The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-06-20
SaSaCeIla1gp.
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
ROBERT OWENS COMMUNITY

ROBERT OWENS COAlMU NIFTY.
Mr.. EDIToR-Most of your readers have
probably heard something of Robert Ovens
New Social System in the west. If so, their
curiosity has doubtless been excited to learn
the particulars of their progress and fate; and,
having resided at his establishment on the
Wabash about sixteen months, purpose Civ
ing brief and impartial sketch of their pro-
ceedings during that time
In the spring of 1926, Robert Owen came to
America under what he deemed to be the most
favorable auspices. His views were extensive,
benevolent, and highly liberal, perfectly consis-
tent with the spirit of liberty and equality,
which he knew to be the pride Of Americans TO
cherish chez, aRas e5Iis, ulFehh had ngssFFiGpefg
acquaintance with the distinguished men of
the nation, made many converts to his New
SYSTEM and spread before the public mind his
whole theory. He had also purchased of the
colony OF Germans in Indiana, large tract of
land, on which they had built a commodious
and beautiful town, where he contemplated eg-
tablishing society for preparation, or Gas it
was called) a Preliminary Society and when
sufficient number of individuals should have
acquired a confidence in each other, through
knowledge Of their habits and characters, they
were to go out and form community ofequal-
ity and common property. On the 9th of
April, he had collected a considerable number
of persons at New Harmony from various parts
of the United States and from Europe and in
an address delivered by him on that day, he
laid before them his object in coming to this
country, and after that constitution which he
recommended them to adopt in order to carry
his purposes into effect. lie stated that he
chad come TO this country to introduce an en-
tire new state OF society; to change it from
the ignorant, selfish system, to an enlightened,
social system, which should gradually unite all
interests into one, and remove all cause for
contest between individuals" On the first of
May the constitution was adopted, and the So
ciety was Immediately organized agreeably to
its provisions, and commenced it's operations.
Shortly after this Mr.. Owen departed for Scot
land, leaving the management of the affairs of
the society in the hands of committee chosen
from among the members.
OF the circumstances which transpired from
the commencement of the society in May Till
the first of December following, the writer of
this article has no personal knowledge. At
the latter period, the number of members had
| increased to one thousand Gazette had been
! established, and the schools were in operation
on plan similar to that of New Lanark in
Scotland At this timo all the members of the
society were in high hopes of success. Thoy
had, however, met with many difficulties since
the commencement which no former expert
means of overcoming yet they looked for
ward with a certainty which few men feel IN
their anticipations, that, on tho return of Rob
~ .a~s>s Ssl~a-
ed and they would be conducted in path
which would lead them directly to prosperity
and permanent happiness. The inducements
which were at this time held out, particularly
for youth to Join the society, were almost ir-
resistible. In accordance with the precepts
left them by Robert Owen, public amusements
and pleasure were encouraged with most lib
eral hand. Their days and nights, not except
ing the Sabbath, passed off in a continual
round of frolc and revelry. Balls, concerts
> and cards occupied almost the exclusive atten-
ton of the whole society But, business being
neglected, confusion soon ensued. The en-
, barrassments of the society were realized by
all parties, and all consoled themselves with
the reflection that " the clouds which lowered
upon them" then, would dispense on the ap-
proach of the great reformer.
J The society continued in this state until
about the middle of January, 1926, at which
time the founder of the system made his Soc
ond appearance. He was accompanied by sew
eral gentlemen Of great literary and scientific
attainments, both from EuSope and from the
eastern cities. He Immediately met the whole
society in the church, and expressed the high
degree of satisfaction and delight he felt on
witnessing so much harmony and zeal, and SO
great an increase of population, far exceeding
the number he had expected would collect
: there in three years from the commencement
and fiattcringly declared, that the condition o.
the society was far better than he expected tc
find it and, although it had been his origina
ntention TO wait until they had lived together
several years before he attempted to form .