The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-07

New York, Sunday, April z, 1914.
The Fourier ment.

proceedings OF the disciples OF Fourier at CLINTON
Hall In many respects this movement Is worthy
OF attention, and we have accordingly giVeh' uay
after day, full and accurate report OF the sayings
and doings of this singular section OF the great
family Of philosophers, nowadays grown 10 DC
race numerous, noisy, snd intelgibIe as The frogs
in the prolific ponds of Harlem. This was thetrst con
vocation of the Fourierites in this country, and has
given us much clearer insight into the character,
motives capacities and creed of these followers of
the new Saviour of the world, than had been az
forded by their numerous publications., including
the daily exposition OF the doctrines and progress OF
the sect, in their organ. the Tribune.
The material aspect of the Convention alone-the
physical instrumentality of the movement-was
exceedingly peculiar, interesting, amusing and in
structve. There was something so bizarre, I'M
common, so odd in the very appearance of this
body Of philosophers, which at once struck the
spectator, and excited mingled feelings Of surprise,
suspicion, rdcule and pity Most of the men had
permitted their hair to grow without any dread of
the scissors, and it lay in thick, matted, I'M
combed masses on their shoulders; and several
of them had boards worthy of father Abraham
himself. Their shirt-collars of enormous dimen-
slons, but not always particularly clean, were worn
Ia Byron, and their clothing generally mad that
understandable slovenIy, loose, and careless cfarac
ter which distinguishes the garments OF MIR. PhIlo-
sopher Greeley. About half dozen females, con-
siderably beyond the period of early adolescence,
attended the Convention, and were not ladys
dress too delicate matter wherewith to NEEDLE,
we might give a slight description of the external
appearance of those devoted sisters, but refrain
On the countenances of all, however, male and fe-
male, there had settled expression Of Wild drea-
IL, IL. ,rla
ment, speeches and proceedings OF the Convention
Its slngularly characteristic expression There was
an air Of mock solemnty and dignity about the
whole business which excessively amusing
Had the whole thing been intended as burlesque
on a deliberative assembly of the nineteenth cen
fury, it could not have been more exquisiiey sue
cessful. As it was, the idea that the manager Of
some lunac asylum had hit upon happy method
OF amusing the lll-sarred beings under his charge,
was continually presenting itself, and feeling of
the sincerest pity made the farce far, far too
serious for laughter.
And, indeed, the spectacle was one calculated to
excite commiseration for many Of the actors in it,
Somehcre were, whose philanthropy, more than
doubtful, merted smarting rebuke, but the majority
were,so far as one could Judge, really enthusiasts
fired with zeal, and ready for any sacrifice. But
in what did their madness differ from that of the
wretches who inhabit the gloomy cells of the ma
MAC? Wild--incoherent-e xtiavagant-impious
and profane-look at their views, opinions, and
prof cts as expressed and described by themselves,
and into what depths of folly and insanity these
Reformers'' plunge themselves, when they for
sake the pure and simple system of philosophy and
morals which Jesus Christ urfolded in his sermons
illustrated in his holy and spotless life, and sealed
and ClOriied in his death on Calvary?
And this, forsooth, is ga religious movement"
So said Mr.. Charming, and so re-echoed all the
disciples. And the first step which these "reli-
gous' reformers take is to overturn Christianity.
Their God is human naure-Fourier their Christ
and phalanx'' their heaven. They reject with
quiet contempt all the great doctrines of the Bible
Thai holy book itself they regard as of no more
authority, and higher inspiration than the poems
of Homer. The doctrines OF human depravity-of
the necessity cf an atonement for sln-and of the
omnpotent efficacy of divine grace in purifying and
sancIifying the heart,-these and all the other
tenes of the Christian faith, they utterly reject.
AS to the morality of the system which apostles
Greeley, Brisbane, and their associates, urgently
enforce universal acceptance it is necessary only
TO refer to OF Fouriers doctrines Whilst he was
of opinion that part of mankind were formed
tor constancy in love, he held that another part
were formed tor change and with wonderfully
.hilanthrOplc desire to meet all tastes, and carry
out fully the principles of his system, Fourier,
sording to his expounder, Mr.. Parke Goodwin, has
made arrangements to suit this diversity of taste
and feeling. But hear Mr.. Goodwin this point
90 The passion OF love- Fourier argues, before it
yield all the results of which it is capable, must
undergo SIMILAR organization by series to meet all
the icants Of all the natures which God sends into
isence The first organization, therefore, is that of
the vestalIc Corporation, devoted to the development
of the most purely spiritual relations between the
sexes. and which is surrounded by the most atrrac-
tive charms, and the most ennobling honors, TO
tain its members as long as possible within Its IN
structons another would be a corporation of con-
stancy, as have said, at which the most part
OF men and women would stop ,cIiie others again,
named Bdcchantes, Baydderes, &c. &c., ,oould pass
into other corporations not strict in their require
yrsxts" Such characters as Aspasia, Ninon
d'Enclos, and others of like stamp, Fourier re-
CARDS as essential parts in the vanity of the human
race, who will always exist, "who must be allowed
for in every system of philosophy, and whom So
cety, instead Of merely thrusting from its char-
ties, must turn to some good account" In fine,
he says, in his own clear and philosophic style,
g the most irregular natures must be made CO.
operate in the production of harmonic results"
Here then we have very frank and candid ac-
Acknowledgement of the extremely pure and agreea-
bic morality Of the Fourier system vestas. Fl
delios, Bacehantes Bayaderes, and "Sc. &c :"
and this is the system in whose adoption these men
have the impudence TO offer an efectual remedy
for the RIGHTEOUSNESS which prevails in the pesep,
state of society.
We do not ut present occupy more space in the
exposure of the foily-the absurdltythe infdellty
the charatanism Of these miserable philosophers.
Their whole system is in direct and open hostility
to Christianity. Revelation, reason, and expo
RE nee, all condemn it as immoral and impractl-
cable.