The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-08-29

pct ~ n1ppls MIN ~ aeiehIlur psohr
lema at III and science. Nsverthelem a
cannot b. denied that without a. .divlsion
ogI.tof which hlone renders s6c& y nlus's
o. the whole produce over the vhole con-
sumption possible, such dsrfss 81 moral
and intellsctual oulture could hrs nsver ben
attained to 10 TIE great housshoid ~ ths ~
man genius. 10 give our rsssouinx \ 1rn
basis, LET rs resolve al that hss been khus
mr. sad on the snbiee! Into two main proFe-
sitinns:
Firstly, The division Of labor d iounasd
upon m indisputabls Law iuhsrsnt ID kusnnn
nature.
Secondly, Without that division. mans
energies are not eficacious enouRh. 70 SOP
ply the demands Of bis bodily sxisernce.
much lesa Of his spiritual mature IN Gne,
he would never have become conscious Of
his true destiny and heavenly mission, With
out it.
N. SOCIAL EVILS ARISING FROM rHR DrvTsIoE
on LABoR.
II then, there can be no truth a. TO the
insensibIeness Of the divisions OF labor on
economical grounds, Elm our question win
assume . somewhat different aspect IL We
trace Its effects on social life still farther, till
We have arrived II that boundless realm oil
conflicting opinions and unsettled confusion
where 4 ID useless to attempt to give sur
vey Of the whole; few interesting facts
may. however, not be wholly unacceptable.
Despite the statements made in favor Of
1t, we frequently hear the prir ciple advoca-
ted and the objection raised, that the division
OF labor, was direct drawback on me pro.
gress and development cf an Overwhelming
portion OF humanity, yes IL was pernicieus
IN the extreme wherever set in operation.
They lay the undeserved charge to this
system Of being the source whence came that
still existing difference Of classes, 90 fatal
IN its consequences, through which men meet
With such uneven lots, both in the social,
political and intellectual sphere OF action.
They say that the prosperity and indepeb-
dence OF the so-calied higher classes, could
be bought only at the expense Of the sweat
and toll Of laboring classes. As proof Of
their assertions they depict to you the nu-
merous Disadvantages which are but the
natural outgrowth Of the restrictions laid
upon the different branches Of laborers, fit
ting them only for certain detached func-
lions; and In very truth we cannot contro-
vert their assertions. For, inasmuch as
through this proceeding, but comparatively
small portion Of products ia assigned to each
single group, and inasmuch as ali their en-
ergies are increasingly bent upon and re
stricted to one continued reIv tition Of few
mechanical manifestations, it follows Of ne
cesity, that they lose sight of the whole
which 10 detrimental not only in its engen
dering certain onesidedness, a. far rs tech
nical skill is concerned, but it also exercises
q most banefnl influence on their whole lif,
and character. "a man, 1--WE quote FROM ,
well known French writer on political econ
omy, who performs but one and the sam,
task for all bis lifetime, undoubtedi sue
ceeds in executing 1t better and faster thar
some one else, but At the same time he il
rendered more and more unqualified TO
every other pursuit, whether physical o.
mental, since his other faculties are, gradu
ally being weakened ana left to decay OIL
account Of their not being exercised" Blu
we have already remarked that this systeu
yields Its influence not on the technical art
alone, but that its domains extend owe
mans every action. The circumstance
which Of our natural talents are best devel
oped under the influence Of ones avocation
the amount Of physical, mural and intellect
u.l Incentives directly derived from tn
manner of performing work, both of then
sre Of no Insignificant value as regards tn
progress and also the social and civil posi-
uon Of those who par ..eipate in il and mr.
subject to its requirements.
And the lore steadily unfavorable inf
ences in this direction IRE suffered to 0ea
upon person, from fly youth called t
that occupation, the ore difficult it will b
to liberate him from their grasp. Although
we cannot, after forbear to bring th
wrongs and evils ira cluster around our SO
cial life, into a D1re lose connection witt
the division Of la5or, g it presents itsel
with all its consequences to our industria
life to- day, nevertheless, we cannot but AL
first whether these pheuomsns really I'm
their existence in the being and nature Of th
division Of labor, With principles underneath
them, and necessity within, driving then
into existence, so that We must regard then
as being eternally and Individually linke'
together with themG or whether, on th
contrary, we are to consider them as sickl
excrescences, as deviations from the tru
moral standard OF the division Of LABOR
caused by external disturbances, by fOrelg
influence with whose removal they disap
pear4 We shall certainly feel least dispose,
to give unhesitatingly our approval to tn
first named superstition without any furshe
inquiry, TO the declaration of q permanent
hereditary, ineradicable will, il 50 we nigh
call it, as the inevitable counterpart Of cnl
ture, since, by 30 doing, nature herself woul,
be charged with one OF the grossest contra
dictioBs against herself through such al
needless assertion.
II labor, as we have clearly and sausfac
lorily demonstrated, is the true expression
Of our beng, OF our aim and condition 0
life, and consequently can never be dispense,
with under any circum stances, since withou
1t mankind can never secure q substantial
material existence, much less attain to TIA
harmonious development Of its iDtellectus
life, and II nature has absolutely enjoine'
this division OF labor upon man and ex
pressed It through his organization, how il
the world is it possible that this mighty IA
tural lever should turn to mans detrimen
and draw in its coarse with the same impe
rlous necessity, both bodily and spiritua
destruction to large portion Of humanity
A conflict, indeed that would never end
that wise provision, which is the source 3
all civilization, would at the same time De
prive us of most of its fruits ard blessings
"a disgraceful taunL il it were true, asProud
hoe expresses himself, that the division o
labor, the first and mightest agency 0
knowledge anu wealth, which Providence ha
placed in our hands would be degraded to
base tool Of distress, tyranny and stupidity!'
A question like this, relating as il does, 4
the dearest interests Of our race, must surel,
lead to grave cogltations.
TO BE CONTINUED