Part 33 (2/2)
THE CEDAR VALE COMMUNITY.
At Cedar Vale, in Howard County, Kansas, a communistic society has been founded, which, though its small numbers might make it insignificant, is remarkable by reason of the nationality of some of its members.
It was begun three years ago, and the purpose of its projectors was ”to achieve both communism and individual freedom, or to lead persons of all kinds of opinions to labor together for their common welfare. If there was to be any law, it should be only for the regulation of industry or hours of work.” I quote this from the letter of a gentleman who is familiar with this society, and who has been kind enough to send me its const.i.tution, and to give me the following particulars: ”It is now three years since the founders of the society settled in this domain, coming here entirely dest.i.tute, and building first as a residence a covered burrow in a hillside. Two of them had left affluence and position in Russia, and subjected themselves to this poverty for the sake of their principles. Of course they suffered here from fever, from insufficient food, and cold, and were not able to make much improvement on the place.
The practical condition now, though insignificant from the common point of view, compared with what has been, is very satisfactory. There are at least comfortable shelter and enough to eat, and this year sufficient land will be fenced and planted to leave a surplus.
”The propaganda has been made among two essentially differing cla.s.ses of socialists--the Russian Materialists and the American Spiritualists.
Both these cla.s.ses are represented in the community, and thus far seem to live in harmony. There are here a 'hygienic doctor' and a 'reformed clergyman,' both Spiritualists, and a Russian sculptor of considerable fame, a Russian astronomer, and a very pretty and devoted and wonderfully industrious Russian woman.”
The printed statement made by the community I copy here, as a sufficient account of its numbers and possessions in April, 1874:
”The PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY is located near Cedar Vale, Howard County, Kansas, has three hundred and twenty acres of choice prairie land, with abundance of stock, water, and with all advantages for successful farming, stock and fruit raising.
”The nearest railroad station is Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, fifty miles east from the place.
”The community was established in January, 1871. It is out of debt now, and has a fair prospect for success in the future.
”The business of the community consists chiefly in farming.
”Number of members: four males; three females; one child. Persons on probation: two males; one female; one child.
”Improvements: frame house; stable; forty acres under fence; four acres of orchard and vines.
”Live stock and implements: four horses; four oxen; three cows and calves.
”The co-operation of earnest communists is wanted for the better realization of a true home based on Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
”No fee is required from those who visit the community, but their work for the community is regarded as equivalent to their current expenses.
”The principles and organization of the community can be seen from the following const.i.tution.
”PREAMBLE.”
”_Whereas_, we believe that man is not only an individual having rights as such, but also owing social duties to others, and that strict justice requires us to help each other, and that our highest happiness and development can only be attained by a union and co-operation of interests and efforts; _Therefore_, we pledge ourselves to live
”'For the cause that lacks a.s.sistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.'
”And we, whose names are annexed, hereby organize ourselves under the name of the PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY, and agree to devote our labor and means, to the full extent of our ability, to carry out the following:
”CONSt.i.tUTION.”
”ARTICLE I.”
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