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Title: Manifesto Author: Josiah Warren Date: 1841 Language: en Topics: manifesto, equitable commerce, individualist Source: Retrieved on 13 June 2019 from https://www.libertarian-labyrinth.org/anarchist-beginnings/josiah-warren-manifesto-1841/
An impression has gone abroad that I am engaged in forming societies.
This is a very great mistake, which I feel bound to correct.
Those who have heard or read anything from me on the subject, know that
one of the principal points insisted on is, the forming of societies or
any other artificial combinations IS the first, greatest, and most fatal
mistake ever committed by legislators and by reformers. That all these
combinations require the surrender of the natural sovereignty of the
INDIVIDUAL over her or his person, time, property and responsibilities,
to the government of the combination. That this tends to prostrate the
individual–To reduce him to a mere piece of a machine; involving others
in responsibility for his acts, and being involved in responsibilities
for the acts and sentiments of his associates; he lives & acts, without
proper control over his own affairs, without certainty as to the results
of his actions, and almost without brains that he dares to use on his
own account; and consequently never realizes the great objects for which
society is professedly formed.
Some portion, at least, of those who have attended the public meetings,
know that EQUITABLE COMMERCE is founded on a principle exactly opposite
to combination; this principle may be called that of Individuality. It
leaves every one in undisturbed possession of his or her natural and
proper sovereignty over its own person, time, property and
responsibilities; & no one is acquired or expected to surrender any
“portion” of his natural liberty by joining any society whatever; nor to
become in any way responsible for the acts or sentiments of any one but
himself; nor is there any arrangement by which even the whole body can
exercise any government over the person, time property or responsibility
of a single individual.
Combinations and all the institutions built upon them are the inventions
of Man; and consequently, partake of more or less of man’s
shortsightedness and other imperfections; while EQUITABLE COMMERCE is a
simple development of principles, which, although new to the public, are
as old as the creation, and will be as durable.
This understanding is very natural; because, all attempts at radical
reformation known to have been founded on combinations; the failure of
all these has destroyed confidence, and the public, not being aware of
any other principle, conclude that this is another proposal of the same
kind and must fail like the rest. I respect their judgment and believe
with them, that every attempt to improve their social condition by the
formation of societies or any artificial combination (however
ingeniously devised, however purely intended or honestly conducted,)
must and will defeat their own objects and disappoint all who are
engaged in them.
The failure of the experiments on the community system in New Harmony
during the two years trial from 1825 to 1827, sufficiently proved this
to my mind, & led to the conviction that the process of combination is
not capable of working out the great objects of society; but, the
opposite principle, that of Individuality and the process of
DISCONNECTION, [1] after much close and severe investigation were found
to possess or to lead to all the redeeming and regenerating powers
necessary for the complete solution of the great social problem.–Indeed
they appeared to promise too much to believe, too much hope; so much,
that the discoverer (if we must so call him) dare not communicate his
thoughts to his intimate acquaintances for fear of being accounted
insane. His only course, therefore, was to prove everything in PRACTICE
previously to bringing it before the public.
A whole new course of investigations and experiments were then
commenced; the first of which was the “Time Store” in Cincinnati which
was opened in May, 1827. This was conducted three years, when it was
wound up for the purpose of carrying the principles into all the
commerce of life; and the interval between that time and the present has
been employed (as far as private circumstances would permit) either in
further developments or in preparation for them.
The principles have been applied to the management and education of
children, which go to show the radical mistake and the great cause of
defeat on this important subject.
The principles have also been applied to the purchase and sale of land &
almost all other kinds of property, and to the interchange of almost all
kinds of labor including that of merchants, lawyers, physicians,
teachers, the conductor of a boarding house, etc., through every step of
which, the sovereignty of the individual was strictly preserved and
invariably respected. No legislation of any description assumed control
over the individual in any case whatsoever; and such was the complete
individuality of action that hundreds dealt at the Time Store without
understanding much of its principles or its objects; but they perceived
that it was their interest to do so, thus demonstrating that the
business of the community can be brought into this condition by a
natural and irresistible process; without combination, without
organisation, without laws, without government, without the surrender of
any “portion” of the natural liberty of the individual; demonstrating
also that reformation need not wait till the world becomes learned : but
the practical operation constitutes a process of re-education which no
one can estimate without experience, and which the learned are most
backward in acquiring.
Such, too has been the complete individuality of action throughout all
the experiments that although hundreds have taken some part in them,
they are in no way distinguished as a sect, a party or a society; the
public in general do not and will not know them; excepting so far as
each individual chooses to identify himself or herself with these
principles.
Public influence is the real government of the world. Printing makes
this governing power; therefore, among the preparations for the general
introduction of these subjects are a simplification of printing and
printing apparatus which brings this mighty power to the fireside and
within the capacities of almost any one of either sex who may choose to
use it; thus is this and every other subject of real reformation
rendered independent of the common press whose conductors are generally
too much absorbed or too much interested in things as they are, too much
under public influence or too superficial in their habits of thinking to
do this subject justice in its commencement.
The experiments and preparations are now concluded, and the results are
on record or in the possession of living witnesses, and are now becoming
the groundwork of practical operations in this neighborhood. Those who
wish to become acquainted with the subject can obtain the particulars at
the public meetings or by reading THE EQUITABLE COMMERCE GAZETTE which
is to be published for this purpose; but the following are some of the
most prominent features of EQUITABLE COMMERCE.
It goes to establish a just and permanent principle of trade which puts
an end to all serious fluctuations in prices and consequently, to all
the insecurity and ruin which these fluctuations produce; and to build
up those who are already ruined.
It tends to put a stop to all kinds of speculation.
It has a sound and rational circulating medium, a real and definite
representative of wealth. It is based exclusively on labor as the only
legitimate capital. This circulating medium has a natural tendency to
lessen by degrees the value and the use of money, and finally to render
it powerless; and consequently to sweep away all the crushing masses of
fraud, iniquity, cruelty, corruption and imposition that are built upon
it.
The circulating medium being issued only by those who labor, they would
suddenly become invested with all the wealth and all the power; and
those who did not labor, be they ever so rich now, would as suddenly
become poor and powerless.
It opens the way to employment for those who want it, by simple
arrangement which has a natural tendency to keep the supply in rational
proportion to the demand.
It solves the great and difficult problem of machinery against labor. On
this principle, in proportion as machinery throws workmen out of
employment, it works for them; and the way is always open to a new
employment, as equitable commerce abolishes profit on mystery,
disregards the customary apprenticeships and brings all kinds of
knowledge within the reach of those who want it.
The necessity of every one paying in his own labor for what he consumes,
affords the only legitimate and effectual check to excessive luxury,
which has so often ruined individuals, states and empires; and which has
now brought almost universal bankruptcy upon us.
Equitable commerce furnishes no offices to be filled by the ambitious
and aspiring, no possible chance for the elevation of some over the
persons or property of others; there is, therefore, no temptation here
for such persons; and they will not be found among the first to adopt
EQUITABLE COMMERCE. It appeals, first, to the most oppressed, the
humble, the down-trodden, & will first be adopted by them and by those
who have no wish to live upon others, and by those whether among the
rich or poor whose superior moral or intellectual qualities enable them
to appreciate some of the unspeakable blessings that would result from
such a state of human existence.
These are some of the most prominent features of EQUITABLE COMMERCE; and
will be perceived that they are precisely the features which a great,
redeeming revolution ought to possess : but they are so extraordinary,
so out of the common course and current of things that they will be
denounced by some as visionary and impracticable. I am prepared for all
this, and I am also prepared to prove that all the most important
applications of the principles HAVE BEEN made; and have proved
themselves sound beyond all successful contradictions; and to show that
upon these principles, it is perfectly practicable for almost any person
to begin at once to enjoy some of the advantages herein set forth; and
by degrees to emancipate himself or herself from the crushing iniquity
and suffering of (what is called) civilized society; and this without
joining any society or in any other way surrendering any “portion” of
his or her natural and “inalienable” sovereignty over their person, time
or property, and without becoming in any way responsible for the act or
sentiments of others who may be transacting business on these
principles.
JOSIAH WARREN
New Harmony, Nov. 27, 1841.
---
It has now become a very common sentiment, that there is some deep and
radical wrong somewhere, and that legislators have proved themselves
incapable of discovering, or, of remedying it.
With all due deference to other judgments, I have undertaken to point
out what seems to constitute this wrong and its natural, legitimate and
efficient remedies; and shall continue to do so wherever and whenever
the subject receives that attention and respect to which its unspeakable
importance appears to entitle it; and it is hoped that some, who are
capable of correct reasoning will undertake to investigate, and, (if,
they can find a motive,) to oppose EQUITABLE COMMERCE; and thereby
discover and expose the utter imbecility–the surprising weakness of any
opposition that can be brought against it. Opposition, in order to be
noticed must be confined to this subject, and its natural tendencies:
DISCONNECTED with all others, and all merely personal considerations.
I decline all noisy, wordy, confused, and personal controversies. This
subject is presented for calm study and honest enquiry; and, after
having placed it (as I intend to do) fairly before the public, shall
leave it to be estimated by each individual according to the particular
measure of understanding, and shall offer no violence to his
individuality by any attempt to restrain, or to urge him beyond it.
J.W.
[1] The great principle of human elevation was perceived to be the
SOVEREIGNTY OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL over his or her Person and Time and
Property and Responsibilities. That this was impracticable where these
were connected. DISCONNECTION, or Individualisation of these, therefore,
appeared to be the process required. A habitual respect to this
Individual Sovereignty, it was perceived, would constitute EQUITABLE
moral commerce. The question then arose, how could this complete
sovereignty of the individual over its own time and property be
preserved through the process of exchanging them in the pecuniary
commerce of society? This great point was settled by the idea of time
for time, or Labor for Labor–DISCONNECTING all natural wealth from labor
each pricing his own by what it Costs him; but not overstepping the
natural bounds of his individuality by setting a price on the Value of
his article or labor to the receiver of it. The DISCONNECTION of Cost
from Value laid the foundation of Equitable pecuniary Commerce. This new
commerce required a circulating medium DISCONNECTED from money of all
kinds, and representing Labor only; and thus the laborer becomes
EMANCIPATED from money and tyranny.