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


Fron the Ml.sachuseus Spy.
Mir. Editor Most OF your readers have probably
heard something of Robert Owens New Social
System In The west If so, their curiosity has
doubtless been excited TO learn .he particulars of
their progress and fate; and having resided al this
establishment the Wabash about sixteen months
purpose giving brief and i'm partial sketch of
;helr proceedings during that time.
In the spring of 1926. Robert Owen came to
America under what he deemed to be the most ia
vourable auspices. His views were extensive be-
aeYolent and highly liberal, perfectly consistent
with the spirit OF libSrty and equality, which he
knew TO be the pride of Americans 10 cherish and
lerpetuae: lie had previously been in this coun-
Try, cultivated extensive acquaintance with
thc distinguished men of this nation, made MANY
converts 10 his New System, and spread before the
public mind his whole theory. lie had also pur
chased of The colony of Germans in Indiana, large
tract oil land on which they had built a connections
and beautiful town, where he concentrated es-
tsblishing society tor preparation, or Gas il was
cslledl a Preliminary Society: and when a surS
Gent number OF individuals should have acquired
q confidence in each other, through a koc yyIedqe
OF their habits and characters, they were 10 90
out and form community of equality and com
mon property. On Tic 9Th of April, he had coli
iecte1 considerable number of persons at New
Harmony from various parts parts of the u States
and from Europe; and in an address delivered by
HIN on thai day, he laid before them his ohiect in
coming TO this country, and after that consiitu-
ton which he recommended them to adopt in order
TO carry has purposes mo effect. lie stated that
be had come TO this country TO Introduce an en-
TIRE new state OF society, 80 change il from the ig-
nOrant, selfish system to an enIiahier ed social
sTsten which should gradually unite all inter ests
!nto ore AMI Temoys all cause for contest between
lndiyiduals" On the first OF May the con-li,u-
ton was adopted. and the society wss Immediate
y org n!Ied agreeably TO its provisions and COM
msnced its operations. Shortly after this Mr. Oyv-
e2 departed for Scotland, leaving the management
OF The affairs OF the society in the hands Of com
n,iitee chosen from among he members.
OF The circumstances which transpired from the
commencement Of the society in May i'll the frs,
OF December following, the writer of this article
has personal know ledge. at the latter perioJ
The number Of members had increased 10 one thou
s7nd; Gazette had been esrablsled s. the school.
were IN operation or plan similar TO that of New
14anark in scotland. At this time an The members
Of the society in high hopes Of success. They
mad, however, met with many difficulties since the
comnenc ement, winch no former experience had
made them acquainted with the means of oysrcou-
ing yet they looked forward with a certainty
which ew men feel in their anticipafi ms that nm
me return OF 1tobert Oven, all their difficulties
would be al ted and they " Ould be condu-fed in
path which would lead them directly to prosDe
Tity and permanent happiness. The Inducements
which were at this time held out, particularly for
youth, 10 'ir the society, were almost irresistible
Ia a'coTidncs with the lrscepts left them by Ro-
encou aged with a most liberal hand Their DAYS
and nights, not excepting The Sabbath, passed Of
IN a continual round Of lroic aud reYelry, b,Ils
concerts AMI cards, occupied almost the exclusive
attention OF The whole socie'y. Bat business being
neglected, confusion soon eDsued. The eIn6arrass-
ments Of the society were realized by all parties
end all ccnsoled themselves with the reflection
that " the clouds which lowered upon them" Ihen
would dispense on tie approach Of the great re-
former.
The society continued in this state until abou,
he middle OF January, 1926, at which time the
founder II The system made his second APPEARANCE
Hs was accompanied by several gentlemen Of great
literary aad scicnic auainments, both from Turope
and from the eastern Giles. He Immediately met
he whole society in the church. and expressed the
high degree OF Subtraction and delight he felt on
witnessing much"h9rmony and zeal AID sn erea,
an increase Of population, far exceeding The number
ne bad expected would collect there in three wears
!Hom the commencement, and aatterInely declared
ihat the condition Of the society was far better than
ne expected TO find IL and although it had been his
original intention 10 wait until they hid lived to-
gether several yssrs before he at,enptci 10 form
community Of common properly, yet he then
thogght them amply qualified for that purpose
aud proposed the dissolution OF tbs preliminary
society, and the Immediate organization OF com
muuity.
Much debate occurred before ths could be effect
81. IL was considsrel by many TO be fatal step
1t was deviiing widely from The original plan, and
total failure Of tie Undertaking was the general
prediction. Great tsrnt was elected during the le-
gislaliye proceedings, aul much time consumed be-
fore constitution was completed, accepted, and
sfgnel BY this constitution The executive power
n ihe community was vested in a council to con-
slst OF the secfel9ry, treasurer, and commissary
ana four supefntendents OF departments. Tie
community divided into six departments, and
these departments we're subJiyidel into oceupa-
,cns
Sub.Uluen, 10 The Organization Of the communi.
~ the fret act on the part Of Robert Owen, gyor-
ny Of relating, the introduction Of commu-
n.ty costume. This measure produced consdera
bic excitement although the dress was generally
s1opied and worn. All we're aware Of the utility
o! uniformity in dress yet some females were 40
sfongly opposed to The +, shi1n ofths one recon-.
mended, that they would neither wear IL Them
selYes, nor associate with those OF tkeir seq voLo
we're leps scfupu.ous Their dress was a frcct
ysry full, beFe1 on, and extending little below
TIE knee, and panale'ts, OF, 90 they were called
bd1es, The neck and afms bare. Tie dress Of he
u,en vas q short jacket wiih no collar, drawn on
Over he head, with pantol0ons botloncd on IT, Ca
aieal Of being suppored BY suspenierr) and belt
cd founa IN YAK. 1S's drsss wgs w6rs several