The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1899-03-11
Socialism in Germany
Pancr Read nj CraEEencrOft
Fly ID. 4. Tctrc.
IN lie subject OF. Socialism is one
which is QUIET, vet surely get

4 large portion OF OE: thinking people,
especially those w'io entertain the
idea Of indivdualism in its best sense,
and who have high regard for
truly popular systero of self govern
ment.
The word "Socialjs NJ has too often
been confounded 18th 'Anarchism,"
which. in terms arc the exact oppo-
site and as totally posed to one an
other as sunshine arl darkness. The
one insists upon als ideal system. of
society, with it's CO.. :omitant benefits
under equal law ant: opportunity; the
other, a total obliyi. to all sense of
restraint, and depra. .sity untramelled.
1t does not therefor require one to
be student of lang suage or a savant
of doctrinaire to d. tinguish between
the meaning of the terms, Socialism
and Anarchism.
As trade conditions are reversed so
are new propositions brought forward
to counterbalance the situation; like
wise with the steady Improvement in
machinery and it's consequent reaction
on prices force us to discover new
methods for the eI s'loyment of un-
used labor. Il
The plan of Socia 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 governance of the people as
will prove of mutual benefit to all.
Any person, familiar with the German
races, must admit tIsir sense of good
government, their desire therefor, for
freedom in government, and the fact
that under these co5i' itions they have
a, state of society Nl,ch is both con-
genial and at the same time homo
geneous. If this conuition of affairs
be true in Germany, how is it so, and
that in other countries, especially
America, an opposite state of affairs
exist? An answer 80 sis proposition
would require an extended explana-
ton. In the first place Germans are
for Germany, a solid phalanx; they
are liberty loving and of social dis
Ppsition, and, as such, must neces-
sarily foster the idea of equal rights.
With this as a 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 right to
enjoy.
Let us go to the town Of Goettin-
gen, in the province of Hanover, Ger
many. After careful study we shall
discover very interesting condition
pervading the public affairs Of this ell
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
profit, that our common neighbor has
been lost sight of in the maelstrom of
might being right, but it is apparent
on 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
it's 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-
recting their attention, and without
doubt are making vigorous strides,
and the strength Of their party is
amply evidenced as every election is
noted. 10 illustrate: A very inter-
esting article appeared in the Literary
Digest in 1896. regarding the condi-
ton of the middle classes in Germany,
as shown by one Of their best authori-