The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-11-30
ASHLAND, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, MORNING, NOVEMBER 81
THE zoARIrEs.

Inc eustor oil the canton lrunScrlpL,
in noticing the decease of Mr., Bimeler,
The patriarch Of the Zoariies, writes thus
Of this singular people. The sketch is
graphic and faithful: " " 'F q
The patriarch Of Zoar now sleeps in
the quiet tomb. The history Of this COM
munily is of interest, as exhibiting the
moral force of a single individual-Bime-
ler--as well as practical demonstration
Of socialism. | s'''
We have always been impressed with
The idea that this colony, Originally con
sistiDg of two hundred individually left
Wurlenburgh in Germany on account of
their religious persecution. TEey are in
religion what is termed SeparatstS, be.
cause they separated from Luther and oth'
ers /; or, rather they are dicipleS Of Jacob
Behman who Hourished some two hun
dred years since. '# h
They embarked for tho New World
from Germany in the Spring Of 1917, and
landed in Philadelphia in August Of ihe
same year. When they landed on our
shores they were poor in purse, ignorant
of the manners and customs Of the Ameri-
cans. The Quakers Of philadelphia rem;
dered them assistance, and one Quaker
sold them $500 acres of land which form
erly had been military land, at a very
moderate price, and uFon long credit
This land was situated in the vicinity Of
what was known as Fort Lawrence, in
Tuscarawas county Ohio.
Subject 10 all manner Of privaiiens and
toll incident 10 settling in a new country,
yet undismayed and with cheerful hearts,
did this community toll on, surmOunting
difficulties and obstacles which would have
appalled, less hardy pioneers. For all their
toll, priyalions and Inconvenience, they
felt themselves repaid in the privilege el
worshipping God according to the dictates
Of their own conscience, without auy
medding priest 10 prosecute, or syrani to
Cypress.
This community or association present
to US the corroboration Of some great truths.
They commenced in abject poverty steep
ed in Indebtedness, except their proVerbia
economy and their own brawny muscular
arms. In little more than quarter o
a century, by right applications 20 ma1imi
learned in Falherand, they have by lheil
industry accumulated property which il
worth more than q half million Of dol
lars. Ha ..
I They have adhered TO certain fxel
principles, and have ever held them sacred
" in view, and now, in the evening Of thei
life, they are enjoying the abundant harve
Of their early labor. "l
But their Patriarch is with them NJ
more. lie has fulflled his destiny, an
his mission is apparent 10 every one VII
, has arrived at that point in philosophy
which furnishes us with sh Insight int
the motives of mankind. The problem
has been solved that community ca
exist in peace, quielness, harmony an
love, where a manifestation of the base
passions, Jails, Judges, Juries, paraphc
nllia attendant upon the administration O
Statute Law are strangers. The problem
has been solved, that the doctrine Il
Christ--"Love thy neighbor as myself
and the new commandment which he CAV
his disciples" Love one another" ar
fundamental principles Of society, PEI
version of these doctrines are frought wi,
all the evils we daily witness in society
Yet the Zoariies believe not in the nissiO
of the Nazarine. ..5 .. .....
Many entertain fears that the commun
' ty will now be dissolved. We venture I
predict that so long as any Of those hard
pioneers, who have bore tho burden {
heat and labor for one-lhiid Of century
exist that the community will not be di,
solved. If il were dissolved ere tWelv
months il would be formed again. Th
tie the trials, the associations, the labOr'
/, the suferings ofali(e time are no dissolve
in a moment. Thet Pioneers are to
4 old to learn the ways of the world in III
evening Of their life. The prisoner, VIII
after enjoying his liberty two days, II
quested TO be sent back to prison-it wi
:, his home--and he desired no other.
: . The Zoar community is not a monarch
but an elective system, in which femsl
. enjoyed an equal right with the males.