The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-14
Socialism and Anarchy.


The Buffalo Enquirer, although sup
porting Mckinley, does not believe
with General Harrison, Bishop New
man, eX-President White and Arch
bishop Ireland that the Chicago plat
form involves the menace of anarchy.
IF the sentiment that prevails so large
ly in the south and west were," it asks,
really that of anarchy, what guar
antee would we have of the continu-
ance Of the republic? On the character
of the people of the United States de-
pends the safety of the nation, and II
the people of great section OF the
country, strongly supported in all parts
of it, are anarchists, then the outlook
is hopeless. The prospect Is a clash,
IL not this year then in the future. be-
tween the conflicting systems and the
probable establishment Of an empire.
We prefer the homely philosophy of
Lincoln that you may fool some of the
people all the time and all the people
some of the time, but you can not fool
the whole of the people all the time"
Our contemporary perhaps misinter-
prets the tenor of the objections to
Organism offered by the four gentle
men previously mentioned. 1t Is not
claimed that the masses who support
the Chicago nominee and platform are
conscious and wilful anarchists. The
only claim made is that in tendency the
Chicago deliverance, as daily reiterat-
ed and expounded/ by Bryan, makes
for disorder rather than for order, and
bids for votes in a manner dangerous
to republican institutions. 1t is a fair
construction of the Chicago programme
to say that it proclaims the pOwerless-
ness of the national executive to en-
force federal law unless invited to do
so by the governor or legislature of
the state in which the violation takes
place. 1t is equally fair to say that it
encourages the idea of packing" the
United States Supreme court for the
purpose of influencing it's decisions on
versy. as for instance, the constitu-
tionality of tax on incomes. 1t is
also fair to say that it solicits the suf-
frage of workingmen as a class under
cover of an implied promise of exemp-
ton from the law when applied as in
the case Of strikes. These faults of the
Chicago platform certainly do not en-
courage law and order or make for the
pf
essentially seditious and anarchistic in
general tenor and trend; If successful
at the polls, 1t Is reasonable to infer
that the men who should have won
power by such faint suggestions of the
communistic spirit would grow boldcr
and more outspoken at the ensuing gen.
eral elections. until in time all checks
to lawlcssness would be gone. The
revolutionary spirit, when once aroused,
is not easily placated. Like the appe-
tite for strong drink it has to be fed
always with increasing allowances.
But If Organism We're not positively
dangerous in it's avowed doctrine, what
shall be said as to the men and infu-
ences most prominently masked behind
it? Can we call the blatant and bias
phemous Tillman a conservator of
peace and prudent restraint? Is Alt
geld a type of reassuring statesman
ship? Do Senator Stewart, Coxey, PEI
fer and Tom Watson suggest con-
servative and well-ordered administra-
tion of the national government? Is
the activity in Bryan's behalf of Debs
and other fomenters of trouble
and discord guarantee that his
election would stay the hand of vio-
lence and pour balm upon bruised pub
lie confidence? Are the fiery harran-
CUES Of Bryan himself. in studied ap-
peal to class prejudice. calculated to en-
force the wisdom of his election to an
Office of supreme responsibility?
Not all Bryanites are anarchists, by
any means; but surely the bent of Bry-
ans canvass is in the direction toward
rather than away from anarchy, and
that fact alone is enough to condemn
him.