Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-03-09

must prevail; there is no third re-
sort, Anarchists expect to see lead
ers arise with voluntary followings
but history shows that such leaders
invariably merge into despots; while
law holds secure each step towards
freedom, and is usually nearer per
fection than is the average sense Of
justice of the masses.
A law, being nothing more than a
method of action, no reason exists
why it should be worshiped. A
schoolboy could as reasonably wor-
ship the rule of three, or a cook the
recipe for plum pudding. Ignorant
worship of law is no evil when igno.
rance stands ready to worship natu-
raj laws whenever they are embod-
led in statutes. But the worship of
despots as viceroys of deity is evil.
Anarchists profess to see no differ
ence between the authority of a des,
pot and the authority of law; but
they unconsciously lay down the
most stringent laws when they de-
fine their doctrine equal liberty
demands various things; then they
disagree upon the definition Of equal
liberty.
Socialists believe authority neces-
sary to uphold natural rights. But
nature presents two aspects. The
natural right of a weaker organism
to life is overcome by the natural
tendency of the stronger to devour
the weaker This tendency is found
IN the human species and is the root
of those laws that deprive men of
the opportunity to live. The sci
ence of justice will be the adjust
ment Of opposing natural forces.
Would natural justice enforce it,
self? Gravitation is an instance O
ii self-enforcing natural law; but
there is no self-enforcing law for the
healing of diseases. The laws gov
erning medicinal remedies must be
codlhed, and the ignorant are pow
erless without the code. Are they
not still more powerless without a
code OF justice, or method of con-
trolling collective wealth? Let ten
anarchists independently submit a
self-enforcing natural law for the
running of railroad. If they agree,
their cause will be promoted.
Socialists demand the repeal Of
evil laws that are based upon natu-
raj but evil tendencies; they also de-
mand that authority shall sustain
the repeal, and uphold good laws.
A person attacked by beast has a
right to life. We kill the beast,
thus overcoming it by authority,
though it be only exercising its nat
ural right to devour the person.
The cause of social evils lies not
in authority nor elected rulers, but
in false system of ownership which
was accepted by all people and
therefore made law. The cheapest
remedy is to convince the majority
that such laws are wrong, and that
majority will change the laws. This
method is possible under law, and
impossible under absolute monarchs.
A personal ruler forces his capri
clous DEGREES upon others and is him
self exempt; while the majority
must obey the laws they establish
and legislate only in public concerns,
not in personal matters, as religion.
Advocates of force in agitation
usually assume that the producer is
robbed by superior force welded by
the State in behalf of the robber;
but such is not the fact. The slave
approves the method, such as mo-
nopoly of land, production, ETC., by
which he is enslaved, and aspires to
become himself tyrant; the case
becomes complex, and ordinary
methods of emancipation are insult
able. Urging men to get arms with
which to overthrow that which they
approve is not wisely directed effort.
Condemnation of the ballot is there
fore premature, because it has not
been used against d monopoly by a
majority. A preliminary reform
must be the secret ballot, which
even the conservative now declare to
be desirable.
Certain anarchists predict con-
tlicts between the laborers and the
State. Socialists hold that this gift
Z .--.- 1. -