The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-02

A MISREPRESENTATION Of the Nov esnent-For-
mcr Failures and Present Results.

old as Holy Writ. But only IN modern times, since
became q fact and ceased to be
name, thought proper to raise the laborer to
be the equal of those who hired him. This was due
to the advanced spirit of the age which justly OPP
posed all distinctions Of rank or birth and main
tanned only THAI supremacy of one over the other
which was won by personal exertion and successful
merit. When old ideas, antiquated notions and all
the artificial forms Of society which had one and ALL
successfully cropped out from the feuda system,
crumbled into fragments about the time of the Anne
rican Revolution, followed by the upheaval in France
at the end of the last century of all constituted au-
thority with tendency for further development the
cardinal principle OF the equality OF man, OF the
equal right Of all in organized society to work out
their prosperity and do 1t with the same oppoituni-
ties for all alike came first into prominent notice.
The unequal division Of the goods OF the world,
some being endowed with more than a sufilciency
and others having none at ALL and the latter being
majority of the human race. was at that time the
theme for much inquiry and many discussions. To
ameliorate the condition OF the poor to elevate the
w0rkingman morally intellectually and socially and
TO make him on the other hand politically the equal
all other more fortunate members OF society
has been one of the principal moving causes
ana is stili the great cause that makes
occupants OF kingly thrones feel uneasy in their
veveted seats. Singular as 1t may appear il Is never
theless true that although for than fifty years
the ''abor movement" has beclouded the political
horizon of Europe, 1t was only within the last decade
that results beneficial In their consequences were
achieved; because, within this late period only, the
combinations Of workingmen sought practical ends,
and whenever they looked for no more they sue
ceeded, and whenever they aimed at results beyond
their reach they always failed
In proof of this assertion it Is but necessary to re-
fer to the labors of Fourier, St. Simon, CADET and
Others, who by their systems OF labor advocated.
In some respects, by Louis Blanc when member OF
the provisional government OF France under Lamar
tinel endeavOred to bring about complete and
sudden revolution of society, by means Of which the
wOrkingman was not only to become his own en-
ployer but also the master of the governing power
Of the country. The first two failed signally In Eu
rope. with all their plans. CADET tried first in Texas
and then in Illinois and failed also. Louis Blanc,
with all the prestige OF his name and position also
failed with his public government workshops"
Owen believed he could succeed upon a similar prin-
cipe Of socialism, but his colony at New Harmony,
Ind, did not long exist. The Germans also tried
their hand at creating model '.settlemcnts' upon
this principle OF complete equality and communion
OF property, but the colony OF Communal, which
they started in Iowa nearly twenty years ago, failed
as the others did, and with the exception OF some
few comparatively insignificant settlements like the
one founded by Kapp in Pennsylvania, based upon
different parts OF the country none like 1t could exist
even for longer than few years All these attempts to
better the condition OF mantO make or rather force
all on common level-have so far failed, ana gno-
miniOusly, too, because they were ali aimed at an
impractcabe thing and lost sight OF the one great
anmating power in human nature, the love OF gain
and the pleasure of its possession.
At Rochdale, in England very limited number OF
Weekly by each commenced i more Sensible system
The few in lS43 have by this time increased to many
thousands and their few pennies to many hundred
thousand pounds; and, what IS more their own and
unexpected success is serving as an example to the
rest OF the world, not only as to how workingmen
live cheapest but how they can increase their
own gains, make most Of the wages received and
have most time and means for the advancement of
their own mental culture and the education OF their
children. SChulze-Delltsch, in Germany, was among
the first-and ne was the most talented OF al-who
took notice OF this new attempt 10 improve the con-
diton OF the wOrkingman, q true attempt to make
mOVpment'' COrspete
present condition or the cooperative societies In
Germany-ol stores and baass and other Ike estab
millions OF capital for the common benefit Of all
cerned-speaks well foy the endeavors OF those who
nent. and also well for the honesty and mpartality
Of those to whom the administration and manage
ment Of the individual societies were entrusted.
In France societies OF like nature have been insti
tuted and they also progress rapidly although the
stringent supervision exercised In that country by
government officials Is not CONDUCIVE 20 the growth
OF Individual associations for public purposes.
There is also labor movement on foot now In this
country, extending from the Atlantic 70 the Pacific
and having its roots in ali large cities Of the Union
In some cases Unite itself TO stake for an in
crease OF pay; in others and Ia the most important
case, W reduction OF the hours Of labor. The
HERALD, as In the case OF all other popular move.
ments has given full and impartial reports OF the pro.
ceedngs OF the wOrkingmen and Of their EMPLOYERS,
But 1t was noticeable that while the strikes for more
pay or less hours Of labor numerous for the CO.
operative movement, which has done SO much in
England and on the Continent for the elevation and
education OF the day ab0rer little comparatively was
done here. Notions OF the most extravagant char
acter as to the natural antagonism between labor
and capital, the enmity which is supposed to exist
between the mOneyed employer and those he hires TO
perform the work for which he pays and the oppres-
sion and subsection TO tyrrany which the working
man has 10 bear from him who has ready cash Mt
command-all such ideas, or rather notions pre-
vail TO great extent: but when the practical results
oil the true labor movement such as have been
achieved elsewhere to the greatest benefit OF all,
shall become appreciated here as well as In the Old
world the Just desire OF the wOrkingman for a more
improved, more intellectual existence for himself
and posterity Will be all but accomplished.
The eight hour move OF the brickayers OF this city
Ia to-day In about the condition AZ 1t was last
week. Both sides do now as they did q week ago,
claim victory to be near at hand for their respective
causes. IL 1t be true a3 the hricklayers say, that
most OF their men, comprising over three thousand
Oh me trade gre ~ WORK st remunerative rates and
n VINO sP ,aGe before me pubic long lis
OF buildings on which work has tee'
hayg beer swns aSo tSe, for rt ihe
Facts. u the master masons speak the truth then
me hr"ki'yers' Unlors are pictrrrg their own
better than y IT, The truth very likely Is in every
other Instance Of controversy lies in the middle. and
u - IL he assumed that long both sides persist
IN their present position. without sny chow OF vi
ingness to compromise, the strife will continue. IL
has-and of this Their is sas 70 be doubt-alres1y
been Of sufficient damage &c the city and the public
while many houses were expected TO be built, and
the hope was felt that rents In consequence OF new
buildings, would be materially reduced by next
spring, that hope may now be fruitless. The work
ingmen themselves have lost considerable amount,
Wnicn tney could have earned for their own and the
benefit OF the public while they remained idle. The
contributions by the confederated unions did not
MAKE up ths loss, and although every workingman
In the country may be taxed 10 any bearable per-
centage the loss TO the public will hardly be compen-
sated This, at least, is the argument OF the master
masons, VINO also complain that tile control OF their
own work Is sought to be taken out Of their hands
10y the trades unions. On the other hand, the brick
layers declare that they striving to make their
existence as compatible with that Of rational being
~ possible that ten hours day Mt work, especially
IN a CITY OF such magnificent distances" as New
10TH, when compels the laborer to spend two adj
ultona hours day In travel to and from the place
OF n,s work Is slavish vegetation merely, not COM
patinle WIN the demands which human being
should make on life; that healthful recreation and
.he cultivation OF the mind require more time
eIwh, Sorr now permitted, and that with but
s,kn. hours work per day man can work
better anu do more execution with his body healthy
MS nlnd clear and instructed and his heart willing
inc restrictions which the trades unions have
suopteu IN regard TO apprentices and the like the
nicu uelenu with good reason. necessary preven
yves against having the trade swamped with neon
petcn' names TO reduce the price OF labor. Thus
,neIe u good ground for both parties to stand on
anu as DOtn declare n ation fQht