New-York daily tribune., 1843-02-28
Social Science.
IFron the Friends Of Association. |

From the Friends OF Association.
The PATHFINDER, weekly paper, edited by
PARK GOODWIN, ESQ, made its appearance on Sat
urday last and in Justice to The Editer on account
of the leading character which he has given his
journal as an advocate of Social Reform, we take
pleasure in speaking OF it Weregard the spirit
which it manifests with the highest satisfaction,
and agree with i, fully that deeper reforms than
those now advocated are necessary. The ability
with which we have no doubt it will be conducted
entities it to high consideration literary peri
odical. We must, however, condemn some very
erroneous and incomplete classifcations in its
Editsrial upon the Social Problem, in which,
without due regard to perspicuous classification,
CHARLES FOURIER is ranked as Social Reformer
among " the Herrnhuters of Germany, the Sha-
kers and the Rappites." We consider this classi-
hcation as great mistake as that of person who,
wishing 10 write or say something upon Natural
HiEtory, but being unacquainted with the science,
should class the whale among the rabbit species.
FOURIER discovered the Laws which govern the
action or harmonies of the Passions as other per-
sons have discovered the laws which govern the
harmonies of sounds. This discovery initiated
Fourier into knowledge of the laws which gov
ern the hsrmonies of the Universe, for knowledge
of Passional Harmony is key to them all The
reason why these higher departments OF science
have been so long hidden to mankind, is because
Philosophers, seeing the Passions in g state OF
general perversion and discord, which is the re.
suit of the influence and action Of false system OF
society upon them, have not studied them with pa
tience and impar,iality, and have not suspected
that great secret of harmony was hidden in them,
which was the guide to the discovery 'of Human
Destinies. -,
From his knowledge of Passional Harmony,
Fo5R1ER deduced the Organization of srue Sys-
tenn of Society, as musician from Knowledge
of musical Harmony could deduce the construction
of perfect musical instrument. People not nav
ing time and patience to study the new science OF
Passional Harmony, declare that no such science
exists-that the Passions cannot be harmenlzed-
because then cannot see h0tc IL be done.
Every new science has been condemned in the
commencement, but intelligent Reformers should
learn by the past errors of the world, and not re-
ject and denounce without proper examination
The system of Association which we advocate is
the practical part of Fouriers doctrine; it's based
upon vast scientific theory, and differs entirely
from any plan of Social Reform which has ever
been proposed. The Herrnhuters, the Shakers,
the Rappites, are exclusive communities, which
i~re er.o;al ..-s r---~~~l -i~' m uA..', "-a eir.'
at no Social Reforra, and we might as well class
MIR. Astor-who has built large hotel, which is q
kind of Association-amcng Social Reformers, us
the above communities.
The Editor of the Pathfinder asserts that the
Doctrine Of Fourier is in Some respects pregnant
with Evil and that with regard TO the evil effects
Of isolated households it is both fallacous and per-
nicieus. Now we trust that in his next number,
he will explain in what respects the Doctrine OF
Fourier is "pernicous and pregnant wish Evil,
for we confess that we do not wish TO loose our
time in advocating such a doctrine; besides,
conscientious Man must sustain his assertions.
The Editor of the Pathfinder has assumed high
and responsible duty in indeavorlng to discover
Path that will lead out of Social Chaos, and ne
should study carefully and thoroughly Doctrines,
the Author of which, he says, displays the pro-
foundest analytical sagacity and vast beneyolence
of sentiment, and whose works are store-housss OF
original and instructive criticism"
We feel fully convinced that if the able Editor
would study carefully the principles of Fourier
and master the new Social Principles which ne
has given to the, world, that he would soon claim
for his Journal the title of Pathshower instead OF
Pathfinder, and would see his way clear in the con
fusion of doctrines and principles which row te-
wilder both political Leaders and the People.