New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-09


This volume does not profess 10 be an eXposi-
ton Of the principles OF modern Socialism The
leading tonic is the American spirit as manifested
in history and in the life and literature OF the
present The argument leads to the general con-
clusion that while the temper Of the people here
II not IN accord with the forms Of socialism
evolved from the conditions of European CIVIL
2ation. a higher individualIsm and social sprit
are at the heart Of progress in the United States
IL we can venture 10 compress into single SEN
tcncc the significance OF a brilliantly and most
temporarily written volume. IL is an attempt 10
ationaIizc social discomfort in America and to
demonstrate that il has no raison detre. IT Is
most Wholesome book in its moral tone contains
chapters remarkable for analytical power and
is we'll written and thoroughly digested from
cover to cover.
The authors discussion Of Socialism in America
opens with striking analogy; the struggle OF
well-meaning thinkers twenty years ago to rec
onc1le Science and Religion and the ultimate rec
IGNITION of the simple fact that each holds
rightful place in human nature. In the same
way Individualism and Socialism are pittei against
each other and controversies now wagng are
likely 10 lead to better understanding of the
rights of each in human life. The Utopia Of the
individualst is approach to Anarchy; the Utopia
of the Socialist is communism. Under Individual
ism a. an economic system there would be private
capital, with free labor, open competition and
immunity from State control Under Socialism pri-
vate and competing capital would be Transformed
into united, collective capital The author Is
not an impracticable Opportunist proposing rec
oneiliation between the Anarchist and the Com
munist as fully 1edged representatives of either
theory. His argument is that what may properly
be called the American spirit allows to both So
calism and Indvidualism their due weight and
-
ism and administrative Nihsm safe path which
may be followed with feeling OF security and
hopefulness.
The present tendencies Of Socialism in Europe
and America are analysed with critical acumen
and studied moderation. The Socialist is de-
scribed as a severe moralist. who points out the
plain evils Of the existing order, but fails to
construct new framework for society which
will stand and under which men Will prosper.
For example, the abolition of poverty and the
introduction of general comfort arc the Social
lists aims: but these also the aspirations OF
every one else who wishes well to his race. Be-
nevolent men desire to see every man own his
own home. obtain comfortable support from his
labor, and leisure enough to prevent his becoming
a. mere drudge. These benefits have been A.
tanned by the great mass Of the American peo-
rle through the practice of certain simple but
difficult virtues-indnstry thrift, skill and pa
tience Can the method be changed from indi-
vidual to governmental initiative. control and
ownership? The State Socialist says: Yes 1t
can be changed so that all can have what many
now enjoy, and this can he done without prac-
Using the same difficult virtues manifestng
the same degree of ability" The inquiry is very
pertinent how far the socialistc changes when
are proposed are compatible with the genius OF
the American people under the conditions which
their natural environment and their political
history have determined.
Another chapter conspicuous for lumiHons en-
position is that in which the author describes
the American temper, with its distinctive char
acteristics of love of personal liberty practical
conservatism, restless enterprise, ardor for compe-
tition and eXatation of public spirit. America
is tie paradise of the individual. and hence the
last place in the world TO breed Anarchists.
The American is constitutonay an optimist ana
hence is inocuated against the pcsslmlsm "h'h
underlies the philosophy OF modern SocniiS'''
Ontimism and conservatism are coordinate char
acteristics of the American social spirit. VINO
ever believes that things are not. on the whole
!, . ,orv had state and are always likely to
become better is the man least disposed 70 de-
nornce them hy Wholesale and TO propose iuhua
mental change. That is what the tpicai Aue'i
can believes, and by virtue OF his Conservatism
and optimism he is natural enemy OF Socialism
The State Socialist for example. IN order 10
abolish private capital in production must e''a"-
lish some new form Of government. Inc opern
ton Of all productive industries would ne clearly
unavoidable under republican institutions. AN
incarceration numbering millions of officers. cen
tra,ized in the highest degree and dispensing WIN
oil familiar checks and balances of power. wonln
no tho instrument mperativcly needed IN order 10
carry ont the Sociaistic idea and only the risiu
r discinlNe and despotsm Of an army couih hoio
suoh q multitude of officials together and insure
,ho obedience Of every citizen. The complete
demo,ition of the structure Of Ango-SaXon Tree
dom painful,y reared through centuries. would ne
the initial task in Socialistic reconstruction DO
fore the collectvist State could he estanlishen
because Socialism demands an entirely new frame
work. political and industrial. the Cnited states
ia the country in Christendom where collectvism
;u mako the least progress The National tenn
rcr must fall much below its present pitch OF
crccrfuf confidence before Socialism can get even
q serious hearing az a practical remedy for eXlst-
inc evils The American mind has no sympathy
with the pessimism which declares that the exist
inc industrial system after thousands OF years Oh
human effort is radically wrong in morals anu
preposterous economically. Its optimism does not
Hind il to the evils Of the present time; but IL
depends for their cure on the forces OF good when
human nature has been displaying for many CEN
turtles.
What the American social spirit has done 1or
two centuries. it will continue 10 DO. IL VIII
give equal rights before the law 10 every man
and an equal education in the public schools to
every child, and itvvll enlarge the opportunities
OF work for those who can work 1t Will hold
back the State from field which the State can
cultivate better than private persons. slngiy or
IN companies because Of any theory OF indivld-
nalism II will he content TO be opportunst and
serve its own time. Nothing has occurred in the
United States since Socialism has been warmly
discussed that indicates any fundamental altera-
ton in the temper the tendencies Of the Amcri-
can people. Legislatures have continued TO leg
islate without any particular reference 20 indi-
viduaism or Socialism America will indeed