New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-05-13
Doctrine of Association.
Scientific Foundation of The System of
ICnmmnnica.rd.l

! cateTdav the hTst Annual Meeting OF the 60
ciety of Universal Inquiry and Reform was
held at National Hall, Canal.street. The Pres-
sident of this Society is A. Brook of Ohio; the
Secretary, J. a. COLLINS OF Boston. These gen
tlcncn, together with other persons at the head
Of this movement. are men of fine minds and
generous feelings. Indignant at the lnlsercs
which Cypress Humanity. and convinced that
the various Reforms which are now Advocated
Political, Abolition. Temperance, &c.-cannot
eradicate etfcctually Social Evil. they have de-
clared boldly for Social Reform, and by this
means, they hope o strike at the root Of human
misery. instead OF looping of few branches.
In their plan of Reform, they advocate Com
munity of Property. and base their whole system
upon it. This principle of 3 Community OF
Property, we OF course reject and condemn en-
trcly; we consider it as the first ncgation Of M
diridualitv, and this ncgation once commenced
in the sphere of material interests, should be ex-
tended to the moral and intellectual spheres,
which, if done, would end il universal amalga-
nation, and the destruction of individuality.
We consider this advocacy of Community OF
Property as d NEGATIoN-as destructive con-
ccption, not as an organic Social principle. Men,
outraged at the monstrous abuses of Property, as
now monopolizcd and controlled by few, wish
to destroy the principle, instead OF Transforming
it, and making it source OF Social Harmony
and variety in Social Unity as all principles OF
individuality can be made. We consider 1t an
error (of the intellcct-not of the heart to adyo-
cate sweeping doctriue like that Of Commu-
ntv. unless j! be based upon universal principles,
and upon plan Of Social Organization. which
has been fully maturcd and clearly laid down in
all its details. Ii we arc not mstaken-and we
Judge from Discourses delivered at different meet
ngs which they have held-this idea OF
Community of Property has its origin IN deep
sentiment of human Rights, of human Equality.
and the desire OF human Elevation. 1t has It's
origin i'll sentiment, VIC say, whereas all prlnc-
pies OF so important nature should have their
origin in true Social Science. Reforms which
have they source in ono strong and exclusive sen
timcnt are generally aegatire and rsactire IN
their character \ Sentiment, beng outraged
at the spectacle of past wrong, suffering and IN
Justice, attacks the evil, and every thing con
nccted with it, and sweeps away, often, important
and valuable Institutions.
This subject is too vast to be discussed III the
space we can give to it VIC will not, consc
qucntly, pursue it farther, but will present briefly
our view of the subject Of Property and its rights
God has given the earth to the Human Race
and to all successive generations OF the hacc
and not TO some 10 the exclusion Of the others;
and the Human Species, in their collective and
individual capacity, have full and indlsputablc
right to the USufiuct Of the carth--or right oil
using and cutiyating its surface for the purpose
of creating the meals CT existence and happiness.
(Usuruct signifies the of the soil without lhe
absolute ownership of it usuiructuary IS an IN
dividual invested with the right OF Use without
the exclusive Ownership. We consider inc ilu-
man Race as the Usutructuaucs of the Glooc)
The earth is the JOINT Property oil the human
family. and no member OF that family should be
excluded from the Usufruct of the soil or the right
of obtaining a livelihood from it. any more than he
should be excluded from the light and the air.
This is the original and natural right OF all
men, ard it can IN no case be lcgltmateiy cohiiS-
Gated or superseded by any other.
But to every Being belong exclusively the OBJ
jccts which he NAV By his Labor and Talent pro-
ducc and create and he has right to the abso-
lutte ownership of them, and can dispose OF them
us he wishes.
To base the Right of Property upon true
gust and equitable foundation, we must devise !;
system which will secure to the Race the Right
of Usufruct of the earth. and TO the Individual
the product of his labor and intelligence We
will explain the means by which this problem can
be solved
THE Human Race were placed upon the earth
live and to develop the high hic implanted IN
them. The Race are consequently the GSnfruc-
tua,ies OF the globe. This night OF usuiruct, be
longing to the Species is the result o! the relation
which exists between the Human Race and the
Earth.-Thc destiny Of the Species is 10 live and
accomplish It's development, and the function OF
the latter is to furnish to the Species individually
and collectively the means Of life and develop
ment.
s. Under the system OF Property, as it is cstab
lishcd in all civilized nations, the common stock
to which the entire Species has the tuil night OF
Usuiruct, has been usurPed It Is conhscatcd and
monopollZcd By the few 10 the exclusion OF tue
many. Now, were there but one beng excluded
from his right OF Usufruct to the joint property
or common stock by the present system OF prop
ertv, this exclusion would OF itself constitute an
attack upon the original and natural Right, and
the system of Property which authorized 1t, would
certainly be unjust and iileglt!matc
ANY man who, coming INTO the world III
civilized Society possesses nothing, and finds the
earth confiscated all round him. could he not say
to those who preach to him respect for the e.
isting System of Property-aleging as reason,
the respect which Is due to the sacred Rights OF
] PrOner,v-ronl6 he not say. ct lis understand