The Savannah morning news., 1900-06-10
SOCIALISM, THEORY AND PRAC-
TIIE.

Socialism is beautiful in theory. IND T
Il each Individual has equal rights equal
advantages equal work and equal p operty
with every other Individual. Given pencil
and a piece OF paper any enthusiastic So
cialist can demonstrate just how to make
all mankind happy through an equal dis
trlbution OF the burdens and luxuries Of
life. There are no problems TOO abstruse
TO be worked out heautlfully-on paper.
Mr. Bellamy's book didn't have a flaw in
II. Everything moved as by clockwork,
and every ody was contented II not posi-
lively happy But when IL comes to put
ting socialism into practice, there's the
rub. Numerous attempts in that direction
have been made. As yet the first
success Is 20 be chronicled.
Several years ago a number 81 co'onists
from the Northwest came 10 Georgia with
q well worked-out plan ~ socialism in
mind They secured tract OF good land
near Columbus founded colony upon
the co cooperative plan and started in to
give a practical illustrator Of their
theory. The colony was named Common
wealth A school was established, and
blacksmith shop. printing office end wood
working shop were set up. Farms were lali
on and orchards were planted The
grounds were intclligently titled, good
crops followed. and the enterprise seemed
In fair way to be successful. There was
harmony and good fellowship among the
membership of the community for while
Al length however discussions arose.
Some OF the members Of the co'oly claim
ed that certain others were arrosadug 70
themselves too much authority; ana not
only that, but were getting more Ct the
benefits OF the united efforts of the COM
munity than the complalnants. The dis
pute became bitter. and ugly charges
were made. Finally the dissatisfied ele-
Inent took The matter into court asking
for a receiver for the colony and di-
vision OF the assets. That was about a
year ago The application for a receiver
was dismissed. but the poison OF dissen-
sion had done it's work The colony has not
fourished since. A gentleman of Column
bus who has recently visited Common
wealth says that he found The men al
idle. sitting about the houses In rocking
NnhllAs tue NiNHAAhS dAN hNAN9 EANN'A Wy
In grass and weeds. ard not an acre Of
cotton or corn on the place. The only
thing IN cultivation was a patch OF peas.
There are now only about twenty-five or
thirty persons at the place, and some OF
them are preparing to leave. II is unde'-
stood that Rev. Ralph Mbertson, thu
practical leader OF the movement, is err
ranging to leave soon. The county school
authorities ore thinking Ct disseminating
the school there"
There was no fault OF soil, or china a.
OF situation. The diftlculty was that the
founders of the colony tried to accomplish
the impossible; that is. 60 harmoniEe DIS
cordant human nature. 20 make a number
OF individuals of differing capacities.
tastes aud temperaments conform - cnc
set rule Of conduct. That men are not
created equal IL the great stumbhus
block IN the way of all Socialistic expert
ments And until It is possible - evolve
a race OF men each individual Of walsh
VIII be endowed with the same amount
OF brain. and Drawn and public spirit. it
VIII be impossible to put socialism into
successful practice.