Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-05-11
From the Cincinnati Chronicle; April Is.

The debate between these two indlVlouais
commenced in this city on Monday, the 18th
inst. and was continued for nine days success
lively. Seven moderators were chosen, any
three OF whom were authorised TO preside over
the meetings. There was each day OF the de-
bate an audience Of more than 1900 persons,
many Of whom were strangers, attracted to our
city by The novelty and importance OF the dis
Gu ssion The arguments on both sides OF the
question, have been regularly taken down by
stenographer and will, we understand be pub
lisheG.
We were not among those who anticipated
any very beneficial results from this meeting,
fearing that as is too often the case IN these
pei sonal interviews, the equanimiiy OF temper
would be disturbed, and the debate sink into &C
rimonUus recriminalon. Such however, has
not, we believe been The case in the present IN
stance christian iorbearance oil the one,
aud the philosophic complacency OF the other,
having throughout the controversy, elected
from each, marked courtesy of department.
The audience have listened with respectful at
tenion, and we are not apprised OF the occur
renee of ANY incident, calculated to inspire
regre, tina, the meeting has taken place. We
have however, reasons for thinking, that if Mr.
Owen had anticipated the acceptance OF his
challenge BY so able an opponent as the one ne
mas recen ly met, il never would have been Civ
en-: and that If Mr.. Campbell had been fully
appraised o: all the circumstances" by which
the philosopher of New Lanark is surrounded,
the challenge would no, have been accepted.
1t is not on :his occasion our intention to Of
fer any particular analysis Of this controversy,
which is rendered the less necessary, by the
prospect Of an early publication Of the entire
arguments.
1t will be recoIected that Mr.. Owen propos-
ed 10 prove, that all the religions of the world
were founded in The ignorance of mankind
that they are opposed 10 the never changing
laws of our nsture-that they are the only
source of vice, disunon, and misery and that
they are the only bar 10 the formation OF a socle
ty Of virtue Of intelligence, and OF charity in its
most extended sense" To sustain these posi-
lions, Mr.. Owen produced and read the follow
ing "Twelye Fundamental Laws Of Human
Naure:"
1 Iha, man n, his birth ia ignorant Of every
thing relative 70 his own organization, and
that h. h as mol been permitied TO create The
slightes, par, Of any OF his natural propensiies,
faculties, ~ qualities. physical or mental.
III. That no two infants at birth have ye, been
Known 10 possess precisely the same organza-
tior; while the physical, mt ntal. and moral DIFF
ferences, between all infants, are formed with
out their knowledge or will.
III. That each individual is placed, at birth,
without his knowledge or consent within CIR
cumstances, which, acting upon his peculiar
organization, impress the general character Of
those circumstances upon he infant, child, and
man. Yet tha,.,he influence of those circum-
stances, is 10 certain degree modified by the
peculiar natural organization of each individ-
ual.
w. That no infant has the power of decid
i,g at what period Of time, or in what part of
the world, lie shall come into existence;
ular religion he shall be trained 10 believe, or
by wha, other circumstances he shall be sur
rounded from birth TO death
V. That each individual is so created, that,
when young, he may be made to receive i'm
pressons, 10 produce either true ideas or false
notions, and beneficial or injurious habits, and
to retain them with great tenscity.
VI That each individual is so created, that,
he must believe according 10 the strongest i'm.
pressions that can be made on his feelings, and
other faculties, while his belief in no case de.
Ponds upon his will
VII. That each individual is so created that
he must like that which is pleasing TO him, or
that which produces agreeable sensations on
his individual organization, and he must dislike
thai, which creates in him unpleasant or disa-
greeable sensations; while he cannot discover,
previous to experience, what those sensations
shall be.
VIII. Tha, each individual is so created that
the sensations made upon his organization, al
though pleasant and delightful at their COM
mencement and for some duration, generally
become, when continued, hey ond certain
period, wi,hou, change, disagreeable and.pain.
full. While on the contrary, when too ra-
pid change Of sensations is made on his or.
ganization, i: dissipates, weakens and other.
wise Injuries his ply steal, intellectual and NOR.
al powers and cnjoyments.
TX. That the highest health, the greatest
progressive improvements, and the mos: per.
manent happiness Of each individual, depend in
great degree upon the proper cultivation of
all physical, intellectual and moral faculties and
powers from infancy to maturity, and upon all
these parts OF his nature being duly called into
action, at their proper period and temporarily
exercised according 10 the strength and capa-
CITY uf the indiyidua