New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-21
THE TRIBUNE.
From the Democratic Review for February
The American AssociatiOnists.

oM< Editor Of the Democratic Rer'e'e
HAVE read in the December number OF the
Democratic Review criticism oil the - W anderlng
lew" of Eugene Sue. This work is made the oc-
csson OF violen, philippe agaius, the American
Assocationsts and the social doctrines OF Charles
Fourier The article is such tissue OF misrepre-
sen,a,ions and perversions that | hardly know how
10 answer it, or what part 10 take up and reiute,
without exceeding tentod the limits you could give
me- Knowing, as | do that the article was pub
Gsbed during your absence from the country, hasten
10 take advantage OF your return, TO appeal 10 your
sense Of Justice TO allow me the privilege on Dchalt
Of no small number of high minded and honorable
mel honest in their views OF social reform, oil re-
plying in the same pages 10 that when we regard as
personally injurious as well as calumnious and un-
ius, TO doctrine. Without putting this reply In
controversial form, undertaking detailed crltl-
cism OF the article of your correspondent shall
best attain my object by proceeding to explain
simply and briefly the aims the objects, and the
principles OF those who have been SO extremely
and unwarrantably misreprescnted.
The American Associatonists advocate Social
Rsf0rr-a thorough and organic reform IN the
present system OF Society, inherited from the dark
ages OF monarchica Europe and blood stained Greece
and Rome, and which IS still erect governing the
des.incs OF the most advanced nations on the earth
We believe that this system OF Society, called Civil
izaiion has eptaed carnage and servl,ude, misery
conflicts disunion and ignorance long enough upon
Mankind and that the time has al length arrived tor
change in this monstrous social mechanism, ana
the peaceful establishment Of new social order in
its place.
The American people have taken the initiative In
this great and righteous work they have reformed n
part Of this old and rotten social systematic OF
spring of epochs of war, slavery and oppression
they have reformed the political part; they have
stripped il OF its political tyranny, Injustice lnequall
ties and eXtortions-and Kings, Aristocraces, en-
tailed estates titles, &c. &c. have been swept away
by the spirit of progress of the American people 1t
now remains for US, as people TO complete the great
work, aud reform Tie social system nScI, with lis
false degrading, bruialiZing unrequited and ill
reouited system of Labor-is conflicts of all in
teress-its unequal war Of Capital against Labor
and its fierce, cnvious and relentless competition,
with i,s ha,reds. and jeaouses, and the Industrial
anarchy 10 which ii gives rise-its grossly unequal
social opportunities and privieges-lts domestic
serviude-i;s system of mental and hirelng labor
isproracted, unjust and clubbing system OF Law,
and its other social evils and abuses.
We believe that this is the true cork OF our age
and nation and ice as americans, hare undertaken
H. We advocate Social Reform, and we are, in
fact Social Reiormers; we prosecute our enterprise
in the name OF God and humanity, with deep and
firm faith and conviction that we are T7gh that we
are engaged III the most sacred and holy Of causes
in which men can be engagcd-for it is the cause OF
the elevation Of mankind from poverty, suffering.
ignorance and degradation 10 universal abundance,
universal intelligence and happiness.
Not wishing 10 take u name SO inuCn duuseu Ms
that OF :" Reormer," We have chosen the simple
name of Associationis,s and used it in all our works
and on all occasions
The writer OF the article TO which answer The
reasonings and sophistrics of which together with
Isolated quotations from Eugene Sue are strung TO-
gelher i'll manner mes, disgusting to The moral
sense Of our souls-has tit to call us Fourier
aes name which we have always rejected. first,
because we do not wish to clothe our great work
with the livery OF any man $ name; and second be
we look upon Fourier as an eminent writer
and thinker ON .S0cici .ScteHce-and II would be
false 10 give his name as il would be TO give 10
Astronomy the name OF kepler or Newton
Let me stale the general principles on which we
base conviction OF the necessity OF great re
form In the social condition OF the human race and
the possibility of their elevation TO high state OF
dignity, truth and happiness. My view OF these
principles may differ slightly from those OF Others,
but believe essentially.
/ We believe that God of infinite Lore and
infinite Wisdom created and governs the Universe.
. We believe that our globe and the Humanity
upon form part of the Universe. and that hence
tie Lars OF divine Justice, Order and Harmony
rhich cocerH the tRirerSe, can he extended 10 and
established UpOR our earth.
5 We believe that these Laws of Divine Order
are revealed and manifested in the works OF crea-
ton-in the movement of the heavenly bodies. in
the distribution and arrangement OF the animal.
vegetable and mineral kingdoms-in the harmonies
discovered by science, like the mathematical and
musical and in ali other departments. These laws
are the attributes OF the wisdom Of the Creator w
believe, ALSO that the commandments OF His Love,
have been given TO the world by the Prophets. and
atheir fulness by Christ who proclaimed The broth
erhood and unity of the race-that they were all
one brothers of one family, children OF one God
and who said {" AS | have loved you, 80 love We
one another s" and instructed his disciples TO pray
and labor that the kingdom OF God. and his justice
might come and his will be done EARrH, as ii is
n md thpt IN all mi 10
daily bread abundance of all things necessary
TO The BODY and soul.
l. We believe that man is free agent, endowed
with independent action and the high gift OF reason
and mental association with God and that he must
dtscorer By has olcn efforts and genus these Laws
Of divine Order and Justice, and establish them upon
earth. Ii Man does not do this, then discord and
INDIFFERENCE reign in their place, govern the world,
and epsender all the evils that opprcss and
curse IT, But 10 be impeled TO seek for these Laws.
msn must be animated by love 10 God and human.
W the love must exist first and give power and di-
rection 10 his nteiec, If those literary critics that
are biting the heels OF genius, were fired by any
spark OF this noble sentiment they would endeavor
10 discover remedies for the miserics that Cypress
their fellow men instead OF making hypocriiical
parade OF their pretended purity and virtue and
sensibili,y 10 truth and principle.
That the Laws of Divine Order and harmony
with their results the Brotherhood and unity of the
Race. and the elevation and happiness o. the whole
hOmsn family do not exist on the earth, is abund-
snly proved by facts around US
Look at your wars between nations, with their
carnage and devastation look at your incompatible
caes and classes in each nation-masers and slaves
nch and poor employers and hirelings-wi,h are
ssnSe, oppression and contempt on one side, and
envy and haired on the other; look al your strites
and inirigues between sects and parties; at your
saads, overreachings, duplcity, lying cheating and
sgs!lzed plunder in commerce, finance and indus
ny; look a, your discussions in families. at your
qasrrels, antipathies and calumaics between ndi-
nduas in all their daily business affairs look a;
rampant Mammou, wringing from the toiling mil
ions The wealth created by their sweat and their
s.Sod look at men devouring the substance of each
zoe saes like beasts OF prey; look AT the vice. crime
80 drunkenness that prevail, particularly in your
ase cities lock al the prostitutes in your streets
ssyoor poor houses and your prisons; at your beg
SsSnd your crminas,-look al all this and far more
.aan can describe. and say whether the present
'ssem OF society is true and Divine Order in
aeo The laws Of God reign, or if it is not rather
. See'as Hell? When we contemplate this awful
Se ene, what can We say of those benighted souls,
., ao. instead OF taking any part in the great and
GO work Of social progress and human DEVIATION