Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-12-05
FREE LOVE, OR PAssIoNAL At
TRACTION IN NEW YORK

The notions of New York on socia
ethics are various and conflicting. Every
phase of belief and unbelef; every ex'
treme of opinion finds, in that motley
crowd, exponents and supporters. Reli'
gion has its pure-hearted votaries. Free.
thinking its daring disciples. Commu-
nionists, Spiritualists. Transcendentalists,
bold innovaters upon established customs,
bold defiance upon established laws
Woman's Rights, Negroes Rights, and
the Rights Of Belzebub, the Prince ol
Devils, all have their cliques and their
advocates in the commercial emporium OF
the United States of the North: But the
latest achievement is the browning mis-
chief of the whole. There is now an or
ganized association which espouses, under
the alluring phrase eof"Passional Assooia-
tion," the doctrine of Free Love. 1t mum.
bers in its ranks, persons of both sexes,
who assemble on stated evenings, in GER
tain apartments on Broadway, where they
indulge in dancing. in conversation, in
refreshments of various kinds, and in
the worship of Reason.
One of the editors OF the Sandusky
Register 20. J. Victor, Esq..) who has
recently witnessed the working Of the
damnable system, writes to his paper
from New York city as follows:
Among the last and most significant
innovations in the social world may be
ranked Free Loyeism. A visitor in the
city is not likely to learn much of this last
specimen Of progress, unless some one Of
the initiated shall open the way By intro.
l. - Al. Tl..L g.. 4
we found, and what we saw and heard is
worthy of record, if for nothing but its
moral.
On Broadway is a room occupying the
whole 4th story of a large building, where
gather the professors and disciples of the
" Free Lovers" These persons abrogate
the marriage laws, and deny their bind
ing force. They propose as the only
true marriage, that persons of both sexes
shall come together from "at1inities"-
that is, they shall live together as man
and wife when their spiritual natures as
sure them they are fitted for one another,
and shall only live together so long as
their natures are harmonious, when
this harmony ceases the parties are at
liberty to choose other associations, and
bed and board with others of opposite
sex if il, ,pleases. This is the sum and
substance of the whole institution, regard
it as we may, and its fruits may easily be
guessed.
We entered the room at o'clock. AT
one end ofthe saloon was an ante cham
Der, carpeted nicely aud fitted up with
sofas, tables, &c. A company ofmen and
women-including several persons whose
names would not look we'll in print, but
ought to be known. nevertheless!-were
gathered around a table reciting French
to Professor Bachelor, the somewhat no.
ted French Socialist. and coadjutor Of
Albert Brisbane and Stephen Pearl Ans
drews. After a short time the lessons
we're over, when commenced the usual
hilarity of the evening. The attendance
became constantly greater-chlehy OF
young men and women. The exercises
consisted of promenading ;--the men
cIasping the women around the waist, and
talking apart in low tones. This was in
earnest Of the assimilation Of soul, >" so
beautifully set forth by these impractical
abstractionists and it was also in earnest
of such sin as this pen cannot record
perverse human nature.
The promenading and reasoning TO-
gether," goes on for awhile, when mu.
sic strikes up and the floor is filed with
dancers. All then looks we'll enough to
the careless observer but let watchful
eye be kept and see the pressing Of hands
that is going on, the leering Of eyes, and
the encircling of waists by the gentle
mems arms and there is little room for
doubt of the character Of the affinity
which would bring souls harmoniously TO-
gether." We looked on it in utter aston
ishment. and could but turn in indigna'
ton to the apostles of gross deception, tc
protest against its enormity.
In lady present we found willing
communicant, and facts enough were
given up to authorize the interposition o
the strong hand Of the law TO break W
the gatherings. Young women. beauti
full and accomplished, were pointed out Z
US as having given themselves up TO th'
embrace of certain young men, for whom
they had an " affinity" while the whole
brotherhood looked on approvingly, ant
seemed to regard it as entirely proper
One beautiful French girl present looked
worn and exhausted it was told US b.
our informant that siz weeks ago, Mada
moiselle was as blooming and lovable 1
creature as ever graced a Parior-tha
she had become so thoroughly indoctrin
ated with the Free Love principles as 4
become truthful disciple-and, as . con
sequent, she bad become the mistress Q
four or Eve of the spiritual minded,
and was now but wreck Of what was |
pare woman few weeks since Thi
We were assured, was but one Of many in
stances; and yet, the IS Club" was rap
idly increasing. drawing within it man,
people of intelligence and virtue, wh,