Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-09-17
John II. NOyes and the Oneida Com
niunity.

Some months since the announcement went
the rounds OF the press that the Oneida Com
munity, in the State OF New York. under the
leadership of John II. Noyes, had changed
its position from complex to single marriage
and this announcement was received by the
press with very general favor, and in some
instances with apparent commentator. 1t
was referred to as a real, radical change; but
it was made solely in Difference TO public
sentiment. In a message to the Community
prior to the announcement, Mr.. Noyes says
I'VE give up the practice of complex mar
riage, not rs renouncng belief in the princi-
pies and prospective fnality of that institu-
ton, but in Difference to public sentiment,
which is evidently rising against it," Thus
it appears 30 far rs Mr.. Noyes is concerned,
that there was no real remuneration of their
pernicious principles, but only promised or
implied temporary suspension of practice in
Difference to public sentiment, which was be-
coming aroused to such an extent in the State,
aud so intensified around Oneida, that Mr..
Noyes clearly fOresAw that he should soon
feel the force of law strongly backed and per-
sistently enforced by that sentiment. But
while pretending to succumb TO public sent-
ment, Mr.. Noyes adroitly, and almost def
antly, haunts in the very face of that public
sentiment the exact principles which were
the basis Of the unlawful and immoral prac-
tees. Instead of retracting he reafirms his
belief in those very principles and his faith
in their final triumph. And We might infer,
if public sentiment could be moulded in his
favor, that he would readily return to his for
mer course. And the wonder is that so SUI
pericial an announcement should receive so
much public favor. But lenient public
seemed willing TO bury the dead past and
hope for better things in the future, even if
the change was wrought through the force of
surrounding influences, rather than inward
convictions.
But it now appears that a portion of the
Community are in favor of radical change
from a conviction of right, for it has been re-
Gently announced that Noyes has fed from
the Community to Canada in consequence of
the opposition of those members who are OPP
posed to his free love- sentiments II this
be so, it is hoped there will be radical re-
form, that the leayen will leaven the whole
lump and eradicate the petty gangrenO which
has been fostering for well-nigh half a centu-
ry upon the public body. If there is a germ
of purity of sufficient vitality to effect radi-
cal reform, it will be hailed as n harbinger of
good, and receive the highest commentator
for compelling Noyes TO leave who sought to
quiet public sentiment and ward of legal pro-
ceedings by a iimsy, superficial announce
ment, which lenient and perhaps too credu-
lOus public readily received.
1t will be remembered that this Noyes and
his Community figured quite conspicuously
in Putney some thirty years ago-Of whom
your correspondent, having been resident
of the town, had favorable facilities for ac-
quiring acknowledgement Noyes left under
legal proceedings and has never returned.
Perhaps he may conclude to spend the rem
nant of his days in the Queens dominions.
Jacksonville, Sept, 1880 E.