New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-01
ut1r NncLlLLSl ME4NE.


WHAT NOCIILISU MEANS.
The Rev. John II. Ociter, III paper read
before meeting of the Reformed Church III
America, which we publish i'll full to-day,
presents in very clear and strong light the
issue raised by Socialism. Not even III writ
inss of the chief advocates of Socialism have
lis theories been more ably, imprgS'Iyciy,
compactly and justly stated, than iii the pa
per OF Mr.. Octcr. If he ems on either haIid'
il is in rounding ont the teachings oi so
cialiJs. and making them more logical ana
complete than they are made by Social
lists themselves. While the stat mcmt -
exceptionally strong and favorable 10
the Socialist, as review OF what
ever argument can be submitted in
behalf of his position, it is equally careful
not to cir by cXaggcmiion rs to his more uii-
p0pnlar ideas or rs to the degree Of unan-
unity with which those ideas are held 10y so
ciallStS. I'm respect to every point 0i reason
able doubt. quotations from the highest
recognized authorities among the Socialists
are given. Mr.. Ocrtcr has aimed rather 10
make it clear what Socialism l. and what
it means, than to marshal the arguments
against It but his brief exposition OF Ms hos
tilty 10 real progress, 10 the true welfare "i
the labuIcr 10 free government, to the mar
rage Institution and the family. and to r.
lision, is very iorcblc.
This paper ought to be seriously examined
by every man who has an interest i'll the wei
fare of this country. The ignorant reckless
and irresponsible will not read it, nor would
il do them any good. Civilization must learn,
if necessary 10y many struggles and severe
sulcrlngS that It can prevail and cnduic only
by appealing to the intelligence and con
science of men, by putting down dcmagogi>m
in every form, and 10y uniting all the Unity
thinking, conservative and religious elements
for the defence of whatever makes order bet
ter than anarchy and modern ci'iiza-
ton better than barbaIi,m. These agcn-
cics have made the world better than
il was in the Dark Ages; Religion
creating sense Of moral responsibility lndI-
vidual Freedom, regulated by Law; and SccuI-
iiy for rights of property, by which pfoGuc-
ton, invention, and accumulation oi capital
have been made possible. Socialism makes
war upon each of these agencies. If II can
il will destroy them, each and all. The nee
essay result must be anarchy, a. III France :;
a saturnalla of vice. crime and atheism, with
the ply steal, mental. and moral deterioration
of the race: the overthrow of the church and
school; the destruction of every motive FOR
pcr,onal effort 10 better ones condition by
industry, invention on the saving of capital :;
and III the end, relapse into barbaiism. So
clalisn. if il could. would roll back Time,
and restore the Dark Ages.
Mr.. Ocrtcr candidly shows that the Social
i-t5 desire very different results. But his
demonstration that these are the results
which. if successful. they would surely reach,
deserves the more attention in view of the
occumulating evidence that Socialism in the
United states means exactly what II means in
Europc. 1t Is as hostile to this Republic as
70 any other form of government based upon
protection Of individual rights of property.
Here, as in Europe its Labor Conycn-
,ions formally demand that "all individ-
"ual property employed for the produc-
ton Of wealth should be abolished. and. that
call instruments of labor should be made
"lhc property Of society," Here as in Europe,
il is hostile to marriage, and unltcs with the
most notorious defenders OF free love. Here,
As in Europe, ii is hostile to religion, and in
noteworthy language gays, " Because we be
( "licyc i'm no future, Just on this account We de
"mand Justice on earth aud ourpoItlon of enjoy
"mcnts and temporal fortunes Finally, all the
horrible deeds pcrpetratcd by the Commune in
Europe were formally lauded and reioiccd over
in tins and other cities, at the celebrations of
March II. The paper OF Mr. Oerter ought to
omen many eyes. All that is needed to make
the success Of Socialism impossible in this
country III an awakening of the people.