The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-02
PRICE TWO CENTS.
RYLANCE ON COMMUNISM.
NO SCHEME or GOpERNHENT CAN REQ.
THY EXISTING EVILS.
Whether Right or Wrong. Thing. win Con.
tinue ne They Are-The Socialists Theor1
Altogether too BeautIf,il to he Realized.


Altogether TOO Beautiful TO he Realized.
The Rev. Dr. Rylancc, in st. Marks
Church. last evening. declared himself to be
not OF those who considered the pulpit too sa-
cred for tho discussion OF secular topics. He
rather attributes much of the odium cast upon
the clergy. who are by many considered bur-
den on society, to the fact that they SO generally
avoid speaking OF subjects, proper treatment
OF which might do much toward softening tho
asperity between tho classes. Tho French
revolution and similar dolngs in 49," he
said have given Communism a bad repu-
tation. II is not fair to Judge Com
munism by the crimes and violent deeds dono
under its name. We should inquire into tho
remote facts which gave rise to those deeds Of
violence. and made popular uprising
necessary. The wisest men have been
socialists. in theory. Plato was its advocate.
and Tom Moore believed no nation could be
happy or prosperous under any other system
OF government Tho extreme Communists in-
sst that our present state Of society is unjust
and tyrannical. securing to n few rights and
privileges at tho sacrifice OF the peoples happi-
ness. They would adopt any measure neces-
snry to overthrow such a pernicous system.
They claim that the only remedy is a redivlsion
OF property. by which all men would be on tho
same level. A community il TO be formed in
WhlNh hit hp lulNihs i.dNAi 'lAlN'u ~ 10 ~ bo-
voted to the interests Of all. The sick and holp-
Lees will be cared for. and all will be Of ono
mind. There are other schemes moro prac-
tca, by which the abuses OF the extremists are
modified by Legislative interference. The accu-
mutation OF wealth beyond a certain amount Ia
not allowed. and rewards are proportionnto TO
the labor performed. Every man is to be as
signed to the work for which he Is best adapted.
toll thus becoming the highest pleasure.
We Justly hold private property sacred the
many cases II WIS originally gained by lruul
msnnncss. Too many great fortunes were es-
p"non Of W Wnm B9Ss So9
grees are counted glorious but think o1 tho
families founded by Henry the Eighth. Louis
tho fourteenth, ana Charles the Second. Waar0
told that these things are past; constitutional
government has been established. kings have
and education s we'll nigh universal Eycnth
old parental forms of government professcd TO
they failei t. do So Tho" weak. poor man man
has the privilege OF making his own contract
with the powerful contractor hut the advantage
IS always with the stronger Notwit ithstandnR
nll our advance ~ civilization, almshouses still
Say what YOU lwil for the muniAccnce and
magnanimity of wealth. a. long MS human ma
ture il selfish tho weak must suffer and yield 70
the strong. ComprtitQn forces the contractor
70 cut his profits. and the lions share Of the
burden Ia borne by the workingman. Capital
swallows the PROFITS. whcthcr right or wrong.
it is inevitable No scheme Of government can
do away with this stute of affairs so long %
men have to struggle for the priza OF wealth.
struggle will cease" The Socialists theory 10
too beautiful ever 30 be realized: II expects too
much Of human nnturr, and demands Large
amount OF capital, Of which tho world has only
"A small supply. Lofty principle un-"lllshncss.
and unlimited amiabillly 10 not n ound. Even
Brook Farm, stocked with the best blood and
intellect in New England iallcd Llfe with no
competition or incentive 10 labor soon becomes
monotonQus. Whom Communism attempts Ia
average human nature ON n broad generous
scale. II must result in failure.
Cerninly 1t is strange that mon CRYING out
against despOtism should attempt 70 irlugurate
n syetem mere lrspotic than any thc world has
yet experienced. They would luSo The state
put man ia his place and keep him there. An
equal diyisl lon Of unequal earnings viii result
IN many taxing things rNsy wiilr thcy live on
the common fund. Enmity and warfare would
follow. II proposes 10 place il mon 1n the snm0
level, but 1t docs 80 by suoiectiuE the wise to
the foolish. the active and Industrious to tho
idle. the bad to the good. or an the Socialists
In our country thcrc are hut few bent upon vi
olcnt mra=urrs. Tho PROJECT was horn ahroad,
and fostercd hy unworthy mon. Let us not call
~ the us1 OF arms. hut appeal 20 the reason.
Those who have uilluuuco ana wealth may YET
learn that the possession NJ great privileges in
wolves great duties. and neglect Of the latter
may impcrl the iormnr. God grant an onsy,
amlcabe solution OF this most difficult Of social
problems.