New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-12-21
THE TRIBUNE
Blnokwoca ON Social Rerorm.

Socialists based on NJ. Reybaud's essay on Mo
dem Social Relormers, 10 which has been award
ed a prize by the French Academy. This work
appears to be candid and able, though the author
does not always rightly apprchend, because nc
has not intentiy considered, the propositions he
criticises. Yet, while the author sweepngiy
condemns Charles Fourier, he does justice to bis
character, his motives and, where he can, to his
suggestions. Impelled by utter dislike to and
disbelief in all projects OF Social Reform, his
heart often misgives him as he observes what
Society might and should be, and he is at last
almost melted into hope that some great Or
ganic Reform is practicable and at hand. WI
ting with the full purpose of arresting or crush
ing the movement toward more equitable and
bcneiccnt Social condition, he can hardly resist
the silent appeals Of that movement TO the hu-
manly within him, and il is at last evident that
he iny hopes that the advcrsaries he combats so
sinully will yet TO some extent triumph over his
opposition. Like Balaam of old, he cannot heart
i!y curse, though employed for that express SER
vice. For this he is reproved by his critic in
Blackwood-egidenty of steiner nature; but
tpOt 'oS1S shS SAiilipSS Va ASANH'i''S sP'''1
and is finally half inclined TO bless those whom
rs has come cut to cuse 20 The uttermost. For
the brief space that we can give 10 the subject
we viii consider the cavi!s, nat SO much Of IL.
Rc,beud, as Of the writer in Elockwood. Ea
has the discernment 10 perceive, though French
Socialists Is E very general term, that the system
Of Charles Fourier is the only one that need be
u,
to the Social Reformers
l. Their Demoralizing Tendency-He fol
lows NJ. Reybaud in asserting that the arraign-
ment Of Society as malorganfzed has led to Is "A
strange and ominous indulgence TO Crime Il
was the old fashion, says NJ. Rey baud, upon
shearing Of any enorn;ty, TO level cur Indignation
against the perpetrators; it is now the mode TO
direct it against that cupablc abstraction,
Society"
This, when fairly stated, will BE- yariously
regarded as vice or virtue of the Social Re
formers ne deem it one of their most obvious
merits. The world had gone on hanging men for
being unbearaby huns ycold or thirsty quite long
enough. Many Judge has sent his haifdozen
to the gallows of morning, and goae home IN
state to his sumptuous dinner, officially shocked
at the dcpravity of human nature and compla-
Gently regarding himself as ere OF the appointed
bulwarks against the flood-tide of In guilty, when
in fact he was but so much better than his vic.
Tins as more fortunate lot in life had made him.
Had he been born, az they were, TO heritage OF
shame and destitution-had he, like them,
crawled up to maturity through kennels and gut:
ters, now fighting with brutes for wretched and
filthy meal, and again shivering through frosty
night in some alley or courtyard, he might have
been hardened into as reckless ruifian as the
worst of them. Yet such we have described
has fcom time immemofial been the tntelago OF a
LARGE oroportion of criminals in the most enlight-
ened and civilized countries. Others have been
impeI,ed to evil courses by influences not SO pal
pably irresistible The spoiled child of attluence
whose every sensual craving has been pampefed
and stimulated into RESTLESS mastery over ms
moral sense and understanding, docsnot 50 read'-
" challenge our sympathy; but is there nothing
IN he ureed in his behalf And shall Society
tina, is. the community in whose mids: these have
grown up, and by whosc neglect they have oeeh
suffered to become thus perverse and pen!ous-he
perm;,ted 10 90 on III the blind conceIt lhat IL
does it's duty by merely choking them to death
when they can be 70 longer endured MOI So
cav ,be Socialists. Let Society first secure them
an opportunity to be good-an opportunity to i've
honestly and uselully she cFushes 'neih
or their msdecds-it may be, for their sharp nc
e,ssi,i,s. This is the extent Of Socialist incui'
mn rAl - saws q
por,ly alderman, his inner man well iof'ldeu win
turtle and champagne; you are breaking o'W"
all the safe guards of Property, Virtue, and eVea
IaeLMy dear Sir, where till now have oeeh
the cves in that thick head Of yours All thst
you here object 10 in the teachings of the Social
lists has been taup hit from ear to year since oaoNS
we,s frs, written. You will find 1t far more
powerfully and exceptionally set form m Da'-
wer.s Paul Clifford for instance, thah III any
Mo, for socisl Rsore anization. 1t isihefe used
M, rs persuasive to the adopAcn o. CERTAIN
so.c;fed meEoratons, but IN mere Loco roco
dec,;alof existing institutions. Ever s'nee pfSo"S
us.a h,;,, criminals have regarded themselves ~
,uae,erx fror, undue severity If not positive III
;,v;cc and have deemed II enthe!y c"a"'e
whether the greatcr rogue tenan'eda cen VI N'p'
the kew of it. These ideas, 50 se'ieo, SO sene,"'
cannot b. sppibila.ed BY ffcsn we must ois-
cover What Is wIorg in our system and coffec' 1t
then we may pua;sh offenders against 1t WI" {
.o,d conscience. No railing at tnose VINO '''5
leo and insis. thu, Ii shall be looked 70
csn answer any good purpose.
2. Error is ever self-destroylng. ne w -
Blsckwood, who iuterposes 9 plea CT imp'a'ae ;.
biI,y as if Society based on unii,F% .us' Sa
my my Se.rabe il only a,tainablc, at length &C.
elaIes against the entire idea as not wa, nG,e
Ss;cnl. Of realization than mischievous II FcaiiS-
.Nn,b;nc s more charming TO the Imag,na ~,
Ta C., general idea OF seine new cpn'iiiunn!