The National Register.
London, England, 1818-10-12 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

EMORI AL
01: ROBEVT OWEN, OF NEV LANARK, IN SCOTLAND,

TO TUE GOVLIt NMENTS OF FrItOPE AMU ABIFIZICA.

The Menvbrialist hag devoted the last Ihirts }ctrl of his
life to the study and practice of political ectinoin, and by
permitting practice in all tuxes to collect throw. he has
attained the mobt important results for the well being ut
society.

In consequence cf the numberless benefits which the
knowledge tints ;required is caleittAteil to dive to the inhabit•
ants of every conntry. the memorialist is (Irsironft of making
it known, in the slimiest time, to noise who govern the civi-
lized world and to the public. lie therefore presents me-
morials oil the subject to the Governments of Etn trim and
America.

The memorialist is not influenced to this proceeding by
partiality or prejudice fir ar aLtoinst any class, sec:, party, or
country. He views the ss hole Imolai) race as men created
originally wtth the same general faculties snit qualities, though
varied in degree and trained by cireninstances, over which
scoiety has now a complete control, to despise, hate, and
oppose each other even to death, although the path is now
clear, by which, with more east, society may train them to
esteem, to love, and to aid each other.
Nor vet has the memorialist been aerated to the condue
which he adopts by a desure for wealth. for popolarity, lot
honours, or for fiance fame; to him these already app"•ar ther
playilain4s of infants.
Hilt he is induced to act thus, because lie can show the
causes which perp-taally gene' ate misery in littatia:i society,
and also develop the means by which, ssithout injury to any,
those causes may be gradually, and, at no very distant pe-
riod, effectually removed. 'bo witness this change in part,
or, if that shall not be permitted, to know that it must soon
commence and rapidly proceed, is his reward, and it is
already secured to him.
Under these ciremnstanees the memorialist claims not that
kind of attention which is usnally given to ordinary questions
at' policy; but lie asks for the devotion of the minds of the
parties wkoin he addresses, that they may comprehend sub•
feels not yet open to common capacities, and which involve
all the valuable interests of society.
Fora period has arrived in which a greater change in ha-
man affairs will be forced on the world than the world has
yet witnessed ; but in all its ettent the change will he highly
beneficial to every individual and to all states..
_ .

It is a period, when the errors which have hitherto perplex-
ed mankind, are about to be unravelled, atoll, in consequence,
the obstacles which stood in the +say of human improvement
and enjoyment will be removed.

The immediate causes which make this change certain and
necessary,are, the overwhelming effects of new scientific
power, and the rapidly increasing knowledge of ad claqses of
men. The former will soon render human labour of little
nvail in the creation of wealth, while the latter will make
evident to the people the absolute necessity, which his thus
arisen, for them to give a different direction to their powers,
and it will inform them also how the change is to be ef-
fected.

To this day, the means of consumption or of obtaining the
necessaries of life, by the working classes, have been ac-
quired solely through the medium of their labour, the value
of which the new power has already mach diminished. And
the certain consequences of the undirected progress of this
power will be to reduce the exchangeable value of manual
labour, until it falls below,,themeans of procuring a wretthrd
subsistence for any large proportion of the working classes,
while the remainder ofe theta must be starved out of ex-
istence.

Such is the nature of the contest which has already con-
tinued for seine time, and which now exists in full activity,
between scientific power and manual labour, between know-
ledge and ignorance ; but no oar, who comprehends any
thing of the subject. can for one moment doubt the result.
It is presumed that the power thus addressed cannot desire
an increase to the misery oldie people,while, in consequence,
new dangersjto every state must continually arise on eve)), side.
He is now ready to communicate the lull details of these
important subjects to any or to all of the Powers whom he
now addresses, that if those details shall appear, ou exarui.
nation, to be derived from facts and experience, as he. pre-
sumes they will be tnund, the requisite measures to stop the
progress of the existimg distress among the working classes
may be adopted by the respective Governments, before the
period shall be passed, when the combined extended suffer-
ings and knowledge of the people will permit the requisite
time for calm deliberation.

The memorialist adds an Appendix, which contains some
of the general results which lie has derived from long study,
multiplied experiments on a large scale, and a personal com-
munication with acute, intelligent and enlightened men of all
classes, sects, awl parties, more varied and confidential than
has ever perhaps fallen to this lot of one individual.
And thins circumstanced, he awaits the deliberation and
reply of the Power whom he has now adds eased.
Frankfort,2oth Sept. ie is.

APPENDIX.
Containing some of the general results derived from the Memorial-
ises lung study and experience.
First Generaißeswit.—That the period is arrived when the means
are become obvious, by which, without force or fraud of any kind,
riches may be created in such abundance and so advantageously for
all, that the wants and desires of every human being may be over-
satisfied.

In consequence. the dominion of wealth and the evils arising
from the desire w acquire and accumulate riches, arc on the point of
terminating.
Seemed aerrtral IlevNlt.—That the period is arrived, when the prin-
ciples of the science are become obvious, by which, without force or
punishment of nny kind, the rising generation may be, with ease and
advantage to all, surrounded by ciicuinstances, which shall form
them into any character that society may predetermine; and if any
defeat shall afterwards appear in those characters, except what nature
has made uncontrollable by human means, the cause will not be in
the individuals, but it will be solely owing to the inexperience of
the parties who attempt to put those invaluable principles into
practice. _ _

In consequence, the dominion of ignorance, of fraud, and of
viohnce, is also on the point of terminating.
Third Gen!, al Result.—That it is the interest, and that it will
soon appear to be the interest of each individual, in every rank, in all
eountnes, that judicious measures should be adopted, with the East
delay, to secure the beneficial results in practice. It is, however,
greatly to be desired, that they should be carried into effect, by
general consent, gradually and temperately, in order that no party
or individual may be injuted by the changes which must necessarily
arise.

In consequence. any attempt to stop or retard the introduction of
these measures will be trial/Idling. 4ire.mly th.! principles And con-
sequent practice are placed cfrectuall .he power of Jurmui
assault. It will be found. (cat rilenc, caq,..!c now maid their p-o.
grew.. and that opposition will gi.a inCEedISCI ic/ority to their mote-
t/team