The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1901-10-10

If we are all for self, is that any rea-
son why we should gnaw bones while a
few OF our number enjoy the feast?
If we are all on the grab, why
should we stand empty-handed and let
few grabbers take the land and the
best of what the land yields?
The heart of man is wicked. Very
well; but what has that to do with the
case? Because we are none of us vir-
tuous, shall a few sinners take all the
cake and ale?
If we are such greedy hogs, it is
strange that we allow ourselves to be
robbed of our share
Perhaps the people of Liverpool are
all greedy. But why should Lord Sal
isbury own nearly half the city, while
the hundreds of thousands of workers
do not own a brick nor a foot OF land
and even have to pay rent for a grave!
Mankind, let us say, are all rogues
every one bigger rascal than the
other; but that is no reason why they
should pay four shillings foot for bad
gas if they can make good gas them
serves for half crown.
Human nature is vile Be it so; but
that docs not prevent the city of Glas-
gov from managing its tramways bet.
ter than they we're managed by the
company.
There is no such ;i,irg as perfection
in this world. Just so. The bee has a
sting and the rose thorn; but is that a
reason why the laboring man should
not have beef with his mustard?
We all want as much as we can get
Then let us all get as much as we can
If men really are selfish and greedy
that is a strong reason why they should
turn Socialists and insist upon having
every penny they earn.
The argument about the incentive
of gain" is an argument in favor oi
practical Socialism. If you want to
know how it fares as an objection to
communism or ideal Socialism, you will
find it dealt with in 'Merrie England y
What! We are all selfish and greedy!
Then let us act as selfish and greedy
men would act Let us get all we can
for ourselves Let us reject the state
of things which gives us the work and
others the wealth. Let us demand So
cia'ism, and see thai we get it.
Bu. we shall lie told that Socialism is
impossible. That the people have not
the ability to manage their own affairs,
and must perforce give nearly all they
produce to the superior persons who so
kindly manage tine nation.
So; we are told that we cannot man
age our own busiress-that we cannot
farm the land, and build the mills, and
weave the cloth, and feed, and clothe,
and house ourselves: we are not able to
do it. We must have landlords and
masters to do it for us.
But the joke is that the masters and
landlords do not "do it for u.s." We
do it for them. And they make us pay
them for allowing us to do it.
Besides, it is bad for the Impossibles'
pet argument that nearly all the things
they say the people cannot do without
masters have been done, or are being
done by the people now.
For if the nation can build war ships.
why can they not build cargo ships !?
If they can make rifles, why not sew
ing machines and plows? If they can
build forts, why not houses? If they
can make policemens' boots and SOL
diers' coats, why not make ladies' hats
and mechanics trousers? If they can
pickle beef for the navy, why should
they not make jam for the household? ?
If they can run railway across the
African desert, why should they not run
one from London to York?
Look at the cooperative societies.
They own and run cargo ships. They
import and export goods. They make
boots and foods. They build their own
shops and factories. They buy and
sell vast quantities Of useful things.
Well, these places were started by
working men, and are owned by work
ing men.
Look at the postoffice. If the nation
can carry its own letters, why not its
own coal? If it can manage its tele-
graphs, why not its railways, its trans.
its cabs, its factories?
Look at the London County Council.
and the Glasgow and Manchester cor
porations. If these bodies OF public
servants can build dwelling houses,
make roads, tunnels and sewers, carry
water from Thirlmere to Manchester,
manage the Ship Canal, make and sup
ply gas, own and work tramways, and
take charge of art galleries, baths, wash
houses. and technical schools, what is