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484 T H E L EABER; W^m
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ELECTION HATTEBS. THE " VAIN" LONDONDBBB...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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On French Socialism. "Wha.T It Is, And I...
merely their frailty , and their imperfection , that make our sunWW ; the worm that gnaws at their heart , gnaws at Our own ; we suffer because -we are ourselves too wretchedly imperfect ; because all in ourselves too cheats and dies , like steeds which suddenly break down undw their riders , the waves of our passions that bear us upi are continually sinking under our feet , and , after having raised us on high , ebbing away , to leave us shattered upon a barren strand . The haDtnness we have most ardently desired , when once
possessed , appals the soul by its unsatisfyingness . Our heart is like the DanaidsHub which nothing cotdd filli Within us , then , and around us , all is a combat , all a struggle . If we consider the universe , we behold all things at war ; every species devouring each other j the elements in strife ; human society is in many respects a continual struggle and a war . How many philosophers have discovered that man ' s worst enemy is—man ! Thfi world that we inhabit is formed out of ruins , and
we cannot advance a step without destroying . Whether we take this world in time or in space , Under these two grand natural dimensions it is a net of evil , of destruction , and of carnage , so well knit and so full , that it resembles that picture by Satartor , in which all is death and murder at once ; in which men , horses , even a bird that flits across the battle-field ; all are struck , all are dying , under a pale sky , in a horrible ravine , while the sun is sinking gloomily beneath the horizon ' ge * Admirable picture , a sublime expression , of the melancholy into which , the moral and physical evil spread abroad in the world can plunge the soul of man . "
What are we to conclude from this gloomy catalogue of the inevitable sorrows to which Man is condemned here below ? That the search after happiness is an unworthy and fruitless object for the soul ?; ' But this Would be . to deny tbe most invinciblp of all our aspirations ; it would be to break the mainspring of out activity ; it would be to reject the philosophy of which this great question of happiness has always been the
chief purpose , as Cicero well said , " Qui de swmmo bdno dissentit , de totd Philosophies rations dispiitat / ' * it would he , in a word , to deny Socrates , who was declared by the oracle the wisest of men for having proposed the problem of happiness to mankind . The whole matter , then , reduces itself to the question whether We ought not to strive , without ceasing , after happiness , even without hope of absolutely attaining it : and where we ought to seek it .
Now , of these two points , the former was never disputed by philosophers ; and the latter gave rise to the three sects which divide the thought of antiquity . To be concerned with the present , without a thought for the past that preceded , or the future that may follow , this life , —to behave in conformity with that Which is , —to liberate oneself from cbrporal ills find from the troubles of the soul , —to procure oneself by these means , so far as we may , a condition exempt ftom pain , by the regulated satisfaction of the wants , appetites , and desires , which nature has implanted in us , —Such is the philosophy of Epicurus .
To despise life wholly , —absorbed in an Inner life , to let the outer life flow away , —to regard oneself , in relation to life , as a mere spectator , or , at most , as an actor in a comedy , —to leave to destiny the responsibility of its work , —not to think of tempering the pasftions , but to root them out , —to . get rid , so to speak , of the passions altogether , and to hold life in such absolute disgust that the wise man has the right to cast it off as a consequence of his liberty , and as a recompense of his virtue , —such is the stoic philosophy of Zeno .
To accept Nature as we find her , but constantly seeking in her image the reflection of the Divine beauty , —to accept life such as it is , hut studying to elevate it ever to a higher perfection , according to tho ideal which God has implanted in our minds as an imperishable archetype , —such is the philosophy of Plato . It is from Epicureanism that , after a lapse of centuries , sprung the deism of Bolingbroke and of Voltaire , tho systematic egoism of La Eochefoucauld , the sensualism of Condillac , the atomistic materialism of our savants , the exclusive utilitarianism of Bontham . It was Platonism mingled with the doctrine of tho stoics that had humanly anticipated our diviner Christian philosophy which admits with Zeno that men were thrown into the world to practise endurance
and self-denial t and , with Plato , that they ought to seek in nature tho scattorcd rays of the Divine Word . After liaving traced tho history of human thought in it * search after human happiness , In a work of which I can only present tho barest outline here , Pierre Lerou * unhesitatingly pronounces himself , 'in favour of the Platordst . and Christian doctrine of moral perfectibility . Only he is careful not to adopt , in it « exaggerated and dangerous sonso , the anathema launched by the Christian mystics against this world and against life ; and he concludes in those terms : — "If happiness be understood to imply some undoflned condition of . agreeable sensations and feelings , independently of a philosophical conception of our nature and of our destiny , then has philosophy no concern therewith , Go , follow your caprices , pursue your sensations , aban-• fiejbMbttftonl tt matt , 0 . 6 .
don yourselves to your passions , give yourselves over to fatality ; conduct yourselves after the fashion of animals and of children ! Ton will live after a certain fashion —you will obtain a certain happiness ; if , forgetting that you are reason , you make yourself a body , you will have . corporeal enjoyment : if you transform yourselves into swine under the wand of Circe , you will have the joy of swine : if , forgetting that you are linked to humanity , you choose to be selfish , you will have the solitary pleasures of a lonely man , that is to say , of a man horribly incomplete and devoid of a
sphere requisite for a true existence ; you will be an " imperfect being—a sort of monster . In a word , you will have pleasure and grief analogous to the passions which you will develope , and to which you will deliver up your nature . But , at the same time , the law of the world > which is one of incessant change , will ever condemn you to find nothingness and emptiness in all things , and sooner or later the moment will come for you , when you will ay ^ ake from that confused intoxication , and when , however degraded you may be , you will become conscious of the reasonable nature of your
being . Do you understand by happiness a state of selfconsciousness , then it is given to philosophy alone to procure it for us ? The question is changed : we are no longer concerned with the search after happiness in the vulgar sense of the word happiness ; we do but aspire after a life in conformity with our human nature . " See , then , how this question ofhappiness istreated ( and in the name of . Socialism ) by one of those systemmakers whom certain false mystics have not been ashamed to represent as apostles of a gross materialism ! After such citations , all commentary id useless .
Socialism has twp powerful enemies to combatignorance , and bad faith . But these two adversaries have always been encountered , in history , on the route of progress , and humanity has not the less persisted in its constant march towards the light , towards truth , towards justice . The banners of Constantine , the armed champion of the religion of Christ , bore this motto : Jtn hdc signo vinaes . And he conquered , *—because he believed . LotJia BiiAtfc .
484 T H E L Eaber; W^M
484 T H E L EABER ; W ^ m
Election Hattebs. The " Vain" Londondbbb...
ELECTION HATTEBS . THE " VAIN" LONDONDBBBY SCANDAL . * ' Vane LomooNDEBBY , ' * lord of County Down , has fallen upon evil . days . Upon the assumption of power by the Earl of Derby , finding that Lord Castlereagh had pledged himself to Tenant-right , the Marquis of Londonderry , his father , wrote to Mr . David S . Ker , making the following eligible offer of a little human property in County Down . Be it premised that Mr « Ker is nephew to Lord Londonderry , and that the correspondence begins " My Dear Nephew . " The date of the letter is February 7 th .
" After the immense treasure expended by the family on this county seat , I cannot reconcile it to myself , my position , and my political name , to abandon it during at least my tenancy , nor resign the nomination to even Castlereagh , paying his own means , as he must even then be dependent on my votes , which I could not offer for tenant league aid . You are my eldest nephew , and I willingly offer thefirst refusal of my interest and means to you , if you will take Castlereaghs position with Me in the coun ty seat ; more especially as I believe you are as equally inclined to support Xord Derby ' s public views and future government as I am . It may , nowever , very naturally occur to you , from your large interest , you would stand on your
own bottom , independent of any one , and that you would contest tho county on your own just pretensions . If this be your object , I can of course say nothing , and can only sincerely lament if I am forced to take different views . I ask myself if , after all my forefathers have spent , I ought to yield this prize . I grant I may bo defeated , but I ought not to succumb . If your affection leads your coalescing now in our political views—as I believe I am as good a Protestant as any man in our county—to accept tho offer I make , I consider , with Lords Downshiro , Annosley , and landlords generally approving , we could defy Sharman Crawford , his subscriptions , and the League : of course all expense in a contest would be mine . "
On the other hand , if Mr . Ker determined to " stand on his own hook / ' tho Marquis would not shrink from opposing him . Mr . Ker replied to " My Dear Uncle " on the 10 th of February , by accepting his offer . " From tho handsome manner in whioh you make that proposal to me . and from tho circumstance or our coalescing In our political views , as to supporting Lord Derby and sound conservative and Protestant principles , I havo no hesitation in saying sincerely , that I am very much undor
obligation to you , and tnat x ieel no difflouJty m accepting your offer . " Mr . KorV next proceeding was to write to Mr . Alexander Stewart , informing him of Lord Londonderry ' s offer , picturesquely described as having boon made " at a time when most of the gentry wore anxious to put tho stopper upon Shaman and tho League ;" fltatingffurtaer , tha ^ " he accepted tlio offer , upon an Understanding that Ma principles entirely coalesced with Lord Londonderry ' s , and that Castlereogh ' w wore
opposed to Lord Londonderry ' s , Mr ..: ; KerV' and th majority of the iano ^ askni forMr . Stewart ' ssupport . **> This letter was a puzzle to Lord Londonderry ^ to whom " Aliek Stewart" sent it , and he etoplbyed ; ' hig son " Ernest Vane" to write to 'fDear David , ' from ' Torquay , oii the 27 th of February ; '' as it would seehi ! that Mr . Ker did not entirely understand" the coaiau ,. nications which had passed between Lord Londonderrv and Mr . Ker , as the expressions of the latter to AEck-Stewart seemed vague /*
" He" [ Lord Iibndonderry ] , continued Ernest ; the soik " feels it therefore necessary ; explicitly and distinctly to understand from yOu whether you accept the ofier he ' msAeibotldjide , as cOmitig : in for the county of Do ^ n as his member , and by his inoney ; or whether you declinethis , which was the distinct proposition he made to you . The definition of his member is well understood , where not atone interest , but money is given . Of course , if you have changed your mind , and have now other views , my father stands quite clear as to the course he shajl pursu e at the next general election . / My father hopes you -will kindly give him an explicit , candid , and immediate answer .
" Dear David" replied on- the 3 rd of March . He could not admit thit there was any ^ niisunderstandi » g ' as to his position . He then- restated it explicitly to his " dear uncle . ?* * ' I perfectly understand that ; I am ; to be your member—L e ., in consideration Of the terms your proposal , I am to represent your ¦ p ' oKtical ^ vjtews ; but luhderstiand , at the same time , that we agree iit politics , and particularly in two pointe ,-which : novf alojie a * e visible in * foe'horizoni 1 st . We a ^^ rthit ta © ' TeinaiH ; ie ^ g iie attack ; upon landlords should foe / opposed ; and that , WhUe it would be desirable to givei encouragement' to farni improvenieiits , it would be darigerbiis M inferfere in the management of fffdperty . and create litigation between landlord and' tenant .
This view is the principal groundupon , which it is sary to take steps 1 to secure ! a due representation at the next election * 2 nd ; ¥ e agr jetf as to recbg ^ iisuig lord Derby as the state ^ ttiaiiwiio fe most able and wiping to defend the constitutional riglits " oJ ' ¦ ilhis ^ country . As Lord Derby ' s views , upon every question , axe not yet folly declared , it does not appear necessary" for His ; ' followers ( of which or of whom I am biie ) to ^ ^ decufrei thdrsupon every question , but rather to yri & i ? fdi * b ^ 'de ^^ bj ^ arid tbbe pre ^ pared to support what we believe to be ati honest ahd upright government and partyl : -TTnbii thisuHderstiEaidiiigi , ' that we perfectly agree in our political vieWs andincMa *' tions / I accepted your ^^ pfoposaTas'it ' was mkde , and det cjded to come forward at the election . "
• • ' Again : — > ' ¦¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ . ' : ¦ \ ,. - .,.. . . " It is very weU known the 'terms upon ^ hich I cothe forward . It has been made known to all persons wHo are anxious to maintain the influence of your family and property in the county } but it did riot appear to me ner cessary or advisable to make our arrangements known to each individual , and publicly } because , as regards our opponents , and The Northern Whig , it would confirm their insinuation , ' that the county Was to be handed over to a
political ' crab' ;* and bedause there are many landlords , find I believe tenants , who would be much offended by asstuning that they could be influenced by anything except their ovra conscience and opinions ; particularly as it so happens that thOBOof the largest property and influence are united m supporting Lord Derby , and opposing Sharman Crawford . ( Subauditum esU We agree -in the same objects . )" And consequently , ho signed , * your affectionate nephew , D . S . Ker . " Drfar
Three days after , on the 6 th of March , the " Uncle" wrote to " Dear Ker / ' to the effect that thft letter of the 8 rd had " given him much disappointment , under deep affliction , " and was by" no means satisfactory . " "The letters already passed between ua will shotf my understanding without any qualifications . You oaynow — 'I perfectly understand I am to be you * member \*)» that is * to say , under consideration of the terinslpi'ot » os «/ Wo flm-floino-nn p-eneral conservative principles- **
but further than that , there were too points whatever pro * pounded in my offer , and I must deoline them aU . now stated . Your first acceptance was absolute ^ unoomMiOBw —as if you were heir to my estate and political influencoo . I hardly think you would wish to blind me ; but as everything so rapidly changes in these days , I mus ^ nofc W » dupe to my own offeotionate credulity . It is not too ww yet . I may be defeated ; but my political position wa name demand I should uphold the family seat in the WJ manner in my power . Of oourao by your letter 1 am n «« free ; and neither in expenses nor support can you' * \ , mo , our impressions as a bonafidt understanding on «« known principles of the patron and nominee aro no w ^ asunder ''
. " . . .. ^ Being " now free , " he expressed his determination to do his best for the " family interest , " lay " tho ¦ w »« J cerrespondence before Lord D . " [ Dowttflhire ] , and Btarw a candidate of his own [ Mr . Yandeleur Stewart J . On tho 10 th of March , Mr . Ker considered the > vrn ™ engagement at an end ; and he subsequently wrotet he would rtot retire in favour of « J . Vandeleuf Bt 01 ?" Y ' who was " neither a resident nor a proprietor— m nomirioo . " — - AA .. -m-- Pd mt ± mr % ma ¦ . J M ^ sl **/\ T . n IilflO * J ^* _
* * ^^^ " jnotb LDy JM . r . ii-orj . —xnw is a num * " "" --, - fl ( JUght Ker never made any proposals whatever . M . JjL ' mis' to here to bo convoyed , that heprqpbsed nW ^ JSWn Lord Londonderry , but no fluoh fact oan tej *™ %% $ toff a jp « rttMl of lottS Wo . 6 , whldh is aeXW « P « flftW ' throughout .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 22, 1852, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_22051852/page/8/
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