Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-02-03
SOCIETY vs.. INFIDELliTY.

Having met frequently with individuals
who prefer the grave charge Of infideli'y
against all those who are engaged in the
assert their opposition TO the doctrine o.
Association, as advocated by Charles Feu-
rier, on the ground of the dangerous Ten
dency Of the principles Involved we ieel
novod 10 xov few words in denial Of the
charge. We do no. propose TO bring tor
ward the many assertions oil Fourier on
the subject, since these nre thrown aside or
considered nugatory by the supposed ten
dency of the principles he inculca,es.
But what is infdelty? Disbelief or de-
NAL Of the peculiar tenets or dogmas OF a
so called church? Is This nfidelity? Then
we're multitudes Of those worthless whom
now the church itself rev srences, infdels,
is that in6delity which an association pre-
eminenlly conservative, like that of The
church Of the present day, declares TO be
suchl Look at tho position Of the church
but short time since with regard to tenn
perance; look at it even now with regard
TO slavery, and u host Of other great and
glorious reforms. Are all these SO many
phases of inidel,ty? Such they must be
If that is inGdeli,y TO which the church
does moi lend It's gracious sanction. All,
no; that is nfdeiiy which either denies
the facts Of mans moral nature or forbids
the opportunity Of its exercise; and in what
respec, he who upholds a system waich
does thus deny or forbid, differs from an
infidel, let him who readeth judge.
Let US examine for moment the pres
ent state Of society, considered SO divinely
Instituted, by the STANDARD we have NEIL
toned. Look at cur respectable merchants
and business men. Bartering in the pro-
ducts Of the toll Of oilers; receiving for
the same more than they give, heaping to
themselves fortune from The life wasting
Toll Of their fellows Rich without labor,
their very practice is a lis-their daily av-
ocation fraud Perhaps we use strong
language; but by what name shall we call
that process which enables one man thus
TO enrich himself at the expense Of another?
And whore is the opportunity which is Of
fered 10 our business men TO cultivate their
moral nature? TheirSery avocation max es
them adopts in taking advantage Of the ne
cessities or ignorance Of others, BY wha,
name, then, shall we call those who can up.
hold q system not merely the principles OF
which are so dangerous, but whose every.
day practice is SO palpable violation OF
common honesty?
Then look al the toiling massesl Doom.
ed TO labor on day after day Cor the trining
reward Of mise rable subsiste nee, with the
constantly lorturing expectation Of s,arva-
ton or the workhouse should sickness over
take them-their very misery steeing their
hearts to all the finer sentiments of Human
ity-compelled 10 take the bread from the
mouths Of their fellows. to put into their
own, by undcrbddng them in the price of
labor-to what extent can they cultivate
the moral natures which they possess 3
Their misery becomes a temptation to
wrong doing, while frequent destitu,ion OF
employmen: leaves them no alternative bu,
starvation or crime.
Such in brief is n statement Of the opc.
ration Of the present system Of society. l.
does deny the opportunity for the exercise
of the moral nature to all classes in the
community, the rich as VOL as the poor,
and would be by no means difficult 10 show
that even the teachers Of morality them
But what would the advocates of assoeia,
ton? Pre-eminenlly may they be cohsid
cred as advocates OF II moral retorm. The
would remove these incentives TO vice.
they would make man ut one with himself
at one with his fellows AMI ut one with hi
God. They would destroy that fatal grasp
ing after wealth which blunts the mora
sense, and freezes up the soul-that relent
less competition which sees in every broth
or man barrier 10 ones own advancement
and bears murder in every look. They
would make the forces of mans nature har
monious, and every pulsation OF his soul &c
beat in unison with the laws of God. |:
this infdolity? then would we glory in the
name, and rejoice to bear the reproach fo
the sake Of suffering Humanity.
We wonder not there are those who
boldly nvow their in6deliiy. TO see The
5eautiful harmony Of the universe disturb
ed by the Earring dScords OF men, and BY
the introduction Of false social system Il
find the entire moral nature denied the up
pertuaity Of deve!opemen,-seeing this,w
say, we wonder not there are those whC
boldly deny the facts Of such nature
But what shall we say ofthose, who, 'claC
in the livery of heaven cah uphold sys
TEN so false in fact, so dangerous in opera
zion. We repel the charge Of infidelity
Let it res, whers it belongs .--Social Re
Ormcr.