The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-05-24
From Current Comment and Legal MiseenanyI
A DISTINCTION WITH A DIFFEREN CE.


1t is important TO note, that progress and
Poverty" and Looking Backward" works pre-
scrbing panaceas for social ills), have attracted
worldwide attention, and that there is clear
and sharp distinction between Them The,r 2as-
GENERALIZATION OF tie world is rapidly maturing
fora new state of things, in the line of more
equal opportunities and foirer privileges for the
masses of the people. Even Germany is under
going the most agonlzing thores. incident TO the
evolutionary birth of a new order of things The
great majority of mankind are agreed tnat the
rights privileges and opportunities of the toiling
milOns ought Ia be more equltably equalized;
but unfortunately the majority are not agreed as
to how 1t can be accomplished. Competition
In its most comprehensive sense, l. e., the
struggle for existence, has no doubt largely con
Tibuted to produce the present inequalities, as
to rights and opportunities, among mankind.
The remedy prescribed in "LooSing Backward"
10 cure the ills OF competition and to Danish want
and 1.-THE fear OF want, ," is a scheme OF National
ism that would totally oblterate the Idea of com
petition from the commercial affairs of men. If
Mr. Bellamy's remedy would not also necessar-
lily abolish the most divine blessings youchsafed
unto the human race, viz: human freedom, in
dependence, responsibility, incentive to prog
ress and self-relanee, then It would be not only
most welcome, but the most practical dream
that brilliant enthusiast ever dreamed. In all
civilized countries thus far, competition has
been the peaceful struggle for existence. In any
plan of reform OF social conditions 1t may fair
ly be considered with the law of gravitatiOn
which causes so much trouble and incOnveni-
ence in transportation and in the erection OF
buildings, etc. Is II not fair analogy TO COM
pare competition in the affairs of men with the
laws of graytation in their operations and
effects with mother Earth?
Can either be abolished? II certainly has not
yet been demonstrated that competition can be
abolished without blotting out civilization: but
II has been pointed out many times how the iu-
perfections and the abuses In It's application can
be immensely reduced, at least as much 50
as science and invention have aided the human
race in overcoming the Inconvenience and oh.
staces Of the law OF gTayitation. II may safely
be said that competition has been "A conspicuous
factor in producing our civilization and tina
Looking Backward" proposes TO abolish thi.
social law of gTaytatlOn. The remedy pre-.
scribed in Progress and Poverty" IN the place
OF abOllshing competition 1t is encouraged on a
wider and broader plane than it has hitherto
enjoyed, and without In any manner interfering
with the just rights of private property, the
liberty, the responsibility ana self-reliance OF
| the citizen.
The doctrine has been briefly summarized as
follows; "Each man is entitled to an that his
labor produces. Therefore no tax should be
! levied on the products of labor All men are
| equally entitled TO what God has created and "a
! what IS gained by the general growth ana i'm
] proYement OF the community Of which they are
| a part therefore, no one should be permitted
10 hold natural opportunities without fair return
TO all lOf any special privilege thus accorded IL
MIN, and that value which the growth and i'm
| proNement Of the community attaches 10 land
should De taken for the use OF the community '
! The reader win readily perceive a shsrp, eL ~
ana Well-denned distinction, which Is OyerlOO IL d
bY many, between Progress and Poverty o IND
Looking Backward or for that matter M,
tween Henry Georges theory ON the one, 'id,
ana all other schemes OF a s0cialisiic tendene,
on the other.