The Socialism of to-day

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 835096955

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-28834

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Laveleye, Émile de

Title:: The Socialism of to-day

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Field & Tuer

Year of publication:: 1884

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XLIV, 331 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

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238 THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. tion of the decisions of the association is the penalty of death. The association is essentially secret. Whoever reveals, through imprudence or bad faith, any of its acts within his knowledge, is held in suspicion for an unlimited period or put to death, according to the gravity of the matter revealed. Every order given to a member must be performed, and whoever avoids any work entrusted to him is looked upon as a traitor. Every member must regulate his public conduct so as to conceal his relations to the association and his sympathies with it. Every member must undergo a noviciate, he must furnish positive proofs of his sincerity, and it is only after trial that he is allowed to present himself before the initiated of the group of which he is to form a member. All these precautions are taken to avoid treachery. After hearing the new member, the vote is taken. No one is admitted a member except on a unanimous vote. The statutes of the “ popular ” or secret tribunal resemble those of Nihilism. They commence with the following preamble :— “ Whereas bourgeois governments, by putting the Inter national beyond the pale of the law, have prevented the peace able solution of the Social question, it is advisable to establish a secret revolutionary organization. Victory is still far distant. The bourgeois continue to commit their crimes ; they must therefore be punished ; and as the confederates are determined to carry out this purpose, they have commissioned a popular tribunal to condemn and chastise the crimes of the bourgeoisie. The members of the revolutionary tribunal must belong to the International, and must be capable of carrying out the duty that they accept. The bourgeois shall be punished by all possible methods, by fire, sword, poison, or in any other way.” The ordinary meetings of the tribunal take place on the first of each month. Their object is to receive reports of the reprisals made by the several members against the bourgeoisie, and of the advantages offered by the several modes of execution adopted; to examine what reforms might be usefully introduced into the association, and to give instructions to the members. Every member of a group is bound to submit to it, without delay.

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