The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-15
The Quarrel between Lerou. and proudhon

The Quarrel between Leroux and Proudhon
The correspondent of the London Times writes as
follows:
1T is well known that profound division exists
between the anti Capitalist party, whose chief Is
Nj Proudhon and the Socialists, and pure love tnd-
cold water faction, whose acknowledged chief is
NJ. Pierre Leroux. Citizen Lcroux's doctrines are
the quintessence of the sentimental Socialism. He
differs from the philosopher of Nlaimesbury toto
cGio. Pierre Leroux believes that all men really
love each other with pure and holy feeling; that
such feeling Is deeply imprinted in their bosoms by
nature, and that the apparent evil they do each
other has really its source in that same feeling
however men may think otherwise. presume that
the milk of human kindness, plentifully allowed
TO the human heart by new philosopher, gets
sour from the very richness and abundance. How
ever extravagant his opinions 1t Is, however, be
eved that Pierre Leroux is most sincere, and more
over that he does not entertain single malevolent
thought against human creature. He is at all
times ready 10 propagate his doctrines, and ex-
presses angry feeling when most laughed at.
He IL simply harmless dreamer
I'M. Proudhon Is man of n far acuter intellect,
but of very doubtful sincerity. Occasionally pow
erfu and almost always sarcastic, in his writings,
no one gives him credit for believing in his own
doctrines. He Is generally believed TO be laughing
his sleeve at the simplicity OF those who become
mis- dnpes. He Is also suspected Of never losing sight
OF the main chance. However tiI't may be- there
IL to the knife between the two great leaders Gt
the party. Proudhun can never forgive the under
carried ON against his iayorte project OF the Poo
pies Bank and its complete failure before he sue
ceeded in making any thing good by II, has not
diminished his resentment against his rival. A. il
IS, he never spares occasion of exposing him and
his doctrines to public derision. Proudhon lately
attacked him in his new journal, La I,oir du Psu-
pie and called him several outlandish names-such
as Theologastre, Thaumaturge Neo Chreuen, Neo-
Jacobin. Neo -Platonicicn, Neo -Babouviste &c,
and ended by denouncing him almost as Neo Royal
iste. No merely human patience could stand such
a load Of epthet, and accordingly that of Pierre
Leroux gave way. Pierre Leroux addresses IN La
Rspu4iq,t of this day long letter 10 Proudhon in
which he exposes his insincerity aud wickedne.s,
and this though he addresses him a. his Cher Proud
hon
'''My dear Prondhon, he concludes, Il tremblc
when think of all you have done; but what with
your atheism, with your denial of all religion with
your denial of every political and social organiza-
ton, with your profound disdain for every system
OF association, with your exclusive attachment Ia
the principles of liberty without the slightest r,
gard To fraternity and equality; with all the
qucnces Of atheism and iudvdualisin-s such a.
competition and each one for HIMSELF with all
this before me, 30 you know that you resemble
Nautilus very strongly, Nou--yO who, after my
self, had written much against Nautilus and the
Malthusians You who, perhaps. are, after all
merely a Liberal, logican, and a Malthusian in
disguise "