New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-04
A MODEL or SOCIALISM.

Two prominent Socialists came here from
Europe some years ago. Their object was to
show us that Socialism was a benehcent phi
losophy and that Socialists were not the on
scourings of society bent on the destruction of
civilization but were hgh-mnded, cultivated
people of good morals. who sought not revolu-
tion but evolution into n state of unselfshness
and human perfection such men bound by
the old order did not know. These people were
recommended to us as samples of the fine flower
Of humanity which their creed produced There
was nothing OF the John Most about them, and
we were told should not judge Socialism
by the becl-stccped specimens who idlcd in
saloons and made living by stirring honest
worknen to discomfort with the catchwords or
philosophy which they did not understand.
Just as we should Judge the Church by its good
people and not by the worst rascal who prated
about the religion which he did not feel, so we
should judge Socialism by the character of its
enlightened believers. and these two were point
ed ont as showing us the true meaning ana
beauty Of the new social creed.
One OF them was Dr. Edward Bibblns Ave
ling, a graduate OF University College London,
and at one time professor ut Cambridge. His
companion was Eleanor Marx, the daughter Of
Karl Marx the great German philosopher of
Socialism. the prophet and cxpounder of the
system good-natured public received the
couple with favor. gave them fiattering social
recognition. listened 10 their teachings, and,
though not converted to their doctrines. ut least
was convinced that those doctrines could not
be so terrible as had been supposed since they
were held by these cultivated and charming
persons. offering the world such beautiful ex-
amples of conjugal harmony and fidelity, ana
working for the uplifting Of mankind with
such ardor and self-abnegaton.
DR. AveIing died last August. Mrs. Aveng
let her be called Mrs Avellng by courtesy
had died in April The story Of her death Is
lust now told. The world had supposed that
the daughter Of Karl Marx had married Ave
ling but II now appears that in this respect
they carried out the Socialistlc idea of the fam
ily Last spring Aveling decided 10 take the
next step in the evolution Of the Sociallstic fam
ily and put in practice the doctrine Of termi-
nable association. Accordingly, he secretly
married young woman-whO apparently was
not n Socialist on that poiIt-without the knowl-
edge or consent of his partner. This was rather
unexpected in view of the assurances of the
American trip that Socialism of the Ayellng
brand made no attack on the essence or the
marriage relation, but was. Of course, perfect
" proper according 10 SOcialistlc theories As
Morris and Bax in their authoritative work
say: There would be no vestige OF reproba-
"tlon weighing on the dissolution Of one tie
"and the forming of another. For the abhor-
.rence Of the oppression Of the man by the
'woman or the woman by the man Will GER
"taInly be an essential outcome Of the ethics
''of the New Society"
According TO the ''ethcs Of the New Society.
Mrs. Aveling should have been satisfied not to
oppress the man any longer. but she was not.
When Avellng ted her he abhorred the OPP
pression. and meant to leave her with no yes
tlge of reprobation attaching 10 his dissolu-
ton of the tie. she said the theory did not
work. and that II he was going to leave her
the best thing she could do was To commit sui
eide He agreed with her, and permitted her
10 send to drug store for some prussic acid:
then he went out walking while she carried the
plan into execution. Aveling's subsequent death
kept him from the hands of a public prose
cutor who did not appreciate the "ethics of
the New Society.
We do not know If Aveng is still prize
snecimen Of Socialism At any rate. believers
I'm the system ought to get a new example OF
their pecuar sweetness and light. The pas
slonate hate of old-fashioned murder is rather
preferable TO the CONCEALED emotion and phllo-
sonhic calm Of the "ethlcs Of the New Society
nc nroctised nv Ayeling. The harangueS Of
Haymarkct Square are more alluring eXpoS-
tions of The lovelness Of the new doctrines than
IS the picture OF this learned professor of high
class Socialism going for walk TO let his long
accented wife. the daughter of his revered in
teloctual master. have a chance TO kill herself.