Chapter XXXI: The Integral Phalanx

This Association was founded in the early part of 1845 by John S. Williams of Cincinnati, who is spoken of by the _Phalanx_, as one of the most active adherents of Fourierism in the West. It settled first in Ohio, and afterwards in Illinois.

[From the _Ohio State Journal_, June 14, 1845.]

"An Association of citizens of Ohio, calling themselves the
'Integral Phalanx,' have recently purchased the valuable
property of Mr. Abner Enoch, near Middletown, Butler County, in
this State, known by the name of Manchester Mills, twenty-three
miles north of Cincinnati, on the Miami Canal. This property
embraces about nine hundred acres of the most fertile land in
Ohio, or perhaps in the world; six hundred acres of which lie in
one body, and are now in the highest state of cultivation,
according to the usual mode of farming; three hundred acres in
wood and timber land. There are now in operation on the place a
large flouring-mill, saw-mill, lath-factory and shingle-cutter,
with water-power which is abundantly sufficient to propel all
necessary machinery that the company may choose to put in
operation. The property is estimated to be worth $75,000, but
was sold to the Phalanx for $45,000. As Mr. Enoch is himself an
Associationist and a devoted friend of the cause, the terms of
sale were made still more favorable, by the subscription, on the
part of Mr. Enoch, of $25,000 of purchase money, as capital
stock of the Phalanx. Entire possession of the domain is to be
given as soon as existing contracts of the proprietor are
completed.

"Arrangements are already made for the vigorous prosecution of
the plans of the Phalanx. A press is to be established on the
domain, devoted to the science of industrial Association
generally, and the interests of the Integral Phalanx
particularly. Competent agents are appointed to lecture on the
science, and receive subscriptions of stock and membership; and
it is contemplated to erect, as soon as possible, one wing of a
unitary edifice, large enough to accommodate sixty-four
families, more than one-half of which number are already in the
Association."

[From the _Harbinger_, July 19, 1845.]

"We have received the first number of a new paper, entitled, the
'_Plowshare and Pruning-Hook_,' which the Integral Phalanx
proposes to publish semi-monthly at the rate of one dollar per
year.

"The reasons presented for the establishment of the Integral
Phalanx are to our minds quite conclusive, and we feel great
confidence that its affairs will be managed with the wisdom and
fidelity which will insure success. We earnestly desire to
witness a fair and full experiment of Association in the West.
The physical advantages which are there enjoyed, are far too
great to be lost. With the fertility of the soil, the ease with
which it is cultivated, the abundance of water-power, and the
comparative mildness of the climate, a very few years of
judicious and energetic industry would place an Association in
the West in possession of immense material resources. They could
not fail to accumulate wealth rapidly. They could live in great
measure within themselves, without being compelled to sustain
embarrassing relations with civilization; and with the requisite
moral qualities and scientific knowledge, the great problem of
social harmony would approximate, at least, toward a solution.
We trust this will be done by the Integral Phalanx. And to
insure this, our friends in Ohio should not be eager to
encourage new experiments, but to concentrate their capital and
talent, as far as possible, on that Association which bids fair
to accomplish the work proposed. The advantages possessed by the
Integral Phalanx will be seen from the following statement in
their paper:

"'To say that our prospects are not good, would be to say what
we do not believe; or to say that the Phalanx, so far, is not
composed of the right kind of materials, would be to affect a
false modesty we desire not to possess. One reason why our
materials are superior is, that young Phalanxes generally are
known to be in doubtful, difficult circumstances, and therefore
the inducement to rush into such movements merely from the
pressure of the evils of civilization, without a full
convincement of the good of Association, is not so great as it
was. We are composed of men whose reflective organs,
particularly that of caution, seem to be largely developed. We
believe in moving slowly, cautiously, safely; giving our Phalanx
time to grow well, that permanence may be the result. The
members already enrolled on the books of the _Phalanx_, are, in
their individual capacities, the owners of property to an amount
exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, clear of all
incumbrances; and they are all persons of industrial energy and
skill, fully capable of compelling the elements of earth, air
and water, to yield them abundant contributions for that
harmonic unity with which their souls are deeply inspired. In
view of all these advantages we can, with full confidence,
invite the accession of numbers and capital, and assure them of
a safe investment in the Integral Phalanx.'"

[From the _Harbinger_, August 16, 1845.]

"We have received the second number of the _Plowshare and
Pruning-Hook_. Besides a variety of interesting articles on the
subject of Association, this number contains the pledges and
rules of the Integral Phalanx, together with an explanation of
some parts of the instrument, which have been supposed to be
rather obscure. It is an elaborate document, exhibiting the
fruits of deep reflection, and aiming at the application of
scientific principles to the present condition of Association.
We do not feel ourselves called on to criticise it; as every
written code for the government of a Phalanx must necessarily be
imperfect, of the nature of a compromise, adapted to special
exigences, and taking its character, in a great measure, from
the local or personal circumstances of the Association for which
it is intended. In a complete and orderly arrangement of groups
and series, with attractive industry fully organized, with a
sufficient variety of character for the harmonious development
of the primary inherent passions of our nature, and a
corresponding abundance of material resources, we conceive that
few written laws would be necessary; everything would be
regulated with spontaneous precision by the pervading common
sense of the Phalanx; and the law written on the heart, the
great and holy law of attraction, would supersede all others.
But for this blessed condition the time is not yet. Years may be
required, before we shall see the first red streaks of its
dawning. Meanwhile, we must make the wisest provisional
arrangements in our power. And no constitution recognizing the
principles of distributive justice and the laws of universal
unity, will be altogether defective; while time and experience
will suggest the necessary improvements.

"Three attorneys-at-law have left that profession and joined the
Integral Phalanx, not, as they say, that they could not make a
living, if they would stick to it and do their share of the
dirty work, but because by doing so they must sacrifice their
consciences, as the practice of the law, in many instances, is
but stealing under another name. They are elevating themselves
by learning honest and useful trades, so as to become producers
in Association. A wise resolution."

Here comes a sudden turn in the story of this Phalanx, for which the previous assurances of caution and prosperity had not prepared us, and of which we can find no detailed account. We skip from Ohio to Illinois, with no explanation except the dark hints of trouble, defeat, and partial dissolution, contained in the following document. The Sangamon Phalanx, which seems to have taken in the Integral (or was taken in by it), is one of the Associations of which we have no account either from Macdonald or the Fourier Journals.

[From the New York _Tribune_.]

"_Home of the Integral Phalanx, }
Sangamon Co., Illinois, Oct. 20, 1845._" }

"_To the Editor of the New York Tribune_:

"We wish to apprise the friends of Association that the Integral
Phalanx, having for the space of one year wandered like Noah's
dove, finding no resting place for the sole of its foot, has at
length found a habitation. A union was formed on the 16th of
October inst., between it and the Sangamon Association; or
rather the Sangamon Association was merged in the Integral
Phalanx; its members having abandoned its name and constitution,
and become members of the Integral Phalanx, by placing their
signatures to its pledges and rules: the Phalanx adopting their
domain as its home. We were defeated, and we now believe, very
fortunately for us, in securing a location in Ohio. We have,
during the time of our wanderings, gained some experience which
we could not otherwise have gained, and without which we were
not prepared to settle down upon a location. Our members have
been tried. We now know what kind of stuff they are made of.
Those who have abandoned us in consequence of our difficulties,
were 'with us, but not of us,' and would have been a hindrance
to our efforts. They who are continually hankering after the
'flesh-pots of Egypt,' and are ready to abandon the cause upon
the first appearance of difficulties, had better stay out of
Association. If they will embark in the cause, every Association
should pray for difficulties sufficient to drive them out. We
need not only clear heads, but also true hearts. We are by no
means sorry for the difficulties which we have encountered, and
all we fear is that we have not yet had sufficient difficulties
to try our souls, and show the principles by which we are
actuated.

"We have now a domain embracing five hundred and eight acres of
as good land as can be found within the limits of Uncle Sam's
dominions, fourteen miles southwest from Springfield, the
capital of the State, and in what is considered the best county
and wealthiest portion of the State. This domain can be extended
to any desired limit by purchase of adjoining lands at cheap
rates. We have, however, at present, sufficient land for our
purposes. It consists of high rolling prairie and woodlands
adjoining, which can not be excelled in the State, for beauty of
scenery and richness of soil, covered with a luxuriant growth of
timber, of almost every description, oak, hickory, sugar-maple,
walnut, etc. The land is well watered, lying upon Lick Creek,
with springs in abundance, and excellent well-water at the depth
of twenty feet. The land, under proper cultivation, will produce
one hundred bushels of corn to the acre, and every thing else in
proportion. There are five or six comfortable buildings upon the
property; and a temporary frame-building, commenced by the
Sangamon Association (intended, when finished, to be three
hundred and sixty feet by twenty-four), is now being erected for
the accommodation of families.

"The whole domain is in every particular admirably adapted to
the industrial development of the Phalanx. The railroad
connecting Springfield with the Illinois river, runs within two
miles of the domain. There is a steam saw- and flouring-mill
within a few yards of our present eastern boundary, which we can
secure on fair terms, and shall purchase, as we shall need it
immediately.

"But we will not occupy more time with description, as those who
feel sufficiently interested, will visit us and examine for
themselves. We 'owe no man,' and although we are called infidels
by those who know not what constitutes either infidelity or
religion, we intend to obey at least this injunction of Holy
Writ. The Sangamon Association had been progressing slowly,
prudently and cautiously, determined not to involve themselves
in pecuniary difficulties; and this was one great inducement to
our union with them. We want those whose 'bump of caution' is
fully developed. Our knowledge of the progressive movement of
other Associations has taught us a lesson which we will try not
to forget. We are convinced that we can never succeed with an
onerous debt upon us. We trust those who attempt it may be more
successful than we could hope to be.

"We are also convinced that we can not advance one step toward
associative unity, while in a state of anarchy and confusion,
and that such a state of things must be avoided. We will
therefore not attempt even a unitary subsistence, until we have
the number necessary to enable us to organize upon scientific
principles, and in accordance with Fourier's admirable plan of
industrial organization. The Phalanx will have a store-house,
from which all the families can be supplied at wholesale prices,
and have it charged to their account. It is better that the
different families should remain separate for five years, than
to bring them together under circumstances worse than
civilization. Such a course will unavoidably create confusion
and dissatisfaction, and we venture the assertion that it has
done so in every instance where it has been attempted. Under our
rules of progress, it will be seen that until we are prepared to
organize, we shall go upon the system of hired labor. We pay to
each individual a full compensation for all assistance rendered
in labor or other services, and charge him a fair price for what
he receives from the Phalanx; the balance of earnings, after
deducting the amount of what he receives, to be credited to him
as stock, to draw interest as capital. To capital, whether it be
money or property put in at a fair price, we allow ten per cent.
compound interest. This plan will be pursued until our edifice
is finished and we have about four hundred persons, ready to
form a temporary organization. Fourier teaches us that this
number is necessary, and if he has taught the truth of the
science, it is worse than folly to pursue a course contrary to
his instructions. If there is any one who understands the
science better than Fourier did himself, we hope he will make
the necessary corrections and send us word. We intend to follow
Fourier's instructions until we find they are wrong; then we
will abandon them.

"As to an attempt to organize groups and series until we have
the requisite number, have gone through a proper system of
training, and erected an edifice sufficient for the
accommodation of about four hundred persons, every feature of
our Rules of Progress forbids it. We believe that the effort
will place every Phalanx that attempts it, in a situation worse
than civilization itself. The distance between civilization and
Association can not be passed at one leap. There must
necessarily be a transition period; and any set of rules or
constitution (hampered and destroyed by a set of by-laws),
intended for the government of a Phalanx, during the transition
period, and which have no analogical reference to the human
form, will be worse than useless. They will be an impediment
instead of an assistance to the progressive movement of a
Phalanx. The child can not leap to manhood in a day nor a month,
and unless there is a system of training suited to the different
states through which he must pass in his progress to manhood,
his energies can never be developed. If Associations will
violate every scientific principle taught by Fourier, pay no
regard to analogy, and attempt organisms of groups and series
before any preparation is made for it, and then run into anarchy
and confusion, and become disgusted with their efforts, we hope
they will have the honesty to take the blame upon themselves,
and not charge it to the science of Association.

"We are ready at all times to give information of our situation
and progress, and we pledge ourselves to give a true and correct
statement of the actual situation of the Phalanx. We pledge
ourselves that there shall not be found a variance between our
written or published statements, and the statements appearing
upon our records. Those of our members now upon the ground are
composed principally of the former members of the Sangamon
Association. We expect a number of our members from Ohio this
fall, and many more of them in the spring. We have applications
for information and membership from different directions, and
expect large accession in numbers and capital during the coming
year. We can extend our domain to suit our own convenience, as,
in this land of prairies and pure atmosphere, we are not hemmed
in by civilization to the same extent as Socialists in other
States. We have elbow-room, and there is no danger of treading
on each other's toes and then fighting about it.

"The _Plowshare and Pruning-Hook_ will be continued from its
second number, and published from the home of the Integral
Phalanx in a few weeks, as soon as a press can be procured.

"SECRETARY OF INTEGRAL PHALANX."

Here all information in the _Harbinger_ about the Integral comes to an end, and Macdonald breaks off short with, "No further particulars."