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Title: Positions Defined
Author: Josiah Warren
Date: 1853
Language: en
Topics: equitable commerce, individualism, individualist
Source: Retrieved on 13 June 2019 from https://www.libertarian-labyrinth.org/from-the-archives/josiah-warren-positions-defined/

Josiah Warren

Positions Defined

An impression is abroad, to some extent, that the “Equity movement” is

necessarily characterized by an unusual latitude in the Marriage

relations—I as one, protest against this idea. “The Sovereignty of every

Individual” is as valid a warrant for retaining the present relations,

as for changing them; and it is equally good for refusing to be drawn

into any controversies or even conversations on the subject. I find no

warrant in my “sovereignty” for invading, disturbing, or offending other

people, whatever may be their sentiments or modes of life, while they

act only at their own Cost: and would again and again reiterate in the

most impressive possible manner that the greatest characteristic of this

movement is its “INDIVIDUALITY”—that the persons engaged in it are

required to act entirely as Individuals—not as a Combination or

Organisation That we disclaim entirely, all responsibility for the acts,

opinions, or reputations of each other. The principles of “Equity are as

broad as the universe, embracing every possible diversity of character:

I therefore do not look for conformity, and therefore repudiate all

combined or partnership responsibilities, or reputations.

I suppose the world’s experience to be its great instructor, and if it

has not had enough of isms and follies I disclaim all right to oppose

experiment, while the “Cost falls only upon the experimentors.” But for

myself, so far from proposing or wishing to see any sudden and

unprepared changes in the sexual relations, I am satisfied that they

would be attended with more embarrassments and more disastrous

consequences than their advocates or the public generally are aware of;

and farther, I wish to have it understood as a general rule, that I

decline even entertaining the subject, either for controversy or for

conversation.

I again caution all persons not to make me responsible for the acts and

words of others; it is my right to have the making of my own reputation,

and I wish them to remember, that no person either in his or her

deportment or conversation, or as writer or lecturer is to be understood

as a representative of me, unless my sanction is specifically given, to

every idea thus advanced; and that no Newspaper or Journal is to be

understood as an organ for me, except so far as it may have my signature

to the articles it may contain.

Village of Modern Times, Aug. 1853.