The Personal Rights Association.

FOUNDED 14th MARCH, 1871.

OFFICES: 11, ABBEVILLE ROAD, LONDON, S. W.

President:

Mr. Franklin Thomasson, J.P., Ex-M.P.

Vice-Presidents:

Professor W. Steadman Aldis.

Alderman W. L. Beurle.

Mr. J. T. Biggs, J.P.

Mrs. Mona Caird.

Mr. Thomas Colby, J.P.

Mr. Josiah Mentor Gimson.

Councillor Sydney A. Gimson.

Miss Annie Goff.

M. Yves Guyot, late Minister of Public Works of France.

Walter R. Hadwen, J.P., M.D., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., etc.

Dr. Frances E. Hoggan.

Mr. Arnold Lupton, Ex-M.P.

Mr. Walter McLaren, M.P.

Mr. Alfred Milnes, M.A.

Signor Ernesto Nathan, Syndic of Rome.

Mrs. Elinor F. Richards.

Mr. H. C. Stephens, Ex-M.P.

Mr. William Tebb.

Mrs. John P. Thomasson.

Mr. S. Van Houten, late Minister of the Interior, Holland.

Hon. Solicitor:

Mr. W. P. W. Phillimore, M.A., B.C.L. Oxon.

Hon. Sec. and Treasurer: Mr. J. H. Levy.

Assistant Secretary: Mrs. Lorenza Garreau.

Bankers:

Parr’s Bank (Charing Cross Branch), Limited.

OBJECT OF THE ASSOCIATION.

The object of the Association is to uphold the principle of the perfect equality of all persons before the law in the exercise and enjoyment of their Individual Liberty within the widest practicable limits.

It seeks the attainment of this object—

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE PERSONAL RIGHTS ASSOCIATION.

If you wish to join in this work, send a subscription to the Treasurer of the Association, at the above address; and the Individualist and a copy of each of the pamphlets and leaflets issued by the Association will be sent to you, as issued, by post. Do not miss the opportunity of co-operating in this work—the breaking of the chains of oppression and the liberation of all the forces which work for happiness and human dignity.

Cheques and Postal Orders should be crossed Parr’s Bank, Charing Cross Branch.

Further information with regard to the Association may be obtained from

(Mrs.) LORENZA GARREAU, Assistant Secretary.

P. S. King & Son, price 13.

Principles of Political Economy, p. 555.

Free Life, September 19th, 1890, p. 24.

Free Life, October 17th, 1890, p. 56.

These letters were written some years ago. I doubt now about our right to continue compulsory taxation even for the good and righteous purpose of paying off the debt-holders. If continued, it should only be continued for a few specified years. I think the interests of the present debt-holders would be secured by the sale of some national property, the mortgaging of other national property, and a great national effort—made in all seriousness of purpose and at the cost of considerable sacrifice—to get clear of debt, which is in itself an utterly scandalous and wrong thing, since it is simply the mortgaging of the faculties of some men, many of them unconsulted and unconsenting, by the forceaction of other men. All future debts should be secured upon certain specified property, and in no case upon any form of compulsory tax or rate; but the right course—except in those cases where a valuable property (e.g., docks, harbours, etc.) is created, and itself supplies a security for the money raised—is not to incur debt for any national or local purpose, but to raise the money by voluntary contribution. Our next great step forward is to form this habit of voluntary contribution for common purposes. When once formed, it will seem to us all quite simple and natural; and we shall look back with horror on the days when a handful of men were allowed to tie mill-stones round the necks of those they professed to represent. What I have said about national debt applies even more strongly to local debt.

Anarchistic.—J. H. L.

That there would be such persons is not a matter of doubt. Says the Herald of Anarchy of December, 1890:—“Everyone should get the Personal Rights Journal for November, 1890. Amongst other interesting items is a letter from Auberon Herbert on the subject of taxation, and J. H. Levy’s reply. With almost the whole of Mr. Herbert’s letter we are in hearty accord. (A very significant accord this on the part of the Herald of Anarchy). The only point to which we take exception is his contention that voluntary taxation would not lead to the rupture of the State. We think Mr. Herbert is anticipating too great a uniformity of opinion. Surely when once the compulsory element is banished, people would associate for the purpose of competing with the Westminster Institution. Why shouldn’t they”?

Page 33

Page 12.

Page 24.

This “may” has been substituted for “does” in the revision.—J. H. L.

Miscellanies, Fourth Series, pp. 161, 168, 227-9.

The Voluntaryist Creed, p. 6.

See Mill’s Principles of Political Economy, Book V., Chap. I., § 2, last paragraph.