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    Joseph Mazzini And French Socialism. We ...

    vent alt their fiirjr : this is the office M . Mazzini has '"^ Sfetfented himsel f of his own selection ; : to the fflpe of ^ rocureur-General of the European Eepubh c ( as f is fashioned in his Bystem ) , he will not fee astonished at ik election in that quality not being ratMed . From the office of accuser , then , let him descend to the character © £ ^ accused- ** . ' . ' ¦ "We accuse M . Mazzini of imitating Louis Bonaparte , ¦ who in order moreeffectually to exterminate the Socialists , used their own formulas as a screen . To pretend that he desires association , state credit , taxation on luxuries , pri-Tnarv instruction and equal education for all , in the very

    article in which he slanders the men who have wasted their existence not merely in demanding these things , but in seeking out the means of obtaining them , is an artifice unworthy of a republican soul . ¦ ' . | # Ws accuse M . Mazzini of having falsely invoked against the Socialists that progress which they serve—that sovereignty '' of thepeople which they proclaim—that liberty which they adore . WE AtictrsB M . Mazzini of having come forward , in the name * of his mere individualityj to decry solutions sought out by men of heart , at the cost of a whole life ' s repose ; the generous sincerity of whose aim is even now being t » -miated bv some in dungeons , by others in exile , by nearly

    all in destitution ,-by all rn sorrow . . We ACCUSKM . Mazziniof having descended to a pitiable contradiction , when he acknowledgesj on the one hand , that a better organization of society can only issue out of the concurrence of all the human' faculties , and , on the other hand , declaims against individual efforts and partial researches , without which that concurrence would be impossible . Of what would that continuous revelation whereof lie speaks consist , if not of a series of particular and successive revelations ? Yes , God is God , and Humanity is His pbophet . The SociaUsts have used" these words long before M . Mazzini . But humanity is composed of men who think , and who interchange tleir thoughts .

    Where would be the concert without the voices of which it is composed ? . ; ¦ . ¦ « . ¦ ¦ , WE accuse M . Mazzini of having applied to _ the Socia ] ists > in a pernicious sense , the word " sectarian ; " insult which , in all times , has been launched against the apostles or themartyrs of new truths by thedefenders of old Abuses ; an insult which the Pagans employed against the Chwfcftns , the ; Catholics against the Protestants , nayj the sattwhomicidal insults thatpreccded and prepared the judicialftssassination of John 'Huss , the massacre of the Thaborwes ^; tiie ^ exterminatipn of the Albigeiises . ^ We a'CKNETbe M . Mazzini of imputing to tlie Socialists that distinction between Socialists and Revolutionists

    which theyi " on the contrary , have always rejected , seeing that they deem themselves Kevoluti 6 nis . ts par excellencemen who do not aim sirnply at a displacement of power , but at the transformation - ' ofsociety itself . : . Wb accuse M . Maxzini of declaring , forsooth , that the word republican is enough , for hint , when w « see that it is also enough for Generaf GavaignaCj for example , who , in June , 18 ^ , massacred the peome . Wb Aoi ^ fit . ;^ jytazzin i 6 * reproachine the Social ists with the , yorah ^ ' ^ iliie individual , when lie is the very nmn whom thif ^ i ^ i ^ distinguished of liis countrymen reproach with itt ^ martJy substituting himself for his country , to such a ^ algree , that he has accustomed the Ltaitans

    press to speak of the Mazztmans , when ltiatho - with whom they are concerned . We accuse M . Mazzini of describing the problem of material interests as the solo object of the Socialists' prepossessions , when , on the contrary , it is certain , it is proved by their writings , that their chief aim is to enlarge the horizon of human thought , to elevate the standard of human dignity , to render accessible to all tho sourcoa of intelligence ; when it is certain , and proved by all their writings , that , if they desire with a powerful and indomitable ardour tho suppression of pauperism , it ifl especially because pauperism retains man in ignorance , drives him to vice , encourages him in envy and in hatred , forbids him tho noblest joys of love , and tends to degrade or to stigmatize his immortal soul .

    We accuse M . Mazzini of lending to tho Socialists that definition of life—Life is the search after luippiness , whilst he allows it to bo understood in' tho sense that tho only happiness they aspire after is a porsonol and selfish gratification ; whereas the definition adopted by them is , Info is the accomplishment of a duty ; a duty determined by tho end they ascribe to their political actions , the moral , intellectual , andjph ysical amelioration of the poorest and most numerous class , and this formula , 1 > y the way , belongs teffst . Simon , in whoso namo Mazzini considers it a shame to speak , Wn accuse M . Mazzini of endeavouring to tnako tho world boliovo that to regenerate tho peofole by fattening thorn is tho ignoblo doctrino of tho Socialists , and of advancing , as a proof of tho charge , those words : To every man according to his wants . Docs ho not know that , in the language of tho Socialists , thoso words , winch express tho right , have always been preceded by those , which

    T $ ? reS 8 duty- ' fromevery manaccording to 7 i \ afacuUies ? VVhy dooa ho mutilate tho formula ho' has caught up , when to mutilate is to calumniate P . "Does he know what wo moan , from each man according to his faculties r That incans that tho man who can do most , ought to do most ; mat tho strongost is bound to employ his strength for tho proht of tho woakost ; that tho moat intelligent fails in his mission , m that mission whjch is written , as in a living uook , in hi « own organization , if ho does not admit hia Drothorn , who nro poor in intellect , to pnjoy the benefit ot « iia intelligence . la that a doctrino pf sordid mato" w Ih that P <»«* anco tho theory of egoism P " Wis acoubb M . Mazzini of confounding with what ho calls a vaguo cosmopolitism that loads to inaction , tho . rvont , ftctlvo , indofatigablo rovoronco for humanity , conwaorod iva a groat family , and not as a confuHion of jealous individu alities . And wk accuse him of declaring this iniquitous Avar

    against Socialism when the true enemy is before him , not by his side ; when the victory to be won over ^ an unexampled tyranny can only be won by the union of all our forces ; -when it is more than ever important to abstain from every intestine quarrel ; when it is notorious that it is on the Socialists that ( to their eternal honour ) the weight of counter-revolutionary hatred ^ chiefly presses ; when M . Mazzini , cannot take arms against them without finding himself supported in Ms attacks , and not only in- their substance , but in their very form , by the writers Of the Constitutionnel and of La Patrie , by the surviving pamphleteers of the Eue de Poitiers , by the Orleanist editors of the Bulletin Francais , by the surpliced libellists of M . de Mbntalembert . and the epauletted Lampooners of M . Louis Bonaparte .

    It is not at all , as Mi Mazzini seems to think , because it has been said that France owes to J & urope the solution of the problem of the organization of labour , that France has had to suffer the shame of the 2 nd of December ; such a disgrace she has owed rather to a series of abominable calumnies against Socialism ( calumnies which M . Mazzini now assists In spreading ) , which have disseminated alarm ; she owes it to that word action * which the Socialists were ever careful to connect with tranquillizing ideas of scientific progress and social organization , and which M . Mazzini , on the contrary , has always kept ^ vague , unexplained , undefined , signifying war , nothing but war , proclainling revolution for the sake of revolution , and abandoning everything else—to thehazard of events !

    What have been the consequences ? The bourgeoisie , who had been made to fear , trembled : the people was disarmed ,: a reckless and unscrupulous adventurer takes the ground with a drunken soldiery , and cannons charged with grape : all is lost . If now were the time for recriminations , who would have the better right to make them ? But the past is past ! There will be no lack of pens to write the history of yesterday ; we , crippled but uncOnquered soldiers , we labour at the history of the day that is coming . For whenever M . Mazzini shall express the certainty of seeing France rise again , we will cheer him : and if , instead of estranging himself from us in the ^ great work to be accomplished , he shall resolve to aid us in our

    task , our hearts will not be slow to regain the path ol Jus . Although we remain proud of our country , for the sake of what she has already . done for Jiumanityj for the sake of what she will yet do hereafter , and in spite of her present humiliation , it shall not ^ be ouijs to isolate her in the struggle , any more than in the victory . Let Italy , if she rtetne first to be free , aid us to work out our freedom : we will bless her . We believe too sincerely ia the mutual responsibility ( salidaritj ) of the peoples , to reject all fraternal succour , exclaiming Francia far <& rfase ; and we congratulate J ^ Mazzini on having called us to united action , for it was he who once said , Italia fara da se , when Italy was in a situation to be succoured , and France able to save . T . Here is something of more importance than to inscribe the word Justice on bis standard , as Mr . Mazzini insists :

    • t is to have the sentiment in his heart . God , People , liove , Association , Liberty , Truth , Equality * Virtue , the good of all , no doubt these are admirable words , but tt > rally the grand army of the future it is necessary to have more than wouds . It is requisite to have a programme formed , which shall express the deep , tho profound , sense of these words . Things , and not phrases , are wanted . Phrases ? They were always at the service of hypocritical tyrants , and of ambitious men-Let each of us , howevor , follow the solution which he believes himself to have found j let him write according to his conscience . Mr . Mazzini wishes to permit it ; oily , whoever dares to avail himself of tho right , must expect to be excommunicated by him . Oh ! prodigious inconsistency ! _ _ _ .... ives to

    And now , in exchange for tho lesson which ho g French Democracy , wo will give him some advice . First , Let him learn from us what ho is , of what ho is capable , what ho is wprth . ^ Wo do not disown him , it is he who disowns us . His" part is this , and this only , to work for tho indopondonco of his country ; and wo agreo that , for tho purpose of expelling the Austrians from Italy , action , such as ho understands it , may suffice . Here , and before proceeding furthor , we should bo , authorized to enquire if Mr . Mazzini is , in all respects , tho man oven for tho part he has to play . For , tho first quality of a man of action is practical sense , and in this Mr . Mazzini is absolutely wanting . With what' is it , indeed , that ho reproaches the Socialists P Ho has declared , with a naivete of imprudence , that he roproachos thorn with an

    endeavour to seek positive solutions . Positive , bo it uirdorstood ! T hus , the idea finding its incarnation in the fact , Mr . Mazzini is perplexed and plagued , and annoyed . To remain with rambling , indefinite ) ideas , would suit him bettor . That " life should bo left to manifest itaolf in tho 1 ) lonitudo of aspiration and of capacity ; " that " inan should > e ra-mado in tho imago of God , " Mr . Mazzini would bo satisfied . Tho how to accomplish this alarms him . Ho will havo no systems . Ho does not ronuiro for his programmos more than a cortain number or grand sounding words , Sosquipodalia vorba . Suclt is the man who thundors against , tho Utopists . Italians

    Utopist 1 ' It is under this title that a crowd of , in Italy itsolf , pursue this very man ; They , rnoro cl » so than ho in their re asonings on tho policy of action , say—That Mr . Mftzzmi has > novor acted but through secret correspondences , which havo cyoatod peril—ho being at a distance . That his single act has boon tho expedition to Savoy ; his own affair of Boulogne—an advonturo attempted in an honourable spirit , but badly concoivod , badly contrived , and militarily conducted by a Uenoral long known as a . traitor . That , having arrived at ltomo after tho Popo had boon put to flight—aftor tho Republic hod boon proclaimedafter tho Jtovolution had boon completed—ho wont to sleep in pompous usclosBnoBs between tho work of tho constitution and tho toils of ita dofonco : botwoon Srtlicoti , who

    held the pen of Kepublican Borne , and Garibaldi , who wielded its sword . ., That he has been wanting , according to the expression of Eicciardij in revolutionary capacity . .- ¦ - ¦ That he has been—this blind enemy of ideas—an ideologist of inconsistencies and impertinences . That a maladroit plagiarist of the Ideaof Unity , borrowed from France , in wishing to apply it at all hazards to Italy , he hag consulted neither the intellectual state of the country , nor its local circumstances , nor its situation , nor the proper hour . That , in . complicating the question of independence , he has compromised it . That he has done an immense injury to his country in sacrificing to his own Utopia the necessity of not detaching from the common cause Piedmont , which had all : organization , money , and soldiers ^

    That , in short , he was making speeches , while at Novarra they were dying in battle . To prevent Italy from becoming an assemblage of Free States , had not Mr . Mazzini then onl y to present himself and to say : " I am Wallenstein ! " This is just what nobody but himself has believed . Mr . Mazzini is one of the representatives , one of the artizans of Italian independence . The part he has to play is sufficiently noble—let him confine himself to it . By what right would he pretend to link France to the conditions that history imposes upon Italy ? We have not Austrians in the centre of our towns . What

    we have to drive away from us is not the foreigner —it is falsehood ! What we have to conquer and achieve , is not . independence , for the advantage of our country ; ' it is the realization of justice for the advantage of all the countries of the earth . By what excess of pride would Mr . Mazzini desire to imprison in the mission which especially concerns Italy , that which interests the whole world ? For French democracy has received from the 18 th century , and from the ^ Revolution , an inheritance which is a command that it shall labour and toil , under a penalty of rendering sterile the floods of heroic blood in which it was drowned by our fathers . And it is this sacred work Mr . Mazzini would dare to interdict to us ! Action ! does he cry out P but to endeavour to enlighten mankind , this , then , is not action !

    He who destroys an error , puts to flight innumerable legions armed for the support of that error . Men have not only arms ; they have intelligence , —they have heart : arms to become and remain free ; intelligence to comprehend that they are equals ; hearts to feel that they -are brethren . The human being is triple in Ms es-Bence . Triple also is action in its most general effect ; that action of which Mr . Mazzini talks so much without comprehending it . Our fathers understood it well when they united us in a league to explain , to develop philosophically , to realize practically , t h e three terms of their magnificent formula—Liberty , Equality , Fraternity—inseparable terms , of which Mr . Mazzini , with a sacrilegious hand , effaces the most touching and the most profound . Yes , to enlighten is to act ; and after all , what we want

    is less lightning than Light . To write for the right , to suffer for the right , to die for the right—all this is beautiful—all this is grand . The Socialists know it ; they have proved it . Their blood has streamed over the barricades of the 2 nd of December , It is well that Mr . Mazzini should remember it ; and if M . Mazzini had chanced to be at that time in Paris burning with indignation , the brave Dussoubs would have placed ; him where he would have been side by side with death . But M . Mazzini does not perceive that in confining action to physical force , ho unmasks the false side of that spiritualism which ho parades . Under thoso mystical phrases ho denounces tho grossest materialism . When ho severs from tho duty of action tho operation of the mind and of tho soul , it is ho who animalizes humanity .

    Ah ! it is all very well for him to call holy the reaction which he preaches . This reaction ( and in fact it" is reaction ) would bo criminal , if it woro not senseless . Let us reveal to M . Mazzini , who is self-blinded , tho secret of liis own heart . As in liim vaguo aspirations replace that solid faith , those infloxiblo beliefs upon which tho conscience reposes immovable , tho spcctaclo " of evil triumphant haB confounded him . " Let us attompt a reaction , " he has said to himeolf , " since reactions succeed . Lot us act after tho fashion of tho power that has wealth and armies at its bidding , since that policy ia . effectual . Lot us attack tho Socialists , sinco in attacking them wo becorno masters of tho field ; " and thereupon a vertigo has seized him . Ho has had tho puerility to imagine that

    tyranny could only bo crushed by its own weapons . Ho has don o to truth tho wrong of doubting its power . Ho has lost all serenity . To such a degree , that , oven living in England , ho has not perceived tho movement that surrounds him . jSTo ho lias scon ncithor thoso thousands of workmon who combat by association , nor tho immense impression which this fact has produced , nor the power of that action , calm , silont , and thoughtful . In tho work of universal progress each people takes part , according to its own genius . Why doos not M . Mnzzini require from tho workmen of tho Amalgamated Society that they seek their emancipation by fighting liko a band of Condottieri P Aa for uh , God proservo us from , that apparent

    impetuosity which only conecato fainting and weakness . Wo are not impationt of Time . " While maintaining with energy tho increasingly transforming operation of Socialism , wo recogniao in tho people , aB in God , tho right to bo patient , because Ho is eternal . Without pardoning discdura |( fomont or lassitude in a march bo torriblo and no long , and whilo crying continually , Courage I courage ! ' —Forward ! wo aro resolved not to uaorifico to tho ^ imptitionco of ambitious minds , anything that in ju < rtf anything that is truo . Tho indignation that fills our souls doos not obscuro our Bi fjht—does not trouble our thoughts ; and M . Mazzini himsolf , when ho insults us , inspires uh Iobb with ungor than with pity . Ho must havo a government , a taxation , and a unity of operations ; ho waa oxclaiming

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• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), March 27, 1852, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_27031852/page/7/