The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-16
The OrgS niZatiOn of Labor.
NUMBER XIV.


cannot proceed without noticing one trait which
may be observed with all the reformers that have
become notorious in the pursuit of peculiar idea
of reform. They all require great deal Of money
to carry out their idea to perfection. Thus we see
Robert Owen, after having sacrificed large CAPT
tai of his in the vain attempt of creating " ia
Uorable circumstances" under which the laborng
population should advance to wealth and happi-
ness, apply to the Congress of the United States for
some millions more to make new trial. Fourier
requires, for the organization of the township or
phalansery which is intended to form-God knows
how" the passional series and laboring groupes, I"
about fifteen millions of francs Louis Blanc
noble soul though he is-almost ruined France by
the appropriation of money in founding the " ma
tional workshops" Even Louis Napoleon wants
but three hundred millions of francs for the out
lay of "public domain which should set the
arms of the French laborers in motion. Besides,
all these men committed the notorious blunder to
NEEDLE with preconceived opinions and religious
creeds of che people, with which it is always dam
gerous, least useless to interfere, as the mental
growth of people will be in proportion to the
means of instruction placed within its reach hence
all the outlay for papers, pamphlets books, etc,
with their absurd schemes, contradictory notions
and clashing opinions, only confuse and be-
under one head for a general plan of improvement
for their condition, will end i'll making them dis
trusting to all.
Roengen, without any of those means, accom-
plished his obiect-the organization of labor-in
united body of several hundred aborers and great
number of families, and how he did it, may be seen
in what follows:
He began common laborer, with the ambi-
ton OF hero. Comparing his own hard lot with
the seeming fortunate condition of some lordly
wi M M cepd WI tho at
working bench, his ire kindled, and he resolved to
become rich and respectable as they were, at least
appeared to be, and see here how he proceeded.
In an obscure, gloomy corner, covered with dust
and sweat, he observed man with intense applica-
ton bent over the finishing part of a neuble; it
was evident that he depended on that finishing
for the supply of the means of pressing necessities
Our hero plainly saw that this mans time and Ia
Dor, as we'll as his own, were wasted without pro-
dueing a corresponding benefit to either and that
with far less labor and bodily toll, far more and
better work could be done, if the necessary ma
chinery, implements, tools and other accommoda-
tons could be provided These changes could not
be made by an individual, but might be by many.
He proposed, therefore, to make these changes
under conditions which were carried out. and as
we have seen, adhered to in the preceding number
Among the great number of which this body was
composed, every one was selected for peculiar
talent shown in part relating to the exercise of
the craft and the proper means to carry such talent
to the utmost perfection provided, with the
strict injunction" Here, friend, is the sphere of
action, freely chosen by yourself, extend it TO its
utmost limits, but never ntrude in that of your
brethren and fellow-laborers, as provision is made
that they shall not intrude in yours thus you will
be yourself happy organ in living organization,
your reward will be according to your merits, and
you will be blessing to yourself and your brethren
1t may easily be conceived that a body thus
formed needed chiefly but the rude material and
provisions for beginning, as labor conducted in
this manner is capital, and the religious society of
which RoeDgen was member, was abundanlly
able and willing to furnish both. Soon the benefit
flowing from that combination became visible, as it
made competition from without impossible, and the
most sanguine expectations of wealth and affluence
Were realized. But a greater still, as we have seen
in former number.
Though this organization is free from the defects
which were noticed in the other, that are trumpeted
forth with so much noise, it is by no means that
which should serve a model for others; If IT
were, 1t would have contained in itself the germ of
progress through successive ages but being the
work OF an ambitious man, it partook of his cha
racter and went down with its founder. 1t was
introduced here to show that better state of society
can only be introduced. at the expense of greater
sacrifices than men are generally willing to make,
and may help us to form an estimate of the price
for which the best will be obtained.
CHRISTIAN BURCHALDER.