New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-16
The Labor Reform .

citation of File Makers at Paris, translated
from the editorial columns of reliable
Journal of that city. We commend it to
the special attention of the workers of this
country, especially those who have already
entered on the experiment Of Association
themselves, or are intending to do so.
1t is indisputable that laborers whose
position has hitherto been that Of hirelings
are not apt to be we'll prepared to attempt
the path of cooperation. The habits Of
dependence, living from hand to mouth In
difference to the future, running In debt
extravaganza. negligence, &c. which so
often and so generally spring up among the
workers of every country, afford but poor
discipline in that magnanimity, self-control'
self-respect, and respect for others which
are requisite to working with success in the
new order. The man whose industry and
fidelity in labor have depended on the
sharp supervision Of an overseer, and who
has habitually spent a large part of his
earnings for grog. tobacco and other cog
nate pleasures, from time to time borrow
Ing money of ssme petty usurer that he
may indulge his tastes more freely, cannot
hope to attain to manliness and independ-
ence in any way without a thorough re-
form, and had better not think of Joining an
Association till he is sure that reform is &C
complished. For whatever may be the
effect of the Associative principle, when it
becomes to be universally and fully appli-
ed. and we believe in it most completely,
it is manifest that 1t cannot undertake tho
work of improving individual character
and habits at the very outset.
Another requisite to success in this I'M
portant experiment is practical wisdom in
the individuals undertaking it. And this,
let us say, must be wisdom of their own,
and not borrowed. They may take, and Of
course ought to take, the advice of friendly
and well-informed persons, but their main
reliance must be in themselves. They
must themselves know just what they want
to do, and themselves move in the way to
do it. For it is hard thing they are at
tempting hard because it is new, because
they have not learned how to do it, and be-
cause the entire existing system of Labor
and Commerce is pitted against them and
will be brought to bear in proportion as
their success becomes worthy of their aim.
But on the other hand, they will find them
selves supported by the good will of all
Independent, intelligent and benevolent
thinkers; by the fact that the thing they
are doing is absolutely indispensable to be
done by the spirit of the times, which con-
stantly prompts to Association and by the
growing intelligence and weight of the
working classes generally.
1t is quite certain that the movement for
the formation of Industrial and Commercial
Associations has but just begun in this
country, and indeed throughout the civil
lied world. 1t has already had more dis
asters than triumphs to record, but they
seem hardly to have checked it. 1t has
had its period of youthful enthusiasm and
exaggerated anticipations, but has lost no.
thing, that we can see, by passing through
it. 1t has sustained an unequaled amount
Of reprOach from opposing sects and inter-
ests-religious, political and economical
but it has survived that, 1t has been, and
perhaps still is, abundantly blessed with
indiscreet belligerent or theOrizing friends,
who have served to illustrate prophecies
of its approaching dissolution but it still
lives heartier and sounder than ever. We
must conclude, then, that it possesses a
proper vitality and is sure to 90 something
for itself and for the world.
But while we do not believe the failure
of this or that Association can endanger
the movement at large, we still urge upon
our friends among the working men who
are thinking to try the experiment, the pro-
priety of proceeding with caution and some
sense Of responsibility to the interests of
their fellow tOilers and society in general.
A single good example must be most bene
fetal bad failure will cause doubt and
delay to others. No attempt ought to be
made without the conditions of success;
nor made without deliberation and care.
But let those who have the conditions
and are sure they are ready, begin with good
hearts. If they but persevere they are
sure to triumph and to render the road
easier to those who will follow. And so
at last one triumph following another,
no No