The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-23
The Socialist Congress ut Erfurt.

The Congress Of Socialists. which has just
concluded its sittings at Erfurt. did two
khings which have an important bearing on
The political stability and social progress Of
Germany. 1t elected with contumely the
Anarchists whose doctrines are irreconcila-
pie with patriotism. and it placed for the
1rst time in its programme declaration
in favor Of equal rights for women.
The growth Of the extreme revolutionary
pr anarchical wing Of the German Socialist
barty In the large centres Of population.
Ind especially in Berlin. may be traced d.
sectly to tho repressive legislation framed
by BISMARCK. 1t Is certain that the late
chancellor made egregious mistakes in
Healing with the Catholics and with the
Socialists. In each case he seems to
have forgotten that o safety valve Is as
Indispensable to the working OF political
machinery as 1t Is to steam engine. He
proceeded on the theory that he could extin-
zuish the explosive force Of popular pas
lions by sitting their expression. The
bole effect Of his interference with the re-
pgious convictions and traditional privileges
bf German Catholics was to convert them
INTO formidable instrument OF political
obstruction. No less fruitless and mis-
bhievous were his endeavors to suppress
SOCIALIST aspirations by cutting Off their
constitutional utterance from the platform
Ind through the press. Not only was the
humber Of Socialist voters enormously In
treased by o persecution which awakened
bympathy. but the aims OF socialism were
diverted into revolutionary channels. So
long as BIsMARck's personal attitude was
lndishnguishable from that Of the i'm
berial Government. German workmen were
strongly tempted to be uncompromising
Democrats rather than loyal subjects Of the
Kaiser. to be Internatlonalists rather than
patriots. and to be Particularists rather
Than upholders Of German unity.
The drift toward political dislntegratlon
Eas happily arrested by the comparatively
recent refusal Of the Reichstag to renew the
Jaws against the Socialists. and for approx
Ing this decision Of the Chamber the young
Emperor, WILLIAM H., undoubtedly de-
berves much credit The effect OF the Gov
brnment's resolve to discriminate no longer
against the Socialists. and to freely recog-
pize their claim to all the rights OF German
athens. has been to rekindle in their
posoms tho fires Of patriotic ardor and to
teconvert them into stalwart champions OF
Tho fRtherland. 1t Ia indeed an almost in
sredihl0 metamorphosis which was wit
nessed ct Erfurt, where the men who did
put say In public what was applauded when
becretly uttered two years ago. were howled
Down and driven from the assembly amid the
decorations Of the great majority. The repu-
|iiation Of the Anarchists by the great body
be 0ermau Socialists means that tho latter
hsk nothing from the Government but the
rights offree assemblage, free
printing. and free speech. and that SO long
be these franchises ore conceded to them
they will advocate reforms by constitu-
hond methods only. Meanwhile they
pledge themselves to remember in the faco
pf possible aggression from without or Of
ueparatist tendencies within. that they are
Germans first and reformers afterward.
It Is impossible to overestlmate the mo-
Significance OF this change in the
position of the Socialists. when one considers
The situation Of Germany. wedged as it is
between France and Russia. and doomed to
vee. sooner or later. its political Conference
bested In tho furnace OF a stupendous war.
Tho surprising number OF votes cast by
Socialists In the last general election
Tor the Reiohstag has given them COM
influence over social reformers in
,ther countries. and that influence will BIO
augmented by the moderation and
Wisdom Of the political programme an
bounced at Erfurt. In England and In the
United States especially their views re-
speottpg any question Of social reform. such.
Tor Instance. as the rights Of women. will
henceforth be invested with a weight In
which they have hitherto been lacking.
1 There Is. moreover. another reason why
particular attention is attracted to the
demsnd OF the Erfurt Congress for the TO-
peal OF laws subordiuating a wife to her
husband In public and private relations.
Az Mr.. HERBERT SPENCER has lately pointed