Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-03-10
GAN INQUIRY INTO SOCIAL
ISM"

AN inquiry TN " oOCIHI-
ISM"
Is the title of book that will have
weight with the thinkers and the
politicians of the higher grade. The
author is Thomas Kirkup, contribu-
tor of an article, Socialism" to the
Encyclopedia Britannica, and the
old house of Longmans, Green 4 Co.,
London, and New York, are the
publishers. Under such auspices it
may be expected that the "lnquiry'
will be of more than passing interest,
and engage the attention of many
who might be less inclined to read
the views of an ayowed Socialist.
The author displays spirit of fair
ness and treats of Socialism in the
dignifed and pbilosophic manner of
an honest man Of science. In his
Introduction" he discriminates BE-
tween fact and so-called history, and
hints at unworthy motives in some
historians. The following passage
is especially Indicative of the authors
ethical position:
1.-The grayest error of the early Social
lists lay in the fact that they associated
their central principle with 50 much ex-
traneous matter of an Objectionable kind;
and this mistake has been equalled by
the perversity with which ordinary his
tory has fixed attention on this matter
as if it were the very essence of socialist
teaching. 1t might be thought that,
while recording and condemning the err
rors of original thinkers, it should be one
of the main functions of history to make
prominent and perpetual whatever is
salutary and suggestive of better things.
With regard to the early Socialism this
method has been reversed OF the vau-
able aspects of its teaching current his
tory has had little or nothing to say, but
it has persistently emphasized the quix-
| otto and eXtravagant,"
This popularity of "history" has
been to Socialists only confirmation
of the value of their theories, for the
evidence of dishonesty is plain with
such tactics. Our author has not
failed to pecieye it, for, further on he
speaks Of the baneful influence of the
present system upon the class whose
utterances are accepted by the multi
tude because they come ef caihedra.
He says:
Gwen the most important members of
the social body are affected by the ST.
premacy of capitalism and of the money
making spirit. Parliament, Law, the
Church, and Universities are institutions
which ext in order to render service to
society, but have too often and too much
become dependent upon wealth the pos
SCISSORS of private wealth who play the
role of patrons and benefactors. -ED. |,
are influenced by mercenary considera-
lions and have made themselves subserv-
lent to class. They have been infected
with the spirit OF monopoly, living for
themselves and consulting their own
profit, ease and comfort, instead of pro-
noting the higher interests of the society
which they are bound to serve"
The eight hours platform is one
upon which, in the opinion of the
author, reformers of every class and
party may be invited to unite. And
the critics of democracy who com
plain that the masses are not sutfici-
entity educated and intelligent for
their Few responsibilities, are chal-
lenged to prove their sincerity by
joining IN universal movement for
an eight hours working day.
Our author very closely connects
the material advantages of the Social
list theory with ethical progress;
throughout his work there is strain
of high moral purpose which cannot
fail of salutary influence. The
very semblance of misleading argu-
ments is carefully avoided. The
reader will close the book with the
qualification that comes after COM
munlon with highly moral and
sympathetic nature; and with a rest
and satisfaction such as only the
comprehension of scientific truth can
bring to the lnquiring mind,