The Washington times., 1895-02-27
! DneE Ro!. ADLER ON SOCIALISM
How 1t Appears from the Ethical
Point of View.
1t Would Tend to Destroy Ambition and
Subordinate Domestic Affection
to the Wants of Society


by Pro. Felix Adler, ofNew York, before the
school OF applied ethics at)fTe Columbian
University was held yesterday afternoon.
The subject OF the lecture was "a criti-
eism of socialism from the ethical point OF
view" A large and scholarly audience was
present, and the lecture was very favorably
received.
Prof Adler began his lecture by saying
that there was an unwrittenlaw among the
Hebrews that a person should wash his
hands before eating. In like manner peo-
pie should cleanse their hands or rather
their hearts before discussing ethical ques-
tions. People form theories from their per-
sonal pre1udices. Lord Bacon in his NO
yum Arganum' speaks of many moral
idols. There is first conservative preju-
dice, which is against innovation Then
there is the prejudice of simplicity Dis
trust any simple solution ofsocial problems
If evils are keenly felt, said Prof Adler,
people have tendency to take up any social
remedy without anylisis. This produces
fanaticism. This is an age OF social pana-
ceas
What is socialism? 1t is word at pres
ent loosely used. Many think they are So
cialists that are not even socialistic In
Germany where the socialistic vote is
counted at over / 600 900, many are not
against the powers that be. Socialism and
social reform are not synonomous So
cial reformer may not be in favor of So
Cialism
person, continued the speaker, who
advocates the progressive income tax is
stigmatized as a socialist. This is not cor
rect. Prof. Seligman of Columbia Col
lege has shown that this tax was advocated
by members ofthe old school, who are dia-
metrlcally opposed to social ism. An ad-
Vocate Of the manufacture of gas by the
municipality, who is such for the benefit
OF the consumer, is not socialist So
cialism wishes 10 bring about a complete
change in the relations of producers.
The socialist wishes to abolish capital
and for il substitute the state. Yet he lie
serves great credit for his searching criti-
cism OF the present industrial theory. He
has taken the greatest pains TO compel the
attention ofmankind to the dark precipitate
OF society, which lies SO low in the slums.
Socialism has presented the problem of
society.
Socialism is impracticable and it risks
revolution. Its complaint is that the Ia
b0rer has been divorced from~his tools.
They have been converted into costly ma
chinery. Thus re must agree with his em-
ployer before he can work. The socialistic
theory is 10 take the means OF production
from the employer and letthe State control
labor.
The remedy OF the socialist is TO dis
seminate over large area the evils OF pro-
duction and the hope that these evils may
BE- Transformed into benefits. In the city
Of New York ii has been impossible to
even keep the streets clean through the
medium OF government. Is it then wise to
to turn all laborers to the State?
The national administration does not
prevent corrup ption when interests are
heterogeneous. 1t cannot withstand the
strain Of conflicting interests. In the
tariff question, for instance, the interests
of the farmer and the manufacturer are diff
ferent
II is said that under the socialistic regime
there would be no temptation 10 enrirh
ones self at the expense of others. As
capital would be prohibited there would
be no unscrupulous combinations TO Oh
tain offices. The Tefutation is simple. II
1 is love or power, not wealth. which is the
great stimulating cause. First then it
may be seen that socialism is impracti-
cable
In the next place socialism is really
the left wing Of individualism. 1t is
merely an extension OF individualism TO
include all men.
Then it is hostile to Individual freedom.
Liberty is not the paramount good, but it
should not be sacrificed to any other
Socialism is at variance With the principles
of liberty. Take a young man wishing TO
choose a profession. Capital being abol-
ished, he would have to obtain permission
from an office-holder. Then civil service
examinations would have TO be tie arbiter.
Such examinations are good in their way,
they are not fit TO decide the life Work of
the youth of the nation. Such plan Would
have deprived the world of Newton and
Bacon.
Epicureanism is also q feature of social
ism. Their theory is that each one can
perform his or fer share of manual labor
in three hours of the day The rest of their
time may be spent in dabbling in literature,
science, and art This would result in
Il dilettantiSm which is too prevalent now.
Then take the subject of books. What
books would be published? All manu-
scripts offered might be published, but
that would hardly be advocated by the
most extreme socialist.
A new deSpotism has arisen; that of
public opinion Herbert Spencer has
criticised our lack of individual courage.
People do not like to stand alone. The
fear of the crowd controls us all.
Prof Adler then gave a suCcinct picture
of how socialism would work Men would
not work for their wives and children, but
for the people collectively. Public orphan
asylums, as they might Well be called,
would take the place of parental care OF
children Personal affections and ties
would be subordinated to the wants of So
ciety as q whole
The next lecture by Prof Adler VIII be
given this afternoon on The philosophy
of organized labor"