New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-23
Warren's Social Theory Reply TO The Tribune

TO fhe Edn0rS ~ Inc ". D. IDbWi
You recently bestowed three columns
and half upon notice of Equitable Com
merce,""A New Development of Principles, pro-
posed as Elements OF New Society" by Josiah
Warren, with an incidental notice Of The True
Constitution of Government" and "COst the
Limit of Price'-works upon the same general
subject" The Science of Society"-by myself.
The criticism may be regarded as relating TO the
circle of principles advocated by Mr.. Warren and
my self rather than to either of us, simply as
writers. and hence feel authorized to step aside
from usage, so far as to reply to the criticism the
conclusion arrived at, which cannot but think an
unfortunate one for YOU, it being that Mr.. War
ren's theory of Equitable Commerce" is
failure.
The books in question not OF the kind that
can be proftably reviewed without being atten-
lively read. The hurry and clatter of newspaper
machinery are not, am aware, favorable TO the
weghty consideration ofthose profound PHILOSOPHY
ical truths which lie much below the surface. II
a critic under such circums tances should fail,
therefore, fully to grasp the significance Of a circle
OF principles revolutionary, and yet so simple,
so perfectly harmonious in their relations 10 each
other so absolutely indispensable each TO the
working OF the Other and thoroughly responsive
10 every demand of exalted human aspiration after
social der and freedom and harm oDy It should be
charged him de ect OF scumen of 81 mpahetic
Affinity for truib but merely the want of opp Jrtunity
You accept and adept the first of this circle Of princi
ples-" The Sovereignty of the Individual" cut simply
puy in a again the claim of excuve originality
the part Of Mr. Warren. This question Of originality
10 one OF little importance aud one 20 which man
w uld attach less consequence than Mr. WSTen him
sell. The important question is, "Is trueP and on
Nevertheless Ia.
simply uus that Mr. Warren Is the first man In tho
world clearly to define this idea Principle nsleaf
OF vague aspfa tioD TO fix IL la Formula, 20 settle w
Lgimat Imitation TO PROFOUND It As OF tho Grand
PY0oicdi Solutions OF the Social Pr0bt and 10 connect
IL win is concluded principles in this solution ~
that tue idea, simply SUCH has more or less DIS
tiDclly pervadtd the writings Of nearly every modern
Ie,omef that 1t swels and papltates In every sspfs
10 after better future Snd inspires the ehneea
eSeTIion after human emancipation. lt spae thstns
in picated rem, ~ ana propbetically Ia Founeiso
mua Of Dest!stss proportional % Attractions, nhn
IN he American Declaration of Independence, which
sIus that slI men emitted ~ lioerty and tns Pur-
Il happiness but all this 10 a very different ming
l the dEiinct announcement Of the "soyereisntym
esCh individual to he exercised a. bis cost pro-
yOuI ded scientific substitute for all laws ana gov
ertmeLts, and as one Of the Immediate working p'uu-
mebtses of social reform So az least seems 70 me.
II II We not and social reorme OF schools ac
ctlt ard even claim the priority la the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
o. the principle, as accept and state i, Why's
much tne better; only don't let them get frightened
when they discover the whole IN ;aning OF Gil tney o
c0ulnir'' IL.
Bu in the ext place. you come upon the next Of oar
principles IN the circle, namely that Coat the bqo
Fable Limit OF Price" From this you dissent on si9unos
which show that you have not fully grasped the io1o.
the manner 10 which principles are appropriately pu.
foTtb sfter sll notion OF authority or enforcement.
abandoned The gtst OF your objecions 10 contaneeA
The follow ing statements:
We have said that the possession OF properly -
sepnel 70 the sovereignty OF the individual In TINS A
nent we find the refutaiiOn Of Mr Wsrrens sec0lo
principle, that Coat IL The Limit OF Price AecoroinS
tots theory equal OF labor are ms dc % o
each other without regard TO the value OF me pro
duct. Equitable Commerce, IL msintains, Is the eH
change OF the results oi equal labor as virtual eqw'
LENS commodity which has cost you tho LABOR o. an
hC Or 20 be exchsp equal terms Tor one that nss
cost labor 10 the same amount OF ume lfrespec""
Of the utility Of the product 10 either party ,s
Again, individual property Is based on tue ram. "
the INDIVIDUAL 10 the products of his labor Bgt
the product of ny labor il my own one can deelao
tie terms on which shsll part With II but myself iI
right Of exchanging II at pleasure involved In he
ofCwnership The attempt 10 establish coHPA4sGIy
foribis purpose l. gross violation OF my
sovereignty This view, we think, 10 fatal 70 inc 80,
in question, apsrt from the practical incon'en'
thai would arise from iis application - o,r,s
Tks Indictment seems ~ consist OF tni1o .,-t,ual
ststeo or implied /. That we deny that toe IT,, "a
is entitled 10 the product of his own labor in
rspU date In some sense not specified, the possVss
properly. end the right Of exchanging a. P'e -. %
Ard 3. That attemptto establish a eomP4s"y S,n.
regulate price 10 gross violation OF our own ONE a.
dam tnta principle, THE Sovereignty oil INC -
dual" To all Of these counts We simply PeS' pos