New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-09-09

Social Science.


of Social Reform, which we are cndeavoring to
bring before the attention Of the People, as a
visionary and mad scheme, and to hold it up to
ridicule. If those papers will point out wherein
the Social Principles OF Fourier mot those they
may impute to him, but really such as he pro-
pounds are false, and give the reason why they
cannot succeed in practice, we will endeayor to
answer them fairly and candidly: and if we
cannot do so satisfactorily to impartial minds
then we will acknowledge their worthlessness
and the folly of those who advocate them.
The gentlemen Of the Express and Journal
/ and, in fact. the Press in general overlook one
great fact which exists in Society around them
frghtful fact, which appeals in tones Of woe
and suffering for their consideration: its HUMAN
Misery!
Can any thing be done to remedy tie Poverty.
Wretchedness and complicated Misery which
now exist and Cypress so many of the members
Of the Human Famy-rendering existence to
them a burthen and curse instead of boon
and blessing There are at this moment, IN
the City of New. York alone, thousands Of persons
who are out Of employment, and who are be-
seged by want and privations, harassed by KILL
ing anxietes for themselves and their families,
and exposed to seIni-starvatIon there arc multi
tudes of children growing up in ignorance and
restitution, neglected or i'll treated, exposed to
temptations of all kinds, and preparing to be the
inmates Of prisons, and many, perhaps, the VIC
tins of the scafold There arc hundreds OF
families residing in damp and confined cellars.
wretched novels and garrets. inhaling MAS
matte atmosphere. and living on the most mis-
cradle food there are weak, and sick, and help
less beings left without care or a succorng hand
to lend them little aid there arc mothers who
sec their children exposed to cruel sutferlngs and
privations which it is out Of their power to re-
lievc :-wrctchcdness under all these and thou
sand other forms surrounds US, wearing out the
frames and torturing the souls of our fellow
creatures. Should not something be done =
should not some great remedy, commensurate
with the extent of the evil, be sought ?-should
not the question at least be preached and DIS
cusscd or should dead silence be left to prevail?
Or perhaps, question which should first be
asked of the Journal and Express is-Whethcr
Human Misery can be done aacny Nth? If they
assert that it cannot that suffering and evil are to
be the eternal lot and destiny Of Mankind upon
earth, there is nothing more to be said; but even
then they will tcach-if not in words, by practical
cxampe-that every one should strive TO get as
many of this worlds goods as possible, and in
this great scene OF strife, hap-hazard and suffer
ing, to secure for himself individually as much
happiness as he can. This, however, IS fright
full doctrine; 1t virtually denies all universally
of Providence, and sets up in the place the doc
trine of Chance and blind Fate.
If, on the other hand, those papers agree that
Human Misery can be done away with, and Man
can be elevated and rendered happy on this earth,
then they should discuss conscicntlousy the cues
ton of the means by which these sacred ends can
be attaned,-a the subject should never be
abandoned until solution is found; every COIL
sderation Of Justice and philanthropy, as well as
love to God and love to the ncighbor, render this
course an imperious duty on the part of those who
undertake to lead and cnlighten the public mind
The leaders of the Press, engaged IN political dis
cussions. in the pursuit of wealth, or even IN sec
tartan controversy, do not fulfill their duty as men
who influence or lead public opinion, when they
pass by this question.
The Express and Journal will, perhaps, assert
that the carr wing out of certain political measures
change of men at the head of the Admnstra-
ton, or the Outstanding of the community,
will effect all desirable goodwill elevate the
condition of the People, and render them pros
porous and happy. At least they propose such
measures only, and SEEK as far as we can Judge
for no others.
We ass ert that these measures are lmpotent and
mpracticable in society as now organized. In the
first place political and administrative reforms do
not go to the root Of social evils, such as lgnor-
ancc, crI me, &c, and cannot eradicate them ana
in the second place, tits impossible to chrlstanize
the world so long the present state OF destltu-
ton and ignorance exists, and strife, conthct
opposj ton and overrcaching reign in all the bust
ness and industrial affairs OF men. Christianity
must be based on practical truth and justice IN
temp oral affairs.
The whole question may be reduced to this
Is there any remedy for human misery, we
believe there is, and we propose plan Ii Our
plan be condemned, let not our aim and the prob
lem which we wish to solve, share the same
fate, but let the truth of them be acknowledged.
and let those who condemn our system, seek for
better. b.
Western Fourier Convention.
A Convention of the Friends of Association IN
the West, will be held at Pittsburgh, Pa. on the
25th of September, instant, and measures will no
doubt be taken to esta blish an Association upon
a large scale some where in that fine region
We are advised by letter from gentleman re-