The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-12
'hrsateaeA Chartist DensnstEs tien = Enx.
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Ftona fhe London Timer thrill %


ThrsateaeA Chartist Densnstrstisa h Enx.
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From fhs London Tmes, .7prii 20.
After collapse OF three years, the Chartist
National Convention begins to pluck up it,
spirits, and, as il not ing dsuntsd, ha. chosen
the 10th Of April as the date OF comprehen-
slve programme. Such Of the continental aRi-
tators as condescended to visit this reactionary
metropolis at the approaching Exhibition, have
thus an opportunity Of seeing that If we de-
clined TO join the dance Of revolution, it was not
for want OF al opportunity at home. The
charter, as interpreted in this document, goes at
once to the root Of all our social disordsrs-
While the Legislature has been feeb.y nibblIng
at this or that nuisance for these hundreds Of
years, and have only strengthened the prescrip
ton Of wrong, Mr. Reynolds and his friends are
prepared To make clean sweep without more
ado. On the important subjects Of the land, the
church, education, labor, poverty, taxes the debt,
the currency, the army, the navy, the militia and
the press, these gentlemen speak with fulness
aud decision which assure us they would have
no difficulty in forming cbartist cabinet pre-
pared to undertake all these departments.
The six points of the charter have hitherto
failed to satisfy prudent politicians, in conse-
quence OF certain vague apprehensions AZ to the
working of Legislature formed on this plan.
! The convention has now removed the unpL.as
ant doubt that hung over their intentions. They
tell us, without any reserve, what they expect
from parliament Of their own choice, and in
fact, instead Of the charter being itself the end
Of peoples aspirations, we are now presented
with further $ ultimatt.aa," to which the char
ter we are assured, will Immediately conduct us.
There is rising school, which, to certain ex-
tent, occupies the same ground as Chsrtism; it
il fed by the same instincts, seizes the same
class Of minds, and every now and then Is seen
to divide the interests of the same political cri-
sis. From February Is to June Is, I848, two
powers divided the government Of France--po.
litica democracy and industrial socialism The
former power, however, after desperate effort,
was then fairly crushed, and has not vet as.
sumed political rank ut Paris.
The six points Of the charter are pure democ-
racy; the programme before us attempts to re-
concile it with socialism, a far more genial sys
tenn than the other, and far more adapted to can
tivate ardent and atfectionate, but undisciplined
minds. Such mind finds itself annihated as
the unit Of a democracy, possessing one vote
out of 100000 for one member out Of 500 for
one estate out Of three. 1t finds itself annihi-
lated before the tempests of passion that occa.
s.onaly sway all democracies the way of terri
torial cupidity or national jealousy It en-
braces far more gladly the idea of great in
dustral compact which is to give every man
due reward for his work, without the suicidal
competition, the fragrant inequalities, the soul.
destroying drudgery, the terrible risks, of COM
mon manufacture and commerce. This is thu
main idea of socialism, and it is utterly incom-
patible with political freedom under any name
whatever. The chartists, however, do not wish
to quarrel either with socialism or with the 40.
calists and, like Ledru Rollin and his friends.
in the late revolutionary government. they would
fain keep the peace as long as they can with 30
captivating principle, and so formidable rival.
With some slight reverses, the socialist system
is engrafted into the present manifesto in tho
shape of labor law, proposing to abrogate the
relation of master AMI man, to rescue the screa
tor" from his subsection to the acreature" TO
conduct industrial works by cooperative ssoci-
alton, connected in a national union, and assisted
with grants from credit fund opened BY the
State. This, of course, is the very thing we
used to read of three years ago in the proceed
ngs at the Luxembourg. Oddly enough, Just
before the socialist article of this programme,
come few words at the tail of the article on
education, which, if carried into effect, would
strike at the very root of socialism After pro-
viding that every body shall be taught whatever
he wishes to learn, at the expense Of the State,
the article further ordains, That industrial
schools be established, in which the young NAV
be taught the various trades and professions.
thus gradually superseding the system of APP
premiership" How is this compatible with the
principle Of co operative associations!
The views of the chartihts on the subject of
taxation acquire some importance from the fact
that they do not seem to contemplate any i'm
mediate reduction of the nat onal expenditure,
but rather the contrary. They propose to 90
on paying the interest of the national debt, but
reckoning that interest an instalment of the
capital their object, of course, being not to
spare themselves, bnt the next generation. In
like manner, the standing army is to be main
tanned until suitable changes in our colonies and
at home shall have dispensed with its aid and,
meanwhile, certain reforms in enlistment, period
of service, soldiers board and lodging, terms Of
promotion, and so forth, would be found rather
costly. The programme is as liberal on the
subject of the navy. 1t proposes also militia
that should give every male over fifteen the OPP
portunty of military training. On the whole,
then, it is evident that the chartist budget
would, for the next twenty years, be at least as
serious an affair as the present ANIMAL statement
so called-nay, more so, for besides nearly all
the existing expenses, the programme proposes
that the State shall maintain all the poor wher-
ever they please, and that it shall employ all tho
from the national revenue; II pro-
poses that every citizen shall be offered the
highest education for his children, at schools,
colleges, aad universities maintained by the
State; it proposes the purchase of the whole
soil of these islands by the State; il proposes
credit fund to be opened for the assistance of
every association of work people TINT asks
assistance. Perhaps we would not be far wrong
i We put Mr.. +. OConnor's total expenditure
for 1852 ct a hundred millions, instead Of half
that sum.