The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-06-24
Correspondence of the n. y. Herald.

Correspondence of rhe y. \. Herald.
ONEIDA, ~ Y, June 4.-The asso-
citation of comm Inists, at Oneida, n. Y,
sometimes called Perfectionists, but more
generally known as the Oneida Commu-
nifty, mas, in the midst Of civilized and
Christian people, succeeded in throwing
Oft the principles and restraints of our
social and domestic life, and defying pub
lie sentiment. 1t is communism in the
broadcast sense for the men and women
are common to each other as the property
is common to all. Marriage is denounced
as selfish institution, and an obstacle to
that perfection of Individual character and
perfection Of society which these COM
munlsts profess to aim at. Of course,
then, there is no marriage among them,
in the ordinary sense Of that term, and
any married parties entering the commu-
nifty become unmarried, the woman be-
comes as much the wife of other men rs
of her former husband, and the man is
free in the"same way. Not that the sexes
are kept apart, as with the Shakers On
the contrary, intercourse is encouraged as
conducive to Christian and family love
The family love, however, which we
recognize as existing among blood rela-
tons, or in the domestic circle, is rot
meant by these communists for such love
is repudiated as selfish and opposed to
Christian perfection, but it extends to
the whole body of their society The
community is the family, and they use the
term constantly in that sense In fact.
under the pretence of spiritual influence
and Of a higher moral law than the world
had known before, they set ut defiance all
the laws Of nature and society, and are
guilty Of the most indiscriminate and |
grossest libidinous practices. | shall re-
fer to this further on, but will first notice
the community as seen ordinarily by the
outside world.
This family, as they like to call them
selves, or Christian Perfectionists, as they
wish to be called, have their parent set
Element a mile or so from the Old Oneida
village, and about three or four miles
from Oneida station, ON the New York
Central railroad. 1t is in Madison coun-
ty, and bordering on Oneida county.
There are 800 acres of the choicest land
belonging to the community. A more
beautiful location could hardly be found |
The whole country round is well cultiva-
ted and settled. There is an appearance
OF comfort plenty, and thrifty industry |
everywhere, and sometimes ofluxurv and |
elegance. The property of the Oneida !
community is thus surrounded, and lies |
in an amphitheatre formed by gently |
rising hills nearly all round. The ground |
is undulating, and with its swelling knobs, |
slopes, and dales, covered by rich mead |
ows, highly cultivated fields, and in spots
by clusters of forest trees, form q success
sion of charming landscape views 1t is, /
indeed, the choicest spot--a sort of Area
dia-in country that IS in general both
rich and beautiful. The chief building.
which Is the residence of the community.
numbering now over 200 members. is
built Of brick, and is three stories high,
with tower attording an extensive view
OF the surrounding country. In this
building are the offices, reception-room,
sleeping apartments, library. and reading
rooms, museum, and a general hall or
sort of theatre where the members assem-
bic every evening Tor business, converse
ton, or amusement At these gather
ings everything relating TO the interests OF
the association, to religious matters, to
social affairs, and even to the intercourse
of the sexes is discussed. Nominallv,
this assembly of the whole community
governs the association and directs the
action OF every individual member; bat
really the power is in the hands of a few
leaders, and chiefly in the hands of the
founder, j. II. Noycs. He is the ac-
knowledged head to whom all Weld obedi-
ence. The grounds adjoining the main
building are tasteftIlly laid out with flow
er gardens, strawberries, various kinds of
evergreens, hedges, shaded walks, bowers,
summer houses, and are rather extensive.
l saw several of the Young women and
girls, with books in their hands, lounginp
IN the shady retreats or PROSTATE ON the
grass, under the shade trees. Near the
central building are five other large
buildings, one a dining-hall and the rest
for various industrial uses. Besides
these there are stables for over 100 horses
and cattle, extensive barns, cottages. and
other outbulldings, all well constructed /,
and kept in excellent order. There are /.
large apple and pear orchards, acres OF
vineyards, Strawberries, raspberries, and !.
other small fruits. The diet of the com !
munity consists chiefly of fruit and veget-
ables, though meat is occasionally eaten. !
and, therefore, special attention is paid TO : :
the cultivation of these. Still they have !
such an abundance that they can most
kinds of fruit and make jellies for sale.
and from this business alone they have
realized over $40, 600 year. They keen V
80 cows of improved stock, but sell no |
dairy produce.
Latterly the community have paid more
TO manufacturing, though farm
ing and raising of fruits are still kept up
Several immense omnibuses are kept by
the community for the purpose of bring
ing these girls out 10 the mandatory in
the morning and taking them home in !
the evening. But the bossing, as was =
SAID before about the other factories, Is :.
done by the communist proprietors. Al !,
together the society is extending its works =
and business and is becoming rich. The
object In paying so much attention to prof
liable manufacturing, as / was told by F.
one of the community, is to relieve their u
own people as much as possible from hard
work or drudgery. They want to labor :,
only just as much as may be agreeable or ). !
conducive to health, and to have ample =
time for enjoyment and the cultivation of a
their minds. 1t is said, however, that -
they did not want to make slaves of 9th j
ers, and that they had been considering
whether they could not give the benefit of
cooperative labor TO their outside en- =
Cloves. There Is an e.rf4aoa fsonol iY,stif,, te