The Labor enquirer., 1886-06-26
R, COLORADO, SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1886

calling attention to such possibilities.
The life of the Shakers is progressive
one, it must be borne in mind, for they
hold that they are to pass through seven
cycles, of which the first is scarcely COM
pleted. "We are advancing" says their
leader, from winter into spring." They
look for greater future, and hold their
gates open to welcome all honest men
and women, rich and poor alike, who
come to them desiring to lead their life.
! To all such they offer home.
Organized American Socialism must
be divided into two general classes ::
Anarchy and State Socialism, or Social
ism proper. Anarchy is not Socialism,
in the strict sense of the term. but ex-
treme Individuals n. Anarchists would
abolish all government, for they believe
that it is needless evil. II that is The
best government which governs least,
then, they say:
THE very best government of all
Is that which governs not at ALL"
The Anarchists hold, however, that the
absence of authority will produce. nat
ural and spontaneous order, and this
order, they think, will he true Socialism
Some of them call themselves Commun-
istic Anarchists, because they believe
Anarchy and Communism to be compat-
ible. n
1t is not easy to understand how the
Anarchists picture the future to them
selves, but it is probable that they think
of industry as organized and conducted
by unions of artisans, and hold that
these unions will be united in fedora
tions Some evidently believe in gov
ernment and what must amount to a
state, although perhaps called by an
other name When their ideas are an
alyzed it will be found that 1t is simply
the present state forms TO which obJec-
ton is raised, and not the state in itself.
This is not true of ALL however, for there
are Anarchists who believe that the So
clal principle in man is sufficient bond
of unitv, and will, without force, enaLle
men to carry on CO operative production.
1t is only necessary, in their opinion, to
abolish all iniquitous laws and institu-
tions, particularly "the beast of private
property" in order to allow free course
for the naturally good qualities in man.
There have been theoretical Anarch
lists among us from the foundation of the
republic, and great dea! of our early
political philosophy was, as some of our
present political philosophy, inclined to
Anarchy. 1t has been q favorite theo y
among us that the state is an eVil-at
best, necessary evil-and its gradual
abolition has been contemplated with
satisfaction Among the aboltionists of
slavery there was a faction, led by Gar
rison, who were peaceful Anarchists A
party of Anarchists is, however, of re-
cent date. Such party is the Interna-
tional Working Peoples association,
with headquarters in Chicago.
This party, as distinct from the So
cialists, appeared to have been formally
organized IN Pttsburg, Pennsylvania, in
the fall of 1888. They then adopted
manifesto. from which the following
words are quoted;
"What we would achieve is, therefore,
plainly and simply: First, destruction
of the existing class rule by all means, j.
e., by energetic, relentless, Reyolu ton
ary, and international action second,
establishment of a free society bas ed
upon co operative organization of pro :
duct!on" As a rule, these internation-
alists also attack religion and the family
in bitter terms, because these re pillars
Of existing society.
The members of this party regard tn e
existing state as so utterly bad that re
form within it is out Of the question, and
they counsel all adherents of their cause
to abstain from the use of the ballot.
Like the Russian Nihilists, bv whom
indeed, they have been influenced, they
believe that it is first of all necessary to
destroy what exists, as reconstruction is
not possible until our present institu
tions are completely demolished. their
remedies are gunpoWder, petroleum, dy'
Mantle, and their cry is, Away with
religion; away with the family; away
with the state" The number of thil
party can be estimated with difficulty
1t has evidently grown rapidly during
the past two wears but it NAV bt
doubted if Its enrolled adherents exceed
$4,000; vet there are doubtless 200,0OC
or 300 900 who accept Their views
They form one branch Of the Central
Labor union of Chicago, in which large
= number of wOrkingmen are represented
all of whom are willing to parade with
them, ard many of whom accept thei
extreme position.
From Socialism, as such, the American
, people, in the writer's opinion, have
nothing to fear. So long as Socialist;
confne themselves to peaceful methods
there is no reason whv their right o
: free speech should be abridged or ever
e feared. 1t were wiser to seek to lear1
. anything from them which they have t.
y teach, than to become alarmed. 1t ii
l. the 81 ory of America that she has faitf
to believe that only such institutions a
8 rest upon. SQUAD common-sense and ap
l proved experience will be supported by
the people. 1t is to be hoped that W.
will never initiate the disastrous follv o
older nations, and attempt the suppress
sion of an idea physical force.