New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS,


- -. = .ava-.l consecutive numbers. The
-, 81 The present number is " The True Con-
-.:.,.;o,, Sc covernment," which, according 70 Mr.
-. !, 70 be realized in the sovereignty Of
no ;ndividual as the fnal development OF Protes'
t.ntism, Democracy and Socialism.
To the course of the controversy between 80
,issts and Conservatives, it is curious to see the
repetition Of the same objection from each oil the
oortendipg parties. The Socialist maintains that
Abe presept order Of society Is not in accordance
with the Divine Laws is only temporary phase
In the great progress Of the ages, and hence is
doomed to give place to more perfect system
because it fails to 90 justice 10 individual develop
ment leaves the great masses OF humanity with
ont suIiciency Of physical resources, without the
means of physical culture, without the influences
of wise social combinations and accordingly sac
rices myriads of individual beings for the sake Of
an apparent bat superficial benefit TO the few who
have been able to monopolize the favors OF for
tune The Conservative, on the other hand, has had
his im aginaton scared with frightful images OF the
disorder, confusion and promiscuity of Associa-
ton in which oil the delicate shades OF individual
character would be destroyed in obedience to
common standard-all the refined tastes OF Guilt
waited personality trampled on by the rush OF
huge, unwieldy Misunderstanding peculiar
characteristic and exquisitey subjective, the
blind, infurate and destructive collision OF irres
ponsible masses. Each party clings to the strong
instinct of individualism. The question between
them might be reduced to deciding which order
of Society is in fact the most favorable to the
large and genuine development Of the individu-
al,-the Present founded on entagonism OF in
terests, or the Future, established on the princi
pies of Universal Unity. At all events, If Social
ism crushes the individual, it is not only murder
Gus, but suicidal in its operation. 1t demands the
noblest development Of individuals the widest
variety Of personal character the free and healthy
play Of the original tendencies in the most ex-
tensive sphere for otherwise all its operations are
checked and II must break down for want OF
materials to exercise and objects to act upon
The sanctty Of the individual nature is thus the
foundation Of all true society. There can be no
sound aggregate, without the integrity Of the
units which compose it. The Socialist problem
then is compound, two fold-frst to guarantee the
independence ofindividuals, then to organize them
in scientific combinations. We do not name the
elements of this problem in the order of their
Importance they are correlatiye, like the arms of
q balance no true society can exist without the
highest development Of individuality; and the in.
diyidual cannot be truly developed, except in the
highest order Of society. We are not aware that
any writer on social science, previous to Charles
Fourier, had q clear conception OF this problem
He makes it the groundwork of his arrange
ments, and attaches equal importance to both
branches OF the solution.
But pending the time, in which the present or
der will be prepared to realize the discoveries OF
that original genius, the question will ever recur
TO earnest thinkers, How far can we now approx
mate to the application of true social science,
as a step towards further progress
In this point of view we attach great Importance
10 works like the present treatise. They are
cheering and suggestive, even If they do not ex'
haust the topic of which they treat They serve
to stimulate thought, and if they do not present
any absolutely novel views, they place those with
which we are familiar in a new light and help us
to arrive swiftly at their Legitimate consequences.
We are not prepared 10 give our assent to all the
statements and reasonings of MIR. Andrews In the
tract before us but we have no doubt he has
opened an interesting path OF inquiry; and has
clearly produced ideas which sooner or later must
force themselves on the attention of the public
The fairness and ability with which he has treat
ed them are patent to the most cursory reader.
1t should also be understood, that the author
claims to be in possession of exact scientific prln
ciples that will solve the social problem we have
alluded to- of which the Introductory portion only
Is here presented. The whole science will be
unfolded In the course of the series He disclaims
the intention of dealing in vague aspirations after
social progress and demands the examination oil
his principles as being adequate IN their co-reia
tions with each other to the solution OF the great
question of modern times;
Mr.. Andrews considers the progress OF human
freedom as marked by three prominent events
First, the declaration by Martin Luther OF the
right of private Judgment in matters of conscience,
secondly, the denial by Hampden, Sidney, and
Cromwell of the divine right Of kings, and third
~, the recent appearance of Socialism In Europe,
or the,assertion of individual sovereignty In reh-
gion, politics, and social order. The Protestant
Reformation, the Democratic Revolution, and the
Socialis. Agitation, are different expressions OF
the same idea, and they now tend 70 converge In
q grand and fruitful synthesis, which tends to
change the whole face Of society. The idea at
the bottom both Of Professionalism, Democracy,
and Socialism, is the supremacy Of the Individual,
in opposition to the principles at the basis Of the
elder institutions which make the Individual sub
ordinate to the Church, to the State and to Socie-
ty respectively.
The true issue then, for present discussion is
not whether Professionalism be good or evil, wheth-
or Democracy be good or evil, nor whether Social
ism be good or evil bat whether the naked, bold,
unlimited principle Of the Sovereignty Of the lndi-
vidual, in human government and the administra-
tion Of human affairs. be essentially good and true
or essentially pernicious and false.