Workmen's advocate., 1889-06-22

ldupI, III ltlt uot Ol Sltdlh anu NlN'tllN. ity, we see factors which result in the creation of great wealth more than abundant to ease the conditions of life for all if it were not for the private prop erty right 10 all the means here enum- erated of a few who thus derive the advantages that this scientific and in- ventivc age of ours has ripened, which, by the way, is result to which all past generations have contributed. The competitive system. which robs the laborer of the value of his labor, leaves him in an impoverished condi- ton, for he receives no more than is absolutely necessary to sustain life, in order that he may serve, because of this competition, the surplus he creates goes to his employer. This is the secret of how capital is created; this the source from which you derive your millions, and if there is any characterization of this rc must cail H tlcf
 We will not go back to olden times of primitive appointment What the eX- perience of the race demonstrated as practical as useful, as advantageous, we propose shall be maintained; nay, not only that, but by economic use of the means of our day, by proper conditions | for existence, we mean to multiply the | blessings of intellectual and material progress. You are not the normally 1 developed factor you claim to be, the
 issue of correct conditions but the re- suit of perverted social and economic
 because of this anomaly. If the mil
 lions you possess came to you as the
 result of your intellect your morality,
 your industry, that would give you the
 sanction of nature to possess them.
 Examine how you came by them, and
 thus determine your right to possess
 them.
 The author is fully aware of the con-
 ditions of the laborers. He admits that
 those who are producing the wealth are
 rarely known to the shareholder and
 coupon clipper of the great industrial
 establishments, and is aware of how the
 respective positions of wealth producers
 and robbers must create all antagOnlsm
 which he essays to assuage in his article.
 If he only succeeds in confusing the
 victim as to the source from whence
 wealth is derived, then he hopes to hold
 on to his profitable position for while
 longer. It is Socialism he really fears
 for the man is iSintelligent; he sees the dan.
 ger and, in consequence, spits venom at
 Socialism "as the destroyer of the very
 foundation of society," Is it not quite
 natural that it should be so? You
 will have to let go your hold upon your
 victim some day, and this is what irri-
 tates you. Don't you ask too much
 when you ask that your victim shall
 sanction your robbery?
 To the law of competition he attributes
 all the wonderful development our age
 experiences. and he thinks that "whether
 it is benign or not, we have to suffer it
 as the inevitable" The astute man don't
 observe another change the evolution of . time has ripened-the advent of the trusts. The concentration that is so
 rapidly filling the pockets of the few has ripened the system of trusts, cOmbi- nations to assure mutual protection in the system of tleeCing. In vain is the attempt at arresting the forces of con-
 centration into fewer and fewer hands, until at last the race shall awaken to the , abnormity that the conditions of life are in absolute control of the few. And 5 what, dear sir, do you suppose will Il then happen! You seem to think that e the conditions of to-day cannot be re- ' placed by anything better, and you y argue "that we must abide by them. " v You state yourself that the system of ,,' competition compels you to go for l. ward to enlarge your activity. Is there ; no limit to your personal opportuni 'i ties ? And when the limit is attained must you not come to a standstill? II "Obiections to the foundations of the d society structure of to-day are not ir ,f order" according to your thinking, be of cause nothing better can be devised. 70 We object to this. Socialism is some o- thing better. You venture to say 'tha # socialism is seeking to overthrow thu H. foundations of civilizations" but we