The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-05-22
THE SOCIALIST!C PROBLEM.
Why It Exists and why "a Will
ABe Arrested.

f. ID. Mansfield in Cincinnati Gazette.
The existence of Socialism in the Uni
ted States is one of the most remarkabl
facts of the times. At first sight W
should say that in this free and rich r.
public there is neither cause nor ever
possibility of its existence. The means O
comfortable life are easier attained thar
IN any country of the world; not absolute
ly cheaper, but in proportion to labor
easier obtained. In the countries wher
clothing costs little and rice is abundant
the money cost of living is very little; bu
so is labor. We say, therefore, that in
proportion TO other things the means o
comfortable living are easier attained il
the United States than IN any country
Why then should there be an attempt I,
reoTganze society for the exclusive bene
fit OF laborcrs? Or, it there be such need
why should ii not have begun in the old
countries long ago? Why should thi,
country, which is pest and happiest, be
selected as the peculiar field for such OPP
erations?
What is the object? The Naiiona
Socialist SAYS:
1.-The newspaper will advocate the re.
construction of society on the basis of an
all-embracing justice, demanding condi
tons in obedience to the law of societorv
evolution, the compulsion OF progress.
The necessity of the sought for change has
through all the years Of our century, been
formulating this loud claim. Science,
dislinking the past from the present, gave
the initiative, and trades unionism, rs an
arant courier stimulated by the changed
teachings, asserted the pew order by more
urgent demands for ameliorations to op-
pressed labor. New inventions in ma
chinery contributed their share IN fore
ing the proposed revolution, and now, un-
der the pressure of a long season of bust
ness depression, the great common heart
is fast harmonizing It's life beats 10 the
pulsations of "A nobler justice than the
world has yet known"
We are here told that the object of the
Socialist is the reconstruction of society,"
the principle an " all embracing JUS
tee" and the mode the claw of societory
evolution These are the most general
and abstract terms leaving the reader to-
tally at loss to know what is really
meant How reconstruct society? The
family is the unit OF all society, and from
this has proceeded society as it is Is it
to reconstruct the family The
law of "societory evolution" is exactly
the law by which the family has been
evolved. Is it proposed to make some new
law, real o. imaginary? Is it proposed
to adopt Mormonism with many wives,
or Shakerism with no wife? But the
Socialist may say: I'VE do not intend
that, we merely mean to reconstruct pro
perty we merely mean to prevent the
few from olding so much, and give the
many a chance" But property is The |
result Of industry in any country where |
industry is free and inheritances are |
equal. Such is our country. A man !
Fan work at what he pleases, and save |
what he pleases, and invest in what he |
Dleases. Is society to be so reconstruct /
ID that he cannot do this Then society
s no longer free. No despotism greater |
han that which limits the labor, or the |
esuits OF labor, or the modes Of employ |
ng the fruits Of labor in any citizen. 1t |
) entirely safe to say that any successful |
attempt to do that must first destroy the |
American government What, then, |
5 meant by the reconstruction Of society? |
" no Is to restFuct society but society it |
self The reconstruction of society," |
5 the most unmeaning phrase which can |
De employed, unless we first define who |
; TO reconstruct it, and what its new re- /
construction is to be. Suppose society /
'econstructs itseif, upon what principle? |
pom "all embracing justice" The !
or minority? Who is to en-
orce justice But supposing it can be |
lone, where is Justice more clearly an
bounced than in the Christian doctriney |
We do not ask whether society has lived |
Up to its Christian profession, but simply |
whether anything can be conceived more
ust than that man should do unto others
IS he would have them do unto him. It'll
: not conceivable by the human mind |
hat more exact principle of Justice is
possible. But the Socialist may say it is
Tot carried out, and we want to pat it in
aw. That the laws have favored capt.
al, and especially incorporated capital,
think it plain. After the overthrow of
he feudal system, the commercial |
ystem became dominant, and cor
now occupy in the CONNER
ial world the place occupied by /
eudal barons in the landed system. That
t will be oveTthrown or modified seems
lain, But will any modification of laws
f personal property solve the Socialist
roblem Will it benefit the laborer
NY more to be employed by individuals
han by corporations 1t is not obvious.
1t any rate no abstract theories or any
of capital viii avail the
east until the propositions to reconstruct
0piety are put in some definite, practi-
al form.
We come now to inquire what kind Of
eople are they who have started and
ontinue Socialism And is there a posi-
ility of success? On these points the
ublic mind is not as well informed as il
h0uld be. 1t is assumed that the So.
ialists are an ignorant and depraVed
lass of people; in one WORD, the lowest
lass, struggling against good order and
OF government. This is a
reat mistake. Socialism is the result of
Intelligence unrestrsined by religion. 1t
) not intelligence of the highest order,
ut it is just such intelligence as modern
dCcation will give TO men who read and
Understand the superficial books of the
ay, and especially the hundred of books
'hich are issued by theoretical econo-
1ists, German philosophers, and infdel
pposers of Christianity. In some Of /
be leaders it is high intelligence on all
be social or philosophical subjects Of the
az. Behind this intelligence lies the
reat mass of unthinking men, who are
n want, and are irritated BY the fact of
reat wealth in the hands of men who
een TO have done no more for society ,
han themselves. They forget that in
his country the millionaires have, with ,
ut exception, come from the very ranks
. which they belong themselves Aston
nd Vanderbilt are removed but one {
IL