John Malcolm Ludlow the Christian Socialist
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
JOHN MALCOLM LUDLOW AND THE CHRISTIAN SOCIALIST MOVEMENT, 1848-1852 by Ellen King Neff Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the History Program Diite YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY March, 1973 ii AB3T?i.Ac·r JOHN ttA.LCOLM LUDLOW AND THE CHRISTIAN SOCIALIST MOVEMENT, 1848-1852 Ellen King Neff Master of Arts Youngstown State University, 1973 The thesis contains a11 investigation of t he roll played by John Malcolm Ludlow in the formation of the Crxistian Socialist movement in England between 1848 and 1852. Ludlow, with Frederick Denison Maurice and Charles Kingsley, both Anglican clergymen, was appalled at t he con dition of the 1\orking classes in England at mid-century, but opposed to the political remedies proposed by the Chartists. By 1850, after much searching, the three men, with a small group of followers, decided upon a practical method of extending Christianity to Socialism. They estab lished producers' associations made up of working men who were willing to try an alternative to capitalism that would be a reconciling rather than a destructive force in English society. An over,riew of the entire thesis is contained in the first chapter. The movement evolved from the turmoil suffered by England as a result of the Industrial Revolution. A great reform era began in the 1820's as E.ngland was recovering from the wars of the French Revolution. The second chapter of the paper is an explanation of events that led to the condition of England in 1848. YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY 288869 LIBRARY iii In 1848, Ludlow and his friends published their first newspaper. It is from this newspaper and other publications by the Christian Socialists that the greater part of the information for this thesis has come. Therefore, the thesis deals in depth with the philosophy propound ed by Ludlow, first in the 1848 publication, Politics for the People, later in Tracts. on Christian Socialism and finally in the Christian Socialist: A Journal of Association, the last united contribution by the Christian Socialists. Investigation into the publications of the Christian Socialists reveals the evolution of their philosophy and the part played by John Ludlow. In addition to the chapters devoted to the literary efforts of Ludlow and his friends, connecting chapters deal with the group's act ivities. Chapter 3 introduces the main figures in the movement and Chapter 5 discusses their search for a cause after the demise of Politics for the People. Since the Tracts on Christian Socialism emerged from their new organization devoted to promoting working men's associations, Chapter 6 includes the formation of the Society. After a discussion of The Christian Socialist: A Journal of Association, the thesis treats the influence of Ludlow and his compa triots on the passage of enabling legislation for the Co-operative Movement. Following the chapter recounting this great triumph of the Christian Socialists, the paper turns to the critics who disapproved of their activities, the responses made to the criticism by Ludlow and others. Criticism from without and dissention within led to the disso lution of the organization of Christian Socialists. The final chapter iv contains an analysis which probes t he causes for failure aDd t hen turns to a general evaluation of Ludlow, his relationsrd.p with Maurice, his philosophy of Christianity and Socialism and ms success in attaining his goals. Included in the summary is a survey of Ludlow's s hortcomings which account in part for the demise of t he organization knovm as t he Christian Socialists. V I here wish to express my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Agnes Smith and Mrs. Hildegard Schnuttgen for the great assistance they gave me on this thesis. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ABSTMCT • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ••••••••••••••••••••••• ·• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • v · TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................... vi CHAPTER I. I!~Tl1.0DUCTION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 II. THE CONDITIOI'J OF ENGLAND••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5 III. THE FOUNDERS OF CHRISTIAN SOCIALISM • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22 IV. POLITICS FOR THE PEOPLE; REFORMERS WITHOUT A CAUSE, 1848-1849 ....• •.. • • . • • • • . • . • . • . • • . • . 46 V. ACTION FOR ASSOCIATION: MAURICE COMES TO DINNER•••• 69 VI. THE CHFUSTIAN SOCIALIST: A JOURNAL OF ASSOCIATION • • 83 VII. CRITICISM AND COLLAPSE ............................. 104 BIBLIOGRAPHY••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 129 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION The purpose of this paper is to examine the role played by John Malcolm Ludlow in the activities of a small band of Englisr,men who call ed themselves Christian Socialists. These men attempted a new approach to the economic and social problems of their day through a fresh appli cation and interpretation of the Gospel af Jesus Christ. Two of the three leaders were Anglican Priests; the other, a business lawyer. The two priests have become quite famous: Charles Kingsley was a noted 19th century novelist whose major works include: Alton Locke, Yeast, and Westward Ho ; Frederick Denison Maurice was noted as an outstanding theo logi.an. Contemporaries and historians alike have largely ignored the part performed by the lawyer, Jo.hn M. Ludlow, which will be the subject of this paper. Its thesis is that John Xalcolm Forbes Ludlow was the substan tial leader of the Christian Socialist movement. Modern students, less dazzled by the brilliance of Mauric e and Kingsley than nineteenth cen tury contemporaries, have become progressively more aware of t he in fluence exerted by Ludlow. Investigation of the writings of the Christ ian Socialists and the records of their activities reveals the continual reference to Ludlow's central function. Research indicates that it was Ludlow who originated the ideas for nearly all of the Christian Social ist projects and who most clearly percei ved the practical efforts need ed to Christianize socialism and socialize Christianity. i-{ence this 2 paper will center on his Christian Socialist work, his policies, his religion and most important, his concept of socialism. The paper will concentrate on the exertions of Ludlow and the Christian Socialists during their four most active years, 1848-52. Since tre turmoil of the times spurred these men to action, the paper will be gin with a brief account of w1'..a.t has been referred to as the "condition of England" question. Three streams of thought, conservative, liberal and socialist jousted to pose and facilitate solutions. These v~ll be traced to expose the elements of thought and action which bore most strongly on Ludlow and his friends in 1848. After exploring the setting in which the Christian Socialists carried on their activities, the paper will introduce the three main figures of the movement: Ludlow, t-:!aurice and Kingsley; and it will dis cuss their early relationship. Their first venture was the publication of a penny paper called Politics for t he People, edited by Ludlow who evidenced the most highly developed philosophy. An examination of Politics, ·will show Ludlow's political and social views prior to his espousal of socialism. With the cessation of publication of the paper after three months, the small group floundered for almost a year without a clear philosophy or goal. At this point, Ludlow's new interest - the working men's pro ductive associations - was adopted by the others. The year of seeming aimlessness was significant, for it prove:i to have been the needed in cubation period from which a well-developed philosophy of Christian 3 socialism would emerge. During tr.is period, others such as t he famous Rugbyan, Thomas Hughes, and the French s ccialist Jules St. Andre Lech evalier joined the group . Wit h new blood and a new concept1 t!1at of association, t he Chris tian Socialists moved to put the idea into practice. The group's nebu lous philosophy-coalesced in a series of tracts published in 1850-51, and in another newspaper, The Christian Socialist: A Journal of Association published in 1850. Ludlow contrituted to t he former and edited the lat ter. Concentration on the thoughts of Ludlow expressed in tracts and newspaper ,\d..11 demonstrate his leaders id. p in t he definition of t he Chris tian Socialist philosophy and practice. In tte Christian Socialist appeared a session - by session ac count of t he testiraony heard by the Slaney Commission, w}d.ch, in 1850, investigated the opportunities afforded to the middle and working class es for the investment of their savi.ngs. Specifically, Mr . Slaney' s committee was occupied wit•h the legp.l impediments to associative activ ities. The laws concerning partnerships and joint stock companies on one hand, and friendly societies on the other failed to include legal recognition and protection for co-operative activities. Critics and ad mirers agree t hat achieving the legalization of associations was t he Christian Socialists' most significant practical contribution to t he Bri ·t· is~ . wor ki ng c 1 asses. J Ludlow, vr.i.th rd.s experience in business law, was most instrumental in procuring a favorable report from t he Slaney Committee and in securing the passage of t he "Industrial and Provident , ~G.D. ;; . Cole anc. A. W. Filson, :Sritis:-, l·:crkir:g Class Eovecents : Select Documents, 17s9- :;.s75 , (London: Ead~llan & Co. Lt-d ., 195:) p . f..22,. 4 Societies Act of 1852". Chapter Six of the paper will discuss the testi mony before the Slaney Committee, the content of the act and Ludlow's pervading influence in the proceedings. The multifaceted activities of a small band of seemingly eccen- tric gentlemen soon attracted the attention of social critics. rn·.1.ne un- favorable articles by reviewers and reporters damaged the movement and deflected Christian Socialist energy. Therefore the paper ~ill examine the criticism and the answers ,vith which the movement responded to it. Criticism fores:badowed the failure of the working men's asso ciations.