The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-10-29
THE TYRANNY OF STATE SOCIALISM.

THE TYRANNY OF STATE SOCIALISM.
In all discussions of the subject, it must not
forgotten that there are two kinds of socialism, tn
voluntary and the involuntary.
Towards voluntary socialism there is no hostility
says the Tacoma Ledger When men tire of cut
throat competition, and living like predatory wolves
when the impulse to live like brothers, and not lik
enemies comes to them, and they found colonies il
which all live communistic life, no one places i
barrier in the way Many socialisitic colonies hav,
been founded in the past Others viii be founded il
the future. Doubtless the time will come in the
history of the when this principle of voluntary
socialism will be accepted in some form or other by
all, and men viii live in commonwealth where co
operation and not competition shall be the law The
greatest souls of all ages have dreamed of some ideal
state which they have called Utopia the Golden Age
the City of God by some other name that appeal
ed to the highest within them, and we may trust
that if there is divine principle in men, power
that makes for Righteousness, the race will some
day reach the goal
But involuntary socialism is another matter 1t
proposes to do by force what can only be accom-.
plished through sweet reasonableness 1t declares
that In short time, through the classification of
industry all the wealth of the country will be in
few hands, and then the proposal is that the work
ing class shall take possession without compensation
OF all agencies of production and distribution, and
administer them through state action in the inter-
est of the working class.
Without considering at the present time the
gross immortality involved in taking by force the
property that ability has created let us consider
what involuntary state socialism would necessarily
involve There are many things in the world which
no man loves, but we are reconcied to them when
We consider the alternative. Death is repellant and
yet when one considers that the alternative would
be over-population in the course of few wears
forcing upon us unsolvable problem, it does not
seem so unfriendly as before. In the same way the
evils Of our social system become more toerable
when We consider the alternative of involuntary state
socialism
: For state socialism involves a most gigantic
tyranny greater that the despOtsm of the past
For if all agencies of production and distribution
are placed in the hands of the state all individual
initiative and freedom must cease The individual |
vii no longer be able to choose his occupation or his
manner of living He will receive his orders from the
state like the soldier in the army If he refuses to
obey the penalty will be Imprisonment or death
1t is true that socialists picture their system as one
of economic freedom, but it would in reality be
condition of economic slavery grosser than anything
Seen in the world today
Under the present system every man is, in
measure free. Socialists deny this but it remains
true, nevertheless Every man is free to choose his
occupation and to change it as often as he likes. He
may move from one end of the country to the other
If he likes. He may rest whenever he likes. If he
has secured sufficient MEANS he may retire from la
Dor altogether
The majority would rule, socialists tell us.
Granted. But let it be remembered at all times
that there is no tyranny in the world greater than
that Of majority. State socialism would only in
crease the power of the majority over the individual
life. 1t might well result in the annihation of |
the literary man and artist, these men coming to |
be regarded as iders and improbable persons Of
one thing we may be certain; every prejudice and
vhm would be put into play and intelligence could
not fail to suffer under such regime as this But
that is what state socialism involves State socialism
would be the most gigantic tyranny that the ages
have ever seen.
s PLANT MORE TREES.