Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-04-17

ton of the evils of the social state at present ex
sting 1t is to this GOOD man that the world primer
pally owes debt of incalculable gratitude, Tor tie
solcitude now zealously manifested by many of the
wisest and most benevolent minds throughout chris
tendon, in favor of re-estabshing the social cohd-
ton of mankind upon the basis of practical christian
tv He first s.set the ball in notion and though it
is altogether unlikely he will live to ii reach the
coal of his viruous ambition he has at least, what
to him must be the unspcakabe qualification, Of wit
Messing disposition, on the part OF thinking men, TO
assist in carving on this good work. until the gori
results, anticipated and so ferventy hoped Tor by
him, SHALL in some form and 10 some extent II not
entirely, be finally accomplished
1t may perhaps be necessary-lt is certainly pru-
denim order that we may escape the misapprehen-
SION of those who have turned their thoughts TO
the subject or the Misrepresentation of those who
profit by the abuses which Mr.. Owen seeks to reform,
that We should observe, that in any thing we have
said we have not Intended to endorse any thing
of his doctrines or his plans, than the grand idea of
the eradication as fast possible, and by all just
means, of the acknowledged evils of the social state
The means of happiness in the world are abundant
for all mankind Men should be enlightened as to
the beet mode of their attainment and encouraged to
pursue that mode. When this shall be accomplished
the iron will no longer enter into the souls Of the
great mass, but seshness fraud, and their concomi
tant vices shal yield to benesolence charity justice,
and all the virtues possible to be elected from imper-
feet human nature.
We may hereafter, as circumstances permit, copy
some of the addresses published recently by Mr. Ow-
en-, and which have preserved for that purpose. In
the mean time, the following sketch of the philan-
thropst, from the ''New World newspaper, publish
ed at New York, will be read with interest by those
not already acquainted with the facts stated therein
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ROBERT OWEN
AT this time. when in consequence of Mr. Ovens lee
lures public attention is attracted to him, brief notice
of the life of that remarkable man, gathered by from
authentic sources, may interest readers.
Robert Owen born in Newiown, Wales, In the
year l771. He is consequently now IA ears old. Like
most distinguished individuals in county, he
selfmade man. His parents, though respectable were
in humble circumstances and at the age of ten young
Owen lett his native village for London, alone push
his fortune, with somewhat less than ten dollars in his
pocket. He soon after appienticed TO Mr.. McGuf
fog goods merchant of Stamford, in Lincolnshire,
with whom he remained three years. He then returned
TO London and became shopman in the house, celebrated
in that day, of Flint 81 Palmer, old London bridge
There the youth trained IN school the bu-
sness OF that popular establishment commencing
each morning, and the duty OF s clerks and shopmen
often terminating only at two o'clock the next
morning. Thence Mr.. Owen proceeded Manchester,
and served two years in Mr. Satterfelds dry-goods-
store after which, with FARTHER named Jones, he
menced with very slender capital the business Of
chino making, and OF cotton spinning in a small way
that branch Of industry, extensive being then
It's infancy At this periods of his life, he resided for
months in the house with Fulton, then Illuminating
his scheme raise heavy canal boats at single lift,
height of hundred hundred and fifty feet and not
having vet conceived the idea of the steamboat year
later Mr. Owen set up for himself moderate scale
working but three mules, and Keeling all the yarn him
self
of the first fine factory then Manehester and
working FIVE hundred hands, advertised for manager.
Mr. Owen, at that time but twenty years old, presented
himself sYou are a boy :" said Mr. Drinkwater fsThat
would been good objection four five years
ago. was the reply al man now and have expe-
rience in this business" "What experience? 81 work
three mules and making three hundred pounds (S5OO)
year" ''How many times week do you get drunk p
THIS rather too much for the voting philosopher he
colofed The temples and replied indignantly, f never
was drunk IN my HE ,,rEn nat salary 40 you ask
here have been dozen this morning, Of them dou
bic your age, and they don't ask half that sum- avery
well | am making that IN my own business and ca n
come for less" bet your establishment" Thet
went and Mr. Drinkwaier examined in silence ali
gre you three hundred, said he "come to to-rnof
row."
Six months later, Mr.. ID. sent for his manager one
morning. "Stay with me three years." said he OH
give you four hundred year, FIVE hundred the veal
after; and then you shall be partner with if it sui
/ you
! Mr.. Owen remained but at the end of the term find
ing intended onn-law of Mr.. d. s. jealous of his "a
and influence he released his employer from his pro-
misc and connection with the BOrrOdailes of Lon
don and the Battons of Manchester built the origina
Charlton Mills, in the latter city.
From that period, MIR. Owen eminentIy successful
Of business At the age Of 81 with other part
ners; he bought of Mr. David Dale OF Glasgow, the since
celebrated village and mills of New Lanark then EN-
blowing about thirteen hundred work peOpe. and OF
which the population increased, under Mr.. Owens man
agemeut, twenty-five bundled. The sole article pro
duced yarn, the rate Of five thousand lbs
day the thread in each pound averaging twelve miles
in length that each days spinning gave thread Ions
enough, to GO twice and half round the world
Mr. Dale, who originally built the establishment was
then very wealthy, though originally poor weay
er boy. and of extraordinary beneyoence; having ex
pended in various charities, between and three
dred thousand dollars About the year l79 before Mr.
Owens purchase, of the Lanark mills was totally
DESTROYED by fire. The next day. Mr. Dale reached The
viIlage and the workpeopie Of the burnt MILL to the
number of some two hundred, crowded round him. In
menting their hard fate thus thrown out OF employment
and compelled seek precaroUs livelihood elsewhere
"hfy children, said Mr.. Dale, "you shall not leave me
have made fortune by your means; and afford
spend part of il TO support you till that mill is rebuilt
Go home and your wages shall be paid 10 you as usual
till you can begin to work again"
A somewhat similar incident happened under Mr.. Ow
en-, some years later. DuIna the embargo which pre-
coded the late war, Of ihe large manufacturers
Great Britain found IL necessary, from the impossbilty
obtaining cotton at any reasonable pree, temporarily Il
stop their works and discharge their hands The new
that time the work people received their wages, amount
ing during the four months, to about thryye thousand
dollars
At the age of %, Mr.. Owen married Mr. DaIe's eldes
daughter and many for years wholly devoted himself Il
New Lanar establishment; ruling inhabitants b,
the power of uniform kindness, and improving their con
ditiOn from year to year, chiefly by The operation of wei