The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-03
SOCIALISM AND INOIVIDUALISM
Popular ErrGrs Regarding Def
milton of Terms.
An Orderly Arrangement of the So
cial Relations.
"A Dispassiorste Presentation of the OBJ
jects Hoped to BE Attained by
Scientific Socialists.

Monopoly and communism are not as ,er
apart as monopoly snd compe lion. CommUu-
ism is monopoly of all property for the posses
sion snd enjoyment OF the whole people, and
monopoly proper is communism limited for
the benefit of the few.-[Los Angeles HERALD
= editorial.
On Sunday morning Jan. 90 Rev. j.
GG Thomson, pastor of Unity church,
Los Angeles, delivered discourse on
Indivdualism and Communion, from
the text, Every man shall bear his
own burdens. -Gslations, iv, Is. The
learned preacher opened with the lol-
owing remarkable propoaitions
There are different kind Of communists and
~ iaiists, but logically they must sgree that all
citizens should live on The same level, and that
all should eat at public tables, live in public
houses, wear public clothes and engage in
n public works; aud they also agree that there
y should be no competition, no private property,
no political orders, no social distinctions.
The foregoing platform of Socialism was
proclaimed by one of the most popular,
iptelligent and liberal preachers on the
AAcltc coast, In the presence OF one OF
the largest and beet informed congrega-
tions il Southern CAlifornis, and spread
before 400 readers the next day by
the morning papers. Nevertheless it ia
characterized by two radical defects.
First-It is almost entiEely the cree-
ture OF MIR. Thomson's imagir alton,
with scarcely any foundation either in
aleory or experience, and is utterly con-
trary to the Socialistic ideals as ak.
pressed in the writings of Bethany.
Lawrence Grunland and other 6uthori-
Nat liar ioI
lacks even the seeming truthfulness OF
'Rev. Brother Jasper's familiar astro
nomical proposition; ''Ths sun do
move"
5SecoDd-In addition to this unnatural,
fictitious feature, which no true Socialist
would recognize, the reverend gentle-
man, in his definition, neglects to drcp
even hint concerning the vital aims OF
Socialism, not only as publicly proposed
Ny Socialists, but as demonstrated by
un3reds OF successful experiments in
his country and ia Europe, more ee-
pecially where one cooperative organl-
zstion alone. which was started in Eng
land by p few Weavers who. with cash
capital of So each, iuSugurated mutual
enterprise which now hGe a cash capi-
tai OF 800, 900, 900, numbers 1000, 600
members who are equal partners and
who do not "all eat at public tables,
i've in public houses, wear public
Jeinthes and engage in public works" q
pit more than Rev. Thomson and his
friends do, but simply divide among
themselves the benefits accruing from
Iroducton and distribution, instead OF
Delivering them over to rascally men and
numerical bandits, who form trusts and
combines for the express purpose of
Fobbing the people and building IS, 000,-
poo palaces and cornering the oommun-
nv land.
This, with government ownership OF
pill greet national monopolies and ma
lion ndustries-precisely like that
Wk .lalresdy obtains in our postoffice
md Tree school departments-is the part
y Socialism that we are striving for at
vent IN this country.
SOCIALISM DEFINED. ...s.
tbDoEs Mr.. Thomson object to it? Ii
+ 3,o, why? Let him ''gird his loins and
Isnswer like a man"
OF course will admit that the rev.
Srend gentleman may possibly find q
bretext for his fanciful com munietic
b,ogramme in the writings and practice
II certain obsolete theorists and ideal
lsts who have no following among
liodern Socialists, but Socialism as at
present urged is very natural and
PRACTICAL thing. The Encyclopedia Brit
lnnica says: THE ethics of Socialism
Ire identical with those of Christianity.
Webster defines it as "a theory of
,ciety which advocates more precise,
ierly and harmonious arrangement of
o social relations of mankind than
SSnat which has hitherto prevailed.
3be inquiring reader ia left free to
hoose between the foregoing eminent
2uthorities and the gifted pastor of
Inity church. IN the meantime | will
kroceed with my autopsy OF his dis
SSurse, the next passage of which reads
Id follows:
They claim that in this way no one will be
yingry naked, homeless. ignorant, idle, The
overnments of the world foster class legisla-
b., corruption, oppression, tricks and lies,
(Sd the courts OF justice are so hedged about
18th technicalities and subterfuges that no
onest poor man can get justice in contest
jth rich men or rich corporations.
In reply to the first three lines OF this
Isrsgraph, | answer that it is not "in
Is way" nor in any other particular
HMay," or form. as detailed by Mr..
iAomson, that Socialists in this coun-
yy are expecting a reformation of So
Eety, but rather through the co-opers-
i've idea as against the greedy COMPETE
We one.
The modern Socialist, no less than the
hodern Christian, believes that the
bvincple for which he ia striving is one
that makes for righteousness" and
nhat this or that way. form or individ-
lsl creed, is - matter oil taste or opinion,
Ehose presence or absence is simply a
Ion essential manifestation of that
rinciple.
To say that Socialists unjust logically
pree that all citizens should live on the
xne level, and that all should eat at
Subtle tables, live in public houses,
wear public clothes and engage in pub
Ia works." is even more absurd than it
Would be to proclaim and define Chris
|ianity az follows: "There are different
Eiuds of Christians, but logically they
hust oil agree that all Christians
Bhould worship the Virgin Mary and
lac saints, count beads when they pray,
Slieve in everlasting punis ment, the
Westminster catechism and universal
slvation, baptism by immersion and by
Eprinkling, washing each others feet at
Religious services, end enlivening their
meetings with the music OF fife, drums,
Nam BORNE and banjo etc."
"A The fact is, Christians do not logic
yjly agree" concerning all thsae things.
'EGile they do agree as regards the saw
lbg and uplifting power OF Christianity.