, 1877-08-03
An Appeal to the Thinking Glasses il
America.

Ho Ao'o"AhS 10 " Ooihhiuiio"Vioh
from Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, to
the "Library Table," published at
AZ Lafayette Place, New York; and
ought to call out extra exertion on
the part of writer's:
"In this first year of our second
century of national existence there
are said to be three millions of un.
employed persons in the United
States.
Who can tell us why or how this
appalling situation arose? Who can
set forth in colors sufficiently vivid
the degradation and decentralization
it is bringing upon the sufferers and
upon our country? We are dealing
with widespread effects; let us
search into their causes. Are these
the ripened fruits of our boasted
civilization? Or is this crisis an or,
deal through which every nation
must pass I? Now, if ever is the
time for our legislatures, our politi-
cal economists, and our social science
reformers to exert themselves for the
benefit Of bankrupt people.
AS | am a women, and therefore
cannot be expected to understand so
profound a mystery as Political Econ
omy, | do not pretend to have any
solutions of these questions ready.
But l have asked myself, with an
earnestness springing from intense
feeling, Is there no remedy? Can
anything be done for these idle mil
lions?
/ believe that q few clear heads, a
few strong wills, and little money
judicously expended, can control
the world. If / cannot answer the
question, can at least state it and
summon the wise and the good to
answer it, and in their replies shall
recognize the" vox populi vox Del"
the crystallization of that universal
reason, which is the voice of God
speaking to the understanding.
appeal to governors, to legisla-
lures, to journalists, clergymen, ply
sicians, lawyers, teachers, workers in
whatever field, and thinkers with
whatever title, to give their minds to
the solution of the great problem of
the cause and cure of national misery.
Think of it, study it, observe the
facts, and communicate your conclu
siOns to the most convenient organ
of publicity. Discuss it in the press,
in the Legislative halls, in the ses-
sions of societies, upon the lecture
platform, in the pulpit, and in pri
vate gatherings of friends.
Will not the periodicals which re-
ceive this appeal second my proposal,
and aid it by making known its
practical contents, to the end that
the best talent Of the country may
be stimulated to the study of this
great issue? I desire that every as
pect of the subject may be thorough
ly discussed in the columns of the
American press. To that end ] Of
fer three premiums, one of one hun
dred dollars in gold, one of seventy
five dollars, and one of fifty dol
lars, for the best newspaper articles
Of about 1000 words upon some feat.
ure of the Labor Question:" con-
sidered in it's widest scope. These
articles are to be signed by some
''nom de plume, and sent to the Of
fee of the "Library Table" before
the 1st of October next, and the
awards shall be made by commit
tee to be appointed by the Ameri-
can Social Science Association" at
its meeting at Saratoga in July. /
reserve the right of accepting at $50
any of the essays which may not re.
ceive the premiums"
"Mrs. Thompson has deposited
funds in the East River National
Bank, for the payment of the prizes
awarded to the articles that may be
approved by the committee Of the
Americon Social Science Associa-
tion."
CHARLES JENKINS, President.
The rapid decline of the granger