The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-08

Anlsrtes ..,s............ ........,........ ooo
There are so many orders Of the socialstic philo-
ssphy, that it i impossible to form any strict elias
mGcation Of them, but We shall endeavor, in the
Of our future inquiries, to obtain spcci
&c and reliable information with respect to them
ALL The history Of these philosophical OF socals-
bic associations in this country is Very curious. 1t
is not whit less important and strange the history
Of the religious denominations, and tho fragmenta-
~ bands which are splitting OF every now and then
from the main bodies.
OF the infdel philosophers, tho first who is distin-
Euished in this country for perseverance, in his be-
def, though he was not very anxious to make pro-
selytes, Tom Paine the great political essayist
Of the American revolution, who derived much Of
his spirit from the philosophers Of the school
Of faith, who dabbled freely in blood and free
thinking in the French revolution at the close Of
the last century. Jefferson was another who
tertained opinions antagonistic 70 the Christian
faith though he, too, is exempt from any charge Of
attempting to make converts to hs views, which
undoubtedly were much strengthened during hi
mission to France his mind being plastic enough
to receive the impress Of the times in which he
lived, on questions of this kind. Neither Of these
men, however, affected society 10 any great extent
by their singular dogmas. The Christian princi-
Piles, both Catholic and Protestant, implanted in
the hearts of the people Of the colonies by the
churches Of the colonies, and by the Puritans Of
New England, were too deeply and strongly fixed,
70 be speedily eradicated. A popular revulsion,
accordingly, was turned towards Paine and Jefer-
son. even though their talents and public services
were in some degree respected. The saints prayed
for their conversion, in the nope that they might
believe less in the age Of reason, ard more in the
era Of the gospel. However, The settled religious
principles Of the people were maintained, till with
in the last thirty years. The soil then appeared
ready for philosophy Of strange clements.
In the year 1929, Thomas Skidmorc appeared In
the upper wards Of the city, among the working
men, melting them 10 action, and advising the
people to insist upon general division Of property.
He entered into the political arena and the agita-
tors enabled 70 a ticket, and even 10
elect member TO the Assembly The agitation
thus commenced soon spread and.nfeetei large
number Of the population, and, in the next year,
we had the sequel In the -four riots. Thon began
the emigration from England Of the socialist pho-
sophers Of that day. Robert Owen. Of Lanark, and
Fanny Wright appeared among Us. Owen gave
lectures in many parts Of ths country, and Fanny
Wright-nos Madame acknowledgement the
theatres and lectured before great mutituics, who
delighted to listen to her eloquent errors The phi
osophiesl infdclity d the Last century revived
and its advocates, encouraged by thor apparent
suecess, went far o. 10 aim al the practical
adjustment Of their theories Fanny Wright
eventually started conmuni3t village in Nashoo-
bn, Tennessee and Owen established similar In
stitution ~ Harmony, Indiana, which, curously
enough, he sold out 10 Rsrp. The new philoso-
pbics system, however, all not work. IL went into
decay, and even Fanny Wright took a husband
for better worse, after the ways Of the world,
and settled down quietly ~ conformity to the laws
Of the state IL which sAo lives. 1.attcrly, Il Is
stated that shc has abandoned her FIRST husband.
and Is looking out i,r fresber one t. end her days
While Owen and Fanny Wright were seeking
proseytcs in Tie early part OF their career in this
country, the press was not neglected % lever to
turn the world and IT, ways upside down. An
evening paper was started in this city, called The
.Seafina, by Robert Dale owen, aad soon after the
Fire. Tnguiyo made IL appearance. under the aus.
pieces Of II. III. Robinson. an English frcethinkcr,
who decidedly in favor of anti-C Tristan scnti
ments and even Of anti-slavcsy. This writer, how
ever, soon found out bic errors, nrd rcpcnting Of
his early follies, embraced Christianity and has
settled down in New Brunswick, New Jersey, rs q
pious physician, where h. i very successful on the
homeopathic system Out oc the ashes Of the
Ssnind sprang the frsi penny daily paper that ever
appeared In this city, printed BY Evans in Chatham
square. II was called Tic Ma, which, however.
did not long contiaue in existence.
The success OF the inGdcls and socialists with the
press is to be found al a u crc recent date Il com.
ypepsed when Albert Brisbane succeeded In con.
erting Horace Greeley to the views Of Charles
Fourier. whose disciple he Is. Brisbane was born
nwestern New York; and, after having acquired
handsome education, he wont over to Paris, whore
Ssfell IN With Fourier. living In garnet, at the
Ilacs De Ia Bourse, and very soon became q pupl
and convert Of that theorists principles Of society
and public polity. Having become fully indoctri-
with thoss chin erls AL laas and tho "details