“The Integral Phalanx” Papers
Scope and Contents note
Sterling Alam had a wide variety of interests, which are revealed in this collection of papers. Each part of the collection consists of a different area of interest in his life, supplemented with academic papers written by himself and by others, magazines, and newspaper articles that he used for reference. Of particular interest is his early interest in religion; the collection includes information from the various parishes over which he presided, including a sermon book with some information about the parishioners.
The various universities from which he received degrees and at which he later taught are represented, including transcripts and applications for different universities and funding opportunities. Papers regarding Alam's interest in sociology are extensive, especially those about the future of the family, including his class notes and lecture materials.
Communes were a serious interest of Alam's, and he collected extensively papers written by himself and others, magazines, and newsletters on his favorite commune, Twin Oaks.
Later in life, Alam became interested in gerontology, and collected information from conferences he attended, as well as research notes on various aspects of gerontology. He worked at the University of Illinois in the specialized Cooperative Extension Service, which specialized in informing people about the process of growing older. Sterling Alam lectured there and wrote papers; correspondences and lecture notes may be found in this part of the collection. The United Ostomy Association includes information on Alam's work at the Association, and messages from the United Ostomy Association.
Alam corresponded with several politicians including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bill Clinton, Jim McGovern, Barack Obama, and Scott Brown about his political concerns. Sterling Alam devoted much of his life working toward equal healthcare and to educate people about social security, so there are extensive academic papers, and reports from various boards on which he sat. Alam was very involved in the Civil Rights movement, particularly through the church, and recently he has been a member of both the Attleboro Council on Human Rights and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Committee.
Miscellaneous materials include his sociological studies, and his interest in music, such as the Russian choir.
Dates
- Creation: 1950-2009
- Creation: 1960 - 1990
Creator
- From the Collection: Sterling Alam (Donor & MS. coll. creator) (Person)
The Integral Phalanx
Several communes were established during the 1840s. The Sangamon Association formed in 1844 near Springfield, IL. John S. Williams, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and "one of the most active exponents of Fourierism in the West", along with others, organized "The Integral Phalanx", hoping to create a community near Middletown, Ohio, on the "Manchester Mills property" on the Miami Canal.
Their pledge, signed on 16 Oct. 1844, stated, "Having great confidence in the practical application of the doctrines of Associated Industry as taught by Charles Fourier, of France, and having a desire to see them tested agreeably to the laws of universal analogy maintained by him, we, for that purpose, pledge and promise to pay, advance or loan th eamount of money or capital by us hereto severally subscribed to John S. Williams, Joseph Williams and Matthew Westervelt...acting under the name and style of The Integral Phalanx."
They had essentially formed a joint stock company that would go into effect when 64 families (ca. 400 people) had signed the pledge, althought the group never exceeded 20 families. The group established the newspaper "The Ploughshare and Pruning-hook" (signifying production and correction) in July 1845. An editorial stated, "As the sword and spear are implements of warlike destruction and therefore truly symbolic of the present antagonistic society so also are the ploughshare and pruning-hook implements of peaceful production and therefore truly symbolic of associated industry."
Difficulties in finding an acceptable location for the community led to the Sangamon Association merging into The Integral Phalanx on 16 Oct. 1845, and the entire group settled in Sangamon County, IL. A few days later the leaders sent a one and one-half column letter to the New York Tribune, explaining that, "We intend to follow Fourier's instructions until we find they are wrong; then we will abandon them." Friends of the "Science of Association" were urged to join the group.
The group disbanded, returning property to the original donors, in April 1848.
[George E. Dawson, "The Integral Phalanx", in Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1907, Springfield, IL: Phillips Bros., 1908, p. 88-97. Available at: http://books.google.com/books?id=Msc0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA427&lpg=PA427&dq=%E2%80%9CThe+Integral+Phalanx%E2%80%9D+Papers&source=bl&ots=83k1OBy4Bx&sig=ki0O8BlKPjrBat7yv7JWyTc54HE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5vHmUOyJLeXL0AGH4oDAAw&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CThe%20Integral%20Phalanx%E2%80%9D%20Papers&f=false]
Extent
1.0 folder(s)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Topical
Repository Details
Part of the Marion B. Gebbie Archives and Special Collections Repository