The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-11-10

be.wise, consult their true interests and genuine
renoun, and consgn the spirit of war TO per-
petual exilef
1t Is the fashion with many to deuounce all
plans which contemplate essential changes in
thsrenditon Of society as sgrarian, disorganir-
| pg end destructive. II il taken for granted
What things must necessarily remain as they are,
and that all who propose any great alteration
must be foolish Missionaries or dangerous level
Now are not Of those who believe that
great and radical changes can be instantaneous.
ly made in the structure Of society; nor on the
other hand do we agree with those who think
that society is well enough as it is, that i, is in
capable of any material improvement. obser.
vation, not only of the poorer classes, but o.
lswhat are called the better classes, teaches u,
that society is far from being we'll as tbs. TIL.
terrible inequalities in wealth and the means o,
happiness and usefulness, the ruinous extraya.
gance in habits Of living, the reckless competi
ton in business and the fearful danger to mora
principle which that competition involves, In,
disastrous and sudden changes from affiuence ID
poverty, these things, no less than actual anc
extreme restitution tell US that society need,
great changes and great improvements. AND
when We look back upon the progress of socie
| ty and zee what great changes have alread,
been effected, how great an advance has beer
made, We are assured that further changes an,
greoter improvements are by no means impos
sible. Hence while shrinking from the destruc.
tive spirit Of reckless radicalism, we would lis.
ten with earnest attention to every one who il
kindly spirit proposes any measures of socis
reform.
We have read from time to time with grea
interest accounts of the views and plans of IN,
Socialists in France and elsewhere. Some o.
their views are wild enough and some of thel
plans are absurdly impracticabe, while othel
views and plans are Of a character which com,
mends them to the careful consideration Of al
humane and Christian men; Socialism being
as our readers well know, one of that class O
convenient words which mean everything Of
nothing, and which comprehend all evil or al
good, according as used by enemies or friends
But however ultra the views Of Socialists gen.
orally may be, and however visionary most Of
| their schemes, 1t is certain that their cardinal
principle is one Of vast importance, of far nor.
than is generally supposed. They are right, a.
It seems to US, in regarding Association, distin.
guished from indIyidualism and antagonistic
competition, as one Of the greatest means Of no.
ciai improvement. They may overrate It's i'm.
portance, OF. at least they may underra,s the i'm.
portance and influence of individual action
aud character, but the principle itself is GER
tainly Of inestimable value. In tracing the pro.
gress OF society from savage to civilized life. Wa
everywhere meet with illustrations of the pow
or Of this principle. Civilization is itself +.
proof OF It's power, for what is civilization as
distinguished from barbarism but assoc ia,ion 40
distinguished from individualisrnf The frat
step taken from barbsrism towards civilization
is a step from extreme Individualism 10 soms
kind OF association. The savage roams the for.
est solitary individually he enters a communi.
ty, an association, and he becomes a civilized
man.
The principle Of association seems to MANY
OF little importance because of its SIMPLICITY.
LIS simplicity Is its value. Because simple, Il
is capable Of indefinite application. Philoso-
ply In constantly teaching US the power Of sim.
pie principles. Science is continually resolving
all actions and results into the operations Of a
lew simple general principles. To the class Of
simple, general, powerful principles the princi.
pie OF association belongs. As gravitation IA
10 the material world as love is in the Christian
scheme, so association Is in the social vorl1
Assoc alton is In fact, when rightly viewed. the
divine principle of love applied TO social life.
Let thus principle in its purity be brought to
bear upon the various social relations and the
whole character of society would be improved
and ennobled. The disastrous spirit of selfish
composition would cease 70 act. Glass wouId
no longer be arrayed against class, nor nation
against nation. Interests would cease IN hs
antagonistc The welfare of one would be the
welfare Of all. Wars would then be regarded
as The contamination Of folly, as national
suicide. The various resources of nature n,
The supply Of human wants would be fully d.
Feioped and the world would no longer prese N,
Vac '"'''hi" spectacle Of thousands and hmm.
ireds OF thousands Of Gods children diving an.
nuaiiy from starvation upon the earth which |
de has go beautifully created and so bountifullv
blessed.