The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-19
THE ONEIDA COMMUNITY.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of THE HERALD.


Labor and DIauufactures-Bia sph emo
Quotation of the Bible TO Sanction Free
Love-The Ten Commandments Abolshe ed
Horrible Features of the system-Sketch OF
the Founder OF Free Love, &c.
ALBANY, n. Y, May Q, 1867.
send you an account of the Oneida Community OF
Free Lovers All that | OF their purposes and
practical life they openly acknowledge in their
ton and published professions. They make secret
Of their objects and manner of exstence
LOCATION THE sErrLEMENT
In the central portion of State entrance OF
q valley, and four miles south of the Of Oneida
is the beautifully chosen spo. where they settled nine
years ago, and where during nearly twenty years
they have quietly pursued their peculiar lfe The dis
trict is fertile and well cultivated and is watered by
Oneida creek Looking southwark the view is up the
valley, toward range OF highlands eight or ten miles
distant and the creek skirts the hills the SIDE
The portion of the district comprises Of
table lands wherein the horticultural products Of the
community grown. The location more exactly IL
Lenox, Madison county. The number Of members is two
hundred and ton and the land owned by them consists
five hundred and thirty acres stated in
OF their publications their business is horticulture and
facuras, their theology perfectionsm and their
sociology Bible comm unism
TIM BUILDINGS
of the community comprise several large wooden siruc
the entrance, is the reception room which visitors
ushered when they come to the place Opposite is
the oice where tho bookkeeping and business
pondence transacted IL also tho mall
ROOM and Is the headquarters OF the business agent
who makes two trips daily to the railway station at
Oneida. Most OF the purchases for the community
made by this agent although the general purveyanco Is
under the supcrintsndence of steward, tailor and
couple of the female members The members generally
have little to financial matters, which
managed by business directory, at whose sessions all
privileged TO attend criticss aud suggest On the
left the the library and reading room tho
the evenings and during the intervals OF
labor. which, by the way, goes with the system and
precision of clockwork Above Is the largo hall
semby room In the vestibule is small cabinet Of
curioses and by Is suspended portrait OF John
II. Noyes the founder Of the system. The large
hall capable OF seating seven hundred persons
and used for the usual evening gathering OF tho
tire community, aud also a class for nsruc-
ton and for occasions, dancng-an amusement not
inconsistent their 1t Is also frequently
used as lecture room. and recently employed for
thus purpose few weeks ago, when the community
addressed BY the Row w. A. Doottie, chaplain
Of the Western army the subject Tncidents Of the
War" Tho musical talent OF the members been
cultivated and excellent band organized winch gives
the hall audiences composed Of
the society and the neighbors. This band numbers
twenty Ave pieces and in summer time performs every
day. after dinner accompaniment .ncipient
digestion of that meal
HoRucuITURE MANUFACTURES.
Fruit culture is LEADING interest with the commun.
ty Their ocha ards aud viney ards about
There 1000 apple trees. 1000 pear and 200
plum trees The strawberry crop sometimes reaches 400
bushels aud the grape hares. has amounted to 1000 bs
I'll,
rings OF tree and plainly raceable the
ings In front Of the and road 10
the original little farmhouse in which the settlement
started in ls4s The other buildings, or greater por
tion OF them, constructed since Some distance
beyond tho other side OF the creek the large
featuring building and machine shop brick structure
further contains tho laundry, gbag works,
preserve room, dentists room and chain room. The
manufacture Of rat aud traps constituting quite
feature In the industrial enterprises OF the society
ried on in tue large building previously mentioned.
The barn Is built the most approved model and
accommodate seventy head Of cattle Down the road
about quarter OF mile. some tenement houses In
vices hired by the community The increase Of thor
manufactures aud he demand for their products required
the employment OF outside help.
SOCIAL irE IN COMMUNITY
All the members oil the community live As one family
in the central and main group Of buildings. A they
express u themselves one large kitchen and dining
properly lifted up and furnished with
appear 10 them better aud economical than nifty
small ones with thor nifty separate stoves and sets Of
utensils The diet excludes the OF Tee and coffee
entirely. Meat IN small quantities "a permitted.
Otherwise tho meals sonsist or milk fruits vegetables
and pastry. There IL no written constitution OF the
society any set Of laws TO the msmbsrA In
discretion In acts conduct Is the subject Of system
OF criticism in which al may take part aud In which
faults mutually designated aud reform suggested
All accustomed 10 this free criticism for the correc
ton OF any evil, individual or public person who
msbsbaves invites thm criticism. The family tell him
his faults aud exert their powers Of persuasion we'll
for hs correction. The remedy Is applied again and
again IL effected. In case che Individual 10
hopclessy refractory and insubordinate no fSQuircd
70 withdraw The offence OF attempting to hold persons
property exclusive way or OF persiseny reject
ing community criticism, subjects the guilty party 10
expulsion; or rather such conduct 10 regarded - .
voluntary Withdrawal, and the party is 80 treated
Children after the Of one or two ysars are COM
mied BY their parents 10 the childrens department
The number Of children IN this community since their
organization has been very limited Che subject OF pro-
creation beng which they ccnfess they need, ~
ret great enlightenment The mother during che mrs.
year eighteen Of her chds exstcncs has ts
sole charge Afer that passes 70 the care OF tho fe-
males Of the household In general Nursed and cared FOE
II In tupn 6v al n