The Labor enquirer., 1886-02-13

J. 6. Hollands "Seven Oaks"
The scene is laid in Boston. Langdon
Bowditch, the hero, is the only son Of
wealthy parents young man OF rare
intellect, fearless and independent in
the extreme, who has studied the social
problem and arrived at its true inward
ness. Bowditch, who is general favor
ite in club and society life, does not hes
ltate to express his radical views on
every convenient occasion, and while
his opinions are, to say the least, shock
ing to the circle in which he moves, his
evident sincerity and his predominatin9
mental superiority, command the atten-
ton and respect of all with whom he
comes in contact.
The plot ahounds with interesting sit
uations on the modern comedy" style
which illustrate aptly the Inconsistencies
and social irregularities of high aife," !"
with Just enough of "true love" inter-
mingled to make it captivating to the
general public. From the few extracts
appended a fair idea ofthe work may be
derived.
.'The possession of wealth means sim
ply power over men. You will find this
in Ruskin which ] have just bought.
The value to me of a dollar consists
solely in the fact that another man is
destitute of dollar. If | have no more
dbllars than he has cannot compel him
I'd sell his services or his commodities
oa my terms-I have no power over
him. Deprive him of his dollars, and
habecomes to certain extent my slave.
= s* 1t is not enough that you be-
come rich-you must also contrive to
make others poor. This is the root of
all social wrongs. ..~
'I do not see how justice can be estab-
lished without social Revolution.
No! am thinking of peaceful
methods, though we have as nation
been fearfully taught that the violence
is inevitable if right is crushed.
"At first the abolitionists
were as one against ten thousand.
Justice to the producer is war cry that
does not differ in meaning from Liberty
to the slave" .n..
After his fathers failure, Bowditch
questioned by his friends as to the prob
able cause, remarks:
"It is very simple. The man who
creates wealth does not receive Gas an
average) more than so per cent Of the
product of his labor. 1t is therefore I'M
possible for him to buy any products to
the full value of what he has himself
produced. The 40 per cent which he
does not get remains in the form of un-
sold goods, and the journals cry
'overproduction.' But there could beno
overproduction if the lworkingman had
not been robbed"
But perhaps best of all is the news:
paper criticism of Bowditch's first public
address on the Social question:
\"The address of MIR. Langdon Bow;
diAh at Peerless hall last evening de-
series no attention except from the fact
thatthe speaker is young man belong
ing 70 one of our first families.
Why Mr.. Bowditch should come before
the public to repeat these stale criticisms
on Dur social system, except for the sake
of d little cheap notoriety, we are at a
loss to imagine.
"The workingmen really
have no grievance. Their wages are
regulated by the law of supply and de-
mand and no agitation can overturn a
natural law. The fact is we are all
workingmen. If any workingman is
discontented with his position, he has
only to push ahead to get out of it.
"To make war on society is an outrage
not to be for moment tolerated. We
are all workingmen; we have no classes
in society. To stir up bad blood and set
one class against another is fraught with
danger and should be met with stern op-
position.
"Mr. Bowd1tch has an honorable
career before him if he does not miss his
opportunity by his indiscretion. We
hear that in the select circles in which
he moves he has already given serious
offense by his Socialistic opinions.
"Mr. Bowditch's address last evening
contained some good ideas; but they
were marred by lncendiary rawlings
n p He is too much of "blather-
skite" for these times"
The novel abounds with interesting
passages and no better opportunity for
the "workers" to study the Social ques-
ton, put to them in an interesting and
novel form has eyer been afforded. We
advise every friend of labor to read it at
once. i ~.
The novel closes with a conversation
between Bowditch and his friend, thus
81 have had nv fears for you, as you
know, Langdon, SO many we're throwing
you over, but I own my mistake.
In spite of custom and tradition you
will carve your way and make bright
future for yourself. Social Radicdlisn,
Is the rising star"
HERBERT EATON,
Sociallstic Labor Party, Section New
York.
Hate the System.