Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-02-08
THE GOLDEN RULE.
CAPT. B. F. BAILEYS ADDRESS
TO BOSTON SOCIALISTS.
Economic Transformation Necessary
to Public Morality, Social Justice.
and Universal Welfare $500 The
Boston Section COngratulates the
Socialists of Germany.

The Boston American Section of the
Socialist Labor Party held a public
meeting last Sunday evening at Grand
Army Hall.
1t was decided unanimously to send
the following message to the Socialist
members of the German Reichstag:
1.-The Boston American Section of the
Socialist Labor Party of the United
States sends greeting to the Reichstag
OF Germany, who have of late defeated
the anti SO 'ialist motion brought into
the Reichstag by Bismarck
I'VE commend your steadfastness in
behalf of industrial freedom and for the
establishment of justice and true broth
erhood IN the political government of
your great country. Stand fast, broth
ers, for the faith that is in you. Fight
the good fight for all humanity against
injustice and oppression until they shall
nave been swept away from the face
of the earth"
After the adoption of this message it
was reported that David Taylor, mem
Der OF the Section, had addressed the
Socialists of Lynn in the afternoon ON
the Standardization of Capital"
The Chairman then introduced Cant
b. f. Bailey, who delivered the follow
ing address on
THE GOLDEN RULE
Is the practical application of the
Golden Rule possible or feasible under
the present conditions and constitution
of society, and is it desirable as the
Ultima Thule of the human effort and
object of the future progress of the
human race?
In entering upon this discussion. let
us first consider the origin of the golden
rule.
1t has always been popularity consid-
cred in all So called Christian countries.
that Jesus of Nazareth was it's author
and originator, but the researches Of
Oriental scholars have discovered that
the sentiment incnlcated by this aphor-
ism was discerned at different periods by
men under conditions which entirely
precluded all thought of plagiarism.
Among the ancients who contributed in
giving us the Golden Rule, we find
the name of Pittacus, who $50 B. G. said;
''Do not to your neighbor, what you
would take ill from him." Next we find
the name of Confucius, the great spiritual
law giver of the Chinese, who, 500 B. c..
uttered these words "Do unto another
what you would have him do unto you:
and do not to another what you would
not have him do unto you. Thou need
est this law alone, it is the foundation
of all the rest"
Again through Thales, 464 years B. c.,
we learn that we should "avoid doing
what you would blame others for
doing
BY Sextus, Pythagorian, 4O5 B. c..
we are told that "What you wish your
neighbors to be to you, such Je also to
them"
Aristotle said, 1856 B. c.: eve should
conduct ourselves toward others as we
would have others act toward u.s." By
Aristippus, 1865 B. c., we are informed
that we should CHERISH reciprocal ben
evidence, which will make you as anx.
ious for another's welfare as for your
own"
Isocrates, 1873 years B. c., said: "Act.
toward Others as you desire them to act
toward you" And Hillell, so years B. c..
gives the rule in the negative form: "Do
not to others what you would not like
others to do to you
And now, last but not least" Jesus.
the Christ, gave it according to Luke.
as follows: ''As We would that men
should do to you, do We also to them.
likewise"
Thus it will be seen that this precept
has been formulated by men of all
nationalities, races and climes. as the
fundamental principle underlying all re-
ligions. and that no one of them can
claim exclusive right to its discovery.
We are now led to the contemplation
and discussion of our query: lis the
PRACTICAL application of this injunction
possible or feasible in our every day life
under the present economic and social
conditions of humanity 7" Were the
people imbued with the principle to
LET no man seek his own, but every
man another's wealth" in their collec-
tie capacity, this rule would be easily
made practical, but this involves trans
formation of society from what it is at
present, for it is notorious that "every
man is not only seeking his own wealth."
but is bringing to bear every appliance
which cunning, fraud, hypocrisy and
avarice can invent to deprive others of
their just proportion, which is theirs by
right; and were any man to literally en-