Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-05-05

destroy the moral character of man.
And again, those who have the strong
est moral instincts, the keenest sense of
Justice, are, after little reflection,
naturally converted into the most ardent
Socialists.
For there is nothing but socialism that
can change these preposterous condi-
tons. Nothing but socialism can ever
enable all men to lead a complete moral
life. 1t is the object of socialism to bring
order into the present chaos, to intro
duee harmony into the interests of man
and man, and to enable every man to
find opportunities for congenial employ
ment without taking away the bread
from another.
Socialism teaches that the formation
of character depends upon economic con-
ditons and social environments; but
while it teaches the necessity of social
reconstruction, it at the same time urges
the duty of selt-improvement, for the
improvement of character is an import
ant element for the Improvement of So
Ciety. There are two forces in every
mans life, the Centripetal and the cen
trifugal, i. e., the intrinsic force of indi-
yidual energy, and the eXtrinsiC force Of
circumstances. 1t would be danger
Gus mistake to disregard the innate
forces Of man in the upbuilding Of char
aCter, for this would paralyze energy
and destroy the stimulus to do good.
But it would be far greater mistake to
| disregard the outward circumstances,
the environments Of man, the opportun-
| ity for expansion, which give the stimu-
| lls and power to improvement. 1t is
great truth that the highest phase of
| happiness never comes without good
ness, which consists in physical, intellec-
tual and moral PROJECTIONS: but it is a
more important truth, that this good
ness cannot be attained by all without
| proper environments and social COndi-
tons.
Hence the first requisite to universal
happiness is the perfection of the social
system. This is the philosophy Of social
ism. And it is a truth which cannot be
cOntroverted.
Unfortunately this great truth is so
little appreciated. The masses of men
seem to have no conception of it; other
wise they would not stand aside in in
difference and look with apathy upon
the efforts Of the Socialists.
Will this always be so:
Certainly not.
The progress of civilization, of the
causes of right and justice, is slow but
sure. Great truths spread by small de-
grees, but they are sure to conquer the
world. So it will be with socialism.
1t is but the beginning that we now
witness; but " the dawn of day is break
ing, and forth the banners go"-the
dawn Of better day.
Have you ever witnessed the sun rise
from lofty mountain? " The glorious
daybreak cOlors the extreme edge of the
horizon blood red, announcing the new
light; mist and clouds gather, roll against
the glow of morning, and succeed in OBJ
securing its rays for a moment. But no
power in the world can avail to retard
the slow and majestic rising of the sun
itself, which, an hour later, stands in the
armament visible to all, and giving light
and warmth to all the EARTH
lis but the dawn at present and
against the light the truth, the warmth,
the love of socialism are rolling up the
thick and murky gIooms of opposition
only have patience, and the sun of So
cialism, j.. e., that of sympathy and JUS
tee, will rise i'll all its splendor above the
horizon Of our social miseres, giving
light and warmth and happiness to ALL