Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-24


and the introduction Of which to this age
shows singular want OF the power OF
admiration and co ordination in those who
support it. The new world differs from
the old in these two important polnts
especially. In the latter there Was no
such thing as individual freedom, nor
was there any field for free labor.
These conditions, and Slavery, together
compelled the aggressive and retaliatory
measures which brought on the social wars.
These conditions and Slavery, however,
no longer exist, and yet American citizens
are attempting to revive the enmlty be-
tween rich and poor which proved the ruin
of the old world It is upon the principle
of individual freedom and individual re-
sponsibility that all the advances of mod
ern civilization rest. Self-help has been
the keystone of progress, and the tendency
of mankind has been constantly away from
that atfectation of paternal government
with which tyranny inevitably goes,
and towards that restriction of State in
reference which leaves the largest liberty
to the citizen in all legitimate proceedings.
Against this the modern Socialists are ar
raying themselves. Seeking to so back to
prehistoric modes and doctrines, they de-
mand that the Government shall do every
thing for everybody. They propose to do
away with the guarantees which alone make
it possible to sustain the credit of state
currency. They argue that because bal
loon will carry car high into the air, it
ought to be possible to make the car
mount without the aid of the balloon.
There is nothing new in any of the
modern Socialistic or Greenbacker propo-
sitions. They are all old, all exploded,
all effectually disproved by the most posi-
tive experience. But the conditions in
which they are introduced are new, and
this is the most singular phase of the
whole matter. 1t is as though race OF
men long since emerged from the lower
simian stage, should commence an agi-
tation against the wearing of prehensile
tails. The disabilities which the Green
hackers and their allies complain of are as
nonexistent as the caudal appendages OF this
imaginary race, and this gives sort OF
opera bouffe air to all their proceedings.
OF course it is possible to convert an alb
surd movement into serious one, if there
are enough sinpletons to accept the asser-
tions of the leaders, and therefore the re.
ception accorded to this remarkable and
illogical movement must form sort Of
test OF the popular intelligence. Judging
from the results of previous essays in the
same direction there does not seem much
ground for apprehension, however. There
has always been, and perhaps there always
viii be, a certain small percentage of rest.
less, DISCONTINUED, ill-informed men, who
think that they have somehow been de-
frauded of their chances in life, and who
are willing to overthrow everything for
the sake of having what they cali ga new
deal" But in the nature of the
case this class must be small,
because the opportunities of the
individual are really SO completely I'M
restricted that every man of TIE least ca
pacity or ambition may hope to improve
his condition, no matter what it is at tie
moment. 1t is, as we have endeavored to
show, only the fxity OF unsatisfactory con-
ditions which impels men to extreme and
desperate courses. Mere inequality OF con-
dition is not of itself sufficient ground of
active hostility, provided that real freedom
of action obtains. No doubt there are
many who find themselves practically con-
fined to certain narrow limits of enterprise
and action, and these may lean toward
Socialistic ideas but the most vitalizing
and energetic elements in the nation feel
themselves under no such constraint, and
their confidence in their own capacities pre-
vents them from indulging in any resentful
feelings toward such as have already
achieved wealth and position. Let educa-
ton be diffused more judiciously, and let
the true liberty of the present age be ex-
pounded more frequently and fully, and it
appears to US that modern Socialism must
pass away without producing any serious
trouble, simply because it is thing born
out Of its due time, and therefore destined
to perish through lack of adaptation to its
environment.
DEMOCRATIC ARGUMENTS.
When the Democrats first nominated
Hancock they thought they had at last put