The Labor enquirer., 1886-05-22
American Socialism of Native
Origin and Natural
Growth.
The Condition of the Worker
Growing Steadily From
Bad to Worse.
Extract From a Lecture Delivered by
One Who Commands Respectful
Attention.


ofLCornell university, upon the subject
Of Socialism. This lecture, which is en-
titled "The Riddle of the Sphinx" is
one of a series delivered by Mr.. Bavles.
Let the public read it carefully, it does
not come from "wild-eyed crank" but
from one of the upper class" who
speaks as careful observer of import
ant events and movements:
From the Scientific American Supplement-
Those of US who trace our origin to
New England stock, and who claim a
more or less direct inheritance of name
and character from the Pilgrim fatherss
should remember that Plymouth was a
Socialistic experiment. The Pilgrims
were largely agricultural laborers, who
had double reason for leaving England
Religious persecution was one reason; a
desire to exempt themselves from con-
ditions hopelessly opposed to the i'm
provement oftheir fortunes was another
We may also remember without inius-
tice to their memory that they endured
the privations and suferings here en-
countered, not wholly because of a force
of character which forbade them to
abandon an enterprise in which they
had engaged, but because the conditions
to which they must return, if they aban-
doned the shores of America, were even
less agreeable than those they must face
by remaining. They founded here a
commonwealth. with equality and fra
ternity as its corner stone. 1t was not
long before they found that severaltY in
ownership was essential to social well
fare, and the New England of to-day
may be considered the legitimate out
growth of this discovery.
So far as can learn. those who ara
likely to exercise an important influence
upon the working classes of this coun
try have very different aims in view
from those presented in the writings Of
representative European Socialists. 1t
involves great mistake, however, to de-
fine Socialism as noxlous exotic
brought here by immigrants who were
born Liscontented. The cause of hu-
manity is universal, but different evils
demand different remedies. Perhaps
we can readily understand how it is
that centuries of misgovernment and
oppression, and the accumulated bur-
dens of extravagant monarchies and
useless wars, have made the working
classes of Europe restless and discon
tented; but why, it is asked, should IN
rest and discomfort exist IN this great
and new world? Here no man is op-
pressed equal citizenship and free
ballot place each mans destiny in his
own hands.
l grant that the conditions here are
different from those existing in most
countries of the Old World, and that
the difference is in favor of the working
classes of America but even a casual
examination of the relations which
have already taken shape between the
social classes here will show that we
have grave problems Of our own to con-
slider, which demand our most careful
study. OF these the least serious are
those which attract the attention of the
newspapers and inv te the interference
of the police The inaammatory utter
snces of Nihflist refugees an the vehe.
ment orators of the sand lots, the reso-
lutions passed at meetings of the So
called Communists and the impotent
conspiracles of restle spirits who de.
light in planning Revolution and de-
struction, may be dismissed as mere
breaches of the pc zee. This is the SER
pent tail of the Sphinx, disquietlnp but
comparativelv harmless-the rattle, not
the fang. The movement which has in
1t the power and potency of unmeasured
good or evil makes no threats, hides nc
incendiary torch, and plots no secret
deeds of violence. 1t does not Tendez
yous in beer cellars and gather in moes
to terrorize our city authorities. 1t has
organization, however, and is felt in the
councils of the working classes. Ever
in free America Socialism has gaineo
more than a foothold, and its influence
is already seen and felt in legislation di,
rected against monopolies. The granger
movement IN the western states, the
advocacy of the postal telegraph, the
opposition to national banks, the outcrv
against land grants and subsidies, trade
unions, national labor leagues, antl-mo
nopoly leagues, cooperative insurance
associations these are few OF the
phases of Socialism in its American
aspect. All such movements are tending
in one direction, and are prompted 5Y
the instinct of self protection.
In reason 'ng upon this subject espe
cially if misled by the illusions of half
knowledge, 1t is easy to deceive onet
self There was hme when industry
and thrift were the sole conditions o
success in this country. Perhaps the
still are in portions of our territory newly
opened to settlement, and, to - taiI
limited extent, in the older