Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-07-06
SOCIALISM FOR AMERICA.

Eftrdct from GFOHllRVS "C0-Opcrdtire
Commonwealth"
If we, the American Nation, are any
thing, we are practical. If we are not
apt to originate any new political and
social ideas, we have a wonderful apti-
tude for copying the good points of
successfully working models We
therefore think that it might not take
very many years-in fact, no longer
time than would be needful to rub our
eyes in order to find out whether we
were really awake-before we should
set to work to copy that Socialist State.
But the difficulties in the way of sue
cess on the continent are 50 great-the
consideration that even a completely
successful revolution in any one of
these countries may, on account of
their geographical position, not prove
sufficient to insure the stability of the
New Social Order-these difficulties
form such threatening shadow on the
horizon, that we cannot but tremble for
a possible successful counter revolution.
And then there are really many reas-
ons why either Great Britain or our
own country-the universal cOlOny--
may be considered the place where the
New Commonwealth will be first sue
cessfully established.
The United States possesses the i'm
mense advantage that it can safely
make the first experiment without
danger of any foreign interference. We
possess the advantage of being an emf
nently practical as well as a thorough
going people when we are reused. We
have within us the refiectiveness of the
German as well as the momentum of
the Anglo, Saxon, who, if he aciUs to
jump across a brook, does not hesitate.
but runs and clears it with bound,
We furthermore possess for an indef-
mite periodic be determined by the
fears and blind anger of our masters
the privilege to agitate without re-
straint by pen and tongue and thus ed
ucate and organize the effective minor
ity
Socialism is not suited to the genius
of our people" we have heard some say,
as If we had patented new order of
life. These trades unions and trades as
semblies and Changers and Knights of
Labor precisely prove that Socialism is
suited to the genius of our and the Brit
ish people. The central spirit that rules
these unions is that of Socialism, to wit,
that the interests of all workers are the |
same, that each must postpone his own
advantage to the common good and |
each yield his individual prejudice and |
crochet to the collective judgment.
Those of the working classes who be- |
come enrolled in our effective minority |
can do no better work than strengthen |
these unions in every possible way. |
Through them their fellow workers are |
sure of getting Socialist hedrtS-the So |
cialist heads will come in due time. |
And bear in mind that it is these organ
lied labor batallions that are to form
the lerer by means of which the new
ideas are to move society.
Just on account of these organiza-
tions, and because they will become in
valuable skeletons on the establishment |
of the New Order, we think that the |
United States, but particularly Great
Britain, are nearer the realization of So
cialism than generally supposed.
Most Americans remember the rising
of the workingmen in July, 1877. That
rising was to all Socialists, also to those
who held aloof from it, most promis-
ing sign. The first revolt of American
white slaves against their task masters!
That it was accompanied by excuses
by the most neglected stratum of soci-
ETY. was unfortunate but unavoidable
This stratum is just the worst heritage
which capitalism leaves on our hand.
In very short time we shall have
another series of years of hard times
Remember what we said about "Crises"
in the second chapter. We expect
another revolt then, more serious than
the first. That most likely will also be
suppressed with comparative ease.
\ few more years elapse. Another
"crisis'" yet more severe, shows its hid
eOus head. The screws of distress are
turned yet more on the wageworkers.
Another most serious revolt. Possibly
powder and shot will suppress that too.
But in the fulness of time we shall
have labor revolt that will not be put
down. Then is the time for the ener-
getic Socialist minority to exert its in
fiuence. There is nothing that the
people hail in such a crisis more than