Workmen's advocate., 1890-05-17
CHANGE OF FRONT.

THE AMERICAN PRESS GROW-
 ING RESPECTFUL.
 Pen and Ink Sketches of Leading So,
 cialists by the Boston Herald
 "They are Men and Women of Edu.
 cation, Intelligence, and Calm
 Judgment"
 Two weeks ago, at the conclusion of an address delivered before the Lynn Section of the S. L. P. and reported in these columns, Capt. E. s. Huntington said: [
 "The term Socialist, which, such q short time ago, in this country, was, and among the ignorant still is, such a word of reproach and disgrace, is really now becoming one of pride and credit"
 That our esteemed Comrade was amply justified in making this statement is quite evident from the following ar ticle, which appeared in the Boston Herald last week.
 The meaning conveyed by the word Socialist" to the mind of one who has made no investigation of the subject seems grotesque and amusing, if not actually repulsive. The much-talked- about leverage man" mentally pictures Socialist as a monster of fearful and wonderful makeup, with long, unkempt hair and shaggy beard, thirsting for hu- man blood, to whose ears the detonation of dynamite bombs is sweet music, and whose utmost satisfaction would follow the ruin and violent overthrow of what ever now exists-an implacable fiend in whose eyes whatever is is wrong, and who would substitute anarchy and chaos for present social conditions.
 How far this nightmare-like concep- tion of the Socialist is from the fact Is known to all who have penetrated the shadow and sought the substance. They have found men and women of educa- tion, intelligence and refinement, of studious tastes and calm judgment, inn bued with conviction that the world is not yet at it's best, using their tongues and their pens to hasten the day which they firmly believe is destined, sooner or later, to dawn, when all nations of men will dwell in universal brotherhood and existing systems of social and industrial relations between man and man shall fade and perish. Let us see what man. ner of people those are who are leaders in Boston's socialistic circles today
 The first place in the list belongs, without question, to
 REV. W. D. P. BLISS,
 rector of Grace (EpiscopaD Church, 1 South Boston. He is connected with 1 the Nationalists' Club and the Christian Socialists, and is an active laborer in the socialist field. He is a gentleman of culture, has read much upon economic subjects, and is fully conversant with the different schools of radical thought. It is one of his tirmest convictions that the work of the church for the future | lies in exerting the utmost influence possible toward the industrial improve ment of the people, and he is also strongly of the opinion that much of the crime and wretchedness of the present day arises from the fact that the doc. trines of the. Christian church are almost wholly ignored in the peoples indus l trial relations. Mr. Bliss not infrequently introduces his advanced ideas into his | pulpit discourses, and on these occa- sions he is always greeted with attentive audiences. People come to listen to his words from all parts of the city, and thelr intent faces indicate the earnest interest in the speakers eloquent presen- l taton of ideas which to many of his congregation are both novel and strik- ing. It has been said that he Sas led to take up socialist doctrines because of his daily contact with people in the lower walks of life, and his acquaIn- tance with the hopes and discourage ments, no less than the necessities, of the working classes of the immunity. In personal appearance the clergyman is rather above the medium height, some what spare in figure, and gives one the impression of wonderful amount of energy and vitality. He has blue eyes, wears light brown side whiskers and