The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-23
The Org anfzatiOn of Labor.
NuMPFR YvII

concluded my last number with the following
sentence: Before we attempt the erection of
new building, it is necessary to remove the frag-
ments and rubbish of the old Or in other words:
Before we busy ourselves with the Organization of
Labor, it is indispensable to make room for the
Organizer. During period of about thirty years
/ have been present in more than thousand popu-
lar congregations, where the doctrine of "Na-
tonal Reform of Association of Z" Universal
Brotherhood of "the Organization of Labor
etc, was discussed All these meetings were evil
IDENTIFY got up, and frequented by such as We're dis.
satisfied with the present state of things, and de-
sired its abolition or change. The religious and
irreligious the believer and unbeliever the faith
full and infidel; the christian and ti-christan
the deist and atheist all joined in one chorus
of condemnation against this state of civil an
archy and trading competition; yet, strange to
say, all, without exception, began the work of
Reform by copying from the old the features of
their new system, in forming constitutions, eecting
presidents, vice-presdents, secretaries and treasur
ers and proceeded to manage the work of regenera-
ton in the same manner as politicians wont to
do with the conflicting powers of a, so called, gov
eminent. But what appeared still more strange,
the evils they complained of mostly, and which they
labored to remove, were not near, at home, in
themselves, their own families, in the circle of their
own household, in their neighborhood by no
means. They were vexed with the Capitalist
North East, and the Shareholder South West they
stood arragned with Catholicism on the one side,
and Professionalism the other they were armed
in deadly hostility against superstition, by those
who believed in nothing, or spouting hell and dam
nation with those who believed in every thing.
All seemed to perceive, with eageeye, the evils
that surrounded them, but were utterly unable to
the greatest in themselves. But if it happened
and that was the case sometimes-that very rich
man came to those meetings, how gentlemanly,
how lady-hke, they all became suddenly 1.-the Uery
sphere of Mammon commanded respect the spirits
hushed into silence; " the almighty dollar" spoke,
without uttering sound and the true religion of
the masses was revealed at once. 1t was plain
that they looked for salvation towards the very gulf
whence their misery arose. Indeed, it became
evident that it not the Organization of Labor
they wanted, but the means, if possible, TO live
without it.
Ii is truly wonderful to see the pains which are
taken by the friends of Social Reform to exhibit
'' the Philosophy Of Labor" showing how indus
try is rendered attractive under certain conditions
which make all kinds of labor not only pleasant,
but even delightful, by creating, nourishng, the
passion for some particular work. Such passion,
they say, will make the author write with enthusi
assn, the artist work with fervor, the tradesman
drive his business with zeal, and even the common
laborer 'oll with nnweared industry; or, by change
young men and lively young women who take
part in work, otherwise irksome and monoonous
or, by accompanying the laborer through the har.
vest-fied the corn-iusking, the ruit-gatherinp.
the apple-orchard or vineyard, with music and
song All these things we know, may be and are
done-by whom! BY "the taboring classes" of
their own accord, without, however, exciting
among " the upper ten - the least desire for imita-
ton Do you know why! Their pleasures are
derived, not from their own labor, but from squan-
derng the price of labor performed by others; and
pleasures which they need, TO make the crime Of
fashionable idleness endurabe, different from
those of the virtuous aborer heaven is from hell
Look at the illustrious Wittelsbacher paying the
price of village for the pleasure of well-turned
somerset and county for the sight of the leg-ange
Of 95 degrees, described by the equestrial Lola
Monez, in her splendid career, till down she comes,
royal grace, nobility and all, and the dregs of the
Bavarian majesty in the mud after her. Do you
hear the big boys shout and the little ones burn
crackers, and the rabbe smash windows to shivers,
and publishers send out an ertrd," and hucksters
fling rotten eggs and saur-krout at the military, till
the exultation becomes universal; the world turn
upheaving mass of corruption you would preach
" The philosophy Of labor" and the attractiveness of
virtuous industry. Spare your breath, gentlemen
1t will require fearful sitting before the world
becomes fit TO receive the doctrine of the Organiza
ton of Labor in its purity, and one more fearful
still, until it is carried out in universal practice
You tried it in France, in Germany, in these Uniled
States. Show me your Organizations you have
none TO show. Well, then, in the next number
VIII show you some Of mine.
CHRISTIAN BuRGHALDER.