Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-12-24
The oneieaa Community.
ITS APPROACHING END.

ITS APPROACHING END.
Irtica Letter.l
new step has been taken by the
Oneida community, which leads III the
direction of its final dismemberment. II
has been decided to convert it into joint
stock company HERETO fore its prop
erty has been held tn trust by four mem.
bers, but every member of the communi-
ty shared alike in its privileges, nor was
any distinction made on account of the
property which had been brought in,
though some had contributed thousands
where others had hundreds 1t has been
decided to make the capital stock $780,
600, divided into shares of 500 each, par
value. The details of the allottments
have not vet been made, but the organi-
zation is no longer a community, but a
joint stock company
The Oneida Community was an of
shoot from the Revivalist movement,
which commenced about the year 1882 In
New Haven. The leader was John Hum
phrey Noyes, first cousin of Rutherford
b. Hayes. The family halls from Yer
mont, and is connected with many peo-
pie of note in New England by blood and
marriage. Moves was a Perfectionist,
and the religious doctrines he inculcated
were those of the Orthodox Christian
Church. His teachings were avowedly
based upon the action of the Apostles
and the Apostolic Church, who had at
one time ''all things in common" This
new sect also taught that Christ did
actually reappear after the destruction OF
Jerusalem, and that the church which he
instituted was the literal kingdom of
Heaven, where there was no marrying or
giving III marriage 1t was this theory
which accounts for their peculiar family
notion. The doctrines of the new sect
were first promulgated in Putney Vt,
but created so much prejudice that they
finally went to Brooklyn, n. Y. Eventu-
ally settlement was made in Oneida, at
that time very remote from civilization.
This was in the year 1913. The original
nucleus when they settled in Oneida
numbered only forty persons. For many
years the Perfectionists suffered great
privatlons. They were poor but Jealous,
yet they fourished until their numbers
increased over three hundred.
At first the Oneida community excited
aversion among their New York neigh
bors, but after a time they We're shrewd
enough TO conciliate outside public opin-
ion by employing the sons and daughters
of the neighboring farmers in their
various industries. They also bought
largely of the fruit and vegetables which
their neighbors raised, and as they never
attempted to carry their social practices
outside of their own organization, as they
paid their debts and were kindly neigh
bors, they won the good opinion Of the
region in which they lived They never
voted, although they cheerfully paid their
taxes, and hence no local or political
prejudice was arrayed against them.
Their really prosperous period WAS when
they were poor. Often in debt, some
times suffering even privation; yet they
held together, increased in numbers, and
i'll the end prospered in every way. They
found what all communities have discov-
cred before them, that farming was an
Improbable business, so they turned
their attention to manufactures If one
did not pay they tried another. Their
first success was In making traps for wild
animals They attempted carpet and
leather bag making, but they could not
compete with other manufacturers, and
had to surrender the business Then
they tried silk thread manufacturing
and here they had a fair degree of success.
They canned fruit also, and vegetables,
and this brought them III large sums, for
they secured the confidence of their Gus
toners, by always supplying n good
article
At length they established branch at
Wallingford, Conn. Here they under
took printing as well as silk manufactur
ing, but these industries were not remu-
nerative. At length, however, they
established a manufactory of metal ware
(spoons and the like, which has been
very profitable. As they became easy in
circumstances, some of the members
thought that their children should re-
ceive better education, and the most
promising of the Young men were sent to
the Sheffield School of Mines at New
Haven. This was the first mistake.
Some of the young men so educated left
the Community, while others returned
imbued with very heterodox notions,
among them DIR. Theodore Moves, a son
OF the founder Of this curious organiza-
ton. He was under the teaching of
Prof. Barker. and instead Of the orthodox
Professionalism which was the characteris-
tic of his fathers creed, he inbibed GER
tain scientific notions, which were sup
yersive not only of Professionalism, but of
all faith.
For many years few or no additions
from the outside world were permitted at
Oneida. 1t was feared that the special
training which made the members of the
Community obedient to the peculiar
discipline Of the place would not be suit
ed to new members. 1t is n remarkable
fact that many young and apparently
respectable women from all parts
of the country wished TO obtain admis-
sion into tho organization, but it was
found upon examination that it WAS dis
cOntented husbands or discontcnted
wives who generally presented them
selves as candidates, and the community
rightly argued that people who were re
bellious under the restraints of ordinary
matrimony were not likely persons to
rest satisfied under their system of com
plex marriage, as it was called At
length, however, lawyer became a mem
Der He was man Of ability and be
came power. Noyes and his family
did not take kindly TO the new conner,
a7-l the charge is made that his lot was
n,,i .. Lalpy one Bnt there were a mum
her of skeletons III the happy family at
Oneida, and the lawyer collected evidence
which, it is said, was damaging to Noyes.
He showed mis- proofs to the leader, and
the latter taking alarm, left the commu-
nifty for Canada, where he has since re-
sided. By this time the movement
among the Christian Churches in Cen
tral New York commenced in some way
to induce the members Of the commu-
nifty to give up their practices and ac-
cept the legal system Of marriage. Noyes
had a new inspiration, and consented to
the change, quoting st. Paul to Justify
his apostacy to the doctrines he had
taught and practised for twenty years
previous. His advice was followed, and
quite number Of marriages.
Among the charges made against
Noyes was his special love for his own
children. When the sons or daughters
of other members Of the community had
done wrong he was storm in rebnking