New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-08-21
CayyinIst on Social Reform.

To The EDITORS or The NEW-fcRh tribune
For some time have been an attentive
reader of the Tribune (and here let ne thank
YOU. In what NAV be my only Communication,
Tor the general qualification received from Your
liberal and able i0urnai) The subject OF Social
ism ana It's kindred topics, rs discussed IN your
columns. have attracted my particular attention,
partly because would learn how tar the charge
ofin6del tendencies alleged against themn other
prints Is sustained 5y the facts N the case an
partly ard nam y,tecaus the doctrine Of Socie'y
las long engaged ny attention. - one 81 para
mount importance and. IS II seems 20 ne Dut
imueriectly understood n the world
II was Mirabeau. believe, who sad, names
are things" a declaration the truth O. which the
whole history of human controversy illustrates
Who does Tot know that to many minds name
is sometimes evervthIng-everyihing that's good.
oreventhIng that i cad Socialism IS tle tfe,
which CERTAIN writers Ot questionable sOundneSS,
perhaps Of lnfdei principles have inscribed on
their banner OF reform and this circumstance
has made Socialism 0dlOus te certain men. among
whom. II must be acknowledged. are many wor-
thy and excellent people. To brand prnclpe
a. Fourleusu or = SIm0uism. 70 mints OF
certain order, is conclusive evidence Of rs COZ
ruuiness Such reasoning savors more 81 Dig
otTy than logic. and Is fifty characterized as H.
liberal unjust and hurt,u IN all It's tendelcleS
Can II be forgotten. that IN some OF those sys-
tens of philosophy IN which are founded pIin-
cioles Justly q be repr0batef. may also be dis
covered great truths. perspicu0usiy illustrated
and iorclbly taught Are these truths less I'M
portant because taught by an lntdel or nlyeT-
salist1 If exception from all taint. ana prociN-
ltv 10 error be the rule. what teacher or system
of doctrines viii abide the trial On this prln-
ciple, the world can believe nothing. and be
taught by nobody; for we do not admit that even
the Paliiuu has made the Archbishop Of New
York an invaluable teacher
Formy own part, discard nothing on account
Of is name OF the author or teacher who may
proparate IT, Society, think, has yet to be un-
Gersiood IN the world, and when say this,
sreak a. a Christian and Calvlnlst. "me
devoted TO the exposition OF the doctrines and
Guties OF the Gospel. and Jealous Tor their honor
still must say, that much which Is taught oy
The 7riJ,,nc, on the subject of Social Reform,
Is ust and humane. well expressed. and VIII
believe. philan'hTopic IN us motive while auu
IN all frankIess. that other things from the same
well-inteLdlng source. DO not meet my approOa-
ton.
Ii IS perfectly clear To my mind. that many
things under the present organization oi society
are Inconsistent, not only with me commonly
acknOw edged principles OF humanity, out WIN
the genius and teachings OF the Gospel AMI
these things are allowed IN our most enlightened
communities. not because the Scriptures do not
robuke them, but because, blinded by usage ana
prejudice. we perceive II not That the spirit
Of philanthropy, which Is an essential element
Of the Gospel. must produce complete TeNolu,
uon IN The usaCes OF society. whenever ana
wherever the Gospel shall triumph IN the world,
| believe to he a settled fact
The error which has been committed on the
subject of Society, by clerical teachers and so
cal reformers, hes on is two extremes. The
first have erred by specializing too exclusively
on the condition and duties OF mans spiritual ma
ture the last, 10y dwelling too much on the ma,
ture and condition of mans external and social
relations Now, these subjects do not antago-
uze. but they are one and mdlvlSlble, ana elther
must be preIudlced by the neglect OF the other.
II Is the DUTY of Society to care Tor al! her chill
dren-to give employment and subsistence to all
on scale Of luSt distribution. Community Is
bound to instruct the ignorant, comfort the mise
rable employ the IDLE, and on a righteous prlncl-
pie 20 mete out rewards 10 all, that she may en-
rich herself with the skill, diversity OF la5orSs
and universal development OF her children. But
under suchan organization. and stepby step with
this social process should be the ministry of re-
hgion Let the soul be taught It's spiritual and
immortal nature-itS need of internal regenera-
tOn-its obligation 10 those spiritual duties whlch
are binding on IT, as the creature of God. | would
thus unite Divinity and SOclety-the future with
the present world-and underlay the duties and
relations of Society with the more awful rela'
tons and duties of mans spiritual nature.
Society, IN my Judgment, can never reach It's
true status SO long As either branch of develop
ment (,ho spiritual or soclaD Is neglected. So
cietv without religion Is exsclnded OF It's highest
class of motives, enloymentS and hopes and re-
h-i0n without Its social relations Is lost ia the
barren and cloudy regions Of lmpalpa5e specula-
ton But blend the two developments, the So
cal and the spiritual Uhey seek to be cultured
together,) and each realize. us own IN the per
lection of the other aud You have obtained, as
near as may be perfect state of society-that
state Of harmony, equality and Christian commu-
MY which has "he promise Of thus ttc and hat
t,hich as 20 come BERtus.
August /, 1851