New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-02-15
LIFE m ASSOCIATION.

u
The puAL.sx, No. q, has just been Issued 1t
gives fu. accoun, Of the late Fourier convention
=, BOSTON with the Resolutions adopted, the Re-
mort Of the Executive Committee, by Chas. Il.
| Dana &c sc. Harriet Martlneau's letter, giying
!. dersiled account OF her recent cure OF chronic
disease by Mesnerisni, is among the contents.
From long Letter from Member Of an Asso-
c,a,;on to Friend'' We make the following ex-
tract-to US deeply interesting:
You see, then, that we are not dabbling in mere
| experiments, but have undertaken the solemn
| work of applying 10 society, which is now an IN
| fernal chaos, Il speak knowing well what say,)
those supreme laws OF Harmony and Order where
by the whole Universe is regulated. We ann to
change the social and political condition, not OF
few hundred souls, bat OF the whole world ; tor
when the sublime spectacle OF a really human
society shall once be SEEN all lnen will, even IRON
mere selilshness desire TO partake OF such DEMENT'S
and such happiness. This say also, knowing well
what saw Tor do not speak from enthusiastic
hope, but from cool reason and Judgment. You
will perceive, also, that one who holds these views
is quite independent OF any attempt to realize them
practically in society. Such attempts may tan
without disturbing his convictions IN the least. IN
| the small associations that have been established IN
this country these great principles are applied IN
manner so imperfect that they can hardly be re-
cognized, but yet their effects justify our faith IN
them. These institutions have only made Inc
merest preparation for the accomplishment oil our
final purpose they are in state OF transition only,
and some of them may never get beyond lhls state
for want of means 10 carry them farther; but that
cannot effect the ruth OF what can De proved
| mathematically or Indsputabiy otherwise sun,
cannot express the amount OF my attachment 10
! the mode of life and the place from which you,
with so much kindness, attempt to ORA" me away.
! II is INV home, rendered dear by en]oyments I'M
speakabe, as we'll as by few sacrifices which, IN
/ comparison with what have gained, are not worth
sneakine Of Ard as for the mode OF HE, | assure
Won. as man of honor, that never knew so much
general and personal happiness as here, noiwlth-
standing all our trials. Compared with all ever
saw before or elsewhere, 1t has seemed like per
petual feast. There have been sorrows and diff
cuties. and those very deep and serious, but they
are nothing in amount to what all have enjoyed.
No, nv friend, this mode of life is neither cold nor
false. 1t is beautiful, with all It's detects, as day
in spring-time Think, too, OF the elements OF life
which are here collected. Here Is love OF deeper
purity and sincerity than the world knows of; here
IS friendship that mightput ancient heroes to shame
here is faith so high and changeles5 that common
constancy has no lustre beside 1t, and here are
wise hopes so great and inspiring that an old prophet
might have thanked God Tor the Joy OF concevlns
them in his heart. And if were actHated only by
a sagacious selfshaess should not return 10 civil
lization for whatever be present disadvantages,
am sure that in those things which man OF the
world first of all regards, we shall ultimately gam
the approval of men oil the world, VINO yleId thelr
SINCERE appreciation 10 all profitable specuations
We shall unless some event occurs which DO not
now foresee, amass wealth and surround ourselves
with comforts which no one OF US, slngle-handed,
could hope Tor.
use your own expression, nor is any one compelled
or expected love all as brothers; but 1t Is so ar
ranged that while we work Tor ourselves, we serve
the general welfare, and thus even selhshness and
cupidity contribute 10 the common advantage. AS
ll-C otip nd no
demand of men what is impossible. It only tends
to develope the better side Of all characters, and 10
make that which in civilization OF necessity be-
comes a horrible vice, useful servant to the IN
terests of the whole community, Oh course, can
not explain to you the means by which these as
tonishing results are produced IN the compass OF
single letter however protracted but assure you,
as man of common sense, that II is so. But these
things are of course only partially attained, II at
all, in our American PhalanXes, where association
exists only in the germ. .
You will observe that throughout, have hardly
touched epon the moral bearings OF the question.
am however, far from admitting your assertion
that the framework of society IS right either In
the United States or elsewhere. The Declaration
of Independence indeed embodies some vague
generalities concerning the rights OF man, but even
those have never actually got incorporated INTO
society They exist In distractions, but not 9TH
erwise. II must be confessed that our democracy
is hitherto 4 most miserable and haltins business.
Il has not YET approached the real political problem
which is the realization of social Justice" sn,tna
c.tique" Nay il is utterly Ignorant OF the real ma
ture of this problem; II has hardly learned the
& C of politics. But even the incomplete truths
of our democratic theories are opposed and DENIED
bv our social arrangements. These are tuil OF op-
pressien and wrong OF every degree. DO not, how
ever, attribute to us that doctrine OF absolute
equality which is so taking 10 some thinkers. Here,
as elsewhere, we appeal 70 Nature, which Is one
Interpreter of Divine Wisdom, and take her for our
Y oulu he glance
at her revelations TO understand that the inequalities
of society are altogether different from those she
has established between E1en, and vet these me
qualities belong 10 the very framework Ell TIE
social structure. But cannot think an argument,
will be necessary 10 convince you OF this, anC my
letter is already sufficiently drawn ont.
entirely agree with you IN the conviction that
let each one do his share in lessenlns the sorrow
and oppression, and in his own good time God VIII
remove the frghttu disparity OF condition." though
have not your faith in isolated individual exer
TONS II is in this assurance that labor, and II is
this that could console me, even IN the entire
failure of what has grown so dear to my heart.
k,to,c that those laws by which the lnhnle Universe
Human Society, and Danish from it the evils that
sin and false philosophy have introduced; Ct
porte Interi non yreuaiebmnt." For the advent OF
that blessed epoch work, whether wisely or un-
wisely, le. ne future decide.
have >poken OF all these things most weakly
and sup icially. They rest, however, on immo-
vabe foundations, and reach inward TO the centre
of things Ny daily study is gwen 10 better un.
Outstanding Of them in the scientific writings OF
those illustrious men, Swedenborg and Fourier.
These great teachers, the world may think unwise
or mistaken, but so it has ever been with the chief
apostles of the Truth. They that know them best
have the deepest reverence for their genius and
learning. They will yet receive their due from
grateful Race, upon whose sublime career they
have shed such light.
We presume the writer is CHARLES \. DAy. of Brook
Farm.
The Phalanx is edited by a number of the lead
ing friends of Association, and published by Win
chester, 81 Ann-street. So for 81 numbers
~ UNITED IRISH REPEAL. ASSoCIATIoN-A
tho City