The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-06-20

siuch debate occurred before this could b.
enected. 1t was considered by MANY TO be ,
latai step. 1t was deviating widely from til,
original plan, and total failure of the under
taxing was the general prediction Great tai
eht was ehcIted during the legislative proceed
ings, ana much time consumed before consti-
tuition was completed, accepted and signed
By this constitution the executive power OF
the community was F ;ted in a council to con-
sist OF the Secretary, Treasurer and Commits
ssafy, and four superintendent of departments.
Inc community was divided into six DEPART
mlents, and these departments wero subdivided
into occupations
Subsequent to the organization of the COM
worthy n ttfstiffat, aeAaFgt nj 81 81
community costume. This measure produc-
ed considerable excitement, although the dress
was generally adopted and worn All were
aware of the utility of uniformity in dress ;
yer some females were SO strongly opposed to
Gle fashion OF the one recommended, that they
would neither wear it themselves, nor ascot
ate with those Of their sex who were less scru-
pulous. Their dress was a frock. very full
belted on, and' extending a little below the
knee, and Pantdtetts, or, as they were called,
PaddteS-the neck and arms bare The dress
OF the men was short jacket with no collar,
drawn on over the head, with pantaloons but
toned on 1t, (lnstead of being supported by sus-
penders) and belted round the waist. This
dress was worn several months, but at LENGTH,
with very few exceptions, was wholly discon-
tinued
Inc next extraordinary act was public
protest against the marriage ceremony, as sane
TONED by the laws of the State. A large as
senblY met Ill the hall to witness a marriage.
when Robert Owen addressed them in a speech
OF considerable length, and concluded by in
Producing written protest against the rites
winch were about to be performed, the parties
having previously consented to have it produc-
ed and to subscribe. The article was in the
following words :--'' !, A. b. do agree to take
this woman mani to be my wife, Ihusbandl
and declare that | submit to any other cere-
mony on this occasion only in conformity with
the laws of the State" He contended that
the legal form of marriage was absurd, mas
much as the future husband and wife were
compelled solemnly to promise to love each
other their aoh0te lives, while at the same time
they were conscious that their affections do
not for one hour depend upon themselves -
Much disapprobation was expressed against this
measure, particularly by the women They
viewed 1t as step towards RIGHTEOUSNESS,
which it did not become them to sanction, and
which the principles in which they had been
educated, and regard for their reputation
among Their friends in general society, imper-
atively forbid them to countenance. It was
never after assented to by any one
On the fourth of July, 1926, the pompous
declaration of mental independence was deliv-
cred in the hall to a large assembly 1t was
from editors of papers throughout the Union,
showers of satire, ridicule and invective. The
principle feature of the declaration was the as
scrtion, that all the evils and calamities that
had ever afflicted mankind from the beginning
of his existence, had their source in one OF
more of the institutions of religion, individual
interest, and marriage He then declared us
free from these fruitful sources of evil He
stated that, hitherto, all mankind had been
slaves to some one or all of these institutions
but they were now at liberty TO think and act
unshackled by the laws of public opinion Ii
was an unprecedented display of ostentation,
productive of no visible benefit whatever
Even those who were firm believers in the doc
trines it contained, viewed it as measure cal
culated only to draw down the ridicule of the
world upon its author and his associates. In
short, il had no other effect among the members
ofthe community, than to excite mingled feel
ing of establishment and disgust.
Both previous and subsequent to this event,
till the month Of October, innumerabe difficult
ties presented themselves, which led to the
rejection of the constitution, and the adoption
ofvarioGs other plans, which were attended with
no better success; but, on the contrary, offend
ed and drove away many of the most valuable
members, and destroyed the confidence of all
in Mr.. Owen, who was induced to resort to a
measure which few men would have hazarded
In October he proposed a contract by which
every individual should invest his property un-
der provision that it should be refunded by
the community after tho member should have
notified them of his intention to withdraw, ir
instruments graduated according to the amount
of property rendered in. Robert Owen gave
in all his property in the United States under
such conditions that he could ne. obtain il
again in less than thirty years. The govern
ment was then invested in board of trustees
appointed by Mr.. Owen. Tho trustees contin.
ued in the exercise of their trust for several
months, when it was announced by them that
some radical change must be effected in all the
concerns of the community, or they would
speedily become bankrupts.
A selection was then made by the trustees
of the least efficient members of the commune
ty, to whom they offered land, implements Of
out and form society by themselves. Til.
was thought by them impracticable, and they
refused to comply. They were then notifieC
that they must leave the community within
given time, and if not, their provision would be
stopt. Many families were destitute of the
luedilS VI Outul uNdJ uiAN UcAliS threat
ened with starvation, the distress apprehend
ed was so extreme and terrifying, that it drew
forth against Robert Owen the bitterest ours
es and execrations. All their troubles were
attributed to his deceitfu representations and
bad management. Several families left the
place under very unhappy circumstances =
others, who were ordered away, could not GO
for want Of means, and the trustees were COM
PEELED to break up the community, and return
again to the individual system. Houses and
shops were rented to such as wished to re.
main the store and several other establish
ments were sold three or four small colonies
were formed on the New Harmony lands Z
number of families settled themselves at Ne
villevile, Ohio, and many returned to their for
mer places of residence, all convinced that thu
author of the theory of the New System of So
ciety possesses not the proper qualifications 70
testing its practicabiIity in the United States
Robert Owen, after bidding adieu to the in
habitants of New Harmony, departed for Scot
land. :.