The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-03-24
SOCIALISM,.

OVNuN9-UAtVuo
Socialism has recently come to be
a theme of no little interest in Amer
lean political life, and through the
eloquence and zeal of many of it's
advocates many converts have been
added to the ranks of the socialists.
To the careful observer of political
movements, however, the growth of
socialism is not such as to justify the
prediction that it will become domi-
nant factor in American politics. It's
growth seems to be due to wide
spread dissatisfaction with other
political parties rather than to a
thorough understanding of the prin-
ciples of socialism. Indeed, those
who preach the doctrine of socialism
seem to confine themselves to de-
nouncing the ills from which the
body polite is suffering with the
broad statement that socialism is the
only remedy. The details Of how
the remedy is to operate being left
to the imagination of the nearer.
The great mass Of the American peo-
pie are fully conscious of the fact
that certain classes and corporations
are given special privileges at the
expense of the many; but before
they jump at any remedy they must
know the exact manner in which 1T
is to relieve them. They are quite
willing to be convinced but this cali
not be done by a mere denunciation
OF evils of which they are already
cognizant The American people are
practical, if nothing else, and If So
cialism is to ever succeed in any sub
Stantial measure, the people must be
convinced of its practicablity Many
practical efforts have been mace to
establish socialist communities, and
all of them have failed but this by
no means proves that socialism is a
failure. for the man with unlimited
capital may succeed in a business
venture where hundreds with but
moderate means have failed.
Socialism. in certain form, has
been practced in Russia for many
centuries, but it does not seem to
have benefited the people, and, in
fact it seems to be looked upon as
an evil from which the people are
anxious to escape; but this, of course,
may be due to its environment in
the cars dominions. The proclaim
alton issued by the ear on the 18th
OF the present month, in which reli-
gious liberty and freedom from COM
munal ties are promised. has been
hailed with Joy by the people of Rus
STA. Upon the subject of communal
property and communal ties the
czar's proclamation con tains the fol
lowing:
In this work the fundamental
principle of the inyiolability of com
munal property is to be maintained
while at the same time means are TIC
be found TO render it easier for the
individual to sever connections Will
the community to which he belongs
il he so desires.
''Without delay, measures must b,
taken to release the peasants from
the present burdcnsome liability o
forced labor"
a large proportion of the farmers
of Russia live in villages or com
munes, where all labor, as we'll al
all of the business of the village il
pooled, and the privilege of belong
ing TO the commune and sharing il
its benefits entails an obligation upol
each one to perform certain Pre-
portion of the work; hence the law
upon forced labor These obliga
tons are looked upon by the pea
SAINTS as irksome and the chance t
escape from them is regarded as
boon.
Socialism may yet prove to be a
its advocates claim for it. but it ha
yet to prove its ability to regulat
the affairs of mankind in a practice
and successful manner.