The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-29
aoe,nIlsta on the Philosophy OF Labor.

constantly surrounded, seems to get thicker and
thicker every day, as they founder about on the
shaking and quaking quagmire of socialism. They
now cry out, with insulting contumely, about 'hre-
ling wages" and would make the whole world
believe that, instead of standing upon a shifting
and dangerous bog, that they on the only terra
frmG of politics. The experience Of ages-the
history of labor for many centuries, has not a sin
gle truth, in their opinion in favor of the establish
ed order of things. They cry aloud about the
hardships TO which labor subjected, without pro-
posing any remedy that has not been tried, in vain
over and over again-a remedy which this repub-
lican country does not need, and which il never
Will swallow What is this remedy Why, no.
thing more than neutrality-suspicious.. Now,
who does not know that, in France and England,
this principle of association has been practically
proved 10 be a baseless and futile illusion, during
the progress of which the managers of every assoc
citation have become enriched at the expense of the
laborers In not one instance has there been
known a broad beneficial result. The chartist
associations of England have all been one COM
mon history of common fact, namely, that the
aeitators in the shape Of secretaries, treasurers,
and presidents, have lived upon the credulous VIC
tins, who have entertained their plausible but yet
absurd doctrines. There some of these very
tIeasurers, who have absconded with the funds of
the English laborers, among us now, and what
part they may take in these socialstic movements,
for a chance of repeating their criminal conduct,
the future will fully disclose.
1t is the common experience of man that any
partnerships are dangerous. They are always
troubesOme-require intense watchfulness-are
seldom productive individual skill, practically
appled-cause many deferred hopes upon which
poor families cannot very satisfactorily fsed-are
liable to be involved in debt-are always separated
from at a severe loss and are never advocated as
beneficial, upon any broad and general principle,
except by designing and scheming men. So bane-
full have partnerships become-so liable are they
TO mschsnce and misfortune, that the State has
been applied 10 for charters, in order TO make
them subject to special privileges. Hence it is
that these associations have been looked upon with
suspicion, as detrimental to the interests of labor.
Had our railroad corporations been restricted to the
use Of American iron, instead of being supplied,
by their charters, with facilities for its importation,
We should not hear single complaint with respect
TO the failure Of the private iron establishments Of
the country. These partnerships have done mis-
chief to labor by absorbing the spare capital of the
farmer to feed the English laborer, who works for
from agriculture, in spite of all theories to the con-
trary, cannot come back it would, if circulated
among our ewn people. Yet we are asked to null
tiply, not only these privileged partnerships, but
associations of every name and nature.
However, we doubt very seriously, il the attempt
of ignorant yisionaries to produce any permanent
socialistic movement, will prevail. Our laborers-
and We are all laborers, either with the head the
L.. a. al. L.
render their intelligence to these political mounte-
banks, these imitators of Fanny Wright, of Robert
Owen, Mary Wollstonecraft, Goodwin, and Fourier.
The history Of all our great men-of even the pre-
sent incumbent of the Presidential charts a prac-
teal illustration Of the soundness of our labor
system. ''Where there is a will there is a way"
in this country, above ell others. Men can arise,
by the application Of labor and talent any station
even the most exalted. The pursuit of wealth
is the easiest Of all occupations independence
can always be secured by any one who devotes his
mind 20 the mere acquisition of money. Such a
result invariably crowns ordinary application, COM
bined with economy, prudence, and practical
adaptation of means to an end. IL this is not
enough TO satisfy any man, who is not infected
with the madness of foreign discomfort, IL will be
in vain to find any consolation, even from the
boosted associations, whose fate Is as easily
predicted ms that Of the appearance Of the rising
sun, or the ebbing Of the tide But one termination
has characterized visionary labor schemes in Eu-
rope aud the United States. Here there are more
reasons for their failure than exist in foreign
tries. or, rather, here does not exist single
son for the establishment Of any combination, be-
yond that which may be necessary for the inter-
change Of thought on topics interesting to the
cause Of labor generally Matured views the
subject abousd TO such extent, that we should
do injustice to the practical sagaciy Of the citizens
Of this country, by an attempt at a close argument
upon points 20 obvious 10 the intuition Of men. Our
duty lies in another path. Il is bounded by other
considerations. We are 90 seek the cause OF the
present attempt TO array folly and prejudice against
the capitalist or employer. Believing that labor
moves capital, and not the old saw that capital
moves labor. we have faith in the power Of diff
cultes, in this country, to right themselves. There
may be causes why any given trade may suffer
from n depression Of prices, beyond the forced cure
Of men. Ten thousand tailors suddenly landed in
this metropolis anxious for their daily bread, may
plut the labor market The remedy for this would
lie in time and change, and not in any forced appli-
cation TO prevent the result OF so unpleasant an
arrival. The boundless continent Is open to enter
prize. Scarcely village Is without It's wants
many towns ere wholly destitute Of laborers in
many breaches Of trade, the tailor's included, and
the country must be sought, to reduce the glui on
the Atlantic board. There are shutting Politi-
clans, in loose boots and dsordcred trousers who,
Of course, will take advantage any dscontentand
uneasiness, 10 apply pas,ers 10 the wounds in
hiCted. such plasters, however, may prove 10 be
hlisiers-political hlisters, 10 draw out little in
hamnatofy matter at the lall elections.
THE EVACUATION To CALIFORNIA. According TO
present appearances, there will be a tremendous
emigration from the Atlantic States to California
during the present year. Up TO the seventeenth Of
June last, We are automatically informed that some
thirty thousand udyenturers passed Fort Laramie,
on the overland route to the modern III Dorado
nnd The rush hY the way of Charrcs md Pannrna