The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-08-03
NC Problen.

b
period has now arrived IN the history of the
world. when problem of vital importance to hui
mainly must be solved problem. which involves
the happiness of a vast portion Of society, and
lpon whose solution viii depend the future happi
ness of our race. This problem is the re6rganiza-
ton Of the social system upon basis which shall
secure to the masses larger share of the enjoyments
of life than they are now in possession Of That
there are great errors in our present system, par
ticuarly as it exists in Europe, no reasonable man
can doubt, unless he believes that the many were
intended BY Nature to live in misery, while the few
reyel in luxury tits fact, which must strike any
rejecting man, that the great Improvements made
in machinery during the last fifty years, and which
might reasonably have been expected to improve
the condition of mankind, have, so far from pro-
ducing that effect, only tended 10 concentrate
wealth in the hands of few, making them more
wealthy, while the poor have become yet poorer
The saving of labor, resulting from the immortal
inventions of Arkwright and others, has undoubt-
eddy increased the facilities of production and aug
mented the aggregate wealth Of society But ii is
evident that the power TO produce without the aid
of manual labor, and the steady increase of popu-
lation must necessarily entail upon the world nu
class, who, their services not being needed
are unable to procure employment, and, consequent
ly, sustenance-whie those who are employed are
entirely subject to the control of capital, with the
rate of their remuneration constantly declining
In sparsely populated countries this effect is as yet
scarcely observable but in the ensely-inhabited
States of Europe it has long been evident, and has
been "a source of disquetude and inquiry to states
men and philanthropists. Numerous theories have
been proposed and systems advocated, to reconcile
the apparently conflicting interests of labor and
capital, and to make the offspring of mans genius
subservient to the general happiness. 1t is this
problem which both Fourierism and Communism
pretend to solve, and it is scarcely just that we
should reject them without examining their claims
to our attention, unless we car. propose something
better than either So clear, in Europe, is the
necessity of some change, that Nautilus, celebrated
English political economist, advocated the prohibit
ton Of marriage among the lower classes, in order
to check the increase ofpopulation. The futility
of this expedient is, however, almost selfevident
much more efectual method would have to be
resorted to in order to produce such an effect But
humanity shudders at this proposition, and there,
therefore, remain but two alternatives Either the
present form of society must be modified that all
who are willing to work shall be able to obtain
employment, and the products of labor be more
equally distributed, Or if this be not done the sur
plus population must be exterminated. Until one
of these courses be taken, there will never be an
end to commissions and boodshed, for it cannot be
expected that men will starve as long as there is
any thing to eat. The French have rejected the
experiment of social reform, and have adopted the
rather doubtful policy Of shooting those who are most
elamorous. Yet in acting thus, they have thrown
away the prestige Of clemency, and at least desire
for reform, and have, in some degree, justified like
retaliation by the workmen We will not stop to
inquire into the justice the course ofacton pursued
blythe French bourgeoiSe for one thing is certain,
if society will not take some means to feed the
starving, it must shoot them, to get them out of
misery Whether the laboring classes of France,
however, will consent to remain quiet under this
system of wholesale butchery, remains for time to
develope Either the executioners will become
sick of their bloody work, or the victims who yet
remain will make another, perhaps a successful
effort to obtain their undoubted rights. There may
be other, perhaps more peaceful and better means
Of achieving the same end, than bloodshed and in
surrection; but one party will not listen TO reason
and is not susceptible of human emotions, it cannot
be expected Of the other. 1t has come to be, in
France pure question of might against might, and
in our opinion, superior strength will be found
the side of superior right.