The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-08-08
The Oneida Community.


----s.-B--S-
The Oneida Community.
An article in the Albany Times
contains some interesting particulars
concerning the Oneida community,
or 20. c." as the members habitual-
ly style it. OF this article we sub
join part. Their buildings are of
artistic architecture externally and
very homelike internally. Their rule
of business claims honesty of manu-
iacture and dealings as fundamental.
They are very successful as finan-
ciers. All business and correspond
ence to or from o. C. is done in the
name of the community. The manu-
facture of sewing silks, traps and
light castings is the source whence
their heavy revenues are derived, and
close inspection of these articles
does credit to their mechanism. Edu-
cation with them is an idol; and
they aim to give all of their young
people an academic or college in
struction. A half dozen graduates
from Yale are boastcd of by, the 0.
C. In this they are far in advance
Of the Shakers, as also they are in
manufactures, music, art, and ethe-
tics generally. And these might be
introduced into any religious body,
and their effect be in harmony with
a good spirit. The dress of the
males is uniformity the same; also
wearing of the beard; and neither
these nor aught else that stranger
meets in them, gives any distinctive
idea from the general mass. The
women dress in full bloomer style,
and this, while it strikes one as ex-
tremely odd, at the same time con
vinces all Of its simplicity and mod
esty. We are of opinion that pride
was a stranger in their dress, and
that much more pride is evinced in
the preparation of the Shaker ker-
chief aud cap than any exhibition of
love of dress at o. c. l sat down
with nearly two hundred of them at
dinner. The repast was almost
sumptuous; the greatest portion be-
ing composed of home productions.
Meats are only very seldom used.
They have two meals daily, and
these are prepared by servants from
withOuStheir order, but snperintend-
ed by a man and women of their
own number. Their washing is
similarly performed. Their farm
work is done by hired help, as is al
most all their mechanical business,
superintended by themselves. Large
numbers of individuals are thus
given employment, and they in
variably gave the 0. c members the
largest commentator for fairness
of dealing. l visited their ornitho-
logical and chronological cabinets;
they were creditable, as being pre-
pared by their taxidermists. The
botanical meseum was delightfully."-
arranged, though far from complete.
I wanted to see the children, and
was taken to the nursery and play
ground. They appeared healthy. l
asked the matrons attending if they
ever cried, and learned they seldom
did. do they wake up pleasant or
peeyishY' They replied, that almost
invariably they rose with smile or
laugh.
One peculiar feature predominated
the large majority we're red or
sandy headed, which is not prevalent
as | could Observ in the adults. To
these children they give every atten-
ion,and hopefully look to the build
ing up of the community by an i'm
proved race. We shall see. Their
lawns and flower gardens are taste
fully cared for Swings and croquet
grounds were prominent in the dis
tance. Large numbers from sur
rounding villages visit them and
purchase dinner-sometimes hund-
reds daily. They keep large and
fancy stock Of cows. Ayshires pre-
dominate, while the present sire
of their calves, Rocket" is far
more handsome than any picture I
ever saw. They are cultivating ac-
quaintanee with the Holstein race
and have some very fine specimens.
They also excel in fine sheep and
horses. Their farm superintendent
drove with me over the road fine
three year-old, full of life and kind
ness. The Watervliet Shakers had
lately purchased some of their fine
Ayrshire stock.
System, like clock work, seemed
to be everywhere; from the garden
to the office Of the CircHlar-their
weekly paper-all seemed most or
derly and prosperous. Their govern
ment is the roc p6puli, obtained IN
their meetings of criticism. The
correction of individuals for both
major and minor offenses is done by
the severe criticism Of the body; and
each, in his or her turn, being liable
to sit on the culprit's seat, is good
reason for the practice of the golden
rule. This criticism practice is
very prominent feature of the insti-
tuition, and its results very crafty
irg. If there should be no subjects
up for criticism any are at liberty to
offer themselves as targets, and the
effect on the whole body has some
times been marvellous. In this way
tobacco, in all its forms, was com
pletely dismissed from 0. c., though
very many had been prominent users
of the weed for half 4 century
among whom was Noyes himself.
We do not believe the shakers could
this feat by any process