OTHER PENNSYLVANIA EXPERIMENTS.
Our memoirs of the Phalanxes and other contemporary Associations, may
as well be arranged according to the States in which they were
located. We have already disposed of the Sylvania, which was the most
interesting of the experiments in Pennsylvania during the Fourier
epoch. Our accounts of the remaining half-dozen are not long. The
whole of them may be dispatched at a sitting.
THE PEACE UNION SETTLEMENT.
This was a Community founded by Andreas Bernardus Smolnikar, whose
name we saw among the Vice Presidents of the National Convention.
Macdonald says nothing of it; but the _Phalanx_ of April 1844, has the
following paragraph:
"This colony of Germans is situated in Limestown township, Warren
County, Pennsylvania; it is founded upon somewhat peculiar views and
associative principles, by Andreas Bernardus Smolnikar, who was
Professor of Biblical Study and Criticism in Austria, and perceiving
by the signs of the times compared with prophecies of the Bible, that
the time was at hand for the foundation of the universal peace which
was promised to all nations, and feeling called to undertake a
mission to aid in carrying out the great work thus disclosed to him,
he came to America. In the years 1838 and 1842, he published at
Philadelphia five volumes in explanation of his views; and gathering
around him a body of his countrymen, during the last summer he
commenced with them the Peace Union Settlement, on a tract of fertile
wild land of 10,000 acres, which had been purchased."
That is all we find. Smolnikar begun, but, we suppose, was not able to
finish. In 1845 he was wandering about the country, professing to be
the "Ambassador extraordinary of Christ, and Apostle of his peace." He
called on us at Putney; but we heard nothing of his Community.
THE MCKEAN COUNTY ASSOCIATION.
The _Phalanx_, in its first number (October 1843), announced this
experiment among many others, in the following terms:
"There is a large Association of Germans in McKean County,
Pennsylvania, commenced by the Rev. George Ginal of Philadelphia. They
own a very extensive tract of land, over thirty thousand acres we are
informed, and are progressing prosperously. The shares, which were
originally $100, have been sold and are now held at $200 or more."
This is the first and the last we hear of the Rev. George Ginal and
his thirty thousand acres.
THE ONE-MENTIAN COMMUNITY.
The name of this Community, Macdonald says, was derived from
Scripture; probably from the expression of Paul, "Be of one mind."
_The New Moral World_ claimed it as an Owenite Association, "with a
constitution slightly altered from Owen's outline of rational society,
i.e., made a little more theological." It originated at Paterson, New
Jersey, but the sect of One-Mentianists appears to have had branches
in Newark, New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and other cities. The
prominent men were Dr. Humbert and Messrs. Horner, Scott, and Hudson.
The _Regenerator_ of February 12, 1844, published a long epistle from
John Hooper, a member of the One-Mentian Community, giving an account
in rather stilted style, of its origin, state and prospects. We quote
the most important paragraphs:
"In the beginning of last year a few humble but sincere persons
resolved to raise the standard of human liberty, and though limited
indeed in their means, yet such as they could sacrifice they
contributed for that purpose; believing that the tree being once
planted, other generous spirits, filled with the same sympathy,
enlightened by the same knowledge, and kindled by the same resolve,
would, from time to time step forward, unite in the same holy cause,
and nurture this tree, until its redeeming unction shall shed a
kindred halo through the length and breadth of the land. Having made
this resolve, they looked not behind them, but freely contributed of
their hard-earned means, and purchased eight hundred acres of fertile
wood-land, in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Their zeal perhaps
overpacing their judgment, they located upon their domain several
families before organizing sufficient means for their support, which
necessarily produced much privation and disappointment, and which
placed men and women, good and true, in a position to which human
nature never ought to be exposed. But their undying faith in the
truth and grandeur of social Community, strengthened them in their
endeavor to overcome their disasters, and they have passed the fiery
ordeal chastened and purified. Do I censure their want of foresight?
Do I regret this trial? Oh, no! It but the more forcibly confirms me
in my persuasion of the practicability of our system. It but the more
clearly shows how persons united in a good and just cause, can and
will surmount unequaled privations, withering disappointments, and
unimagined difficulties, if their impulse be as pure as their object
is sacred and magnificent. It shows, too, most clearly, how the
humblest in society can work out their redemption, when true to one
another. And moreover, it is a security that blessings so dearly
purchased, will be guarded by as judicious watchfulness and jealous
care, as the labor was severe and trying in producing them.
"But the land has been bought, and better still, it is paid for; and
the Society stands at this moment free from debt. We have no interest
nor rent to pay, no mortgage to dread; but we are free and
unincumbered. The land is good, as can be testified by several persons
in the city of New York, who well know it, and who are willing to bear
witness of this fact to any who may or have questioned it. About
sixteen acres of this land are cleared and cultivated. We have
implements, some stock, and some machinery. But what is better than
all, we have honest hearts, clear heads, and hardy limbs, which have
passed the severest tests, battling with the huge forest, struggling
with the hitherto sterile glebe, fostering the generous seed, that
they may build suffering humanity a home. Who after this can be so
cold as not to bid them good speed? Who so ungenerous as to speak to
their disparagement? Who so niggardly as to withhold from them their
mite? Having a fine water-power on their domain, they are yearning for
the creation of a mill, which, at a small cost, can and will be soon
accomplished," etc.
Macdonald reports the progress and _finale_ of this experiment, with
some wholesome criticisms, as follows:
"The committee appointed to select a domain, chose the location
when the ground was covered with snow. The land was wild and
well timbered, but the region is said to be cold. Some of the
soil is good, but generally it is very rocky and barren. The
society paid five hundred dollars for some six or seven hundred
acres, Cheap enough, one would say; but it turned out to be dear
enough.
"Enthusiasm drove between thirty and forty persons out to the
spot, and they commenced work under very unfavorable
circumstances. The accommodations were very inferior, there
being at first only one log cabin on the place; and what was
worse, there was an insufficiency of food, both for men and
animals. The members cleared forty acres of land and made other
improvements; and for the number of persons collected, and the
length of time spent on the place, the work performed is said to
have been immense.
"As the land was paid for and assistance was being rendered by
the various branches of the society, there were great
anticipations of success. But it appears that an individual from
Philadelphia visited the place, constituted himself a committee
of inspection, and reported unfavorably to the Philadelphia
branch; which quenched the Philadelphia ardor in the cause. A
committee was sent on from the New York branch, and they
likewise reported unfavorably of the domain. This speedily
caused the dissolution of the Community.
"The parties located on the domain reluctantly abandoned it, and
returned again to the cities. I am informed that one of the
members still lives on the place, and probably holds it as his
own. Who has got the deeds, it seems difficult to determine.
"This failure, like many others, is ascribed to ignorance.
Disagreements of course took place; and one between Mr. Hudson
and the New York branch, caused that gentleman to leave the
One-Mentian, and start another Community a few miles distant.
This probably broke up the One-Mentian. It lasted scarcely a
year."
THE SOCIAL REFORM UNITY.
"This Association," says Macdonald, "originated in Brooklyn, Long
Island, among some mechanics and others, who were stimulated to make a
practical attempt at social reform, through the labors of Albert
Brisbane and Horace Greeley. Business was dull and the times were
hard; so that working-men were mostly unemployed, and many of them
were glad to try any apparently reasonable plan for bettering their
condition."
Mr. C.H. Little and Mr. Mackenzie were the leading men in this
experiment. They framed and printed a very elaborate constitution; but
as Macdonald says they never made any use of it, we omit it. One or
two curiosities in it, however, deserve to be rescued from oblivion.
The 14th article provides that "The treasury of the Unity shall
consist of a suitable metallic safe, secured by seven different locks,
the keys of which shall be deposited in the keeping and care of the
following officers, to wit: one with the president of the Unity, one
with the president of the Advisory Council, one with the secretary
general, one with the accountant general, one with the agent general,
one with the arbiter general, and one with the reporter general. The
monies in said treasury to be drawn out only by authority of an order
from the Executive Council, signed by all the members of the same in
session at the time of the drawing of such order, and counter-signed
by the president of the Unity. All such monies thus drawn shall be
committed to the care and disposal of the Executive Council."
The 62d Article says, "The question or subject of the dissolution of
this Unity shall never be entertained, admitted or discussed in any of
the meetings of the same."
"Land was offered to the society by a Mr. Wood, in Pike County,
Pennsylvania, at $1.25 per acre, and the cheapness of it appears to
have been the chief inducement to accepting it. They agreed to take
two thousand acres at the above rate, but only paid down $100. The
remainder was to be paid in installments within a certain period.
"A pioneer band was formed of about twenty persons, who went on to the
property: their only capital being their subscriptions of $50 each.
The journey thither was difficult, owing to the bad roads and the
ruggedness of the country.
"The domain was well-timbered land near the foot of a mountain range,
and was thickly covered with stones and boulders. A half acre had been
cleared for a garden by a previous settler. A small house with about
four rooms, a saw-mill, a yoke of oxen, some pigs, poultry, etc.,
were on the place; but the accommodations and provisions were
altogether insufficient, and the circumstances very unpleasant for so
many persons, and especially at such a season of the year; for it was
about the middle of November when they went on the ground.
"At the commencement of their labors they made no use of their
constitution and laws to regulate their conduct, intending to use them
when they had made some progress on their domain, and had prepared it
for a greater number of persons. All worked as they could, and with an
enthusiasm worthy of a great cause, and all shared in common whatever
there was to share. They commenced clearing land, building bridges
over the 'runs,' gathering up the boulders, and improving the
habitation. But going on to an uncultivated place like that, without
ample means to obtain the provisions they required, and at such a
season, seems to me to have been a very imprudent step; and so the
sequel proved.
"None of the leading men were agriculturists; and although it may be
quite true that the soil under the boulders was excellent, yet a band
of poor mechanics, without capital, must have been sadly deluded, if
they supposed that they could support themselves and prepare a home
for others on such a spot as that; unless, indeed, mankind can live on
wood and stone.
"They depended upon external support from the Brooklyn Society, and
expected it to continue until they were firmly established on the
domain. In this they were totally disappointed; the promised aid never
came; and indeed the subscriptions ceased entirely on the departure of
the pioneers to the place of experiment.
"They continued struggling manfully with the rocks, wood, climate and
other opposing circumstances, for about ten months; and agreed pretty
well till near the close, when the legislating and chafing increased,
as the means decreased.
"Occasionally a new member would arrive, and a little foreign
assistance would be obtained. But this did not amount to much; and
finally it was thought best to abandon the enterprise. Want of capital
was the only cause assigned by the Community for its failure; but
there was evidently also want of wisdom and general preparation."
GOOSE-POND COMMUNITY.
It was mentioned at the close of the account of the One-Mentian
Community, that a Mr. Hudson seceded and started another Association.
That Association took the domain left by the Social Reform Unity. The
locality was called "Goose Pond," and hence the name of this
Community. About sixty persons were engaged in it. After an existence
of a few months it failed.
THE LERAYSVILLE PHALANX.
Several notices of this Association occur in The _Phalanx_, from which
we quote as follows:
[From the _Phalanx_, February 5, 1844.]
"An Industrial Association, which promises to realize
immediately the advantages of united interests, and ultimately
all the immense economies and blessings of a true, brotherly
social order, is now in progress of organization near the
village of Leraysville, town of Pike, county of Bradford, in the
State of Pennsylvania.
"Nearly fifty thousand dollars have been subscribed to its
stock, and a constitution nearly identical with that of the
North American Phalanx, has received the signatures of a number
of heads of families and others, who are preparing to commence
operations early in the spring. Thus the books are fairly open
for subscription to the capital stock, only a few thousand
dollars more of cash capital being needed for the first year's
expenditures.
"About fifteen hundred acres of land have already been secured
for the domain, consisting of adjacent farms in a good state of
cultivation, well fenced and watered, and as productive as any
tract of equal dimensions in its vicinity.
"As Dr. Lemuel C. Belding, the active projector of this
enterprise, and several other gentlemen who have united their
farms to form the domain, are members of the New Jerusalem
church, it may be fairly presumed that the Leraysville Phalanx
will be owned mostly by members of that religious connection;
although other persons desirous of living in charity with their
neighbors, will by no means be excluded, but on the contrary be
freely admitted to the common privileges of membership.
"We are very much pleased with this little Phalanx, which is
just starting into existence. Rev. Dr. Belding, the clergyman at
the head of it, is a man of sound judgment, great practical
energy, and clear views--not merely a theologian, talking only
of abstract faith and future salvation. He knows that 'work is
worship;' that order, economy and justice must exist on earth in
the practical affairs of men, as they do wherever God's laws are
carried out; and that if men would pray in _deed_, as they do in
_word_, those principles would soon be realized in this world.
"He enjoys the confidence of the people around him, and unites
with them practically in the enterprise, setting an example by
putting in his own land and other property, and doing his share
of the LABOR."
[From the _Phalanx_ March 1, 1844.]
"We learn that this Association is proceeding with its
organization under favorable auspices. The most interesting
practical step that has been taken is, throwing down the
division fences of the farms which have been united to form the
domain. How significant a fact is this! The barricades of
selfishness and isolation are overthrown!
"Buried deep in the mountains of Pennsylvania, in a secluded,
and as is said, beautiful valley, some honest farmers are living
on their separate farms. In general they are thrifty; but they
feel sensibly many evils and disadvantages to which they are
subjected. The doctrines of Association reach them, and as
intelligent, sincere minded men, they come together and discuss
their merits. They are satisfied of their truth, and that they
can live together as brethren with united interests, far better
than they can separated, under the old system of divided and
conflicting interests. They resolve to carry out their
convictions, and to form an Association. Now how is this to be
done? Simply by uniting their farms, and forming of them one
domain. They do not sacrifice any interest in their property;
the tenure of it only is changed. Instead of owning the acres
themselves, they own the shares of stock which represent the
acres, and the individual and collective interests are at once
united. They are now joint-partners in a noble domain, and the
interest of each is the interest of all, and the interest of all
the interest of each. From unity of interests at once springs
unity of feeling and unity of design; and the first sign is a
destructive one; they throw down the old land-marks of
division. The next will be constructive; they will build them a
large and comfortable edifice in which they can reside in true
social relations.
"Now what do we gather from this? Plainly that the social
transformation from isolation to Association, is a simple and
easy thing, a peaceful and a practical thing, which neither
violates any right nor disturbs any order.
"We understand that as soon as the spring opens, the Leraysville
Phalanx is to be joined by a number of enterprising men and
skillful mechanics from this city and other places."
[From the _Phalanx_, April 1, 1844.]
"The cash resources of the Phalanx, in addition to its local
trade, will consist of sales of cattle, horses, boots, shoes,
saddles and harness, woolen goods, hats, books of its own
manufacture, paper, umbrellas, stockings, gloves, clothing,
cabinet-wares, piano fortes, tin-ware, nursery-trees, carriages,
bedsteads, chairs, oil-paintings and other productions of skill
and art, together with the receipts from pupils in the schools
and boarders from abroad, residing on the domain.
"It need not be concealed that the intention of the founders of
the Leraysville Association, is to keep up, if possible, a
prevailing New Church influence in the Phalanx, in order that
its schools may be conducted consistently with the views of that
religious connection."
SOLYMAN BROWN, General Agent.
13 Park Place, New York.
[From the _Phalanx_, September 7, 1844.]
"We have received a paper containing an oration delivered on the
Fourth of July, by Dr. Solyman Brown, late of this city, at the
Leraysville Phalanx, which institution he has joined."
So far the _Phalanx_ carries us pleasantly; but here it leaves us.
Macdonald tells the unpleasant part of the story thus:
"There were about forty men, women and children in the
Association. Among them were seven farmers, two or three
carpenters, one cabinet maker, two or three shoemakers, one
cooper, one lawyer, and several doctors of physic and divinity,
together with some young men who made themselves generally
useful. The majority of the members were Swedenborgians, and Dr.
Belding was their preacher.
"The land (about three hundred acres) and other property
belonged to Dr. Belding, his sons, his brother, and other
relatives. It was held as stock, at a valuation made by the
owners.
"In addition to the families who were thus related, and who
owned the property, individuals from distant places were induced
to go there; but for these outsiders the accommodations were not
very good. Each of the seven persons owning the land had
comfortable homesteads on which they lived, the estimated value
of which gave them controlling power and influence. But the
associates from a distance (some even from the State of Maine)
were compelled to board with Dr. Belding and others, until the
associative buildings could be constructed--which in fact was
never done. No doubt these invidious arrangements produced
disagreements, which led to a speedy dissolution. The outsiders
very soon became discontented with the management, conceiving
that those who held the most stock, i.e., the original owners
of the soil, after receiving aid from without, endeavored so to
rule as to turn all to their own advantage.
"The circumstances of the property owners were improved by what
was done on the place; but the associates from a distance, whose
money and labor were expended in cultivating the land and in
rearing new buildings, were not so fortunate. Their money
speedily vanished, and their labor was not remunerated. The land
and the buildings remained, and the owners enjoyed the
improvements. The whole affair came to an end in about eight
months."
We hope the reader will not fail to notice how powerfully the
land-mania raged among these Associations. Let us recapitulate. The
Pennsylvania Associations, including the Sylvania, are credited with
real estate as follows:
Acres.
The Sylvania Association had 2,394
The Peace Union Settlement " 10,000
The McKean Co. Association " 30,000
The Social Reform Unity " 2,000
The Goose-Pond Community " 2,000
The Leraysville Phalanx " 1,500
The One-Mentian Community " 800
------
Total for the seven Associations 48,694
It is to be observed that Northern Pennsylvania, where all these
Associations were located, is a paradise of cheap lands. Three great
chains of mountains and not less than eight high ridges run through
the State, and spread themselves abroad in this wild region. Any one
who has passed over the Erie railroad can judge of the situation. It
is evident from the description of the soil of the above domains, as
well as from the prices paid for them, that they were, almost without
exception, mountain deserts, cold, rocky and remote from the world of
business. The Sylvania domain in Pike County, was elevated 1,500 feet
above the Hudson river. Its soil was "yellow loam," that would barely
support stunted pines and scrub-oaks; price, four dollars per acre.
Smolnikar's Peace Union Settlement was on the ridges of Warren County,
a very wild region. The Rev. George Ginal's 30,000 acres were among
the mountains of McKean County, which adjoins Warren, and is still
wilder. The Social Reform Unity was located in Pike County, near the
site of the Sylvania. Its domain was thickly covered with stones and
boulders; price, one dollar and a quarter per acre. The Goose Pond
Community succeeded to this domain of the Social Reform Unity, with
its stones and boulders. The Leraysville Association appears to have
occupied some respectable land; but the _Phalanx_ speaks of it as
"deep buried in the mountains of Pennsylvania." The One-Mentian
Community, like the Sylvania, selected its domain while covered with
snow; the soil is described as wild, cold, rocky and barren; price,
five hundred dollars for seven or eight hundred acres, or about
sixty-five cents per acre.
Such were the domains on which the Fourier enthusiasm vented itself.
An illusion, like the _mirages_ of the desert, seems to have prevailed
among the Socialists, cheating the hungry mechanics of the cities with
the fancy, that, if they could combine and obtain vast tracts of land,
no matter where or how poor, their fortunes were made. Whereas it is
well known to the wise that the more of worthless land a man has the
poorer he is, if he pays taxes on it, or pays any attention to it;
and that agriculture anyhow is a long and very uncertain road to
wealth.
We can not but think that Fourier is mainly responsible for this
_mirage_. He is always talking in grand style about vast
domains--three miles square, we believe, was his standard--and his
illustrations of attractive industry are generally delicious pictures
of fruit-raising and romantic agriculture. He had no scruple in
assigning a series of twelve groups of amateur laborers to raising
twelve varieties of the Bergamot pear! And his staunch disciples are
always full of these charming impracticable ruralities.