The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-14
The Problem of the Age Solved.
Manifesto


Manifesto
OF ROBERT OWEN TO THE CIVILIZED WORLD, on THE
APPROACHING GREAT AND HAPPY CHANGE IN THE
GENERAL CONDITION OF HUMAN ExIsENcE.
How much longer must the world continue under the
basefu influence Of fundamental errors, tho most
demoraizing in their effects which while they shall be-
they hitherto have been supported by the authorities
of the world cannot fail to produce wide dsunon
crimes and misery to the millions in all countries over the
earth Hitherto by the operations of system based solely
on false conceptions and inexperienced the
well being and happiness of mankind and the best and
highest interests of humanity have boon sacrificed The
human race civilized and savage have had their charac
tiers so uniformed to force them through e to feel
think and act most irratonay At the present moment
the history Of our in the war now raging lin
this advanced stage toward superior cviizaton be-
tween the United States and Mexicothe quarrel
powerful nations about the marriage of young
persons-the supposed necessity by other powerful
lions for extinguishing the little republic Of Cracow
the starving condition Of the pcasantry Of Ireland whilst
surrounded by the abundant for the crs,-
ton of ilimitablc wealth-thesc few among the
numberess proofs Of the fundamental Of the
isting system as modified, by the the most ad-
vanced nations OF the, so called civilized world
has become most evident those with
tho past and present history Of mankind that system
based on falsehoods opposed to all facts, and pal
pable to those who reflect without prejudice,
be made to form the character Of to be rational in
thought or conduct conduct society to virtue
or to permanent prosperity and happiness The lament
able enecs which this system while maintained by the
authorities Of the world, must produce upon the human
race, have been always felt and deplored They have
Hson explained nd In M ways =. various periods
explained with the view to induce the world gradually
prepare wisely and with foresight for the great coming
thirty years ago he knew and foretod from the then
UNDECIDED extension Of msdrectcd scientific power and
knowledge could not be long delayed short history of
these explanations Is now necessary preliminary to
further important measures for directing this great
and inevitable change that 1t shall consist In the adop-
ton OF means, sure and certain, to make all, by
rational education, through superior external cir
round oil with superior wealth which will be justly
distributed to govern all most bcnehcally each and
within good, and wise andsuperor circumstances; the
only practical means by which men be made to
become good and wise, and superior in the qualities OF
Are there any phianthropists philosophers statesmen
experienced men Of business political economists who
know how to effect this change in practice! The writer
Of this manifesto has been long anxious discover them
either in Europe America but hitherto he sought
for them in vain His greatest pleasure would been
unobtrusively to work with to aid and assist such IA
vored individuals and If this manifesto bring them
FORTH such will yet DO his greatest satisfaction for he
future fame-thess from youth have appeared to him
the mere playthings Of carly infancy Of mind
his proceedings to gradually open the public mind in Eu-
rope and America to the and drcfu and
evils Of tho system under which all have hitherto lived
and suffered and to prepare all classes in all countries
for tho change which Is inevitably coming upon the
world and also to prove that he has not takon this
subject prematurcly or on light foundation.
In 1901 the writer at tho ago OF 30 having had ten
previous experience in distributing wealth among
az al classes as now Practsed, had population of
800 men, women and children, and an important manu-
featuring placed under his sole direction in
Manchester England He govern this popu-
MI
ed to be true and highly beneficial for practice although
In direct opposition to the crude notions which soce
had always acted and all around him were then act
ing In this experiment he emincnty successful for
these principles enabled him speedily give improved
character to this population, and through them to the
manufacture, which was rapidly carried to much high
er state Of perfection than had been previously attained
In 1899. another population at New Lanark in Scot
land also under his sole direction Il consisted at
first Of about 1900 and gradually extended to
Here he adopted the same principles and practices
which had proved successful in Manchester wit
creasing beneficial Effects and this experiment emf
nently successful both morally and pccunarily that for
many years attracted the attention Of strangers
experiments, which at their termination extended
through forty Of extensive invaluable practice
ced upon him BY circumstances the foundation Of all
the writer's public proceedings and such practice
necessary to develope such results.
He had now ascertaincd that the world, through
another system had prize Of ncstimabe value obtain
soon as the deep rooted preudccs ATTITUDES and lon
gitudcs, which at the foundation of all individual
character, could be overcome and the eyes OF those
trained from BIRTH gradually to become mentally blind
could be opened by some that should not
too much anger hatred and violence to the operators
Tor such has been the nature Of this mental mnady that
to attempt Its cure created in the patients the
lent irritation and anger To effect the object and pre-
vent this Irrational extended and accurate
practical knowledge OF human nature, inter minabe
and an underwriting temper Of charity and
kindness for all errors were absolutely necessary.
These qualities the writer ardcntly sought to
acquire and always endeavored to apply them to the
proceedings he Is now narrating In 1919 after he had
mad upwards Of twonty year. extensive experience In
inc
years in producing and distributing wealth. he opened
this subject to the world by publishing four essays cnt
ractcr, based on the knowledge that nm entirely new
character might and must be given all before society
can be made to become good wise and happy This work
Lvcrpoos administration. was widely circulated among
the governments universities and leading statesmen
Europci all OF whom wero requested to state thor OBJ
jcctons To these views II they had any on the al
crnate blank leaves bound with the work for this pur
pose NO serious objection to principles based solely
the unchang1pg laws OF nature. could be made
from any quarter Lord Sdmouth ns Secretary Of state
sent copy to al the Arehbshops and Bishops in Eng
The principles advocated In these essays which randi
" extended TO five editions made convert OF the Prime
Minister OF England and produced favorable effect up
ON large majority Of his cabinet These essays were
well received by MIR Wbcrforcc to whom one Of them
was dedcated also by the late Archbishop Of Cantcr-
bury, and the late DR. Ireland Dean of Westminstcr
After severe examination and most interesting Discus
sion with the late Bishop Of PETERBOROUGH when he was
Margaret Professor the University of Cambridce md
who was then deemed the most learned theologiun in
Europe having spent twelve years in the German
verstes he frankly acknowledged in his library at mid.
night after second discussion Of six hours the unas-
salabe truths Of the principles which he asccrtaned
now but never before suspected based on
ing laws Of nature His Royal Hghness late Duke Of
Kent was not only disciple, warmly attached to these
principles and new views, but also the chairman of q
COMMITTEE formed TO promote the writer's plans pre-
pairing the public TO carry them into effect
they should be sufficiently comprohsndcd for practice
and their Immense value 10 society could be made
In sct at this period In the upper ranks Of o Of
superior minds who had time and inclination to nvest-
gate subject 20 new, and, as It at first appeared,
snge became converts as long list Of subscribers,
Nhb large sums TO their to forward the object
continue. TO testify These sums, in the aggregate,
amounted TO my thousand pounds but the writer to
commence his experiment required two hundred and
MY thousand pounds m the least that could DO applied
70 exhibit even an imperfect model the superior ar
nngement which he contemplated. The most immc-
ste practical effect Of these essays the establish.
ment BY the late King Of Prussia Of national system OF
education recommended Ina the work An autogrsp h
rom his Majesty 10 the writer, conveyed through his
Misiser NJ London Baron Jacob expressed his entire
appreciation and his determination to commence n
national system Immediately and this the next year
carried Into execution