American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-07-10

sNorthnmpfon, .;ane 27s
.Hr. Ompn's Community al .As,r Harmony. md,
ana.-Mr. Owens attempt to establish his New,
Social System in the West, on the principle Of
community OF interest, has entirely failed and hs-
has departed Tor Scotland. A correspondent of
the Worcester Spy. who has been member Of his
Society ON the W abash. for i6 months, gives Q,
brief sketch of their proceedings during that time
When he joined the preliminary society in De-
cember. s25. the number of members was 1000,
and all were III high hopes Of success. Though
they had many difficulties to encounter, they fully
believed that on MIR. Owens return FROM Scotland
they should be conducted directly to prosperity
and happiness. Almost irresistible allurements
were held out for youth to Join the society. Tn ac-
cordance with MIR. Ovens precepts, amuscments
and pleasure were literally encouraged; their days
and nights. including the Sabbath. were spent ii,
frolic and revelry and balls, concerts and cards
occupied ALMOST their whole attention. Business
was neglected. and confusion soon ensued
Mr. Owen appeared again among them in Janu-
ary, 1926. and immediately proposed the tissou-
ton OF the preliminary society, and the organiza-
ton OF community OF common property. Ehis
was effected after some opposition, and new coiie
sttution was adopted.
Soon after this MIR Owen introduced uniform
ity Of dress. That Of the women was frock, We
~ FULL belted on. and extending little below the
Some of the females rcbelled, and would not wear
the dress recommended, nor associate with those
who did. The dress Of the men was a short Jack
ct without any collar, drawn on over the head, with
pantaloons bettoned on it, and beltei round the
waist This dress was wholly discontinued after
"a few months. Mr.. Ovens next step was pub
lie protest against the marriage ceremony. lie
said it was absurd for man and woman to pom
Use to love each other their nEpe lives. THIS
sure was strongly disapprosed, especially By the
women.
On the 9TH Of July. 1926, Mr.. Owen came QUE
with his declaration of mental independence. which
drew from papers throughout the union showers Of
satire. nvective and rilicule He asserted that ali
the evils and calamities Of man had their source in
institutions Of religion, individual interest and
marriage. AM, declared his community free from
those sources Of evils. This declaration excited
feelings Of establishment and disgust among th.
members. Innumerabe evils presented themselves
before and after this event; the constitution WAS
rejected, and varup. other plans adopted with no
better success. In October last contract was
proposed by which those who invested their prop
erty were to receive it again, If they should after
wards withdraw, and board of trustees was ap
pointed. All did not do, and az bankruptcy was
fast approaching it was found necessary to order
the least efficient members to leave the community.
Many families left the place under very unlap
py circumstances. utterng bitter against MIR,
Owen: others could not 90 for want OF means. and
,efuscd to obey the srler; and finally the trustees
were forced TO break up the community, AM. re-
turn to the individual system. Some hired or pur
chased huases or shops; others formed small cole
MES on the New Harmony lands; number set
tied in Ohio; and many returned to their former
places Of residence. Many respectable families
have sacrificed much property to promote this Wis.
ionary scheme, and the hopes Of all have been
blasted. Most of them have lost their confidence
III Mr. Owen, and attribute their msfortunesto him.
Mr.. Ovens son still remains at New Harmony
and publishes paper.
Thus has ended this new tangled PROJECT for the
Moderation of tie human race, and thus will end
the plans If all pretended reformers who discard
the doctrines and duties of Christianity
Hampshire Gaseite.