The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-08-02 00:00:00

Yesterday the adjourned meeting (from Tuesday
last), to consider the fitness of Mr. Owen's plan for
ameliorating the condition of Ireland, took place at
the London Tavern. The company assembled was as
numerous as on the former occasion.
Mr. °west took the chair at one o'clock, and proceed.
ed to address the company. The same reasons, he said,
which had induced him to fill the chair on Tuesdaymplied
with equal force on the present occasion. In pursuing
a measure which involved so many important consider.
ations in its consequences, he could not desire any of his
more distinguished friends to give it their support, un-
til it was fairly placed before the public in such a man-
ner as to enable them to form an accurate judgment of
it, both in its detail and extent—in its principle and
practice. Personal favour and friendship for the indivi-
dual could be of little service to the cause which he
bad undertakes. He was directly opposed to what ap-
peared to him the errors of all past ages. He toast in
consequence be opposed by the world; and in that case,
if his cause rested not upon a rock, which the united
prejudices of mankind could not shake, of what avail
would be the support of a few hundred or thousand
friends? Popularity and fame were with him mere
sounds, inconvenient to listen to while men remained
in the world, and in his mind of no possible value
when they were removed out of it. That no one might
misunderstand what the business of the day was, be
would state, that it was to consider a plan, which after
much study and reflection, and more than 30 years of
extensive experiment, he recommended to be adopted
for the relief of the working classes, and of society
generally ; and more particularly from having lately
spent nearly. eight months in Ireland, for the purpose
of investigating its situation, he recommended it to be
immediately applied upon a large scale to that country,
as the only means which could now be adopted with any
hopes of success, to give productive employment to the
people, and to relieve them from the evils arising from
religious dissensions, by removing the cause from which
they all originated, and which, while it should be allowed
to remain, must continue to generate them. In order to
prevent misconception, be would shortly re-state the prin-
ciples and arrangements of his plan. He submitted—lit,
That the character of man is chiefly formed by the cir-
emnstances in which he may be placed, and principally
and essentially by the geographical circumstances of
bis birth. 2d, That it is therefore most to be desired
that those who direct the affairs of mankind should be
well informed respecting the influence which those cir-
cumstances which they have the power to remove or re-
flace, have over the well being sod happiness of their
ellow creatures. 3d, That one of the most unfavourable
circumstances that has ever influenced the conduct of
mankind, is the notion that any individual can have me-
rit or demerit for the particular opinions given by him.
4th, That the first step requisite to produce real virtue
in society, is to withdraw that error from the human
mind ; and as every fact that has ever been known to the
human race proves it to be an error, it will be true wis-
dom now to reject it. sth, That by its rejection, the
means would be immediately in our power to withdraw
all anger and irritation from society, and to introduce
pesee, real charity, and kindness throughout the world.
tith That the chief obstacle would also be thus removed,
to the combination in practice of all those circumstances
which are best calculated to improve the character of all
individuals, and are most favourable to the creation and
enjoyment of wealth. 7111, That the arrangements
which are proposed, have been specially devised with
the view to exclude whatever the past has proved to be
injurious, and to iiclude whatever experience has demon.
strated to be beneficial. Bth. That, in consequence, it
becomes necessary that the opponents of this plan should
show in what respect these practical measures are likely
to fail in any of the important objects referred to.—
He had now also to add, that although it appeared
to him to be erroneous in principle, and highly
pernicious in practice, to attribute merit or to
attach demerit to the opinions of individuals when
the will had no power whatever in the formation of those
opinions, yet he could not regard all opinions as of equal
value ; he must estimate them according to their truth or
falsehood, or their consistency or inconsistency with each
other, and with all those facts with which experience had
made us ac painted. It was, therefore, the opinions solely,
of which he approved or disapproved : he did not condemn
the individuals who had been made to entertain them • for
those he could feel only affection or compassion. And far-
ther, that as the mere opinions of men could have no influ-
ence whatever upon matters of eternity, no man or set of
men could, by saying that there was or that there was not
a future state, establish the one or the other proposition.—
Nor did he think, according to the principles which he had
advanced, that one particle more of merit or demerit be-
longed to the individual, whether he adopt the one or the
other. To his own principles he attributed no more merit
or demerit than be did to those of other men. As a human
being whose will had no power over his opinions, he could
only state, with reference to this subject, that the facts im-
pressed upon bis mind compelled hiss to state, that after
death meath men would eternally exist, but in what state or
form he was unable, from want of additional facts, to do
more than conjecture; but sure he was, that if the Supreme
Ruler of the universe were infinitely wise, powerful, and
just, not one individual would exist under eternal punish-
ment ; nor was it necessary, as it appeared to him, that
those intellects which had been made weak and irrational,
should any longer be frightened with such an error. The
time was near when the world would no longer be governed
by uncertain precept, but by unerring practice ; and not by
fear, bat by love. This declaration having been made, that
the world might not uselessly dispute about any supposed
speculative opinions of his, which were of no more real
value than those of any other man possessing equal expe-
rience, he would proceed to the regular business of the day,
not with a desire to gain a victory over any individual or
party, but with a sincere and honest intention to elicit truth,
and to benefit his suffering fellow creatures. He concluded
by stating that he had been advised to withdraw the reso-
lutions that he had moved on the former day, and sub-
stitute others more immediately applicable to a practical
result.

The resolutions proposed at the former meeting having
with the consent of the meeting, been withdrawn,
Mr. OWEN moved the following resolutions:—
" I. That, as it has now been stated by an experienced,
disinterested individual, that he has devised new arrange-
ments, by which 1,000 persons, including the usual ge
of all ages, can produce by their labour, properly directed,
sufficient to maintain themselves in comfort, and to support
2,000 more ; this meeting recommend to his Majesty's Go-
vernment to advance out of any funds at their disposal for
the employment of the poor, an adequate sum or sums of
money, at Si or 4 per cent. interest, for the purpose of try-
ing one experiment in England, Scotland, and Ireland, but
more especially in the latter country, on the plan proposed
by Mr. Owen, upon condition that the payment of the in-
terest and the repayment of principal shall be secured on
the lands to be purchased, and the buildings to be erected,
for the purpose of carrying such experiments into exe-
cution.
" 2. That his Grace the Duke of Leinster, General Sir

John Doyle, and John Smith, Esq., M.P., be requested
to sub nit the above application to his Majesty's Govern-
ment.
" S. That a committee he appointed to report the result of
this application to the public.
"4. That the above Nobleman and Gentlemen, with the
. .

subscribers to the loan for instituting the experiment at
Motherwell, be the committee, with
.power to add to their
number, and that five be a quorum.'
Mr. OWICN said, that before he sat down he wished to
call the attention of the meeting to a note which he had
that morning received from an anonymous correspond
ent. The note contained several questions which be was
requested to answer. The most important of these qnes-
ions was one, the object of which was to ascertain whe„

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