the New-York Herald, June 16, 1869:
We published yesterday, from our special correspondent, a full account of the twenty-first anniversary of the “Friends of Human Progress,” at Waterloo, Seneca county, New York. The platform of these people is expressed in the title they give themselves—the friends of human progress—and no one can complain that it is not comprehensive or broad enough. In fact, it is too broad to be specific and comprehensive enough to embrace all the isms of the day.
The “Friends of Human Progress” do not appear to have any particular organization for social, communist, or co-operative purposes as regards labor or property, but seem to be idealists only, composed of men and women of various opinions and isms, who meet together periodically to ventilate their theories.
On this occasion there were about one hundred and fifty, white, black and gray, and of both sexes. Some of the names are familiar as connected with abolitionism in times past, with the women’s rights movements, with Spiritualism, and with other vagaries, and conspicuously among them was that of Fred Douglass. There was a great deal of flowery talk about progress, humanity, a new age, and a new philosophy and religion, but no ideas or definite object. Read more…
