The Labor enquirer., 1886-10-23
LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE.

In the course of IN article reviewing
and commenting on August Spies speech
before Judge Gary, the Chicago Trinune
say: "Out of the millions in this coun-
try Spies cannot name fifty Socialists
who enjoyed training Of the public
schools" Such untruthful statements as
this can be found in almo>t all the capl-
talstic papers. Some editors make
statements OF this import from lack OF
knowledge on the subject; but the
greater number make them knowing
they are stating an untrnth.
Even a cursory examination of the
nature and meaning Of the word Social
ism will demonstrate the fact that the
SCUM and riffraff of mankind cannot, by
reason of their nou com prehenslon, be
drawn towards it.
Defined by Webster, Socialism is n
more precise, orderly, and harmonious
Arrangement of the social relations than
has hitherto existed" This definition
will, of itself, show that Socialism can
not, in the beginning at least, influence
the ignorant, unthinking herd. Social
ism might we'll he termed science, as 1t
means the establishment of government
upon basis such as science ard the
laws of,nature point to as just and eQult
able. t. -,.--rye~---- -.
NOW If Socialism GscientifiC suhj9c
it goes without saying that it will not
attract men whose brain has never been
trained to reason ont causes and their
effects further than was necessary to
guide their hand while performing
manual labor. Neither can it be infer
red from this that all who do manual
labor are unable to intellectually grasp
the Socialstic science of justice in the
affairs of men, as the shops and factories
of our land, happily contain the minds
who are silently evolving welghtier
questIons than that of the raise Of
wageA
There was time when the educated
labOring man was unknown, but that
time has passed, and to-day he can be
found in any small gather ng of men who
get their bread by manual labor. He
has no B. A. after his name but that
does not signify as a man is not always
educated even though he has passed
through college. There are men herd
ing COWS in Colorado and carving diDlo-
mas in their pockets from some of the
finest institutions of learning IN tie
land. They can herd COWS better than
they can do anything else. Henry
George never went through college yet
he, by the profundity Of his knowledge,
has educated world.
But the Chicago Tribune, ike all cap
itallstiC mouth pieces, seeks to create the
impression that all men who work at
manual labor are ignorant, low and vul-
gar, and consequently, if they favor So
Cialism, it saws they never enjoyed the
training of the public sCho ls."
Let US see how that statement will ap-
pear when we apply it to the Socialists
in Denver Between two and three
hundred men and women are enrolled
as outspoken and avowed Socialists in
this citv. The larger portion of them
are of the class who make their living by
manual labor, vet, notwithstanding that
this is true, there is and can be seen
ture q their meetings than is seen in
any other gathering Of working people.
1t is easy to explain Why this is true.
AS was said before, Socialism is sci
enre and science does not attract the lg-
norant, groYelng herd who can compre-
hend nothing but that which ministers
to their gross animal appetite.
Men and women of unculuvated taste
and lacking in refinement are not drawn
towards Socialism for the same reason
that they are not attracted 10 classical
concert or al art gallerv-they cannot
comprehend it. 60 into a gallery
where rare pictures and statuary are on
exhibition and, though there NAV be
found the man there with the shabby
coat, you will find people with cult
waited tastes, pure minds, and lovers of
the beautiful in both art and nature.
Go into the Socialists meeting room
and though you may find many shabby
coats YOU will iud men and women pos
sessed of the same tastes and as great
lovers of the beautiful as there is in the
art gallery.
The object Of the Tribune, IN making
the assertion, is easily understood, 1t
recognizes the fact that it will be bad
for the upper classes" if it becomes
known that some OF the grandest minds
Of the century are impregnaled with the
truths Of Socialism, and 80 does its ut
most to convince thOughtless people
that this new idea is embraced only by
the ignorant rabble and the scuu Of So
ciety.