The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-05-12

land, where they continue in daily success
full progress.
from this country: for the experiments were
made for the benefit of mankind, and they
have ever been open to the inspection OF all
nv fellow-creatures, from every quarter OF
the world.
The result of such reading, reflection, ex-
neriments, and personal communication, has
beep. to leave an irresistible impress'Hn on
NV mind. that society is in error; that the
notions on which allits institutions are found
ed are not true; that they necessarily gen
crate deception and vice, and that the prac-
t;ces which proceed from them, are destruc-
tive of the happiness of human lite.
Thc reflections which was enabled to
make nnon the facts which the history OF our
race presented to me, led me to conclude
thar the great object intended to be attained
hv the various institutions of every age and
country. was, or ought to be, to secure nap
pincss for the greatest number OF human
beings. That this object could be OBTAINED
only. 1st, BY proper training and educa,
tion. from birth, of the physical ana mental
mowers of each individual "a, by arrange
/ ments TO enable each indiYiduai 70 .roeure'
in the best manner, at all times, tuii sup,
ply of those things which are necessary ana
| tbr most beneficial for human nature; and sd,
1 That oU individuals should be SO united and
combined. in a social system, as to give to
each the greatest benefit from society
These are surely, the great objects OF hu-
man existence: vet the facts conveyed to US,
| by history. and the experience OF the pres
ent assure us that no arrangements nave
bee, formed that no institutions exist, even
! to this hour, competent to produce these re-
suits For, is il not fact, that, at TINS mo
ment. ignorance, poverty. and disuhlon, per
v,dc the earth, Are not these evils severe
! " telt in those countries esteemed the most
civilized, DO they not now abound IN thosc
\ nations in which the arts and sciences, and
! general knowledge, and wealth, and political
nower have made the most rapid and extern
/ siye progress. Then, permit me TO ask,
! Why hayr. these plain and simple, vet most
important objects, not been attained! ny
has so little real progress been made IN the
road to substantial happiness! NY reading
4 and reflection induced me to conclude, that
man continued degraded, and poor, and ms
e. lie because he was forced by the preJu,
1 diccs Of past times, TO remain ignorant OF
his o II nature, and, in consequence, that ae
I had formed nstitutions.iot III unison, nut II
7 opposition to it; and thence proceeded the
I ii
ture.
10 aid me in discovering whether this
conclusion was true or false, my attention
was turned 10 the examination oi facts CAL
I cQlated to assist in forming right lndg neht
upon the subject. A steady and persevering
examination of these facts, confirm the early
impressions made by reading and reflection.
The records Of history informed me, that
i,npan nature had been governed by force
and fraud, and THAI general conviction pre-
vailed that it could not be otherwise control
led with safety or benefit TO itself Yet,
from the most impartial consideration /
4 could give to the past transactions OF man
kind | was obliged to conclude that those
principles of government proceed from error
regarding the real con.ttution OF human na-
4 ture.
1t seemed to me, that Il government found
cd on Justice, kindness, and sincerity, as
soon as the world could be induced TO admit
of sincerity III its transactions, would be onc
more suited 10 human nature, and much
more likely to improve the condition OF any
people. To enable me to ascertain the truth
or error of these suppostions, az the age OF
4 eighteen, ! commenced Il series OF eAperl-
ments upon limited population.
At that period circumstances occurred
ntlISu ptetSNNi SVp pN'HS"S 1855
and children--uuder my management; and
from that time to this, ! have had from soc
t. $500, the present number under my I'M
mediate direction.
Without any regard to the previous char
acter Of these people, determined to gov
ern them upon principles OF strict justice
and impartial kindness.
| wished also, TO have adopted system o.
! open sincerity with all of them; but the ir-
rational state of their minds, OF these acount
them, and of the public at large at t''at pc
Rod rendered such a proceeding impraotica-
bic md the attempt to introduce practice ST
new and strange to the world, would have
DESTROYED my usefulness.
! was, therefore, BY the force Of circum
stances, compelled TO reflect much, 20 speak
little, and to practice extensively. .Ant
these we're my habits during the first twen,
y .cars OF these experiments. In all THAI
period, did not intrude one sentence upor
the world: for | deemed it duty to make
! myself quite sure of the truth Of all the prin.
: ciples upon which acted, before ! recon-
mendea them for the adoption of others.
DIt, during that period, ! hal q full op
portuuty of proying the truth and value 0
5 the principles which had governed my con
: duet.
4 These principles enable me 70 proceed
from one step of success to another, unit
5 more was accomplished than the worlt
! deemed possible TO attain in practice Man