Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-08-31


he attacked in his pamphlet, might
and Right" in which he held that they
had no right to speak of rights, since
they accepted wrongs without oppo-
sition; rights were only TO be found in
true democracy.
In connection with Lassalles activity
in these years, the last November's num-
Der of Neue Zeit, published in Stuttgart,
printed q valuable contribution anent
the establishment of the Socialist Party
in Germany. 1t is in the form of let
ter, written by Lassalle to DR.. M. Hess
at Paris, and dated August II, 1868.
In it he said
LASSALLEs LETTER.
"You know how | Jared in the move
ment and how it came about 1t is not a
theoretical one, nor the consequence of
theoretical work, but practical agita-
ton. Had | written theoretical, eco
nomic book | would have proceeded
quite differently and advanced further.
| was about to begin such book when
the possibility for practical work came
to me fnom Leipzig. | almost hesi-
tated to improve the opportunity, in
view of the objective attractiveness of
systematic economic work, which !
clearly saw would be forever withdrawn
from me by the agitation. But then |
said to myself: How much has been
written and proved already, and still
almost forgotten by the world Through
such book another advance in science,
nourishment of thought, would be
achieved in from thirty to fifty years.
Here, on the contrary, was the incen-
tive to a mighty action affecting the
whole nation. 1t meant that while the
German slow-coaches d la Schhlze- De-
litsch believed every socialist thought
dead and buried, they should suddenly
see socialism arise as if by magic in the
form of political party, and that was
the cause Of their great astonishment.
ga theoretical movement and prac-
tical movement differ IN this. The for
mer, to be of value, must prove the
consequences of principle, and to the
last stage il possible; and the more
bCOh iuiiiliS WIS dCludIuy lilt DCtLCI ~ H.
In the case of practical movement,
however, one must throw himself upon
the immediate sequence-the first prac-
| tical, possible step, in which the whole
principle is embraced, involving a de-
cided accentuation and sharp theo-
| retlcal exhibition of the same. In this
way the masses are proffered something
| definable and tangible on the one nand,
while, on the other hand, many good
natured people with only partial in
sight are won. At any rate, something
practical and possible is set up as a goal,
exciting more intense opposition than if
one made demands carrying more ex-
tensive consequences which do not for
the moment threaten danger.
"SInce | went to work on this idea
which is now part of the history of our
| movement. For, no matter what our
numerical strength, such a success is
not to be wiped out by denial. 1t exists
in the unparalleled excitement which
has seized all Germany.
without desiring to belittle the mer
its of Marx and the Neue Rheinische
Zeitung, | think / may presume to say
that now, for the first time, socialist
party exists in Germany, which has a
political significance and represents a
mass"
And it was this practical side of Las
salle's activity which has contributed SO
materially to the Importance of the
Socialist movement in Germany. 1t
was the presentation of precise pro-
gram, a goal possible of attainment,
which left out of account for the nonce
mere numerical strength, which made
success possible, nay, sure. 1t was the
fact that socialist party had entered
the political field which constituted the
success. not the number of votes cast.
1t was the fact of successful political
organization which laid the foundation
for future action, and, finally, after
years of practical endeauor, made the
political movement of the German So.
cial- Democracy what it is. For us in
| America there is little doubt as to what
Lassalle's position would be were he
among us in the vigor of life.
OF Lassalle's private life it is of nc
particular advantage to speak, and il
offers no practical suggestions in the
line of our movement. His loves and
passions and his social predictions were
matters concerning which there can be
no positively correct opinion formed
What little has been given to the world
would show him to have been erratic
and, from a prosaic standpoint, even
silly. 1t was love affair which led to
his death A duel with a rival, who
succeeded by intrigue in obtaining the