Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-05-28
The Communists.

For the past ten or twelve years we
have watched the progress of Commu-
nism in Europe and America with in
tense interest. To those who wish to
understand what a hydra-headed mon
ster Socialism is-how it means Read
justment in Virginia, Trades Unionism
in Pennsylvania, Labor Reform in New
England, Anti-Chinese agitation in
California, and hundred other clap
trap shibboleths-we recommend the
York Tribune by our friend Augustus
Maverick. Mr.. Maverick clearly points
out how the Socialistic leaders are Sc
cretly directing the disaffected elements
in all the States and steadily leading
the blindfOlded people into anarchy.
During our stay in New York, we
several times visited the leaders of the
| Communists, and we can vouch for one
thing-they are terribly in earnest
| "Our party" said Citizen M. to us, sis
as thoroughly organized as the Jesuits."
This is SO. After the failure of the
Paris Commune Karl Marx removed
the head. quarters of the international"
from Europe to Cincinnati. Ever since
there has been in that city Supreme
Directory in constant and secret ses-
sion. This Directory is managed with
consummate ability, and its agents are
distributed everywhere.
The Southern men who were recently
banuuetted in Boston said the negroes
had no sympathies with Socialism
This shows how wide is the gulf which
separates the black and white races, and
how ignorant they are of each others
movements, for it is q fact that one OF
, the members of the Supreme Directory
of the international" in Cincinnati,
is full-blooded negro named Clark,
whose especial duty it is to encourage
the colored people to hope for division
of the property of the whites.
The Great Strike of last Summer
would have resulted in anarchy in sew
eral States, but for the lack of leaders,
"The last strike was sprung too soon
!, next time we shall be better prepared"
| was the significant remark of another
"Citizen" in New Nork. The editor OF
the Mercury will..never forget what he
saw of the strike of 1877 in Baltimore
and Philadelphia. The Money Dealers
so far from encouraging the disturb
ances, were in state of universal pan.
) ic, and indeed every man who had
little property to tremble.
, It is not to be wondered at that the
3 Readjusters are afraid to admit the dan.
gers of Communism. They have been
blindly advocating Communistic ideas
, and yet stand appalled, at the revelation
of what those ideas mean when logically
, developed. This is a hopeful sign anC
may induce some indiscreet persons
who have advocated "forcible readjust
< ment," to consider what those words
mean. Communism asserts the right o
/ a. 4 j Il
D erty. Forci6le Reodjustnaealt amount.
r confiscate property ia bonds for The
= benefit of white land owners, then Cit
, zen Clark, the Cincinnati negro, is am
> ply justified in arguing that by fore
' you can readjust the inequalities in thu
ownership Of lands and compel thu
= whites to divide with the blacks. "Th'
, colored laborers will be immensely ben
I Gifted by our movement" was what W.
g heard New York Communist say
The very same arguments, which Read
busters use against Bondholders, would
= be of ten-fold force when used by Negro
= laborers to denounce the expressions o
= the Landocracy. God forbid that agra
rian principles should spread any fur
Their, but if the landowners of Virgins
I are wise they will open their eyes to th'
J, | UduRGfS tlai SuTTouuu Juelll, anu WIZ
, maintain the legitimacy of contracts
a by which alone can the individual own
l ership of estates be justified aIa main
tanned. For our part we do not drea;
the future, because we believe when tn,
q people of Virginia understand their pc
: sition and the tremendous conflict which
y is before the nation, the reign of tn
= demagogue will be over, and the An
Z Gent Dominion will be first among al
the States to vindicate Honesty, Truth
: Law, Order, Civilization and Chris
tianity.
] If REIMBURSEMENT is to be east as fire
: brand into our Congressional campaign
= so be it. There is no need TO dreas
the conflict. Far better had it been 10
Virginia that long ere this the sound
thinking men of the Conservative par
), ty had organized everywhere and lief
i the Readjusters 10 ihe inevitable ruiz
, which awaits them. There is no rea
! strength in the noisy Communism o
Forcible REIMBURSEMENT, and fair an'
square fight will simplysdemonstrate it
s weakness and imbeeility .-FarmviN
s Mercury.