The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-06-01
French Poiitios-oomn,unisnn.

view of the different systems for the improvement
Of the social condition Of the laborng classes which
had been projected and discussed during the last
thirty years and which systems, or rather the
wants which gave rise to them, are now working
their effects upon the whole political organization
and social economy of Europe, and which are
likely to lead to some immediate results in the recon-
struction of the Government of France. We shall
endeavor to redeem the promise, with the more
| readiness, as we are convinced that without some
general idea of these great social movements, the
transactions now taking place will be nearly unin-
telgble to the great mass of our readers, and many
well digesed and perhaps necessary measures Will
appear to be dangerous useless innovations upon
the preexisting order of things.
The political economists at the head of whom
stood the great founder of the Modern School,
Adam Smith, and among the distinguished teach
ers of which, Were Say, Ricardo, M'Culloch and
Others had carried the science of the production Of
wealth TO its highest point of perfection. Their
theories OF free trade of the division Of labor, of the
nature and employment of capital, and of the slim
ulating effects of unrestricted competition, left
thing be desired, far as the principles Of pro-
duction We're concerned and the discoveries of
Watt and the inventions of Arkwrght gave new
force and power to the elements which these phi
losophers had analysed and classified. The sci
ence of production was complete-and the ma
chinery of production, from the discovery of the
power and application of steam, was rapidly advan-
cling to perfection. Wealth, almost boundless, ap-
peared to be within the grasp of man. But would
this wealth contribute TO the general happiness! So
every one hoped and believed. But the delusion
was soon dlssIpated. Malthus in an essay upon
population demonstrated in the clearest manner,
and by chain of reasoning ofthe coolest and most
unfesng kind, that in the present constitution of
society, which he took for the basis of his system,
population would always be encroaching upon
subsistence, and that the only limit to its increase
was the starving point; that consequently the con-
dition of the aboring classes must ever grow worse
until they had attained the lowest level consistent
with the maintenance of animaii life. This theory,
revolving to every generous feeling, so destruc-
tive of all noble emotions, so bghting to everyhope
of the future, has been often assailed but never
futed. In France, Sisrnondi in his work, Nou
uedun Principles d. Economic Politique, showedethat
the principles of the political economists, while
they pointed out the mode of increasing the mass
of wealth. at the same time, would, reduced to
practice, increase the suffering, and misery, and
degradation that Nautilus had pointed out. That
the employment of large capitals must, in
system of free competition. reduce the small capt.
talist to the condition Of the laborer.. That
petition among aborers striving for food must reduce
the wages of all, and that the substitution of ma
chnery for human power muststil further deterior
ate their condition and augment their misery. He
did not rest upon mere theory, he demonstrated the
truth of his conclusions by existing facts. He
pointed to the condition Of England, where the &C.
emulation of wealth during the last fifty years has
been the wonder and admiration of the world; but
where the attendant increase of restitution, pau
perism and crime has been appalling. He pointed
to France and Germany, where the same causes
have been in operation with like results. He clearly
foresaw the tendency of all this-that it must end
in the general overthrow of all governments and of
all society, or in the perpetual degradation and
suffering of the greater part of the human race.
But clearly understanding the evil, he did not pre-
tend to point out remedy. This was problem
beyond his power to solve; and he concludes his
book by the despairing confession, " that having
pointed wherein consisted the true principles of
justice, do not feel myself capable of indicating
the means of execution; the distribution of the
profits of labor among those who contribute to pro-
duce them, appears to me to be9vicious but it
seems to me almost above human capacity to con-
ceive of condition of property absolutely different
from that with which we acquainted by expert
ence. The alarm which the work of Sismondi
caused among the thinking people of Europe, caused
many to turn their attention to the discovery of
remedy for the evil which had been exposed in so
mastery manner. The question was eminently a
pressing and practical one, and it early assumed
q ralir ri, tba art:o ,Ior
we cannot treat in this number-indeed, each sect
of reformers richly deserves and shall receive a
special artice--but the general tendency of the
whole may be gathered from the following extract
from the book ofsVicomte Alban de- Villeneuve-
Bargemont, entitled Economic Polihgue Chretienne
:" What appears certain is, that the days of monop
oily and oppression are finished never to return,
and that great transition approaches. Now. it
can only be brought about in two ways: either by
the violent irrupion of the suffering and laboring
classes against the masters of property and indus
try, that is to say, by return TO barbarism-or by
the general and practical application Of the princi-
pies of justice, of morality, of humanity and OF
charity. All the knowledge of statesmen, all the
efforts of good men, should be employed 10 prepare
the way for this transition by The means of persua
sion and wisdom. There is evidently new devel-
opment of Christianity called for by the world.
Christian charity, at length put in action in politics.
in laws institutions and customs, can alone preserve
the social edfce from the frightful dangers which
threaten it-beyond that al is deusion and lie
In our next article upon this subject, shall treat
of the st. Simonians, or New Christians, and of
their social system.
The French Elections
We have frequently cautioned our readers against
placing reliance upon the accounts of French af
fairs published in the English papers. Those reck
less supporters of corrupt oligarchy, seeing their