The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-15


This meeting was held ir Croton Hall yesterday
evening, but not very numerousy attended.
Mr. ]. c SMITH took the chair, and said that
the meeting had been called for the purpose OF
testing the feeling of the city in favcr OF associa-
ton.
Mr. II. GREELEY was the next speaker. He
"a /. that their cause was not the most likely one
TO take hold Of the MINDS and aginations of the
people. If it promised to make them rich-if it
could raise the fupds-it it was an appeal to the
senses, at any time church full could be assem-
bied friendly to it.. What it promised dad not
seem Mt first sight papable benefit, nor was
II very brilliant; but on the contrary, like every
great reform, il had to be accomplished by
some trial and suffering. But virtue would
hardly be virtue if its profession brought imme,
diate and palpabe happiness; and SO their course
was no royal road TO It, but plan by which the
deprayed, The oppressed, the degraded, should be
reused by the application Of new principles TO men
In their ielation to each other, TO higher and
purer condition. That course must triumph utl-
mately, although not instan,aneousy; Tor it was
possible that the present might be in the grave
before it accomplished aud in that view its present
snds would have rather look int their Tor
their great cities like those where selGshness
and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT actuate men, where to get
rich was the universal aspiration the calls which appeal
TO higher and nobler sentiments would not be pUpu(
lar The prest mt meeting, however, was held to elicit
sone information as 1t was many months since the
II
ing the object of their efforts, to urge it forward He
hardly felt necessary to state what its objects
They proposed to establish harmony and union instead
Of dscori confidence and trust instead Of disunon
and disrust among men TO construct society whose
members would labor for their advantage. but in
was thought by many wise men-6ut a Communion Of
property to raise township where, instead of 300 iso
lated dwellings, there should he beautiful habation
for the COMMUNICATIONS instead of hordes Of mer
chants selling goods for profit there should be sup
ply sufiicency at cost price-where they should dis
industry would be the great efsenal and where they
should get rid of the nonproductve classes. The plan
guaranteed to every individual enough to do and er
reward for labor thus rendering it attractive 1t would
then be done through love and affection instead Of
protection from want degradation and starvation Such
brief outline of the lofty aims of association Many
thought them visionary and ute pan but they not
The less true because OF prejudice against them for the
was said OF the printing press and the steam engine
Happily did not require the cooperation of vast bodies
but simply that Of few to work out great moral pro-
bems. The work goes on untred OF the infdelity of
some, and the mistaken hatred OF Others and the faults
and Qf such there be of its friends The dings
from Europe showed that the great truths Of association
began to produce effects some OF the first minds and
lent oocrng to the debates in Parliament, well
the Belgium Legislature and the French Chamber of De-
and taking review Of the present cond
on and future prospects OF the several associations that
had been established: which upon the whole. he said,
were attering notwithstanding the obstacles and heavy
they had to encounter.
Mr.. CHANNuSo followed-He could not but admire the
patience with which Mr. Greeley stated the subject and
the GOODNESS with which the President alluded to the work
Of association retrogading for in reality there never
was time when it so rapidly advanced to triumph, al.
though the political storm dakening the atmosphere
and for the diverted the public eye from their pro-
gress The truths stated by lite friends had sunk deepn
mems hearts, appealed to their practical good senses
showed to those in the walks Of life the true way
seek only their happiness but that fam
lies and friends Association attempt fulfil earth
the infinite law Of love which came from the father Of ell
and its origin, its object its purpo involved sacred du
ties which could shun, and remain neXcusable
before the world their race God ewould ask wheh
er this nation, called into mature existence born in
fresh and virgin soil did not bear evident marks oil having
destination And if any person called their
objects too high and, therefore, vonayf they shank
from identifying the exalted Of the country with
those high projects they did deserve the Ame
iicans (Arpause) There great principles of social
vitality this country under the christian religion and
the love of freedom They lived in the hearts OF their
cestors and handed down from sire TO SON. ahough
was not in the features of society in the church. public
throng they discerDible. Men were living
the lives oflove and liberty. There single
a woman who was not slave TO cust0m-whose servi
tude prevented them from fulfilling the law Of chrissn
love- Every one was skepca about mans being able
to his interest and that Of his brother Sell
hshness the yoke that bound to the earth-hat
struck out God and supplied the demon nevertheless, it
was possible, practicable and consistent with common
realize independence and fulfil the law OF
tites Mr. c. continued 10 advocate with much ability the
Of association he drew with graphic skill pic.
ure Of society is and should be, and painted in glow
citation for the elevation Of the Human race e. hat 6gh
destiny which God had marked out for it Mr. G.
warmly appauded at times and far eloquence could
deserve it, justly so.
After Mr.. Channng concluded. the meeting adjourned.