, 1874-02-20
SOCIALISM AND SUFFRAGE IN GERMANY

Imperial Parliament is causing homo liteo un-
oaHincEs aud much discussion In Germany, eapo-
claly ut Berlin, whoro Socialism has doyolopod
unlooked-for force. The strength Of tho "So-
cial Dcmocrats,' Us thoy aro called, is not to 10
measured by the nunlber OF candidates thoy
havo olcctod, but by tho number Of votos tAey
Gust at tho recent oootionR. Whero defeated,
they nevertheless polled, in great many i'll
stances, an alarmngly large vote; uud
this fact, moro than their representation In the
nechstag by dozon moulbors, 1t iH TINT
awakens tho fearB Of the Conservatives. And
we'll 1t may excite apprehension, for oyary suol,
vote is q declaration OF war against the existing
political, Hocial, and moral organization Of the
world; sorving Of notice Oh the loyal subjects
Of His 1mperal Majesty that the votcr claims q
certain right, itlo, and interest in Ill his goods
and chattels, whether reai or personal.
German aIatesnien naturally Inquire what
they arc going to do about all this. Three rome-
dies have been already recommended, ,-rostric-
tiou OF tho right Of suffrage, Introduction Of
socialistio doctrines, and the enforcement of the
exercise Of tho right to vote, az duty which
the State may exact from the individ-
ual. To restrict tho suffrage would be
an abandonment Of tho liberal principles ill.,
troduced into tho now German Constitution.
ind would not be acceptable to the large body of
tho German people. We ire glad to notice that,
as rulo, this way Of curing tho growing evil is
not favored. Tho noxt romedy-that iu tho
interest Of civilization tho doctrines of tho
"Social Democrats" should DO prohibited,
and that 1t should be made ponal to
advocate them-is, ii anything, worso than
the evil. It would bo impossible to apply it,
aud besides it would form q very bad prcce-
don't. It may bo very true TINT a principle is
adverse to true civilization. and yet 10 very dan-
gorous in tho iuterests OF civilization to inter-
dict it's discussion. Tho third romedy il the
most rationa1 QUO proposed. 1t would check the
SUCCESS of the ''Social Democrats, at least for
q long time. Thoir Huccess is DUO first,
to their bottor organization, and then to tho
apathy of tho Conservatives. Iu Berlin, their
great stronghold, it appears that Of 190, 900
qualified voters only 4s, 900 exercised the right
at tho recent elections, thus leaving 81 00O fully
two-thirds Of the whole, who did not vote At all.
OF those $1,000, there is, perhaps, acarcely ono
Socialist; for the turbulent portions OF any
community aro mover backward in coming to tho
polls. The best method, then, Of defeating tho
"Hocial Democrats" is to compel these
$1,000 to vote. But II is aHkod: Would
not such oompulsion bo violation Of ill.,
dividual liberty? II IN infringement of
individual liberty under any circumstances,
it may DO questioned whether It would
not bo warranted under tho conditions
in point If an evil, it iB the least Of two,
between which tho German people arc called to
choose. Tho duty Of voting is tho corrolativo
Of the right Of suffrage. II suffrage bo right
which tho individual may claim from organized
society, thou, once granted him, It IL d duty
which ho owea to the nation-a political as we'll
as moral duty. This is tl1o ground on which 1t
il sought to justify tho enforcement OF voting
by all qualified yotore. Organization aud asita-
ton might produce tho Hanlo eiroct as enforced
voting; but Conservatives aro generally easy
going people, mud, 81 mattor OF fact, aro
neyor as effective In political cam-
paigu az their numbers would warrant.
Universal suffrage IL based Oh tue right Of tho
majority to govern. It auppoBcs that all voto
and, uusess all do vote, 1t might happen TINT
the minority, not tho majority. would rulo.
Tho question OF requiring all qualified votors
to vote is now fairly before tho German people,
and Its course will DO watched by the peoplo Of
this country With interest.