Literary Cadet And Rhode Island Statesman

MORALS OF MANUFACTORIES.

When, the opposition towards manufacturing establishments, which now exists, was first felt, and encouraged, it was urged by those who were disposed to prostrate them, that they were productive of immoral consequences, and depraved the habits of those, who were employed in keeping them in motion. So strongly. was this idle story urged upon the community, that, for many years, after our manufacturing establishments became numerous, and of importance, it was with extreme difficulty, that sufficient help could be obtained, to keep them in operation; and even those who did adventure to accept of the honourable employment. they held forth, were too often scoffed at, and derided, and were looked upon as a race of prostituted mortals.

From this circumstance alone, it was some time before any others than the very lowest classes of society, were found in our cotton, factories, but the war of 1812, introduced a different state of things, and the embarrassments it produced in the commercial world threw hundreds out of employment, deprived them of the means of obtaining a comfortable support, and compelled them to seek a living where it was to be found, — in our rising manufactories. As soon as respectable and decent people went in, the former scum of society went out; and a new era was formed, which was, the happy harbinger of a better state of things. and led to a moral improvement, which is gratifying to all who behold it, and at present. the population employed in our manufactories are remarkable for the correctness of their lives, their industry, and the happy manner in which they send their days.

A man who is unacquainted with the state. of society in our cotton manufactories, would be surprised to visit the manufacturing establishments in the village of Pawtucket, for he would find in them, a description of population, which he would not be prepared to meet. Instead of a herd of degraded vassals—slaves. ignorant and doltish, he would find a society of people, who live by their industry, and who are as respectable and as happy as any other which the common laboring circles can afford. At a certain frame, he would see the rosy-cheeked Betty, busily employed at the loom, with a smile upon her countenance, and her black eyes sparkling with delight, as she built castles in the air, and thought of her beau and the day of her wedding;—in another part of the edifice he would discover the cherry-cheeked Sally, or the blue eyed Nancy. dressed with all the neatness of a Patricia laundress, intently employed at their respective tasks, and smiling complacently

they enjoyed the gains they were making, and the prize in view, of procuring a sufficiency to enable them to purchase a "set out" to keep house with, when Ichabod or Jeremiah was prepared for an union.

Go to the dwelling of their parents, and he will find it the abiding place of happiness and content; and as the aged matron displays the products of her children's labor, and the effects of their prudence and industry, her aged eye will sparkle with joy, as she recounts the benefits she has derived, from the establishment of Domestic Manufactories.

Indeed, the whole aspect of their morals and condition of our manufacturing establishments, are not only vastly improved, but refined; and we venture to say, that far less vice can be found in them, than there can be found in any other establishments, where a motley group congregate, and where there are a thousand temptations laid before an unsuspecting population.

This great and radical reform, has been effected, in no small degree, by the wisdom and foresight of the proprietors, who have very wisely adopted a system, for the regulation of the employed, which whilst it operates to the advantage of the one party, in no small degree adds to the comfort and happiness of the other. A family, notoriously indolent, vicious or irresponsible for its acts, cannot now find entrance to our Cotton Mills, and none but those who are known to be respectable and virtuous, are employed. And it is to such individuals that the highest rewards and most fascinating inducements are offered by employers; and when once engaged, they are seldom parted with, and every reasonable effort is made, to add to their prosperity and happiness.

To show to our readers, the moral improvement, that has been made in our cotton and woollen manufacturing establishments, we have only to state, on the authority of a very respectable manufacturer, that of all those employed at the Killingly Manufacturing Company's establishment, no one is at all disposed to be vicious; and that there is not an individual in the Factory, but what has money to loan; and that too, which was acquired by industry, and hoarded up by prudence. And as a further evidence of the correctness of the morals, and upright conduct of those, who are employed in manufactories, our friend has stated to us, that at the Factory in allusion, there reside a family, consisting of a widow, and six daughters, who from the avails of a few years labour and industry, have saved enough, to purchase a handsome farm, beside a considerable amount of other kind of property.

When they first applied for employment, they were wretchedly poor; had scarcely wardrobe enough to render them comfortable, and were miserable and degraded. But being encouraged and humanely treated, they began to accumulate property, and are now comparatively independent; though, actuated by habits of industry, they still labour at their vocation, and struggle to accumulate yet more of this world's goods.