The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-17
ROBERT DALE OWENS WORK.
Club Discusses the New Har-
mOny Project.

Prof. William A. Bell occupied the time of
the Progress Club yesterday afternoon with
a consideration of the efforts made by Rob-
ert Dale Owen and coworkers to establish
a socialistic colony at New Harmony, Ind.
The history OF he New Harmony venture
occupies a prominent place in the social his
tory Of the West, but Prof. Bell reviewed
1t in the light of personal investigation. He
has visited the town which was once the
home OF learning in the West and talked
with those who were associated with the
men who had golden ideas for the salvation
Of the human race. Prof. Bell, in his pa
per, did not discount the good that has come
from the undertaking, but as being an ex-
ample for others, the colony was pronounced
a failure. The unselfishness of Robert Dale
Owen and his friends was commended and
reference was made to the stimulus they
gave to learning and knowledge. Mention
was made of the town of New Harmony as
1t now is, still retaining evidence of it's
former proud position, having a population
surprising in intelligence any town of the
size in the State. The failure OF the plans
TO establish there a socialistic colony was
considered. Prof. Bell was inclined to at
tribute this failure to the intelligence OF
the members who composed 1t. He said a
cOlOny on the same lines can only be sue
ce ssful where the members are of inferior
intelligence and so credulous as to nave ex-
plicit faith in one guiding mind.
Robert Dale Owen was the kind of a man
that is admired by the Progress Club, so
Prof. Bells paper was received as one of
the most interesting and instructive of the
seasons course. Little exception was taken
to II, although one or two speakers who
followed, EXPRESSED the thought that per-
haps a scheme such as provided by Robert
Dale owen will be successful in a few years
time. when civilization is educated to the
necessary unSelhshness. Mr.. Franklin Lam
ders spoke fittingly of Robert Dale Owen,
having been acquainted with him., saying the
world needs more sucn men who will try
TO establish a standar of manhood. Mr..
Lande-5 expressed regret at the present con-
ditions OF affairs by which money has so
much TO do in establishing the worlds idea
OF manhood. Mr.. Leroy Templeton fol-
lowed in a very interesting talk, in which
he spoke OF the results OF the New Harmony
venture and incidentally to the hardships
which all reformerS meet. He referred to
the measures TO abolish slavery, and among
other incidents related one of how his father
had taken him as a boy to an Abolitionist
meeting at Cincinnati in the early ffties.
Frances Wright and Frederick Douglass
were there. The meeting was held In a hall
selected because or it's secrecy. Only a hand
ful OF people were gathered, but they rep
resented thought which was TO grow and lib
said that during one speech Frederick Doug
lass was referred 10 as our "colored
brother"
II must confess said Mr.. Tempieton,
that a cold chill ran over me, for the senti-
ment was so unnatural to what i had
learned that the calling OF a negro a brother
gave to me a shock. l had been taught to