The Labor enquirer., 1886-05-08
The Inconsistency Of the An
arehists' Opposition to
Its Use.
Logic With Which the "Alarmo
Should Leaven Its
Ridicule.
The Dawn Of the Era In Which the
Masses Beg No More, But
Demand.

A late number of the Alarm contains
an article ridlculing the new weapon
which the workers have of late been u.s.
ing so extensivelY-the boycott. In a
former article mentioned that, in my
humble opinion, Socialism is greatly in
debted to the Anarchists for the peril
nacity with which they opposed every
form of ruler and leadership, institu-
tions false and injurious, since they es-
say to do for men what men ought to do
for themselves, thus making them de-
pendent instead of selfreliant. also
took occasion to mention the difficulty
which myself experienced in reconcil-
ing the practice of the Anarchists with
their principles of fself-dependence, mas
much as the actions which their publ
cations appear to select for special ap-
probation, are rather the heroic deeds of
select few (the leaders of the noble
army of martsrs), than the less dra-
matte, but from the point of view of an
evolutionist) far more hope-inspiring
achievements Of the masses in the way
of organization, with all the self-sacri-
fee, determination and individual effort
which that term implies.
The Alarms recent attack upon the
boycott" appears to me striking illus
tration of this inconsistency, for the
boycott is precisely t. weapon which
should expect the advoc tes of self-gov-
ernment and individual effort to prize
most highly For years we have been
decrying the folly of the sheep in ex-
pecting their shearers to legislate in the
fock's behalf; suddenly, after years of
urging, the flock plucks up its resolu-
ton, determines to be its own law
maker, to promulgate its own edicts, and
to itself enforce obedience to the same.
Are we to understand that the Alarm
objects to the sheep putting forth an
edlct, or is it that the objection only lies
against the method of enforcing the
same, such method not being the much
lauded dynamite? AS evolutionists I
believe that we should encourage every
sign of growth. and tie adoption of the
boycott marks an immense advance in
self-assertion and towards self-govern-
ment.
In this city public opinion is becom-
ing aroused upon the Chinese; yes, aud
upon the labor question generally, Or
ganization is proceeding at rate never
known before; the air is full of boycott,
and before many DAYS have elapsed
comprehensive scheme will be in full
operation. The organizing already done
and the boycotting to be carried out
hereafter, mean that thousands of men
have got out of their petty selves, have
thrown themselves into cause demand
ing self-sacriice and energetic effort
| that 30 many thousand, are growing from
dependent childhood into independent
manhood-is this growth to be regretted
| by the independence loving Anarchist
Take the other side of the question.
l recently attended crowded indigna-
ton meeting called to consider the Seat
tie riots. A we'll known speaker de-
clared solemnly that he himself would
kill the man, whoever he might be. who
should impose martial law on San Fran
cisco. Suppose martial Jaw is estab-
lished, and the speaker keeps his word
what is the RESULT A dramatic scene
Certainly; that may be entertaining
A striking lesson to tyrants! Perhaps !;
but there will be ! lenty to fill the gap
so long as people are submisslvely in
clined. A general growth of spirit on
the part of the masses doubt it very
much indeed, and unless the gentle
mans action gives birth to such spirit,
| his own valuable life will be simply
wasted The development of spirit and
self-assertion on the part of the masses
ls, in my opinion, the one thing we
have to aim at, and we ought to en-
brace every opportunity of fostering that
spirit instead of finding fault with every
agitation that happens to come our way
because it does not exactly square with
our ideas of what a model agitation
ought to be.
1t is, of course, always dangerous to
indulge in prophesy, but my impression
is that the boycott will for some little
time to come prove, by its success, that
it is exactly the weapon which the age
workers, in their pr sent stage of evolu-
ion, are fitted to WELD. Should this be
so. American Socialists will make la
mentable mistake if they fail to do their
utmost to assist their fellow work ers In
handling it to advantage. My reasons
for thinking it suitable weapon at this
stage in our evolution are as follows
In the first place wave of organization
is sweeping the country and there can
be little doubt that the wage workers
are, for the most part, eager to be Or
ganized. OF course, however organiza-
ton must not be objectless, and the
boycott exactly fills the BILL for the
average workingman. firmly believe
that, notwithstanding all the shouting
Continued on fourth psse.l