Friedrich Engels

[Letter to the Editor of the “Times”

Written on 5 March 1851.

From the manuscript.

Translated from the English.]

To the Editor of the “Times”

Sir!

In your paper of today I find a letter from M. Louis Blanc, referring to the “Banquet des Égaux” [“Banquet of Equals”], held in London on the 24th of February, and to a certain toast sent there by M. Blanqui, the prisoner of Belle-Île-en-Mer. Allow me to offer a few remarks on this letter.

At the banquet, the name of Blanqui figured in large letters on the wall, alongside the names of other heroes and martyrs of democracy. At the same demonstration, a toast was proposed to the “martyrs of calumny”: to Marat, Robespierre … and — Blanqui! All toasts and speeches delivered on this occasion had to be submitted to the committee of the “organisers of this fine and imposing demonstration” by the 15th of February. M. Blanc was a member of this committee; he must, therefore, have consented beforehand to this toast to M. Blanqui. How, then, can M. Blanc again make M. Blanqui a “martyr of calumny,” when he calls him “one of those unfortunate beings who, in their impetuosity, attempt to proceed with violence against authority, and who — if it were possible — would ruin even the best of causes”?

M. Blanc declares that the toast did not proceed from the prisoners of Belle-Île, but that it is the exclusive work of M. Blanqui. Naturally, one must suppose M. Blanqui to be the author of toasts and documents put forward under his name. The toast in question, however, was, as is generally known in France, adopted and published by the “Société des amis de l’Égalité” [“Society of the Friends of Equality”], a society, therefore, which comprises the prisoners of Belle-Île who adhere to Blanqui; for this man has, just as much as M. Barbès, the protector of M. Louis Blanc, his friends among the prisoners.

As to the “imposing and fine demonstration” and the “assemblage of more than a thousand persons belonging to different nations,” it should not be forgotten that this touching spectacle, as far as M. Blanc is concerned, was nothing but a “fraternal” demonstration against M. Ledru-Rollin, to take revenge for his having been — as M. Blanc publicly declared — excluded from the Central Committee of European Democracy of Messrs. Ledru-Rollin, Mazzini, etc.

As regards the authority of M. Louis Blanc, however, it would be more advisable for him not to touch upon this delicate topic until that authority has recovered from the terrible blows dealt it some time ago by M. Proudhon.

M. Blanc apparently wished to shield himself from the attack of M. Blanqui, by extolling his own quality as an exile and an outlaw. Are not the sons of Louis-Philippe also exiles? And did M. Blanc perhaps moderate the vehemence of his attack upon M. Proudhon, who, though not an exile living comfortably at 87 Piccadilly, and whose abode was certainly far from suited for the writing of Ovid’s “Tristia” [“Lamentations”], was nevertheless a prisoner in the clutches of the law?

M. Blanc seems to reproach M. Blanqui for having his toast published in “counter-revolutionary newspapers.” M. Blanc knows very well that since May 1850 no “revolutionary” press has existed in France. Yet I ask you, M. Louis Blanc, you who address the Editor of the

“Times”
with all politeness, since when is the “Times” in your eyes a democratic, socialist and revolutionary newspaper?

To enable the public, however, to judge this extraordinary document, which so arouses the indignation of M. Blanc and which even now forms the general theme of the French press, I submit to you a complete translation, and I hope it will not be without interest for the English public.

I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant

Veritas
[“Truth”]