William Morris~letter~irish Politics~1881 For Sale

---

MORRIS, William. Autograph Letter Signed ("William Morris") boldly penned in black ink, on 26, Queen Square, Bloomsbury, London, November 16, 1881. 4 3/4" x 7 1/2", 4 pages on bifold leaf. Very good (minor signs of handling).

To James A. Manson*

Letter discussing the accounts of the National Liberal League, telling Manson that he concurs with the views expressed in his speech [on the Irish crisis].

In part: "...I am one of the very small minority among liberals who lament the late razzia on the Land Leagues...& concluding, 'As to the name of the [National Liberal] League, I quite agree that it might as well be changed; that it sounds for one thing over pompous. For my part I think some raison d'etre might be found for us, if we had fewer planks in our platform, something to distinguish us from other societies & gave us definite work to do: I do so hate...everything vague in politics as well as in art..."

Morris had become treasurer of the National Liberal League in 1879: "but after the Irish coercive measures of 1881, he finally abandoned the Liberal party & drifted further and further into socialism". In January 1883, in a decisive move, he joined the Democratic Federation, a new revolutionary socialist party; at the end of 1884, dissatisfied with the Federation's moderation, he led a breakaway group & became leader of the Socialist League.

*James A. Manson (1851-1921), journalist & author; 'an old colleague of Morris's on the executive of the National Liberal League'; his speecH, entitled "The Irish Crisis". A short speech against coercion, was delivered before the Brixton & Heme Hill Liberal Association (1881).

Morris (1834-1896), born March 24, 1834, died October 3, 1896; English designer and poet; designer of furniture, wallpaper and stained glass; wrote "The Life and Death of Jason" (1867).

Not in "The Collected Letters", ed. Kelvin.

Please read before offerding!

Please note: By offerding on this item
you have agreed to all the
following policies listed below.

PAYMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN
10 DAYS OF sales END.

Buyers pay shipping & insurance on all
items. U.S. shipping prices
start at $4.00 and up + insurance.

All items are professionally packed.

All items are shipped via
USPS - MAIL
or UPS. All with full insurance or
delivery confirmation,
SORRY, NO EXCEPTIONS.

International packages ship at HIGHER RATES,
email me for shipping cost
before offerding or sending payment.

Please notice we DO NOT ACCEPT PAY PAL.

California sales tax of 9.75%
applies to California shipments.

MasterCard - Visa - Discover - American Express

We Guarantee Authenticity
Of All Signed Items!

We Are Members of ABAA and PADA.

This item has been shown 150 times. William Morris~letter~irish Politics~1881: $2,750