The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-13
TDe Denomination Of Eaaof.
NUMBER XIV.


Plato founded an ideal Republic, which never
has existed on earth. Fourier built an imaginary
Phalanxtery, which perhaps never will exist in
reality. Of the first it is said that lie was toe
sublime for human understanding of the latter
that he to such scientific heights " that his
doctrines are not comprehended." But republics
in Jupiter may be well enough for the inhabitants
of that planet and castles in the air very charming
pictures for idle Missionaries but good substantial
houses are better for our suffering fellowmorfals
and SUCH as we all know, are not built by ro-
mancers nor philosophers, but by true, substantial
workmen; and though these may not be able to
write dissertation on the advantages to be de-
rived from the Organization of Labor, they may
tell us at least Of one in which they acted as or
gans, and their tale may form just as well part Of
the present number Let us hear them:
"That was a glorious time for mechanics and
laborers, although the man Roengen) who gov
erned us may be called a tyrant He suffered no
idler, no drunkard, no brawer, no vicious per-
sons-and above all-nO lar on his premises. He
commanded us to eat and drink well, TO dress and
live well in every respect, and to work well. He
had even made ample provision for our amuse-
ment and pleasure. He was satisfied with nothing
good, If he considered that it could be better. He
cared nothing about cost of labor or expense, if the
value produced was in accordance with it moth
ing about time, if perfection advanced with its pro-
gress; nothing about difficulties, if combined in
dustry, skill and perseverance could surfnount
them. We were considered valuable men to our
country, because we produced what was truly val
liable; we were happy men, because the means
for happiness were in our possession and daily in
structed in the proper of them the good things
of this world were enjoyed, and the situation in
which we were placed prevented us from abusing
them; but above all we were true men, our words
and works in perfect agreement and how could we
be otherwise for fraud and deceit would have
sunk us Immediately to the pit from which we had
been raised, while truth and honesty advanced us
with every step to higher excellence and greater
happiness; from despised and despsabe tools of
privileged idlers, we had become noble organs in
the administration of skilful and ingenious labor.
What are we now Miserable drudges. as he
had found us; weak, because divided; poor be-
cause isolated labor is but poorly paid unhappy,
because no cares for our happiness, but every
one only for his own-broken fragments of disor-
gained industry-crippled members of headless
body, invaded by the fermenting elements of disso-
luton. One man had raised himself, and us with
him, 10 comfort, dignity and responsibility, by
combining our strength, skill and judgement into
one industrial artistical body, and made us rulers
over thoughtless masses; now thousands are in.
terested TO preach division for their advantage.
One tyrant had made lis good and prosperous, by
making union among ourselves our interest and
, IT.,
by those who clamor for freedom, Independence
and division, while they themselves are slaves of
every evil tendency and base DESIRE
Thus far our speaker. Let us return to Roen-
gen. After ten years labor he considered hi. work
accomplished, for the organization of one branch
of labor was now established beyond contradiction,
and in full operation the masterpieces of art pro.
duced in this establishment may yet be seen in
most, perhaps in every palace of Europe, and in
some of the cabinets of their rulers and golden
harvest was reaped for the head and for every
member of the organized body. 1t was about that
time that the first war of the French revolution de-
clared ruin to palaces and peace to the huts of the
poor; the work of demolition began and Roengen's
establishment closed, Its founder enriched by skill
and industry, and ennebled by his king, spent the
remainder of his days in luxury and ease; and
whatever may b ssid Of the character Of the nan