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

Iished written by an English noble
man, in which the Social problem is
investigated and an honest attempt
is made to solve the problem from
his point Of view. The writer com
mences his article by the following
"The annually increasing PRESSURE of
population on the means of existence
within the British Isles is forcing men to
consider whether there are no remedies
for a state of things which threatens to
bring a considerable portion Of the popu-
lation into condition of semi starva-
ton"
The fact is admitted that there
still is a problem remaining to be
solved, a question which econom lists
have not attempted to settle, and
which philosophy cannot touch.
Cardinal Manning asserts the
natural rights" of starving men to
relief from their more fortunate fell
lows, while others deny that any
claim is the right of the pauper.
The fact ls clear that the present
condition of nations is alarming
from the fact that the possessing
class ls on the increase, and not only
that, this class is organizing and
educating itself for a definite pur-
pose and upon definite lines, and is
resolute, determined and fearless.
The possessing class can no Ions ger
afford to be philosophically indiffer-
ent. The economics of Mill, Adam
Smith, Walker, and the gush of At
knson no longer possess any power
of delusion; something more is
needed.
ave may raise on the ramparts the
standard of political economy; we may
hope to conjure by the use of great
ties, but on the eve of battle all will be
in vain, for the foundations of the fort
ress are rotten, and will crumble under
our feet on the first assault of the en-
emy."-E'arl Of Meath.
Lord Herschell recognizes this
fact, and has lately demanded from
the English government royal
commission to institute an inquiry
INTO the "causes and extent of pres
ent distress.
Socialism is branded rs the moth er
of disorder and the synonym for
chaos; but evidently the existen ce
of socialist doctrine is having its eff
feet. In the foregoing quotation
from the Earl of Meath he asserts
the foundations to be rotten. So
cla"aCs assert the same. The pres
ent system will not bear nvestiga-
ton, nor will its advocates defend
: it. In discussions between single
tax men, greenbackers and others
and political economists Of the or
= thodox school, the basis is not re-
form or change of foundation, but IA
change of administration of the pres
ent system, upon the present basis.
Henry George would still have a
= capitalistlc system; he would simply
change the system of taxation.
schemes of cooperation, tariff re-
form, and all measures of similar
nature and import, cannot affect the
cause of the trouble, while they may
to some extent ameliorate the eff
fects. While system of laissez
fare exists, burning sympathy for
the poor, charity and henevolence,
are but so many chips to be swept
away by the ever increasing ava
lanche of increasing necessities.
The present system permits land
to be held by private individuals
for private profit, that profit bein z
obtained from the necessities of tn e
landless population. Owners of
} machinery Use the increase of the
laboring class to inure and extend
the law of wages. The standard of
J subsistence is lowered continually,