The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-07-05

is fact, which the teachers Of socalstic ideas
in the United States, and the men who are
giving aid and comfort to the early phases Of
this movement, will do well to remember. that
the cultivated and reputable meters OF this
sort of social revolution have themselves in
yariably suffered from tue outbreaks which
they have fomented. The Girondins Of France
saw the power pass from them to the Jacobins,
and lost their lives upon the scaffold which
they had erected for the monarchy and arlstoc-
racy, against whom they warred with horribly
destructive and, as it proved, suicidal weapons.
There is one phase of Communism, as 1t ex-
lists at present, which is Of especial importance
the Communist theory demands an equal dis
t,bution Of all property, their crusade is es-
pecially directed against the owners Of land.
Upon this point, their declarations are too
numerous and explicit to leave shadow of
doubt as to their purpose They follow the
teaching Of one Of their leaders, who years ago
declared shat the only title OF land Was origin
ally gained by some one who declared that so
much of Gods earth was his, and found the
rest Of the people fools enough to believe him.
Similar declarations have been made by Social
list and Communist leaders in every part Of the
country. 1t is not denied by them that, in the
event of Socialist triumph, the first move
ment would be to redistrbute the land equally
to all, thus ignoring the labor and thrift which
has acquired property, and reducing them to a
level with idleness and shiftlessness
We have dwelt thus at length upon the his
tory, the characteristics and the results Of
Socialism, because it seems about to become
vital issue in American politics. The Green
back National party which is now making such
pretenHons, gets it's chief strength from Social
istic and Communistic tendencies among the
people. To be sure, the declarations Of the
National platform in Michigan are very con-
sentative on this subject Violence is dis
tinctly announced. But this does not change
the real conditions of the social and political
situation. To illustrate: In California, the
Kearneyites, whose organized existence is an
attack upon the principles OF society itself
have swept the city OF San Francisco. and
have probably carried by plurality the State
OF California, electing the largest element IN
the delegates to the convention, which is to
frame new state constitution. The success
OF the Kearneyites in California has followed
from precisely the same kind OF agitation, has
been produced by the same agencies. and par
takes Of the general character OF the move
ments which have given the Nationals their
nrasant afranOth m Stofa ha
result Is already counted upon as a help to
their cause by the National leaders here. and
strong National vote IN Michigan IN November
next will in turn be stimulus and an encour-
agement to the Communists IN California and
all over the country.
Moreover, it must be remembered that. no
matter how innocently and harmessly agita-
tons OF this kind have begun, they have almost
uniformly been taken possession Of by the
worst elements OF society. and have led to
anarchy and ruin. The first preachers of
Socialism have been usually sincere phlan-
anthropic, humane men; but when they have
put their theories into active operation. their
enthusiastic followers. soon transformed into
leaders, are the men who carried Lamballes
head on pike; who murdered the Archbishop
OF Paris; who have made France pass through
two Reigns of Terror within the last hundred
years. These theorists are like the fisherman
in the Arabian Nights, who let loose a genie
powerful beyond bis control. They SOW the
wind and reap the whirlwind. The Girondins
Of the French Revolution began with excellent
motives their attack upon monarchical prerog-
.x,1 40 A.
ton which they evoked was turned against
themselves. They not only saw the king and
the mobiles hurried to the guillotine, but they
themselves perished upon it. To take later
and nearer instance, the well-meanng strik-
ers Of last summer found their movement
taken from their own hands, and :" run in the
interest OF the vilest elements in the commun-
ity-tramps, thieves, robbers and murdsrers
Such 10 the natural history OF oil movements OF
this character" to this complexion they must
come at last"
The Nationals may disclaim sympathy
with Socialism and Communism; the Socialists
themselves may disclaim bloody and anarchical
purposes But they cannot prevent the logical
result Of their acts and declarations. The sen
timent that lies beneath oil communlstic move
ments 10 jealousy and hatred Of property. The
idle or unfortunate grudge their industrious or
lucky neighbors the possession Of their earn
ings or inheritance. The same idea has given
oil its original and durable vitality to the
" National" movement, which is Q mass in
which the leaven of Communism is the active
principle by which 1t will all be ultimately
leavened.