The Sun.
London, England, 1819-06-28 00:00:00

MR. OWEN'S PLAN.

Saturday a very numerous and respectable
Meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall, for the
purpose of hearing All Explanation of Mr. Owas's
I'llti for relieving the Distresses of the Country.
At half-paSt one o'clock his Royal Highness the
Delo. of KENT took the Chair, supported on the
right by J. Smith, Esq. M. P., and on the left by
his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex. Ills
Royal Highness, in opening the business of the
Meeting, observed, that his only motive in taking
. the Chair was an anxious wish to relieve, if pos-
sible, the distresses of the Country. He wished,
however, to guard himself Bgainst giving rise to
any hopes of this plan of Mr. Owen being likely
to pro.L ce immediate benefit, or of its being
complet'k successfml. Such hopes, if not rea-
fstips
Thera,. would only add disappointment to the suf-
ferings of the lower classes. He had that morn-
ing a long conversation with Mr. Owen, and be
was convinced that his plan merited the attention
and investigation of all those who felt for the
distresses of the Country. He knew that there
existed prejudices against Mr. Owen on religious
grounds ; but he assured the Meeting. that it was
that Gentleman's anxious wish !bet the moat ex-
tended religious toleration should be shown to the
people of every sect.—(Applause.)—His Royal
Highness, after some further observations, called
on Mr. Owen to explain his plan.
Mr. 0 west then stepped on the platform erected
nearly in the centre of the Hall, on which were
arranged beautiful models representing an este-
thshment for 1000 persons, with its: appendages,
situated nearly in the centre of 1000 acres of land,
and at due distances other villages of similar de-
scription.. He proceeded to describe the build-
ings, pointing out those parts to be occupied by
married people, the dormitories •and schools for
children, the public kitchen, the church, lecture
and reading rooms, workshops, manutactoties,
agrieulieral establishment, &c. A man, his wife,
Anti two children, were to occupy two apartments.
His object was to have, the children educated in
habits or industry and morality. With ticis view,
when a child was three years old, or when a third
child WAS born, the eldest child was taken from
its parents and placed in the dormitory.--It at.
tended the infant school by day, during which
time its parents might have access to it. At six
years of age cltildmen were removed to the general
school, where by gradually working in the garden
one hour each day, increasing the time yearly till ,
they attained their twelfth year, they would ac-
quire such physical strength and improvement of
mind as must necessarily fit them for active • and
beneficial life: He could say from experience that
it was in the power of society to accomplish
more positive good, by training. up the chil-
dren of the poor to industrious and moral habits
of life, than by any other means. At twelve years
of age the children would be employed in the fact.
tries, and as agriculturists, in both which branches
they would be instructed. After a minute detail of
the other branches of the plan, Mr. Owen con-
chided by declaring that he had no ambition to
gralify in introducing this measure ; he nver
would accept of any. fee or reward from any
party for any service be might render to the coun-
try. In the act of performing these things 'he
secured all he wished, or ever for one moment
contemplated.—(Loud applause.) -
' The Duke of Sussex rose and observed, that he
should not take up much of their time, after the
manner -in which the subject had been opened by
his illustrious relation, and the able explanation
of the plan which bad heen given by Mr. Owen.
His illustrious relation bad justly stated, that
it required much reflection before any man could
venture to pass an opinion upon it, and there-
fore
that be (the ,Doke of Kent) did not pledge
himself to any one point. He himself would do
the same, and would add, that it was folly in any
one, without deep investigation, to pledge him-
self in such a way. He bad, however, heard.
enough as to its importance, to be convinced that
it ought to be taken tip by every one who-Wished
to relieve the distresses and sufferings of the poor.
But it ought to be impressed on their minds, at ,
the same time, that no result could be immediately
expo. ted from the execution of the plan, or other-
wise it would only be encouraging the hopes of 'a
suffering multitude, .by adding disappointment to
distress, and perhaps lay the foundation, of most
serious evils to the community at large. In saying
this, he hoped he should not be misunderstood as,
hostile to the measure, but merely, by way of
caution to those, for whose distresses he felt most
sincerely. He could net help saying that theme
was another consideration which weighed deeply
with him, and bath not escaped the reflection of.
his illustrious relative. It was this, show far the
prosecution of this plan might interfere with the.
existing laws in general, and in what respect it
would be necessary to alter them. Perhaps`there
was no one subject which called on them more
seriously to. pause ; for never ought we to pull'
dOwn an edifice till we had something wherewith
to replace it.—(Loud applause).—He wished it,
therefore, to go forth to the public, to be investi-
gated, and to see what could he done. Under
these convictions he held in his band a resolution,
which be should now read, but which it would be
found merely pledged them to inquire into a plan
which the prompter of it, after long experience,
thought worthy of attention. His Royal High.:
Dens then proposed the following Resolution :
" That time plan now explained to this Meeting
involves considerations at all times interesting to
society. That at this particular 'period the sub-
ject is fraught with additional claims to the re-
<s bari, and attention of every part of the commu-
nity; particularly- as it admits of no exclusive,
principle, but is suited and designed substantially
to benefit all parties. That considering the long
and extensive experience from whence this plan
has originated, and the time and great expence
which the promoter of it has devoted to form the
arrangements before its, it is well deserving the
attention and investigation of all those who feel
an interest in putting a termination to the present
sufferings of the poor, and to-the numerous exist-
ing evils of pauperism.,"
Mr. SMITH seconded the Resolution ; and from
What be had seen of the establishment at New
Lanark, expressed his conviction that Mr. Gwen
had benefited societureatly, and Ps bilisved tic

a great moral refOrmatiaM7 would he effected by
what he was doing.
The Resolution was then put and agreed to.
The Duke of SUSSBX then moved a Resolution
for the formation of a Committee of leading men
of ell parties (as he trusted it would never be
considered a party question), to inquire into and
report how far Mr. Owen's plan was practicable.
This was agreed to, and the following Nbble-
men and Gentle Men were appointed, with power
to add to their-numbers, viz. : Their Royal High-
nesses the Dukes of Kent and Sussex, Sir W. de
Crespigoy, Hon. J. W. Ward, Mr. Ricardo, Sir
Sam. Clerk Jervoise, Rev. W. Gurney, General
Brown, Mr. Henry,Hase, Colonel Hogg, T. H.
Budd, Esq. &c.
Mr. Rlceano thought the plan likely to produce
beneficial 'effects, as far as it was applicable to
paupers; but he could not agree to its general
practicability.
Thanks were voted to their Royal Highnesses
the Dukes of Kent and SussESX, and also to Mr.
Owen, and the Meeting broke up.
There was a numerous and most fashionable
attendance of Ladies. We understand that a se-
cond Meeting is to be held in July.