The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-27
TUE SOCIALIST DEMONSTRATIONS IN
GERMANY.

The telegraphic reports of the demonstra-
ton made by the Socialists in Berlin are in
the highest degree startling. The demonstra-
ton itself was formidable one, and II IS evil
dent it could have been much larger, and it
plainly had the sympathy of the upper and
better middle classes. even If 1t Was not favored
by some of the classes above these. II we
are not mistaken It points TO political convul-
sons in Germany that threaten vast and seri-
GUS consequences unless the ruling classes
shall speedily make reasonable concessions
to those who are named generally as
Socialists In this country we are
accustomed to apply that word to turbulent
Communists. other reckless and visionary agi-
tators, and understood in that sense, no peo-
pie are so odious TO us as the Socialists.
But. if the platform Of the German Socialist
is W hat was scattered broadcast as their plat
form in the Berlin demonstration, it is very
evident that he is 50 nearly the Democrat Of
America that the difference between the two
is not worth quarreling about. We quote
their platform as the telegraph brought it TO
US as follows:
l. Universal suffrage without distinction of
sex for all subjects of the Empire over twenty
years OF age direct elections by the people by
secret ballot, the principle OF zone man one
vote and biennial ParllGlnents.
2. The direct participation Of the people in
legislation with the right to initiate or reject
laws and the annual revision of the scale of
taxation.
3. A wide extension of the principle Of local
government and the election OF all public Off
Gals by the people. 10 whom such officials are
t. be held responsible.
4. The training Of the people in arms so as
to form a national defense To take the place of
a standing army.
5. The decision of peace or war 10 rest with
the representatives IF the people: interna-
tional disputes to be decided by arbitration
8. The repeal OF all laws prohibiting OF re-
strlcting free expressions OF opinion or the
right of association or public meeting.
Z. Religion 70 DO a matter of private Opin-
ion and all payments Of public money for
confessional or religious objects 10 cease. &c
clesastical or religious communities TO be-
considered private associations which man
age their own affairs.
3. The secularization of the national
schools.
9. Free administration of Justice
10. The abolition of capital punishment
IL. Free medical assistance and free dispo-
sal of the dead
Y. A graduated income and property tax.
Is. The abolition Of direct taxation
II. The taking over by the State Of all work
ingmen's insurance agencies
10. An unbroken period of rest Of thirty-six
hours in each week for every workngman.
Now strike out of this platform the provis-
ions in section / as to female suffrage and
the age for voting. in section 10 AS 10 capital
punishment in section II as to free medical
assistance, in section 10 as to direct taxation
and in section "A as to insurance agencies. and
almost everything else is in the Constitution
OF the United States. At any rate. everything
else pertains 10 free democratic institutions.
Even as to the points indicated. there are
wide and honest differences Of opinion
amongst good men.
If this platform is the real platform of the
German Socialist he Is not generally UNDER
stood in this country. If this be what lie
seeks. he is doing no more than MAXIM An
effort to throw Of the last yestiges Of feuda
tyranny, and in this effort We say to him. God
speed you.