New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-04-08
SOCIAL REFORM.
Practical Agricultural and Domestic isso-
ciatiou-Historical sketch OF the North
American PhalRnx.

ciation-HistoricaI sketch OF the North
American PhalgBx.
ITO meet the constant demand for information on the
subject Of Association, publish the following his
torical statement Of the North American Phalanx This
sketch was read at public meeting in this City in De-.
cember last
Prior to the spring OF l-43, Mr.. Albert Bris-
bane had been publishing, principally in The
Keic. York Tribune, series of articles on the
subject Of Social Science. He had also pub
lished bis larger work on Association, which
was followed by his pamphlet containing sum
mary of the doctrines OF new form of society,
and the outline of project to found practi-
cal Association 10 be called the North Ameri-
can Phslanx.
There was nomiOally central organization
in the City of New. York, and affiliated socie
ties were invited 10 cooperate by subscribing
the means of endOwing the proposed Phalanx,
and furnishing the persons 10 engage person
ally in the enterprise. IL was proposed TO
raise about four hundred thousand dollars, thus
making the attempt with adequate means 20
establish the conditions of attractive industry.
These essays and books had wide circula-
ton, aud many were captivsted with the glow
ing pictures of new life thus presented;
others were attracted by the economies of the
combined order which were demonstrated;
stin others were inspired by the hopes of per-
sonal distinction in the brilliant career thus
opened 10 their ambition; others again we're
profoundly impressed by Fourier's sublime an
nmciatiOn of the general destinies OF globes
and humaniiies; that progressive development
through careers characterized all movement
and all forms, that in all departments of crea-
ton, the law of the SERIES was the method OBJ
served in distributing harmOnies; consequently
that human society, and human activity TO be
in harmony with the universe Of relations, eau
not be an exception 10 the great law OF the Sc
ries consequently that the existing order OF
civ ilization and the societies that preceded II,
are but phases in the growth of the race, and
having subserved their more active uses, be-
come bases Of further development.
Among those who became interested in the
idea of social progress, were few persons in
Albany, n L., who from reading and inter
change of views, were induced TO unite in an or
canization for the purpose OF deliberately and
methodically investigating the doctrines of
new social order as announced by Fourier
deeming these doctrines worthy Of the most
profound and serious consideration.
This body after several preliminary meetings
formally adopted rules of organization, on the
9th of April, lS45, and the declaration of their
objects s IN the following words; I'VE, the under
signed, Cor the purpose OF investigating foHner' taeoy
OF social Reform expounded by Albert Brisbane. ani
deemed expedieEt OF cooperating with hike oTgsnlsG'
tons elsewhere do associate with the Interior view OF
Organizing and founding sn Industrial and Commercial
PhaGDN"
Proceedus in this direction the body assumed the
name Of "1he Albany Branch of the Moth American
PhasnN :" opened correspondence with NJ assTs Brs
bane Greeley Charming. Goodwin. Ripley and others
RAD eetres OF criticism on existing institutions aud IA
exposition of The doctrines Of the proposed order
Daring the summer, practical measures were so ma
tured. that commission was appointed TO explore the
country more particularly III the vicinity OF New
York and Of Philadelphia for suitable domain upon
which 90 commence actually the foundation OF new SO
cisl institutions Mr. Brisbane was the delegate on the
mart OF the New oTk friends and Mr. Alien WOrien on
The part of the Albany Branch A sife selected
MonnC nth County, J. about forty miles south OF New
York and on the l2th day OF August 1873 pursuant 70
public notice COuventio< WAS held N the Albany EX-
chsnge AZ which the NOrth American Phslsnx was
gsnized by adopting constitution a1d subscribing
10 a covenant 10 invest In the capital stock.
At this Convention were delegates from New. Y ork
CetSkiu Troy Brook Farm Association and the Albany
BreRch and when the real work of paying money aRd
eleyasng hc TO the effort Of social organization %
be done about dozen subscribers found equA 20
toe work ten of whom nnsiy cOopcrsted personally IN
the new life, with aggregate subscription OF eaznt
thousand dollars; snd these UNITED exclusively 10 sne
Albany Branch
This hy common consent the absolute minimum
OF men Snd means. and contrssted Sita the large
expectations ana claims originally stated II
deed great falling on but the few who
who bad committed themselves with enare faith 10 the
movement went forward determined 70 do what theg
could to mske worthy commencement, hoping That
with their families aud such others ss would troc0
tIne 10 be induced - cooperate, the germs d rev
institutions might fairly be plsnted
AccOrdnsly, in the month o. September 1913, sfss
families took possession Of the domain. occupying 10
overfullness the two tsrmhOGses On the place, sai
CONNIE need building temporary house forty ,ee' BY
eighty stores for the accommodation Of those VINO
were 70 come the following spr1ne
DaTirg the year lSii the popUlAOn numbered SIOUX
ninety persons, including az one period nearly iortS
children unGer the age OF sixteen years Crops were
plSneG and pletuents purchased the building
o. shops aud usAs commenced. measures OF elsi'
aud organization discussed tue construction
OF social doctrines debS.s, personal CLAIMS vuss
and thu the business OF lie wss goiag on 81 iu ME
ana now also commenced the real Development Of ohsr
/ seter.
Hitherto there bad been No seeded science o. society
Fourier me tnsn o: profound Insight anu0ancei the
lxw Of progress AL Indicated the new forms that sOc e.
" would tSke F.eple accepted tee new IDEAS cszdly,
and would ~ glaiy .stUie new foru.s but there
lack CT well defined Views the preoisc work % be
done Besides edueSon seodsd strongly 70 confirm Ia
most u.pds tie force Of exissg ias,tuoas and aiter
attaining % middle age and even De- fr ths peroi the
character USUALLY becomes quite fSd 81 TIA; 81 hrak
up babirdes, relDSussh prejudice sarsr ties and 70
adept modes OF acton sccep- u fnSiisi results
and Sdust themselves relations. dl -ait
and &c TIE many sncsi iuposseewuTk - = proved ~