Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-09-20
UNIVERSAL INQUIRY AND REFOnM.
"a -. --.L.

reived the Circular Of the Ontario Phalanx,
from ID. J. 8alsted, and was writing this re-
ply, when MVon w. Jenkins came 10. On
readingu 10 him, be expressed wish that
Il might reach more minds than one. Ihave-
concluded to send il. tits lengthy, aud will
occupy much precious room. But if you
think il calculated TO do good, or open the
eyes of any to deIusiOn, you are at liberty
10 use ia. sew E. w. CAPRoN.
WALwoRrH, N. Y, Sept. Sd, l843.
Dear Friend:-In my short letter to you,
] said | intended to write some thoughts on
"Fomierisnl." And in doing so, let Us take
aslighl glance at {" men and things" as they
now exist, as they should exist, and the
means 10 be employed TO bring them into the
true state Of existence for mans happiness.
Isuppose We shsll not disagree in looking
at the present state ofthe social angemeht,
when say that il is manifestIy wrong from
the foundation. That the elements of true
happiness do not exist in it, That in itiev-
cry mans hand is asainst his bother; and
thus there is a continual turmoil and confus-
ion in each member Of the great family, while
they are trying 20 get TO the top Of the wheel
q fortune and thrust their brother under.
10 faet-here is no good thing in hePres-
ent isolated Tdy Of Icing. Look at the
system Of trade. lr matters OF business ey-
cry man is an enemy TO bis fellow. He is
trying 10 getrch-to amass his thousands
and tens Of thousands at The expense of 9TH
ers. will lay down this as a rule, and de-
| iy successful contradiction. No man ever
accumulated an immense fortune honestly.
1t was by his superior tact sud ability
to turn othtrs' labor TO bis own account. A
man neutr produced so much wealth as TO
enable him to be surrounded BY thousands Of
acres, living ia palace, and virtually ocn-
ing the poor laborers around him. saw
this never came by his reducing IL. He
lad the talent 10 pick fashionubly other
mems pockets-Ihe pockets Of the laboring
poor msn-taking il out Of the mouths Of bis
starving children.
This is very faint picture of the present
STATE of society. Fouritrism proposes a
remedy. The question is ]; is The remedy
adequate to the disease? Will il do away
with this grasping to be Adore their fellows
this love Of place, po,rer and distinction?
lit does strike at the foundation OF all these
evils, then il will prove an effectual remedy.
But il Il only brings together body Of men
10 make more successful effort 10 increase
their wealth-a nero band of speculaiors-
then indeed il will contain the elements Of
discord and contention. This in a great de-
gree seems TO me TO be tae case with this
system. True, 10 many points, il far, very
far lranscends the present state Of society,"
In its guaranteeing TO every member living
lin its always having work for those who
need work. la its care for those who shall
be disabled--in its splendid system Of edu-
cation, and some other particulars, agree
with Charles Fourier. But to me there are
other things which are insurmouDtable bar
riers, and which partake too much of the
present. abominable, crushing church and
slaIe system, which is prevalent Wha
those objections are, will endeavor 10 show
50 tha0ou may understand them. nigh
sum them all up in one short paragraph
thus: tet.ae2 'i 81 h3
II contains too much Of the machinery Of
Governments. II governs by majorities.--
II is arbitrary. II has an odious proper,
qualification for voters--money rules. Its
Essentially sn arislocracy--a stock jobbine
concern. II has tendency to inequality in
tie race. Il has an odious distinction as &c
the complexion. 1t does not throw open il,
doors for Unirersal Humanity. Il votes
men ia and out. Il makes Woman wha
she is ia the present state Of society, a, non
entity. sya asf la3e a9a g
But these are mere assertions, aud Twill
proceed 10 state what to my mind is a salts
factory reason for coming to the above con
clusions. 1st. then,
II confains TOO much Of Lhe machinery o
gournmenis. This alone would be objec
ZION enough for me TO reject this new sy stem
A great amount Of me misery which We nov
see in The world, arises from sthe, ungodl
Government system Icare not whether ID
government be administered BY one man, b
one hundred men. or BY majority. hay
YET TO learn that a majority has any NOR
fgh. TO free obedience 70 its edicts, than
king. Can majority enforce my conscienc
Toto their views They may BY having III
power compel me to submit. So may
King. The principle is precisely the sam
u one case a in the other And ifindivid