The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-27
UPLIFTING HUMANITY
Cyrus Field Wizards Ideas on Social
istic Colonization

OyIuS E1S1o " 1lldTQS 1Q6aS on Social
istic Colonization.
Cyrus Field Willard, general secre-
tary of the Social Democracy of the
United States, which will establish col
on1es in various western states for the
up1fting of the human race thinks the
movement is the most important of the
century, and withal the most promising
for future generations. He said today:
From every point in the United
states comes applications to join these
colonies. They are mainly from the So
called middle class of people. The men
and women who work, struggle and,
when immense business enterprises are
prospecting they are being ground down
by the relentless oppression of capital,
are the most anxious to escape from
present conditions. From them, say,
comes the demand for something new;
something at which they may be able
to make a living and not starve while
others grow wealthy at their expense.
Not only is there a great demand
from this class of people, but there
comes from wealthy men offers of
financial assistance, donations of land
for the use of colonies, machinery for
the use of colonists and other efforts to
assist in this enterprise.
Our charter outlines the purposes for
which the organization is formed. We
have one great ambition, and that is
to procure for the producer the wealth
which he produces and divert it from
the channel in which it makes others
wealthy and simply serves as burden
to the producers.
ITO my mind a man who produces the
wealth is entitled, in some measure at
least, to enjoy it. We all know that
under the present system the producer
of wealth-the wOrkingman-i is the Suf-
ferer. He is simply kept eVerlaStingly
at it with no hope of reward except
the small monthly stipend which is
grudging1y turned over to him by the
employer, and which in very few in
stances is half commensurate with the
the services D0rfOrmeO
1.-The system of Industrial inequality
is what we desire to change. We hope
for success and are confident it will
come to US eventually.
mo colonies have been established
up to this time, but we are seriously
considering proposition to bring one
to Kansas"
JTpon being asked what part of the
state was being considered as a suit
able location for the Kansas colony,
Mr.. Willard said:
II do not care at this time to say
where we intend to locate the Kansas
colony The preliminary work only is
being considered at this time, although
those of US who came from Chicago VIII
likely go and see some land before we
go home Were l to divulge the loca-
ton of the colony it might interfere
with our negotiations. In due time and
when matters have been thoroughly ar
ranged, I shall be only too glad to make
public the location.
II desire to say he continued, chat
we regard Kansas as one of the most
attractive states in the Union for such
a colony. This is a state of magnih-
cent opportunities and it is my opinion
that a colony would prosper here.
Under the system which we propose
to operate each man shall have an
equal opportunity. The idea is entirely
socianstic and we intend to follow it
closely. In this way we hope to uplift
suffering humanity and demonstrate to
the world that the present system is
wrong. Instead of oppression and pow
erty, we are confident, the colonization
scheme, will produce happiness, free
dom and prosperity to the people. In
stead of being a local idea, the Social
Democracy colonization scheme is a
matter of national Importance. Pub
lie opinion is gradually tending in that
direction. 1t is only a question of a
cepted the theories as correct and the
ideas will be adopted and practiced
avervwhere"