The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-25
TUESDAY. APRIL q. 1899.
THE SLAVERY OF SOCIALISM.

We print elsewhere a communication
from, Mr. 4. T. Thomas, of LynchDurs'
In reply 10 an editorial which recently
appeared in The Times on tho drift to-
wards Socialism. Our correspondent
thinks Il rather surprising that The
Times should manifest "a certain amount
81 disauiet at this tendency of the age
seeing that our position in the past has
been that the corporate principle must be
kent inviolate and that accumulated
wealth must be allowed to affect all saving
possible both in protective and distrlDn-
tive capital" This he admits 10 be true
but argues from that point TO conclusions
which are as far from the doctrine of
The Times as the East is from the West
Mr.. Thomas contention I'm brief is that
the government which represents the
whole people should combine all the in
dustries Of the country into one COM
munistlc whole and let them be operated
by the government for the benefit OF the
people In short. Mr.. Thomas argues
from trusts 10 complete Socialism.
Nor is ne alone. by any means, in this
contention. The fight against trusts has
undoubtedly given Socialism in this coun-
Try a great impetus IL IS only few
days ago that a prominent Chicago
preacher said that trusts were the best
things that the world had ever known
and that they We're so good that the
government should own and operate
them. These great organizations have
made II easier than ever before for the
people to make a test Of socialism. If
they so elect. and Socialism IS undoubted-
" the only logical conclusion Of the anti
trust warfare II would be a strange
thing. 10 be sure, If this revolution should
came in the name Of Thomas Jefferson.
Mr. jefferson, in his first inaugural,
summed up the blessings which the Deo-
pie OF the United States then enjoyed.
He spoke Of the great length and breadth
OF our possessions and Of tho manifold
benefits which Providence had showered
upon the land. with all these bless
logs" said he, what more is necessary
20 make US a happy and prosperous peo-
pie?" Hear his answer. still one thing
more. fellow citizens a wise and practical
government. which. restraining men from
injuring one another. shall leave them
otherwise free 10 regulate their own pur-
suits Of industry and improvement There
YOU have the foundation principle Of
Democracy. and IL was upon this prin-
ciple that the American republic was
founded. That IL the antipode of So
rialism. A frugal government with just
enough law 10 keep one citizen from
trespassing upon the rights Of another.
a hardy. independent citizenship with
each individual left free 10 follow his
own pursuits. that is the ideal republic
that is the perfection Of American liberty
How many weary years 10 was before
this perfect liberty was gained. Some
body has said that man travels 10 cycles
even as the orbits OF planets. and suns
Having attained individual freedom
through sacrinces and martyrdom man
begins 20 weave about him again the web
Of bondage. Our forefathers came To- this
country seeking freedom. They looked
for land IN which the merit system
should prevail. in which there should be
no classes. in which all men should be
free and equal without any prejudice Of
caste this way or that They looked for
q land where each citizen should be free
from the slavery OF aristocracy and free
10 worship God ln his own way. Finally
when tho hand Of England was again laid
upon them, they rose up ina their might
and threw OF the British yoke They
said .n their Deciartlon OF Independence
that 'Sll men are free and equal. that
they arc endowed ~ their Creator with
certain inslienabio rights. chat among
these are lifs liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness. that 10 secure these rights
governments are Instituted among men.
deriving their just powers from the con-
sent Of the governed" When the war
had been fought and independence won
q constitution Was framed and adopted
90 establish and 10 secure the blessings
Of liberty 20 our forefathcrs and to their
postcri,y.
Yet there are those IN this country 10
Day who would sell that precious beri-
fage for mess OF pottage. There are
those who would overthrow our form OF