Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-04-30
SOUTHPORT, WISCONSIN: TUESDAY. APRIL 80 1914

workshop; 3rd. The distribution of profits
or benefits, in equitable proportions to the
capital, the labor and the talent that may
have coucurred in tfieir production.
l. We adopt the joint-s,ock principle,
which allows the amount of capital eontribu-
ted to the common fund by each individual
to be represented by certificates of stock,
because we believe the possession of indivi-
dual property TO be necessary to the true and
harmonic manifestation of individual charac-
ter, and the rightful exercise of individu-
al liberty. One great defect, we think
of all the plans for cooperative indus
try that have hitherto been attempted, has
been that the existence Of the individuals
has been swallowed up in the community, in
utter contradiction to our natural sense of
independence and Justice, and in fragrant Vi
olation of desire inherent in every mind
to express its individuality in outward mate
rial forms and creative effort.
2 We adopt central unitary mansion in
which however, the dwelling houses of eve
ry family, will be kept separate and distinct,
to secure the vast and combined economies
altogether impossible in state of isolation;
to provide neat and comfortable workshops
for those engaged in all the branches of la
Dor; TO erect schools, museums and galleries
of art; to facilitate a ready change from one
employment to another; TO prevent needless
and dangerous exposure to the inclemences
of the season; 10 treasure the accumulated
Art and Science of one generation for the
use of succeeding generations; and by the
fact of common ownership, to beget spirit
of corporate sympathy and mutual devotion.
B. We divide labor into groups and series,
because it is an arrangement indicated by
Nature. Through all the kingdoms of crea-
ted existence, Mineral, Vegetable, Animal,
and Human, we discover the division into
Groups and Series, or into Genus, Species,
and INDEPENDENTLY adopted by natu-
rallsts, and admitting of precise and compre-
hensive classications. From the minutest
atom to the largest world, there is nothing
which does not arrange itself under this law
Thus, too, in all the assemblages of Human
Society, men, women, and children, in their
pleasures, their recreations and their occu-
pations, naturally form into groups. united
by some common bond sympathy or attrac-
ton.
Now, we say that all kinds of industry are
divisible into similar groups and series, or
| classes, orders, species, &c. and that the
industrial inclnations and tastes of men,
filling under the same law of distinction,
there will be, in all societies embracing a
sufficient number of persons, perfect Goa
daptation of the latter to the fo-rner-an &C.
curate and well defined but voluntary, cores
pondence between aptitude and work. For
every function to he performed there will be
an answering taste and capacity. A prima-
ry step then, IN the organization of industry.
is to divide and subdivide its processes into
as many minute varieties as their nature ad
mits, and to allow all laborers who are capa.
/ bie, men, women, Or childrea, TO engage free.
ly in any branch they please, subject only tc
the laws which such group and sub group
may form for itself, and to the general uni
tary discipline Of its appropriate Series.
BY this simple mechanism, we hold that
we can achieve the most impo. tant advanta-
ges. We think that no one who will take
the pains to study its probable workings can
fail to see that it would render all labor vo-
luntary and agreeable; that the talents of
each person would be consulted in the choice
of his work, and in this way all productive
forces be most effectively applied; that the
most vivid emulation would be excited be-
tween the various groups, but winch would
ne ger degenerate into individual hostility
that eIch laborer might engage in many dit:
ferent vacations and thus give an equable de-
velopment to his faculties; aud thrt the rela-
tionship of the groups is such that no one
could labor for himself without laboring at
the same time for his neighbor, yet in no in
stance diminish the ind vdual recompense
Justly due to bis exertions.
4. For, at the end of stated periods, there
would be distribution of p. offs in the APP
prox;mate proportion offve iwelfihs to labor,
four-twelfths to capital, and threc-twelfths to
talent, estimating labor the highest as being
most necessary; capital more than talent in
quality of its usefulness; while talent being
most agreeable and devolying upon few in
number, is the least rewarded. 1t would be
easy 10 establish the proportion of labor to
talent, the laborers in each group being clas-
sed according to capacity. There would be
equal distinction between the groups and Sc
res, according to their degree of necessity,
utility and agreeableness.
We might dwell upon these principles,
and show their actual foundation in humln
nature, and the necessity Of their opera
ting in perfect harmony, but our space
compels US TO refer the inquirer TO the
works Of the Immortal Genius from whom
they were de ived-Charles Fourier. He
has worked out the results with the precis-
ion and comprehensven- SIS that ever charac-
terizes True Science. Ii is to him that we
consider the only right formula of Social
Organization. His profound and search
ing intellect seems TO have penetrated all
the mysteries of social existence, to have
grasped all its elements, and with wis
dom that has never been surpassed by Man,
combined them in whole of glorious har-
mony and perfection. A discover Of more
important truth. in the walks of Science,
has never appeared on Earth; and we re-
ioice in the privilege Of making his views
known-to our fellow men. But while We
are speaking of this lofty genius noble
hearted man, let US say, that we only pro-
fess to teach such parts of his system as
are oositiye and winch we understand -