St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-15
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
A IL EPLY
To ssR .C.'s''Article OH the Socialis tic
Problem.

moral, but not quite all, upon which men find
what we may call their intellectual instincts
quite as sure II guide as their reason and
much quicker one. Now, snrmise that r. c.,
the author of the editorial in Sundays GLOBE,
dealing with the Socalistic problem has
cleared his mind of that most misleading of
prejudces, that the great new forces which
he hopes for are not necessarily potent fac
tors in solving the question of socialism.
Now have studied the subject of socialism
in all it's different colors and local aspects.
One can scarcely live in the large cities OF the
old world without so doing. II. C.. defines
socialism as dissatisfaction with the existing
social order" | shall take this definition as
being a fair one, and utterly reject the Oft
repeated idea of socialism as desire to
plumber the rich, or Of class hatred, or OF q
passion for dwelling, and try to show how
utterly at variance with common sense is the
present theory of the social reformer.
Enthusiasts or unbalanced minds may pro-
pose dangerous schemes, but those which
nation accepts, it accepts on moral grounds,
because its conscience has become sensitive
it may be, unduly sensitfve-to the evils
attending the existing system of relations be-
tween labor and capital. There is undoubt-
eddy an awakening of the public conscience
as to the moral aspects of many sides OF our
industrial rrlngements-rsing doubts, less
as TO the efficiency of existing organizations
for producing wealth, than as to their COM
patibilty with the human requirements of
improving civilization.
X. G. points out the fact of the high ''social
position. attachments and wealth" with which
the leaders of socialism are credited. The
foremost Of the leaders is Henry George He
has all the qualities which X. @. gives these
philanthropists. Let US look at his scheme
for relieving the distress Of the wage
workers"
The greatest fallacy of the Socialists is
their belief that by drastic measures they can
relieve the pecuniary distress the world over.
Many years ago there were few misled
fnanciers in England. who believed that by a
proper application of compound interest a
sum of money could be made to increse of
itself until it extinguished the national de-
partment. Mr.. Henry George is wasting his
responsiveness and unusual mental abilities
on scheme no less absurd.
In order to relieve the pecuniary distress
that troubles the working classes, Mr.. George
advises the confiscation of all lands by the
legislature. All lands, including forests and
Mines to be taken without any compensation
being given. Every square inch of land in
the country to be taken, but the houses to
remain in the hands of the owners. Why?
Because anything a man creates is sacred
property; and Mr. George admits that he
creates his house. But if he creates his house
does he not create his mines also2 Are not
the forests his sacred property? Has ne not for
centuries stimulated their growth, protected
them, and, II some cases, created them? He
found material Tor his mines and created
them. Yet this champion of socialism draws
distinction. MIR. George would have all the
profits produced by the soil confscated by the
government, and these profits devoted to ex-
tinguishing poverty by giving direct gifts of
cash. Were / to go into details it would only
weary my readers, but think that this much
will show every sensible worzingman that
such schemes as are proposed by this leader
OF socialism can only be considered by dema-
gogues and idlers.
I believe Mr.. George and his followers have
the sympathy of the poor and intend to be
their friends. But they are sadly misled and
the true friend of the poor is he who points
out the hopeless impracticability of any such
schemes. Mr.. Georges scheme would help
the rich and harm the poor. His system
would control the spending power OF the
wealthy and drive all capital from the land.
The mass of mankind were poor when the
pyramids were built, and will be poor when
they have rotted; and the true philanthropist
is the man who so organizes the world that
poverty shall not involve misery, not he who
strives for the impossibility that poverty shall
cease to be.
growing antagonism of the laboring classes
to the present order of things is strictly
speaking, THE Socialistic Problem The
Socialist declares that the only satisfactory
solution is to give to the wageworker an
equitable portion of the economic goods
which he helps to produce. Since this claim
is not likely to be granted as long as compe-
tition and free contract prevail he would
have the government placed in possession of
all the agencies of production and distribu-
ton and reward equitably those who operate
these agencies"
Now, admitting that it is right deliberately
to risk commercial and industrial advantage
for the sake of reforming social abuses and
receiving social benefits, and see where it
brings US. The impulse is moral, though its
effective operation would be smothered over
by two little noticed causes, the decay, the
extraordinary decay, of distrust in the gov
eminent, and the increase, the very rapid in
crease, in the dangers caused by the joStling
which accompanies our civilization. The
majority, feeling that it rules the government,
has ceased to dread the government, and
though it critcises the governments agents,
will trust the government to do anything it
wants done, great or small, will make the
government its teacher and its banker, as
well as the mentor and protector of its
children. Now, this principle having moral
foundation, why not let the Socialists give it
a trial? Because you would have as the first
result the overworking of the government.
You would find sad want of impartiality
in that government, which, when once
raised to supreme social control,
would ultimately represent the opinion and
luJeFeSlS VI u SluSlo CldSS- buO hClS.
The enormous expense would have to be
raised by taxes. Enterprise would be with
cred, and government business would, for the
sake of the taxpayer. become monopoly. In
fact, a discouraging and unparalleled line OF
failure would be certain to follow. Our ma
tional character would suffer grave injury by
the extension Of government interference
Every additional transfer of duties to the
government weakens the belief of the COM
munity in the value of natural liberty. If the
protection of one class of individuals is en-
trusted to public department, no sooner do
difficulties arise before another class than
similar protection is asked for and rightfully
expected. The convictions that self-reliance
and the conflict of interests are elements of
power and success is weakened at every turn,
and public opinion discharges individual re-
sponsibility from its duties in one department
after another of our social life and industrial
pursuits. The reality of such dangers can
not be denied, and the risk is heightened by
the obvious difficulty of retracing steps taken
under such conditions. 1t is one thing to
place trade or class under government pro-
lection. 1t is very different thing to with
draw it, especially if moral considerations
have prompted the original act. Trade
might long be paralyzed, capital
expelled, wages lowered and the national
interests jeopardized before it would
be possible to repeal system of government
control, even if condemned as a failure, in
favor of the restoration of natural liberty =
These facts are but few of the many which
go to discredit almost every Socialist project.
Leaving argument aside, we come to the
facts of what causes success in this life and
will soonest result in ''pecuniary relief A
mans success in this life can only be attained
by his own efforts. 1t is his own conduct,
and, in less degree, that of the persons with
whom he is brought in contact, which makes or
loses his fortune. Bad laws, misgovernment
and civil trouble have only small effect on
him. There is a certain class, and there al
ways will be, of men who are always trying
to get their fortunes from those who have
honestly worked for them. This class of men
would have the government support them in
| luxury, paying nothing for it. To tell them