The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1899-03-11
Socialism in Germany
Tapcr Read az traEGcncrOft
~ ID. \. I'ctrc.
n lie subject OF Socialism is one
which is q1ic: :, yet surely get

IN lie subject OF Socialism is one
which is qnic:;.> yet surely get
ting Il grasp upon the minds OF
Il large portion Of or. thinking people.
especially those " o entertain the
idea Of indivitlualiSn. in its best sense.
and who have a high regard for
truly popular syste,r Of self govern
ment.
The word ':Sociali' NJ has too often
been confoundcd " III ".Anarchism,"
which, in terms are the exact oppo-
site and as totally G posed to one an
other as sunshine darkness. The
one insists upon al ideal system Of
society, with its co 'omitant benefits
under equal law anc opportunity: the
other. total oblivi to all sense of
restraint, and depr". lily untramelled.
! 1t does not therefor require one to
be a student of LANGUAGE or savant
of doctrinairc to di tinguish between
the meaning of tho terms, Socialism
| and \narchism.
As trade conditions, are reversed so
are new propositions brought forward
to counterbalance tie situation; like
wise with the steady Improvement in
machinery and it's co 'scquent reaction
on prices force us to discover new
methods for the G, ,.,loyment Of I'M
used labor.
The plan of Soca ism in Germany,
as is the method IN America, is the
equalizing Of society not by arbitrary
means, but by the adoption of laws
for the govcrnance If the people as
will prove of mutu i benefit to all.
Any person. familiar With the German
1aces. must admit Il :'ir sense of good
government, their desire therefor, for
freedom in governn'f. Mt, and the fact
that under these cor ,tions they have
a state Of society VA oh is both con-
genial and at the same time homo
geneous If this condition of affairs
be true in Germany, how is it so, and
} that in other our!res. especially
| America, an opposite state Of affairs
exist? Nm ansr'>r 50 is proposition
would require an extended eNplana-
ton. In the first place Germans are
for Germany. solid phalanN; they
are liberty loving and of social dis
position, and, as such, must neces-
sarily foster the idea of equal rights.
With this as guiding star, they are
following out the idea that the people,
in order to control their just heritage,
must by their voice own in common
usages which every citizen, regardless
of position, has by nature Il right to
enjoy.
Let us go to the town Of Gocttin-
gen, in the province of Hanover, Ger
many. After a careful study we shall
discover Il very interesting condition
pcrvading the public affairs Of this en-
gaging city, in regard to public utili-
ties.
In the Western states of this coun-
try, America, especially, the notion OF
public ownership is gaining rapidly,
and will eventually become an accom-
plished fact; but we have to retrace
our steps and traverse the streets OF
Goettingen in order to fasten our hold
on these ideas. For instance, the citi-
zens of this burg control not only
their water, gas and electric systems,
but also the breweries, pawn shops,
savings banks, abbatoirs slaughter
houses), forests, places of amusement,
high schools, bathing houses, farms,
flour mills and orphan asylums. The
farms and flour mills, places of amuse-
ment being leased by the city to the
highest bidder, after being advertised
for six months.
In this country we have become ac-
customed to the idea Of selfish ag-
grandisement and to the notion Of
~ Olll, llldt Jul COIHIllOll lIDoI It's
been lost sight of in the maelstrom of
might being right, but it is apparent
OH all sides at the present day that
these conditions in America have
reached such a pitch Of high tension
that its superstructure must fall of
its own weight.
\ large mass of our people are now
falling back on the old adage, which
men like Washington, Jefferson and
other noted statesmen considered as
the binding stone of human freedom,
the unity of man and man, which in
all ages has proved the best ordered
condition of society. Towards these
ends theSocialists of Germany are di-
rtc1inG their attention, and without
doubt are making vigorous strides.
and the strength Of their party is
amply evidenced as every election is
noted. To illustrate: \ very inter-
rSting article appeared in the Literary
Digest in 1896. regarding the condi-
ton Of the middle classes in Germany.
rs shown by one Of their best authori.