New-York tribune., 1895-05-15

I ,r,;on never can bring us to Socialism. Only
revolution could do that. The evolution which
brings improvement must be due to the exercise
Of liberty. not of tyranny Men must climb up
ward and helm each other up: not hope to be
lifted bodily by the vague extraneous power they
call the State. When the State ceases to be their
servant and becomes their master II is a
blessing. but curse
In the concluding chapters Of this volume our
author discusses the relationship existing be-
tween Socialism and democracy. morals and re-
Iigion. In the first case he considers. perhaps.
the relationship to be more intimate than it really
is True. the average Socialist proclaims himself
a socal-Democrat But the compound name is a
mere catchword. void of logical significance
Democracy is no more Socialistic than is Mon
archy We are indeed inclined TO doubt II 1t Is
as much so The dominant principle OF Democ-
racy Is the independence and liberty Of the ind-
vldual and that is. above all else. what Socialism
denies An absolute despotism. with the monarch
owning all the land all the buildings. all the ma
chncry and tools all the businesses and trades
and making all the people serfs slaves and
puppets comes nearer to realizing the Socialistic
dream than any other form Of government ex-
tant. The moral claims of Socialism are strangely
arrogant. We are not aware that it has any
monopoly Of righteousness and truth The Ten
Commandments antedate Saint-Simon. and the
Golden Rule was uttered long before Karl Marx
was born As to the relationship between Social
ism and religion. or at any rate the Christian
religion. what we have already observed with
regard to Socialism ana Democracy Is exactly
applicable. There are those who term themselves
Christian Socialists Some Of them have been
distinguished for the sweetness and beauty and
usefulness Of their lives. But have they-Kings-
ley and Maurice and Ruskin. Cor example
preached a single distinctive doctrine Of Social
ism? Not one And the contention that Jesus
Christ himself was merely a labor agitator and
political Socalist-which Is not infrequently
heard in these Gays-is as contrary TO every
known fact IT is revolving to every sense OF
decency and reverence. Professor Flint writes
strongly on this theme. as might have been ex-
pected. since he was a great theoogian before he
took to commenting Socialism. He declares
Socialism 20 he IN It's essence antagonistic 10
Christianity In 90 far-and II s very far-as IL
rests upon Materaam: inasmuch as II assumes
worldly happiness to be mans chief aim' In at
taching more Importance 10 mans condition than
10 his character; and In destroying and denying
the freedom Of the individual. His earnest and
luminous words to be commended IN the
strongest terms to all cergymen-and their name
Is lcgon-who are more or less deeply Interested
I'm social and industrial REFORM especially 10
those who have fatuously allied themselves with
the system which utterly despises the 'otner
world" and which recognizes no master ana
no God" This book is a masterpiece OF Keen
analysls cogent discussion. wise teaching, ana
ennobling exhortation. and the widest possible
circulation and most careful reading OF II are
much 10 be desired. to promote popular ana
bcnehcent solution Of what Is probably the great
es, material problem now before the world