New-York daily tribune., 1844-03-09
ohieetioasto Association.

upon the Objections to Association, was as well
attended as the darkness and dempncss allowed.
The Speaker opened his Address with stating that
Assocatonists felt their cause to be too dignltled
to admit OF personal controversies, but that Their
wish was TO explain positively their own views,
and 50 to criticize social evils as to harmonic a..
the scattered movements of Reform. The Asso-
ciationists invite the most careful scrutiny OF
their views the Importance Of the subject de-
mands it.
The first objection considered was, that Asso,
ciative movements are uncalled for-that they
are violent and premature changes. Are they SO
Fourier was led TO his discoveries from the wish
10 substitute equitable commerce for conflicting
competition. The evils of Society demand this
substitution. The great problem of the age Is
the elevation of the Mass. This involves danger.
How shall we reconcile Capital and Labor This
must be done in some way. An aristocracy of
wealth cannot be long borne. How shall remu-
neration for Labor be made larger How shall
machinery be made to work for and not against
the Laboring Glasses? How secure for the many
opportunity for culture How unite in social IN
tercourse different classes These questions mast
be answered Political Economy confesses itself
unable to explain how the increasing wealth of
civilized Nations is accompanied by the increas-
ing poverty of the Laboring Glasses. But Asso-
ciaton does peacefully solve these problems
which press upon all obscrvant men, and there
fore is it timely and ohedient TO Providential
command.
This led to the consideration OF the second
objection, that Association is irreligious and un-
christian. Explaining first, that Fourier was
Christian, and his philosophy religious in It's
principles and tendencies, the Lecturer pro-
ceeded to show that the securing of outward ease
and healthtul labor would give opportunity for
exercising the higher feelings; that Association
recognised man as in state of subversion and
depravity now and wished to RAISE him up from
this to harmony with HIMSELF with his fellows,
and with his God; that it was fitted to give one
true sclf-knowledge and individuality; that it
tended to produce true brotherhood; and SO was
the lulhIment in works ofChrstian Love. On this
head, the speaker ended with consideration
OF the utterly insufficient sympathy and union
which now exist in Christian Churches. and
with statement of the absolute necessity, that
Christians should establish among themselves
some juster and kinder relations.
The next objection considered was, that Asse
citation Will either destroy individual property or
establish an Aristocracy of Wealth. But the
Lecturer showed in answer, that Association would
make every one a Capitalist, increase Wealth SIN
fold by the wisdom of It's provisions for produc
ton, distribution and expenditure; secure the
pecuniary independence of each individual and
so establish kindly relations between all; and
make wealth benefccnt instead Of selfish
The last Objection was, that Association will be
unlavorabe to the Family union. Upon this
point the lecturer was especially urgent, assert
ing lllat Marriage must not only be preserved but
raised up to far greater SacrcdneSS and purity
than now exists in that relation. After dcscflb-
ing Fourier's views on this subject, and saying
that the Associationists did not admit them, he
proceeded to discuss the following causes which
now act to iuvalidate the sacredness OF Marriage
l. The corruptng influences on children's minds,
which cannot now be prevented, but IN Assocla-
ton may be put entirely away. g. The merce-
nariness that now is so generally intermingled to
vtiate pule affections which pecuniary Indepen-
dence will remove. 3. The mposslblllty of tho
rough acquaintance between the parties now,
whereas in Association acquaintance will be en-
tire. t. The separation of Husbands and Wives
and Children in business and cares, while III As
sociaton they will labor, stud y and ENJOY to-
gether 5. The secresy which now allows of
hidden licentiousness; but which will be lmpos
sible where men and women are constantly un.
der each others inspection. 6. He stated that
Woman's influence would be far greater IN As
socation and consequently the tone OF manners
more pure.
Throughout the lecturer was very careful to
distinguish between Fourier's practical plans and
his conjectural opinions, saying that 1t was the
former only, that is his system OF reorgdn1S'"g
Industry, which the Associationists adopted
N-o,x, vork