The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-23


I'm Europe and this Country.
]. G. BENNETT, ESQ
II ls with regret that | have read your repeated
criticisms OF Association, and the manner in which
1t has been COMPOUNDED with doctrines Of commu-
nifty OF property, infidelty &c. &C., with which it
has nothing in common. Your paper, with its large
circulation, must have prejudiced great many
minds against IT, and desire through the same me-
dunn to explain what Association really is, its aims,
and the principles upon which il is based
ASSOCIATION aims at Social Refomatlon-at
reform which shall 60 to the root OF the evils that
aff,ct the great body of mankind, the rich well as
the poor, and otter some eectua means Of eradica-
ting them Association declares that these evils are
tar more social and industrial in their nature than
POLITICAL particularly in this country and that politi-
cal reforms can do little or nothing towards remedy
ing them.
We believe that this movement in favor of So
clal Reformation is true and just one, called for by
the suffering condition of millions of our fellow crea-
lures, by sound reason, and by true charity and JUS
tee II would seem, in fact, il the time had ai-
we'd in the history of the race, when the most adj
vanced uatlons should undertake inteigently and
with foresight, Social Reform, after having gone
through as they have, SO many political, Legislative
Providence, in ITS mercy, had length decreed that
man should emerge from the long career of suffering
through which he has gone, and it is in the light OF
this faith that we explain the reason why this great
time, tar and wide, among the civilized nations OF
the earth. Let us glance at the progress which it is
making and its condition in some Of the nations of
Christendom
been tried and with such fruitess or disastrous
results, independent and investigating minds have
become convinced OF their mpotency, and have
gradually had their attention drawn to deeper re-
fOm-to a reform in the social organization
itself, instead of in the government and adj
mlnistration. EThe idea of social reformation
IS penetrating IN consequence into nearly all the
spheres of public life in Francento the PRESS into
Hall
ings of political economy, and into literature. In
Paris, two daily papers, In Democratic Pacifpe.
and La Refmme, besides some weeklies and re-
views, devoted the cause edited for the most
part, with great ability and advocating and pressing
this great question upon the attention Of the people
In the sphere of politics. where naturally less free
dom exists, the fundamental part only Of the ques-
ton, and that in the shape of the organization of
labor and an industrial reform has come up this,
however, IS the true and practical commencement
OF social REFORM land it is exciting the attention of
nearly the whole press Of France, and already counts
among its advocates many OF the leading minds of
pers, we observed in the Journal dcs Dcbats, even
the principal conservative paper of Paris and minis
teria organ, four long columns upon the subject,
Rodin, member of the Chamber Of Deputies, lately
presented petition, covered with forty-one thou
sand signatures, praying for an inquest into the
dion OF the aboring classes, and the state of labor,
which got up BY the friends Of the organic alton
of labor. These are trifes, but they. show that
the question is taking hold strongly Of the public
mind. In political economy, Blanqui and Michel
Chevaer, who occupy the two principal chairs de-
voted to this science, in the Universities of Paris
discuss the questions of Association and an Indus
trial Reform, with perfect freedom, and with ia
lent that is remarkable, and is giving new direc
ton to the Investigations of political economy. M.
Chevalier, who has lately been elected member Of
the Chamber of Deputies, made In one Of his late
courses, the following declaration, which sums up
his views upon this great question, and which Is
"As the question of Liberty" said he, !" has oc
cuped the attention Of the world for the last fifty
years, the question OF Association and the Orga
nizaon of Labor, will occupy it for the next fifty
years to come"
And this is true political reforms have engaged
the attention Of the world and with absorbing
tensity for the last half century the results which
they can produce have been fully demonstrated in
the United States. and although great in many res
poets, yet insufficient. Now comes the time for the
study and discussion OF Social Reform, as the
continuation and completion of all past reforms, and
its application in such ways the genius of different
nations shall dictate.
In Literature this great problem has found in
France some powerful allies and advocates; one OF
Its noblest champions is Eugene Sue. 1t was under
the inspiration OF this new social idea that he wrote
the Mysteries of Paris His first effort in this d.
rection and its success, well as that of the Wan
derlng Jew, in which the ideas of Association, the
organization Of labor, and social reform, more
fully developed, shows how broad field the grand
VI
things and higher and happier destiny for man on
earth throws open to literature. A kind and gener-
GUS heart beats in the bosom of Eugene Sue, and his
pen and his intelligence hereafter gained to the
ton of the human race. We have not space to en-
ter further into the social movements in France, but
the little which we have said, shows its magnitude
and that 1t IS not based upon visionary idea, but
upon one full of living truth and justice, and
which gainssto its the allegiance OF minds of a
practical as well as poctical character.
In Germany, the. people of which appreciate SO
well universal principles, this new social movement
is interesting the higher philosophic and literary
minds the one hand, and to some extent the lead
ing industriasts or master-workmen on the other
is also beginning to excite the attention of portions
of the religious world.
classes rolita,ies, and the employers, is not so
profound as in France and England. A certain de-
gree of sympathy and union exists between them,
notwithstanding the conflict of interests, the jea
ousies and rivalries which the competition system
engenders, and this sympathy and union do great
honor to the humane honest and social character Of
the German people. This feeling is arousing the
leaders in industry, who see that free competition
monopohzed machinery, and other principles of mo-
dern industriasm, to bring the people into
the restitution and pauperlsm that exist in England,
where the system has been longer at work, and they
looking with deep interest to the question OF the
devotion OF the laboring classes and reform capa
BILE of effecting this result.
In the sphere Of philosophy several distinguished
minds are devotng their abors 10 this social move
ment, and also in the sphere of literature In the
latter will mention only the celebrated Bettina
Anime, known more in this country for her cores
pondcnce with Goethe, and certainly one of the
most remarkable women of the age. She has lately
written work on the subject and occupying, as
she does, high place in society, and being cele-
brated for her genius, she has a( Germany for her
public. Another distinguished author, Heinrich
Hcine, the Stene of Germany, has written in his
peculiar manner upon the question, and is arousing
enquiry, and exciting thought.
The Germans have never taken much interest in
the shallow political reforms, and the Legislative
controversies Of the modern liberal party in Europe.
The profound instinct OF the people has taught them
that something deeper to be sought for-that far
more thorough and organic reforms must be under
taken TO effect any really great and beneficial re-
salts. In this grand question Of social omaon,
they wilkfind as they did, in their religious refor-
nation, an understanding worthy of their deep sim
certify and philanthropy, and their devoted enthu-