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    June 21, 1851.] SEfie 3Lf afr£t* '591

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    The Executive Committee of the National ...

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    PROGRESS OF CABET'S COMMUNITY AT NAUVOO....

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    The Workman And The Exhibition. The Rela...

    glory , assemble in Hyde-park , under the walls of the Crystal Palace , the army of workers who filled that palace by the industry of their hands . Let the child be there who is dragged out of " beds which are never cold , " at five o ' clock in the morning , by the little night-workers , who have returned home and are ¦ waiting for their turn to sleep ; let . the young factory man be there as he is to be found at home , without knowledge or emulation , the ycmng factory woman without self-respect , manhood and womanhood without content or hope ; old age , trembling at its decay of power , and at- the workhouse destiny before it . Let models be exhibited of their narrow streets , yards ,

    gutters , cesspools , cheerless houses , bare cupboards , and , if possible , the drama enacted at the factory counter and in the truck-shop on the Saturday night , and then tell us , in the language of one with whom sympathy is not a failing , whether " this be a green , flowery world with azure everlasting sky stretched over it , the work and government of a God ; or of a murky , simmering Tophet of copperas fumes , cotton fuz , gin , riot , -wrath , and toil , created by a demon and governed by one ? " Why ( addressing as I here do those who may demur to this picture)—if you dare venture to exhibit your producers , as you do your products , the world has not seen so sad a sight as would be presented—a motley

    group , pallid and haggard and sick , labouring under asthma , consumption , rheumatism , fever , poverty , curses ! Talk , of the development of industry : it is the development of curvature of the spine , concave chests , and deformities of mind more hideous even than deformity of body . The conventional sceptic will say—But the working-classes are not all like this . True ; but so many are like this that you dare not venture upon the exhibition of them . Yet there are people who get rich not merely in spite of this misery—that were a thing to be glad at ; but people get rich out of this misery and because of it—and this is a thing to be looked into and to be altered . Time was when those who were industrious could

    live by their industry . We , however , have come upon a time and a state of things when industry , practically , is neither a virtue nor a success . Growing civilization has brought with it some incidental advantages to the people , but it has also brought with it one deadly and universal curse—uncertainty . Few workmen are sure of either work or ultimate competence . It is not the misery of this , so much as the demoralization of it , which has to be deplored . The working-class are a stricken race . Their native energy seems bled out of them . Theyliveas men should never live , and they die as men should never die . They consent to perish inglorioualy . They have not even the dignity of despair . Despair is at least a manly

    desolation : it at least implies that keen-sighted and furious energy has been baffled by some overwhelming power , and that the struggler yields to a fate he has fought against bravely . The modern workman has not even this gloomy example to bequeath to his children . From anvil and bench , from loom and mill , from factory and mine , mechanics , who call themselves Englishmen , Irishmen , or Scots , are driven out , like the worn-out horse , to die ; and they slink into the garret or the cellar , or to that more public stable , the poor-law union , and lay themselves down on the paupers' bier , and from his ignoble grave bequeath to their brethren the legacy of a dishonourable example of ignorance , supineness , submission , and cowardice .

    If the International Exhibition be the means of ailing the attention—bestowed so plentifully on industrial products—to the social condition of the producers , it will not pass away without leaving a noble moral behind . There is reason to think that it will be influential in this way . Those who feel interest in estimating artistic skill , should not be averse to considering the next problem—that of artisan prosperity , universal and progressive , coexisting with a wholesome manliness . Ion .

    June 21, 1851.] Sefie 3lf Afr£T* '591

    June 21 , 1851 . ] SEfie 3 Lf afr £ t * ' 591

    The Executive Committee Of The National ...

    The Executive Committee of the National Charter Association met on Wednesday evening last . Present , Messrs . Arnott , Grassbv , Holy oake , Hunt , Jones , and Milne . Messrs . llarney and Reynolds being in the country , as was also Mr . O'Connor . The secretary reported that the National-hall , High Holborn , had been engaged for the public meeting on Wednesday evening next , in order to adopt a petition to the House of Commons , praying for an inquiry into the treatment inflicted on Eruest Joiiob , in Tothill-fields prison ; that Mr . Wakley , M . P ., had consented to take the chair ; and that Lord Dudley

    being given to the trade ) , all who feel desirous of aiding in the sale will oblige by forthwith sending their orders , and also stating the channel through which the circulars may be forwarded , addressed to John Arnott , 14 , Southampton-street , Strand , London . —Signed on behalf of the committee , John Abnott , Gen . Sec . On Tuesday evening last , the John-street Locality resumed their adjourned discussion on " The relative merits of Free Trade and Protection , " in the coffeeroom of the Institution . Mr . Arthur Bate in the chair . Messrs . Swift , Jennison , Campbell , Turley , Rogers , and others , having expressed their opinions on the question , Mr . Brinsmead moved the adjournment of the discussion till Tuesday evening next .

    Working-men s Associations . —On Whit-Tuesday a festival , under the management of the Working Tailors' Association , was held in St . Martin's-hall . Between . 200 and 300 persons sat down to tea . The president of the society took the chair . Mr . Neale proposed and Mr . W . Cooper supported the sentiment of : — " Working-Men ' s Associations and Cooperative Stores may they succeed in overturning the iniquitous slop and sweating system , with all its consequent evils , substituting justice and honesty in the affairs of trade and industry ,

    in the place of the fraudulent practices now so fearfully prevalent . The Reverend A . B . Strettell then spoke , who remembered the time when he thought every Chartist carried a revolver in each breeches pocket , and an infernal machine in his coat tails ; but he had looked many in the face now , and he knew better . " After a speech by Mr . Shorter , Mr . Walford proposed , " The cooperative movement in the Provinces ; may it be conducted with unity of action and in the sprit of brotherhood . " Mr . Solly spoke in support of the sentiment , and the meeting concluded .

    Cooperation in Manchester . —At a meeting of forty delegates from the various cooperative stores and workshops in Lancashire , held on the 13 th of June , in the lecture-room of the Mechanics' Institution , Cooperstreet , Manchester , Mr . Chapper , of Halifax , in the chair , the following reBolutisns were agreed to : —1 . That Messrs . Lloyd and Jones , of London , James Campbell , of Manchester , William Bell , of Herywood , Thomas Hull , of Padihove , and Mr . Smithers , of Rochdale , form a committee to draw up plans and rules for guiding the cooperative movement of England . 2 . That the committee draw up a prospectus , get it printed by the 1 st of July next , and send a copy to all cooperative concerns , calling on all friends to the movement to take up shares for the establishment ofa central dep 6 t in Manchester to supply all stores with groceries and provisions . 3 . That the various societies be recommended to pay one penny

    per week each member for the redemption ot labour . 4 . That the various cooperative societies in England should use all their influence to prevent the sale of any adulterated articles for household consumption , inasmuch as the cooperative movement is by its very constitution open and honest in its dealings , and that any departure from the strictest honesty in dealing is a gross violation of the principles and intention of cooperation . 5 . That Abel Heywood , Esq ., bookseller , Oldam-etreet , Manchester , be requested to be the treasurer to the company . 6 . That all stores , workshops , and private individuals , favourable to the movement , be requested to send their address to Mr . Smithers , cooperative store , Rochdale . 7 . That the thanks of the conference be given to the Manchester Spectator , Christian Socialist , Friend of the People , Leader , Preston Guardian , and all other papers that have thrown open the columns of their papers to report the doings of co operative societies .

    Redemption Society . — The camp meeting which was to have been held on Adwalton Moor last Sunday , did not take place owing to the rain ; but a meeting was held in the neighbouring village of Driglington in the evening , which was well attended . The various speakers were listened to with interest . The camp meeting on Adwalton Moor will be held on Sunday , June 29 , weather permitting . The various committeea appointed by the Congress are preparing detailed plans for future action , which will be published to the members in a tew days . Moneys received for the week : —Leeds , £ 2 18 s . 94 d . ; Nottingham , per Mr . Smith , 5 b . 5 d . ; llochdale , per Mr . Brearly , £ 1 9 s . 6 d . ; Driglington , per Mr . Clayton , 10 a . 2 d . ; Birkenshaw , per Mr . Brear , 6 s . Communal Building Fund : —Nottingham , per Mr . Smith , 10 s . ; Driglington , J . II ., 2 t » . ; Holbeck , W . H ., 2 s . 6 d . —J . Hbn » bkson , Sec .

    Mk . Owkn ' s Exhibition Ihacts . —The London committee of the Social Propaganda have just published a series of six tracts written by Mr . Owen , addressed to the people assembled at the Exhibition . The committee are about to publish French and German translations of the same , for distribution amongst the natives of those countries who may visit London during the year . The following subscriptions have been already received : — London—Dr . Travis , £ 1 ; Mr . J . Corp , £ 1 ; Mr . C . Green , £ 1 ; Mr . M . Hanhart , £ 1 ; Mr . M . Clark , £ 1 ; Mr . T . L ., 10 a . ; Mr . S . L ., 10 s . ; Mr . Vieusacux , 10 a . ; Mr . T . Whitakcr , 10 a . ; Mr . E . Truclove , 10 s . ; smaller

    subscriptions and collections , £ 6 I'Ju . Gd . Manchester , £ 3 Oh . 9 ( 1 . ; Mr . JLtobertB , Liverpool , £ 2 ; Oldharn , £ 2 13 a . l ) d . ; Birmingham , £ 1 Ilia . Gd . ; Edinburgh , £ 1 10 s . ; L ' aiHley , £ 1 Ms . 7 d <; Glasgow , £ 1 5 s . { Ashton , £ 1 ; Derby , £ 1 ; Bradford , £ 1 Is . ; Bristol , 9 s . ; Halifax , 12 s . ; Devon , 4 s . ; Yoik , 8 n . ; Dublin , 5 n . ; Bath , lls . ( id . ; Brighton , lf > H . Oil . ; titockport , 15 n . 8 < 1 . ; Leicester , ( is . ; Kirkaldy , 6 w . 3 d . ; Hull , 10 s . ; Sunderluml , 2 s . ; Aberdeen , 2 m . ( id . ; Cambridge , *><*• I Macclesncld , 13 m . i ) d . ; Mr . Dudley , 1 h . ; Mr . W . Knowles , Uluoklnirn , ln . ; SandilundH , ICauiHgutci , [> h . Hknuy A . Ivory , Hon . / Sec , 1 ) 2 , Col lego-pi ace , Caindcu-town .

    PllOCKlCmNOH AOAINKT TICK 1 UUOJC SyHTKM . At the « ilting of the magistrates at Abcrdare on Thursday weelc , Mr , F . James appcurcd on bchuif of the

    Anti-Truck Committee , and filed forty informations against Mr . R . Fothergill of the Aberdare and Treforest Iron Works . Four informations having been previously filed , the hearing of them was appointed for Saturday ; previously , however , to their being called on , Mr . Edwards , solicitor , of Pontypool , appeared on behalf of the Aberdare Iron Company , and stated that the company , having been convinced of their error in acting contrary to law , were determined to give up the truck system entirely , and that in future all the men should be paid in cash ; and further , that everv man should be at perfect liberty to spend his ' money where and how he pleased—the company also agreeing to pay all the costs which had been incurred . The Anti-Truck Society , through their solicitor , therefore engaged to suspend all their proceedings for the present ; keeping , however , the forty informations filed as a guarantee of good faith .

    Stuart , Sir Benjamin Hall , Mr . T . S . Buncombe , Mr . Milner Gibson , and others lind been invited , and were expected to attend . Mr . Thornton Hunt then read nn article which he had written at the request of the committee , for publication in the firnt monthly cireular , to bo issued by the Executive . The article was highly approved of . The secretary was instructed to requeat ( ill Bub-Hccrctaricft and agents forthwith to forwar d a return of the number of paying members , and also their HnbHeriptioim for the last two months , in order to usccrtain the number of circulars each locality would require for gratuitous distribution . And further , as the circulars will be Hold at the low price of one half-penny each ( thq usual allowance

    Progress Of Cabet's Community At Nauvoo....

    PROGRESS OF CABET'S COMMUNITY AT NAUVOO . We had yesterday the pleasure of a visit from M . Cabet , the founder and head of the Icarian Community at Nauvoo , 111 ., and were glad to see him looking quite as young and vigorous as when we met him some three years since at Paris . He is now on his way to London , [ M . Cabet arrived in London and went on to Paris ] whence , if the political atmosphere is sufficiently tranquil , he will go to France to seek justice in respect of the legal condemnations passed upon him since his absence in this country , on accusations and evidence which could only be entertained in a time of public commotion and bitter party feeling . If all is quiet , M . Cabet is confident that the sentences will be reversed on his appeal .

    We learn from him that the Community at Nauvoo is in a state of prosperity , and that he regards it as successful ; indeed , were it otherwise , he would hardly leave it for so long a time . The benefits of Association he considers are fully demonstrated by his experiment . Greater cheapness of living , social happiness , and intellectual improvement , are among these benefits , and although the Community suffers from the want of adequate capital and means of organizing the various branches of industry , it has still made satisfactory progress , and is regarded by its founder and members as firmly established .

    The Icarians , now about 300 in number , occupy fifteen acres of land in the town of Nauvoo , where are most of their workshops and residences . There , too , they have a kitchen garden of 10 acres . At five miles distance is their farm of 700 acres ,, leased lands . Of this they now have 100 acres in wheat , 150 in Indian corn , 50 in oats , and 50 in barley . They have also in growth , nurseries , vineyards , & c ., the whole requiring the constant labour of six farmers and gardeners with reinforcements from the other trades in

    case of necessity . jLhey keep 14 horses , 8 yoke of oxen , 30 cows and heifers , and a small flock of sheep . For fuel they use wood procured on the islands in the river , belonging to the Government , and brought down to Nauvoo , a distance of some five miles , on flat boats , and coal which they dig almost at their doors . They have a steam mill with two run of stone , which enables them not only to grind their own flour , but to accommodate the people in the vicinity , and two circular saws . This , with a whisky distillery adjoining , occupies some 15 men . The Community also numbers 15 tailors , 12 shoemakers , 12 cabinet

    makers , 6 carpenters , 5 coopers , 6 masons , G machinists , G printers , 2 rope makers , 2 weavers , 1 watchmaker , and 1 tanner , so that it is well provided in respect to mechanics . The tailors and shoemakers not only make clothes and shoes for the Community and its neighbours , but send their products to be sold at St . Louis , where the Community keeps a store , and where the whisky of the distillery and other surplus articles are also sent . The machinists nlso work as blacksmiths , and the men of the other trades find more or less employment in repairs , & c . lor the people of the vicinity .

    The domestic arrangements are far from complete , though , as is the case with every other department , they are constantly improving . The community occupy one large house with 40 upartments , in which 120 pe rsons , married and single , have tlieir lodgings . There are also some twenty smaller houses , four of which are occupied by the nchools . A large edifice , 150 feet by 60 is now neurly completed , the ground Moor of which will serve as the kitchen and diningroom , with apartments above . This dining-room will accommodate above 800 persons at tabio .

    The whole body now eat together except the children at school , who are served in a Heparutc building , where they aro also lodged , at some distance from the common dining-room , whither their meals are carried from the kitchen . Tho carrying of these meals being a comparatively difficult and unattractive duty , owing to the dimnnoe and to the fact that in bad weather the way in muddy , it i . s done by tho leading men of the Community . The same persons also servo the tabled in th *> dining-room . There are three mould daily , at 8 a . k ., at 1 and at (> i i ' . m . u Meat i . s served at all , the seven ; labour of the men being thought to render that necessary . The boverages used nro water , tea , and coffee . There is excellent nulling by neino in tho river , which often supplier the table of tho society . For a tfin & lc meal 250 lb « of iiah arc required .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), June 21, 1851, page 19, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_21061851/page/19/