The Labor enquirer., 1885-02-28

TO SQcIALnTS.
A Letter Ffom the secialist League Ex-
plainfas why They withdrew From
the Dtmocrntfc Fcdcration.

Social Democratic Federation, who, al
though majority, resiened on Decem-
Der 27. wish to explain our reasons for
that retirement, and for our forming q
body independent Of the Social Demo-
cratic Federation.
It is admitted BY those who remain
on the council, as well as by ourselves,
that there has been for some time past
a want of harmony in the council we
believe this has been caused by real
difference in opinion as to what should
be the aims and tactics of a Socialist
propaganda.
Our view is that such a body in the
present state of things has no function
but to educate the people in the prin-
ciples of Socialism, and to organize such
as it can get hold of to take their due
places, whenthe crisis shall come which
will force action on us We believe that
to hold ont as baits hopes of amellora-
tion Of the condition of the workers, to
be wrung out Of the necessities of the
rival factions OF our privileged rulers is
delusive and mischievous. For carrying
out our airss of education and organiza-
ton no over shadowing and ind:spensa-
Bile leader is required, but only band o.
instructed men, each of whom can learn
to fulfill, as occasion requires it, the sim.
pie functions of the leader Of party oi
principles.
We say, that on the other hand there
has been in the ranks of the Social
Democratic Federation a tendency to
political opportunism, which if developed
would have involved us in alliances
however temporary, with one or Other
of the political factions, and would have
weakened our propagandist force by
driving us into electionae aerlng, and pos.
sibly would have deprived us Of the due
services of some of our most energetic
men by sending them to our sham par
lament, there to become either nonen'
titles, or perhaps our masters, and il
may be our masters, and it may be oul
betrayers. We say also that among
those who favored these views of politi-
cal adventure there was tendency
towards national assertion, the persist.
ent foe of Socialism and it is easy to see
how dangerous this might become in
times like the present.
Furthermore, these views have led, as
they we're sure to lead, to attempts al
arbitrary rule inside the Federation fol
such policy as the above demands 9
skilful and shifty leader, to whom all
persons and! opinions must be subordin.
ated, who must be supported If neces.
sary) at the expense of fairness and frat.
ernal openness.
Accordingly. attempts have been made
to crush out local freedom in affiliated
bodies, and to expel or render unpopular
lthose individual members who have as
serted Their independence, The organ
of the party, also, has been in the hands
of an irresponsible editor, who declared
himself determined to resign rather thar
allow the Federation to have any eontro
over the conduct of the paper.
All this we Have found intolerable
1t may be asked of US why we did not
remain in the body and try to enforce
our views by steady opposition I'M it
We answer, as long as we thought recon
ciliation possible. we did SO, but tenden'
cies aforementioned were necessarily
aggressive, and at last two distinct at,
tacks on individuals showed us that the
rent could not be mended. T.
We felt that thenceforth there must
be two opposed parties in the Social
Democratic Federation. We did not be-
lieve that propagandist body coulG do
usefuI work SO divided, and we thought
it would not be in the interests of Social
ism to carry on the contest further in
the Federation; because, however it
might end, it would leave disconnected
minority, ruled by majority, whose
position would have been both precari-
GUS and tyrannical.
On the other hand, our view of our
duty to the cause of Socialism torblds us
to cease spreading its principles or to
work as mere individuals. We have
therefore set on foot an independent
organization. the Socialist League, with
no intention of acting in hostility to the
Social Democratic Federation, bnt deter
mined to spread the principles of Social
by the only means we deem effeetual.
EDWARD AvELtNG, .f-.
ELEANOR MARX AvELING,
ROBERT BANNER,
E. BELFoRT BAx,
J. COOPER,
WI. CLARK,
JOSEPH LANE,
Il, S. MAINwARING,
]. L. MAHoN,
WILLIAM MORRIS.
LONDON, January Is, 1885.
Resolutions of Respect.
. At the regular meeting on February
twentieth Local assembly $3.50, of King,
Park County, Colorado, passed the