The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-22
= The Socialist Vote.

That the out-and-out socialist resolution
In the American Federation of
Labor convention at New Orleans received
by 4,897 votes being defeated by.726 votes
only, is an incident which suggests that
socialism as a political force seems to
be steadily increasing.
There would appear to be a. socialistic
leaven working in Mr.. Gomper's organiza-
ton which, although not in control of it,
may convert 1t into socia1istic solidarity.
In 1868 socialism in Germany, when Las
sale began his agitation among workmen,
was in nascent state, but the influence
Of Lassalle, Of Karl Marx Of Engels and
Others raised the socialist vote, in less
and to-day the party has more than
trebled its strength, and has shown itself
a political force with which the govern
ment finds it necessary to reckon.
How Is it in this country?
At the recent elections the national vote
500, 000-about five times the vote Debs
received In 1904 growth very decidedly
The socialist vote is strong
est in the large cities, and in great man
ufacturing states like Massachusetts, and
Pennsylvania, and, at the rate of increase
may poll a million votes. Although pop
ulism within the past two decades has
proclaimed it's sympathy with some ex-
IRENE phases of the socialistic scheme,
such as government warehouses in each
of the 1900 counties of the United States,
where farmers can bring their produce and
receive for it cash on loan In crisp, new
treasury notes or greenbacks; government
control of transportation and sthe like, the
increase in socialism is found in districts
never populist strongholds.
What is the meaning of this uplift of po-
litical socialism?
While theoretical socialism has for it's
object the perfect equality Of all classes,
leveling of distinctions, with the state
dominant over the Individual life, a kind
Of wet nurse presiding over community of
possessions, the irrational theory has not
been actualized. CADETS dream of So
cialistic paradise called Icaria, absurd in
it's details on paper, failed, like many
other schemes Of the kind have failed in
Europe and in this country. 1t has been
found entirely impracticable. by legal
enactment or social organization, to ac-
complish work which is only practicable
through the voluntary cooperation and
hoI nf
IRENE views still obtain more or less, the
socialism of this latter day is largely of
a more practical type, aiming, not at the
establishment of perfect equality and
the levelfng process, but more at the limi-
tation of existing inequalities Of society.
The theoretical socialism of extremists
cannot flourish in this country. The theo-
ry that government should do the think
ing and acting for the people and then
self dependence be discouraged, while
somewhat prevalent, is hostile to the
American self-reiant, self dependent spir
it. Mill has stated the true position wher
he says: Modern nations will. have tc
learn the lesson that the weH-being Of a
people must exist by means OF the Justtce
and self-government, the righteQnsness
and the wisdom Of the individual tize11s
The theoryof dependence attempts fpsdls
pense with the necessity for these quail,
ties in the dependent classes; the VIRTUES
of Independence are those they stand il
need Of. ~ This may be: amended by: in
Guiding the correlation Of dependence and
independence, the recognition OF the rights
and duties OF others, which is necessary
to the maintenance Of ones own rights
and duties
Thus the socialistic element will fine
Itself doomed to failure If it defies the
I fact Of the correlation of rights and du.
ties. To-day the people OF this country
enjoy most Of the political rights the So
cialist labor party of Germany clamore6
for in their platform of 1s75-manhoo6
suffrage, freedom Of organization, besides
the reservation of Sunday for a rest day
and prevention Of child labor. The vas
increase of wealth, the growth and abuse
| of corporate power and the incidental in.