Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-01-30
FROM THE PHALANX.
WHAT Is ASSOCIATION F.?

(lS00 individuals, men, women and chill
dren, or about 800 families, are the proper
number for complete Associatlon) united
voluntarily for the purpose of prosecuting
with method and order, Industry, Educa-
ton, Commerce, and the Arts and Scien-
ces-of establishing concert Of action and
unity Of interests not community of pro-
perty) of applying their efforts in the best
and most judicious manner-of dignifving
Labor and rendering it honorable and At
TRAcTivE-of dividing equitably the pro
duct of their labor, every individual rece-
wing share according to the part taken
in producing it, and giving to Labor, Skill
and Capital, each, a just proportion or div
ldend-of realizing great collective econo-
mies-or introducing every facility and the
most efficient means of education, moral,
mental and physical, which will be extern
ded to all children without exception-ol
living together in friendly union and con-
cord, and enjoying varied pleasures of ex-
tended and congenial social relations, and
the pursuits of useful industry and exaIting
art and science, and Of directing their en-
ergies and talents so as TO conduce 10 the
tIdpplilCSS vi liic W ilOIe.
The principle of Association is not new
in the world, but it has heretofore been APP
piled only in a partial and fragn,ental man
her, not in complete and integral manner.
The principle is as old as society itself; it
is coeval with the existence of the Human
Race; it was first applied when man united
with his fellow man ior mutual aid, or for
protection and safety. Society as it now
exists is sustained only by the principle of
Associations; it IS the vital principle which
binds its members together, preserves its
existence and gives it power; but the prin-
ciple is so imperfectly and partially applied
that Society at present is but az dggrega-
ton Of individuals, among whom there ex-
lists strife, conflict and antagonistc interests
and not regularly organised system of as
sociation, with perfect concert of action
and unity Of interests. All The advantages
that civilized society possesses, however,
over the savage or nomadic state, are de-
rived from the principle Of Association.
We find the first germs or Association N
the savage state, though in the rudest and
simplest form; the horde or tribe in an As
ISOLATION, formed for the purpose of hunt
ing and fishing in concert and for defence
against the incurs;ons of neigbhoring sava-t
geS. Man IN savage state, without union
or association with his fcllow-man for purpo-
ses OF lndus.ry, education, &c, is poor. weak.
helpless, ignorant and degraded, ana it is
only as he applies the principle of associa-
ton and uni;es with his fellowman, that he
gains r,sccurity, intelligence and refine
meut ~
AS Society progresses from the Savage
TO the Civilized state, the great principles
of Association receive constantly increas-
ing development. Men first unite for pro-
lection from aggression without Subsequent
y they organize to maintain order and to
prevent depreciation and lawless plumber
within They combine at later periods, as
society grows and becomes more developed.
TO make public Improvements, 10 prosecute
industrial operations and commercial enter
prIscs,to build common roads and bridges.
erect churches and school-honses, &c. &c.
people unite their means and their labor to
effect these objects, land so far as they have
a common end in view when they under
take them, there is Association; and with
out this association and combination Of eff
tort,no improvements of the kind could be
made. Without association we should be
like savages, having neither roads nor
bridges, nor sChoolhouses, nor churches.
nor any of the public improvements which
now exist. All our charitable institutions,
such as hospitals, asylums for the blind, the
deaf and dumb,and the insane, ARE establish
ed by means Of association and combinations;
it they are founded by the State, the COM
munity is taxed so that the means of the
different individuals who composed it,shal
be united; il they are founded BY philun-
thropc individuals, their voluntary SUBJ
scrIptlons must be united; but without this
combined action and association Of means,
these institutions could not be established
and maintained.
All other institutions in society are par
tial Associations, 'as indeed many Of them
are so called. The State or Government
itself IS but an Association of the whole
body of the people-a great Political As
ISOLATION, union or compact among men
for protection against aggression, and the
preservation Of law and order. But all |
these forms Of association are extremely |
imperfect and defective, for the prin-
ciple Of association is but partially and
and fragmentally applied. As society de.
rives al! the benefits it enjoys from the ap-
plicaton of the principle, so the evils it
suffers are the result of imperfect and in
complete association, and of isolation. The
principle mast be applied scientifically. SO
as to embrace all interests Unaer perfect
it is by this means only that
perfect equilibrium can be maintained, and
and exact justice done. By this means,
that is, by means Of complete and iute-
grail system Of Association, universal in its
application and embracing all interests ,all
that man desires for his happiness can be
secured TO him fully.
During the past century the principle OF
association has received an extensive de-
velopment by the establishment of Joint
stock Companies. All joint-stock compaies
are partial or social Associations, formed
for the purpose prosecuting undertakings
Of a financial. commercial or industrial
character more efec:uaIly and pruftabiy
than can be done by individual efforts and
aeans. a railroad or canal Company is
1r association If CopiYel for tho M r,,OSn