Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-06-11
LABOR SAVING MACHINERY.

Ordinary observers appear to conceive
mln's chief end in EngInd. at least. to be
to manufacture harlwlrc, broad cloth, and
cotton goods, for the use Of the whole world,
and TO store up wealth collected from all
quarters OF the globe, in return for such pro-
duct;ons. They forget that the same impulse
which inspires the English with 50 much ar
dor in manufacturing, Will sooner or later IN
sp'rc other nations also; and that if all Eu-
rope shall follow theirexamplc, which they arc
fast dong. the four quarters of the Globe
will at leagth be dcIugcI with mlnuflcturcs,
only a part of which VII be required. When
this state of things shall arrive, and it does
not appear to be very far distant, men will
be compelled to abridge their toll from mere
necessity, because excessive labor will not
be remunerated. The admirable inventions
which are the boast and glory of civilized
man, are to this moment adding to the ms
cry and degradation Of the people. Power
looms, steam carriages and steam ships, have
all hitherto operated directly in increasing
the hours Of excrtlon and abridging the re-
ward of the laborer; and the ultimate effect
of them on human society * not yet OWNED
bv the multitude. We hail them as the
grand Instruments Of civilization, but in
manner not commonly perceived. In pro-
portion as they shall be generally dliIuscd
over the world, they will increase the pow
egs OF production 10 such an extent as TO sup
ply, by moderate labor, every want OF man.
Whenever civilized nations, shall generally
manuiacture with efficient machines, SUI
peIfi,atv of goods will every where abound,
and then the great body of the people viii
ind themselves in possession of reasonable
leisure, in spite OF every thing to avoid it.
Great distress viii probably be suffered in
Perscvering in their present habits, before
their eyes shall be opened to this result.
The effect VIII be likely to confer on a poe
ton of society supertiuity of time, by ac-
cumulltng in their hands wealth sufficient
TO exempt them from all active exertion;
while the toll of the actual operatives shall
be increased. This W II coon till the dispa-
rty OF condition Shall have become intoler-
able 10 both; the laborer being utterly OPP
pressed. and the higher classes harassed by
atter insecurity. Then probably the idea
nav occur, that the real benefit of physical
discovery is 10 give leisure to the mass of
the people. and that leisure is the first condi-
ton of vlization-knowledge being the
second. The science Of humln nature now
difusjng by means of phrenology. viii ena-
bly, men 10 profit BY rest from excessive toll;
and it NAV be hoped that after misery shall
have been found to increase in proportion to
the advancement of machinery. the notion OF
man bejn. really a rational creature may at
last meet with countenance, and Tint sincere
attention NAV Be made to fud happiness in
institutions founded on this basis Perhaps
the discovery may then be made, that know
ing f,eulties have been conferred on man
with view to observing and studying cTea-
alton; rejecting faculties with design 10
tracing its relations aud dependencies; and
moral sentiments for enjoying refined plea
sure in SOCIAL intercourse, under The gui-
dance of pure religion and morals