The New York herald., 1878-11-18
MEETING OF SOCIALISTS.

THE DOCTRINES OF SOCIALISM EXPLAINED BY
FRENCH oRAToEs-wHY THIS ISM sHouLD
BE PREACHED IN THE UNITED STATES
CHINERY.
The French socialists forming section of the
"Socialistic Labor Party held their first weekly
union at No. 123 West Houston street last evening.
Quite number of ladies among the audience.
which first addressed by Mr. L. Millot who
planned the object of these gatherings He first
coinbated the idea that there existed necessity
for furtherng socalistic ideas in the United
States. At first, he said when the Republic
WIS organized this country mainly agricultural.
In the course Of time it had become not only
manufacturing, but also great commercial centre.
The creation of this state of affairs involving
industries of the largest magnitude, compelled work
ingmen here well abroad to defend their hts
The aggressive cgotism Of capital first led to the
tabshment of trade unions. But these did not all
up to the expectations of intelligent working
men, they had not been victorious and something
more solid dem anded in land where universe
suffrage gave everybody a right to participate indi-
rcctly in the government of the country Hence
the organization of the socialistc labor party,
which. though only two years in existence,
had already attracted numerous persons
to doctrines, which every lover Of humanity should
respect There were two elements in the socalistic
party-the revolutionary, which destroys. and the
pacific, which constructs. Here in this country the
pacific constructive element demands that society
shall be changed. In order to know exactly how to
create that change which will lead to greater happi-
ness members OF the sociulistc labor party should
be instructed not only to the basis of society but
philosophy, logic, mathematics. physiology should
be studied They needed teachers so that this great
social question could be considered scientifically
well politically. This country not overrrn
by professors like Frances i'll fact, men eminent
hara
the skilled laborers of the United States many men,
who though they had to earn their livelihood by
work during the week. could on Sundays spare the
time to come forward and instruct their fellow men,
bcrs These gatherings should be in fact social
school, whore men and women would be made well
The study OF the various questions to be dis
cussed might be considered somewhat dry, but
enough variation would be given to the exercises to
make them interesting to all.
THE ECONOMICAL EoUILIBRIuM.
Mr. L. Fniel. the next speaker, argued to prove
better paid to-day than they thirty years ago.
At that time the budget OF expenditure of France,
for instance and it was the same in all countries.
three times smaller than II is to-day All should
member that nations burdens fall on the working
men. Granted even that labor wages were a few per
cent higher to-day than they were then the smaller
requirements Of the government made the working
men of that time save moro money than they do to-
day. Governments are apt to thrust their bayoncts
against revolutionists but tho workingnan, who
his family in misery because he we'll knows that he
must contribute the great share OF his income toward
taxes-even though indirccty-must necessarily be-
come rcvolutionst. The speaker then went into
review Of the history of machinery. which, he said
had caused production while it had diminished
| the number OF consumers The balance of
| could never be maintained where there not an
| equal number of consumers with producers, and in
this respect machinery had created great dstur
Dance in the economical equilibrium, which should
at all times be maintained everywhere. One great
result, however, had been attained by machinery
Where the number of had not been decreased
in factory there the number of working
hours had been, and man who could not
devote the full working hours to manual labor would
naturally resort to intellectual labor-a crcumsta
not ut all to be dcplorcd by socialists who demanded
instruction that they could stand the very pin
naclc OF human intelligence. The time had passed
when socialism could be snoered out of existence 1t
had grown with the world and part of mankind
itself Ages told Of Its struggles for equal right.
1t was chain. in fact that could be
traced from India to Greece, Rome, France
and finally let loose its electric flashes
i'll the great revolution of 1893. To-day the struggle
continued and would continue until nations learned
how to construct their governments upon the basis
of instruction, intelligence and fraternity and
scorched the monster OF ignorance cupidity and bru
tality.
After tho singing of several French songs by lead
ing socialists the meeting adjourned. Quite num-
ber of those present signed petition to Congress de-
manding the establishment of Bureau of Industry.