Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1899-06-10

experience IN Which TO NJ Oneself AOI q
broader field of labor. an object lesson
if properly conducted, and recruiting
camp for the cooperative common
wealth. colony can be made nee
essarv, valuble and almost indispens-
able adjunct to the mighty, onward,
irresistible movement of the new dis
pensation.
Look at the noble work performed
by Ruskin. It's value to the great
cause can never be properly estimated
or fairly approximated until the Book
OF Life is opened.
Had the Ruskinites been scattered
through the various parts of the coun-
try their influence would not have
been 1.-THE of what it has been.
If there is ANYTHING in the theory OF
the increase of power through concen-
tration, no one can gainsay that a
given number of individuals can ac-
complish more propaganda work, as
well as attain greater degree of self
development by working collectively
than individually and often at cross
purposes.
An instance has occurred during the
history of Equality that goes to JUS
tify this claim.
We had with us for time an eX-ed-
itor of national reputation, an able
writer on reform topics, keen, fearless
and aggressive. A thorough socialist
but opposed to colonies, and seeming
ly really believing them to be detri-
ment to the cause.
He worked on Industrial Freedom
and his labors were valuble, but not
satisfied with our policy he determined
to seek fresh fields and soon we heard
from him as engaged in the publica-
ton of spicy socialist weekly, and
firing hot shot into the ranks of the
enemy.
But alas, his individual enterprise
was destined to be short lived. His
weekly has suspended operations, and
Plutus can again chuckle at "another
socialistic fizzle,' another evidence of
"socialistic incompetency"
At the risk of a depression l will re-
mark that the breaking down of re-
form organs does nearly as much to
retard the cause as their very able
writings and teachings do to furtherit.
In the above case, had our comrade
been content to work with us cooper
atively, there would as yet have been
no breakdown. and the enemy would
have been given that much less graft
iication.
Had the reformers combined their
talents and resources on fewer papers
there would have been less dishearten-
ing failures and consequently more ef-
fective work. They have preached CO.
operation and almost invariably prac-
ticed competition.
A colony is valuble in order to disa-
buse the minds ofits neighbors of the
idea that socialists are a lot of uncan-
ny, fendish nondescripts and half hui
man rapscallions and freaks
Equality, and doubtless, Ruskin and
other socialist colonies are viewed in
far more favorable light by the peo-
pie near them than on their first in
ception.
The bogie idea regarding socialists
becomes eliminated through closer
contact.
Colonies will doubtless be formed
after state socialism is established,
composed of those who believe in ideal
socialism. They will always have
their place and mission in every great
forward movement, but the most of
the present colonies. or rather of the
lately formed, now formed and to be
formed will probably accomplish their
mission and disappear after univer-
sal public ownershipis brought about.
For they are nearly all organized on
economic lines. and on account of dis
satisfaction with economic conditions.
The next breed will likely be formed
on higher idealistic and philosophic
lines which will necessitate the selec-
ton of altogether different material.
Colonies are nations in miniature,
imperfect pictures of coming systems
and conditions. and are bound toplav
their part i'll spite Of all adverse criti-
cisms.
The unsuccessful ones are like the ex-
periments Of an inventor before he
makes hit. Disagreeable, but nee
cssary under the circumstances.
Colonies as bases of operation for
propaganda work are a great inn
Drovemcnt our 5 l. p comrades to
the contrary Notwithstanding, and
their work in that direction could be
multiplied many times but for the APP
athv or opposition of so large pro-
portion Of the socialists.
What inconsistency, Socialists adj