Beschreibung:

MORRIS, William (1834-1896). Autograph letter signed ('William Morris') to an unidentified correspondent, Kelmscott House, 24 November [probably 1886], 4 pages, 8vo (slight smudging on final page).
MORRIS, William (1834-1896). Autograph letter signed ('William Morris') to an unidentified correspondent, Kelmscott House, 24 November [probably 1886], 4 pages, 8vo (slight smudging on final page). THE NEED FOR REVOLUTION AGAINST A SHAM SOCIETY. Although unable to attend a proposed political meeting, Morris delivers a savage attack on capitalist society: 'It is necessary to the present system of production & exchange that there should be a mass of workmen out of employment; and it is the only real function of government at present to sustain this system at any cost.' Any constitutional government, dealing with the unemployed, tries to distract attention 'from the artificial famine produced by our system of production and exchange... I yet think that the agitators are doing good service in showing the impotence of our rulers and the approaching bankruptcy of our sham society.' Morris ends 'You can make any use of this letter you please!' The manifesto of Morris's Socialist League, inaugurated on 30 December 1884, advocated 'the principles of revolutionary international socialism ... a change in the basis of society -- a change which would destroy the distinctions of classes and nationalities' (quoted by Fiona MacCarthy, William Morris , 1994, p. 505).