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

On tic Bill to incorporate the Wisconsin,
Phalanr.

On the Bill to Incorporate the Wisconsin,
Phatdnr.
CONCLUDED.
Mr.. F. said that objections appeared 10
exist against this association because 1t was
unlike any thing else which had ever asked
to DC incorporated at the hands Of the Le-
g.slature. The opinion, he said, prevailed
very generally, that legislation has very
little or nothing TO do with the domestic
condition and social relations Of life u; this
was an error. The object Of government
in the enactment of laws, should be to Sc
cure the greatest amount of social happi-
ness. The primary object has been to de-
velopo the natural resources of the country:
to secure its wealth and enrich It's popula-
ton and upon the accomplishment of this
the social virtues and consequent happiness
Of the people were expected to follow
The effect of a course of legislation which
carefully avoids any reference to the social
relations Of man-which only aims to inflict
penalties on the disobedient, rather than TO
encourage the kindlier feelings OF our ma
ture, was apparent. II was this that had
encouraged antagonistical interests-div-
,ded society into distinct castles and sectional
classes. 1t wes the encouragement OF this
diversity of feeling and interest which had
divided off men into distinct classes, some
of WATCH depended for living wholly upon
the misfortunes of their neighbors. When
neighborhoods are convalescent and enjoy
ing quiet and harmony, it does not accom-
modate the pecuniary interest Of all-some
cannot heI Up but feel that convalescense and
unanimity stint their means OF support
He said no blame could be attached to any
particular class Of men because Of this
condition of things. All men, no matter
what may be their calling or profession,
are responsible lorthe evils &C COVE tnment
und the wrongs which exist in society, in
asmuch as all men have voice in the
government, and an influence in society,"
But, said Mr.. f., would the evils and the
wrongs Of which he had spoken, exist were
there a unity of interest in the community
He said the friends Of this SYSTEM believed
that association would do away with that
arrangement which compels any one class
of men TO depend upon the misfortunes Of
another for bread. If the interests Of
neighborhood were united-if the prosper
ity or adversely Of one was regarded as the
prosperity or adversely of oil, then there
could be no necessity for brols and con-
tentions growing out of diversified Interests.
lie said the association at CereSco were
resolved to furnish an illustration of what
could be accomplished on the principle Of
unity of interest and he hoped they would
be able to succeed. That the best interests
OF society were injured by antagonist
classes, every one would admit; our courts
thronged with litigantS furnish evidence ell
the conflicting attitude IN which man stands
in relation 10 his fellow man. Although il
is said that society is continually being
perfected In civilization, yet The anago-
nism which exists in society has not per-
ceptiby diminished during the last twenty
years. Legislation tries 10 vain to stop
the quarrelling aad advantage taken among
the people by the multiplication OF laws,
yet the demand for new enactments is
every year increased. The maxim that
'"the world is governed too much" is ac-
,knowledged 10 be a truthful one by almost
every man; still, but few practically regard
ii all. Laws upon laws were enacted every
year for the purpose Of restraining the
overt acts of meE and making them honest,
until the great mass of the people had
become bewildered in their endeavors 10
ascertain what was law, and what was not
law. He would not advocate the abolish
ment of law, nevertheless he believed that
were there fewer laws on our statute books
there would be less antagonsm, less legis
taton, and consequently less bad temper
in the community.
Another commendable object which the
friends of this system desired TO accomplish
was TO correct the abuses Of our arisocracy
of public opinion. He said, however much
we may talk Of an European aristocracy
and the subserviency Of the masses, we
have in this country an aristocracy which
controls with severity the social and do
meStic condition Of The Inhabitants. II was
true, he said, that the aristocracy OF which
he spoke, was not supported by law, or by
the political Institutions of the country, yet
it had obtained power and consequence by
the conventional rules and regulations es-
tablshed by public opinion. Those con-
ventional rules had become arbitrary and
dictatorial, and had made oppressive dis
tinctions in society. Every laboring man
feels the power OF this arsiocracy Of public
opinion; every mechanic, however honest,
industrious, or virtuous, feels that the arbi-
,rary rules Of seIf-styled "gosd society
assign TO him rank below the level OF
professional men, or those who contrlve TO
live without work. The "dignity OF la
bor," he said, had been, times wlhou,
number, eloquently lauded TO the skies.
yet its very eulogsts knew full well that
the hard working men were excluded by a
false civilization from what was falsely
termed the "better classes of society,"
However much foreign writer's may have
traduced our American character, he be-
ieved there was one exception. De To-
quevllle has we'll described our arisiocracy
oil opinion. Association aims to reverse
Inc relative estimate which society in its
present organization attaches to the produ-
eng 0na non..producng classes; it proposes
10 dignity labor, and 10 make it honorable
III proportion 10 the necessity which re-
CURES 1t. Many kinds OF labor which are
absolutely most indispensable, are re sarded
as most degrading. Is this estimating la
Dor properly! ASsocia.io, ,l