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    JvKB S, 185g.} THE LEADER. 529

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    PROGRESS OF ASSOCIATION. THE SOCIALIST t...

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    Death Of The Booksellers' Association. A...

    . ¦ ^ wag then placed , did not feel it expedient to ^ rgest any definite course of action . ^ Mr Longman said , that the successof the association j been its downfall . Persons not connected with + h association had discovered that its existence would hr-aa their business to an end ; they had applied to T rd Camp bell and certain other authors , and the s 8 had made the matter public . The committee had P only to perform their pledge , and resign their

    owers . He could not see that they could do otherwise than breakup the association . Although he could not but regret the destruction of the system by which the trade had been so long carried on , yet he felt i his duty to state that that system involved practices reptfrnant to the feelings . There were always violations ' of p ledges occurring , injurious to the honest traders , and protection to those whom no pledge could bind . He resigned his functions .

    His place having been taken by Mr , Hatchard , Mr . Maberly proposed a vote of thanks to the committee , for their endeavours to maintain a uniform price in the trade . He considered the association had been defeated by unjust and immoral conduct , classing their opponents with " Robin Hood , Dick Turpin , and the Keligious Tract Society" ! Mr . Chapman ( his case having been referred to ) bore testimony to the character of the committee , considered that they had acted with ; great vigour and conscientiousness , and made a speech , which could not 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 Lad 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 question . They had had a judicial hearing instead of a conference , and tfie 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 kind could not be carried but , and that it was better to abandon the idea .

    Mr . Bigg proposed a vote of thanks to Mr . Longman , Mr . Murray , and the deputation to Lord Campbell , for the zealous and able 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 their principles . He thought the result would be mainly injurious to the authors , and that when the principle of competition was universally applied , they would wish the association had been continued . Mr . Effingham Wilson seconded the resolution , regretting that the association should be dissolved , and hoping that another would be formed . The resolution was carried with applause .

    Mr , Okey moved , that the association , as a protective hili / , be dissolved . As honourable men they could not do otherwise . He thought that it would bo for their interest to give up the restrictive system . He thought that the authors had the first right to a voice in the matter , as ink and paper woro worthless without thoir brains . The vigilanco and espionage required to carry out this system proved its impracticability . Ho denied the existence of such a thing as a fixed

    Pnco , and believed that a healthy state of the trade would ensue , and the literature of the country bo much benefited if the restrictions were abandoned . This motion being seconded , Mr . John Chapman stated that no had not undersold from unfair motives , but had "eon driven to it in solf-dofonce . He did not think that tno country booksellers approved of the association , and Ilnt ifc was unfair to presume that they did so . Mr . Seeloy , though ho could not rocommond a rofit"ctivo association , advised tlint they should mature Homo plnn boforo their dissolution . Mr . Chapman ' s objections required more mature consideration . Ho BU & gQBtod that tho system to bo udoptod for tlio fixture « H > ula bo referred to a body of gentlemen , and moved " nmondment to that onoofc , which was , seconded by iVlr -Waundors . '

    Mr . Longman said that ho folt bound to retire from » o association , which ho thought should bo-dissolved ° T tll ° y considered thoir future- proceedings . Mr . Itivington said , ho must follow tho oxamplo of jj Lo"f ? man in withdrawing- from tho association . j ° . W (| ul ( l » till support tho association , whoso interests tWi -1 a ° uo tho utmost to protect , could ho soo any winitti result boforo them . He thought that thoir y course , wna to re-model tUo association , ultimately

    making , perhaps , some modification £ n 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 i—Messrs . Longman , Murray , Hatchard , Colburn , Bentley , Smith , Gilbert , T . Miles , Bivington , J . H . Parker , Uisbet , Seeley , Shaw , Walker , Moxon , Dalton , Bigg , Bohn , Nutt ; with power to add to their number .

    Jvkb S, 185g.} The Leader. 529

    JvKB S , 185 g . } THE LEADER . 529

    Progress Of Association. The Socialist T...

    PROGRESS OF ASSOCIATION . THE SOCIALIST tJNION . 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 madmen , as Jean Jacques Rousseau has said in the Contrat Social ; and , as he has also said , " Madness 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 landof 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 an organ for all true ideas—an echo for all legitimate complaints—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—to rally dispersed efforts—and to receive , as in a depfit , 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 with different organizations , but animated with the same faith , having different aptitudes , but so selected as at onco 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 . Tho difficulty was , how to come together . This difficulty , by a land 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 exclusivoness and of prulo is , wo know well , fit only to create misfortune : it engenders hate , it results in impotence . Wo invite all Ropnblican Democratic Socialists to join in our work . If others besides us unite in a purposo similar to our owntho search after truth , tho triumph of justice , tho enfranchisement of tho people—far from fearing our antagonism , let thorn reckon upon our fraternal

    welcome . It is penetrated with this spirit that wo have agreed to work together iiv the service of tho pcoplo , hand in hand , under tho auspices of friendship . It remained for us to establish tho material means of action ; it remained to give to our moral and political association , in order to put it in relation with tho world around us , the character of an industrial association . Hero nn unfbroseon difficulty presented itself . Tho

    English lows . render very hazardous , in nn industrial sonflo , assoointions composed of n groat number of persons , by tho throat of a mutual responsibility , confused in its limitations , and impossible to rcguluto beforehand . Wo have , therefore , folt ourHplves compelled to sopnrato our moral and political association from an industrial association ; and threo amongst us , who form our committee—Citizens Louis Blanc , Etienno Cabot , Piorro Leroux—have undertaken tho exclusive direction of all that coneoriw tho mnnngamont of tho Journal and tho Itoview . It nood not be added that all who thus reinnin unconnected with tho industrial ontorprise desire its

    success as ardently as the three who are charged with the responsible agency . The latter have decided , oh 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 . niuch as . possible the intellectual unity of the nation ' s . 2 . That the Review shall bear the name of the association itself — " L'UnioN" Sociamste — ( The Socialist Union ) . " 3 . That the title of the journal shall be " I / Europe Libre—( Free Europe ) . " Europe first ! 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 invincible —• that to the scandalous orgies of despotism winch 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 Caracalla 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 . Louis Biajsc , Ex-Mernbre da Gouvernement Provisoiire . Cabet , Ex-Deput 6 ( Cote d'O ) . Pierre Leroux , Itepre ' sentant du Peuple ( Paris ) . Members of the Council . Bandsept , Repre ' sentarit du Peuple ( Strasbourg ) . J . Ph . Berjeau , Journalisto ( Paris ) . Boura , JNe ' gQciant ( Vend < $ e ) . Augusope Desmoulins , Tvpographe ( Paris ) . Clement Dulac ; Proprietaire , Agriculteur , Bepre * sontant du Pcuplo ( Dordogne ) . Philippe Faure , Journahste ( Snrtlie ) . Ernest Lebloys , Journaliste ( Limoges ) . Jules Leroux . Typographe , Ecpresentonfc du Peuplo ( Crcuse ) . ] VIalardier , Instituteur , Eeprdsentant du Peuplo ( Ni 6 vro ) . Malarmet , Montour en Bronzo ( Hnutc-Sa 6 no ) . Nadaud , Magon , Repr < 5 scntant du Peuple ( Creuso ) . Louis Netre , Typographo ( Paris ) , ' Pelletier , lteprdsontant du Pouplo ( Lyon ) . Houet , Prepridtairc , Cultivatour , Koprdsentant du Pouplo ( Nievro ) . Sahatieb , Ancion Ulivo do 1 'EcoIe Polytecliniquo ( Horault ) . Alfred Tajvandier , Avocat ( Haute-Vionne ) . Thierry , Marchand Uottior ( Coto d'Or ) . T . Tjiokb , Journalisto ( Paris ) . In our next number we shall give the articles of the " Acte do Socie'te—( Deed of As . sociation ) , " by which it is proposed to conduct tho commercial enterprise-. The subjoined letter will bo a sufficient testimony to thq character and purpoao of tho proposed " Union" : — Iiomlon , 10 th Mny , 1852 , To Mm . Lours Bt . anc , Cabet , PieiIrk . Lehoux . Gentlemen " , — ¥ o accept ; tho ofllco of Trustees of tho Union" Booialiste proposed by you , unrtor tho understanding that wo aro not tlioroby considorod to indicate nny coucurronco in your viewt ) , 1 ' urthor than tho . desire that you should havo iho opportunity of making your ideas known , and should succood in aHHiflting your follow-countrymon to support themselves in oxilo by thoir own oxortlons . Wo aro , gontlomon , yours , iWUifully , / a- i \ fE « WAUi > Vakbittaeu Nealh , ( Signed ) [ WlJiLIAM Conxnouam . Tho Socialisfc Union huvo entablished their oJFiccs at 5 , Hart-street , IJloomslmry-squuro , where any information may ho sought and obtained , personally or by lottor . ¦ .. . < CnNTJlAIi CO-O 1 > EHATIVJ 3 AGKNOY . The businoHs of tho Agency is going on most favourably . Tho principal ineonvonioneo being the want of BufHciont room in tho promises w > w occupied for carrying on thoso opomtioiiH rondorcd jujeoswary by the naturo of tho businosH . To socuro purity in tho articles prepared by tho Agency , such an coffbo , cocoa , Bpices , & c , it is nocossary tlioy should bo ground and prepared on tho prtnniflOB , as it would bo moat dangerous to entrust thorn for preparation to those who are ordinarily »

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), June 5, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_05061852/page/5/