The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-10-17

istic and fundamentally opposed to
Socialism, but in recent years it has
departed from foundation principles
and today the dominant element
that is, the Bryan element, seems
to be passing through Populism
into Socialism pure and simple
Its tendency may be accelerated at
any moment, and when we consider
that it has, in its present state, no
constructive principle or policy we
may readily see how any marked
change for the worse in the material
condition of the country would be
seized upon by Democrats as occa"
sion for coming out positively tor
Socialism and making it cardinal
feature of their political program.
1t is not necessary to recount all
the facts and circumstances which
incline us to this view. They are
sufficient to make somewhat strong
impression and afford grounds for
the belief that the time for the dis
cussion of Socialism is at hand.
Mr.. E. Francis Gary has told us
what Socialism aims at and how it
proposes to accomplish its end. In
fairness, it must be admitted once
for all that Socialists, at heart, de-
sire to bring about better social con-
ditions. But the desire to do good
must not be contounded with its
accomplishment. Wrongs of the
most cruel and appalling character
have been committed in the name
of religion and morals, and, so, social
disasters may result from the best
of intentions.
A great part of Mr.. Gary's arti'
Gle is devoted to altruistic statements
highly creditable to the quality Of
his heart, but altruism is not pecu'
liar to Socialism. All classes Of
men recognize the existence of un'
fair social conditions, and, with
very few exceptions, all men desire
to improve those conditions. The
difference lies in the way of going
about it. Socialism proposes te
: take men as they are, weak, selfst
and more or less corrupt, aggregate
them, and force them by Legislative
enactment to become strong, unset
t fish and pure. None will gainsay
: the desirability of working that sor
of a miracle upon mankind, Blu
many do seriously doubt the posi-
, bility of doing it that way.
L Individualists think that the onl!
way to improve social conditions i
to begin with the individual. Whel
all the individuals are properly edu
Gated and developed, the perfec
state will have come and the neces
sity for legislation cease to exist
> It is thus seen that the ultimate en-
q sought by Socialists and Individual
lists is exactly the same.
Mr.. Gary's approving reterenc
= to the conclusions of the America
e Bar Association illustrates the Sc
> cialistic idea clearly. 1t is to hav
' law make men instead of men mad
laws.
I THE TRIBUNE insisted on MI
Il Gary defining the Socialist program
{ and it was proper to do SO. Socia
d ism proposes a change from the ex
: listing order. It proposes to estal
j. lish a better state by a process
It radically different from that whic
Il is now in vogue. Therefore, as W
q are all agreed on the desirability {
a better state, the only questio
i open to controversy is the be-
4 method of attaining it, and, certain
1y, none could state that methc
re with precision and authority as we
as a Socialist.
Mr.. Gary candidly proclaims d
struction of private capital by OF
of three ways, each amounting
ID precisely the same thing: Firs
in absolute confiscation; second, cor
IN pulsory barter; third, competiti1
b, humiliation. That is the criminal
te choice-hung, shot or beheade