History of American SocialismsNoyes, John Humphrey
History
History of American Socialisms
Noyes, John Humphrey
Communism -- United States; Socialism -- United States
"About ten months after the commencement of the Association, a
partial scarcity of provisions took place, and other
difficulties occurred, which may in part be attributed to
neglect in keeping the accounts. At this juncture Mr. Van
Amringe started on a lecturing tour in aid of the Association;
and the Phalanx had a meeting at which Mr. Grant, who was then
regent, stated that between $7,000 and $8,000 had been expended
since they came together; but no accounts were shown giving the
particulars of this expenditure. From the difficult position in
which the Phalanx was placed, Mr. Grant advised the breaking-up
of the concern, which was agreed to, with two or three
dissentients. [This was probably the first dissolution, referred
to in a previous extract from the _Harbinger_.]
"On December 26 a new constitution was proposed which caused
much discontent and confusion; and with the commencement of 1845
more disagreements took place, some in relation to the social
amusements of the people, and some regarding the debts of the
Phalanx, the empty treasury, the depreciation of stock, Mr. Van
Amringe's possession of the lease of the property, and the bad
prospect there was for raising the interest upon the cost of the
domain, which was about $4,140, or six per cent. on $69,000, the
price of twenty-two hundred acres.
"On January 20th, 1845, another attempt at re-organization was
made by persons who had full confidence in the management of Mr.
Grant, and on February 28th still another re-organization was
considered. On March 10th a general meeting of the Phalanx took
place. Three constitutions were read, and the third (attributed,
I believe, to Mr. Van Amringe), was adopted by a majority of
one. After this there was a meeting of the minority, and the
constitution of Mr. Grant was adopted with some slight
alterations. Difficulties now took place between the two
parties, which led to a suit at law by one of the members
against the Ohio Phalanx. [These fluctuations remind us of the
experience of New Harmony in its last days.]
"In such manner did the Association progress until August 27,
1845, when it was whispered about, that the Phalanx was defunct,
although no notification to that effect was given to the
members. Colonel Shriver, who held the mortgage on the property,
took alarm at the state of affairs, and placed an agent on the
premises to look after his interests. This agent employed
persons to work the farm, and the members had to shift for
themselves as best they could. Col. S. proposed an assignment of
the whole property over to him, requiring entire possession by
the 1st of October. This was assented to, though the value of
the property was more than enough to cover every claim.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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