The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-10
The sociai,...-..alia. "Esuricrs.s..v

The Socis.iists-.-aiins s'Fourierixss.v
This new Society, says the Philadeiphia Lc-
ger, is making converts very fast in this country
and in Europe. /. benefits may be thus briefly
explained:
Charles Fourier, an elderly French
Philosopher, is the founder Of this sect.
He theories in this way. The present
system of society. each family living Sc
para,ely, is much more expensive than IL
many families lived in one community,
having both private apartments and public
ones, in one building-one kitchen with
different priced fare, to suit every taste
and pocket, and large nurseries for the
babies TO squall and play in concerto.
The capital and labor are to be concen-
trated on whatever best suits the various
mechanical tastes of the members, and
promises the best profits. There should
be common church in which all worship
the same God, each one after his own
fancy, there being no professed dogmas
in their religion.
The communities should not be less
than from 400 to 1000 strong; and their
lands should be near some city, or other
available market.
Mr.. Fourier has wasted a long life in
calculating the saving, which such an ar
rangement would effect over the present
mode. The food, fuel, house, servants,
fences, workshops, overseers, &c.. &C.,
are all minutely estimated, to show the
great saving that would be insured by his
scheme. Now think any one could, At
a glance perceive all this without an ella
borate calculation.
But the deductions of Mr.. Fourier, are
not SO clear. lie sets its down as an ua-
doubted principle. that the savings of La
Dor, and what he calls work, are the grand
objects required TO perfect socie,y.--'rhat
God neuer intended man to live in this
way, because he wastes his bounty. This
phrase, "God never intended" runs
through the whole work OF every moralist
in our language. 1t is equally unmean-
ing, presump!uous, and impious.
The best proof we can have Of the inten-
ton Of the Deity, as i, is called, is the ex-
istence from age to age, in any depart
menl, Of 4 regular order or system, such as
has prevailed in civilized communities,
who have always found their best incli-
nations and interests served by living in
separate households.
Ii is a mistake to suppose that The grand
perfection of society consists in enabling
all lis members TO live on the smallest pos
sble amount Of labour, and TO produce
the greatest quantity of store.
The evil complained of now, even I'M
der "this wasteful system" is over produce
ton. How terribly would this be increas-
ed, if Fourer's system were to succeed.
in doubling the products OF industry as-ae
promises.
Though this scheme differs from that Of
Owen and Mormon, in the attempt 10 pre-
serve individuality, instead Of community
of interests to each fits members, it must
be obvious that all associations contain
within themselves the elements of discord,
that must insure their final dissolution.
II il was possible to enable mankind to
live with half the present labour, we
should be doubly unhappy; mischief
would awaken; insanity spread; the arts
and sciences would sleep for want of slim
illus; incidence, lethargy, sensuality, and
balbarism would follow in necessary
course and civilization would be at an end.
There is Fourier Association in New
York, which has for long time devoted
one column of the daily Tribune to the
explanation and dissemination oiits princi-
pies. The editors have been won over,
and they are now about organizing an as.
ISOLATION to locate in that state.
An octave volume Of nearly 500 pages
has been published in Philadelphia. by
Albert Brisbane, TO explain and urge its
principles here. This short paper con-
tains the substance Of the whole book.
The reasoning is specions, and readily
carries away the superficial mind that does
not see the leading error upon which the
whole structure of the argumen. is foun-
ded.