The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1840-02-18 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

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 illiterate 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 regard for the sacred truths of Christianity, nay even for morality 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 frequently attended their meetings in Manchester and elsewhere, 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 listening 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 socialist 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.