Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-07-31

The next extraordinary act was public protest
against the marriage ceremony AS sanctioned by the
laws Of the State. large assembly met in the
hall TO witness y marriage, when Robert Owen ad.
dressed them in aspeech Of considerable length and
concluded by Introducing written protest against
the rites which to tie performed, the parties
| having previously consented TO have 1t pr oduced
and TO subscribe. The article was in the following
" ords: /, a. b. DO agree 10 take this woman
! lm'n1 to be my wife hu- band and declare that
submit TO any other ceremony on this occasion
only in conformity with the laws of the Stac."-
He commended that the legal form of marriage
absurd, inasmuch the future husband and wife
were compelled solemnly 10 love each other their
whole ive-, while at the same time they
scous that their affections DO for one hour de-
pend upon themselves Much disappTobation
was expressed against the measure, particularly by
! the women. They viewed il as a step towards Ii
! centousness, which il did not become them to
sanction, and which the principles in which they
had been educated, and gard for their reputation
among their friends in general society. imperative
ly forbade them to counienance. Ii was never
after assented TO by aoy one.
! On The fourth Of July, 1896 he pompous decla-
ration OF NJ Ga at Independence delivered in the
hail, TO large assembly. twas afterwards print
ed in the Gazette, and drew from editors of papers
throughout the Union, showers of satire, ridicue
and invectve. The principal feature of the decia-
ration was the assertion. that all the evils and Gala
mites that had ever afflicted mankind from the be-
ginning of his existence, had their in one or
more OF he institutions of religion indiv idasl nte-
rest and marriage. lie thea declared free from
these fruitful of evil. He stated that hi.
therto, all mankind had been slaves some one or
all OF these institutions, but they at IL
berry 10 think and act unshaclSled by the laws of
public opinion. IL was an Unprecedented display
OF ostentation, productive of no visible benefit
whatever. Even those who were firm believers in
the doctrines ii contained viewed it as a measure
calculated only TO draw down the ridicule of the
world upon its author and his associates. In short
II had no other effect among the members of the
community, than to excite mingled feeling of
establishment and disgust.
Both previous end subsequent TO this eyeut, till
the month OF October iunumersble difficulties pre-
sented themselves, which led TO the rejection of
the constitution aud the adoption of various other
plans, which were attended with no better success;
but, the contrary, offended and drove away ma
ny oil the most valuable members, and DESTROYED
the condolences Of all in MIR. Owen, who was in
duced TO resort 10 measure which few men would
have hazarde1. In October ne proposed a con-
tract by which every individual should invest his
property under provision that it should be re-
funded by the community after the member should
have notified them of his intention TO withdraw in
instaments graduated according to the amount of
property Tcnderedin. Robert O,yen gave in all
his property in the United States under such con-
dions that he could not obtain it again in less
than thirty years. The government was then in.
vested in board of trustees appointed by MI.
Owen. The trustees continued in the exercise of
their trust for severale months, when il was an
nouncec by them that some radical change must
be effected IN all the concerns Of the Community
or they ou!d speedily become bankIupts
A selection then made by the trustees f
The least efficient members of the commroi,v :,
whom they offered land, implements OF husbandry,
food, SC. and desired them 90 out aEd form
society By themselves This was thought by them
ImPraetic'ole, and they refused to comply. They
were then notified they must leave the comnuni- |
- within given time, and if not, their provisions
would he stopt. Many families were destitute Of
the means OF taking them away, and being thrca-
tened with starvation, the distress appTehenJed
was so extreme and terrifying that it drew forth
against Robert Owen the bitierest cures and ex
eeTations. All their troubles were attributed TO
BIZ deceutul representations and bad management
Several families left he place under very unbap
Ply circumstance; Others who were ordered ayay
could not so for want OF means, and the trustees
were compelled 10 break up the community, and
return again TO The individual sys.em Uouses and !
shops were rented 10 such as wished 10 remain:
he tore and several other establishments were
soIdi three or tour small colonies were formed on
The Harmony lands, number of families settled |
themselves at NevIlleville, Ohio, and many re- |
turned to their former places OF residence all con
Vinced that the author OF the theory of TIE ,e
System of Society possessed not The prouer Qua
Hhca'lons tor testing ats practIcatili,y in the u !
nited States.
Robert Owen, after bidding adcu to the nbabi. |
Iants OF New Harmony, departed for Scotland I
Thus Is given a rough but correct outline of the
rise, progress and fall OF an establishment which
was designed by its founder 10 smeiora,e lLe cen. |
dtion OF man, by universal reformation in socje !
~ and, although lis esult affords trumpb TO i;g
enemies, yet the snthoT OF this sketch cannot but
acknowledge that he Is among the few who lament /
lis downfall with as much sincerity as its most |
Christian opponents have ever desired it. If snv !
thing written appears embtered with hostility IN /
hobsr Owen, it has proceeded from on homes,
conviction that the mi5ioTtunes OF many worthy |
families who embarked in biz cause, are who'll, !
attributable to him, aud from sympathy for those
who have suffered. Ills promises in the begin /
ning were excessively eXtravagani, and his ex |
pectallons were very far from having been war |
ranted Cas he said they weTe) by his experience |
10 those who expressed TO him their admiration /
OF his theory, but doubted its praciicabilty he s,a
TED That be was justified by his experience insas !
surlnS hem there was no possibility of failure, aud
10 Offering them I'll the comforts OF life themsoI,e
and sure inheritance for their posierfy Of All |
that was requisite to make them inieuiepnt and
happy. On the strength OF this assurance u,anv
families oil great responsibility embarked i, his
cause-mads considerable sacrifices Of pioporfv |
and devoted themselves faithfully 10 the accom- /
TlIshment OF their object but were of,er,vs,..
treated by him In manner 100 y, Odndins tn ib.,,
feelings TO admit OF their remaining IN The socet,
Those who went to New Harmony To I'm, , |
practice the principles OF The New Syslen yvitb
belief in their tn aud prsctcabilfy. proui.sJ
Themselves not ouly freedom from ali The evil. !
that distract and fend society in its pre.ent .,s,s
but benefits and alvapfpops "a birh r, o.A.- I