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Leader (1850-1860), 21st February 1852, Edition Country of 2, Page 9, FeB , 21, 1852.] THE LEADER. 173

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      Louis Blanc And Mazzini. {To The Editor ...

      keeping in prison , and whose names , at a still rfL period , continued to be published , in spite of ! ff . irotestations , stifled as soon as uttered ? Scarcely a week ago , the Belgian newspapers reintea from the French journal La Presse , a proclation which had been read before a court-martial , ™ d which had happened to escape censorial vigilance . Well this proclamation , emanating from those very rovincial insurgents wb 6 m the Bonapartist organs had used of p illage—this proclamation declared that Tverv insurgent found guilty of theft should be instantly put to death , and that every man detected in state of drunkenness during the insurrection should L confined , so as to be unable of doing any mischief . Of what must not they be capable , who can slander in this manner those whom they are assassinating ? And let us remember that , in the affair of his election ,

      Louis Bonaparte had an immense interest in lying , an interest which was shared also by all his accomplices . To save themselves from utter annihilation , crushed under the reprobation of . the whole world , he and his companions were compelled to shelter themselves beneath an imposing majority : it was to be obtained at any price . But to demonstrate the imposture , it is sufficient to point to the excess of tyranny to which Louis Bonaparte is condemned . What ! almost all Frenchmen voted for him , and yet he could only maintain himself by permitting neither the liberty of the press , nor individual liberty , nor liberty of private correspondence , nor liberty of mere drawing-room conversations ! What ! here is a man supported by the suffrages of a whole people , and yet an army of five hundred thousand men , always on the alert , and

      innumerable cannons , with matches lighted , are absolutely indispensable to restrain the crowd of this man ' s adorers to prolong " the cowardly acceptance of the most degrading despotism , that ever was . " " But the army ? " The army belongs to the possessor of the supreme command , who can flatter it , who can promise it battles to be gained , and who can intoxicate it with pride and military hopes . And therefore , if any one tells me that this , at least , is a great disgrace , I shall coincide with himr But is that peculiar to France ? Is it not , in every country of the

      earth , the great evil of standing armies that the soldier becomes habituated to forget his title of citizen ? Was not Russia for a long while oppressed by means of the Strelitz , who were Russian soldiers ; and Turkey by means of the ^ Janissaries , who were Turkish soldiers ? Have we not , in our own days , seen Sicily overwhelmed , and Rome threatened , 'by the soldiers of the King of Naples , who were Italian soldiers ? If the oppressed , and not the oppressors , are to be called to account for the oppression , and for its duration—A la bonne 7 ieure I Only do not let this singular theory be applied to France alone , by way of privilege !

      But patience ! France has not yet said her last word . While following the sudden turns of the part which she has played in Europe—while observing those alternations of exaltation and of exhaustion , of rights reconquered , and of despotism apparently accepted , superficial minds frequently call the French a fickle peoples , and think it enough to repeat that saying of Pitt , "LesFrancais ne savent que traverser la liberU . " * But whoever is willing to analyse affairs closely , will

      judge in a very different manner . The truth is , that I * ranee has been , and especially during the last halfcentury , one of the champions of progress . If she bears within her bosom so many germs of transient divisions , if she has so often been seen to lacerate herself with her own hands , it is just because she is incessantly driven onward by her genius to the pursuit of ideas . Pier life is agitated ; it is not one , but divorse ; it is made up of a . series of successes and

      reverses , because her life is a combat , a sublime combat , fought for the advantage of the world . All the results ot her conquest over error and injustice , at the cost of the most cruel efforts , and the most terrible vicissitudes , many other people win through her sacrifices , peacefully , and without ag itation . Ah ! at least they should torebear to cast in her teeth the calamities from whioh they reap so rich a fruit . After having spoken of Franco , it remains for me to speak of French flooialism . which was also , on the part

      or m . Mazzini , the subject of unjust attack . If you wu ] permit me , I will prove , in a second lettor , and , I 2 ' i ^ fata-Wyi that the statod principles set forth in M . Mazzini ' s lecture are literally thoHo which the jroncli socialists profess , and which they have laboured jo propagate ; I ahull prove that terrorism , anarchy , [ M ( 1 « ffr"ding predominance of matter ovor the immortal part of us , violenoe employed as a means of government , the theories of a brutal levelling , or of ynrian spoliation , all the atrooitioB , in fl * ot , that M , « 55 im , with just indignation , repudiates , have never oncountered more constant , more energetic , more detormined opponents than tho French socialists . M . juazzuu , therefore , had no authority to pay , as he is loporteu to have aaid in his address , " We are" not BooiftUats » , the flonse in which tho word has been used * Not recalling the exact words of I'itt , we subjoin a pttrapjiraw of M . Louis BJauo ' H epigrammatic vordiou : — _ fw £ r anee , liberty is buU halt between two despotisms . '

      by system-makers and sectarians in a neighbouring country . " - Such words as these from the lips of M . Mazzini cause infinite regret . They are calculated to lend to French socialism an interpretation contrary , as I would gladly believe , to the intentions of M . Mazzini himself , and which he will feel obliged to us to counteract . Louis Blanc .

      Feb , 21, 1852.] The Leader. 173

      FeB 21 , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 173

      Election Matters. Ea8t Kent Nomination. ...

      ELECTION MATTERS . EA 8 T KENT NOMINATION . The nomination of candidates for the representation of the eastern division of Kent took place at Barhain Downs on Monday . The rival candidates , Sir Brook Bridges and Sir Edward Dering , are both baronets , both extensive landed proprietors in the county , both profess Conservative principles , and the cause of the contest , as set forth in the speeches on the

      hustings , was , that Sir Edward Dering had in more than one instance manifested " unsound Protectionism and unsound Protestantism , " whereas Sir Brook Bridges had always acted up to his professed principles- Sir Edward Dering defended himself from these charges , and ended by declaring himself a " liberal Conservative . " Sir Brook Bridges in his speech accused his competitor of being a Peelite ; and Mr . T . May hew , a tenant farmer , denounced him as a " vacillating" Protestant .

      A violent disturbance took place during the procession to the hustings ; there was a great tumult during the nomination , and considerable excitement prevailed in Canterbury and the districts interested . The show of hands was declared to be in favour of Sir Brook Bridges . Both parties are resolved to fight the battle to the last . The polling took place on Thursday and Friday , and the official ' declaration will be given on Monday next . The Protectionists will bring forward Mr . Clive , son . of the Honourable Robert Clive , as a second to Captain Bushout for East Worcestershire . Mr . Foley , the present member , is to be ousted . Mr . Clive , however , demands a requisition signed by 2000 !

      Mr . Masters Smith will be put up with Sir Edmund Filmer for West Kent . Mr . Law Hodges is to be the victim . Mr . Smith does not know what is meant by a " Conservative Free Trader , " and thinks " Romancatholic Protestant" would be an epithet quite as intelligible . Offended , as is said , by the Speaker in the House of Commons , who " would ' not see him , " Mr . Charles Iiushington retires from Westminster at the close of

      the Parliament . Mr . John Villiers Shelley , of Maresfield Park , Sussex , very moderate , is announced as a candidate to succeed Mr , Lushington . But the Post insinuates that the electors have a " great desire" to commit the representation of their interests , opinions , and convictions to—Lord Palmerston ! *^ The state of the poll for East Kent on Thursday showed 191 majority for Bridges , The numbers were—Bridges , 2037 ; During , 1846 .

      National Defences. The Interest Taken In...

      NATIONAL DEFENCES . The interest taken in this subject does not diminish . Admiral Bowles has published a new edition of his Thoughts on National Defence , which originally appeared in 1 . 848 . His recommendations embrace five principal points . 1 . Tho maintenance of tho home squadron in its full strength . 2 . The completion of certain steam guard-ships for tho special defence of tho coasts . 3 . Tho more careful preservation of tho

      steam navy . 4 > . The construction of steam gun-boats for tho defence of small harbours , coasting vessels , & c . 5 . The revision of military arrangements on a system more adapted to modern warfare and actual circumstances . The Admiral says , in the preface to this edition , " By these meuns wo may speedily and cheaply placo ournolvus in such a firm and dignified attitude of dofenco as at onco to discourage hostility , and restoro confidence at homo . " At East Grinstead , in the county of Sussex , an influential meeting agreed to eond an address to tho Lord-Lioutonant , offering to form a rifle corps . Most warlike speeches woro mado by Lord Colchester , Earl Dolawarr , 11 . Trottor , Ei * q ., and Rev . T . P . Hutton .

      Tho Surrey magistracy and gontry hold a mooting at tho Albion Hotol , Epsom , for tho purpose of promoting tho formation of riflo companies in tho county . One roriolution , proposed by T . Byron , Esq ., of Couldon , and soaondod by Captain do Teisnier , was carried unanimously— " That it is expedient to establish a volunteer riflo roghnont in tho county , of Surrey , by means of which the inhabitants , in ca « o of any foreign enemy attempting to invade our shores , may acquire a sufficient knowledge of military discipline and riflo practice to oirnblo thorn to co-oporato efficiently with tho regular troops , and that such regiment should bo raised by tho formation of a riflo company in each of tho principal duttrictn in Surrey . " Sovoral ludies wore present . Some valuable advice , and u moat important opinion

      on the military value of volunteer rifle corps , have been given by Sir Charles James Napier , the conqueror of Scinde , in a Letter addressed to Members of Parliament on the Defence of England by Volunteers and Militia . The General advises little attention to bo paid to fine uniforms , recommends shooting jackets and gaiters , the best fire-arms procurable , and adds the following admirable instruction )* relative to tho formation of volunteer corps : —

      " Get some old soldier for your adjutant to teach you , not a long course of drill , but just seven things , viz .: — 1 . To face right and left by word of command . 2 . To march in line and in column . 3 . To ' extend , and close files as light infantry , with ' supports . ' 4 . To change front in extended and in close order . 5 . To relieve the skirmishers . 6 . To form solid squares and ' rallying squares ' 7 . To form an advanced guard . " These seven things are all that you require ; do not let any one persuade you to learn more .

      " Let your practice at a target be constant ; also habituate your corps to take long marches of from fifteen to twenty miles , with your arms and ammunition on ; and also in running , or what is called ' double quick time . ' These must be arrived at by gradually increasing from small distances . No single man , much less a body of men , can make these exertions without training . Also subscribe for premiums to those who are the best shots . Do not be exclusive in forming your corps : —take your gamekeepers as your comrades , and any of your labourers that will enrol themselves : a gentleman will find no braver or better comrades than among his own immediate neighbours and tenants . Should you require to throw up a breast-work , they will be more handy with the spades and pickaxes than yourselves . "

      These are the views taken by the General regarding the " long range" rifles : — "I have not , in this pamphlet , entered much into the question of- improved arms , because writers in abundance , with names and without names , have said enough to make our troops lose confidence in * The Queen of weapons /—viz ., the musket and bayonet , which , as far as I can judge , is the best . However , men with as much experience , and who are better soldiers than I am , . hold- contrary opinions . Still , I maintain that before the musket and ' bayonet are condemned , these gentlemen ought , in common fairness , to do that which they have not yet done ,

      viz ., have a musket made which costs as much money as the minii , rifle , to compare with the latter weapon . They produce a highly-finished , beautiful minie rifle , costing a large sum of money , and they try it on Woolwich practice ground . Now ' , I have not any confidence in such a trial , where a musket , which costs about a pounrt , is pitted against a minie rifle that costs probably ten orfif ' teen guineas ! Let the musket cost fifteen guineas , and then try it : let the powder used with both be the very worst that can be made ( for on such the fate of a campaign may by the accidents of war depend ) take two hardy , uncouth , stupid soldiers , give one , the simple but well finished

      musket , costing exactly the same price as the minie rifle , with which arm the other soldier ; let each fire sixty rounds , and then change arms , and fire sixty more , the whgle with bad powder , and if the minie beats tho musket in rapid firing , in range , and in hitting the target , which should bo six yards long by six feet in height , and that the minie has exactly the musket bore , and the ammunition not heavier , then I think the minie rifle should bo tried by two whole regiments as a further experiment , and those regiments should fire sixty rounds of ball cartridge every day , alternately , for one year ; and lot two more regiments with muskets as costly and well finished as the minih riles bo tried in like manner . Then tho results , would be in de

      noted accurately in all their details , some - gree decisive ; but both weapons must always bo used with the worst description of powder , and by two marching regiments , commanded by men who will suffer no tricks to be played off , nnd to bo under the command of a strict general officer . I laugh at battle powder , a 16-guinca rittc , used by a dend ahot , and all auch ' humbug , ' with champagne luncheons at Woolwich , to the great damage of officers' pockets , and ' distinguished foreign travellers' applauding P This is no trial of weapons fit for war ! firing in a dark night , rainy weather , tired soldiers , clumsy fingers , mado more stiff by cold , empty bellies , not a drop of champagne to wash the experiment down 1 but a stern will to shoot all 'foreigners the moment they become ' distinguished' in tho gloom . of the night , or tho dawning of the day I " A rifle-corps has been established at Portsmouth .

      Capture Op Lao Os. In A Former Numbor Wo...

      CAPTURE OP LAO OS . In a former numbor wo gave an account of tho unsuccessful attaok , on tho 25 tU-November , upon tho town of Lagos by tho boats of tho Bin all British squadron , which took placo in consequence of tho slavo-doaling chief , Kosoko , having not only refused to nogotiate and advise with tho consul , Mr . lioccrbft , but having actually fired upon tlio armed boats which ewcorted tho consul with a flag of truco . Tho firab attempt having failed , Commodore Bruoo reports iu bis despatch to tho Ad-

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 21, 1852, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_21021852/page/9/