TO THE EDITOR OF VIE SPECTATOR.
London, ad July 1849. Sin—In your last number you point out the apparent inconsistency of several persons who, avowedly opposed to the Communists as a party, yet unadvisedly betray sentiments in unison with their doctrines.
Is not this the solution of the difficulty—that a great portion of the doctrines of the Communists is founded on benevolent principles, and that their only error is in seeking to enforce their practice by the law of the sword? A sincere and earnest Christian would, in many respects, deal with the power and wealth com- mitted to his stewardship in the manner prescribed by the Communists; but it does not follow that that party is justified in compelling.othere so to act. It may be a sin to regulate one's actions by the rigid dogmas of political economy, but it is tio crime to do so; and as it is of crimes alone that society can take cognizance; any, social body is guilty which attempts to restrain that which is only a sin, or to enforce that which (in Paley's language) is only a duty of secondary obligation.
The persons alluded to in your article, speaking politically, cannot but express their abhorrence of Socialism, that is, of a system calculated to enforce penally- the practice of charity and self-denial. But, speaking individually, they can still less refrain from expressing their sympathy with any sentiments or any conduct inspired by those qualities.
It is a prevailing fault in this age to overstep the limits of legislation, and con- found sins with crimes. Fornicataon is a sin ; but Mr. Spooner is not the less in error in seeking to repress it by legislation. It is a sin in an ampkgrer to over task the poor workman whose dependence on him is such that he cannot resist his orders; but the Ten Hours Bill (as applied to adults at least) is not the less s grand mietaka I have the honour to be, Sir, your constant reader, LFCtor.
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