Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-03-02

all know to be simple, straightforward
truths, and with evidence of the value
of the perfection of trades unionism i'll
China for centuries past, and the more
modern instance of Russia. where the
law imposes penalties alike upon both
employer and employee for scabbing or
cutting union rates, where the unions
elect their own judges from among
themselves, whose decisions are final
and binding-while we know these
facts, and know how little use or benefit
they have been to the toilers, in the
name of common sense what business
have we in dissipating our energies in
establishing precisely similar organiza-
tions, that must necessarily be "hide-
bound" within the limitation of their
own individual interests?
know that you will do me the JUS
tice not to think for moment that this
is written in spirit Of pique, because
of our recent mishap, for this has fur
nished the topic for many a serious dis
Cussion among ourselves for some time
past.
The socialists of San Francisco, as in
every other part of the world, have or
ganized trades union after trades union,
Knights of Labor Assembly after assem-
bly,, etc, on the most liberal and ad-
vanced ideas, only in the end to find
them become conservative and selfish,
jealousy guarding their own petty in
terests. Has not our method said to
our purpose in this work, thou fool ?"
Could we reasonably expect anything
else? Does not that system of organi.
zation lead invariably to that very end ?
Again, the men who are giving life to
the George fake in this city are few
socialists who, when asked their reasons
for so doing, answered that it is step
in the right direction and an excellent
Introductory to socialism, and they can
thus reach many persons that the more
radical teachings would not catch.
These comrades, honest in their opin
ions, lose sight of the fact that the un-
derlying principle of individualism pre-
vailing, the writings of Henry George
are diametricaliy opposed to the collec-
tivism furnishing the basis for socialism,
and they, forsooth, are trying to make
men socialists by starting them on the
road to anarchy. "Does not their
method say to their purpose, thou
fool " in this kind of work?
Now, comrade editor and reader, is
it not time that we stopped this kind
of nonsense, that leaves us open to the
suspicion of being socialists that do not
understand the philosophy we profess,
and brings down upon our heads the
scathing criticism of men that do?
Had the time, labor and energy that
has been spent in building up other or
carnations but been devoted for doing
| that for the S. l.. P, it would have made
that party by now felt and respected
throughout the length and breadth of
this land, and never have drawn us into
discreditable complications.
In conclusion, | would submit the
advisability of the following PROPOSE
tions:
1st. Purge the Socialist Party of ev-
erything that is not pure socialism.
I'd. Devote our whole time and atten-
tion to that organization alone.
3D.. Don't let our rostrum be made a
laughing stock by being an exhibition
place for cranks and fools.
4th. Under no circumstances be drawn
into any other organization 'fOr the
purpose of propaganda"
5th. Always remember that to social
ism belongs the respect and considera-
ton due philosophy, and that it will
never fail to commend itself if properly
presented and uncontaminated with
unheavenly fads."
9th. That it is worse than folly to lend
assistance to any movement outside the
Party because it happens to come a
little more or less in our direction.
18th. That in lending your assistance
to any such effort, even though meeting
you half way, you practically destroy
your own position and lose your iden-
tity, for socialism by its very nature is a
measure that can admit of no compro-
mise, without becoming an obscurity.
Fraternally, WIN. NJ. WILEY.