1871 Archives - The Libertarian Labyrinth

Josiah Warren, “Response to the Call of the National Labor Union” (1871)

September 20, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

This is a very small and very simply thing to the eye; but, considered as a new element in human affairs, no mind can measure its magnitude.

We are on the same road will all the old countries.—The French have arrived at the precipice a little before us; but this is all the difference between us, unless we strike out a new path, and introduce New Financial Elements:— ☞ We have no time to lose!!

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Proclamations for 1871

January 15, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

[ezcol_1third] EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end] January 7, 1871 Proclamation. Being anxious to have a reliable weekly imperial organ, we, Norton I, Dei Gratia Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, do hereby appoint the Pacific Appeal our said organ, conditionally, that they are not traitors, and stand true to our colors. Norton I. San Francisco, Dec. 23, 1870. May 20, 1871 [“proclamation on the Chinese Question”] May 27, 1871 Apology.—Last week, one of the compositors employed on this paper took; to unwarrantable liberty by adding two obnoxious words after the signature of Emperor Norton to the proclamation […]

James Guillaume, “Federalism” (1871)

March 31, 2014 Shawn P. Wilbur

In the second issue of Solidarité, dated April 1871, James Guillaume contributed this piece on the federative principle, in the context of the Paris Commune. Note the use of Proudhon’s concept of “collective force.” I’m working on translating a series of texts on nationality and the federative principle, to go with forthcoming issues of LeftLiberty. _____ Federalism. The true character of the revolution that was accomplished at Paris commence has been outlined in so marked a fashion that you, even the minds most unfamiliar with political theories, can now perceive it clearly. The revolution of Paris is federalist. The Parisian […]

Bourgeois Oligarchy (La Révolte, July 1871)

December 18, 2013 Shawn P. Wilbur

BOURGEOIS OLIGARCHY —– It is obvious that liberty will not be restored to the world and that the real interests of society, of all the groups, of all the local organizations, as well as all the individuals who form society, could find real satisfaction only after the abolition of the State. It is obvious that all the so-called general interests of society, that the State is supposed to represent, and that, in reality, are nothing but the general and constant negation of the positive interests of the regions, provinces, communes, associations and the majority of individuals subject to the State, […]

Mikhail Bakunin, “The Principle of the State” (1871)

September 30, 2013 Shawn P. Wilbur

The Principle of the State [manuscript, 1871, Locarno, Switzerland] At base, conquest is not only the origin, it is also the crowning aim of all States, great or small, powerful or weak, despotic or liberal, monarchic, aristocratic, democratic, and even socialist, supposing that the ideal of the German socialists, that of a great communist State, is ever realized. That it has been the point of departure for all States, ancient and modern, can be doubted by no one, since each page of universal history proves it sufficiently. No one contests any longer that the large current States have conquest […]