The New York herald., 1878-11-18
SOCIALISM.


WHAT PROFESSOR FAwcErT HAS TO SAT- ON THE
SUBJECT.
To the last number of the Fortnghty Reriew Pro-
fessor Henry Fawcett contributes timely paper on
the Recent Development of Socialism in Germany and
the United States" There few questions to-day
which assume greater Importance than that of social
ism. particularly in Germany and this country. Any
thing that thoughtful men have to say the subject
is bound to attract attention. Professor Fawcett
writes dispassonately and treats the subject with
more respect than do most persons who do not
heartily sympathize with it, He believes that there is
closer connection than may at first appear between
the maintenance of system of protection and the de-
velopment Of socialistic ideas The most marked
characteristic Of modern socialism is he declares be-
lief in the State This subject possesses he writes,
IAN Importance which is incidentally greater than
be attributed to any Of the various communistic
schemes which have been carried out simply by in
dvidua effort. 1t has been often remarked that
has not unfrequently its first origin in failure;
and think it be shown that some of the economic
movements Of the present day by which great results
have been produced and from which still greater
suits anticipated. undoubtedly had their begin
nings in the unsuccessful attempts which have from
time to time been made to put into practice various
communistic experiments"
There has now" he continues. "been conferred
upon the working classes in many countries Ire-
dominance of political power; and who watches
events which happening doubt that if
socialism should continue to advance with as much
rapidty il has lately shown in Germany and the
United States the day is not distant when the socialists
will be able to control the legislation Of those countries
The prospect is one that may Justly excite serious
apprehension and therefore it becomes of the first
Importance to inquire what is the attitude which
shou mo yard n mOy cnt hat be.
come formidable at any moment.
1T will not be difficult to show that no policy can
be more shortsighted unwise than to en-
dcavor TO repress socialism by imposing legislative
penalties on those who advocate its principles. All
experience proves that the will not be thus
suppressed, but on the contrary, WILL in all proba
bility. be made to assume more dangerous develop
ment. For centuries in own country success
Of statutes passed. with tho object Of pre-
venting combinations among the working classes,
and the chief result Of this legislation was
to intensity all the worst evils which could
result from such combinations, for workmen
were thus driven to form themselves into secret
societies. It is scarcely possible to make
graver mistake than to allow Judgment of great
social movement to be determined by some circum-
stance which may be accidentally connected with it.
The recent deplorable attempt which was made on
the Emperor Of Germany's life seems to have cansed
many Of the leading statesmen of that country to be
appear to have eagerly rushed to the conclusion that
between socialism and political assassination there
been described by Prince Bismarck as bandits,
who must be extirpated as il they outcasts of
society. Nothing can be more unfair or more unrea.
sonabe than to associate the socialists Of Germany and
other countries with the crimes Of few fanatics"
= Although shall endeavor to show that the
socialstic programme which is now put forward
would. if it carried out be destructive Of the
best interests of society yet particular scheme is
not to be condemned by simply saying it sociastc
fpr a1igm tn hp n
to be extrpated wherever found, the English Poor
law system would have to be abolished. because it
infringes on the institution OF private prop
erty by declaring that all that man may
acquire shall not be appropriated by him for his
but portion of 1t shall be devoted to relieve the
wants Of the poor. have thought it important to
consider the subject from this point OF view because
nothing be more unwise than to attempt to check
socialism by indiscriminate abuse. and by treating
the subject as If every socialist must have sin
lister object to attain. and If every proposed
form which involves socialistic principle for
| that reason be denounced"
1t not by mere chance, he says, that sociastic
will not he thinks be difcult to show that beth in
Germany and the United States the soil has been
fully prepared for the growth Of sociastic IDEAS In
Germany bureaucratic principles have obtained their
greatest development. The German people in their
efforts for political unity naturally desired to make
| the central government, which was to unite them
strong: the tendency increased by the sys-
tenn OF universal compulsory military service which
was enforced upon them These causes have operated
powerfully to make the German people believe that
the State Is omnipotent and should be omnipresent
In attempting to explain how IL has come to pass
that socialism is received with much favor by
many Of the workmen in the United States Pro-
fessor Fawcett says:"I think it may be shown that
the maintenance OF the system of protection which
extends over great part Of the entire industry of
that country, by habituating the people State in
reference. has made them ready recipients of so
ciaistic ideas. When discussing the question of free
trade and protection had occasion than once
to point out that the mischief which Is done to
country by protection is very nadeq measured
by the loss which is caused by unnecessarily ncrcas
ing the cost OF the various products which pro-
tected. People who are perpetualy told that the
degree of prosperity which industry enjoys depends
upon the amount of protection which il receives
from the state really nurtured in the belief that
the State remedy all that is unsatisfactory in their
own condition"
mo one" he thinks. "can fail to deplore the in
creasng separation between employers and employed
and the widening gulf between the very wealthy and
the very poor. In former times there not 20
complete line of demarcation between capital and
labor. ut can scarcely be necessary to remark, he
continues that the happicst results to q community
would be produced If the capital which Is required 10
aborers themselves. for workmen would then be able
to the entire fruits of their toll and the pres
ent widespread conflict between capital and labor
would cease
Professor Fawcctt does not seem to fear the spread
of socialism in England III" he SAYS in conclusion
"the English people are encouraged to depend less
upon themselves and more upon the State. centra-
zation and bureaucracy may involve the country in
network Of state regulatons individual liberty may
state interference and State help will advance with
sure and steady steps"
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