The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-29
SATURDAY. APRIL %, 1890.
INDIyIDuaLIsM AND COMBINES.

We reproduce in another column an edi-
torial article from the Norfolk Nirginian-
Pilot in reply TO a remark recently made
by The Times that the Socialists never
before bad so fine an opportunity in this
country for his propadanda.
We agree In all that our contemporary
says in exalting the individual We be-
leye. as a thoughtful Richmond man said
some time ago in a public address, that
the distinguishing characteristic Of this
age is individuslism, individual liberty
and individual responsibility. We do not
deal with mankind in this age as a mass
OF humanity, but as individual citizens.
This great republic was founded on that
idea. There was a time in the political
world when the government was every
thing and all men were for the govern
ment. the individual counting for naught
except 80 far as ne might contribute to-
wards the honor and glory and material
welfare OF the empire. 1t mattered not
what became of the individual citizen or
how he lived or fourished. provided only
the government was prosperous ana pow
erfuL
The same thing was true at one time
Of the church. There was more concern
for the church as an organization ana Tor
its power ana It's influence than for the
individual members of the church. Or
ganization was all and in all, the indi-
yidual member simply contubutOry
atom.
Under this system there was no such
thing as individual liberty, political OF
religious. The citizen belonged 10 the
government. the communicate to the
church. But all this was changed when
the American iepsblc was founded. Our
forefathers proposed 10 build and did
build a government for the people, gov
eminent whose aim was TO promote the
welfare and the personal and religious
liberty Of the Individual citizen, ana TINS
is the theme OF all the writings OF Mr..
jefferson. "a wise and frugal govern
ment. which. restraining men from in
jurlng one another, shall leave them
otherwise free 20 regulate their own pur-
suits Of industry and Improvement Is
the summary OF 1t all IN his own lam
guagc. This political liberty carried with
II religious liberty and reyoluuonized the
church system. Every man was leIt iree
TO worship God in his own way ana 50 III
time the church became an organization
Tor the promotion Of personal piety. True
..l.af Isf % &
funds necessary 10 carry on its work.
and the church IS. in its own peculiar
soheie. a richer and more powerful cr-
g.nlzation than ever before. But under
he scheme OF church work The great
purpose is to make each individual mem
Der feel his personal responsibility. 10
m.ke him feel that there is a work for
him TO DO, not so much 10 promote the
Interests OF the organization as 10 aid
him in building up Christian character
for himself. There IS more concern N
the church to-day for the one VINO is lost
than Tor ninety and nine who have gone
not astray. This is 80 great subject
that 1t is impossible properly 10 treat IL
IN a brief newspaper article. but we have
stated the facts. and we think that every
tnouehtful man Will agree that no facts
are as we have stated them.
Yet on the other hand We find. con-
Trajectory az 1t may seem. that combila-
ton ~ the order Of the day in business.
Individuals have combined tlclr efforts.
and there are those who say that indi-
,iduansm Is lost IN the corporation.
What is to be the end Of 81 ali? The
socialist rejolces and proclains that the
Inevitable end is socialism, communism.
That the people are the government ana
that the tine has now come when the
people should form one great business
and political trust. and carry on all The
AFFAIRS Of life. political and Otherwise In
The interest OF one great community. II
that IL 10 be the end. then indeed Will
trusts. which The Times believes have
como In response 10 the reqair II
the age. and which may be used for our
Lc1cht. become our curse and our undo
ira Rather than that calamity, rather
than see Individual liberty oestrcyel.
.ner than see this great free people en-
shaved by socialism. for our part We
would see the trusts and all the great en-