The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-12-31
ANSWERS ENGLenARD
Mr.. Rockwell Replies 10 DIR. Englshard's
Structures upon Socialism.

Strlcturoe upon Soclelism
Prior to the Denver conference, DR..
F. Englehard, of Rising City, Neb.,
offered some good advice to those
who expected to be present at Denver.
Incidentally he took occasion to say a
few words regarding socialism and
single tax, his position being that the
farmers OF the United States stand as
a bulwark against the adoption OF the
single tax or the socialists ultimate,
the collective ownership of the means
of production and distribution.
DR.. Englehard's article served as a
text for a great number of sermons by
both socialists and single takers, and
several Of these were published at diff
ferent times. Although by lapse of
time the incident is closed, there are
yet a number of good letters on hand
which will bear printing even at this
late date In passing, The Indepen-
dent will say it has a second COM
munication from DR.. Englehard which
will be published later, summing up
the work Of his critics. The follow
ing speaks for itself:
Editor Independent: Some time ago
Mr.. f. Englehard, in speaking of So
cialism, said: "They see the defects
OF our present social and economic
system as clearly as anybody, and
for one give them the fullest credit
of honesty and sincerity, yet the
means by which they seek to remedy
the existing evils is worse than the
disease ANY theory, social Or 9TH
elwise, to be successful must be in
harmony with the laws of nature.
| thank Mr.. Englehard for giving
the socialists credit of seeing the de-
fects SO clearly; and any man who
will study history and look into our
present affairs can plainly see that
the defects are all In accord with in
dlyidual ownership which Is our pres
ent system.
But when he says, "Any theory, go
cial or otherwise, to be successful must
be in harmony with the laws Of Ia-
ture,' does he mean successful for the
masses or the few, and what kind Of
nature does he mean, animal or hui
man? Human nature is kindness and
benevolence the same as Christ taught
when on earth, humanity to man.
If he means thu laws Of animal ma
ture, he will see that the present and
past political parties in power, the
world over, already have the theory:
1t lis individual ownership; 1t Is in
harmony with the laws of animal ma
ture and works to perfection to plum
der one another-the most unprin-
cipled corrupters come out ahead at
the expense of others.
When he says, "The means by which
they (meaning socialists) seek to rem
edy the existing evils is worse than
the disease he acknowledges that
individual ownership is the disease
that Is affecting and eating the life
and manhood out of the masses and
nation for he knows that individual
ownership is the disease. that socialists
propose to doctor for.
Yet he Is infavor of letting the dis
ease alone and only doctor the sores
which are only the effects. Socialists
study the laws of nature and the the
DRY Of cause and effect. and after
carefully reviewing the past and pres
ent, their decision Is that individual
ownership is the cause; the effects of
It are, money above principle and
honor. money above life, and wars of
conquest for spoils, slavery and serf-
dom and all sorts of crime and innu-
mainly to man. And they propose TO
kill the disease individual owner
ship and the sores will heal them
selves.
We all know that individual owner
ship is the means by which plutoc-
racy gets hold on the masses; II Is
class TO be dreaded in every country
by the masses and all who have the
welfare of mankind at heart. MIR.
Englehard knows that and admits II
when he further ON said: Nov. the
democratic party Is In the unfortunate
position that the overwhelming ma
jority OF II Is handicapped by a
wealthy aud powerful minority IN
whose hands IN the political machinery
foi the manipulation of state conven-
tions. whereby free End complete
expression OF the masses can be pre-
vented"
Can he deny that the rich and pow
aElul minority tas he terms 10 could