Pierre Joseph ProudhonBiblio.com
Pierre-Joseph-Marie PROUDHONBiblio.com
"my idea triumphs I dare say on all accounts"" : letter to his editor
186289375Paris Passy : Alphonse Lebègue destinataire 1862. Fine. From Anarchism to Federalism Alphonse Lebègue destinataire Paris Passy 7 novembre 1862 13.9 x 21.1 cm Trois pages sur un bifeuillet Autograph letter by Pierre-Joseph-Marie Proudhon signed and dated 7 November 1862. 3 pages in black ink on a bifolium. Fold of the bifolium weakened without affecting the text. Not included in the correspondence published by Lacroix in 1875. Significant and likely unpublished letter from Proudhon to his publisher Alphonse Lebègue whom he considers ""the cause of liberty in France and independence in Belgium"" in these lines. Proudhon underscores the importance of his ideological struggle for federalism in Europe following the controversial publication of his pamphlet La Fédération et lunité en Italie and a few months before his political testament Du Principe fédératif. He fiercely criticizes his famous adversary Adolphe Thiers Histoire du Consulat et de lEmpire. Since his years in Brussels Proudhon had intended to write a book debunking the Napoleonic myth as promoted in Thiers' work. After permanently leaving Belgium two months earlier Proudhon was now facing reactions from the Belgians to his articles predicting the annexation of their country by Napoleon III - who would supposedly be influenced by the unification of Italy. Against centralized unification Proudhon opposes federalism which according to Jorge Cagiao y Conde is ""the constructive or positive aspect of a body of work that until the end of the 1850s had remained in a negative or critical phase. We must therefore take Proudhon's words seriously: after the demolisher there is indeed a builder. Proudhon's federal theory undoubtedly holds a prominent place in the history of the federal idea. Just as the United States Constitution of 1787 marks a before and after in the history of federalism we can also consider that there is a before and after Proudhon"". Determined to spread and defend his ideas Proudhon also talks of a new pamphlet project on federalism: ""The principle of federation that I have established is gaining ground and intelligent Belgians cannot fail to understand that their true safeguard lies there. . My pamphlet has stirred as much emotion as it did in Belgium: the masses enamoured with unity and Garibaldism are against me. But the clear-sighted are rallying with vigour the reaction is taking hold; already the tone of the newspapers has softened; it is becoming apparent that the matter must be re-examinedthe suspicion is spreading that the cause of liberty and of the Republic is being undermined by Garibaldian unitarism. One more pamphlet from me 30 or 40 pages at most and my idea will triumph I dare say on all accounts. Within three months Belgians will acknowledge that with this idea of federation on which I intend to base all internal and foreign policy the annexation of their country will become impossible. You know how quickly ideas travel in France: we are witnessing one of those turnarounds. It takes after all a timely and forcefully articulated contradiction aimed at men of authority!. Suppose instead of addressing Mazzini and Garibaldi I had targeted my argument at Mr. Grauquillot or Alphonse Peyrat editor of La Presse it would have achieved nothing I would have wasted my time and paper. This dear Mr. Lebègue is confidential and between us. Take note of the information I share if you deem it useful but do not quote me. In a fortnight you will receive my fourth article. LOffice in memory of my collaboration wishes to publish a short commentary and a few excerpts which I believe would benefit everyone. You know I seek neither praise nor approval; only publicity and with that I am content. You would be the cause of liberty in France and of independence in Belgium "" Proudhon's letter also contains an interesting passage on the fierce rivalry between him and Adolphe Thiers. As a politician Thiers had notably rejected outright Proudhon's well-k Alphonse Lebègue (destinataire) unknown
