The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-12-05
From the Herald of Freedom.
WooDsTocK, Nov. 7, 1874.

|
my old home among the green hills OF
Vermont, and although the winter seems
! rather pinching in anticipation, yet find
ing myself emphatically the creature of
circumstances, am compelled TO think this
the best home for our family at present:
still however thinking the climate here
better for the occupancy of bears and o'h>
err furred animals, than for naked frat ca.
teqs This is a branch Of reform which
has received but little attention as yet, ex-
ceot from nvalds, but it does seem to me
that it is not altogether without importance
where we are located but let this pass Tor
the present.
You will expect me to say something
of Communities, as my last letter 10 you
was dated from " Humanty's Home."-
Although my mind is entirely changed,
in reference TO the Skaneateses movement,
| can see no good reason why the truth,
rs it has been revealed to me, should not be
spoken as freely as ever Suppose we as
progressive beings are expected 10 change
our views of things, in proportion as we
investigate, else why do we investigate at
all? Community principles as they have
been preached their most extended
Specification, are as dear 10 me as they
were the first momen! they were develops
ed. A oneness of property and interest is
The beau ideal of every philanthropist, and
must be realized at some time still in the
future J. A. Collins can preach Com>
munity doctrines eIoquenlIy-beaulifully,
but it is my humble opinion, that he has
not the ability TO practice his own pre-
cepts. He has, in his practical character,
the elements OF a perfect tyrant. It's true,
he binds with sllen cords, but none the
less sure; when the hour of trial comes,
they are found to possess all subtlity of
iron bolts and bars. Lam read y still 10
spend all the strength which can COM
mand, in advancing the cause of free Com
muni,ies, and so long as | could feel a
hope Of doing so by remaining at Skane.
teies, all my efforts were concentrated
there. Butt is all over,-at least it seems
so to me now,-wish l may fnd it a miss
take Have been fearful for the last three
months, that Collins had not the power to
practice many of the principles which are
necessary for the establishment of such an
enterprise, but have hoped there was lnteg'
rity enough on the ground to subdue the
Ispirit of tyranny, which was plainly ex-
hibited by some individuals. But when
the two, who should be the last 10 do such
a thing, each in turn holds the rod-Le-
/ gal Power---over the heads of their equal
brothers, and threaten 10 use it too, unless
things are regulated according 10 then
views, then all hope of freedom and equal
ity vanlshes, and there is no alternative
but to submit, fight, or run the latter has
been my choice in this case.
There is some of the best Community
material at Skaneatees, the whole worlt
GIN produce, and | fear some of the worst
and for the lack OF the necessary knowl
edge TO prevent it, the bad has obtained
too much power over the good or rathe
we have, through ignorance, created al
unfavorable train of circumstances which
has overthrown and thwarted all our font
> on,icipations.
There are now more individuals OF
Community Farm, than at any time pre-
yious to this. Mother earth has reward
ed their toll with a bouniful harvest OF al
most all the necessary ealables, and som
still cherish warm hopes of accomplishin;
the object for which they are striving bu
those who have watched the experimen
for six months, are fast losing conidenc
in the Leadcrs,-Uhere are leaders,) II
nv mind i! is an impossibility to have
free Community at Skaneateles. 1t ma
) be patched up few times, by getting ne'
members once in six months, or there ma
ID be some kind of an organized associato
under The especial supervision of J. A
Collins; but even this is predetermined /
present, at least with the material now o
e The ground Collins made one great ar
fatal mistake, in drawing his measures
He sought, and thought he had the powt
10 direct the very best minds in the cout
try. He would say, "this enterprise de
serves the very best minds in the land.
He had tact enough to enlist them, b.
they cannot harmonize with all his device
his plans are deep and many of theI
shrewd, but he has not the right class
MAD to carry them out; he cannot SUI
coed with independent men-those VIII
are governed by principles instead ofme
and such, the majority at Skaneateles mo
e, assuredIy are. They must many of the'
be exchanged for servile, time-servin
class, or the enterprise be given up entir
# ly; for if it lives at all, it must live as
A. Collins Community, by fair means
foul.
| have still charity enough for John
think he does not fully realize that it is
believe he sometimes feels that. he
free, and thnks he is willing those aroul
him should be; but in this he deceives hiI
self and many others. He wants eve