New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-08
SOCIAL SCIENCE.

The following are the remarks of the Hon. Thomas
j. Durant of Louisiana at the Social Science Convention
at Cooper Institute, Iuly 4:
think that it is the highest Importance that here.
in this great commercial metropolis OF America there
should be society formed for the purpose o. nyestige
ting the truths of social science. 40 not think that
will be sufficient for the gentleman ON my right (mr SJ
toni and every lady and gentleman in this room 10
anime those truths separately In their chambers end
rest content with what they have done there 1t Is Yosy
necessary that all those capable of examining truths and
having the great interests OF humanity at heart should
man does not institute a comparison between his
opinions and those of his fellow he cannot be sure
he not the Gnerrng test 1t is certainly the best We
get and the only test we have OF truth Therefore,
COMPARE Que views. and from the mass of them
endeayor ascertain what truth and right really u.s. IL
a thing as q good and holy Providence protecting the
march OF humanity on this globel If we do not admit
both Of these things to be true have not commence
the study Of social science and we do not Know that
humanity has any destiny at all believe that humanity
on this continent is tending toward the highest ndi
vidual happiness and believe that society and its mem
beers should hang down their heads in shame gheIe there
God gave socially to happiness and to happiness ~
this world; and though we are 10 enjoy III s
doubt to prepare us Tor another that tne picuf
fellow beings either to bless him or to do him good.
We have need of our fellow-belngs. as We lonuly
bst Strikes Won i'm society is the condition Of the abOrer
because in all societies ninetenths must be aoorefs IN
whose citizens am happy to see here to-day, we said
that labor must be the Slave Of capta that the ndi
vldual man must be owned by his felowlnan; t1at by
the ordination of God and of society the whole
during bis whole life belonged to some other man.
who took all the work OF his hands during bis whole me.
All that ne took from the produce OF his labor;
his blood he did she'd his esh he did not want for
the South and it has had existed wherever mas exs
ence that the produce OF the labor OF the ndyGa
during the whole term of his life belonged to him. whom
the law and custom had pronounced TO De MS mastet
and There was an essential idea on wnlcn
Slavery was based II was not the fetter because ot
the fetter not universally worn; IL was nos
the lash the aSo not moral ns of
mankind; but twas because that sacred thing called hu
labor by which this planet TO be regeneraed Mas
nm the case OF the slave, owned by another man. That
sacred right and duty OF labor which man hods from ns
benefit and the benefit Of humanity-this relation 10 h
manty and to God was taken from him and proclaimed
The essential crime Of Slavery Therein consisted it's
criminal character against humanity at large against the
error the ruin and the crime Of Slavery; and when
Slavery was abolished It was great step IN Ihe process
stand the true method Of aboshng 1t because It's Oppo
nents, on the one hand, were only sP'.$tS II may pe
permitted to coin a word and because those who man
aged and controlled it, on the other hand wOnd not ch
TO reason and on account OF the errors OF pom WE mao 20
treasure and 100000 lives to get d OF that error anu
surely all who hear will that 1t was not me only
one that ought abolished in the interests OF human
ty and 20 do this without the expenditure OF TINS vast
treasure and thsboOd to do peacefully by the aid Of
human intelligence what is meant by social seence-to
ascertain that and point II out to man. so at they can
come TO far and peaceful solution the question which
will meet with general acqueseence In my Judgment
Mr. President able to examine the subject,
taking condition OF the labOTer as the great test OF
society at every epoch of mans progress the principle OF
owning labor-Of man being compelled, either by
duty law custom, contract 10 work for another
man. who will the profits of his labor. whether that
labor be by law, be given for whole LIFETIME or for
year. or n month, day, or an hour-there Is inc
essential principle Of Slavery appause and therefore,
the system of wages, although differing in degree ana
not great outrage on humanity as the system OF
chael slavery is product OF the same essential eV u
is the handing OF the sacred right of labor when
man receives from God TO be controlled by some other
man; and while IN Slavery existed for the whole NE OF
abOrer and under the system OF wages exists DuI
for the OF the contract whether for day, week.
or MONTH its essential principle Is the same, and VIII
lead society 10 the results some have dlgnlned IL
by other names but il is clear to those who study inc
auestion human labor under the wages system that IL
will inevitably to the results. Capital VIII go
ON epslaying labor until the system Of indirect serVtde
will be as oppressive and inolerable TO mankind as
slavery is il you have nothing but seltshness IN the
captast and brutal ignorance IN the red laDOrer you
must have renewal Of the same fTigbtful ana exhaust
ing struggle through which have just passed IL ~
FOR this reason having lived in the SOUTH ana having
been slayeowner that have come TO the CONCLUSION
flat the essential principle is the same under potn sy
ems and IL is the absolute need of humanity That DOth
shOud be abolished How is this 10 be donei L
am not prepared TO say, but you may De,
or YOU: and for that reason IL is necessary
that we should have means OF examining ana com
parDg opinions and propagatng truth aud Tor these re
sons signed the call for this meeting Mr. Durant closed
after briefly pressing the adyisabty OF founding the pro
posed Society.