New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18
WHAT COLLECTHISM WORLD no.

From The London Spectator
We are not much afraid Of Socialism becom-
ing triumphant either in Great Britain. Ameri-
ca or Germany. The essential character OF A
race rarely changes. and the Teuton will always
detest the social tyranny and minute domestic
supervision which are the conditions OF a truly
Socialistic regime. He may sanction pillagc
though We do not believe he will but H. will
never nationalize the spoil. He wants 10 be
himself. not an item in the community and pre-
fers Independence to improved diet.
We regard COllectvsm, a possible social
policy which Socialism Is not: but II is in our
opinion. most dangerous one. not so much be-
cause it would decrease the comfort Of the ma
jority. though it would do that also. as because
It would impair the national character. Nature
refusing everything even bare subsistence ex-
ccpt in payment for work. the immense MAORI
~ in any nation must always work and the
CoectlVist system insureS that they must al
ways work in strict Subordination. Municipal
tiles or nations owning all capital all industrial
ladders are taken away. and there remain only
the community and those who. under its orders
labor for its benefit. There would not only he
no small masters. but no variety in mastership.
the whole Of the present competitive clements
being superseded by a single authority There
would in a great town be in practice fac
tory. shop. and one farm. and these three
would be identical. There would be one set OF
rules for social me- one set OF ruling ideas. one
set OF managers authorized To carry them out
one distributor OF wages and he a trustee bound
by his position To wrap himself in formulas
bilious. the independent and the gnarled-l
very distinct ciass-would he compelled Il stand
aside. and only those who Obeyed agreeaby
would have pleasant or even tolerable lives
The mass would be priyates in a regiment
with hope of rising To be officers. and the bot
ter they were Differed the sooner they would
lose the power OF acting for themselves M
grown man becomes like child a good
private in a good regiment with "A good COM
handing officer and the privates of the mun.r-
ipal army would b, enlisted for life. Discipline
would become the great doctrine obedience tna
great virtue. and scparatcness the great stigma
on "A mana result. ii is said. already apparent
i'm many Of the factories which have lasted more
than two generations. There would. it is said
be much Brotherhood" which would De- grand
compensation. but there are riValrcs for "a. l"r
things than wages or custom. and jeaiouS.oS.
hatrcds. even hostticS. are To be- found in a
regiment. n profession even monastery.
The weakening of character produced by uni
vcrSal sameness Of life. universal Obedcu," and
universal freedom from competition Is no guar
antce either for virtue or cultivation or con-
tent. Indeed there is said u be Wickriuess.
drunkenness contention and crime even BIO Rus
sian villages. though the antique institution OF
the Mir is a close approach To tho CoilectviSt
ideal. and has succeeded. many Observers say.
in creating the great want Of the Russian char
acter. the absence Of initiative and diSuclind-
ton to stand alone. 1t is not because 10 l. I'M
practicable. for in many directions IL Is quit'
practica BILE. that we oppose CollectiNism. but be-
cause ii is opposed To the fullest development
OF freedom. and because we dislike-eVcn det'St
the character which we believe IL would IN
generation or two impose on the community
The competitive struggle has many draw backs,
but at least IT produces men. and II II men we
want to make. not great associations OF lmpet-
sOnal consumers of food.