A strange voyage : a revision of The key of industrial co-operative government ; an interesting and instructive description of life on Planet Venus

Preface

On a sea-girt isle the happy days of my boyhood ’ere spent. The warm gulf stream steadily laving s shore made the climate delightful to dwell in, and a ’vorite resort for invalids. We had taken up our bode there to benefit my mother’s declining health.

Our home was on the face of a hill sloping back from a wide stretch of beach, the principal one of the few landing places on the island, for it mainly presented a surface of tall rugged cliffs to the swash of the Atlantic Ocean.

A group of smaller islands, a few miles distant in the offing, relieved the broad expanse of sea from all monotony.

Steamships and sailing vessels were frequently in sight, and together with the pilot boats, luggars, yachts, fishing smacks and innumerable sail and row boats going to and from the harbor, made an interesting and enjoyable variety of marine views.

Back from the coast line the land was a series of rolling hills, valleys and miniature plains, parcelled into small well kept farms, pastures, orchards and gardens with a wealth of flowers, semi-tropical in luxuriance.

Every road and lane was macadamized with a mixture of flint, granite, gravel and chalk, making a vi

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surface almost as compact and smooth as cut stone. The fields were bordered on the roadsides and lanes with neatly trimmed hedges, and beautified with ditches of crystal water — that never stagnated — husbanded for purposes of irrigation during dry seasons, their surfaces decked with lilies and water cress, and the banks with mosses and sweet wild flowers. A prominent hill back of the city commanded a fine view of nearly the entire island

Several quaint Gothic churches, some of them built many centuries ago, each surrounded by a group of small buildings of an equally antique type, studded the landscape a few miles apart ; they constituted the parishes into which the island was divided, and nestling in pastoral repose added a pleasing charm to the beautiful scenery for which the place was so famous.

Fine dwellings, with spacious lawns and well kept gardens and aviaries, clustered in and about the suburbs of the half mediaeval, half modern built town, many of them the homes of wealthy, yet progressive exiles or their descendants.

The many tourists who were continually coming and going, gave a cosmopolitan tone to the place. Culture and refinement abounded among the well-to-do classes ; and though poverty and ignorance existed in a limited extent, as the inevitable contrast of caste lines under the conipetitive system, an ideal sense of freedom and a chivalrous antagonism to every form of usurpation was the leading spirit of all classes of the native

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islanders ; due in a great measure to the social influence of the political exiles who had been forced by tyranny from their native lands, to find a welcome shelter there.

Surrounded by such influences, and being mentally inclined to observe the characteristics of others, is it a wonder that even in my early youth I acquired the habit of meditating on the conflicting aims of mankind, and how to effect a more equitable and peaceful government of the world.

The train of reflection which eventually resulted in the formulation of the industrial co-operative non-use of money form of government, began when I was nine years of age — forty-five years ago. I was passing a caterer’s establishment ; two boys, barefooted and poorly clothed, were contemplating the tempting viands in the window. Two other boys, in fashionable attire, emerged from the store with hands full of pastry ; one of them tasted a tart, and not liking its flavor threw it down on the wet, slippery, flagstone pavement (it had been raining) ; the two poor urchins immediately scrambled for it ; one of them, by means of his superior strength, secured it. Instead of appropriating it to himself exclusively, as I expected to see him do, he divided it into two equal parts and gave his smaller companion one of them. The incident made a lasting impression on my mind. I remarked to my sister, who accompanied me: “Why do some boys have so much that they carelessly waste it, while others have so little that they scramble in the mud for something to eat?”

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My gentle mother’s death was the removal of the central focus around which had radiated the joyous, rosy, paradise of my youth, and whilst yet a boy, and a dreamer with undimmed hope, I entered the conflict of life, to familiarize myself with the heart beats of those I was destined to assist in emancipating. Oh ! joyous childhood, how bright the future seemed then ! What changes the stern realities of life have wrought since.

The many “ castles ” built with hopes so fair,

Like frailest “bubbles” long since “burst in air.”

It is not necessary to relate a history of my life for the past forty-five years, enough to say, that one purpose has been continually supreme in my mind — the betterment of the condition of the oppressed, by finding a solution for the vexing economic and social issues confronting us.

In the summer of 1866 whilst ploughing a small field of corn in the western suburbs of St. Louis, feeling the effects of the intense heat, I unhitched the horse from the plow, led him under the shade of a tree, and laid down myself to rest awhile.

The thought occurred, how nice it would be if all could rest when they need it ; and how many were then engaged in the same use that had not a similar privilege t This led to other questions : I queried, what will be the result of this race for wealth, accelerated to such a feverish pace at the time being.? All the teachings of vaunted political economists had entirely failed to establish equity as the rule of life in our commercial

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IX and social relations with each other, even as members of a single nation, much less our transactions with other people.

Before I resumed my ploughing, the industrial non-use of money form of government was formulated, and I discussed it with my acquaintances, advocating its extension until it embraced every nation of the earth as states of one great planetary government, with one common centre.

In 1872 I addressed the International Society of St. Louis; subject, “The Need of Reform,’’ which the audience had printed.

In 1873, in a lecture delivered in Chicago, I offered the following suggestions :

Limit the possession or occupation of land to a specified number of acres per capita for agriculture or stock raising.

Limit the number of feet per capita for manufacturing purposes and dwellings, etc., in cities.

Limit the rate of interest to two per cent, borrowable from the government instead of usurers, and secured by the homestead improvements.

Limit taxation to half of one per cent, for agricultural or timbered lands.

Limit the total tax of all city property and incomes, below a specified amount, to one per cent.

The adoption of an amendment to our national constitution stopping the sale of public lands, substituting a life lease, exchangeable only with those possessing a similar lease. The lease renewable to the deceased occupant’s descendants.

Make the homestead non-mortgageable, only to the government.

In 1875 I wrote the “Key of Industrial Co-Operative Government.” Read a large portion of it in public in St. Louis in 1879, though it had been partly published in the St. Louis Mirror in 1874, under the title of “Industrial Ethics,” in which the following passages occur :

The cry of paternal government, so frequently used in ridicule against economic reforms, from the same standpoint could as consistently be used against the postal system, the river, harbor and coast services and the public schools, as against any effort to extend the benificent principle until it embraces every phase of human government.

The time of actual service in the manifold uses of civilization should be between the ages of 18 and 52 the sick and maimed excepted, who nevertheless are entitled to the same support as those engaged in active service. Those engaged in domestic duties receive the same compensation as those in other active uses.

In 1884 I read the “Key of Industrial Co-Operative Government” before the Teachers’ Institute of St. Charles and Warren Counties, Mo. In 1886 it was copyrighted and published in book form ; though no material effort was made to place it before the public,

♦ This is changed to 18 to 42 in Looking Backward.

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nearly a thousand copies were disposed of — mainly to reformers — ^but one copy was presented to a member of the press.

In this, my fourth presentation of my thoughts, I am forced to the disagreeable task of defending my claim to their authorship as many of the ideas contained therein have been published and extensively circulated by others, since circumstances have paved the way for their popular reception.

Hoping that this effort, in connection with the labor of others, may assist in still further advancing the equitable government of mankind, I again submit it, in a revised form and under another title, for your consideration. Respectfully,

The Author.

A Strange Voyage.

Chapter 1

Late one afternoon, feeling unusually tired, I left the din of the crowded city, wandering beyond its suburbs to find rest and diversion amidst the peaceful scenery of the country.

Every tree and shrub was gorgeous in dress of full, fresh leafage, and perched upon their branches, that were gently swaying in the life-invigorating zephyrs of lovely May, the birds trilled and warbled grateful praise.

The harvests’ rich promise waved in changing emerald tints ; daffodils, primroses and the lovely lilies of the valley, in profusion on the brook-kissed meadows, vied with the daisies, buttercups and violets, that beautified the fields ; sweet blossoms of fruit trees and flowers mingled their delicious perfume with the refreshing air, and mellow evening sunshine tinted all with softening rays.

The beauty and repose of the scene was in pleasing contrast to the strife and discomfort I had escaped from for so brief a period.

Some subtle influence in the quiet surroundings, made my bosom well with a mingling of joy and regret.

A Strange Voyage.

Was it the similarity of the landscape to some scene of my youth, that revived the treasured memories of the past so vividly? Oh, this supreme po-wer that quickens every sense into revigorated life and memory ! Whence thy source ? Where thy limit ?

The sun was nearing the horizon, blending its primrose tints into brightest orange, and a feeling of sadness crept o’er me, apace with the departing glory of day.

Oft-times before and since, I have been similarily affected, the mind then seeming to be in sweetest accord with all the spiritual harmonies of the imiverse.

I knew it was time for me to return, yet I felt disinclined to leave the scene of peace to mingle again with the turmoil of the city — the ceaseless strife and drudgery for subsistence, as though life had no higher purpose than to grovel in the cess-pools of traffic, from the knife swapping youth’s first greedy attempt to gain the advantage of a playmate, to the confirmed avarice of the dotage of the aged.

Oh ! what a pitiable sight to contemplate, so many entering the portals of eternity with features void of every redeeming virtue. So indelibly does greed stamp its soul-degrading effects ujfcn the worshipers of mammon, that even the finger and toe nails of some of them are hooked like the talons of a vulture.

In panoramic view the legions with phantom aims, thinly interspersed with those of nobler mien, passed in review. The vast majority’s ignorance, superstition

A Strange Voyage.

and selfishness harshly deadening with their discordant din all the sweeter melodies of life.

A sense of fearful depression overcame me as I gazed at the vast multitude so vividly pictured to my mind, for I fully realized the herculean task that was required to make them realize the impracticable, yea, criminal use of human energy, that now obtains under the competitive system. Through all known ages of the past, as now, its path has been strewn with undisputable evidences of incessant strife and failure. To contend that it is the only system by which organized society can be held in cohesion, is a travesty on justice and common sense ; I felt that even the physical universe must quiver with indignation at human perversion and misrule.

The feathered songsters ceased their work and song, and the sudden quiet aroused me from my reverie for a few moments ; they had gone to rest without a single care. I longed for freedom, even such as birds enjoy. I was singularly affected, both in mind and body, and sat down in a reclining posture ’neath the broad spreading branches of a tree, crowned with a glory of full blossom. Thoughts followed each other in rapid succession. The question occurring : What shall be the result of this race for wealth ; accelerated to such feverish haste at the present time ?

Whether the noble incentive to excel, for excellence sake, the grateful recognition of our superior attainments by fellow beings, and the award of honors of positions of leadership and responsibility in all departments of life, was all sufficient stimulus ; inevitably leading us onward in progressive civilization. Whilst thus reflecting, it would seem I was destined to go on a very strange voyage and acquire some valuable experience.

A beautiful maid approached and invited me to embark with her on board an aerial ship, to visit planet Venus, whence she had come. It was a strange and surprising request; I looked at her, scarcely knowing how to reply.

To have asked me to risk myself in mid-air in the frail-looking contrivance from which she had alighted, would have been sufficient cause for astonishment, but to add to it the request for me to accompany her billions of miles through the blue ether, was astounding indeed. She contemplated my perplexity with such a pleasing composure, that I was really ashamed of myself, for the fact of such a gentle maid risking herself without any fear, whilst 1 was afraid to venture, appeared very cowardly on my part ; for in the years gone by I had dared to lead where but few had the temerity to follow. She said: “You need not have any fear; we’ll have other agreeable company ; and the voyage may be full of instructive interest to you.” She called my attention to a lady and gentleman who were engaged in taking photographic views, saying: “They are my companions, allow me to introduce you to them.” We walked to where they were at work, and I made their

A StrangQ Voyage.

acquaintance. The young man said: “We have been on and about your planet gathering a collection of scenes to take back with us for our illustrated journals.’^ His lady companion remarked: “We have seen and learned a great deal that is strange to us, and we regret that we are to return so soon.” She had taken the negative of the last scene photographed from an instrument in which it had been placed ; she noticed my curiosity and asked me if I would like to see it } I said yes ; she handed it to me, and I was surprised to find it of metal instead of glass, and more wonderful still, it had been thoroughly etched, during its brief period of development in its peculiar receptacle, into a perfect photo-engraving.

She said: “This instrument,” putting her hands on the case, “contains a powerful battery; three minutes is all the time required to take the view and finish it in this form, ready to be printed from, or to be used to take duplicate copies from for distribution to the illustrated press. I am very sorry we did not make your acquaintance the first day we arrived, as you would have aided us in acquiring more valuable information.”

The first young lady who had approached me said : “I have invited him to accompany us back to our planet, if he decides to do so, we will be highly gratified, for no doubt he will inform us of this planet’s peoples, and their customs whilst on the way. We assure him a safe journey to Venus and return back again here.”

They all joined in pressing me to accompany them. Their earnest truthful manner inspired confidence, and the love of adventure possessing me again, as in years ago, I answered “I will accept your kind invitation.

She said: “We’ll start as soon as you are ready.”

I requested sufficient time to procure my overcoat and a few articles of wear.

She said: “It will be unnecessary as we are well provided with cloaks and wraps for the night, and when we arrive on our planet, ample provision will be made for all your needs.”

Delay being unnecessary, we stepped aboard, cast loose, and up we sailed with a rapid, but easy motion from the earth. The air-ship was wonderfully constructed, altogether different from any of our balloons. It was a light car suspended below a crescent shaped gas retort, which was filled by the product of chemicals combined on the car. A small, but powerful motor worked a number of wing-like fans, and the vessel could be directed anywhere desired, at a great speed and in perfect safety, for there were a number of self-acting parachutes on each side of the car, insuring a safe descent in case of accident to the gas receiver or motor. The framework of the vessel was made of lightly constructed flexible metal tubes, possessing great strength, with little weight. The ingenious mechanism of the air-ship had so entirely absorbed my attention for some time, that when I looked down from the side of the car, I could scarcely discern even a dim outline of the earth.

The lovely maid, who was named Edith, and who had induced me to venture on the aerial flight, said ; “We’ll soon be outside of your earth’s atmosphere, and enter a swift ethereal-magnetic tide that leads direct to Venus.”

“Are there like currents connecting all the planets,” I asked

“Yes, they are directly connected with each other by attractive and propulsive currents ; thus they are retained in their orderly cycles around and about each other.”

I was surprised at the soft brilliant light that suddenly dawned upon us.

She said: “Now we are in the current, and will have no use for the steering gear and machinery until we reach the atmosphere of our planet, so we are free to converse at leisure.”

“I really cannot conceive how we can dispense with the use of them in mid-air.”

She replied: “This is a magnetic tide and gravitation is directed with it to our planet, and in no other direction.”

“lam anxious to learn about these wonderful currents flowing from planet to planet, so if it will not trespass too much upon your time I would like to ask you a few questions about them.”

She replied: “It will afford us, speaking for my companions as well as myself, the greatest pleasure to impart any information on the subject of which we have a knowledge.”

“ How many currents are therebetween each planet ?”

“Two; a positive (propulsive); and a negative (attractive). But all the planets are connected with a like double current with the central solar or sun of the system to which they are directly connected.”

“ What am I to understand by the central solar or sun of the system, for it infers that all the planets in a solar system are suns to a greater or less extent, differing widely from the theory on our planet, for there the central solar is considered the only sun in the system.”

“All are suns of lesser degree, subject to and revolving around a larger central sun, which is positive to them.”

“What is the function of the magnetic currents besides their connecting power? ”

“ They are the forces that regulate gravitation, and not only keep the planets in constant motion, but also regulate their respective distances from each other.”

“What regulates the relation of all the solar systems with each other?”

“The sun sends forth and attracts like currents with all the other central solars in the universe, but has no immediate communication with their numerous planets, for the magnetic circuit of every solar system is completed through the mediumship of its central solar or sun, and through them only are tributary to the universal co-operative order of the universe. Thus you perceive that the immense size of the sun gives it the necessary attractive and propulsive force to sustain the co-operative relation of this solar system with other planetary systems.”

‘ ‘ I would like to learn more of the nature of magnetic force and how it is generated.”

“We term it positive life, or motion. It is produced by friction of the planets’ atmospheres through the firmanent, which is the great reservoir of magnetic life, where it is held in a latent slate. The size of the planets regulates their absorbing power, which is called attractive utilization,”

“We call it gravitation, though it has never been as clearly defined by our astronomers as you have described it to me ; but still I do not understand how the currents between the planets are so orderly sustained.”

“I will endeavor to illustrate it by comparing all of the planets in a system to receivers, or storehouses of magnetism, and presenting, according to their size, a luminous quality, as this magnetism is electrified by the friction of their atmospheres, which is directed or attracted to one common focus — a central larger body — which gathers the rays of magnetism from other planets to intensify its own surface and reflect them back again with more potent and life-giving power for the individualized forces of all of them, thus the planets become united and strengthened, mutually contributing to each others support. This attractive and reflective phenomenon not only explains the law of magnetic flow and ebb.

but the origin of light and heat as well ; this is clearly demonstrated by the fact that the sun’s heat is felt most by the planets while they are in the most remote part of their ecliptic cycles from the sun.”

“ Then the sun must be a habitable globe the same as the other planets.”

“Certainly! The intense light and heat is the result of attraction and reflection, and is engendered in the outer part of the atmosphere of the sun and planets, as I stated before by friction with the elements of the firmament. This apparent light is the absolute power that gives motion to the planets, and keeps them in their orderly cycles, for it is magnetism flowing and reflowing from planet to planet.”

‘ ‘ How do you account for the ecliptic instead of the circular course of the planetary cycles.?”

“It is due to the relative positions of the planets with each other and with the sun, as they lessen or increase their attraction upon each other, and change their angle with the sun’s focus.”

“What direct influence has the closer proximity of the sun upon the planets.?”

“It then attracts from them in a greater measure their waste or negativized forces, which they have not sufficient power to throw off, and which of necessity must be thoroughly eliminated to be again magnetically revived. It is a periodical reawakening, somewhat similar to the influence of the changing seasons of the planets.”

“How grand and marvelous this vast universe! How like a perfect working machine controlled by a master hand ! ’’

“Yes, the more we contemplate it the more sublime it becomes, and the greater we feel our weakness and dependence upon a Power beyond or superior to us. What an intimate relation this flow of magnetism from the sun to its planets and its reflow back again has to the circulation of the blood through the human body and all other forms of animated existence ; for they receive life sustaining elements in direct proportions to their assimilating power, and cast off through the excretory organs the chemically changed elements to be revivified and utilized over and over again.”

“We had an eminent scientist and philosopher in the last century, named Emanuel Swedenborg, who likened the whole universe to the form of a graiid man or supreme power ^ and that every individual according to spiritual developement was located in a corresponding part of the body. The highest in the frontal brain and so downward the grand stature to the feet, and even the dead skin beneath them, where the lowest in the scale of developement have their being, in ignorance of all spiritual laws of life. He was very far advanced compared with the other scientists and philosophers of our planet who preceded him.”

“ Had he many followers } ”

“Yes, particularly among the highly developed, but his following has been very small compared to that of other religious teachers ; not from any glaring inconsistencies in his philosophy, but rather from the tendency of many, who profess to agree with him, to form a creed and burden it with useless forms, in the endeavor to illustrate what they term a law of correspondence or symbolism/’

“Intimate association with some of them would lead careful observers to think that they had forgotten his wise injunction, that every individual should be a church within the soul, dependent on Divine light for guidance, and should avoid building up organizations tending to narrow the scope of the mind. I have quoted him in substance, but not in his wording, as it is nearly thirty years since I read it.”

“He was right, for religion is subject, as all life, to evolutionary law, and must necessarily be free and progressive.”

I wondered at the drift of the conversation, so wide from economic subjects which had absorbed my attention for so many years, but seemingly I was led for a purpose, for the conversation drifted there to show me that the laws governing the order of the planets contained valuable lessons to aid us in a correct re-organization of society, for they forcibly demonstrated mutual dependence and co-operation.

At eleven o’clock refreshments were served, and soon after the young man adjusted our seats so as to form reclining couches, we bid each other good night and soon fell asleep.

It was daylight when I awoke. My companions were up and attending to their toilets. I speedily arranged mine on being informed that we were in the atmosphere of Venus and that land was in sight.

Quite a number of my companions^ friends greeted us as we alighted, and escorted us to an elaborately decorated train. I was subsequently informed that the reason we did not alight in the city in the air-ship was that we should not attract too much notice until we had donned apparel in harmony with the elegant costumes prevailing there; our arrival on the train would not be noticed as much. We soon reached the city which was but a few miles distant.

On alighting at the depot we were escorted to elegant rooms. A fine assortment of clothing was placed at my disposal, and appropriately attired, I joined my fair guide, and together we entered the spacious restaurant for breakfast.

After the meal we walked about the depot, which was a marvel of convenience, order and cleanliness. Not a warehouse, factory, work shop nor freight car in sight. The freight cars ran on separate tracks, and the freight yards, etc., were far removed from the passenger depots. This was an absolute rule all over the planet, and certainly a very wise one, as it saved annoyance and removed all possibility of collisions with passenger trains.

The depot was constructed of highly polished non-corroding metal of many bright colors, and of elaborate designs. The entire roof was covered with colored glass in imitation of frescoes.

My guide led me to a train of cars which was to leave in a few minutes; she said: “You perceive this engine motor occupies but very little space.?”

I replied, “No, I do not see it at all.”

She smiled and said: “I presume you expected to see one somewhat akin to your cumbersome engines* I omitted pointing it out to you ; it is all contained in this small space,” putting her hand on the front part of a baggage car, on what I had mistaken for a new species of lighting apparatus, for it had a beautiful electric lamp in front of it.

“Is it possible that such a small machine is capable of drawing such a train as this ? ”

“Yes, and much more besides. It is a combination of electric, pneumatic and steam forces, and is as near perpetual motion as it is possible to be, for once it is started in motion it will run, if not interfered with, until the machinery gives out. The only real consumption and waste of fuel takes place when generating the power to first start it in motion ready for use ; it can then be stopped and started at will. It has the faculty of continuously using the exhausted power. Another great advantage — there is neither smoke, soot nor ashes.”

“It is a wonderful machine.”

“But I assure you quite commonplace to us.”

Some acquaintance attracted her attention, she excused herself for a few minutes, and I was left to my own observations.

The cars were highly embelished with carvings, richly tinted and gilded. I was delighted with the marvelous variety of bright colored metal carvings ; an art they seemed to have brought to perfection. A polite trainman invited me to look at the interior of the cars ; I thanked him and stepped aboard.