Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-01-19
WASHINGTON SOCIALISTS.
The influence of Good Reading-ln-
yiting Criticism,

think the statement in your last is
sue that Washington Socialists are
most active agitatorS is merited recog-
milton of the good work which we are
here doing. | consider it my duty to
extend this eulogy to quite number of
other unseltish men who, mainly
throughithe perusal of Bellamy's Look
ing Backward" have had their eyes
opened to the beauties of the system we
are striving for, and who as yet do not
label themselves socialists, though rap
idly "evoluting' in that direction, if
am not greatly mistaken.
| believe that too much praise cannot
be bestowed upon Bellamy's novel No
other work has done SO much to dispel
the narrOwminded ignorance -engen-
dered prejudice against socialism. the
confusion as to its ends and objects
nourished by the writers III the service
of capitalism. And Washington social
lists have early recognized its usefulness
to spread our gospel, especially among
the middle-class, this being essentially a
middle-class city. Three men alone
have circulated and are circulating
about one hundred copies of the work.
and these copies are passing from hand
to hand, so that it is a modest estimate
when | say that at least 300 readers have
been made acquainted with the book
through the efforts Of these three. One
Of these "Bellamy Pioneers" has conclu-
ded to buy 100 copies more.
The results of this one feature of our
agitation are already beginning to make
themselves felt. Discussions on the sub
ject are spreading, and those known as
radical socialists are kept busy answer
ing questions touching every feature of
our doctrines. We welcome this spirit
of inquiry because we know that our
truths can bear the most searching in
quiry, yea, that all their beauty can
only be developed by it. We well
come this spirit Of scrutiny because it
gives us the opportunity to sharpen our
instruments of debate by practise, and
points out to us where our knowledge is
yet defective.
One of the results which merits spe-
ciai attention is the want that is begin
ming to be felt among many readers of
Bellamy to organize a club for the pur-
pose Of education and propagation of the
ideas laid down in the book.
Three meetings have already been
held, but as yet those attending have not
been able to unite upon any but the
most general platform, This is no bad
sign, Men who are slow in committing
themselves to certain direction of
thought are, as rule, firm and inteIi-
gent adherents when they once become
impressed with its logic, its necessity.
In the meanwhile it is the business of
those firmly grounded in the principles
of socialism to bring its truths before
the club with gradually increasing force,
would like to say a word in regard
to the cirCul5'iOn of the ADVOCATE.
Prof. Garsidp, when here, admitted that
Washington had the largest number of
subscribers in the United States. This
involves a praise Of Washington, but
also reproach to other cities, where it
seems to me the possibility of a large cir
culation is vastly greater Let the Sec
tions throughout the country bestir
themselves. ana emulate our example.
What we did was very simple, and there
is no Section in the country which can
plead inability to do the same. | can
state in few words all that we did to
achieve our object. One of our COM
rades volunteered to act as agent gratu-
itOusly, and, supported by the hearty CO.
operation of his club, he was enabled in
a very brief time to obtain the subscrip-
ton from all those who took a sufficient
interest in the cause. But we do not in
tend to stop there, but as men become
Interested in our doctrines we invariably
suggest to them the prOpriety of sub
scribing for the ADVOCATE. Now, this
all seems to me very simple, all that is
required is that one man in each Section
of the $. l.. Z. volunteer to act as agent,
and by the practice of a little system
and persistence he will be enabled TO
get all interested to subscribe, and also
to keep the subscribers.
Prof. Garside spent two days at Wash
ingtOn and | think he has done good
work here, although not having the op-
portunity Of delivering irregular lecture.
We had too short notice of his coming
to arrange for such. However he spoke
in our club, and also in the newly or
ganized club of readers of 'LOOking
Backward This, with numerous pri-
vate interviews. constituted his field of
agitation here. think the effects of
his work will be felt here for long time
in the renewed vigor with which he has
stimulated our members to agitation,
and the new men he has won for us.
We hope to be able soon to arrange for
lecture for him, and enable him to
throw his force into the trades and la
bor assemblies, and circles where it is
needed, where | think the time has ar
rived for just such men to step in.
But | have already encroached too
much upon your space, and will there
fore close with the remark that a very
IL.