New York Daily Tribune

Doctrine of Association.
[Communicated.]
Western Fourier Convention.
The friends of Association in the West, particularly at Pittsburg and Cincinnati, are desirous of holding a Western Fourier Convention, for the purpose of taking measures to concentrate the means of the West, and found a Phalanx upon a large scale. We approve most fully this measure, and would advise our friends by all means to carry it out. We feel assured that if the resources of the West were united, a noble Association could be founded. A general subscription should be opened, and as large a portion of the people of the surrounding States should be induced to take an interest in the enterprise as possible: subscriptions should be received, not only in money, but in whatever people could supply that would be of use in founding the Association. A small amount of cash capital (comparatively) only would be required; that which is wanted is Labor—productive, creative Labor.
Two conditions, however, must be fulfilled: the laborers must be supported while they labor, and they must be supplied with teams and proper tools, implements and machinery, in order to apply their labor well and efficiently. Could all the requisites for those two purposes be procured by subscriptions to stock, money would be unnecessary; and it will only be required in any case to obtain such things as will not be furnished by subscription.
The first step to be taken will be to obtain a tract of land of three or four thousand acres. (We would recommend that the Association should be commenced upon a large scale, with this quantity of land and twelve to fifteen hundred persons.) The tract should be situated on the Ohio or some navigable stream which flows into it, and as near a large city as possible. Could such a tract be obtained, then books of subscription should be opened at the principal places in the Western States, and Commissioners chosen to receive subscriptions to stock, and applications for membership. Subscriptions would be received, first, in money, and then in all articles which would be of use in the establishment of the Association, either in supporting the workmen or in the supplying facilities for labor, such as teams, live stock, produce, dry goods, groceries, tools, implements, machinery, &c. All these articles should be appraised at their cash value, and paid for in stock, and such quantities and qualities only should be received as would be useful and available.
It strikes us that if a strong interest could be awakened throughout the West in favor of such an enterprise—and an interest in Association is growing rapidly—the means would be obtained for carrying it out. Let our friends call a Convention, and ascertain whether a collective and general feeling can be enlisted in this great and unitary undertaking, and, if it can, then let it be prosecuted with energy and unanimity. We will state that if such a plan be matured and carried into effect, all the aid that can be rendered by the old friends of Association in this City, by furnishing plans, &c. &c. will be given with great pleasure.