The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-12
FRIDAY. OCTOBER u. 1909.
pHopIsf5t7Y AND socI,IIs,r.

II is no new thing for the editor OF q
magazine or the student Of history who
watches the actual course of events to find
how often the w!sest prophets and those
who are most flied with data and statistics
OF the past are betrayed into Iamentable
errors when trying TO forecast the future.
Patrick Henry said he had no lamp by
which his feet might be guided, save the
lamp of experience. This lamp burns
steadily and brightly. and has invariably
afforded safe guide when applied 10 mat
tiers Of present moment. But there are
very few who have been able by the light
of this lamp TO see beyond The narrow
limit of the Immediate present.
1t is especially interesting in this day of
Socielistic propaganda and clamorous meet
Ings 10 see how far from the mark the
prophets have been Who based their pre-
dictions of The future on the obvious facts
of the present. None could deny twenty
years ago that the spread of the Social
Isle idea was one of the prominent facts
of European political life. IT was regarded
by the leading rulers as a serious menace,
sand even the historian from his seques-
tered closet looked out and dared 10 proph-
esy tllat within 4 quarter of a century
Europe would be one great camp OF So
cislism. in which individual Initiative would
be sii1ied. while the ascendencx OF the
otiiee-holi:ng class would be greater and
more depressing than eyer had been the
power of The most despotic Emperor
What Is the fact? No one who looks At
Europe to-day can fail 10 be struck with
The change Of popular sentinent in regard
TO Socialism. The people of every country
are more and more filed with a desire to
earn Il living Cor themselves by their own
individual efforts. True il Is that the
Safe has extended It's scope largely, but
this extension has almost uniformly been
in the line Of greater facilities 10 the in
uividual TO help himself by his own power,
and instead of seeing the absolute de-
struction of personality there has been a
change that Is little short of an apo;ileosis
OF individual initiative. THIS change was
not forecasted, and it was not believed by
the great majority of historical writers
that such Would be the case. But It is
here. and lis presence is largely due to
that instinct in human nature which has
been especially shown in France by The
peasantry- The French are above all ma
lions. emotional and liable 10 be carried
away by the power of some great con
cepton or ideal. Therefore. i; was be-
lieved, as We :hirE, rightly that If So
ciallsm was % come III all ii would come
first IN France. and Yet the French peas
antry have stood Ike The rock of G!bral-
TAR against aag ,enaenc. in the Govern
ment which noniG deprive ine.n of their
Individual earnings and their individual
haraesteads for the use or benefit of The
nation at large or any part Of IL
The prophets we're all very We'll as far
as they went. ba; they failed 10 give The
fun significance and value 10 thai instinct
of the human heart witch makes each
man wish 10 keep what he has earned Cor
himself, and 10; 10 be forced by law 10 d.
vide with the lazy, me Incapable ard the
unworthy. THIS instinct has existed from
the beginning Of The world and will exist
until ,he end.
1t has heca the fashion 10 decSy the Demo
cratic party rs the Soc:alstic party, BE-
cause il appealed 10 the people as a whole.
bas nothing is farther IRON, srae reasoning
than 10 charge party Will standing Tor
iae efiscenent Of individuality simply ns-
cause il Appeals 10 me greatest .ia,.lne. OF
Individuals. There was a ,l.ns when Inc
Democratic party fe.l under The sway, 81
the asopul.s;s, o,.d MAS carried 10 *.
lreaes winch 4ie.l:ed ;sie suptats If s,,a,,,.
y lis bes, raeraaess and lost i, Pres
ienriaa election. AID - iong a. America
Il the home Of lie Individual free.,a,arr
.he Democratic parry will fail Al the Pres
dental elections. If ii Leaves Itself u..d.r
The fair impatatfea Of Popal.sm. Hat il
:.ie political history o; our couniey shsws
anything II shows that the Democrats have
throughout sought 10 raise The people. as
whole. to an Intelligent and respectable
position IN the government; of the country.
The Democratic party is not Just What it