St. Paul daily globe., 1892-01-23
-bEIOW zero.
PF. LYONS. Local Forecast Official.
A PECULIAR PEO7LE.

A Boston dispatch in the papers yes
terday had an account of charges of i'm
morality brought against ore of the
StaIer settlements of the Eastern
states. The details as elaborated have
the color of fact, and it is not surpris-
ing that there occasionally should be
basis for such imputations. The Shakers
have some human nature abont them,
althOugh their social regimen is de-
signed to put them above the common
exhibitions of it. But scandal in con-
nection with their life is exceedingly
rare, perhaps as much so as in auy
equal community that has ever existed.
They are an extremely weIl-fed and
prosperous people. and have sort of EN-
Joymens Of life, even if they do put aside
its rlvolities. They are an American
institution, it is believed, exclusively.
1t is not known that settlements of the
society exist in any other country. 1t
was originally an offshoot from the
Quakers, but differs from that persua-
zion in important particulars. About
ITO ANNA LEE, one OF the peculiar
young women who are at times inspired
TO make breaks in the order of mundane
affairs, aud who had come from Eng
land few years before, became fe-
male, Christ, or a second was had Ia the
other part of the dual nature of the Sa-
yior, as has been held by the Shakers.
The order was inaugurated by her, and
looks to her as its somewhat divine
founder. In a few years it had
five or six thousand members To-
Gated in perhaps a +core of settle
ments in the Eastern states. mostly New
York and New England. Each settle
ment has one or more families, liv-
ing in houses accommodating from 80 to
80 people. Everything is in common,
and, so far as now recalled. they furnish
the only instance of communism that
has existed more than 100 years. The
families are governed by elders, who are
usually sleek, full-orbed old fellows
physically. and have holy demeanor-
somewhat modified when they lose their
temper, as the writer recalls in certain
Instances, or haggling in sharp trade.
But they are rigidiy honest as a rule,
and the Shaker trademark has ALWAYS
been taken as an evidence that an arti-
Gle was strictly true to name and
professions. An incident is re-
called where two young men on
summer foot tour, one night
wearied and hungry, stopped at one of
shese settlements and solicited their
hospitality. They were received cor
daily, and a repast spread that was
simple. but palatable. and prepared on
the hygienic principles the Shakers up-
derStand to be found in the injunctions
OF MOSES. In fact, they believe that
the Jewish lawgiver laid down prin-
clples of agriculture and horticulture
shat were about ideal. His system of
culinary and hygienic conditions, it is
held. will give entire exemption from
all sickness or ailments if rigjdIy OBJ
served. Some indication of their cor
Tectness in this is found IN the immu
nifty from sickness they enjoy. But the
young alien visitors resolved that such
1are as they had received at the hands
OF the reticent but pleasant-look
ing sisters was temptation to solicit a
home in the family. Indicating this.
the elders strongest in persuasive argu-
ment came in, and presented the views
and attractions of the ORDER All were
conceded but the single and basic rule
of celibacy. Remembrance of a best
girl and the sight of the sacred line of
demarcation enforced in the Shaker
economy, both family andsreligious.
caused protests against the interdiction
OF marriage. 1t was insisted that the
perpetuity of things human was in
Volved; nor was it quite satisfactory 70
be assured that marriage was an eyre
Slous fallure and its relations demoraIiz-
lng-leading society downward. The
young men did not decide to ioip.
There have been instances where
the tender sentiment has filled tbe
hearts of young Shakers of both sexes
and elopementS have followed, but thew
nave been rare. The religious dances
have been participated in by both sexes.
out they are under the eyes of the
elders, and, of course. free from worldly
suggestion, The emotions that snrinG
from social relations are suppressed
and the Shakers furnish an example of
spiritual klnship that rises above all
grossness. This recent occurrence in
the settlement in Maine seems but to
illustrate the fact that the unsanctified
natures are so generally brought in SUBJ
1ugation that single exception causes
o startling scandal. Still, in a half |
century the members of this peenIiar
school of life have not greatly increased,
and society is not likely to be reformed
by its regimen.
DEs MONIES was not known 70 be in
the fight for the convention, and proba-
ably was not really, although Sir Ed
1z-Ix & pNn1 7, rnnnrtod th nt ri,nr, hn ,rrou