The second part consists of "Anarchism, drawn up by C.M.
Wilson on behalf of the London Anarchists." This is a statement of
abstract principles which frankly admits that "Anarchists have no fears
that in discarding the Collectivist dream of the scientific regulation
of industry and inventing no formulas for social conditions as yet
unrealised, they are neglecting the essential for the visionary,"
This tract was never reprinted, and, of course, it attracted no
attention. It was however the first of the long series of Fabian tracts
that aimed at supplying information and thus carrying out the original
object of the Society, the education of its members and the systematic
study of the reconstruction of the social system.
The spring of 1886 was occupied with arrangements for the Conference,
which was held at South Place Chapel on June 9th, 10th, and 11th.
Here again a quotation from Bernard Shaw's "Early History of the Fabian
Society" is the best description available:--
"THE FABIAN CONFERENCE OF 1886.
"You will now ask to be told what the Fabians had been doing all this
time. Well, I think it must be admitted that we were overlooked in
the excitements of the unemployed agitation, which had, moreover,
caused the Tory money affair to be forgotten. The Fabians were
disgracefully backward in open-air speaking. Up to quite a recent
date, Graham Wallas, myself, and Mrs.
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