New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-10-19


that Mr. Rac's conclusions with respect to Belgium
ora over sanciune. Switzerland has been favortc
meeting place of socialists but has very few social
ISIS of it's own: its people are contenteu anu
nrospcrous and il offers an example no less Striking
than that of our own country of the sanitary IN
tucnce of democratic institutions upon Social
order Italy. Spain and Russia are the 'hoS' ro'
olutionary countries in Europe-aii are ha'"S'o"
by financial disorder, excessive taxation, an over
burdeued pcasantry and pauperzed proetariat;
md in these countries we find, as we might expect
that socialism has assumed its worst form OF MINI,
ism or anarchism. Women here are its most raolo
rropaCators and il may be added that the athe's''c
spirit manIfests almost unparalleled aceroiy'
England is the only country OF Europe III wh'ch
socialism, has not gained sure foothod; and Eng
land is the despair OF the continental agitator'
Every rconisite for revolution is there, and yet
the people will not rise. The yeomanry are gohe'
The land has come into the hands of few In
dustry is carried on by great centralized capital
The laborers are thronged in large towns Inc
Fnclish, saws Eugene Dupont leading member
Of the International possess all the materials nee
essorv for the social revolution, but they lack the
eenerazing spirit and the revolutionary passion.
This. however is philosophical phrase which ex-
plans nothing. The fact Is. as Mr. Rae shows III
different chaptersOf his book, the industrial classes
of England, although they are far worse on than
those of America are by no means in the hopeless
poverty of their continental brethrcn they have
effected many improvements III their condition py
their own action: they see no reason to despair OF
making much further progress under the EXISTING
social ARRANGEMENTS: they are naturally patient
and pcrseyering. and have never been brought
to the state of mind wherein any change
promises to be a change for the better. In
10 nf LAM
and the depressing effect of the English trade
svstem unon waves the condition of the English
poor does somewhat improve
There Is another element in the social
problem which Mr.. Rae touches lightly and then
let's pass That is the religious element The close
connection between atheism and socialism has been
noted but il is not satisfactorily explained. Many
writers hastily assume that social reformers are
obliged to array themselves against the clergy be-
cause the Church has made itself the bulwark OF
conservatism absolutsm and established inStltu-
tions generally This theory however. will not ac-
couut for the facts Sociaistic atheism Is not so
much hostility To established churches AZ 1t IL a
passionate revolt against the supernatural. and the
rancor with which il IL manifested in different
countries bears no discoverablc relation to the ati-
udc of the different national churches In Italy. for
cxamplc where the Church has mcddcd most with
measures of political repression. unhclici In much
less angry IN expression than in France, where the
intercourse between the clergy and the common
people has been particularly cordial while in Prot
cStant Germany. where the power of the Church ~
reduced t. lt,o more than the personal influence
of tho prcnohcrs tho Almighty seems 10 he regarded
with u hatred which Is appalling, In England
again. the established Church IL u formidable bull
Nark of the existing arrangements of soce y. and
yet there is not much anlmosity in the prevailing
skcpticism, which with the upper and middle
classes is fashion OF philosophy. aud with the
lower classes is mere stolid indifference. Mr.. Rae.
we suspect, approaches the true explanation of the
connection in question when he speaks of socialism
as the logical outgrowth of matcrlastc theories of
happiness De Tocqueville remarks that the
passion for material wo-being has no check in
democratic community except religion, and that If
religion in such community were to decline then
liberty would perish. Obviously # there IS no God
and no hereafter, the highest object of man is to
make himself as comfortable possible In this IN
and the highest civilization Is that iii winch the
greatest number attain this qualification OF their APP
petltes Nor is it clear upon what principle If the
supernatural is discarded. along with the code OF
ethics founded upon it, the majority can be Tor
hidden to conliscate and divide property, or do any
thing else whatever if they deem 1t conducive to
their happiness. To the atheist who has adopted
merely a tax upon his credulity but an encroach-
mcnt upon his liberty, the assertion OF usurped
authority, an invasion (grotesque as the notion
seems of his theory of equality.
Now it is undoubtedly in part to the persistence
of the religious sentiment in England and America
that the weakness of socialism those countries,
notwithstanding their almost fanatcal regard io'
material progress must be attributed. But there ~
another safeguard of society which should not lie
overlooked. That is the spirit of liberty. Socialism
is based upon an exaggerated respect for equality
coupled with a contempt for personal freedom. The
socialist desires rigorous and lev ling equality so
intensely that in order to obtain IT he is ready to es
tablish crushing despotism. Hence it is that on
the Continent of Europe wherever the socialist
democracy has TO the,front It has proved itself
more tyrannical than any form of monarchy. In
England although the democratic spirit l. ncreas-
ing there has never been any great impat ence of
social distinctions In America equality has always
been 50 much matter OF course that We have never
fretted about It, But individual liberty and per
sonal rights are chcriched among us and among the
race from which sprang, with an intense and
noble passion For them have both fought and
suffered: and there must be a great, a radical
change in our character, before we consent to sur
render them for the benefit Of any economic cal eX-
pertinent.