The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-05-10
The Border of Socialism.

J.
4 The Cexcy movement has raised a
discussion as to just now far the
I, government should go in providing
work for the unemployed. The same
principle is here involved as in the
question as to how far the govern
ment should aid private enterprise.
One school of political economists
will answer this by saying that pub
lie aid to private enterprise is justif-
able in 50 far as it promotes the gen.
eral welfare Granting that protec-
ton promotes the general welfare
this is its only justification, for it is
undoubtedly as clearly and distinct
ly governmental assistance to indi-
vidual effort as would be the employ
ment Of Coxey's army in the con-
struction of good roads. If it would
promote the general welfare to adopt
this wild scheme it would be as justi-
fable IS the law which builds up
private interests at public expense.
1t is maintained by some that it is
the duty Of municipal governments to
do ali they can to provide employ
ment for the idle, and Roanoke has
endorsed the idea by making such
provision as it's financial condition
would permit. If this is a function
of municipal government, it is argu
ed and not without reason that State
and national governments should also
made provisions to relieve the distress
of the people.
This discussion necessarily involves
the function Of government. Gov
eminent undoubtedly originated in
mans social nature, and the necessity
of uniting together for self protection.
AS mans faculties have developed,
and his relations with his fellow men
have grown more complex, the func.
ton Of government has necessarily
changed. Even in an advanced state
of civilization, the maintenance of
peace and order, the protection Of
life and property, and defence against
invasion of foreign nations was the
full purpose Of government, but the
increased completely of MANS rela-
tions to his fellows, consequent upon
the advancement of the arts and sci
ences, has made men more depend
emit upon each other and each indi-
vidual more dependent on society.
That there has been evolution and
occasional revision in government is
evident to the student of political
history No matter how we answer
the question that has arisen, it is
useless to deny the fact that there is
strong sentiment, not only in this
country but throughout the cnlight-
ened world. in favor of an extension
of this public function to condition
which ultra conservatism denounces
with the odious cpithet Of socialism.
We have recognized and applied to
the United States government the
fundamental principles Of the most
radical socialism, and every result of
this paternalism that can be considss ;
cred beneficial is strong argument
in favor Of carrying out the details
of these theories. In our system of
protective paternalism we have recs
ognized the principle of public aid to
private enterprise, the very basis of
all socialistic theories. The monop-
olies which this has fostercd we de-
fend on the ground that great com
binations of capital have cheapened
products. If monopolies are a good
thing why not have but one ,nonsp-
oily, and that the government, con-
trolling everything?
The fact i. that we are already
across the border of Socialism, and
VIZ have paternalism that favors the
| few.