Star.
London, England, 1820-01-05 00:00:00

MR. OWEiV'S nETILY,
To 111 F SPEECH OP THE CHAIWELLOE OF THE
p-SciIEUER, ON
HOUSETOPSIRWILLAM DE CREsPIGNi's
wartoN IN THE
I F.CEMBER, isio.

S;rt—The Speech which you delivered in the House
c' C:mmons, in reply to Sir William De Crespigny's
for the appointment of a Committee to
inves-
;;eke a Plan which I had to propose for the Relief
4. the distressedWoriing Classes, may probably lead
to consequeoces of the deepest interest to the. well-
' s'ng of mankind.
Our ultimate object is, I believe, the same; that is,
to ameliorate the condition of Society, on a sound
and rationai system—on principles that will bear the
cost of the most severe scrutiny, although opposed by
ail the prejndiccs of localities.
But, that 1 may be the better understood, on this
important subject, I will endettiotn• Warta explain
what I mean by the word localities, as it will so fre-
contly occur in this Letter.
Under this term I include the opinions and princi-
les, partly true and partly false, which every indivi-
al imbibes, according to the country, climate, go-
..t.rnment, and religion—class, sect, and party, under
in which he was educated, at that period-when the
o..lthful mind is utterly incapable of rationally eser-
i,inq the power of volition, or to whose influences
h may have become in riper years, front Various
cidental, yet perhaps uncontroulable causes, more
or less subjected. Thus the localities' of the inhabi-
t Int of China would force upon his tender mind, at
i'.e period of childhood and youth,-opinions favour-
a'.)le to the paternal or despotic form of Government,
t' the religion and philosophy of Fo and Confucius,
whilst some minor sect or party would- probably he
found to share his more particular attachment and
confidence ; whilst the inhabitant of Vew York would;
from his peculiar localities, as devotedly maintain
those doctrine; in Government which oppose indivi.
dual ascendancy. With him, the Majesty of the
People is a doctrine not less sacred, than with a Chi-
nese it would be treasonable, if not blasphemous.
On the other hand, an inhabitant of the Commu-
nity of Harmony, in Indiana, in the United States,
being born and nurtured in a society surrounded
with every inducement to virtuous conduct, and in
full possession of comfort and plenty, can with diffi-
culty realize the thought, that man is capable of arm-
ing himself to slaughter his fellow man, or that he
can be content to partake of luxuries the most re-
fined and delicate, whilst he too well knows that
within a few yards of him dwell hundreds of his
brethren, pining in want and wretchedness. You, Sir,
are equally subjected to this great law of Nature,
having been yourself equally surrounded by peculiar
localities from infancy, which have impressed a con-
viction on your mind; that men can be made better
and happier than they have yet been, solely by the
adoption of certain sentiments, which you haie been
forced to believe arena', by the localities in which
you happen to have been born and instructed. View-
ing, as you do, through the medium of these peculiar
localities, the principles which I have promulgated,
you pronounce them to be subversive of the Laws
and Religion of this Country ; and, by so doing, you
endeavour to arouse all the prejudices of British lo-
calities against me, and indispose mens' minds to
consider the good which I labour to obtain for them.
I blame you not for this conduct, for I am quite sure
that your intentions are pure and excellent. Yet it
appears to me to be a duty to persevere, and to en-
deavour to overcome these prejudices of localities,
which obstruct the path to true and substantial happi-
ness. By my remarks, I would not willingly offend
you or any one; but, placed as 1 am, by your observa-
tions, before the eyes of the world, and at a period too
when that world, by our present proceedings, mast
be rendered either more miserable or more happy
than it has yet been, I hold a full declaration of truth,
as it is impressed on my mind, to be at the present
period a duty paramount to every personal considera-
tion. The principles which I advocate have become
so public, and arc making such rapid progress through
Society, notwithstanding a vote and temporary pre-
judice in the House of Commons, that if they are er-
roneous their error should be instantly proved, and if
my judgment has been misled with respect to these
principles, there can be no indivithial more sincerely
desirous of being set right than I am; and I publish
this Letter to bring the subject to a lair issue. You
have said, that the principles which I have publicly
avowed are subversive of the Government and Reli-
gion of this. Country. It never was, Sir, my intention
to injure the Government and Religion under which
we live; my object has been to withdraw from both
that which appeared to me to be their defects and
errors, and to withdraw them, not by coercion and
violence, but gradually and temperately, under the
direction of the Government and the Church.
is now nearly seven years since I distinctly saw
iecessity for this change, and since I openly and
ty communicated these sentiments, o ithout re-
t„ to the heads of the Church—to our own Go-
nnent—and to other Governments. 1 then re-
'ed encouragement from these parties to proceed
le ci:urse which I had commenced, and to this
I have not deviated from it. Yet, if lam
mg, I willingly take to myself whatever blame
I.es to these proceedings, since they have
from a thorough conviction of the truth of
princii,les on vlid) they are founded—that con-
ion 501 more confirmed by the favourable deci-
of the most acute and profound minds in this
ntry and in Europe; and also froth a conviction
he multipled benefits that will arise from their
anion ir, price, both to the governors and

submit the cause of difference between
cuintry and-to the world. Na', Sir. ro
.g is my conviction of the truth Of the princi-
ou which I act, that preju.lit.cd..3s. I know you

~ ..


are, by the localities of your birth, eiucation, and ' s,hemes to make men better than they are, or have
office in the State, I could almost leave the decision been, and yea will fail.
to your_ cool and deliberate judgment, and allow you Permit me to ask what character do those secta-
te be judge in your own cause. - rian notions of locality, which you and my truly ex-
The principles and practice which I propose for cellent friend, Mr. Wilberforce, opposed to the prin-
adoption, must, however, be triel by those whose ciples which I advocate, tend to form in society ?
prejudices, from their localities, must be directly in Those who have had the best means of houestly and
your favour; and against such almost invincible impartially appreciating them, know, that. with some
prejudices, nothing but truth devoid of all error, can 'amiable exceptions, they can produce no &her gene-
have the slightest chance of success s • and I antici- ral character than, well-intentioned weak Minds, with
pate success sokiy on this ground. diseased imaginations, too often creating religious
and
1 spiritual pride, destruc of
The defects then, Sir, of our Government, as they
merit
judg social intercourse, and reale excellesoma
nt
appear to me, ate those which more immediately or ;
When men, whose characters have been formed by
remotely proceed from a single erroneous princi- i
which I them, attempt to direct public affairs, with the best
ple. It is true it is an error of ancient date,
intentions, which I believe they possess, they must
has, according to existing records, Cntwined itself
I involve themselves and others in inextricable difficul-
around every Government and It hitherto
ties and errors. Witness the present crisis, and the
known to exist; and it was therefore that I publicly
crimes which are actually created by the public
avowed, "that I was not of any Religion hitherto
,measures which they support. •In thus freely stating
.taught in the world;' because they all contained
much, yes, verfmuch erior. my opinion of the tendency of these doCreines, 1 am
most desirous not to wound the feelings of any indi-
Tell me honestly, Sir, do you believe me to be vidual connected with the Evangelical Party, for
an enemy to any part f ,mankind, because I am many of whom I entertain sincere regard, friendship,
anxious to bring under review that which appears, and affection. But I appeal to the world if their
to a conscientious mind, to be an error prod""
,theories, opposed as they are to facts which perpe-
tive of no good 'fruit in practice, but of incalcu- tually surround us, do not, at this moment, prevent
liable evil and misery? You, surely, will ncit condemn the adoption of a wise, energetic system of govern-
any one for so acting ?—ls not your opposition to him merit .a A government which, instead of uselessly
who now addresses you, founded on the very same lamenting evils, and wasting its powers in detecting
principle? The error, then, which lam compelled, and punishing crimes arising from its own imbecility
by a strict adherence to truth, to lament in our Go- and errors, should be actively employed in devising
vernment, is that part of it which presumes that tne and executing means to prevent the' existence of those
character of the individual is formed by himself.— errors and crimes, by giving a proper direction to the
"Ili:i error is, in the first place, indirect opposition to superabundant resources of the Empire, to produce
all the facts of which we possess any accurate know- more wealth than is sufficient to support a greatly
ledge—it is also in direct opposition to some of the increased population, and to give a well formed and
principles, and to the best part of the Religion, which rational character to the People. Is it, Sir, more a
is the Law of this Land—and it is the cause of the mark.. of wisdom to govern the world by notions
inconsistencies, visible to all, in the conduct of those arising from a diseased imagination, which never can
who profess to be governed by that Religion ;—it is
the sole cause why those invaluable principles of uni- produce their promised effects, or to .govern it
.., gby
Principles in unison with all the known laws of na-
versal charity and benisirolence, with which* it abounds, •
ture, and which, when properly applied, will, with
have never been seen in practice. This Religion unerring certainty, (as they now do ir exact propor
teaches us, and you, Sin, profess it, that we cannot tion as they are introduced) produce the m ist bene-
do any thing -of or for ourselves; that the DEITY, ficial result in practice?
directly or indirectly, forths us into what we are, and What, Sir, was the general character of the De-
thus governs and controuli all our actions.* Had we bate on Sir William De Crespigny's motion ? Not-
real knowledge on.this subject, every hour of out withstanding the unfavourable and unfounded con-
lives would enable us to understand this great truth,
structions of individuals, it appeared to me decisive
and its manifold practical benefits. • Could your in favour of those measures which I recommend.
mind, Sir, be relieved from the almost overwhelming All admitted the existing evils, arising fiorn the pre-
effects of the localities of your birth, and opened sent system of governing the world ; and all admit-
clearly to comprehend the real value of this funds- tea the practical benefits which are the result of those
mental principle of your Religion, you would con- principles upon which I have uniformly proceeded
tend as ardently for its singleness, and that it should in the experiment conducted at New Lanark. Had
not be debased with opposing and inconsistent doc- these principles been carried into practice by many
trines, as I have done, as I now do, and, whilst the others, who possess more advantages than I possess,
conviction of its truth and value remains upon my the results would have been still more favourable ;
mind, as, I believe, 1 shall continue to •do to the day and is it not by the general effects of any principles
of my cleat!). that we are to judge of their value and truth ?
'[be locali:ies in which you are enveloped, prevent If, however, the world is not yet sufficiently en-
your perceiving that the erroneous doctrine, that i lightened, to act fully on a complete system of pie-
* man forms his own character," is the sole cause of : vention of crimes, it is certainly prepared to adopt
all the anger, and of the evil passions, which now 1
. such a modification of it, as is not opposed to the pre-
agitate the world; that the consequences arising from judices of the times in which we live ; and such a
this mistaken notion are productive of perpetual in- modification, I am ready to propose, as shall not in-
consistency in the character of all who profess the:n- t terfere with the existing Government or Religion of
selves to be Christians; and that it must inevitably 'the country, or be detrimental to individuals of any
lead to conduct destructive of genuine charity, bene- rank or class. This modification will leave to the
volence, and kindness. These same localities, Sir, present Church Establishment the ascendancy it now
prevent your seeing the truth, and practical benefits posseises, -and to the Dissenteri the rights of consci-
of the truth, " that the Character of every human ence and full religious liberty. On this basis, a sys-
being is, in all its parts, formed for him;" that the want tem may now be formed, which might speedily re-
of this knowledge on the part Qf those who govern lieve the country from its pecuniary embarrassments,
the world, alone retards the adoption of a system of and from the demoralization which is now daily
government founded on principles of science, which spreading over the • mime, and which, if not checked
E •
Would unerringlyprevent the existence of those crimes by other measures than coercive enactments, must
which hitherto it has been the chief business of the very soon involve the country in far greater difficul-
world to detect and punish. ties than it has yet experienced. Unless arrangements
Did you clearly understand this invaluable truth, shall be formed to give effect to the industry, skill,
and were you fully aware of the certain consequences and capital of this country, the present frame of So-
which must ensue from o general belief of it, you ciety cannot be long held together.
would not attempt to raise any part of the Revenues it is now evident that these valuable materials of
of these realms in such a manner, as must, and does aNation's prosperity, are, by the existing system, pa-
actually, deteriorate the moral character, and, con- ralyzed and rendered of little avail, when they ought ' ,
sequently, create much poverty, crime, and misery. to be, and might be made efficient and productive—
But it is to- the consequences of the great truth, when they might be applied to give beneficial oe
" that man does not form his own character," that, I cupation to all who are in want of employment.
would direct your close and profound attention, since to reduce, and gradually renderunnecessary, the Poor
it is from a superficial examination of the conse- Rates—to diminish the most pressing of the public
quences of this doctrine, that so many swell-inters- burthens—and out of the increasing• Revenues of the
turned minds have been at first repelled from it ; kingdom, gradually to reduce the Public Debt ;
whereas many of the most amiable and intelligent of while, with these important results, other arrange-
my early opposers, now publicly acknowledge, that menu would be combined, to secure, on principles of
they perceive nothing but unnringled good in the con- science, a superior character to the lower classes. The
sequences of this once appalling doctrine. elects of these measures would be to induce foreign-
May I be permitted then to add, that by your acts Powers, from motives of interest, to open with us,
of commission, or omission, you, asone of the Members and with one another, a free and beneficial • inter-
of the Government, may justly be said to be one of the change of the advantages which they could mutually
innocent, yet certain occasions of the poverty, crime, impart.
and suffering, which now afflict the population of Such, Sir, are the outlines of the advantages which
these kingdoms; for, on an experience which no other I have to offer to the Government and Population of
individual has been permitted to attain, I assert that this Country, whenever the prejudices, naturally ails-
you possess the most ample means to give a new ing from the localities by which they are surrounded,
character to the People, greatly superior to any yet shall.permit afair and honestenquiry into my proposals.
seen, and to surround them,. in a short period, with Seeing how you are enveloped wi.h inextricable
plenty and enjoyment. difficulties, in every direction to which your present
I state these facts (such I know them to be) ""not system can extend, I await the time, which.cannot
to call down the spirit of persecution"—(your words) now be fir distant, when the unavoidable necessity
—on the Government, for my real desire has been, for a change shall overcome those prejudices
and is, to see this improved system carried into prat- of localities, which weaken the mind, and de-
tice, in all Countries, by those who happen to be in' prive it of those clear, distinct, and s:rong powers
power, that the irrational anger and irritation of the of judgment, which are now so requisite to enable
world may the more speedily cease. It is not, there- the world to derive benefit from past experience
fore, to arouse a spirit of animosity that I thus write, and improvements.
but, if possible, to direct your attention, and the at- My request is nothing for myself, but that you
tention of the Government, to the extraordinary will impartially examine the arrangements which may
power that PROVIDENCE has placed in your bands to relieve you from difficulties which experience will
do good, and. to allay the present alarming and in- soon prove, are insurmountable by any other means
creasing irritation of society. that can be devised, and, which, sooner or later, the
Let the People be instructed from infancy in a Government of this country, for its own security and
knowledge that the character of every individual is political interest, will find it necessary to adopt.
formed for him, and let all your other proceedings It is true, some of the Members of the House of
he consistent with this fundamental principle, and Commons who took part in the Debate on Sir Wil-
your difficulties will speedily terminate. Instead of Liam De Crespigny's Motion applied the terms vision-
the present system, which you must plainly perceive ary or impracticable to part of the measures which
is generating evil on all sides, a new one will rise I have to propose. These Gentlemen, however, in jus.,
from your labours, which must prevent the creation , tice to themselves, should study these arrangements
of any of these evils, as it %sill destroy them in their much more accurately and profoundly -than they
birth—where you have now anger, Apposition, and have yet done, before they pronounce a judgment on
malevolent passions, you will have kindness, unity a subject which is so far removed from their ordi-
of action, and all the best feelings of human nature. nary thought and reflection.
Charity an s benevolence will be complete ; they will I have the honour to be, most respectfully,
I
not then be bounded by the selfish circle f our pre- , Your most obedient,
•
sent limited localities. Try ten thousand other ,Loildont' he. 1, 1820. ROBERT OWEN.

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