New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-02-28

oS1SAS
the Mercantile Association last evening, ON the
subject of Pauperism, its Treatment, and the
Means Of its Prevention, was an earnest and
thoughtful presentation of important truths,
which it were well if all classes OF Society would
hear and heed. The speaker, at the outset, con-
graduated his hearers in view of the fact that
Statesmen and Philanthroplsts, both IN Europe
and this country, are turning their attention TO
this subject, and inquiring diligently into the
causes Of the poverty and misery which SO extern
sivcly prevail This had been called an lntldel
age, but he must be strangely blinded who could
not see in the events every where transplrlng the
workings of an earnest desire to model Society
after the Christian pattern, and to carry out IN
life the great principle of Human Brotherhood
Among the events particularly alluded to was the
recent formation in this city of Society for the
Relief of Pauperism. The principles OF the So
ciety were right, and it's action must prove bene-
fetal if its plans were faithfully and energetcally
carried out. MIR. Charming then proceeded
to speak briefly of the condition OF the foof
in different ages and countries, and OF the
various plans which had been proposed for
their relief. He spoke in high terms of much that
had been done in this behalf by the Catholc
Church, notwithstanding all her corruptlons, and
expressed the opinion that the legal charities
of Protestants were unworthy Of their professions
as Christians. Poor-houses and other similar
institutions, which contemplate not the re-
moval but the alienation of Pauperlsm, were
criticised and shown to be inadequate as
Remedies for the great evil out of which they
have grown though it was acknowledged
that they had done and might still do
great good The radical cause OF this mighty
evil, which was every where forcing ltsei upon
our notice, was the want of sufficient supply Of
the necessaries of life. We talked Of over pro-
duction but it was disp roportionatc production,
the application Of Labor and Capital to other
than useful and necessary purposes, under winch
we were suffering. The disposition to ape the
manners and customs Of foreign nations ana 10
cherish the spirit Of caste, was also stated 10 De
one of the prominent causes OF the Social evils
which abound among u.s. The badge of the gen
tleman was leisure, not useful and productive en-
nlovment Labor should be made honorable, and
shame should follow the man who did not In some
way aid in the supply of Mans wants, and add
to the sum of the worlds happiness. seltlshness,
said the speaker with emphasis, is the tap.root OF
the evil, and this must be supplanted by Coos
law of Christian brotherhood. Cooperation must
take the place of the all abounding competition
which sets man in array against his brother
The right of every man to labor for his own good
and that of his race must be recognized, and So
ciety must furnish to the Poor the means
of employment under circumstances which, in
stead of degrading them, shall be favorable to
the development of their higher powers The
law of Love, thus carried out, would put an end
to all the evils of Pauperism and then, instead
of greeting the newborn child with rowns, as
burden and curse, we should welcome 1t with
smiles of Joy and words of hopeful exultatlon, as
the gift of God to world adapted to secure the
right development of all its powers, and to pro-
mote it's highest good.