Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-06-24
From the N. Y. Express.

THE PATH FINDER AND FOURIERISM.
We insert the following letter from Mr.,
Goodwin in our columns to-day as an act of
sheer justice, but we must be permitted TO say
that we do not anticipate any very extensive
proselytism 10 his doctrines as the consequence
of its publication.
NEw YoRK, May 30th, ls43.
To the Editors of the Erpresss-I have OBJ
served in your paper, from lime to time, arti-
cles connecting my name in an opprobrious
"Fouriersm. AS it is evident you do not
understand the terms you make use of, ask
the privilege, through your columns, to give
both yourself and your readers more correct
notions of what strikes yc' as abundan,y "a
musing. 4
..Fourierism" is word which is derisively
applied TO persons who profess to teach the
doctrines of the late Charles FOURIER
What these doctrines are, l propose to tell you
in the sequal; but let me- say; that we regard
Fourier in no other ligh than that of profound
and sagacious philosopher, who was SO for
tunate as to discover principles having an i'm
portant bearing upon the progress of science
and society. We look upon him as standing
in the same relation to the social and political
science of the future, that Coperncus does. in
the past, to the science of Astronomy, or Ba-
con to the general method of the Inductve
Sciences. He was discoverer in both the
theoretical and practical parts of science. In
the former, his discoveries relate to new
method of scientific investigation which he
calls the new method of"Unversal Analogy"
But of this shall not now speak further than
to say, that consider this method, most
beautiful and effective means Of enlarging our
knowledge Of the Works and Word of God.
As to the second or practical part of Fouri-
erss doctrines, it relates to the organization of
society on the principle of what is called
"Association." The imperfect aspects, in
which this part of his subject have been
presented to the public by the press, have
caused ii TO be regarded in the minds Of many,
as an impracticable. visionary and ridiculous
scheme. But think it can be demonstrated
that it is something much better than this; and
proceeding to do this, solici. of you and your
readers, calm and unprejudiced attention.
Fourier says that society has already passed
Through various stages Of progress. ard is des-
tined to pass through other and higher stages
still. The first stages of mankind, as we are
taught both by Revelation and tradition, was
the state Of Edenism. or OF untutored limo.
cence and happiness. From this state, in the
course of time, the human race fell, and The
"golden age" as the ancient poets call it, was
succeeded by the state of Savagism, whose
are pretty well known. I, was
the lowest condition of the race, but it was not
a stationary condition, since the tendency every
where was TO ascend TO the higher state called
Barbarism. From Barbarism again society
ID to hat spil RIB oh
Civilization has progressively arisen, through
the various phases Of despotism. feudalism and
democracy. to the present condition Of society.
Now the question occurs: have we reached
the utmost limits of social progress? Are the
institutions of society perfect Can we not, in
the future time, as we have done in time past,
make another step in advance! Fourier says
we can. and attempts TO point out, on strict
philosophical principles, the probable future
changes of society. The first coming stage,
after the present state, he describes under the
name of "guafanteesm," by which he means
condition of society in which the poorer class
es instead of being left, as now, to destruc-
tive competition. will be guaranteed" The ordi-
nary means of support. and protection against
the encroachment of the richer classes. Ii is
singular, that the political system of Mr.. Gal
houn, which is every day gaining favor with
the younger democrats of this country, is some
thing very like what Fourier long ago depict
ed under the name OF "guaranteeism. This
state. however, will not be final. It will only
be state, Of transition into higher order Of
society, which he calls "Simple or Partial
Association" We have instances of the ten
dency OF society 10 this state, in the formation.
at this time, all over the world, of Associations
for various purposes, scientific, religious and
industrial. The time will come. as Fourier
proves, when there voluntary associations will
be vastly extended, so as to embrace, in one
or the another Of them, the larger part of civil
LIKED society. Then, out of the experience Of
the times. and according.to the best wisdom of
that day. their arrangements will be perfected.
and the whole will be combined, successive,
ly into provinces. kingdoms, empires &c. IN
til Associations are spread over the globe
When that period shall arrive, the world will
have attained what has been so long prophe-
sled Of by the gifted Seers Of the race, ueder
the name of the Millennium.
Now. slrs, as one among many persons who
acknowledge their Indebtedness to Charles
Fourier, for more precise and definite notions
of the proper organization ofsociety, confess
my immoveable confidence in this progress of
the human race, and my conviction ,ha, that
progress can only be effected by gradually in
fusing new and higher principles into the re-
lations of men. The time has come, we think,
for the intruc.ion Of this principle.-taify of
interest beftceen lab0rer and. eapitaL,-not on
the basis Of community Of property, as some
madly propose, but on the ground that all who
ioin in an enterprise must be allowed to share
in the product. do not know whether you or
your readers have reflected much on these sub
Iec,s, but those who have. tell Us this result