Telegram-herald., 1891-09-28
WI ARI ALL SOCIALISTS
The Rev. DR.. jackson Explains
True Socialism
HON The RICH PLUyDER THE POOR
Anarchy. Nihtiisn and ee~issfsn De-
hssd-Esa<i oepertaaitiss Demand
sa-in nunsty for she opaiest
kosesr- White siasssy.

In the Fountaln-st- Baptist church
DR.. Jackson began iast evening . course
of lectures on social problems. His in-
troiuctory lecture was mainly oceu-
pied N defining socialism and IN show
ing the necessity for Certain improve
ments IN our social system. His text
Was N Epheslans ~: %: "Fof We are
members one of another" He said:
A certain well known phifsnthropist
once expressed himself freely on the
eruelties of society 10 magistrate.
Thea You are = socialist" said the
oisicer. "les, Assuredly am social
ist," be replied. "what then is social
ismg" asked the officer. .'soclsllsm,"
said the gentleman. as any aspiration
toward the smelioration Of society,"
elf that be the case, then We are all
socialists" answered the msgis frate.
THAT is precisely my opinion" was
the quiet reply. IL socialism be simply
the aspiration toward the amelioration
OF society then indeed We are all 50
clalisis or IL least We ought 20 be. For
what man with eyes 10 see and heart TO
pity does not at times find hrs entire na-
ture gong out in earnest longing 10 DO
something 10 make life more tolerable
for the millions OF suffering and op-
pressed creatures. who, the Bible tells
Us, are our brothers and sisters. IL
this spirit Of helpfulness "a 10 come 10
the race through Socialism then let us
cry "Ail Hail 70 the Deliverer." Yet
the Socialist is the one man greatly
feared by thousands and hated by tens
of thousands. He is feared and hated
chiefly because he Is misunderstood
both ss regards his character aud his
intentions.
Meaning of Socialist
The common definition of socialism
is not that which lie given TO the word
by the dictionaries aud which Is care
fully maintained by those who have
made the subject study. Ii 10 sur
prising how confused is the average
mind upon this subject. To msry the
expressions Socialist, Communist and
Anarchist have about the kame mean
ing and are supposed 10 indicate a
general overturnlng or society and
the robbery of those who have
tor the purpose Of enriching those who
are too lazy to get for themselves.
Those who advocate spch extreme and
unrlghteous measures are called social
lists, communists or anarchists. Let us
begin our study by an examination into
the meaning Of these words now in so
common uee. IL we are tn talk intelii-
gently. We must with some degree of
accuracy define that about which We
are TO speak. Communism, as Mr..
Webster tells us, lis ncgatiou Of the
individual rights to property" 1t
teaches the individual 20 surrender his
possessions TO the community for the
7sc04 U1.D1lz sss-----. ,..a..s
An anarchist on the other hand ie one
who believes ir state of society with
out law or supreme power where the
individual does what he plesses with
impuniety. Anarchy and communism
instead of being alike are dismetricaiiy
opposed 10 each other. A communist
strives TO bring men together into a
compact social order where all enjoy
the fruit of the toll of all. An aDar-
chist is an avowed enemy OF the laws
which hold men together IN the social
fabric. his one aim being to give each
the liberty 20 do as ne pleases. Accord
ing to the teaching OF the communist,
individuallsm is TO be subordinated TO
the good OF the community. la an
y
triumphant indiyidualism.
Anarchists Are Not Socialists.
Socialism is broader word than
either of the foregoing. IL differs rad
cally from both IN that it does rot IN
dicate any definite plsn for the read
lustment of society. In general waylt
advocates more precise, orderly and
harmonious arrangement Of the social
L. II D.. "A al
has hitherto prevailed.n According to
that definition neither anarchists nor
nihilists are socialists. Communion -
a phase of socialism but il by no means
expresses the ann of the great body Of
socialists. The wori has come INTO dis
favor because OF the radical uitcrances
of some demagogues vko have called
themselves by this name. How foolish
and wicked II would toe to allow the words
of such men as Herr Most TO prelu-
dice us against some worthy movement
which seeks 90 Improve tlie condition
of the human race. Let rs not forget
tia, some of The noblest characters IN
history have been ardent advocates Of
social reorganization. Prof. Eiy. one
of the foremost of political economists
OF our day. says: "1ne lssding COM
munasfs and socialists from the time Of
Plato up TO the present have been for
the most part men OF chafacte~. wealth
and high s0ca. standing. While Of
course among them selfishDess aud
mesnuess may be found. do not be-
lieve anv movement of modern society
is able to EXHIBIT greater amount of
unselfish devotion than that they rep
resent" The socialists are able 10
name among the advocates OF Their
theories Plsfo, S.r Thomas Moore.
Robt Owen. The CARLYLE. John Rus
kin, J. Stuart Aii, Herbert Spencer,
Maurice, Kingsley snd Ihos- Hughes.
lathe esrly Christian church IL had
ss'eb advocates - the golden mouthed
Chrysostofn. the pions Jerome and the
sanity Clement. Among such men
none or ne need be ashamed 10 enroll
ourselves.
Eapsi opportssfttes Demanded.
Having attempted 20 obtain clearer
understanding OF the character and
views Of socialism, let now proceed 20
examine . few of those reasons which
lesd us to demand reaojustmept Of
the present social system. We are not
Of those v h0 advocate an equality In
the material conditions Of All men.
much less 90 we favor o law which
would dsvsde up the wealth Of the
nation equally among all 10 citizens. n
the dIvisson were made todsv the fool
would lose he money tomorro~ snd
the end OF the week vouio find the
diliEert with balance ia Their favor.
But what All social reforrners demand