The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-02-21

The IcaTEans.
An interesting paper, showing the work
;ngs Of socialism to some extent at least, is
a memorial now before the Legislature for
the repeal Of an act Incorporating the " lea
rian Community passed in 1851.
This Society was founded at Nauvoo in
1919, by one " Citizen Calet." for the pur-
pose Of realizing bis social and political sys-
TEN. | was TO create better state OF socie-
ty, in which there was to be no more power
ty, misery, vicss nor abuses. All were to
live lif, of peace and harmony There
was to be no antagonism nor rivalry. Its
material object was 70 clear the lands and
cultivate them, to construct habitations, 10
put into operation all useful arts, to ciyilize
and render fruitful the wilderness. Its
fundamental principle was tn, fraternity
OF men and principles :" the consequences
aimed at, unity, equality and solidarity.
/ contrary to the FOulcrite, or free love doc
! trinc, the icarians were strict in their regn
! iations with regard to marriage. They ex-
acted the greatest regard for the gentler sex,
and the utmost purity in the connubial rela-
/ tion. Each family had separate house
! hold. The community were to work in COM
mon and enjoy together the fruits Of their
labor. All men to he equal. none having
any privilege (as such), and none possessing,
/ individually, any fortune. The political or
ganiZatlon was TO be essentially democratic
and republican.
Their by laws required the Icarians to be
industrious. temperate, careful, economical,
cIeaniy, orderly, obeGient to law, free from
moral and physical vices, and to make fra
ternity and communism their religion.
Such was the beautiful theory that in
duced some twelve hundred souls to leave
lpT il,
the United States, for the purpose Of making
the experiment of it, practicability. l said
hetattjuI theory, for doubt # any refined
mind can withhold the application of that
term TO system apparently so devoid Of
evils, and yet system Utopian and ethereal.
Enthusiastic II contribute 10 what they
deemed the welfare oi mankind, the icariaus
placed their money and property. al they
possessed, together with their happiness and
that Of their women and children. into the
common stock Of Ihe community. But, az
ter seven years Of experience, aGcr innG- I
merablc sacrifices and priya.ons on the part /
Of nearly ALL the experiment as practiccd at ,
NGuvoo has thus far proved a failure, and .
the colony has dwiuGlrd down to fcur or five .
hundred members. In this family Of bro I
theirs Asscnsons., ii.-fcelng and hatred /
arose. On the Sd Of February, 1886, the .
Society found itself divided into two almost
equal parties upon questions Of internal 20
verHmcHt. An amicab.e separation WAS pro
posed by the minority, bat it was not listen /
cd TO. Ihe powers Of the elected officers |
were usurpcd, and the Colony was declared .
to be in a state Of revolution. \ meeting
was called, which lasted from eight o'clock .
in the evening till six o'clock IN the after
noon Of the following day. The GeraLce
(or executive ot.cer=J refused to give up
possession of their Offices, and then came ,
open rebellion. The majority party crowded /.
IN the streets, resOlutc 10 install their chosen F.
members by force. The two factions met IN /.
state of unusual excitement, armed with .
guns. pistols ana knives; scenes Of violence I.
aud disorder ensued, the majority tryin. to
force their way through doors and windows,
and the minority REFUSING them.
At another time doors were broken in
with axes, and melee took place in which
men and women were wounded. Anxiety
and alarm prevailed throughout the com
eoastsn, gaai:y o. satg;isd eiig /" ,s5s the
parties had established regular nj sht Guards
and more than once the Mayor and public
officers were requested to interfere for pre-
serving quiet
These disruFt.ons alicuatious and eami-
ties continue TO exist to greater or less cx-
tent, and the memorial now before the Lc-
gielaturc asks the repeal Of the law ncorpo-
rating the community, that the petitioners
may withdraw thlir quota of stock, amount
ing together to about 80, 900. / bill for
that purpose has been printed, understand,
and Will probably pass, If in the mass Of
business it can be reached.
Thus is added another evidence OF the
.mpracticaGi.ity Of socia!istic organizations.
II society Is at present formed Is based on
iuGIyidual,sm and Inequalities
the world is not prepared to adopt the idea
OF fraternity and communism advocated by
wou.d-Je roformers. But smile at myself
for getting into so iavge a subject, and now
beg leaye to let it Grog.-C0r Chi Press