The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-25
The Problem Stated.

meeting of the Young Mems League of
the Penn Avenue Baptist church,
tt /.
The Problem Stated.
Born out of the depths of human
changeablity; stung into fury by the in
justice OF the past; Its voice freighted
with sentiments of revolution, political
socialism come to us denouncing tho
rights OF private property, claiming that
labor Ii the only source of value, and
therefore to the laborer all wealth be-
longs; contending that all capital is the
result of spoliation and arguing that our
Industrial system must be reorganized on
the cooperative instead OF the competi-
tive plan In its religious tendencies It
Is grossly materialistic and It strikes at
the family by promulgatng a sentiment
OF free love. What are the causes? What
are the aims, and what are to be the
results of political socialism as 1t ap-
pears today?
In the first place we must recognize an
evolutionary tendency. the trend of which
Is toward a greater individualism, that is,
condition In which the rights of the in
dividual are not hampered by needless
governmental Interference. The ancient
Greek fought with desperate valor, not
for individual liberty, but for the lib
erty of his state His idea was that the
people were for the benefit of the gov
ernment and not the government for the
benefit OF the people. In those days
few men insolently usurped the rights OF
the masses, made the laws, directed the
armies and Arbitrarily directed the affairs
OF state. Manhood was at too low an
ebb to resent the insult to its manhood.
Christ came. The significant question,
What shall 1t profit man to gain the
tn1a ul1 h,, Ia fu In
jected new principle. Men began to
believe that every individual wa of
some Importance. This taught self-re-
spect, and self-respect compelled others
to respect its individuality. This individ-
ualism has been Il mighty factor in the
worlds history. 1t has elevated woman.
1t has manumitted slaves. 1t has writ
ten constitutions. 1t has borne civiliza-
tion on mighty flow tide toward popular
government. But like most good things
it has been capable OF perversion and
political socialism is individualism gone
mad
Guizot has well said that the prime
element in modern European civilization
is the energy of personal life." Mechan-
ical inventions have had u mighty effect
in tanning the flame of socialism. Once
the employer and employe worked side
by side in the same shop. They met as
social equals. The bond of sympathy was
strong. If differences arose between them
the employe could pick up his tools
but few being required in that day-go
out and start a shop of his own. as but
little capital was required He was happy
and contented as result of this inde-
pendence. But now engines and machin-
cry are necessary much capital is re-
quired. and as he cannot compete with
ha 1pnan1anf
upon the capitalist.
The subdivision Of labor that has
come with these mechanical advances
had made him still more dependent. When
he could once make anything from nail
up, he can now do nothing but stand for
weary hours crOwding piece of iron into
machine that makes the nail There
is no chance for the cultivation of judg-
ment or ingenuity, and he feels that he
is mere tool. Do you wonder that dis
couragement comes to this man and
that his mind is good soil for the culti-
vation of socialistic ideas that give him
promise of equality and plenty. although
this promise may be fictitious?
Under these same industrial conditions
mighty class distinction has arisen.
The proprietor backed by his monetary
power, no longer needs his men on the
ground of equality. Everything about
him hints at superiority. The laborer
and artisan are apt to be made to feel
that they are but interiors and enmity
and hatred are engendered at a system
that places them at such disadvantage.
He also feels that every labor-saving
machine is his mortal enemy, liable to
deprive him of his ability as bread win
ner, and increase the power of the capi-
talist over him. The new machine that
has recently been invented and put into
use in almost every great newspaper
house in this country. crowds out three
out Of every four compositors. These three
men must eitherturn tramps or commence
their Industrial lives all over. Their ex-
perience cannot help but swell the So
cialistic wave, making 1t roll higher and
break harder against the rock principles
of our industrial systems. Capital has
not been slow to grasp the advantage
thus brought to its door. With selfish
greed it has all too often rolled up its
millions at the expense of the weak.
trampling human rights In the dust,
swapping its finger in the face Of every
protest, and boastfully saying this Is
business" Not many years ago the
Association of Nail-makers at the COM
mencement of winter ordered suspen-
sion of all work in order to force up the
price of nails Eight thousand employees
were thrown out of work and brought
to the verge of starvation. About the
same time the Liverpool Cotton Exchange
did the same thing for the same reason
and stopped 100000 spindles. bringing
dire distress to thousands Of homes.
Hardly day passes but we near or a
beef combination or a wheat combina-
ton or a steel rail combination. all for
the purpose of robbing the pockets of the
masses. Is It any wonder that the bread
winners of our civilization are raising
their voices to the very heavens In protest
against such iniguitous power?
Again, the wrongs perpetrated In the
name of governmental authority have
had n tremendous influence in exciting
discontent and positive hatred. Think OF
the liberties dictatingly denied; the con-
stitutional right repressed; the excessive
taxation without representation: the per-
secution on account of religious Ideas; the
compulsory demands for from five to ten
of the hest years of a mans life to serve
in the armies of Continental Europe; the
souandering of public funds and the cor
ruptiou of political life. How did 1t I'M
press you when some two or three years
ago the councils of this city gave val
uable street railway franchise to one cor
norat,on for nothing, when there was an
other corporation Offering 100000 for the
same franchise?
Another, and perhaps the greatest
cause of socialistc agitation, Is the
wretchedness and poverty OF the iaporins
classes, due to their own vices ana iacN
Of prudence. Generation after genera
tion are born and reared in the most ABB
iect soualor. They never know any home
hut a dirty tenement house. They never
enjoyed decent meal of victuals. Sub
iect TO the kicks and cuffs of brute-force,
they are unable to understand anything
but the law of seliishness. with nothing
70 lose and everything to gain, they
are ever ready to follow where the DEM
arogue may lead and blood and revolu-
tion are apt to be their cry.
IT.