The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-06
On E3.SneraIive Societies.


There is hardly proposition 10 &c found
that is thought 30 TT to solve the social
question, and to establish just and satisftc-
tory relations OF human society, as the idea
of association. We also are admirers Of It's
principles. They make the heretofore pnrr
and helpless workman respected member
Of 4 powerful society, strong and willing
enough to aid him in time OF need. They
euuaIze The hard differences between sup
pressed aud snpprcssors, bringing both 10
The jus; standpoint Of human rights. The
old, weil.known proverb, "FTt6us units"
SYNONYM TO "In union il strength" is cer-
tainly u verify, and will always prove 10 be
true and effective. Upon it rests the exist.
ence of republics and The real welfare OF
nations.
However, rs all things on this earth are
limited by natural laws, 80 Is it also with
association. It is bcneflcent only to GER
tain point, but becomes pGrnlclous as soon
as IL ovcrruns the boundaries fixed to it by
nature. We have TO respect the law OF
measure always and any where, and the
differences IN character, and the kind OF
application in each separate case. Que thing
IS not lit for all, and all men are not lit for
the same thing.
Acknowled girg the principles of benevo-
lent societies, and approving OF them tho
roughly, we fail TO see the same benelcent
effect in cooperative associations, destined
rs we'll for consumption IS for production.
The first one buying commodities III whole
sale and selling them to their members
without charging the profit OF the retailer
have had till now sometimes very sanitary
effect, but Ye doubt that this success Will
be permanent. The idea of these consump.
tive societies Is founded upon principle
exactly opposite to the higher law OIL
the division of labor. As soon as the
existing Causes Of these associations
the exOrbtant ayarice Of the small shop.
kcepers-are removed, by bringing down
their u.uriuus profit TO reasonable terms,
this kind Of ASSOCIATION will prove TO be
useless and unsatisfactory. Let the me.
chantc be mechanic, the farmer farmer,
the merchant merchant, and let them
practice the trades they have learned At
great cost of money and labor. 1t VIII
neither work to make baker carpenter
nor mechanic merchant; each trade de-
mands its own skill and training. 1T IS
real inconsequence of some economists &c
represent the division Of labor as one OF the
most efficient means to improve the condi
| ton Of the worklngmen, and afterwards &c
recommend its reverse. We may use SUCH
an application as an exception, but we dare
not attempt it as rule, without being pun
ished for offending the Law Of nature
Tcese associations, however, will die ou'
gradually, without doing any harm 10 the
working classes or to human society IL
general. -
More important ere the cooperative socie'
ties for production but also more lalla
cious. We ore very we'll aware thst b!
stating this.we hsve the whole nosL OF ne"
economists and socialists and oil Workinl
able to change our views to please them
AS soon us the economist leaves his owr
conviction and the strict path Of logica
consequence, yielding to tempting pallia
tive means, he Is lost, and his opinions are
not only OF no avail, but become directly
pernicious. They confuse the public MING
and bring the whole science into disciedlt