Indiana State sentinel., 1848-04-27
Social Reform i'm France.

The London correspondent Of the Intelligencer, in
giving succnct account of the Revolution, from day
to day. not indeed with graphic power of eve
witness, such Mr.. Martin, but from the newspa-
pers as they herald the news TO the world expresses
his misgviDgs certain manifestations of socialism
and communism, in the midst of the political changes
of the day. Permit me to say that these very mani
festatio4S Revolution of 1913 will not
be mere political claptrap-n0t a mere change of
one master for another; but that the new rulers,
called to the stage of history, Will seriously occupy
themselves with the great problem of the age-imme-
date and urging Europe, but equally unavoidable
in this countryside organization of labor fair,
equitable Just and philosophical basis That problem
must be solved sooner or later and II shows ordi-
nary degree of moral courage to venture upon its
luton at time when the social elements out of
jont-when the coercive power of the government is
positively equal to
We learn that Emil de Girardin, the proprietor of
the newspaper La PreSSe" has been induced to take
his whole numerous Personale, down to the paper
folders, into partnership, IN order that they may share
equiiaby, and according TO the work done by each
member of the company, the profits of their labor;
instead of hiring each man Of the lowest price his
species of labor commands IN the market, and thus
measuring his food and raiment, means of comfort
and education of each man, not by the necessary con-
ditions of his moral and physical being, but by the
demand and supply merely, every other species of
marketable commodity. The idea that labor, the
price of it, is be regulated only in regard to
capital, but also with view to the physical and
moral condition of the laborer, forces itself upon the
present organization of society with such imperative
Justice that to disregard it would betray very dull
appreciation of the philosophical principles of free
dom. The whole society of state is but partner
chip a large scale with mutual rights and guaran-
tys, and TO introduce the reciprocal obligations
between the laborer and the employer, is marking
distinct Improvement in the condition Of mankind.
Our whale fisheries are carried on entirely on the
nd Io,-
prospered under it. There reason why the same
similar organization should not prevail
cotton manufactures, iron foundres &c. There is
nothing mOnstrous In all this to make despair
of the Republic Where there is universal suffrage
there must be universal education to sustain, but it
is physically impossible for the latter to exstwithout
the comparative ease and comfort of the laborng
classes. If you degrade the latter to cogs and
spokes and wheels In a machinery, you will always
require coercve force to govern them.
| cannot refrain here from bringing once more to
the notice of the readers of the Ledger the views of
Mr. Secretary Walker-the only member of the cabi-
net who, perhaps, would venture either boldly
conceivng or expressing them. quote from his last
Treasury Report, page "A.
"The energetic American freeman and does
perform far effective labor in q day than what
Is called by the restrctoniss the pauper labor of Eu-
rope and therefore, the employer here pay
for days toll TO our w0rkingmen Measured by
the day. the wages here may be higher than in Eu-
rope; but, measured by the work done that day,
there is but little difference. And when all capi-
tasts (as already have) shall find il to be their
true interest, addition to the wages paid to the
American workman, to allow him voluntarily, be-
cause ii augments the profits of capital, iar inter-
est in those prois and elevate him to the rank of
partner In the concern, may then defy all compe-
tition This is the principle, illustrated by uni
form experience proving that he who rents his farm
builds his house, sails his ships, or conducts any 9TH
er business upon shares, realizes the largest return
and that he who works by the Job produces more in
the same time than the laborer whose wages paid
by the day. The Skill energy and industry, the in
terest and pride In success the vigilance and perse-
verance that will be manifested by intelligent
workingmen under such system, will far more than
refund to capital such reasonable participation in its
profits, and enable such American establishments to
supply all the nations Of the world The introduction
of this system will be voluntary because is most
Just and beneficial to all parties Ii is the participa-
ton of all people in the government, that is
great of prosperity and tine participation
Of workingmen in the profits of industrial
adjustments would exhibit similar results. Our
whale and other fisheries present strong evidences of
the success attending American industry, where
intelligent freemen-the wOrkngmen of the concern,
stimulated by just participation in the profts-have
driven from the most distant the whale ships Of
other nations and nearly monopolized this pur-
suit. The intelligent worklngmen of country
far better prepared for the adoption of this truly re-
publican system than those Of any other naton and
this elevation of the oiling millions Of America
just participation the profits of that capital which
is made fruitful only by their industry, will yet enjoy
as great triumph that unfettered trade and un-
taxed and unrestricted labor with which it ought
be- and certainly yet will be, proudly associated Un
der this system, the aborng men, whilst they receive
the full wages heretofore allowed them, would also
participate, to reasonable extent in the profits as
an addition to their wages and most powerful and
certain stimulus render their labor more productive
and thus increase for the benefit Of all concerned the
capitalist and workingman, the profits of the estab-
lshment. What is called the pauper labor of Europe
already inferior to labor, but would be render
ed still more powerless to compete with when la
Dor here participated with capital in the profits.
When we reflect that the working freemen of the
Union must constitute the great of the people
whose votes will control the government and direct the
policy of the nation, the superior comfort education
intelligence and information necessarily resulting to
them from this improvement of our social SYSTEM is
important TO the successful progress and perpetuty of
free institutions. and must be grateful every
| republican patriot and lover of mankind"
i No reasonable will, in the above, see any
thing disorganizng and destructive but the
trary, organizing and constructive of society," making
it morally and physically capable of that selfgovern-
which it is the boast of institutions really
and substantially to establish. The social question
may not be pressing in this country Europe,
because labor is still eagerly sought by capital but
that does not change the reare position Of labor and
capital, though it may render its effects less visible
In Europe it is question of life and death to the
masses, and one which must be solved before any
government can be said to be established firm
basis. We shall presently sec how long England
will be able to defer its solution.
COL THos. J. POWER, who was placed-on the Penn.