Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-07-23

amendment is an eXpedient of states
manship. 1t is designed to meet a
condition of affairs not existing but
likely to develop. 1t means that so
Tar as inter-colonial exchange and re-
ciprocity is concerned that the colo
mics generally shall not be required
to recognize it as their expected part
in the extension and expansion of the
movement, and that in this particu-
lar Equality colonists desire the com
pact nullified. as they are not yet
quite ready to extend so far the doc
trine Of From each according to his
ability: to each according to his
needs, and it is as well for the Broth
erhood to realize that in the event of
this amendment carrying we have no
guarantee whatever that in this mat
ter of exchange. which seems so vital.
to us. that the Colonists will have any
regard for the ethical nature of the
principle upon which ethical Justice
and economic freedom is based an
exchange of equivalents-ard the
colonists must pardon those who from
the circumstances of evident haste
and foresightedness infer that the or
binary force of moral considerations
will be Intellectual.
Speaking tor the members of
Equality colony Mr.. Swigart says:
THE change from competition to in
dividual cooperation was 4 long step.
but the next step or colony Co-opera-
ton is much greater and will require
a much broader view than most of us
have attained. Now. if this be true.
then the motive behind the amend
ment is made plain and the PROPOSE
ton is simplifed- Equality colony
would be under no obligation to do
business with other colonies. Those
who feel sufficient confidence in mem
bers of the colony to believe that
local circumstances will not restrain
them from the performance of their
amendment and continue to labor for
and contribute toward the success of
the Brotherhood. and those who feel
that this action on the part of the
colonists evidences an indispOsition
to recognize and perform this duty
will wait for another more suspicious
time. Meanwhile As an aid towards
forming conclusion as to what can
be expected in the matter it might
do to take into account what recep-
ton would be given an invitation to
Join the Brotherhood and pool inter-
ests and combine issues if made for
instance to the Oneida Community.
the Zoarites and other tlourishing CO.
operative communities. OF course
the invitation would be received with
derision even under the wide latitude
enjoyed by this autonomy idea where
any community would enjoy the full
est liberty to follow their peculiar
ideals. Considering the manner of
men they are from their actions in
this matter, those in Equality colony.
who call themselves socialists and in
sist upon being accorded this priv
lege as condition to their Co-opera-
ton in the work of the cooperative
Commonwealth are arrogating to
themselves a title they hardly appre-
ciate the meaning of. They might
desire to cooperate from consdera-
tions of economy-from Il business
sense of things-from that shrewd
selfish instinct which says: This
scheme hits me all right and so do
ing embrace it and thereafter con-
sisteutly look out for number one.
There is no sociability about this kind
of cooperation. 1t is merely bust
ness communism. only less desirable
than that of the other kinds men
toned, being founded on bascr
ideals.
The plan adopted for the govern
ment of the b G c was determined
after a study of the causes of the
/ failure in past cooperative efforts.
and now it is proposed to abolish it
before a trial is given its essential
provisions. However, there may be
certain factors overlooked at the
time, and there may be some friction
in the attempt to place the theory i'm
praot ice, for instance the duties of
the distributor ar defined, and while
we desire the amendment defeated
because of its sweeping force and APP
plicat on, yet we would not have the
subject closed but rather revived by
series of amendments to the exist
ing regulations which will not fail to
regard the socialistic rather than the
communistic ideal. All great organ
isms are slow of growth and things
are not pushed alone by legal enact
ment.
Equality colony could aid in the
more perfect development by propos-
inc clearly stated amendments TO the