Year: 1870

y Visit TO These strange FeOpie-Ihe WORK.


ings Of Their System-iteiigious and Moral


Purity-A Playful Party OF Outsiders Re-


buked-SociaI and Domestic Habits-NIanu-


inctures.


MADISON, N. Y, June 0, 1870.


Much OF late has been said and written relative to
the oneida Community, situated near Oneida, in the
county Of Madison OF this State. Having lately paid
q visit to this Community and seen Its practical
workings. it can well challenge the State Of New
York to produce any other number OF 5000 persons
who live so contented ana so well.


From small beginnings the Community in less
than quarter OF century has advanced to
become the owner OF the finest palace and sur
roundings IN the county of Madison. The men,
bers cultivate good Will towards each other, and
common courtesy marks their daily walk and
conversation. They wish person to belong
to them who does not firmly believe in their
religion, and who does not Join them with heart and
soul forever. They are not anxious for any new
comers, their family Is now about full and COM
plete. They trust IN God as their power and might
from day to day, and when one once places his foot
on their premises he feels secure In his person and
property and that everything Is safe around him.
They aim to practice no deceit among themselves,
and hold out no false colors TO the world They use
no proane obscene language; they no tobacco
in any shape; they use intoxicating drinks; drink





nor would they, if they could make 500 per day by
so dong.


They meet daily in their Hall for mutual criticism
and general conversation to the end that each may
benefit the other, and thereby bind themselves In u
bond which may endure as long as life snail last and
that peace, happiness and cOntentment may abide
and remain with them forever.


expectation Of going to place OF Ill repute VIII be
greatly mistaken. They have nothing to do with the
world at large In politics socabillty. They wish
to treat the outward world with respect and expect
the same treatment In return without familiarity In
either party.


A gay, lively and respectable party of ladies were
there present on the day OF my VISIT and while rest
ing in the parlOr or the Community building from
| their walks over the premises they Indulged in an
innocent play OF tossing ball from one to the other
connected with some loud laughing. The Superln-
tendent Immediately checked them by staIIng that
| "visitors were expected, In coming here. not
The ladies' took the hnt aud found they were more
| INSIDE OF church than place OF frollcking
"The, world is SAID to be a cheat, and he Is q
TOOL who has no hand in it, This Community
| has Withdrawn itself from the cheating world,
and has reared monument in this country
and just dealing between man and man, without de-
ception and without fraud. Errors like all mortas,
| they undoubtedly have: but time and experience


may vet correct and prune the Objectionable past,
which IS so much criticised and condemned 10y the
| world at large. No falrminded man can help ad-


mirng their thrift, industry and general prosperity.
| Place stranger down in their midst and he is a


welcome visitor to view all the premises. He sees
large brick editce, reared with care and the TEN.
perature Of every room, in the coolest day OF
| winter, mild and gentle a summers day-caused


by every room In the edlce being heated or warmed
| by steam. He sees comfort and cleanliness all
| around him. He goes to their silk room and sees
| something in full blast wonderful to behold. He
| goes to their reading room and finds there a large
library, in which persons OF literary tastes can go
| and spend hours with pleasure and advantage. lie
| can 60 to the iron manufacturing establishment,
| where orders come from distant parts Of the world


for mink, BEAR fox and otter traps and will learn that
| In the last ten years about two millions OF these
| traps have been sold that have been manufactured
| at this establishment. AT one O'CLOCK he can go 10


the hall and hear good music from their band as
| is heard IN Central Park, excepting their band Is


only about half the size Of that which plays at the


Park but the music is as fully entertaining. Thence


he go right TO Wall street, New York, and feel
| ing will come over him that he has left place
| honesty and entered band Of peculators.