Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-06-18
MUSINGS OF A MOSSBhCK

have been directed to that end. but
with what result? -
Moths and rust corrupt and thieves
break in and steal" The small boy
shoots the windows out of unoccupied
houses. with his bean-shooter. from
mere wantonness. Nowhere do we see
anything sacred" about property, only
that the sacred law is behind it. and
the jail yawns for the form, and the
policeman club tingles for the head.
of the luckless offender caught infring-
ing upon its rights.
And why is this? Why this constant
warfare upon property when upon its
possession depends the comfort. not to
say happiness. of all the sons of man?
The answer is easy of solution. Be-
cause it has been held mainly since
time began. for profit, not for use.
Profit stands. flaming sword. be-
tween the property OF the favored en-
plotting few, and the producing but
propertyless many. Profit holds back
the comforts and luxuries of life though
hunger and restitution stalk hand in
hand through the land.
1t stares at you through the empty
windows of comfortable houses while
people make their abode in comfortless
tenements.
1t whispers to you through the
scented breeze of unoccupied graves,
and lcers from the smiling, vacant
prairies while millions live and die
away from Gods pure air, shut out
from the bounties of indulgent Nature.
Small wonder that police and courts.
the locust club, the prison cell, are all
too feeble Il barrier between the
sacred" RIGHTS of property and dis
inherited people.
say disinherited adyisedly, for who
that gives the subject even superficial
thought can doubt the right Of man to
possess the unoccupied portions Of the
world he has entered through no Volt
ton Of his own.
Who can maintain in reasonable
argument the right Of q few to monopo-
lie the Joint accommodations of man
kind I'm science in inventive genius in
productive ability.
We -peak OF our wonderful progress.
when the industrial ability of man has
Increased ten-rold and his ability to ~t-
cure the products of his toll Is measured
in a br4rarly one-third or one-half
Far nn it from me to fan the flame of
discomfort. to awaken harsh feelings
towards the possessors Of the bulk of
the increase in production. But
against the system which has brought
this about. the profit system which
gives to him who has not produced,
consequently takes from the producer.
/ viii bring whatever of ability and in
nuence can, until it is swept from the
face of earth.
Webster defines patriot as "oue who
loves his country and zealously supports
its authority and interests"
y great many people, in writing and
speaking upon the topic, forget the
first and third part of the definition and
misintcIVret the second.
Blind and unreasoning obedience TO
the authorities, not authority. cou-ti-
tute all they know or care to know of
patriotism.
They are conservative to the border
OF idiory Whatever is, is right. with
them, and advancement. or desire for
advancement, are synonymous, in the
thing which does duty for their mind.
with treason. But the fool-killer Will
get around to them by and by.
AGAINST human nature" has been
thrown i'm the face of every man who
argued for the progress of the human
race. from the advocate of the fig leaf $
advantages over a startled look a. a
summer suit, to the present day advo-
cate of advancement.
! A man will read, and believe. how
human nature crouched in cave and
sucked the marrow bones of the bear;
look upon how it has now harnessed
steam and bound electricity in bands of
steel, and then argue that human nature
is fixed, immutable object. which
stands, an insurmountable barrier, in
the path OF human progress, and would
take ofiense if called a fool.
Selfshness is not opposed to the bet
torment of mankind. 1t has only to be
convinced TO become an active ally.