Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-09-14
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for existence. These attainments are
the work. in the main, of the genera
tions preceding us; they were doing the
necessary preparatory work to lead to
the rlpening of these results. These
transmissions to lis from them cannot
be private property; it is an utter per-
version of true conditions and as inde-
tensible as the property right" of the
former shareholders were. Here is our
task marked out for us; this is the des-
tlnation that we must aim for; it will
bear blissful results for all mankind
How do we propose to attain it? Our
best interest demands that it should be
done in rational way; i. e., we mean
to attain it by preparing for it through
intellectual training. We conceive that
this is a mighty factor. 1t gives worth
to the individual, and in the degree it is
accomplished it is beneticent to society.
1t purposes to call forth the great quail.
ties that are the creative forces in men,
guide them from step to step in their
growth, thus assuring healthy condi-
tions. The earliest influence upon hu-
man life is that of the family, of home.
Thus early, when from the time of con-
ception the conditions must be favor
able in order that the issue may pros
per, it is all important that the parents
are not weighted down by the anxiety
for existence; there must be abundance
of nutrition. The mother must be in
normal surroundings that wholesome
development may proceed; and when
the issue is born, continued favorable
circumstances are required for further
prosperous development. A healthy
home mot in tenement house, the
breeding place of destroyers of life, con-
ditions that early call the senses into
activity, are all important, for they will
insure sound development. There are
many ways in which proper surround
ings may most beneficially influence the
tender and impressionable being. The
training must begin from the earliest
moment; every day has its task. How
much these imperative requirements
are sinned against is certainly clear to
you in the contemplation of the "home"
of tenement house. There is nc
greater crime punishable by our code OF
law than murder; and yet uncounted
murders are committed daily by this
accursed system of dwellings, this sys-
TEN invented by avarice. You can
change this if you will. The sanitary
conditions are necessarily imperfect
where many persons are huddled to-
gether in small space; physical lif9
constantly undermined, and the m6
life no less 80. The responsibility for
this is fearfully great; and it stands as a
crying evidence against our civilization,
and the socialist deems it the most ur-
gent of all duties to abolish this phase of
it.
The influences of the school are soon
added to those Of the family, and their
wholesomeness depends upon proper
conditions there. You may make the
task Of learning a pleasure If you sue
ceed in calling forth the intellect, if you
have succeeded in teaching the child
that through its own efforts it has
learned to understand something-if
you have helped it to this accomplish
ment, it will feel happy. Learning in
this wise becomes a pleasure; while the
crammlng system, so much in vogue
with us, causes misery and a conse-
quent dislike of school tasks. The first
result is the work of the intelligent
teacher who has been carefully pre-
pared for his most responsible position,
and who experiences qualification in
his work; while the other is misplaced
in his avocation. He is nuisance to
himself and curse to the children who
are entrusted to his care.
Socialism appreciates the very high
importance Of the mission of the school;
it may prove the impelling force in the
life of the ndividual-therefore the
most conscientious care will be taken
that we shall have schools for the pur-
pose of teaching the pupil to think, to
learn to observe, to compare, to draw
correct conclusions The teacher who
has attained this, has crowned his ef-
forts with success; and for this result
the highest talent, the most conscien-
tious training is imperatively needed.
Now, observe who are the directing
minds in this great work to-day. how
often is it that persons take to teaching
because nothing better offers. itself?
1t is a temporary shift for them. The
influence that appoints them is often
political consideration, they often have
neither aptitude nor training for this
highly responsible position. Here is a
task Of immense importance, and ven.
ture to say that this will never find its
performance in the thorough manner it
calls for until socialism undertakes it.
1t requires love for mankind in order to
succeed in it; and in our system of ex-
ploitation the reverse attributes are the
motives for action.
We want the conditions of prosperity
to prevail for all; and we know that a
careful intellectual and moral training
is the requisite for it. Answer me,
you church members: Is there higher
view of life, more effective practice of
love? And if this be socialism, who of
you that claims righteousness dare to
oppose it?
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