Like many another German student, Follen had come back from the war filled with ideas of moral and social reform. In place of the provincial clubs (_Landsmannschaften_), with their carousing and the duel as their only arbiter of quarrels, he desired to see the entire student body united in one Christian brotherhood, with no distinctions of class or rank, ruled by the will of the majority determined in open assembly after free discussion, and settling all disputes according to the principles of right and justice. The purity of his own life and the moral greatness of his character, the eloquence with which he urged his views, and his confident enthusiasm soon won a following of like-minded friends, in whose eyes he took on the dignity of a very prophet. The first motion toward union was taken in the late summer of 1816. A few days after the following Christmas, at a general gathering of students, a formal “code of honor” (_Ehrenspiegel_), Follen’s work in great part, was proposed. A majority of those present evinced their hostility to the project by withdrawing at once; but about sixty who remained organized themselves into an association, under Follen’s leadership. Looked upon with suspicion by the authorities on account of their liberal tendencies, hated and proscribed by a majority of the students, who nicknamed them “Blacks” (_Schwarzen_) from the dark clothing they affected and their somber demeanor, the reformers became only more extreme and uncompromising in their attitude. Reaching far beyond the bounds of the university, their plans already contemplated a great Christian republic formed of freed and united Germany. Tyranny was to be met with resistance, and Follen now taught that armed insurrection, and even perjury and assassination, were justified when other measures failed in the struggle for popular freedom. Some of the Blacks drew back at this, but others, known as “Unconditionals” in contrast with the “Moderates,” were undismayed at the radical doctrines of their revered leader.