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Jean Grave, “Society on the Morrow of the Revolution” (1889)

February 26, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

[one_third padding=”0 10px 0 0px”] One of the projects I’ve been pursing for a long time now is the collection of various serialized book- or pamphlet-length works which have remained largely unknown in the pages of fairly well-known anarchist periodicals. This work by Jean Grave is one that I started to transcribe quite a number of years ago, after receiving page-scans from a friend, but a variety of factors kept me from completing the work. Readers will find that the third chapter—which probably appeared in the February, 1890 issue of Freedom—is missing, simply because it was missing in the set […]

Jean Grave, “Moribund Society and Anarchy” (1893)

February 24, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

[one_third padding=”0 10px 0 0px”][/one_third][two_third_last padding=”0 0px 0 10px”] MORIBUND SOCIETY AND ANARCHY TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF JEAN GRAVE BY VOLTAIRINE DE CLEYRE [With a Preface from the French edition by Octave Mirbeau] [English translation published 1899] —– PREFACE. “Moribund Society and Anarchy” first appeared in France about a decade since, published by P. V. Stock, printer of numerous works pertaining to Anarchy. The conscience (?) of the French army, which the Dreyfus affair has since revealed in all its delicate scrupulosity, was immediately incensed by the chapter entitled “Militarism,” and the author was speedily arrested, tried, and sentenced […]

Short Sequels to “Looking Backward”

February 23, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

With nerves unstrung by that horrent nightmare, which had replunged me into the cruel vortex of nineteenth century antagonism and brutality, I cast around for some method of restoring my usual equanimity. An excursion into the country would, it appeared to me, serve the double purpose of acting as a nervous sedative, and of enabling me to realize something of the conditions of rural life in this year 2000 A. D.

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Jeff W. Hayes, “Pleiades Club” (1917)

February 23, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

[one_third padding=”0 10px 0 0px”][/one_third][two_third_last padding=”0 0px 0 10px”] The Pleiades Club Telegrapher’s Paradise on Planet Mars By JEFF W. HAYES AUTHOR OF Tales of the Sierras, Looking Backward at Portland, Paradise on Earth, Portland A. D. 1999, Autographs and Memoirs of the Telegraph, etc. —– PORTLAND, OR 1917 DEDICATORY To Edgar W. Collins, Poet-Laureate of the Telegraph; noble, high-minded gentleman; a true friend; this little volume is inscribed with a loving heart. CONTENTS Chapter I—On the Planet Mars Eternity Illustrated Lincoln’s Birthday on Planet Mars Aaron Hilliker Sings Old Song Biff Cook Makes a Speech Chapter II—Fourth of July […]

Lewis Masquerier, “Temperance” (1835/1877)

February 22, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

[one_half padding=”0 10px 0 0px”] TEMPERANCE. No animal so much as man, Transgresses nature’s law and plan; Each brute selects its drink and food, Rejects whatever tastes not good, Without the aid, as some would say, Of reason and philosophy; While man, endowed with every kind Of sense and quality of mind, Will drink his death in every bowl Through sensual appetite’s control; Will swallow burning alcohol. And eat tobacco’s bitter gall; While some prefer themselves to choke Upon its suffocating smoke; While some think two ways not enough To use it, turn it into snuff; And had they thought […]

Jeff W. Hayes, “Portland, Oregon, A.D. 1999” (1913)

February 22, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

[one_third padding=”0 10px 0 0px”] [/one_third][two_third_last padding=”0 0px 0 10px”] Portland, Oregon, A. D. 1999 By Jeff W. Hayes Author Of “Tales Of The Sierras,” “Looking Backward At Portland,” Etc. Portland, Oregon 1913 Dedication to the citizens of portland and to the dear friends of my earlier life this volume is lovingly dedicated CONTENTS Page Chapter 1, The Visitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter 2, The Prophecy . . . . . . . . . . . . . […]

Commentary on Proudhon’s “What is Property?”

February 11, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

I have, over the years, scattered a great deal of commentary on Proudhon’s various works across the various collections in the archive. I’ll be trying to collect some of the more useful bits here, starting with some remarks on What is Property? 1838: Property is theft (Jules Leroux) (August 30, 2012) 1839: Proudhon on property and theft (December 23, 2011) What Is Property? Chapter One notes (July 13, 2008) What Is Property? Chapter Two notes, part 1 (July 15, 2008) What Is Property? Chapter Two notes, part 2 (July 24, 2008) What Is Property? Chapter Two notes, part 3 (July […]

“Labor destroys Property” (Notes on “What is Property?”)

February 11, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

[one_third padding=”0 10px 0 0px”] This is another bit extracted from a social media exchange elsewhere, dealing with the progression of Proudhon’s argument against both property in materials and property in product in “What is Property?” Even if it is a bit out-of-context, it should help emphasize how important getting through all of Chapter III is to understanding Proudhon’s point. And once you’ve done that, you can start your collection of weird conclusions drawn by people who didn’t get all the way through. [/one_third][two_third_last padding=”0 0px 0 10px”] I don’t think it’s unreasonable, particularly when dealing with a book that […]

Charles Fourier in the the “Journal de Lyon, Nouvelles de la France et de l’étranger”

February 10, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

It is amusing for me to make so many young muses gossip at will: if I have an article printed, these gentlemen immediately fight against me in verse and prose, in the two newspapers. Aren’t they a little confused being twenty to one? Couldn’t you, gentlemen, talk about anything other than me? Where would your mind be without my madness? You only develop it when I excite it. I Am not so uniform; satire, harmony, the triumvirate, all that is madness for some, good for others; but at least it is varied. You would still have cackled about the problem of women’s liberty, if I had given it.

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Charles Fourier, “Sur les charlataneries commerciales” (1807/1808)

February 10, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

English translation (pdf) UN PAMPHLET DE FOURIER. La discussion qui vient d’avoir lieu sur les ventes des marchandises neuves à l’encan donne de l’à-propos à la reproduction d’un article assez curieux publié à Lyon, par Fourier, il y a environ trente-trois ou trente-quatre ans, sous forme de pamphlet, Nous voyons avec plaisir de beaux esprits découvrir chaque jour les vices de la concurrence anarchique et de la liberté illimitée et déréglée du commerce; mais il est intéressant aussi de trouver dans une simple boutade de Fourier, lancée en 1807 ou 1808, plus de bonne critique et de bons principes que […]