Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1845-11-08
SOCIAL REFORM

thAy may De, ana however snuS" S0"PssousS
with sensual passions may have debased them
seem in a fair way to be talked and sheorized
into state of perfec. freedom from all the
miseries attendant upon the qualification OF un'
bridIed passions and corupting appetites.-
PhiIan,hropic philosophers throng the world
.'thick as leaves in Vallambrosa pro-
claims the sovereign virtues Of his own pana'
cea for all the ills to which human society is
iable-each, with weeping and downcast
eyes, talks loud and feelingly Of the untold
miseries of man, the snfferings Of the poor
the corrup,ions and extortions Of the wealthy,
the relation between Capital and Labor, the
elevation Of the people, the rights Of the mass
es-and each shows, or faucies he shows,
shor. and certain road to an FL Dorado OF
bliss, where the organization Of human ins'l'
tu,ons is perfectly free from evil. The warm
hearted and enthusiastic disciple OF ChaIles
r ourleT pIUUIa,..,s -S..-~- Of '.:- a'ns'e'
plan for the reorganization Of Society. and the
inestimab!e blessings its adoption would be
sure 10 confer upon the family Of man. he
Socialist presents his bewildering theory nm
der all its hundred differen, phases, and les.
cants at length upon the second Eden of p'vce,
and plenty. and delverance from evil it would
spread abroad upon the stained, polluted earth.
The disciples of thousand different schools
present their varying and incongruous theories
countless names and phrases, drawn from
Lexicon of Religion, Philanthropy and Truth
are used to cover the ''counterfeit present.
ment'' Of their original observation-disclosures
upon the superficial gaze-and ensrap the un'
thinking and unwary.
But we beg leave to assure these self.s,yled
reformers and benefactors Of society, that all
their projects, and all their talk, and all their
labors, tend to no useful end. Indeed they
actually tend to incredible evil by withdraw.
ing the minds Of men from what is actually
tue, feasible and excellent. That world Of
untold and inconceivable suffering and evil ex.
lists under the present organization Of society
we cannot deny-we are sure. too, that 1t will
always exist, whatever phase society may as.
sumo, till new, pu!er, and better life
dawns from ADORE upon the heart Of man, till
he learns to control his imperious and debasing
passions and appe'i'es. and ill his present
character becomes merged in that Of the d.
vioity from which he sprang, bu, who. c,ss t.
he now has lost. Philosophers, v,ofon so
called, may heorize Till they are bin and
declaim till they are deaf-iheirp al5 cold
and lifeIess, such as "play round the head but
calculated to benefit mankind. The scheme
for true and beneficial Social Reform is On.
dreamed Of by these visionary thecs,n1sss--it
has abou, it too much genuine hear Ids TX to
fall within the limited sphere Of their compre.
hension. And yet it is pracsised by many
whose names have figured a, 90 Worlds Con.
vention, and can be found on the lists of no
Fourier Association. The true system Of So
cial Reform has been discovered, and is prac-
tised, by all who visit the dark, damp, and
reeking allies Of our cities, and strive TO lead
their depraved and vicious inmates forth to
Light, and Morality, and Truth. 1t is seen
and practised tJ all to whom pleasing and
glittering theories have no charm, hut who
prefer to tread assiduously the true paths Of
benevolent action-by all who have felt upon
their own hearts holy and electric impulse
drawn fresh from Truths own altar-by all
who strive to waken degenerate man to the
cultivation of virtues which are to make him
happier here, and which will ripen in the bet.
ter life hereafter-by all who touch, mould,
improve and elevate the hearts Of their fellow
men-by all who instruct the ignorant, elevate
the debased. cheer the responding. and allevi-
ate the pains and sorrows Of the wretched-by
ALL in short, who make men wiser, happier and
better. Such, and such only, are the true re-
formers Of the social evils Of mankind.
The LEGlsLATURE.-There being no definite
business for our Legislature to transact it is
| said that Gov. Chambers will not call ayheet-
ing Of that body the present season. The
Governor will be absent, and Mr.. Williams,
. ~