The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-10
German Socialism.

and then by DR.. Modelling, to assassi-
nate Emperor William of Germany,
have drawn renewed attention to the
threatening aspect of socialism in that
country. \ number of years ago
Prince Bismarck said he had to fight
with two es-ultramontanism and
socialism. The former element cares
little for public institutions in compar-
ison with the interests of Rome; and
the latter would phil down all govern
ments, level all missionaries, and blot
out the boundaries of all states, in or
der to put the appliances of capital in
to the hands Of manual labOrers. Lord
Beaconsfeld once said something of
the same kind, when he declar d that
the chief forces Of Europe were
the church of Rome and the secret So
cieties. Prince Bismarck has been able
to fetter the Catholic clergy by means
of the Falk laws; but to stop the pro
pagation of socialistic doctrines is not
easy. They are IN the air aud effect
all classes. There is a socialism in the
lower classes whic! is equivalent to
the red republicanism d France, and
has in it all the elements OF disorder,
which are liable to break out i'll an
emeute as vioIout as those which char
acterize the French commune. There
is socialism in the literary classes, IN
the churches, III the universities. Atho-
stic and socialistic teachings in the
higher universities have begun to pro
duce their natura! fruits; and the rest
lessness OF the people is aggravated by
hard times, high prices and an Cypress
i've army law. Modelling was no mere
ignorant mechanic like Hoedel, but
person of good family, intelligence
and culture Many of the German So
cialists are able men, who know per
fectly well what they wish to do, and
possess the organizing faculty which
nature has denied to French commun-
lists. The aim of the democratic
association of German workingmen-
of which the would be assasins are
members--is to destroy the capitalist
class. not only in Germany but through
ont Europe. The leaders do not pre-
tend to believe that they can reach their
good by avenues of peace, or that they
are ready to wait for the slow effect OF
natural change. They frankly pat
their trust in revolution Religion they
attack as ychcmenuy property. No
substantial effort to destroy the hard
ships Of this world will be made. they
hold, until they root out the belief that
there is any other scene of happiness
than the present. All the spurts of
French impiety seem to be little more
than idle triiliAg IL comparison with the
dull monotonOus, solemn outpourin"
of German atheism.
Socialism demands the entire over
throw of the present social system; the
abolition OF all personal property in
land and other means Of production,
and their cession to the state; the in
PRODUCTION OF the cooperative plan in
labor, 20 that every laborer may be
partner in every factory OF workshop,
the compulsory limitation of the hours
at labor to eight hours day or less,
according to the requirements Of IN
employed wOrkingmen. It teaches
that there is no equity in private pro
perry, no sancity IN religion, no purity
IN marriage, neither patriotism nor rea-
son in loyalty. German socialism owes
its origin as political force to Ferdl
nand Lasselle. This man was one of
the most remarkable political agitatOrs
of the present century, and his success
among the working classes Of Germany
was marvellous. He was man of ex-
traorainary vanity and ambition; wrote
of the miseries Of the poor from one
of the handsomest houses in Frankfort;
and withall was such dandy i'll dress
that he would wear only clothing
made for him in Paris. He was born
agitator and revolutionist. In 1864,
at the age of 3S, he was killed in du-
el, but not before he had already form
ed powerful party in Germany. His
successor was Karl Marx, who is the
recognized head of German socialism
The party is already thoroughly repre-
scented in the German parliament. The
elections for the Reichstag in 1874 pro-
duced nine sOcialistic members; and
thirteen were elected il 1871, at which
time no less than four hundred and
eighty-fye thousand votes were polled,
an increase Of about forty per centum
in three years. The reason why so
many voters sent so few representatives,
to the Beichs.ag is because the party
Is widely scattered over the empire.
When originally started, German So
ciaism was IN no way connected with
atheism; but it is not essentially athe-
istic. Theological doctrine is regard
ed as part OF the system which it is the
object of he party to overthrow, they
see it in the foundation of society in
its present form, and do not doubt that
if it is destroyed the superstructure
must follow. Hence, II capitalist is to
them not more loathsome than a preach
er or parson.