The Labor enquirer., 1886-02-27
alton ought. for it's own sake and for th,

alton ought. for its own sake and for the
sake Of the Socialist movapent, with
which its name is connected, to have
given, if it could, a fat public denial.
But it has never done this, and has even
gone SO fer as to justify its action. This
justification is in letter by the treas
|urer wv. 81. Watts) to the Pail Mall
Gazette in which he declares that they
were doing only what Socialists consid-
cred right in taking ammunition from
the enemy in order '.to blaze it back in
their faces.p This way of stating the
matter is NOT very frank. Accepting
money from one party for the purpose OF
doing hurt to the other is not quite the
same as taking ammunition from the en-
envy in order to blaze it back in their
faces.
1t ls, in plain language. prostituting
the Social Democratic Federation to
serve the purposes of one political party
in fighting their opponents No doubt
there is the consolation that the Social
Dem ocratic Federation is advertised. but
if it can only be advertised at the ex-
pense of its reputation; if it can only
make itself widely known by selling its
credit-then better for it to work
quietly and hope to do good by patient
and sustained activity. instead of by
spasmodic attempts to get suddenly into
notoriety. Mr.. Hyndman says that
what has been alleged against him and
his colleagues has not been proved but
why can he not say bluntly that it is not
true? When the Federation's treasurer
admit that money was accepted from
somewhere, and when the purpose OF
the candidatures is as plain as can be,
what Is the public to think
Socialists who are sincere in their
purpose had better determine to be pure
in their way of promoting it. And not
only that; but as they know how eager
their enemies are to discredit them, by
fair means or foul, they ought not to
shilly -shally when charges are made but
meet them promptly and frankly.
4, - x*4
The Fabian Society" has suddenly
come to the fore with an energy of ac-
tion and haziness of purpose which has
astonished all who know it. The cause
of these two things it is impossible for
an outsider to explain. But at least one
of them is in all likelihood due to the ad-
dition of Mrs. Annie Besant to its mem
bership. This lady, some months ago,
was among the most ferocious, uncom-
promising opponents of Socialism. Now
Mrs. Besant avows herself Socialist,
and writes and lectures in advocacy of
the principles of Socialism; such expo
sitions being ALWAYS tempered with re-
pudiation of the Socialists "who indulge
in wild talk of Revolution" This pre-
cocious Socialist evidently means to take
the whole movement under her mater
nal care-and on those who resent such
guardianship to pass sentence of excom-i
The idea that Revolution
lists have thought out their opinions is
never entertained for a moment. Be-
cause "talk of Revolution" is not argued
with but simply and summarilY de-
nounced as wild" etc. o. course such
action will not much effect the preachs
ers of Revolution nor is it worth notice
but for the diverting of the recruit ad-
monishing the trained.
1t is one of the misfortunes of every
advanced party to be pestered with a
section of "moderates" whose chief aim
IS to see that the main body does not
move too quicklv-nor move at all if
they can keepit still. The Socialists
cannot hope to escape this infliction and
must. be content to grin and bear it
But the Fabian Society does not merely
aim at treading on the tail of our Coat.
1t is going to hold conference to en-
gage in looking for "a common ground"
on which Radicals, Socialists and So.
cial Reformers of every kind" can work
together. This conference is going to
have big job before it and is deserving,
not of censure or sneer, but Of the deep
est cemmiseration. 1t has task of en-
ormous difficulty before it. Z
Just imagine Joseph Cook and E. Bel :
fort Bax working on common ground !
Or society for promoting cheap art for
the loDer classes with William Morris
IN harmonious cooperation Work Oh,
oh fearless (but cautious) Fabians, and if
you never succeed in discovering the
promised common ground" you will at
least have improved upon your previous
record by doing something; and while
engaged In your searching expedition
will be less likely to become the stumb-
ling block and back weight that modera-
tors usually are.
49,
Moderation is a grand thing in its own
place, but when it takes the. form of
standing still, varied by going backwards,
IN progressive movement it becomes a
nuisapce, and should be dealt with in
a. n,,nnar of dao1;pp with nua-