think that socialism was increasing; that there were no grounds for the prelate's motion was his firm conviction ; and he hoped the House would leave these people to be dealt with as their overt acts might render them responsible to the law.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said that Mr. Owen was a Speculative enthusiast, who stood almost alone, and unsupported but a few years ago, and was now able to carry his schemes into execution. He stood at the head of an association, which was formidable from its principles, if not from its numbers, which threatened to overthrow religion, and to spread its moral pestilence over the country (Hear, hear.) That speculative enthusiast had become the leader of an association that possessed means for purchasing estates in Hampshire and other places—that had money at command, not only to hire, but to erect suitable buildings for delivering their doctrines—which was able to establish itself in country places, and to infect the largest towns with its pestilential notions ; and not only that, but which had missionaries that were of course remunerated, for they were employed in going over the country disseminating its pernicious tenets, (Hear.) It was not wise, then, looking to the past, to say the system would not extend in future. It did appear to him, by the admission of the noble lord who had spoken last, that all the doctrines attributed to the society were proved. He desired no better evidence than what the noble marquis stated, although it was given in softened language. He believed it was necessary to suppress those doctrines ; and he also believed that, if they proceeded justly, lawfully, and with mode ration, their proceedings would be approved of by the great body of the people, and all the sympathies of the people would go with the authorities who brought such persons to justice.
The Bishop of Llandaff said that if argument and reason were not sufficient to prevent the inculcation of such odious and dangerous doctrines, he hoped the law would be put in force. ( Hear).
Lord Melbourne confessed that he had acted imprudently, in admitting Owen to Court ; he regretted that act, but their Lordships were about to introduce him to Court again. They demanded inquiry, which was exactly what the Socialists wished. He thought the course impolitic, but if the Right Reverend Prelate insisted, and the House agreed, he would not divide against the motion.
The Duke of Wellington's attention having been called to the system, be must say that the Right Reverend Prelate had not exaggerated its evils. It had got past the period when one could say—let it alone, it will full to pieces. The government were bound to suppress it, and show the people that the system had no countenance from them.
The Marquis of Landsdown referred to the St. Simonians in France, and the Owenites in America, to show that government interference was not necessary to put them down. There was a colony in Wiltshire of these persons, to obtain admission to which cost £30. He was glad of this, as the practical experiment might serve to convince all men, even the systematists themselves, of the folly of their wickedness.
The Bishop of London said the publication of this debate would do much good , it would call out the respectable classes of society, whose expressed opinion on these shocking blasphemies would have its due effect, even on the misguided victims of the Socialists.
The Bishop of Exeter briefly replied. The motion was agreed to, and the House adjourned.
Sydney Gazette 27/6/1840,
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