Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-01-30
FROM THE PHALANX.
GRADUAL AMUSEMENT OF TIKI
PRODUCING CLASSES.

We have explained in the two preceding
numbers Of the Phalanx two of the great
social evils with which we believe this
country is threatened first, violence, sec
tional dissenslon, and revolutionary fer
ment growing out of the question of SLA-
VERY in the South; and second, a CONNER
clAL FEUDALTsM, and the subsection of the
producing classes 30 the absolute control
and tyranny OF capitalize vast financial
and commercial Oigarchy-and the indi
rect slavery of the mass; and we pointed
out some OF the clements at work in socie-
~ to bring about these great social caIam.
ties.
We will point out in the present article
the third great Evil which menaces this
country; it is the gradual sinking Of the
great body OF the people into poverty and
state of degrading dependencies result
of the pre- ent false system of Industry,
based upon competitive strife, conflict Of
interests and an inequitable division OF
profits. To great extent the laboring
classes are already poor, and the serfs OF
capital, but when we speak of the poverty
aud degradation which the future has in
store for the 'aboring or producing classes
we mean far more extended state of po-
verify and seville dependence than that
which now exists; we mean that the great
majority of the people, the producing clas-
Sc, the farmers, the mechanics and the la
lorers, will all be gradually despoled of
the property they now possess and become
the po1r dependents Of small minority
who viii absorb and concentrate in their
own hands the wealth OF the country. The
producing classes, the great body Of the
people In this country, are tending slow
'ly 1t may be, but surely--towards that po-
verify, pecuniary dependence, and industr-
q al bondage, which exis's in Europe, and
which will necessarily bring with il that
degradation of the masses, and that indus
trial oppression, which characterize the
older countries, where the pernicious infu-
eace Of the false system OF society. called
sCNlIzat en-, under which we I've has been
more fully realized inpractice. The causes
(which arc to produce this result arc clearly
10 be seen in action; the principles at work
az society 10 produce il are evident and
although the practical effects are not so
Etmer ous and striking as 10 attract gene
raj attention or gain credcnce when point
ed out, yei HE discerning mind cannot but
perceive the tendency of things, nor fail to
note the great 0nI all important fact. Of q
gradual ada2ensc,,5 r tie La5oring Glasses
IN this coa9sy.
We might tite .aeany foes in proof Of
thus, but our o4,ettu;t present is more 10
illustrate from principles which are uni
ver>al and uniform ii ;hcir ACTON and cr-
'e'ects, III n 10 point udt facts of Fragment
tai nature and bearing
We wlj speak in tie present article of
four principal Influences which are opera
ting 10 produce the gradual abosenent of
'he working or predicting classes OF this
country and their suai~ction TO state of
poverty and AFFECT industrial scryi'ude.
LIST. The power oil Capital, and It's con-
troll over labor.
"a. Free compelt,on or hostile strife
among tac working classes to obtain the
,wo,k winch capitalists and employers re-
quire, the effect OF which is constant re-
duclioR of wages, or decrease in the price
OF Labor, which is the poor mans oEiy
property.
Sd. Machinery Owned by the few, which
works AGAINST the Laboring Classes
instead Of FOR them.
ilh. lsolat on; want of combination and
concert OF action among the working clos~
ses, aud consequent weakness and helpless
ness, which make them an easy prey to lie
combined and more iateIliger action OF
those who have the capital and credit o!
suciety in their hands.
|. The power of Capital and its control
over Labor.
The power Of Capital is almost bound
less and absolute, and as i. controls Labor,
il controls indirectly as consequence the
Classes who live by labor. Now, the ques-
.tion is, TO what end will This power Of Ca
pjlal and its control over the laboring elias.
SEES be exercised! The answer is simple;
the owners of capital will aim to obtain
complete and absolute supremacy. BY eve
ry means that have the least cOloring of
legitimacy, direct and indirect, by legISa
ton Of which the moneycd interests are
now the m sters, by monopoly, usury and
extorton, by every device oil cunning and
legalized fraud and hidden injustice and
oppression, Capital will seek TO obtain the
largest portion possible Of the fruits of La
Dor, aud TO reduce the producing classes TO
that slate Of dependence and subseviency
which will render it undisputcd Sovereign
OF Industry, and the classes, the small mi
nority who possess it, the Rulers Of Socie-
ty. And it will succeed, for IFS power is
rs Inherently irresistible as il is selfshly
INSCRIPTIONS. As society is now constitu-
ted, with " individualism " for its basis,
and the right of every man to take care OF
himself AT the expense Of his neghbor &C
knowIedged and acted upon universally,
the class Of persons who are benefited by
the usurpallon OF Capital will neither b.
blamed nor bIameable-the wealth and
power which accident of birth or good for
tune confer are possessions which all de-
sire and all would obtain if possible.
The aim Of Capital is 10 amass. TO ac-
cumuIate; and ambition and cupidty COM
o'ne 10 give intensity TO the desire of accu
mutation In this modern Age, riches con-
leF FsSpectabijity and standing, as did in
ioFner lays military skill and exploits. and
men now Combat for fortune, especially in |
'H's country where hereditary rank does |