The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-09-22
SOCIALISTS N LOUISIANA.


Increase in the Socialist vote in the
North and West, and ventured the
prediction that the movement would
grow in Importance The South has
heretofore. been comparatively free
from Socialism, except,Bn so far as the
Popullst party leaned towards Socialist
doctrines II appears, however, that
the Socialist organization has secured
foothold in the South, with the de-
termination Of pushing its propaganda.
In Louisiana Socialist state conven-
ton was held a few days ago and a
platform adopted. Speakers are to take
the field for the purpose of spreading
the doctrine Of common ownership.
The Louisiana Socialists declare their
aGiIation with the national body; de-
mand that all sources and machinery
Of production shall be owned and car
ried on for the general good and that
the proceeds shall be distributed among
the whole people. That, of course, is
the basis OF all Socialism. That wealth
is unevenly distributed is recognized of
all men. The Socialists propose re-
distribution, holding that uneven
wealth is the cause Of practically all
the ills Of government and society.
They propose equality In ownership, ig-
noring the fact that all men are not
created equal In mentality and capacity
Of production.
The Socialist doctrine appeals most
powerfully to those who own no prop
erty and have little prospect of owning
any. Such persons have all to gain and
nothing to lose by any revolution In
government policies that may be adopt
ed Socialism demands absolute equal
ty in all things. Theoretically, the
proposition is beautiful, but practically
it will not work. II the wealth of the
world were distributed share and share
alike among all of the people to-day, in
year we should have rich men and
paupers, and honest men and thieves.
SO long as there are differences in men
and the time when there will not be
differences is not within the purview OF
any sane prophet-there must be diff
ferences in production, consumption
and wealth. Happily, the vast majority
Of the people OF this country own
something and hope to own more. Were
II fact that the majority was proper
tyless, there might be some danger OF
Socialism gaining the ascendancy; but
no such thing will occur as long as
property rights are respected and men
and women are ambitious to win their
way in the world by their own eff
forts.
That the Socialists OF Louisiana were
not entirely sincere In their professions
OF allegiance TO pure Socialism is shown
in the fact that they proposed segre-
cation OF the white and black races.
THAT is at once a denial of the SociaIis-
tic doctrine that all men are equal and
should therefore share equally In gov
eminent and the fruits of labor The
segregation idea was embodied in the
platform for the purpose of catering TO
Southern sentiment, but II win fall we
believe. to win great numbers of Dem
ocrats from their old party Affiliations.
Those sections of the country I'm
which Socialism iiourishes receive year
ly large inhuxes OF foreign immigration.
There has not yet been any consider
able additions OF such population In
the South The Southern section, the
most American OF any geographical
division Of the United States, VIII be
the slowest 60 take up any new ism"
brought over from Europe. There may
be- good reasons why Socialism should
flourish IN Germany. but there are no
such reasons IN the United states. and
particularly iu the South.