, 1902-02-08
"A SOClALISTIC FAILURE.

So far as The Republican has been
able to learn the only socialistic col
onies established in America on the
principles Of absolute equality have
proved failures. Perhaps the most
notable of all these colonies was the
one established by John Humphrey
Noyes, known as the Oneida Commu-
nifty, or "Perfectionists." Noyes was a
theological student born in 1911. His
first preaching was in a Congregational
church, but after several years OF study
he concluded that the early church
passed away in 20 A. D., and that of
the present consists only of sinless
beings led by the Holy Ghost alone.
He took upon himself the duty or lay
ing the foundation of the true Christian
church. His first effort in this direc-
ton, at New Haven, was a failure, and
after four years, although he had co.
believers, he had no followers. He
then determined to make a trial of the
principles of association under condi,
Nioio "iiNll ne uSuuScu lTOn tHe NEW
Testament, to establish a bible fami,
ly," a society disavowing all II
ton with the world, in which all were
brethren, perfectly equal, in which
there was no appropriation of men and
to one another. He and his as,
sociates renowned allegiance to the
United States n went into business
for themselves i'll celestial order at
Putney. QuarreIing broke out among
the members, their differences were
brought before the courts and when the
details of the family system became
known the people Of Putney rose in
their might ard broke up the estab-
lishment. Later a portion of the Put
ney Family-about fifty men nj wo-
men and as many children-soon es-
tablished themselves in a new home,
in the sequestered district of Oneida,
in the state Of New York. At Oneida
creek they purchased about 600 acres
of forest land and proceeded to bring
it under cultivation. They made it one
of the most productive estates in the
union. Manufactures of different
kinds were established and the COM
munity became prosperous and
wealthy. The wealth, however, was
due largely to the inventive talent of
n Of the Family" an old Canadian
trapper named Sewall Newhouse, who
ipyaYfnl nm inn-0pal Nr-, nR tram tho
Oneida" trap, which for a time was
used almost universally by the trappers
throughout America. In the year 1874
this community consisted of 23S per-
sons, but during the past fifteen or
twenty years the Perfectionists have
dwindled in numbers and influence. A
few followers still survive, but the
community is without a leader and but
little esteemed in its locality. A SINH
lar society was formed at Wallingford.
Conn.
During the year 1870 the Oneida
community excited considerable con-
troversy and an earnest attempt on the
part of many good citizens was made
to suppress 1t, the complaint of the
people being that there was no giving
or taking in marriage.
In 1879 the Oneida and Wallingford
communities gave notice to the world
they would abandon their ~proniscuous
sexual relations and conform to the
laws and usages Of the states in which
they were located. This did not meet
with the approval Of tNoyes and he
abandoned the community entirely.
In such communities it needs some
strong central figure Ike Noyes. As
long as the people can be kept In sub
lection and give up their minds and
bodies to tho contro;'sg power al
works smoothly. unless perchance the
state steps in and enforces the law.
Shorn Of its religious fanaticism and
IT. nasty and Illegal social relations, !