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

Social Reform Meeting IN Chatham Square.
The regular meeting for discussion this subject,
took place yesterday afternoon at the old Franklin
Theatre, in Chatham Square, but in consequence Of
the Indel Convention being in full operation at the
same hour but limited number persons attended,
and the discussions that were anticipated were not
gone into. However, Chairman was appointed Mr.
SMITH by name, and in few general remarks ne ex-
planned the object Of their Associaton-he beneftst to
be derived from their plans and the great advantages
that would accrue to mankind in general would they
enter into the ideas laid down by Mr.. Owen. He ar
gued that the immense surplus of all kinds of produce,
manufactured and otherwise, that is accommodating in
consequence of the great increase of labor saving
machines, will inevitably lead general crash, en-
failing run DISTRESS and misery, on thousands who,
even in the present state of affairs, enjoyed good
living. twas well known fact in political economy,
that the greater the produce of any mass Of people,
the greater the difficulty IN the majority Of them OBJ
tanning fair share OF their proportion, the product
of their labor generally being divided among the few
capitalists, whose wealth was thus enormously in
creased to the detrlment OF the absolute operative
To support this argument, he need only point to the
condition of the laborng classes OF Europe where,
with the immense amount of labor saving machine
tuition than in any country in the world IT. on the other
hand mankind could be persuaded each Individually to
assist with their labor what different state of things
would exist. Then every would stand equal
footing and poverty and its attending horrors would be
in Pc containing 800 square acres had been
bought and paid for by this Association and has been
successful operation for years; it they erected
saw.mills and various cottages barns &C. The Society
also has contributing branches in Philadelphia, Newark
an application from Pitsburgh their collection altogether
averaged about hundred dollars month"; they had
about 500 capital stock subscribed for of which about
81 900 was paid in For fifty dollars person could
home for life for himself and family free from tho
vicisudes and of the present mode Of
AZ fOf sA0po
for those who above all want, but who
might yet by the revolving wheel of reduced
further he merely had taken the chair in the absence
the regular members who were attending the nhdel
he still invited any who inclined for discussion
the subject to step toward
,ostrum and that the great Of communities
was over.producton He would exemplify this from a
years ago the population of Great Britain mechanical
and human, amounted to fifty millions At that period
machinery as it has since which may judge of from
the fact that at this time 1t is equal human and me-
that this increase has taken place has the difficulty
of obtaining livelihood increased. In former days,
when this immense overplus was not produced. the
comforts Of life more plenty and more easily OBJ
tanned than present The human mind has hitherto
been altogether directed to the acquisition Of wealth.
without regard to the proper distribution of the
and the object of this society obvate this state Of
things The relation Of to his present being must
be and if the mind not properly directed
in its efforts pain and suffering to follow But
the new society that proposed BY this
ciation where mans instinct would be directed to the
exercise of benevolence and kindness towards
another would prove one Of the greatest trumphs Of
modern philantrophy.
Mr. SMITH again addressed the meeting, and went on
show the great results that would spring from the
adoption Of this plan he argued that the great Of
in communities consisted in the great individuality
of society this calling of things instead of If
everything resolved into public stock instead Of
private all the inducements to crime would be done
away with they all more or less arose from the inc
quality of distribution. Crime being done away with,
all the expensive machinery Of courts, lawyers, con-
stables and such non-producng classes would also be
dispensed with and the mass of mankind, being re-
the fear of want and poverty would quickly
deyeopc the natural intelligence which il inherent
mankind This system is entirely different from the one
recommended by Fourier In his plan capital is placed
to take advantage Of labor money there the object
and not in this the elevation of human nature
In Fourer's scheme, person purchasing suffcient
number of shares could live without labor the inter
Of his capital but in this scheme, all would be placed
a perfect equality.
Here the speaker came to pause, and as no ono ap
peared wish to discuss his peculiar doctrines he
moved an adjournment, which unanimously agreed
to by the audience Immediately dispensing.