New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-01-13

10 ne Edfor II fis CJ'vi9- & EuqeirT:
intend in this article to discuss directly and
Sufficiently the doctrine OF Circumstances and their
influence on Human Character and Destiny. It
seems to be your chief difficulty in regard to As
sociation that it requires good dispositions in its
members which dispositions it is obyious that 4
large portion Of the Human Family now ack.
and under existing circumstances are little
likely u attain. Hence you argue, in the spirit Of
the Caliph who burnt the AlexAnirisn Library that
since the norsn, and sgualid eonessedly inf.
for Association they only become so By an ntrn-
sic Moderation which. If effected would render Asso-
citation unnecessary let US consider this
Here is a community-ssy the people Of Paterson, "
j. or Of some Ward Of this City,-comPrising every
grade Of fortune from boundless wealth TO extreme in
dgence and emacaton. Some enjoy incomes Of so coo
per Annum with little labor or care on their own part
others by the strenuous industry cannot earn $500
per annum yet from this must pay the rent food snd
fuel Of family Many in the creates; need yet can
ind no way to earn penny for weeks-sre absolutely
compelled .ubssi charity 10 subsst al all
And is this necessity calculated 70 degrade them in
spirit and in morals Take two men Of equal and me
dunn qualities and secure 70 one ample. whaling re-
Enumerated employment enlightened associates daily
opportunities 10 perfect himself in industrial scientific
and historical knowledge, with the moral certainty OF
an enduring home and generous subsistence while
you leave the other struggle with the wants tempts
tons alterations OF excessive labor and involuntary
ideness Of mere Iaborer in this City present and
who can doubt that the former would naturally grow
wiser and better increasing in self Prospect and the re-
spect Of his associates while the latter would steadily
grsvitse toward the grog-shop and the Aims House -
Not that every individual orcumstanced ike the former
would become wise and good that every bod car
rier and street sweeper Of City doomed to end
his days Incorporate and probably in the Aims House,
but that the dozc in each case is to the result have
indicated
Take another illustration. Ny religion teaches me-
as think yours does you, that your and mine are
better than the children Of equally tender years now
growing up the cellars of Crosssrcet and the garret
Of Republican Alley. let you know, as know, that
the chance Of these latter coming to what called
bad end is immensely the greater The class of News
boys for example is mainly recruited from the cellars
and garrets tenanted by Citys crowded wretched
They are By nature better and no worse than
other boys just outgrowing infancy And yet few years
pass before aarge proportion of those who commence
newsboys ind themselves tenants Of the House Of
Refuge Blackwels Island SC. &c How is this These
boys, II early trained to habits Of industry and
good conduct would mainly have been virisous and
useful members OF Society. But child of ten
twelve years s driven forth by the incompetence
destituton OF his parentsperhaps by the loss Of them
to try 10 living by his eNertions and al
most the Only business upon which he can enter with
ont preparation, without permission and without CAPT
tai, is that OF selling newspapers shilling viii start
it, and the gains in hand every evening But this
very facility oyersocks the calling and renders It's pro
cecds mesger and prso.rions Thus evening often falls
upon the lad trudsng YEARLY hungrily home his pock
eis empty his papers unsod He is morally certain Of
abuse if blows should he ihus seek the shelter Of
the miserable hovel which his parents nhabit. One
desperate chance remains 10 him he raises the cry
"'Ercs The Hexira 'EralI Tribune or sun) got the
news OF another great battle in Mexlco-santa Anna de-
featcd 1000 killed At once his stock OF papers is
snapped up q, double prices and he turns the first cor
and scuis home with pocket fun and light heart
lie takes his oyster supper and glass Of grog with
ehuekle at bis adroiness and jos downn his mental
note book that Honesty is the best p0licy-someumes
others little jocuar roguery does better. To be
sure, he has damaged his line OF business somewhat
but he has resped al the benefit of that while al bu,
thousandh part Of the damage falls others Those
who curse the trick and resoye never to believe
day so he has taken degree in his education and is
ready for some more daring resort in hi, next 1T II
desperation or temptation So with Iaekdrying about
our City and scores OF other cslngs which existing
Society creates and sustns after fshon. Hundreds
all around making livelihood in yocsions which
require no personal integrity their part many in
ways which integrity would rather obsiruet The young
man who deals silks gracefully in a fashionable
Broadway store or mixes uleps dexerously in gentee
broadway bar may keep mistress in the next street
spend his nights the gambling dens Of Park place
yet those by whom he lives know nothing OF this his
current reputation not affected by H. II IL but iite
while since man entrusted with the responsible and
lucrative business Of collecting rents large City
property exposed and compelled to hy after having
for months if years been engaged decoyng young
into hi. den under pretenee Of employing them
as servants and then accomplishing their ruin by VIC
ence when Establishments threats and drugs would not
effect IT, How many pursuing Ike nefarious
courses can only be guessed but all see that our
present Social arrangements afford the simplest facilities
and impunty u such crimes There Is (or recently
was in the State Prison at singsing At least one poor
servant girl who was seEi there lrumpedup charge
stealing because she had been seduced By the son OF
her employer and no other occurred 20 the lam
lily Of preventing unpleasant expense and scandal
But will multiply examples. Briefly. II seems 10
me that ii malignant spirit had undertaken 10
contriye Social framework which should subject the
poor the humble the ignorant to the greatest possible
amount and variety of temptsuons-which should vir-
,uslly constran many and rresistiby draw far more
to the ways Of dissipation and sinhe could ardy in
the Light of Christianity and such Civilization as we
have, devise anything admirably adapted TO bis
purpose than the Social System under which We row
live
What then, do propose and hope ultimately to &C
,omphsh Granted that the Of the desttu te and
qushd incapable OF rising By their efforts to
evel with the requirements of just and beneheent So
cial order-are unable even to appreciate such Or
Ter. to desire is establishment what then The |
,ood work must be done nevertheless say let those
who az capable of concevng true Society proceed at
1nce 10 actuaize il example and encouragement
% others Let the Wealthy contribute OF their wealth.
he Wise Of their wisdom the Learned Of their cieucee
he Coed Of their pieY and chzrty to construct Social
Organization wherein homes, and industrious man /
an become pauper or a serf aai no widow and or /
,hans be driven ont from their home into cold and
hecress world because the husband and father has been
matched from them b. death. know all men arc not .