New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-31
CO-OPER1TITE FIRMLNG.

Cooperation, yet in its infancy, Is constantly
giving fresh evidences of vitality, and Of the
great part it is destined to play in meliOmt-
ing the condition of the working classes. To-
day, we publish some interesting details OF two
French cooperative societies, which deserve
more than passing attention, as they not only
show what has been done in Europe, but suS-
gcst new and profitable form of cooperation
for adoption here. As usual with such
associations elsewhere, and with the initial
stages of all new ideas, these societies
have literally struggled into existence under
almost insuperable difficulties. They have
had to contend against the prejudiccs of
an ignorant people, and the open hos
tty of despotic government, which saw in
them the germs of republican institutions.
They have been torn by internal discussions,
and subjected to other vicsstudes of ill-fortune;
yet they have pcrsevercd under every disad-
vantage have overcome all opposition, healed
every sef-iniicted wound, outllved even the
blttercst prejudice, and stand forth to-day
striking example of the soundness of the CO.
operative principle They exhibit 10 the
world working -men-and French working
men, too, not always the most intelli-
gent and advanced of their class-co0perat-
ing with marked success in farming, in
manufactures of various kinds, and even in
banking.
What Is there to hinder similar cO0pera-
ton and similar success in this country
We need only the full recognition of princi-
pies underlying these French experiments
that men and women are neither intellectually
nor physically born equal that larger natu-
raj gifts and greater energy and Industry
ought to be correspondingly rewarded; that
man is social in his instincts, but that the or
binary family with its domestic life is the form
best adapted to his needs, and most con-
ducive to his happiness. This is n
sound substratum. We are far from living
in millennial times, and have to deal with men
and things as they are, not as they might and
some day perhaps may be. Any system of CO.
operation which ignores these broad princi-
ples-which cramps individual excellence, and
stiles the honorable ambition implanted in
every breasts certain to fail sooner or later.
Human nature will ultimately burst through
all artificial, irrational restraints. Ignorance or
neglect of this fact has been the CEarybdis
which has proved fatal to many promising
project
Beside cooperative manufacturing, for which
| there are here such good opportunities and en-
| couragements, cooperative farming seems to
offer peculiar inducements to large class of
the poor. Land could no had in vast regions
throughout the South and West ut n moderate
price comparatively little capital would be re-
qured to begin operations; skilled labor would
be unnecessary beyond few practical, expert
enced men rs superintendent and returns
would DO prompt and always salabe. Such
an experiment might indeed be very we'll tried
without going to the West or the South.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of New York,
say in the valley of the IIackensack between
| IIobOken and Newark, where there is a large
alluval tract now covered with bulrushes and
other marsh vegetation, and practically worth
less, q satisfactory opening might be found
The land would require thorough drainage,
which, on large scale, could be easily and
cheaply done the light, rich sofia mixture ~
sandy loan andl peat-is admirably adapteG
for vegetables and roots; the river flow
ing through the district presents every facility
for transhipping manure or produce ana inc
nearncss of the great metropolis places Tho
best market in the world at its very doors. y
! cooperative market-fam on the llackcnsack
| meadows. conducted with ordinary prudence