The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-02-05
COMMUNISM.
The COmmunistic Societies Of the
United States.

issued by Harper Brothers, presents the
record of an investigation into the lead
ing characteristics of communal life as
it appears under the various forms i'm
posed upon it by different religious and
philosophical ideas upon which these
social organizations are founded.
Communism, says Mr.. Nordhof, "is
mutiny against society," feeling of
unbearableness of the circumstances in
which the individual finds himself.
Only whether the Communist shall rR
bel with a bludgeon or petroleum
torch, or with pillow and Church, de-
pends upon whether he has faith in God
whether he is religious being Or
not.
The Introductory chapter is a thought
full discussion upon the relations Of
capital to labor, and furnishes some
striking contrasts in this connection,
with facts that appear in the body Of the
work. His arguments upon the mis-
chievous operations Of the Trades I'm
ions and international Associations and
their tendency to debasc the character
and lower the moral force Of their mem
bers by the narrow and cold-blooded
elfshness OF the doctrines inculcated,
are very forcible, and in which he justly
concludes that not only is capital endan-
gered, but the prosperity of their own
class is decreased. On the other hand,
view is offered of social organizations
founded upon faith in God and brother
ly love, which in their repressions and
broad unselfshness develop far higher
characteristics of human nature.
The Societies which have been given
in illustration of successful Communism
in this country, are the Shakers, estab-
hshed in the Eastern States in 1894; the
Rappists, in 1906 the Baumelers or
Zoarites, in 1917; the Amana Commun-
lists, in 1874; the Bethel Commune in
1874; the Oneida Perfectionists, in 1948;
the Icarians, who date from 1849; and
Commune, fom 1852. Brief accountss
of other communistic societies are given
in these pages, but it is to the eight So
cieties named above, to which the at
tention of the reader will be chiefly di
rected.
THE AMANA COMMUNITY,
With whose history this work opens,
is German society in Iowa, about IA
miles west of Davenport, numbering
1,45O persons. They own about $4,000
acres where they have built seven vii
lagos, conveniently arranged to com
mand the cultivated lands. They are
called Amana. Amana-N Near-the- Hill,
and East, West, South and Middle Am
ana, and the Homestead. The name is
taken from the Bible in Solomon's
Songs, 4th Chap, Sth verse. "Come
with me from Lebanon, my spouse,
with me from Lebanon: look from the
top of Amana, from the top of Shenir
and Hermon, from the lions dens, from
the mountains of the LeOpards." The
new Amana, however, is not mountain,
but an extensive plain, IN the villages
all the people live; they lie about q mile
and half apart each containing store
for trade and an inn for the accommoda-
tion of the general public They also
have shoema1ers, tailors, and carpenter
shops and printing Office at Middle
Amana, where their books are published
These people first came from Germany
in 1912, and settled near Buffalo, on a
tract of land which they named Ebene-
zer They prospered here greatly; but
feeling the need of more land, in 1866,
they removed to their present home in
Iowa. The base of this organization is
religion; they are pietists, and are sup
posed, in all things. to be led by direct
inspiration from God. The present re-
ligious head of the society is a woman,
named Barbara Heynemann, who is the
inspired oracle of Amana. The work
of inspiration" it is believed, was
begun in the 18th century, in Germany,
and since has been continued through
different 'instruments, until the pres
ent time. They live in families, the
marriage relation being held inviolate;
eating, and cooking is done in common,
the men and women sitting at different
tables ''to prevent silly conversation and
triaing conduct" Women are not held
in the highest estimation among these
people, as in rule 18th, by one of their
esteemed writer's, men are advised to
''hy from intercourse with women, as a
very highly and dangerous magnet and
magical fre" Their women work hard,
dress plainly, all ornaments being strict
ly forbidden. Great care is taken to
keep the sexes apart, In their meetings
they not only set apart from the men,
but leave the room before the mer
break ranks. Notwithstanding all this
care, and the dress, which as far as dress
can do, is calculated to make the women
look old and ugly, they love and marry
at Amana somewhat as elsewhere in the