The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-18

ment of the DOOR
The details of their plan for conducting the in
stitution and of the varieties of labor to be FUR
nished, will be published in due time. In the
meanwhile il is enough TO say that II Is their IN
tenton 10 provide every variety OF employment Tor
which they can find competent hands, among the
involuntary elders in the market place." Every
variety, from the toughest washing to the most de-
licate achievements of the laundress from the
coarsest TO the most skful work of the seamstress
that they will find sewing for the ignorant bung-
Ter and knitting for the blind old wonlan-and fur
Their, that is their intention to make their nstitu-
ton School of Industry as well as House of In
dustry school where children shall be carefully
trained in the arts and mysteries of sewing and
mending, and where the half taught seamstress
shall be perfected in her business so that ncom-
petent workwomen shall no longer be an excuse
Tor most incompetent pay, so that the sufferngs OF
this large class of women shall no longer be un-
kindly laid at their own door.
The want of such an institution your petitioners
now propose, has long been felt in our city; and
now, while its prosperity is at flood tide, is the time
to supply it, The very prosperity which provides
the means of this relief, also occasions its necessi
ty. The famished people of Europe have heard
that there is plenty Of corn in Egypt; and in the
full faith that they shall have part in the gamers
our common father has here provided for his chill
dren, they come, first one brother, then the whole
tribe. They arrive, Ignorant and unprovided, ex-
cept with minds eager for labor and healthy bodies
capable of performing it. The strongest and most
intelligent pass off TO the country, to lay on the boz
som of our mother earth the golden fruits of their
toll. The weaker, the more ignorant, and helpless,
all widowed women, all ill-mated and neglected
wives, and all small children remain in our cities:
These are your dependents. Into your hands God
commits them. They must be taken care Of They
must be provided with employment, or dreadful
atematve) they must fill your almshouses, prisons,
and penitenaries. Which is easiest, which is best,
which is most blessed-prevention or cure! Shall
passively, sinfully, drop down the current till we
come to the condition of England, "that happiest
Of ands" where one in fifteen is pauper; or shall
we put on the Christian armor and resist these ten
denotes TO abasement! The progress of intelligence
and experience-mournful experience-have led to
the conclusion, certain a mathematical truth,
that employment, and not almsgving, is the pre-
ventive of pauperism. Almsgiving, like the drugs
of an ignorant physician, only exasperates the Ill
sease, makes that chronic which was merely acct
DENTAL and is impotent TO the removal OF the d.
sease as Dame Partngton's famous effort TO sweep
out the tide OF the Atlantic with her broom
The good effect of benevolent associations, for
the employment of the poor, has already been test
ed in our city. There are several associations in
operation for this end one in particular long esab-
lished and admirably managed, has had wide
spread and most benefcent influence. But they
are inadequate TO the removal of the evil The de-
mand far exceeds the supply; and the fact that they,
in common with some other benevolent societies,
suspend their operations during seven or eight
months of the year, gives to our appeal great force.
IL must be distinctly understood, that the project
now under consideration is not in opposition to
these, or any other benevolent associations, but
We being many, are one body in Christ, and every
one member one of another. 1t is believed that
of the best effects of the House of Industry will
proceed from its cooperation with the employment
societies. the Gentlemen's Relief Society, and the
Emigration Society; and that this cooperation,
without prejudice of name or sect, will put the en-
tire poor of the city in Christian ward and watch.
Your petitioners ask your attention to the indi-
or reflected benefits of the proposed institution
Ii will instruct and elevate the degraded; II will
develope the faculties and energies Of the women
of the most favored classes II will bring them into
right relations with their unfortunate sisters of the
human family; il will create a moral tie between
those who are bound together in equal political
privileges and immunities, and in common reli-
gious faith it will subserve the cause Of patriot
ism, by lessening the frghtful distance between
the rich and the poor, by destroying in the germ,
that hatred of the rich which is nourished by ig-
norance and want, and which, in every time of ex-
element, menaces the property and peace Of the
hoods, walk though the fiery furnaces of the city,
where vice is reeking, unscathed, carrying with
them an atmosphere OF peace and love. Multiply
your Sisters Of Charity, and your city will be safe
They need not wear the black hood-good deeds
are badge enough.
Il win be asked, where are the means to build
up institution that must be founded on pillars of
gold Your petitioners answer, respectfully, that
you are TO supply them with the means to begin.
Hereafter, when the aims and capacity Of the House
OF Industry shall be understood, they confidently
expect aid from the municipal authorities. In the
meanwhile, their annual subscription is not 10 ex-
coed the moderate sum Of three dollars. or 10 be
less than one, in the hope that the mothers and
daughters 10 whom they make their appeal, will
cheerfully answer il by promptly setting down their
names, and becoming members Of the association.
The men Of New York are absorbed in the va
rious departments Of productive industry; they are
renowned for lberality and intelligence; they do
not work TO fill fine houses with fine fumture-to
put fine clothes on fine ladies'; but to elevate the
human family; TO extend the bounds of human viz
tues and human happiness
To do this efiectualy, their wives and daughters,
who by the privilege of sex, are exempt from the
tolls and cares of business, must be the wise dis
pensers of their hberaliy and means
Your petitioners feel assured that the House of
Industry, which they now propose, is wise and
christian charity, and on this ground they finally
rest It's claim To your acceptance.
President
Mrs. Nicholas Fish, Stuyvcsant street.