The Labor enquirer., 1886-03-13
The ZONES.
zeno" Says the Anarchists
are Inhabitants oflhe
Frigid Zone.
Some Quotations from the Works
Advertised as Anarchistic
Text Books.
A Compa rison Between the Teachings
of Extreme ndiFiduaIism
and State Socialism,
For The Enquirer.


For The Enquirer.
A correspondent writes in Luclfer: "a
wish there could be an understanding be
tween Indiyidualistic Anarchists and
Communistic Anarchists, soon"
The editor of Lucifer had previously
assigned this Communistic Anarchist tc
the State Socialist fold, much against his
will, and makes reply to the above by
intimating that it must be "an under
standing which will obliterate either
the Anarchistic or the State Socialistic
idea. No compromise is possible. They
are at the opposite poles of the social
sphere" # -
Icite this to show three distinct lines
of agitation, viz. Competitive, or Indi-
vidualistic Anarchy. Communistlc An
srchy, and State Socialism. Also to show
the influence which mere words has
upon the mind. Because the word "An.
archy" in the two first named doctrines
its followers long for coalition; but in
reality those two are at the Opposite
poles," while State Socialism occupies
the salubrious, equatorial zone between
them.
Each antagonizes State Socialism, be.
ing frightened by the word "State !" but
the validity of their objections lies in
objecting to something having no rela-
ton to State Socialism sort of solidi-
fed despotism, such as might result
from placing Bismarck and czar at the
head of society, with supreme power.
The two schools of Anarchy are sop
posite poles," because their essential fac
tors are not reeoncilable. One would
have private property and competition
the other would have Communism,
which destroys both the others. Indi-
vidualism and Collectivism are both
natural and true, but neither should
claim to be the whole. They are neces
sarY to balance a world so are thesouth
and north poles, but neither is very pop.
ulous. The intervening territory ii
where HUMANITY has developed, and il
constantly endeavoring to adjust the
two elements.
I have noticed q remarkable fact
while those at each pole earnestly insist
upon the truth of their postulates in the
abstract, vet when they offer 3 proposi-
ton to be applied in human affairs, they
invariably leap over into the temperat'
zone. This will become apparent in th'
study of either system. wiz give my
experience, first, in the pursuit of Com,
petitive Anarchy.
procured copy of their l,aper, ant
read a note to the effect that many
readers desire to know what you An
archists are driving at" and then fol
lows list of books which is supposed tc
give the information. Surely thess'
books must be the reservoir of genuine
Anarchy, for different papers advertise
the same books one printed in the wide
wild west, and another in cultured
Boston. I selected one named "Mutua
Banking" desiring to learn the proper
method of exchanging individual prop
erty, by means of an undespotic medium
of exchonge, which must differ mater
ally from aristocratic bank notes an d
lordly gold.
procure the book and expect to read
therein an echo of the denunciatlon'
against everything resembling state o.
institution, which weigh down ever!
line in the Anarchistic periodicals.
I became completely astounded at tn
result. The writer of the preface (not
of the book itself a prominent Anarchh'
ist, tells shat certain series of meeting
in Worcester disclosed belief that th'
solution of the labor problem" (not tn
financial problem alone1, will be foune
in the unrestricted libertv to create a.
equitable exchange of values which onl.
asks gosernment to step out OF the way
But before the preface ends the write
desires. .the provision of free bankin'
laws, whereby money may be furnished
anywhere at cost" And little furthe
On, "To allow the laws ofsupply and dc
mand free play, congress should author
ize at once, what should never hay
been prohibited, gold contracts, and re
l;eye business interests from the uncer
tain fiuctustion and speculative pirac
which now invade them"
Even If authorize" meansl simply tt
allow" this Anarchist is in deep water
for why bring in the factor which the
ask to astep out of the way ,"
Business interests" is despised terr
to the Communist and State Socialist
All that can be said in favor OF th'
Mutual Banking" scheme, is, that it L
much better than the national ban
idea. g..
1t has for basis that whfch true re
former hates above all things-lan
ownership. To become member. on,
must have real estate, and mortgage
to the bank, then receive loans for one
half the amount. HShips and houses
that are insured, in short ANYTHING ths
nav ha aoId undar the hammer NAV b