The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-19

jocts OF personal distinction or aggran-
dzement and gave himself entirely to i'm
proving the condition of the German work.
ing-man. The scope and fruitfuness OF the
labors which he undertook in the remnant
OF his life The died in 1904 at the age of 40
were of a kind to electrify his contempo-
rares, and they 20 far to justify the ven
Grafton in which his followers hold his
memory. Tn less than three years FER
DINAND LAssALLE created the great So
ciallst party, which has since pushed its
propaganda into every village of the Ger
man empire; and he bestowed on IL organ
ization, rs well as n distinct object and
policy. Under these circumstances, it is
less surprising that his funeral should have
borne the insignia of n national bercave-
ment, or that the anniversary OF his death
should have been celebrated two years ago
by his disciples with ceremonies which re-
sembled the rites of new religion.
Many of LAssALLE's ideas were borrowed
from SArNT-SIMoN, LOUIS BLANC, and
KARL MARX, but dogmas which for the
most part had lain sterile in the field OF
esoteric discussion gained in his hands
them into genuine forces. BY innu-
merable polemio writings and public
speeches In every part OF the country,
through the resources Of an incisive pen
and magnetic eloquence, he contrived to
make principles and theories. which had
been the appanage of philosophers, the
workingmans inheritance. Starting from
tho postulate of political economists he
affirmed that so long rs the interests
of labor and capital were not identical the
Iron law of wages" must condemn the
laboring classes TO gravitate toward min
imum OF subsistence. Like JOHN STUART
MILL. he had only sarcasm for charitable
makeshlfts and correctives. for workmen's
homes and cooperative societies for con-
sumption. He claimed that under the
present social system, just in proportion as
the application OF such schemes was ex-
tended to the whole body OF workmen,
the cost of existence being reduced would
entail u reduction of wages. Like many
other less practical aeitators, LAssALLE
regards all property which is not the fruit
of individual cxertionsas OF doubtful legit-
imacy, and he would rescue the laborlng
named "iron law" by endowing pro-
ducers with capital. But he differs widely
from most of his coadjutors in the ex-
IRENE moderation of his aims, and in the
seemingly feasible plan which he suggests
for their attainment.
LAssALLE repeatedly declared that his
projects did not contemplate the immedi-
ate solution of the social question: In
his Judgment the transformation OF soci-
ETY. must be the work of centuries, of
series OF measures and reforms which
should emerge organically from one an-
other. But he thought the situation of
the working classes might forthwith be
greatly ameliornted, and that this end
would be comprised through the endow
ment by the state of Productive Associa-
tons He calculated that hundred mil
lion tina ers would suffice for Prussia, and
even this sum he would not levy on the tax
payers, bat would found national bank
having q monopoly OF the circulating
medium and authorized to lend one third
Of it, notes to the cooperative Productive
societies LAssALLE does not attempt TO
deny that the experiment might here and
there miscarry, rs II did in Paris in As; but
he maintains that, just us Governments
lend their aid TO the development of a rail
way system, Notwithstanding the probable
failure of some lines from commercial
point Of view, SO u community might do
wisely to risk something upon au effort
toward the pacific and gradual trans
formation Of society.
Whatever the process by which his sug-
gestions may Ice carried out, whether by
| direct Government aid or by the creation
of facilities aud guarantees for the loan OF
private funds, LAssALLE holds mp the iden-
tincation of labor aud capital through CO.
| operative production rs the cardinal object
Of enieavor. This end, however, must be
compassed by the peaceful machinery and
| legitimate pressure which may be eXer-
cl,el by any citizen in II constitutional
| state. He will have no political revolution.
no violent dislocation of the social frame
work. In other words, FERDISAND LAS
SALE was not IA prctender or demagogue,
but an organizer OF rare sagacity; aud the
proof OF II is the growth and substantial
power of the German Socialist party.