The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-18 00:00:00

SOCIALISM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD.LIVERPOOL.
SlR,—Seeing the seducing manner in which the so-called
" social system" is presenting itself to the eyes of the illite-
rate portion of the community, and the baneful effects it
must eventually produce upon the whole nation if allowed
to continue in its onward career, poisoning the.minds of all
who imbibe its principles with the grossest immorality, I
think it is quite time for every man possessing the least re-
gard for the sacred truths of Christianity, nay even for mo-
rality alone, to at once exert himself to the utmost of his
power in endeavouring to abolish it for ever from the face of
the earth; and in no other way can it be done but by the
interference of the legislature. It is worse than useless to
trust to the good sense of the people for counteracting this
wide-spreading evil. It is well known that a large portion
of the community are exceedingly ignorant, and liable to be
carried away with any romance of doctrine_ ; and, such being
the case, how can we wonder at their being led astray by
socialism, dressed up as it is by its missionaries to suit the
taste and inflame the passions of their hearers ? I have fre-
quently attended their meetings in Manchester and else-
where, and it is scarcely possible to conceive a more degraded
and ignorant assemblage of persons than is generally to be
found there ; and there the benevolent (though well-paid)
missionaries industriously gloss over the worst features of
their system, and administer to the licentious appetites of
their hearers, by preaching up the blessings they will enjoy
in community, without laws or government of any kind,
except their own wild passions,—without marriage,--almost
without work,—and without toerating the rights of private
property ; and upon such principles as these they profess, in
their wild ravings, to be able to reform the world ; and any
attempt to convince their poor dupes by reason, after listen-
ing to such smooth-tongued perverters of truth, is nearly •
equal to the folly of " casting pearls before swine." Should
the people of England allow socialism to gain the ascendancy,
then would brute force triumph over justice—yes, then would
the helpless have to bow down at the oppressor's feet. Do
away with the idea of future rewards and punishments—
couple that with the belief that man ought to be irresponsible
here, and you will at once give loose the reins to despotism,
anarchy, and bloodshed. What bar would there then be
twixt the murderer's knife and the throat of his hapless
victim ? And, parents, what bar would there be betwixt the
licentious cravings of depraved wretches, and the honour of
your lovely daughters ? The arm of brother would be raised
against brother—of parent against child—and child against
parent. " England expects every man to do his duty,"
were the memorable words of a mighty warrior ; but there
is a mightier far than he, who sits enthroned on high, who
will require us to do our duty, and use out utmost endea
yours to banish infidelity from the land. Then let petitions,
praying for the legislature to prevent the publication of so-
cialist doctrines, and to prevent their holding meetings to
propagate those doctrines, lie for signature at all the churches
and chapels in the kingdom, and I doubt not but tens of
thousands of signatures would soon be attached to them.
Kirkdale, Feb. 11, 1840. J. C.